Read the rest of this entry »

Spring is in the air and the snow is melting in NW Indiana…

Here are some seasonal photos (Spring & Summer) of a property we have listed for sale @

5232  N Colsen Ct,  New Carlisle, IN  46552

4000+SF Hillside Ranch on 4 + Acres of Retreat Like Setting La Porte County, IN. Near(20 min)South Bend & Lake Michigan.Commute to Chicago by South Shore Train.Custom Quality Built,Original Owners,Well Insulated.Open Concept Foyer/Living/FDR w/Loft overlooks LL FamRm.2 Story Wall of Windows brings in views of nature.Magestic Central Brick FP on each Level.Main Flr.Master Suite w/Private Deck,2 Walk-in Closets,Glass Block Shower(Dual heads)+Double Vanity Sinks+Whirlpool Tub.Country Kitchen w/Stainless Appliances,Custom Pantry Area w/Wine Rack,Island w/Convection Oven,Breakfast Bar w/sleek cooktop surface,Dining Nook Opens to 2nd Deck.2nd BR on Main level used as Home Office=has Closet+bath.Grand LL FR w/2nd FP,Bar Area,2walkouts to lg Patio.2 LL BR’s share 3rd bath.Big Laundry+storage/utility rms.20×40 Heated Inground Pool+Solar Cover+Robot Vacuum.30×48 Pole Barn,Shed,Inground Sprinklers,Meticulous Landscape.NEW CARPETING THROUGHOUT.

Seller pays $4000.towards your closing costs w/full offer!

We’ve been blessed to have started off the New Year 2010 with sales of our listed properties in NW Indiana in Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties and have more pending real estate closings as well.

Ironically, we still get calls from prospective buyers wanting to see homes that have accepted offers or are SOLD already ?! 

We suggest writing Back-up offers on some of these, but rather than experience the pain of regret for not acting sooner….consider our professional services to list and market your property to sell during this PRIME TIME ->

Time is running out for  $ 8.000 1st Time Home Buyer tax credit needing a offer in place by April 30th, 2010 or for move up / downsizing opportunities for existing home owners to take advantage of the $6500 tax credit!

As Real Estate Brokers & Owners of one of  F.C Tucker Company Real Estate affiliate offices in Indiana, we now travel to Indianapolis from our hometown of Valparaiso about once a month for various meetings, events or an occasional speaking engagement.

It has been our personal observation in the last 6 months, that more and more Wind Energy Turbine’s grace the farmland and landscape along Interstate 65 from Northwest Indiana south to Indianapolis.

Wind Energy in Indiana is becoming a growing business!

If you are interested in large vacant land parcels for sale in Northwest Indiana to develop GREEN wind energy business – give us a call to help you find the farm or parcel that suits your budget and needs.

We’ve been blessed to have served many wonderful people in NW Indiana over the past decade and are grateful for the repeat business and referrals from past clients as well.

Our website has had a Testimonial page for years with letters from clients who gave us permission to share their story ….each situation being unique and just as varied as every home we help sell or buy

Yesterday, after a real estate closing with repeat clients who we’ve come to know and like over the course of helping them in both buying and selling homes in the last 6 month period…we did our 1st Video Client Testimonial.

Thanks Kindly to Tom and Shannon for taking a few moments to endorse our services:)

xxxx

With Easy access to both the Indiana Toll road or Interstate I 94, not to mention the South Shore Train…Portage, Indiana has affordable housing options and yet is within commuting distance to Chicago-land.

Some of our favorite places to shop & eat are in Portage

Once Jeff made a date out of taking me to Bass Pro Shop – we spent a few hours in there getting ready for fishing season on our neighborhood Lake, then had dinner in their World Famous Islamorada Fish Company restaurant

When we are out early morning showing homes in Porter County, our favorite breakfast spot is

Egg on Your Face

With close proximity to the Scenic Indiana Dunes & Lake Michigan Marina’s…the city of Portage is growing fast and worth your careful consideration when looking for a place to call home in Northwest Indiana.

If we can help you find a home in Portage, Indiana that suits your families needs and budget, give us a call @ 219-405-1232.

We can show you any property you find on the internet, regardless of which real estate company has the sign in the yard

Click Here for a Virtual TOUR of a recent new listing for sale in Portage, IN – subject to Lender Approval of Short Sale.

Thanks for stopping by and reading our Blog about Life in NW Indiana, The Housing Market, Communities, Local Spots, Events, attractions & more @ NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin Broker / Owners

F.C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Independently Owned & Operated

Serving Northwest Indiana – > Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, Starke County.

13 Lincolnway Suite # 203, Valparaiso, IN 46383 Office # 219-309-9930

On Facebook? be-friend us, look up Jeff Safrin  : ) Linked in??  link to us, look up Grace Safrin  : )

TWITTER??? …Follow….  SAFRIN

the shot valpo buzzer beater

It’s March. and anything can happen….March Madness they call it

Especially if you live in Indiana and are a college basketball fan!

We’ve blogged about  the fun attending local area basketball events in the winter season each year – family fun for all ages!

Our hometown of VALPO is know for a famous shot during march madness that got them to the sweet 16 once!

“The Shot” is seen each year on CBS during “March Madness” and is considered one of the top moments in NCAA history.

Come out and see the game tomorrow – buy tickets online here or at the door!

The Indiana Association of REALTORS has a great website called Indiana Is Home.

There is a collection of Market Data Reports with Statistics on home Sales in Indiana by County updated monthly

Here is a link to January 2009 vs. January 2010 Existing Single Family Residential Home Sales

Recently, we closed on some of our listed  homes in Northwest Indiana that were for sale subject to the Lenders approval of a Short Sale. Not all short sales are alike. Each has it’s own set of individual circumstances and obstacles to overcome in getting to the closing table.

These particular short sales closed sooner (less time) than some of our other pending listings that have offers with “traditional” lending involved, in which it is sometimes more common to have underwriting delays nowadays ;(

NW Indiana Short Sale SOLD-26 days from For Sale Sign Up to Signing Documents at the Closing Table.

Valparaiso, IN Short Sale SOLD -33 Days from Receipt of the Buyers Offer to Purchase to Closing the Short Sale Transaction.

We’ve blogged about short sales before, and in our opinion, they are here to stay while. They require much more time, energy, effort, and problem solving than traditional real estate transactions!!! (also our opinion:)

If you are behind on your mortgage payments and considering selling your home subject to your lender approving a short sale, consider giving us a call to discuss the possibility of using our professional services.

__________________________________________

When Indiana’s largest Real Estate Company puts on an event – It’s 1st class !

At least that has been our experience over the last 9 years, being affiliated with F.C.Tucker Co…..1st as Sales Associates and now as Broker/Owners of one of their 45 offices in Indiana (ours being the northwest office in Valparaiso, IN which services Lake, Porter & La Porte Counties).

The Venue was spectacular! The beautiful landmark in Downtown Indianapolis – The Scottish Rite Cathedral cost over $3 MILLION DOLLARS way back in 1927 to complete!

It’s ornate architecture with craftsmanship details and stained glass windows was certainly something to be taken in and appreciated!

The Awards ceremony took place in the Theater.

Jim Litten (co-owner) gave a re-cap of events in 2009 that affected Real Estate. He referred to 09 as “A Year of Anxiety” with reminders of Bank Failures, Bailouts, economists use of words like recession and even depression. He pointed out that 4 states account for 50% of the stressed markets (CA,AZ,NV,FL) and reminded us that ALL REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL.

That being said, he reported very positive news=> that F.C.Tucker Company did over 2.2 BILLION dollars in sales in 2009 in Indiana – up from the previous total sales year of 2008. October of 2009 was the companies 2nd best month ever in Real Estate Sales history!

Fred Tucker III, then presented hundreds of awards to honor the achievements of REALTORS around the state who persevered and prospered during these challenging times despite the negative press.

One award in particular brought tears to my eyes. The Special Volunteer of the Year Award – Honoring Above and Beyond Service to Mankind went to an F.C.Tucker Agent, who gave her kidney to a complete stranger as a Samaritan Donor in the Fall of 2009. God Bless her!

F.C. Tucker is so much more than a Real Estate Company – it’s the PEOPLE who make it special

Like the final award for the evening:

The Bud Tucker Volunteer of the Year Award, an annual award honoring an individual in his/her commitment to community service, or, as Fred’s father Bud once put it …Civic Duty- “The rent you pay back for the space you occupy”. Recapping the countless past winners and sharing the current vitae of this years recipient brought tears to Fred Tucker’s eyes as he brought up this years winner, with his wife and 2 sons appearing on stage to surprise him and share the moment!

The Banquet following the Awards presentation was filled with Food & Dance & Fun!  Gourmet Food Serving Stations with eclectic presentations i.e. pasta in martini glasses, stir fry in take out boxes, and lavish chocolate desserts! PLUS, a live band made up of TUCKERS own talented musicians and singers to rock the night away Mingling and networking galore with agents from all around the state for several more hours into the night!  FUN is an understated adjective to describe the evening.

I tell Jeff every year this gets better & better  – they out do themselves ?!  You just have to experience this event for yourself 1st hand...If you are considering a change in Real Estate Firms in Indiana - Talk To Tucker, so we can see you at next years celebration:)

This lovingly updated & spacious Home In Valparaiso Indiana’s  Liberty Township location sits on 0.68 wooded acres and is conveniently located  to major roads for ease of commute to Chicago-land.

Large Pole Barn that has a concrete floor and heat and water comes in handy for the hobbyist or auto enthusiast.

Talk to Jeff & Grace Safrin to schedule an appointment with advance notice to view this property for sale.

xx

Liberty Township in Valpo, Spacious Updated home + Pole Barn

Overview Maps Photos Features Description Market Stats

$224,791 Single Family Home For Sale Main Features 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 Unit Interior: 3005 sqft Lot: 0.68 acre(s) Location 791 N Calumet Avenue Valparaiso, IN 46383

---

Jeff & Grace Safrin F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate (219) 309-9930 safrin@jorsm.com http://www.safrin.net Listed by: Jeff Safrin of F.C.Tucker !st Team Real Estate

Our recent listings Liberty Township in Valpo, Spacious Updated home + Pole Barn 2 Homes in 1 Related Living or Extended Family accomodated here ! Spacious Home on 2 Lots Affordable Portage Tri-level on 2 Lots Best Value in Autumn Creek + Seller Assists w/Closing Costs. Subscribe to our listing feed

See more Valparaiso, IN real estate for sale

xx