Posts Tagged ‘La Porte County’

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!

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:)

Some Short Sale Buyers Are Missing The Boat…so to speak

Lately, we’ve come across some short sale buyers that have miss-conceptions about this specific type of real estate transaction that differs from a traditional property purchase and would like to share these…

• Short Sales are not Fire sales….the banks have a bottom line.

Sometimes buyers have miss-conceptions that they can bid very,very low and ask for even more ( i.e. seller concessions) on a listing that is already priced less than what is owed on the note. This is not so.

• Lenders wait around a long time for the best short sale offer to come in before they’ll decide which one to choose.

Not so nowadays. It has been our experience recently that the time frame for some of these transactions is decreasing and if one reasonable offer comes in, they accept it and proceed to close. 

…..one client insisted they had plenty of time to wait to write an offer ….just an hour later that very home was under contract with an excellent offer with hard to beat terms :0 

• As a Buyer of a short sale you can wait to do your inspections until after the lender has approved the short sale…

THERE IS RISK involved with writing offers subject to lenders approval of a short sale.

 Spending money up front on inspections or appraisals without even knowing if the short sale will be approved is part of the gamble.

Short sale properties are many times SOLD AS IS. The inspection is more of an FYI for the buyer, rather than a negotiating tool to get more $$ from the lender.

We recommend our buyers bring an inspector or contractor to the 2nd showing and do their due diligence up front… to check out the property thoroughly BEFORE WRITING an offer on a short sale or REO (foreclosed property), that way they have an idea of what they are getting into.

• The bank will be ready to close on the date the buyer puts in the contract.

IF YOU are a buyer with ANY type of time constraint for housing – maybe a short sale is NOT FOR YOU.

There could be delays in closing a short sale. That’s why when we list short sales we take back up offers, in case the 1st buyer walks, there is a back up ready to move forward.

• Short Sales are not a game. 

If you are a buyer looking to purchase a short sale or foreclosed property, using a REALTOR with a designation & experience in this specific type of Real Estate Transaction is vital to getting deals done!

Pool’s Open!

Mini Estate in Northwest Indiana’s La Porte County. Enjoy Summer Vacation on Your Own Beautiful Acreage!

Beautiful & spacious, Custom Home and Acreage with a Pole Barn and Inground Pool, Walk Out Lower Level Rec Room with Billiards & Wet Bar, campfire area, & More ….

Property For Sale in New Carlisle, IN conveneintly Located to South Bend, IN or to Chicago-land via

South Shore Train or Tollroad.

Enjoy the Music Video:

Darlin – The Best is Yet To Come!

xxxxxx

Remember Memorial Day….

Memorial Day is when we pause to give tribute and thanks to those who fought & gave their lives for the things we have.

God Bless Our Veterans!

From our Home to Yours – we at  F.C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate serving NW Indiana wish you a Healthy &  Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Ty Gammon ->

Neighborhood Matchmaker

Olga Kwolek ->

Hablo Espanol

Linda Littlejohn  ->

Real Estate Broker Associate

Jeff & I always joke around with our listing clients about how a showing in Real Estate is somewhat like a 1st Date…

You get a first impression only once, so make it Look Good, Smell Good and make them linger….and they may come back with an offer

Sparkling clean de-clutterred rooms, fresh flowers, soft music, freshly baked cookies or refreshments at the kitchen table with a hospitable note to take a break, stay awhile, and enjoy:)

It’s no wonder these sellers (who implemented every one of our showing suggestions to the T – including putting excess items in temporary storage and pricing the Home according to current market com-parables), received more than one offer on their property! Total time from for sale sign up the day of listing to signing of the closing documents = only 65 days! (Now that’s fast for NW Indiana).

Professional Advice in any field, can be ignored or applied -> the end results will reflect if you are following the plan suggested to you by your professional or not

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!

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