Archive for the ‘Referral’ Category

We decided that we would take a look at moving within the area and see if we were able to find a newer home.  We loved the home we were in and would move only if we could find a good deal that allowed us to not spend the money required to update our 22 year old home.  We had several constraints that would make the overall success of the move very difficult.  Any offer we made would need to be contingent on the closing of our home, we needed to remain in the same school district, and we needed to be under contract within 5 weeks and the sale of our home and closing on a new home must be at the same time. We had many requirements of a new home including a certain kitchen style, four bedrooms, private backyard, 3 car garage, pool, etc.  Basically we loved the home we were in and would move only if the stars aligned and we could find a great deal. 

 Jeff and Grace went to work and through their determination they aligned the stars.  After diving deep into what we wanted, they took us to several homes to refine both our expectations and better understand what we considered important.  We had two offers on our home within the first two weeks and this was after the housing bubble burst, where credit was tough and the number of buyer’s limited.  In addition, the move included several small children and Jeff and Grace structured the contracts and entire transaction (sale of our home and purchase of the new home) to minimize the risk to our family. 

 If you have a complex situation with a short timeline and need a first class team that is able to apply tremendous energy to push a deal through while helping you manage the risk to you and your family, then you need the husband & wife team of Jeff and Grace Safrin.

 Best Regards,

Chris & Kelly

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!

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

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

Typically, we take a vacation around the winter season in NW Indiana because activity on listing and selling real estate USED TO slow down somewhat.

Not anymore

Over the past couple weeks we’ve been blessed to assign relocation clients to each one of our experienced agents! Many Job Transfers and/or Corporate Buyouts to help employees move, happen regardless of season!

Even while taking a few days R & R in Florida, our corporate office called us with more potential client referrals looking to either buy or sell a home in Northwest Indiana.

Relocation referrals are a benefit of being a F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate agent, and they are distributed in sequence one by one right down the list of agents on board with us (unless an agent is requested by name).

The volume of referrals comes from being a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World

If you are an experienced professional REALTOR looking for a change in 2010 and enjoy relocation clients, call Jeff or Grace for a confidential interview to see if our Virtual Real Estate Brokerage Model is something that would interest you.

With the NEW Tax credit for existing home owners (of 5 years) who plan to sell and move up or downsize (up to $6,500).
PLUS
The extension of the 1st Time Home Buyer tax Credit (up to $8K)….
The Next 5 months window of opportunity is best captured when partnered with experienced Professional REALTORS.
Call us to represent you in your next property transaction. 219.405.1232.
Jeff Safrin – Real Estate Broker/Owner
Grace Safrin – Certified Residential Specialist
F.C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate serving NW Indiana
“Spouses Selling Houses” TM

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

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin,  Broker / Owners

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

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

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING @ F.C TUCKER 1ST TEAM REAL ESTATE IN NW INDIANA.

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR PERIODIC UPDATES ABOUT NEW AGENTS on board, EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, Real Estate Listings, Just SOLD properties, AND MORE!

If you are looking for experienced REALTORS to represent you when buying or selling a home in Lake, Porter or La Porte County, give one of our professional agents a call.

xxF.C.Tucker 1st Team Team Real Estate serving NW Indiana | Promote Your Page Too
xx

It’s been several years now since we have taken and sold listings of homes for sale that are

” Subject to Lenders Approval of a Short Sale” .

The process of getting these to close successfully has been, for the most part, becoming easier.

Perhaps it is from lessons learned along the way & doing the footwork and homework upfront before even agreeing to accept the listing and put a ‘short sale’ home on the market.

Lately, however, articles in major publications i.e ‘Fewer Short Sales Come Up Short’, point out that the part of the short sale process we do not control – the loss mitigation departments of lenders - are being more cooperative and responsive about getting short sales done.

In Indiana this year, a new law…HB1359 has helped bring answers to short sale offers within a 30 day time frame.

Since we’ve noticed this change in NW Indiana short sales….we are even accepting short sale referrals in our market area now from other Real Estate Brokers as a result. Just last week we closed on a short sale that was a referral from another REALTOR.

The lender complied with the new state law and the home closed 29 days after the offer was accepted by the lender! (59 days total from day of written offer).

Total Market Time on this Home = From For Sale Sign Up to signing the closing documents = 81 days in all. This is a relatively short market time for any home in NW Indiana, let alone a short sale property (where 3rd party negotiations, communications and many requirements above and beyond the usual and customary offer to purchase can lengthen the process of getting the deal closed

With cooperative sellers, saleable property and reasonable lenders, short sales in NW Indiana are closing easier & quicker than in years past

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

 Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin,  Broker / Owners

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

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

Serious Buyers Relocate Year Round !

Many people have the idea to “wait” until spring again to put their home on the market.

With that in mind, the competition for homes priced well and staged to sell is less in Fall than in Spring when many more come on the market.

If you are having thoughts about selling your home – why wait and risk Interest rates to go up ? (less people will be able to afford your home if that happens).

Give us a call today or click this link to schedule a Free Comparable Market Analysis.

Have a wonderful Fall Season!

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

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin,  Broker / Owners

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

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