Archive for the ‘Indiana’ Category

Recently, we had the enjoyable opportunity to play a round of golf at the beautiful Long Beach Country Club in Northwest Indiana's scenic La Porte County.

Now we've blogged about La Porte County attractions in the past and the fabulous sunsets along Lake Michigan beaches and the local wineries nearby.

The Long Beach Community is a great place for a second home or even year round lake living.

Homes for Sale in Long Beach along the Lake Michigan Shoreline or even a short walk away- or - on the Golf Course as pictured in the Map below.

Give us a call @ 219-405-1232 if you are considering making Long Beach Indiana your next Home Sweet Home or if you are in the market to sell your Long Beach Property.

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It's been all over the news the last few days - many US Troops are coming home from IRAQ.

We are very thankful for their service during this long war!

Veterans Returning From IRAQ this Year still qualify for the $8000. 1st time Home Buyer Tax Credit

according to REALTOR.org

"Military Personnel Overseas May Still Be Eligible for Tax Credit"

"As part of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit passed on November 6, 2006, military personnel and certain federal employees serving outside the United States may still be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000. Although the Home Buyer Tax The credit is being made available to eligible military personnel and federal employees who:

• purchases or enters into a binding contract to purchase, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011; and closes on or before June 30, 2011. "
• For additional information about obtaining this credit, please consult the IRS's new release on the Home Buyer Tax Credit for Military Personnel. 

Welcome Home Veterans!

If we can help you find a home in Northwest Indiana, give us a call

If you are planning a move to Chesterton, Indiana located in Northwest Indiana’s County of Porter, did you know you will live about an hour from Chicago by Train ( South Shore Stop map ) or IN Toll road.

Chesterton is home to the world famous Wizard of Oz Festival held annually! We’ve blogged about the Town of Chesterton before.

With the scenic Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan nearby, there is a wide range of housing options available from affordable to mid priced homes to gated Golf Communities/Country Club Settings!

We just listed a move in ready home with amenities galore in the award winning Dune-land School District.

Lower taxes, Affordable Homes, scenic recreation spots, yet big city culture nearby! Enjoy the best of both worlds by living here!

Check out the hi res music video below and give us a call if you are considering making Chesterton, IN your home sweet home!

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 Recently we SOLD a home In Porter County, IN  that we listed subject to lenders approval of a short sale.

Short sales are not a game.

There were back up offers on the property.

The Buyers with the 1st offer submitted were savvy enough to do ALL of their due diligence according to the contract terms and conditions mutually agreed upon BEFORE the short sale was approved.

Short sales are bittersweet.

We have become much more select at which sellers we will work with to list an Indiana  short sale property and which buyers we will work with to show a Northwest Indiana short sale property.

Extensive interviewing goes into the decision process so we have the best chances of getting deals done! 

Uncooperative sellers or fickle buyers only make for experiences which will be passed along to friends and relatives who become “experts” in their own mind, because of “stories”  they have heard

Hasty and sweeping generalizations about short sales are, by definition, illogical.

We glady accept back-up offers on our Short sale listings -> Sale pending does not mean SOLD.

If you are considering buying a short sale, give us a call to discuss at lenght the risks of this non traditional type of Real estae transaction. Some Short sale Buyers are Missing the Boat so to speak. Or,  if you are behind on your mortgage payments give us a call to see if selling your home with your lenders approval of a short sale is an option to consider?

 SFR certified and have closed short sale listings in NW IndianaHAFA or not, EQUATOR system or not.

Here are some Northwest Indiana Short sale properties we have SOLD as well as some of our insights to working to get short sale deals done:

please click on the link to read the story behind each of these successes.

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/206925/sold-by-the-safrin-s-successful-short-sale-2262-vermillion-st-lake-station-in-46405-northwest-in-priced-to-sell-with-alittle-tlc-spacious-corner-home-big-fenced-yard

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1420474/lake-county-indiana-short-sale-sold-in-26-days-from-for-sale-sign-up-to-signing-the-closing-documents

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1296437/some-short-sales-in-northwest-indiana-real-estate-are-getting-done-quicker-easier

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1722094/just-sold-la-pore-county-in-short-sale-closed-before-the-june-3oth-1st-time-home-buyer-tax-credit-deadline-whew-

  http://activerain.com/blogsview/239193/Short-Sale-Tips-that-Helped-Us

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1504566/some-nw-indiana-short-sales-are-closing-sooner-than-traditional-real-estate-transactions-

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/861999/happy-new-year-for-indiana-homeowners-facing-short-sale-new-law-that-may-help

  http://activerain.com/blogsview/588362/13-weeks-to-Complete

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/475656/Valparaiso-IN-Opportunity-Knock

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/1593093/back-up-offer-closed-in-this-real-estate-market-anything-can-happen-we-encourage-our-sellers-to-keep-showing-their-property-

 http://activerain.com/blogsview/520985/indiana-realtors-take-note-2008-legislation-you-should-be-aware-of-

  http://activerain.com/blogsview/1349045/our-listings-of-reo-or-bank-owned-properties-for-sale-are-selling-quickly-in-nw-indiana-once-priced-right-and-ready-for-ma

 Real Estate Sales continue at a healthy pace in NW Indiana IF your home is priced right for the neighborhood and staged to sell ( tip top shape).  It does not matter that the 1st Time Home Buyer tax credit is over – Homes listed in June and July are getting offers and closing!

This Valparaiso, IN  46383 Home Sold when listed by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate and had more than one offer in just 2 weeks on the market and closed a few weeks after that!

Move-up Buyers, those with Job Relocations, Investors and those downsizing/retiring still need to buy or sell properties to get on with their goals in life!

Give us a call today should you need Professional services to market your home to sell too!

Lake Shore Drive

Long Beach, IN

awesome

summer

sunset!

If you are in search of a vacation home on Lake Michigan in La Porte or Porter Counties in NW Indiana, give us a call.

Happy 1st Year Anniversary F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Serving Northwest Indiana!

From all of us at F .C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate we extend sincere thanks to those who supported our 1st year in business!

My how time flies – Just a year ago we sent out this letter to hundreds of past clients and business associates:

 Greetings   from   Jeff & Grace Safrin

Just a note to share exciting news with you!

As of 7/8/09, we are the Real Estate Broker / Owners of F.C. Tucker  1 ^st Team Real Estate serving Lake, Porter, La Porte & Starke Counties in Northwest Indiana.

Although it has been a challenging market and economy, we have been blessed with an opportunity to look ahead to the future and continue to serve the people in communities of which we are a part of.

Our business model is one that is forward thinking and innovative in this field.  Combining the latest technology with sound business principles, we are recruiting seasoned professionals and expanding our market share.

As a valued client, we ask you remember us when your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues are in need of real estate or relocation services in NW Indiana.

Our diligent work habits, positive attitude, ethical discernment, and love for family & life is inherited from parents and grandparents of which we are proud to be descendents of…….Those who came to this county with just a dream. We are humbled to have the opportunity to pursue our dreams and will continue to serve you for all your future Real Estate needs! We also appreciate very much, any referrals to your sphere of influence.

Our office is located across from the Porter County Courthouse on the Square in Downtown Valparaiso (see address below), but as always, we make house calls.

Please do not hesitate to call us with any questions; our new business card is enclosed.

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace

With more than $2 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana’s largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with 46 offices and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. Less than one percent of all real estate firms have the longevity of F.C. Tucker. Founded in 1918, the company’s family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. F.C. Tucker has earned a reputation for its exceptional service, experienced sales associates and “Golden Rule” commitment to its clients and employees.

F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate

13 Lincolnway, Suite # 203

Valparaiso, IN   46383

219-309-9930

 Today, we look back at a year in review thankful to God for the many opportunities to serve those who are in need of professional Real Estate representation when buying or selling a home in NW Indiana.

Although we’ve helped moved many, we are more moved by those who have chosen us as their REALTORS.

 We’ve been blessed to have Listed and SOLD so many homes AND represented so many buyers in a challenging Real Estate market this past year when many companies are downsizing or closing their doors. We are thankful to our clients, past, present and future, as well as our dedicated agents and the solid backing of Indiana’s largest and oldest Real Estate Company F .C. Tucker Co. Inc.(est. 1918) whose Golden Rule philosophy always keeps us striving to improve!

Another Valparaiso, IN 46383 Home SOLD when listed by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate.

Sometimes, the best source for future business is at the closing table!

Back in springtime, we were at a closing with our 1st Time Home Buyer when they mentioned that a friend of theirs who had moved out of town had a home to sell.

So we listed the Home and today it closed in just 84 days on the market!

As always, we appreciate our clients referring their family and friends!

Shady Creek Winery lives up to it’s name – set on 20 acres of wooded land with a pond and fountain right off the screened-in back porch, patrons can enjoy samples of locally made wines while taking in nature views or take a seat in the rocking chairs on the front porch, or cozy up to the fireplace.

Located in La Porte County (Michigan City near the corner of Tryon Rd & State Road 212).

The visit is well worth the trip and pictured below are the favorites we took home to share with family  & friends on special occasions…The best part of visiting a winery and wine tasting…You won’t cringe at the taste after a toast because you’ve pre-selected the flavors that are best suited to your palate:)

Jeff and Grace Safrin of FC Tucker 1st Team was the best part of our home selling experience. 

 The use of the internet and the blogging to generate interest in the home we were selling is what decided it for us.  No other realtor or realty team offered that as part of their service. 

In today’s market and economy we were thrilled to see a realty team go beyond the traditional way to market the house. 

Communication between Jeff and Grace and us was constant.  We were always in the know either via phone or email.  Some days even by text! 

Jeff and Grace went above and beyond when our buyer’s lender started making waves at the last minute.  Jeff was all over it!  We were familiar with Jeff’s go to attitude, but our buyer hadn’t experienced his focus and determination.  Our buyer was extremely grateful for his actions and advice.  We are all pretty sure had it not been for his involvement our buyer’s loan would have fallen through. 

The old, traditional way of selling a home isn’t very effective in today’s market.  Jeff and Grace have reached beyond the traditional to make selling your home a successful event. 

We highly recommend Jeff and Grace Safrin of FC Tucker 1st Team.  Rest assured working with them is the best decision you will make when choosing a realtor to market and sell your home.
 
Kurt and Laura Boyle
Rolling Prairie, IN