NorthWest Indiana Real Estate Blog: Indiana

 This week, I  attended an Indiana CRS BOD Meeting and Luncheon at the Marriott in downtown Indianapolis, IN.

Indy is host city for Super Bowl XLVI and what a great NFL experience  is happening the week leading up to the big game

Hoosier Hospitality at it's finest!

Media madness at it's best too! 

SKY sports blog even got a photo of Jeff and the Colts Super fan at the same time they were posing and looking at My camera LOL !

Here is a brief photo re-cap of the fun time we had before and after my conferences :)

Zipline anyone?  what you can't see are the office workers 4 stories up in adjacent buildings that were distracted by the zipline riders this week LOL

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I tweeted this photo of Prince Amukamara #20 of the New York Giants cordially signing autographs of fans in the lobby and was subsequently notified by tweeps who follow him of his philanrhropic efforts!

 What an awesome few days in Indy and what a view from our room too ->

If you get a chance to go down to Indy before the Superbowl this Sunday to expereince the pre-game atractions downtown - DO IT - and bring your family - you won't be dissapointed!

Having a cottage in Valpo with a place to lay your fishing gear, grab a cold drink and have off street parking to PARK YOUR BOAT, Trailer and CAR for under 50 K ?

Check out the Neighborhood Information below with numerous links to not only fishing on flint lake, but

other nearby lakes in Valparaiso Indiana as well!

For Avid Fisherman - These are some links to bring you some information about

Flint Lake and Fishing on Flint Lake in Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.

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Over the weekend, we listed for sale an all brick Townhome in the Munster, Indiana neighborhood of

White Oak Estates!

We've blogged about living in the town of Munster before.

Whether downsizing or just starting out, this Townhome priced at assessed value offers a convenient

location off  Main Street.

Lake County Indiana Living has it's advantages...Close to major roads for Chicago-land commute, plus, parks and

shopping and dining are all nearby!

Lawn Care, Snow Removal and Landscape Maintenance are included in the monthly HOA dues.

All offers to purchase are subject to lenders approval of a short sale. Showings by appointment.

  In 2010 Congress passed Obama's Health Care Bill that has in it a Real Estate Tax of 3.8 % that is effective on 1/1/13 that will affect some Property Sales depending on the sellers income bracket.

This tax may affect many types of Real Estate Sales TAX Scenarios in 2013 such as:

* Sale of A Principle Residence (Capitol Gain)

* Sale of a Second (Vacation) Home (Non-Rental)

* Sale of an Inherited Investment Property (Residential or Commercial)

This new tax is sometimes referred to as 'Medicare Tax' as proceeds will be used to extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund predicted to run dry. 

The National Association of REALTORS has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's on their website for your reference.

Bottom line is that for some..... waiting to sell their home will affect their bottom line next year. 

If you are thinking of Waiting till next year to sell you Northwest Indiana property-you may want to think again->

 Talk To Tucker Today to get your home on the market this year!

In 2010 the FHA waived the regulation prohibiting insuring a mortgage

on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days.

For the second year in a row,

the Federal Housing Administration is extending a temporary waiver of it's

anti-flipping rule.

Therefore, home buyers who are pre-approved with FHA finaincing, WILL be able to buy a home that has

changed hands in the last 90 days under the following conditions:

• The transaction must be ARMS-LENGTH (no interest between buyer and seller OR any other parties involved in the real estate transaction).
  

• Cases in which the sales price of the property is 20 Percent or more above the seller's acquisition will have to meet lender specific conditions.

• The waiver does not apply to HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgages)

This will allow investors to acquire, rehab, and sell properties with no time frame constraint.

 Since FHA loans are popular with 1st time homebuyers and buyers who lack the larger conventional loan downpayment, this waiver may stimulate the housing market in 2012.

The inventory of foreclosed and abandoned properties may be bought by investors who will be able to fix, (flip) and sell them to FHA approved buyers regardless of the (previously imposed) time frame.

If you are looking for Investment Property in Northwest Indiana and want to take advantage of this

FHA Anti-Flipping Rule Waiver extension through 2012 -> Talk To Tucker!

This home is located in phase II of Eagle Ridge Subdivision off Route 6.

Located between Valparaiso and Chesterton this Duneland area development in Porter County provides easy access

to Indiana Dunes National Lake shore, South Shore Train Station for Chicago-land Commute and Indiana Toll road

and expressways nearby for an hour drive to The LOOP Downtown.

A new hospital is being built nearby (estimated completion late 2012 off IN SR 49 ).

Enjoy the music video tour and give us a call to make an appointment to see this beautiful property!

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Lakewood Terrace Neighborhood in Valparaiso, IN 46383 is located in Liberty Township on the Northside of Town.

Last week we listed a property located in this subdivision that is close to one of our favorite restaurants in town and also close to the 49 er drive in outdoor movie theater that is summer time family fun!

The property status is now PS on the MLS, meaning the seller has accepted an offer, but wishes to continue to show the home for backup offers only.

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We've blogged about living in the town of Munster, IN 46321 before.

Recently, we listed for sale a Brick 1/2 Duplex Home - 2 story with finished basement and detached 2.5 Car Garage on a mature tree-lined street close to schools, parks, Community Hospital, and major roads for ease of commute to Chicago-land.

There is still a downpayment assistance program in Indiana for 1st time homebuyers offered by IHCDA.IN.GOV

With Low Property Taxes, Great Location and Affordable price-> this Home is worth careful consideration!

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The MARKET Determines the Price!

Key elements affect the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that a REALTOR performs prior to listing your property for sale using SOLD similar properties in your neighborhood or area.

• Location
• Size of Home and Property (Land)
• Condition
• Characteristics and Features
• Improvements 

The basis for valuation, however, is not what the seller thinks they "need" or "want" and not what the buyer even offers!

The APPRAISER (ordered by the Buyers lender)determines the value based on recent SOLD area comps of similar homes. Your Home must appraise at or above purchase price stated in the contract for the loan to close escrow.

The Market Determines the Price.

This past year we've experienced real estate closings in which the sellers who purchased their homes at the peak of the Real Estate Market several years back actually had to bring money to closing!

We continue to see some sellers upside down on equity in their home needing to "sell short" or list their home for sale subject to their lenders approval of a short sale.

 Real Estate is a Local Business and not every market area has been affected the same way.

If you would like a complimentary CMA,

Determining the Value of Your Northwest Indiana Home Talk To Tucker-Indiana's Real Estate Leader

This Hessville, Indiana Home For Sale listed by

F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate serving Northwest Indiana

had an accepted offer in just 11 Days on Market and Closed Escrow 40 days later!

Talk To Tucker to sell your Northwest Indiana Property!

This week, we listed a home for sale in the town of Wheatfield, IN in The Northwest Indiana County of Jasper.

This home is subject to lenders approval of a short sale.

We've blogged about Wheatfield before - one of our favorite restaurants in NW Indiana is there :)

With newer schools and access to Interstate 65 for commuting, this small town county setting has big city access!

Perched on a corner lot 165 x 170 (almost 3/4 acre) this 2003 custom built home features:

• 2970 SF  2 story home (3 Bedrooms + Office) 2.5 baths + 900 SF attached 3.5 car finished garage
• Hardwood floor in 2 story entry foyer and formal dining room
• French doors to Home office or parlor off foyer
• Kitchen w/cherry wood cabinets, solid surface Virtue stone counter tops, ceramic tile floor, island + breakfast bar, widow dining nook overlooking backyard w/door to patio
• Family room open to kitchen with wall to wall built in entertainment center
• Dramatic Staircase to 3 spacious bedrooms upstairs
• Master Suite with 2 walk-in closets, double glass showers, whirlpool tube, dual vanities
• 3rd bedroom with volume ceiling and sitting area

Alot of home & land for the $$ - worth your careful consideration -> Talk To Tucker To see this property.

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My, short sales have changed in the last few years!

This Home For Sale in Lake Station, IN 46405 has already been approved for a short sale by the lender!

Short Sales differ from traditional real estate transactions.

Indiana Law has helped the time frame for approval be reasonable.

This property however, has had the approval process completed and now just awaits offers!

If you are searching for a starter home, well maintained, 3 bedrooms, fenced backyard, reasonable taxes, big 2.5 car garage, commuting distance by expressway or train to Chicago-land, - consider this home - why rent when your payments could be less?

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Well priced homes in excellent condition are selling in Northwest Indiana despite the winter weather and Holiday Season!

Like this Valparaiso, Indiana Home For Sale listed by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate that had an accepted offer in just 30 days on the market and closed 45 days later!

Talk to Tucker to sell your Lake County, Porter County or La Porte County Indiana Property!

From Our Homes to Yours...Wishing you Joy, Peace, Love and Blessings this Holiday Season....

and Health, Happiness and Prosperity in the coming New Year!

Pictured from left to right Jeff Safrin, Grace Safrin, Olga Kwolek, Ty Gammon, Linda Littlejohn

Valparaiso, Indiana is located in Porter County, Northwest Indiana and has many neighborhoods.

 The Lexington Green community (Facebook Page) in Valpo (zipcode 46383) is a several block development of single family homes with a vacant playlot with gazebo centrally located for residents to enjoy gathering together or playing sports.

With Valparaiso University just down the road,

and shopping at  Market Place nearby....

affordably priced homes located in

Center Township school district are available for sale.

Easy access to Indiana 49 which can take you to the IN tollroad or 1 94 expressway for a chicago-land commute.

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Have Horses? no problem-> how about 10+ acres of land, custom built home, barn with stalls for horses or farm animals with adjacent fenced corral and pasture (there is even a 2nd separate access road on this parcel of land that goes straight back for easy hay delivery:)

This EQUESTRIAN Property for sale by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate in Starke County Indiana is priced below recent appraised value

 click this link for more info and video of this listing->

Grovertown, Indiana 46351 Real Estate For sale By F.C.Tucker 1st Team serving Northwest Indiana

Did we mention there is a stocked pond with a gazebo overlooking the property too?

It hasn't happened in years. Valparaiso University Crusaders won in OT yesterday playing the Butler Bulldogs on

their home court at the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN -> BOX SCORE

This game was a nail biter for sure!

Check out the Highlights Video !

Thanks to modern technology, we watched part of the game in Valpo with an Ap for our Ipad (techinical difficulties with Horizon League Feed for awhile - ironically when Valpo took the lead LOL).

We enjoy cheering on our hometown team and this season is sure off to an exciting start!

Follow the Fans on Twitter with these hashtags->

#GoValpo

#ValpoGameDay

Lot's of NEW this season at Valpo!

New Head Coach Bryce Drew

New Players

New Scoreboards & More

Come to some home games and see for yourself :)

 As I reviewed our data base recently to send out Holiday Cards (yes, I still take time to hand write peoples names in each one of several hundred of them and add a note sometimes too :)

I came across an address of an expired listing in Northwest Indiana of over a year ago that had an offer, but did not sell because the sellers wanted to wait for a better offer.

As I cross referenced the Multiple Listing Service History on this property

I saw that it did finally sell for tens of thousands of dollars less than the offer presented some 700 days earlier!

Combine this dramatic drop in price with paying Indiana Property tax for 2 years, Nipsco Utility bills over 2 brutal Indiana winters, maintenance and up keep, not to mention MORTGAGE payments.

There was a substantial amount of money put into the property as well combined with thousands $ off list price!

So you want to wait for a better offer on your Northwest Indiana Home?

When the supply of homes exceeds the demand (less buyers shopping, more homes to chose from),

sometimes it's better to work with the offer you have on the table to negotiate to a mutual  agreement, then to risk economic changes in the market and wait.

Buyers are savvy  - in this market, there are short sale or foreclosed homes as competition.

These properties more likely to get multiple offers nowadays.

So, if you are thinking of selling your Northwest Indiana Property, there are some things to keep in mind when you receive an offer->

Factors that will not influence the value your Northwest Indiana Home

The STATS on home values and other factors are THE MOST Important to consider when accepting, rejecting or countering any offer.

We've blogged about the Northwest Indiana recreational community of Shorewood Forest before.

Located in Valparaiso's Union Township, recently we listed for sale a Lakefront Home with it's own private boat dock/pier AND a boat lift too!

Lake Louise in Shorewood Forest is a 240 acre lake

Shared Clubhouse -> available for rent for parties and events to neighborhood home owners.

Pool -> state-of-the-art 25 meter 6-lane pool with a 20' x 30' diving well as well as a 16' x 24' wading pool

Tennis courts-> one set of the community tennis courts is right across the street from this listing

Children's Playground-> plus a sandy beach and picnic area too!

Three boat mooring facilities->The P.O.A. has 66 rental boat docks and a boat-launching ramp. Use of the lake is for members only. The lake is stocked with bass, crappie, perch, channel cat and blue gills. Enjoy fishing year round!

Owner activities; Shorewood Fest Hog roast & Fireworks, Clue Hunt,

  Philanthropic Committee, Neighbor to Neighbor Committee, Calendar of Events

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Don't miss the boat on this SHORT SALE opportunity - Talk To Tucker today to schedule your private showing!

From Our Homes to Yours - Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

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