This week, the Matt Evans Team secured a new listing on a wonderful ranch cottage home on Elmhurst Avenue in Valparaiso.  More details to follow soon.

The City of Valparaiso has listed the project to build a new roundabout on the northside as top two in it's road construction priorities heading into 2010.  The roundabout, proposed for the five-way intersection of North Calumet, Vale Park, and Roosevelt near Urschel Laboratories, is planned for 2012 at a cost of just over $1.7 Million in federal dollars.

The city's first roundabout, completed in 2007, is located at the intersections of Lincolnway, Laporte, and Sturdy Roads on the near eastside.  This location is near Valparaiso University and the new Eastgate Shopping corridor.  

Matt Evans

Keller Williams Realty

Northwest Indiana

219-241-8401

www.themattevansteam.com

As realtors, we often receive calls with clients wanting a special location.  Here is one lot with a truly special location.  Build your luxury home here--bring your own builder!  Enjoy incredible views of Long's Peak & the Front Range mountains over Richards Lake in Ft. Collins, CO. 

This is the perfect sloping deep walk-out lot that could create 10' or 12' high basement ceilings. Sunrises and sunsets are AMAZING here. From the lot, it is just 8 minutes to OLD TOWN and it is across the lake from the Fort Collins Country Club.  All utilities are to the lot, with the raw water tap ($16,000 value) already paid. This is a wonderful 90% built-out neighborhood called Hearthfire with pool, clubhouse, and lake. Good southwest solar exposure.  All curbs, gutters, and paved roads are installed to property. 

We have great builder references available--including "green" builders and builders who specialize in luxury homes. The property is subject to a 1031 Exchange. Note: When listed on the MLS, this was the last true waterfront lot on the market in Fort Collins. 

The address is 1333 A Hearthfire Ct., Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.  It is vacant land.

Call us today for a tour of this fine property or others in Northern Colorado.  You can use our map search feature to see this and other fine properties at www.mattevansrealestate.com.

Thank you for considering this great property.

Matt Evans
Keller Williams Realty
970-215-9221
www.mattevansrealestate.com
Licensed in Colorado and Indiana.

Great news for the Valparaiso Indiana home market. 

According to reports generated from the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors (GNIAR) MLS, the residential home market appears to be strengthening and showing a solid core of homes retaining or adding value.  The median house price rose again to $175,000 in 2009 in Valpo, continuing a strong trend over the last six years.  Cities across the country with a strong base of long time residents, core businesses, and higher education opportunities are reporting similar findings.  Unit sales of residential homes did drop slightly to 762 units for 2009 as the national economy was sluggish and lending challenges reduced employment continued.  

The market as a whole was supported by the government tax credits of $8,000 for homebuyers, and the new $6,500 home seller credit that continues thru mid 2010.  November 2009 saw a huge increase of over 40% in sales in Porter County Indiana, partially attributed to the credits. 

Anchored by Valparaiso University and a strong primary and secondary education system, Valparaiso continues to be a city of choice for relocation from around the region, including Illinois' Chicago suburbs.  Residents enjoy a one hour commute on the skyway to Downtown Chicago, as well as good bus access on Chicago Dash and rail access via the South Shore railroad.

For more information on the home market in Porter and Lake County Indiana, or to search for a home, contact Matt Evans, Keller Williams Realty Leaders, at 219-241-8401 or visit the website at http://www.themattevansteam.com/ 

The Matt Evans Team of Keller Williams is proud to announce the addition of map search to our website at www.themattevansteam.com.  This tool has proven to be a very valuable tool for those looking for homes in our area.  Home buyers and investors can literally mouse-over properties and click on the properties for more information.  It's a great way to look at a whole neighborhood in Valparaiso, Porter County, or the rest of the Northwest Indiana GNIAR MLS region. 

From the left side navigation, click on Home Search, then in body of next page click on Search for Properties in the area.   When searching, you can zoom in, zoom out, set search criteria parameters, and more.  You can set price ranges, features, or other limiting factors to streamline your search.

Be sure to setup your own account thru login to keep track of properties you like. 

And we hope you visit often.

Matt Evans, Keller Williams Realty Leaders

Northwest Indiana

www.themattevansteam.com

219-241-8401

Buy yourself some Clark Popcorn Company popcorn from Valparaiso, Indiana and enjoy!  The popcorn is "hand made in small batches"--a truly great product from a small family business.  Owned and operated by longtime Valparaiso resident Scott Clark, the company is making popped popcorn in all sorts of flavors--from Caramel Pecan to Chipotle Cheddar and it is GOOD!  It is especially delicious when watching a movie at home in the nasty weather.  The family has over 50 years experience in the popcorn industry, so they have experience and pride in everything they do.  According to Scott, the company creates their own products from individual ingredients for the best flavor.  Sounds like the Popcorn Festival is on their calendar for 2010, so be sure to stop by the booth.

To find more out about the Clark Popcorn Company, you can reach them at 219-464-0434 or contact Matt Evans at 219-241-8401 or matt@themattevansteam.com and he'll get you in touch with them.

According to MLS sales data, Porter County, Indiana home sales were very strong in November 2009. Thanks to the tax credit for first time homebuyers, historically low interest rates, and good deals in the housing market, home sales increased from 108 units to 154 units for November 2009 from the November 2008 figures. Lake County Indiana also had a good increase, putting the market back at pre-crisis levels.

Supply has steadily decreased over the last year.  While still not balanced in all price ranges(6 months supply of inventory is balanced), the lessening inventory is a good indicator that the market has strengthened for many prospective home sellers that are considering selling in 2010.  With the tax credit being extended thru early 2010, we are recommending sellers in Northwest Indiana ready their home for market during the winter to take advantage of the lower supply of homes in certain price ranges.

For a complete CMA from a real estate professional, please contact Matt Evans at 219-241-8401 or matt@themattevansteam.com. 

Keller Williams Realty was just named the #1 Real Estate Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2009!  The magazine cited the company's size, financial stability and growth rate as key factors in the rating.  Great to be part of a wonderful organization!  Talk to us about joining us at Keller Williams Realty Leaders in Northwest Indiana. 

http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/rankings/franchise500-115608/2010,-2.html

Keller Williams Realty agents Matt Evans and Kimberly Genovese, along with Jeff Svantner of Sistar Mortgage are hosting a home buyer and home seller seminar. The professionals will cover some of the industry's hottest topics, including the new $6,500 home seller credit, the renewed $8,000 home buyer credit, and how to get the most money selling your home in today's market. They also plan to discuss various loan options for homebuyers, the challenges and opportunity of buying distressed properties, and will offer current market data on home values in Porter County.

The "Buy Low, Sell High, and Cash-In" Real Estate Seminar will be held Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 6:30pm at Evelyn Bay Coffee Company located at 3800 N. Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso. Matt Evans states, "With all the changes over the past two years in lending and the real estate market, it's important for those entering the market to understand how those changes might affect them." The panelists invite home sellers currently in for-sale-by-owner situations or those considering formally listing their home to attend and learn about the opportunities and challenges in today's home marketplace.

This seminar is open to the public and there is no cost. The program will be an open panel discussion with Q&A, for a very informal and interactive environment.

Keller Williams Realty International, the third largest real estate company in the nation, just received the prestigious JD Power award for being rated #1 in nationally in homebuyer satisfaction. To learn more about this seminar, call Matt Evans at 219-241-8401 or e-mail matt@themattevansteam.com.

While days-on-market has increased, sales of single family homes in the Valparaiso (Valpo), Indiana neighborhood of Forest Park took an upswing in 2009 YTD over 2008 numbers.

GNIAR MLS Data for the period Jan. 1 thru Nov. 29 indicates:

2009 Home Sales   7 homes at $160,000 median and Ave. DOM of 146 Days

2008 Home Sales   5 homes at $153,000 median and Ave. DOM of 84 Days

Currently there are 7 homes on the market, indicating about a 12 month supply of homes in Forest Park. 

Forest Park homes are selling just below the median price of $180,000 for the Valparaiso home market, as the lower priced homes in the neighborhood appear to be moving well.  The prices in Forest Park vary widely in the various phases, as some of the homes in Forest Park exceed $300,000 in assessed value. 

For more information on home values in the Porter County and Northwest Indiana regions, contact Matt Evans, Broker Associate, REALTOR with Keller Williams Realty at 219-241-8401 or visit www.themattevansteam.com.