All of us at F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate in Northwest Indiana extend wishes to you & your family for a safe, healthy and Happy Memorial Day Holiday weekend!
And a special thanks to our Veterans for their sacrifice for our freedom!
NW Indiana Home Buyers Consider a FHA 203K Loan rather than cross that home off your short list!
Real Estate is a local business. In NorthWest Indiana the average age of existing housing is 50+ years . This, combined with an aging population of sellers who may be unable or unwilling to renovate that dated kitchen or bath, leaves us with a certain % of Inventory on the Market that you, as a Home Buyer may overlook or cross off your short list.
This may delay your finding that 'perfect home' for weeks or even months and you may just get frustrated and even decide to keep feeding the RENT monster! 
We are here to tell you-YOU DO HAVE ANOTHER OPTION.for those SOLD As IS properties!
If the LOCATION of the Home (which you cannot change) is desirable, and the Basic BONES are GOOD (i.e.layout, structure, etc.)
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yet you wish that the 1960's 1970's or 1980's look of the place would disappear :)
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and you find a home priced below your price range,
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with neighborhood comps that are higher due to recent sales of homes in the area that have already been remodeled/updated......
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plus you HAVE IMAGINATION about the Home's HIDDEN POTENTIAL (how it could look with YOUR input),
Then an FHA 203K Loan may be worth your careful consideration as it allows you to purchase the Property and includes the cost of home repairs, updates/remodeling or rebuilding!
There are special Home Improvement Program Renovation Loan Products out there Insured By HUD that allow you to get bids on the work needed, submit those "Subject to Value Appraisal" and when the loan closes the work starts and the contractors are paid (draws from the lender) after the work is completed!
Why move into a property and run up your credit cards the 1st few years of living there because you probably will want to make some changes anyway?
With the amount of REO / foreclosure, short sale and FIXER UPPER or SOLD AS IS properties on the market increasing in our area, this could help solve one of Today's REAL ESTATE Problems.
We can refer you to experienced lenders who have a separate 203 K department with processors and designated underwriters just to handle the specific details and steps of this type of specialized loan (they even provide 60 day benchmark calendar guide).
We also have some listings for sale in NWI below assessed or appraised value, that with updates would make great Home Sweet Homes!
Give us a call today to see what the Neighborhood Market Analysis is as compared to the prices of these properties below in need of updates:
Looking for REO Properties? HUD homes we have an NAID number to submit buyer bids, Fannie Mae owned Home Path Homes - our agents are familiar with the Bid online process,
Feel free to call us with any questions
Last week between appointments
we stopped to grab a bite to eat at Portofino Grill & Bar located in the Briar
Leaf Golf Clubhouse off US Highway 39 in La Porte, Indiana.
Relocating Buyers often choose neighborhoods to look at that have
recreational amenities nearby.
This golf course has the
adjacent neighborhood of Tiffany
Woods nearby.
With scenic golf course
views and a restaurant with a variety of lunch or dinner entrees, this Northwest Indiana recreational destination
is one which we will return to soon to enjoy a round of golf this summer!
If we can be of service to you in finding a home
that suits your families needs and budget in NW Indiana, Talk To Tucker
Northwest Indiana Real Estate Sales
Subject To Bank Approval of Short Sale.
Every Real Estate Transaction is Different.
This is
especially true when it comes to the purchase of a home in Northwest Indiana when
the offer is contingent upon the home seller’s lender approval of a short sale.
Short Sales
have changed over the past several years. i.e.:
* The task driven computerized EQUATOR
system did not exist. Talking with the
seller’s lender representative in the USA was how the short sale process was
initiated and completed.
Bank
Policies and Laws have also changed:
- There were no Federal Programs for distressed
home owners HAFA was not an option for
lenders to offer sellers who qualify
The following
events affecting the short sale process were not as prevalent either:
Many factors may affect the time
frame for getting short sales done.
- Seller cooperation throughout the entire listing, showing and offer
process.
- Buyer cooperation with longer
transaction time and in completing due diligence (i.e. home inspection and
appraisal) prior to lender final approval.
- Number of junior liens or judgments
on Title-work
- Type of short sale HAFA verses non
HAFA
- Varied Internal Policies by Individual Banks and Differing Investor Guidelines
- Additional parties MAY BE involved potentially lengthening the time from
offer to closing i.e.Asset Management Companies, HUD Approval, Attorney, Court
Approval, FHA 203k bid process, etc…
When you are choosing a Real Estate Broker to represent you in
the sale or purchase of a Northwest
Indiana Property subject to lenders Approval of a Short Sale, past performance should be carefully
considered.
Jeff Safrin Real Estate Broker/Owner of F. C. Tucker
1st Team Real Estate serving Northwest Indiana:
- Is an S.F.R. = Short Sale and
Foreclosure Resource Certified REALTOR recognized by NAR – National Association
of REALTORS.
- Certified as Expert witness – Jeff
Safrin has given testimony for Property Value determination for attorneys and
performed Broker Price Opinions for Court, various Asset Management and Relocation
Companies.
Talk To Tucker for your Northwest Indiana Real Estate Needs
Filed under: short sales northwest indiana, HAFA, titlework, Investor guidelines for short sales, FHA 203k bid process, Asset management company, judgments, junior liens, HUD Approval, BPO, Equator system
This is a chart showing 30 Year Fixed Interest Rates from 2009 to 2012 YTD for qualified buyers*** Now may be a great time to consider Buying a Home - Talk To Tucker!
*** Your credit score will determine the Interest Rate you qualify for. This example is not a guarantee of any rate lock you may receive from a lender with an accepted purchase contract.
Looking for the best Agents? Talk To Tucker!
Recently, we had some summer like weather during the 1st week in Spring in Valpo
and we took advantage of this on a weekday afternoon to play some golf at
Forest Park Golf Course in Valparaiso, IN 46383
and capture a few photos for our 
Talk To Tucker NWI Blog
Click for MAP 
Indiana Property Taxes are paid in arrears.
(i.e. the taxes you pay this year in 2012 are from taxes due the previous year of 2011).
Property Taxes are paid in 2 installments each year due on the same dates of
May 10 and November 10.
Homeowners who have a mortgage usually have taxes paid by their lender from an escrow account.
Homeowners who do not have a mortgage receive a bill in the mail.
Property Tax amounts do change annually and are based on tax rates which are calculated by the county of residence after annual assessment of property values by March 1st.
Important deductions filed with the county by the homeowner on their property lowers tax liability. Some examples include: Homestead Exemption, Mortgage Exemption, Old Age, Disability, Veteran (check with your specific county office of residence to see if you qualify and how to file exemptions).
It's amazing to us how many Indiana Home Owners forget to file applicable exemptions on their home and as a result pay higher property tax bills!
Also please note:
Some Indiana counties are not always current in certifying their tax bills !
This is important to know in REAL ESTATE SALES TRANSACTION as a Tax pro-ration Agreement may be needed between buyers and sellers to handle back taxes once the assessments become current and tax bills from several previous years are mailed to the new home owner who did not live in the property for the bill year received.
County Records are Public. You can check info on record for your property on the following websites to search assessments & taxes, exemptions & more for Northwest Indiana Real Estate:
Lake County Indiana
Porter County Indiana
La Porte County Indiana
Jasper County Indiana
Newton County Indiana
When buying or selling a home in Northwest Indiana, Talk To Tucker - Indiana's Real Estate leader (est. 1918).
Real Estate has already Sprung Forward ...as we have had a busy first months of 2012 at F.C.Tucker 1st Team serving Northwest Indiana with listing and selling homes!
Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks ahead one hour this weekend to welcome Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 11, 2012
As always, we appreciate your business and referrals!
Horizon League Coach of the Year Bryce Drew (1st year head coach at VU) was interviewed by ESPNU after the Valparaiso Crusaders sent the Butler Bulldogs home this past Saturday evening (their 4th straight victory against BU score=65 to 46) in the tournament semi-finals!
Now Valpo takes on the Detroit Titans Tuesday, March 6th in
the TITLE GAME 8pm at the Athletics Recreation Center in
Valparaiso, Indiana and a chance with the W for a trip to the
NCAA Tournament (last trip for was in 2004).
March Madness is certainly in full swing in Northwest Indiana!
Follow the hashtags #GoValpo and #ValpoGameDay on Twitter for updates
and tune in on TV -> live on ESPN
or radio -> Valpo Sports Radio Network, live on WAKE
(1500 AM, Valparaiso), WEFM (95.9 FM, Michigan City) and WJOB (1230 AM,
Hammond).
Come join the fun and help cheer on our local team to Victory!
Filed under: ncaa, ESPNU, #ValpoGameDay ESPN, Bracket Busters, Northwest Indiana college sports, Horizon league Championship Game, Wake 1500 Am Radio, The Shot, #GoValpo, march madness, WJOB Da Region radio
Recently, we listed an expired property that had been on the market for sale in Northwest Indiana for over 6 months with another Real Estate Company and had an accepted offer in just 12 days on the market when listed by F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate.
Price, Condition and Marketing are 3 (of many) important variables that determine the sale-a-bility of a property.
Price is controlled by the Seller. We do make professional recommendations however,based on available statistical data from our Multiple Listing Service.
Condition is controlled by the seller. We also make recommendations for improving conditions based on a walk through of the property at the time of the listing. Condition affects price!
Marketing is controlled by the REALTOR. Choices on how and where to market a property to attract plenty of ready, willing and able buyers is different from agent to agent, as marketing plans are very individualized.
If you are serious about selling your property in Northwest Indiana, even after it has expired from the MLS, then Talk To Tucker to show you how our Agents differ in marketing a property to sell.
Filed under: Talk To Tucker, Staging, Agents, Condition of a Home, MLS, Price of a Home, marketing plan, Real Estateeady Willing and able buyers, CMA, Multiple Listing Service, Broker Price Opinion, Expired Listing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2012
VALPARAISO, Ind. – F.C. Tucker/1st Team Real Estate sales associates were honored this week at F.C. Tucker Company’s annual awards banquet in Indianapolis.
Awards earned, by associate, were as follows:
Ty Gammon
Leading Sales Producer for the Valparaiso office – Based on highest closed volume
The Safrin Team
Presidents Club – Life member, based on personal income
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With more than $2.1 billion in annual sales, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana’s largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with more than 40 offices and more than 1,300 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.
We've passed by this place dozens of times on listing or showing appointments in La Porte, IN and blogged about Northwest Indiana's La Porte County before.
Finally, one night we stopped and had a wonderful meal at
Heston Supper Club in La Porte County Indiana !
Tucked back in the lush woods of scenic Galena Township, the history of this local restaurant goes back to the 1940's!
The parking lot was packed and there was a line, so we sat and had a drink and appetizer at the bar before being seated.
They are know for their Prime Rib and even have a 40 oz cut of Prime Rib on the menu! (8 oz was more than enough for me LOL).
Open 7 days a week, if you are looking for excellent home cooking, friendly service, in a country setting, this is definitely a repeat :)
Valparaiso Indiana is a College Town in Northwest Indiana with a Private, Award Wining University that attracts students from all over the world with it's academic offerings and post graduate programs.
One Housing Option considered by parents of students attending VU for 4 or more years is to purchase a local Condo in the City of Valpo for their son or daughter to live in during their college years.
There is an FHA Mortgage Product called Kiddie Condo that is an inexpensive option to start a Property Investment Portfolio
Requirements Include:
- Son or Daughter will be owner occupant.
- Parent will be non occupant co-borrower.
- Only 3.5% down payment requited.
- Must qualify for this loan with same ratio's required by FHA guidelines.
- 30 or 15 year terms, fixed rate interest available.
- Rent other bedrooms to help offset the mortgage payment.
- Can build equity for the student/parent over time.
This may be a great option to consider for students in college with parent as co-owner of property.
If you are looking to send your child to VALPO in the future, give us a call as we have helped other parents find properties for their children to live in 4 to 6 years.
A growing student attendance at VU over the past years means housing needs are present annually.
Who knows? you may just want to keep the property as a continued investment long after graduation :)
We've blogged about attending home games and cheering for our home town team - The Valparaiso University Crusaders!
Horizon League Basketball has some fiercely competitive teams in the Midwest.
We enjoy attending VU basketball games at the ARC.
Valpo Athletics offer Local Northwest Indiana Events that are fun to attend for all ages - bring the family and come out and see for yourself->
March Madness is around the corner and there's nothing like Indiana Basketball!
Pre- Game Video Highlights of a recent home game V. U. Athletic Recreation Center Valpo verses Wright State University
Twitter Hashtag #ValpoGameDay and #GoValpo
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Twitter Hashtag #ValpoGameDay and #GoValpo