Archive for the ‘Valparaiso’ Category

Northwest Indiana Home Owners Testimonial endorsing F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Services

Recently, we Listed a home in Valparaiso, IN 46383 that SOLD quickly and here is what our sellers had to say:

     We can’t thank Jeff and Grace enough! We had already found the house we wanted to move to before calling them to put our house on the market. They gave us some staging suggestions to get our home ready to sell. We followed their expert advice and thanks to that, plus their excellent marketing, we had two offers in a week!

     The Safrin’s used their experience and expertise to help sell our home in no time. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for REALTORS that work for you and with you to make buying or selling your home a great experience.

Chris & Erin Schmidgall

Valparaiso, IN

Just SOLD – Valparaiso, Indiana Expired Listing sells when Marketed by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate

Sometimes, we list homes that had been on the market previously with other REALTORS and did not sell.

At the closing table last week, the buyers remarked to Jeff that our detailed marketing and many photos and descriptions about the various amenities of the home was what “sold them” to come out and view the property.

Location, Price, Condition, and Marketing are all factors that influence buyers to make an appointment to see a property.

As Professionals, it is our job to give you suggestions and implement a specific marketing plan based on known data so your home has the best chance of a successful closed sale. 

 If you are in the market to sell your Northwest Indiana Home, read what our past clients have to say and then give us a call to schedule an appointment @ 219-309-9930. 

 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

Wild Rose Neighborhood in Valparaiso, IN offers Low Maintenance Home ownership Lifestyle for busy professionals, snowbirds, or those wanting to downsize and just enjoy life!

If you are looking to simplify your life and enjoy a Low Maintenance Home in a scenic setting, then the  Wild Rose neighborhood on Valparaiso’s north side may be worth your careful consideration.

The HOA dues includes lawn mowing and trim, fertilization, snow removal, garbage pickup!

There is a private park for residents to enjoy with a playground, basketball court, picnic tables, grills, and even a neighborhood gazebo overlooking a private lake where you can fish or take out a small boat and enjoy!

The town of VALPO and all it’s attractions/events is nearby, not to mention the South Shore train Stop is minutes away for an easier commute to the big City of Chicago (or the IN toll road/sky-way is a driving option with the exit minutes away from this development as well.

Recreation nearby??  - one of the country’s remaining outdoor theatre’s the 49-er drive in is family fun for all ages

Recently we listed an Immaculate home For sale in Wild Rose - affordable priced and in move in condition!

Enjoy the neighborhood photos and check out the hi res. music video if you are looking for a new home sweet home!

entrance to Wild Rose off of Edgewater Beach Road	residents enjoy this pivate park and lake
basketball anyone?	enjoy fishing or boating
neighborhood gazebo	barbeque grills and picnic tables

xxxxxx

NW Indiana Ladies, ever want to join a bible study?

Here is your chance-New Topic  ‘Praying the names of God” for the Tuesday Evening Ladies Bible Study at Christ Lutheran Church Valparaiso, IN

Announcement:

The Ladies Tuesday Evening Bible Study Group at CLCValpo is starting a NEW Study!

Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler ->

 A 26 week study exploring the Hebrew names of God revealed in scripture.

Each week we will study a different name – so come when you are able!

Enjoy fellowship, prayer time and learn that the names of God given us in Scripture aren’t just ornamental, accidental or even historical…they are given us to confirm attributes of God that address our “very time of need”.

Our 1^st session will begin Tuesday evening 8/24/10 @ 7:15pm -8:45 in room 120.

The 1^st name we study will be: ELOHIM = God, Mighty Creator!

The following week 8/31/10 we will learn about EL ROI = The God who sees me -(one of my personal favorites).

Come Join us ladies – all are welcome here!

Grace Safrin – facilitator.

Contact Paula Starek email: clcvalpo@verizon.net or 219-462-6660  for more information or to sign up! 

 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!

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!

Recently, we Listed and SOLD a home in Valparaiso, IN and received 3 offers to purchase out of  a dozen showing appointments in the 1st 19 days the home was on the Market!

Many times, when we take a listing in NW Indiana (we service Lake, Porter & La Porte Counties), we are asked by our clients when will they get feedback from any showings?

We always answer the same way : The Best Showing Reports Are Offers!

When you schedule an appointment with us to Tour Your Home for a 1st hand view of it’s condition, as Professional Real Estate Brokers with combined designations of CRS (Grace Safrin) and SFR (Jeff Safrin) , we do our homework beforehand and pull neighborhood Active and Sold com parables and an MLS Fannie Mae Market Condition Report.

So the price range we suggest is based on fact and the 10 Commandments For House Staging we provide along with other suggestions is based on direct observation of Your Home plus experience with knowing what buyers like after hearing from hundreds of them firsthand in over a decade of working in this field.

This information we provide to you at the listing appointment is your 1st showing Feedback…  from us… the people you picked to sign an Exclusive Listing Agreement to represent you by bringing a ready, willing and able buyer to your property by our many marketing efforts.

Other future showing reports come from Agents whose vested interest (Exclusive Agreement) is with someone else:)

Part of our marketing plan needs seller cooperation. Case in point, the home above that had 3 offers and over a dozen showings in just the 1st 19 days on the market, the sellers cooperated by implementing everything we suggested!

In this case, the sellers were kept busy with either countering, rejecting or accepting an offer rather than wondering about feedback from a showing.

Yes, we do relay feedback that we get from cooperating agents. It’s quite easy nowadays, everything is electronic! Both our Lockbox and Showing Assist Scheduler online has auto-reminder emails they send to each agent to simply click “reply” with their mouse or cell phone to give a feedback response immediately, or the next day.

Yet, we still believe the bottom line that the best showing report/feedback is an offer!