Christine McDaniel | McColly Real Estate | 219-730-3502
602 W. 350 South, Hebron, IN
First Time on the Market
3BR/1BA Single Family House
offered at $154,900
Year Built
1953
Sq Footage
1,170
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 0 partial
Floors
1
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
1.5 acres
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
First time on the market! Cute ranch with full basement on 1.5 acres. Featuring hardwood floors, completely updated kitchen and bathroom. This lovingly maintained home is move in ready with newer appliances including washer and dryer. The attached 2 car garage is extra long with a work shop area. Bryant Plus 90 furnace with an Aprilaire humidifier and Trion air cleaner. Generator outside of home so you never lose your electric. Home is eligible for a USDA loan - no money down & take advantage of the first time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit if you qualify! Located just off St. Rd. 2 just south of Valparaiso. Call today to schedule your showing!
County Fairs are a big deal in Indiana. The 4H programs are a huge part of this. A couple weeks ago I had a closing in Rensselaer, IN. I suggested we go out for lunch before the closing. My client surprised me by taking me to the Jasper County Fair for lunch. I got a chance to stop by the rabbit barn and say hello to my niece and nephew. It was quite a pleasant outing and closing!
The Lake County Fair is starting Aug. 7-16. It is in Crown Point, Indiana (my hometown). Here is the link:
I love "freebies". Everyone likes to get something for free.
In the better economy it was actually fun to shop for freebies to hand out at open houses and to clients. People seemed to light up when you gave them something small. It was nice to hear from a few people "I got your newsletter in the mail" or "I tried the recipe on the card you sent".
I'm like a kid with a Christmas catalog when a new real estate marketing magazine comes in the mail.
Here's the thing: I have noticed that no one has asked me why they haven't received my newsletter that I stopped sending months ago. Not one inquiry into the missing recipe cards. No requests for a baseball or football schedule.
Hmmmm, maybe it was more for me. Just food for thought.
I was sitting at the first of my two open houses for the day reflecting on what a difference a week can make. It seems that March has decided to go out like a lion here in Northwest Indiana.
We were in for a rude awakening this morning. I wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep when I saw the snow. My first thought was "are you kidding me"!
Today there is about an inch of snow on the outdoor dining set on the deck. The snow is falling gently. The snowflakes are as large as a dime. Last week I sat there watching kids playing soccer at the park behind the home. I walked around the yard looking at the spring flowers that would be blooming soon.
The Robins seem especially fat this year. Maybe they knew this was coming. I wore my long wool coat today (the one with the hood). I thought I had put it away for the year.
I have to smile to myself. It is after all Northwest Indiana.
Wow! Is there news out there or what? I want to focus on the good news and what is happening to spur on the Real Estate Market. Read on and see if there is something here for you or for someone you know. Please call me if you want or need more information. We can have some coffee and talk about real estate and whatever else interests you.
$8000 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers.
Let's break that down a bit. First, do you know the definition of a first time homebuyer? It is broader than you think. If you have not owned a property for 3 years, you qualify as a "first time homebuyer" for this benefit. Have you been renting for more than 2 and a half years? Buy before December 1, 2009 and you can take advantage of this $8000 gift from the government. Did I say gift? Yes, that is what a tax credit is. We like Tax Credits. If you buy a house and fit the criteria, when you do your taxes next year, if you owe any federal income tax, you won't have to pay it up to $8000. Are you now asking, "What if I don't owe that much tax?" Then the IRS will send you a check for the difference!
$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid. (you must own and live in the home for at least three years)
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Is that good news for you? Do you have any young friends or adult children who should take a look to see if this is a good time to buy? Prices are low. Government is giving you money. There are good loan products for people with good credit and RATES ARE AT OR BELOW 5%!!! Does it get any better than this? You can't afford to live anywhere hardly for better prices.
Loan amount: $115800 at 5.5% would be a principle and interest payment of $657.50 per month with a 30 year mortgage. We need to add taxes and insurance. In Davidson County, taxes might be $1800 plus $600 for insurance. Therefore add $200 per month to the payment. House payment of approximately $857.50 per month for a 3 bedroom house in the Nashville area! And it would be less if you bought a $100,000 house!
There will be closing costs too. Maybe $4500+ depending on many factors. Those can be paid by the buyer or paid by the seller and negotiated into the sales price for a property. And these are approximates. I can get you with a lender to help you have more exact numbers.
Next year, you can claim the $8000 credit on your taxes, and get most of your cash out of pocket back. WOW!
Just make sure you buy a house you can afford with a fixed rate loan, so we don't get into the trouble we are trying to get out of.
News for those staying in their house: A Home Improvement Tax Credit.
These relate to Homes that are improved and are more energy efficient after the improvement. Click here to go to the Energy Star Website for more information.
Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
Is this news you can use? I hope so. Please check with your tax preparer or accountant for specific application to your situation.
Changes are happening so fast. Please call me to chat about these changes. I am so glad to help you or your family walk through this real estate market with the best information we can find. I have great lenders who are on top of this and can help me help you. Don't miss this great opportunity!
Keep checking my blog. You can sign up to receive news when I post there. www.FranklinTNblog.com.
Have a great weekend! Spring is here. The day is sunny! Go for a walk, a ride, a drive and enjoy the day!
Christine McDaniel | McColly Real Estate | 219-730-3502
206 Brown St., Valparaiso, IN
Beautiful Vintage 2 Story in downtown Valparaiso
3BR/2BA Single Family House
offered at $179,000
Year Built
1895
Sq Footage
1,820
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2 full, 0 partial
Floors
2
Parking
None
Lot Size
6,599 sqft
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
Beautiful 2 story w/vintage charm & modern amenities located in downtown Valparaiso. Built in 1895 the living room boasts hardwood floors, & leaded glass window. Pocket door entrance to dining room w/a leaded glass window. Large country kitchen w/newer cabinets & flooring, walk-in pantry, & sliding glass doors. Lower level consists of over 9' high ceilings, original molding around doors, 7'' floor trim. Main level bedroom. Laundry hookup on main level. Home interior has new windows, carpet, floors, fans. Both bathrooms have been updated featuring a claw foot bath tub on the upper level. Stained glass window in foyer. Large basement w/work area. Exterior features new vinyl siding, gutters, fencing & carport roof. Insulation blown in walls. Front of home accented w/a vinyl white picket fence & large wrap around porch. Back of home has wood privacy fence, large deck, & wooden playground set. There is a park behind the home w/gate access to the park. Appliances negotiable.
I have a few co-workers, clients, and family members who are looking for a little extra income. I wanted to let everyone know about the 2010 census. Everyone who knows me well knows I am a big genealogy buff. I wish I had more time for it. In 2000 I participated in the 2000 census as an enumerator. I was thrilled with the thought that 80 years from now someone from my family line may be interested in genealogy as I am and will see my name listed as the enumerator on a census. The US census bureau is currently hiring for the 2010 census. The nice part about this job is that you can pretty much make your own hours which is perfect for real estate agents. You have a certain amount of work to get done by in particular time frame. The pay is pretty good and you do get reimbursed for your mileage. Below is a copy of the link to take you to the page on how to apply for census jobs. I called the phone number earlier this week and they now have alot of local testing locations. Yes, there is a short test, but it is not hard.
Christine McDaniel | McColly Real Estate | 219-730-3502
2154 Lennox Lane, Valparaiso, IN
Beautiful custom built tri-level with an open concept, cathedral ceilings, formal dining, spacious kitchen,huge rec room
3BR/2.5BA Single Family House
offered at $225,000
Year Built
2003
Sq Footage
2,056
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2 full, 1 partial
Floors
3
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
.31 acres
HOA/Maint
$16 per month
DESCRIPTION
This beautiful, well maintained partial brick tri-level boasts a great room with cathedral ceilings and plan ledge, an open concept leads into the formal dining room. The spacious kitchen offers a snack bar, lots of cabinet space, custom tile flooring, overhead lighting, plant ledge, and a cathedral ceiling. Kitchen appliances include an Amana refrigerator, Maytag stove, Maytag dishwasher, Maytag microwave. Dinette area has sliding glass doors that lead to a large 12'x16' deck. The finished lower level has a huge 17'x24' rec room complimented by a gas fireplace and daylight windows. Lower level consists of an office or possible 4th bedroom, full bath, a finished laundry room with lots of cabinets and an area to hang dry clothes. Access under the stairs to main level crawl space, with plenty of room for storage. Upper level offers a master bedroom with a private bath, walk in closet, cathedral ceiling, light blocking blinds, 2 additional bedrooms and a full bath with a whirlpool tub complete this level. Quality built home has Anderson tilt-out windows with custom blinds in all the rooms. The oversized 22'x22' attached 2 car garage has a reinforced attic space for storage.
Landscaped yard is a huge 80'x170'. Desirable Emerald Ridge subdivision has sidewalks and curbs. HOA fee is 16.67 month.
Here is the information for the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Crown Point, Indiana
The day, time and parade route are listed below. The parade starts at my old elementary school :)
CROWN POINT -- The city has scheduled a St. Patrick's Day parade for 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.
The city expects 32 entries, including emergency vehicles and the Lake County Pipes and Drums.
It will begin at Solon Robinson Elementary School and proceed down Wells Street to Main Street, then north to the downtown square, and down Court Street to Walnut.
In addition to the lighted night parade, the downtown area will be decked in green LED lights and creative window displays.
I noticed my first Robin of the year sitting at an open house yesterday.
I had heard birds chirping one morning earlier in the week. The weather was still cold. I didn't think it could be a Robin already.
I use open houses as a time for reflection and study. This was my second weekend of open houses for the year.
As I sat in the kitchen looking out, I noticed the grass was turning green again. A cardinal sat on the fence. A couple of boys were playing basketball at the park behind the home. It finally feels like spring is on the way.
Both weekends I had one couple come through the home. Which is not bad considering it was snowing last weekend and pouring rain this weekend.
With the coming of a new year and another spring season come the renewed sense of optimism and hope for the year ahead. It is what you make of it. :)
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Walk-in closet
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