Evelyn's Blog

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Asks: Can A House Be Sexy? 5 Bedroom 4.5 Bath Home 24626 Homestead Drive, Elkhart In 46516

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:09:38 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty thinks sucess is sexy, and with sucess comes larger, bigger and more comfortable homes. So can a house be sexy? I wrote about a home that takes you from warm Brazillion Cherry flooring and cabnetry to icy cold stainless steel, all within the kitchen! To me that is thrilling and gives me goose bumps, from warm to cold. So I wrote the blog that way. Is that professional? What is your take on it?

Will it get more attention? Will a potential buyer be turned off or will it make them feel the same? I look forward to your responses...

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Asks: Making an Offer on a Short Sale?

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:50:21 -0600

Almost all Home Buyers are looking for a good deal, according to Elkhart REALTOR(r) Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty. Are YOU looking to buy a new home? Are you thinking that now's a great time to find a bargain? Before you make an offer, it pays to know a little about the seller's situation.

If a home is being sold for below what the current seller owes on the property - and the seller does not have the funds to make up the difference at closing - the sale is considered a short sale. Many more home owners are finding themselves in this situation due to a number of factors, including job losses, aggressive borrowing against their home in the days of easy credit, and declining home values in a slower real estate market.

A Short Sale is different from a foreclosure, which is when the seller's lender has taken title of the home and is selling it directly. Homeowners often try to accomplish a short sale in order to avoid foreclosure. But a short sale holds many potential pitfalls for buyers. Know the risks before you pursue a short sale purchase.

You are a good candidate for a short sale purchase if:

YOU ARE VERY PATIENT. Even after you come to agreement with the Home Owner to buy a short sale property, the seller's lender (or lender's, if there is more than one mortgage) has to approve the sale before you can close. When there is only one mortgage, short sale experts say lender approval typically takes about two months. If there is more than one mortgage with different lenders, it can take four months or longer for the lenders to approve the sale. However, this is just an estimate.
YOUR FINANCING IS IN ORDER. Lenders like cash offers. But even if you can't pay all cash for a short sale property, it's important to show you are well qualified and your financing is set. If you are preapproval, have a large down payment, and can close at any time, your offer will be viewed more favorably that that of a buyer whose financing is less secure.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CONTINGENCIES. If you have a home to sell before you canclose on the prucahse o the short sale property-or you need to be in your new home by a certain time-a short sale may not be for you. Lenders like no-contingency's and flexible closing terms.

If you are serious about purchasing a short sale property, it's important for you to have expert assistance. Here are some people you want to work with:

EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY. Only about two out of five short sales are approved by lenders. But a good real estate attorney who's knowledgeable about the short sale process will increase your chances getting an approval. Also, if you want any provisions or very specialized language written into the purchase contract, a real estate attorney is essential throughout the negotiation.
A QUALIFIED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL. You may have a close friend or relative in real estate, but if that person doesn't know anything about short sales, working with them may hurt your chances of a successful closing. Interview a few practitioners and ask them how many buyers they've successfully closed. A qualified real estate professional will be able to show you short sale homes, help negotiate the purchase when you find the property you want to buy and smooth communications with the lender. (All MLSs permit, and some now require, special notations to indicate that a listing is a short sale. There also are certain phrases you can watch for, such as "Lender approval required.")
TITLE OFFICER. It's a good idea to have a title officer do an initial title search on a short sale property to see all the liens attached to the property. If there are multiple lien holders (e.g. second or third mortgage or lines of credit, real estate tax lien, mechanic's line, homeowners association lien, etc), it's much tougher to get that short sale contract to the closing table. Any of the lien holders could put a kink in the process even after you've waited for months for lender approval. If you don't know a title officer, your real estate attorney or real estate professional should be able to recommend a few.

Some of the other risks faced by buyers of short sale properties include, but not limited to:

POTENTIAL REJECTION. Lenders want to minimize their losses as much as possible. If you make an offer tremendously lower than the Fair Market Value of the home, chances are that your offer will be rejected and you'll have wasted months. Or the lender could make a counteroffer, which will lengthen the process.
BAD TERMS. Even when a lender approves a short sale, it could require that the sellers sign a promissory note to repay the deficient amount of the loan, which may not be acceptable to some financially desperate sellers. In that case, the sellers may refuse to go through with the short sale. Lenders also can change any of the terms of the contract that you've already negotiated, which may not be agreeable to you.
NO REPAIRS OR REPAIR CREDITS. l You will most likely be asked to take the property "as is." Lenders are already taking aloss onthe property and may not agree to requests for repair credits.

The risks of a short sale are considerable. But if you have the time, Patience, and iron will to see it through, a short sale can be a win-win for you and the sellers.

Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty has been as Certified Short Sale Specialist since November 2007 and has successfully listed and sold dozens of homes. For your confidential consultation, you can call Evelyn at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Reports Short Sales Tips for Sellers, Part 2

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:31:33 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR(r) Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty continues her short sales tips for sellers. In part 1 I urged you to consider a loan modivication first, click here to read the first post.

If a Loan Modification is not available to you and you are considering a Short Sale, make sure you research, interview and google the names of the REALTOR(r)'s you are considering to represent you in this complex process. Look for experience in all aspects of Short Sales. Hiring a qualified REALTOR(r) is your first step. After you have selected one:

Begin gathering documentation before any offers come in. Your lender will give you a list of documents it requries to consider a short sale. The short sale package that accompanies any offer typically must include:

1. A hardship letter detailing your financial situation and why you need the short sale.

2, A copy of the purchase contract and listing agreement

3. Proof of your income and assets

4. Copies of your federal income tax returns for the past two years.

5. A Letter of Authorization for your Lender to speak with your REALTOR(r)

I posted a series of tips on the entire short sale experience, you can read it here, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

If you are in need of answers to your Mortgage Payments, call Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148 for your confidential conference.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Reports Short Sales Tips for Sellers, Part 1

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:06:21 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR(r) Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty reports short sale tips for sellers: if you're thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of our home, you may be facing a short sale. A short sale is one where the net proceeds from the sale won't cover your total mortgage obligation and closing costs, and you don't have other sources of money to cover the deficiency. A short sale is different from a foreclosure, which is when your Mortgage Lender takes title of your home through a lengthy legal process and then sells it.

Consider loan modification first. If you are thinking of selling your home because of financial difficulties and you anticipate a short sale, first contact your lender to see if it has any programs to help you stay in your home. Your lender may agree to a modification such as: Refinancing your loan at a lower interest rate; providing a different payment plan to help you get caught up, or providing a forbearance period if your situation is temporary. When a loan modification still isn't enough to relieve your financial problems, a short sale could be your best option if:
Your property is worth less than the total mortgage you owe on it.
You have a financial hardship, such as a job loss or major medical bills.
You have contacted your lender and it is willing to entertain a short sale.

HIRE A QUALIFIED TEAM!! The first step to a short sale is to hire a qualified REALTOR(r) like Evelyn Johnston, Certified Short Sale Specialist, who can be reached at 574-304-7148 and a real estate attorney who specialize in short sales. Interview at least three candidates for each and look for prior short sale experience. Short sales have proliferated only in the last few years, so it may be hard to find practitioners who have closed a lot of short sales. You want to work with those who demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the short sale process and who won't try to take advantage of your situation or pressure you to do something that isn't in your best interest. A qualified real estate professional can:

Provide you with a comparative market analysis(CMA). or Broker Price Opinion (BPO).
Help you set an appropriate listing price for your home, market the home, and get it sold.
Put special language in the MLS that indicates your home is a short sale and that lender approval is needed (all MLSs permit, and some now require, that the short sale status be disclosed to potential buyers)
Ease the process of working with yur lender or lenders.
Negotiate the contract with the buyers.
Help you put together the short sale package to send to your lender (or lenders, if you have more than one mortgage) for approval. You can't sell your home without your lender and other lien holders agreeing to the sale and releasing the lien so that the buyers can get clear title.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston on Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA)

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:42:23 -0600

According to Elkhart REALTOR(r) Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty, the National Association of REALTORS(r) recently reported on the Treasury Department's release of the guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA). HAFA is part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAFA provides incentives in connection witha short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program. HAFA applies to loans not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which will issue their own versions of HAFA in coming weeks.

HAFA is a complex program, with 43 pages of guidelines and forms, designed to simplify and streamline use of short sales and deeds-in-lieu of foreclosure. HAFA:

Complements HAMP by providing a viable alternative for borrowers (the current home owner) who are HAMP eligible biut nevertheless unable to keep their home.
Uses borrower financial and hardship information already collected in connection with consideration of a loan modification.
Allows borrowers to receive pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property (including the minimum acceptable net proceeds).
Prohibits the servicers from requiring a reduction in the real estate commission agreed upon in the listing agreement (up to 6 percent).
Requires borrowers to be fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt (no cash contribution, promissory note, or deficiency judgment is allowed).
Uses standard processes, documents, and timeframes/deadlines.
Provides financial incentives: %1,500 for borrower relocation assistance: $1,000 for servicers to cover administrative and processing costs; and up to $1,000 for investors for allowing a total of up to $3,000 in short sale proceeds to be distributed to subordinate lien holders (on a one-for-three matching basis).

The program does not take effect until April 5, 2010, but servicers may implement it before then if they meet certain requirements. The program sunsets on December 31, 2012.

So, if you are behind in your Mortgage Payment, or expect to be, contact your Lender to make arrangements with them for a Short Sale or Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure. Of the two options, the Short Sale is a much better way to avoid Foreclosure. A Short Sale will affect your Credit Rating for a much shorter period of time. A Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure affects your Credit Rating dramatically AND is considered the same as a full blown Foreclosure.

To sell your home by a Short Sale, interview several REALTOR's(R), and choose one who is a Certified Short Sale Specialist. The process is complex and experience will smooth your way. Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty is a Certified Short Sale Specialiest. and can be reached at 574-304-7148. It would make sense for you to google the REALTOR you are thinking about hiring to represent you and see what their reputation is!

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Says, If You Are Behind In Your Mortgage...

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:05:12 -0600

If you are behind in your mortgage payment, there are new rules, says Elkhart Realtor and Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty. The US Treasury just released new guidelines that both you, the Borrower, and your Mortgage Lender must now complete and follow.

Exactly what this means to you is this: Once the Mortgage Lender issues you approval to sell your home as a Short Sale, both you and they must meet minimum requirements, AND they cannot require you to repay any portion of the first mortrgage!

If you, or someone you know, are behind in your Mortgage Payments, contact a REALTOR(r) who is experienced in Short Sales, like Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty. She is A Certified Short Sale Specialist here in Elkhart County and can be reached at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Says: Owning A Home Has It's Benefits!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:11:14 -0600

Opportunity is knocking for those considering homeownership for the first time, says Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty. owning a home has it's benefits! Historically low interest rates, lower home prices in most markets and the first-time homebuyer tax credit - part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - brought first-timers to the market in droves throughout the year.

In fact, these consumers represented about half of home sales logged during 2009, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, a significant increase from historic levels. And the favorable conditions that prompted many of these first-time buyers are likely to continue. President Obama in early November signed into law a five-month extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit of up to $8,000, as well as a new tax credit of up to $6,500 for existing homeowners who want to purchase a home to be their primary residence (see your real estate professional and tax advisor for details). Both credits will be available through April 30, 2010.

Today's opportunities aside, here are eight time-honored reasons why those considering homeownership for the first time should make their move.

1. Pride of Ownership
Owning your own home adds to your own sense of self-esteem and personal pride. The satisfaction that comes from feeling connected to the land you occupy and the home in which you live is ages-old.

2. Security of Tenancy
With homeownership comes stability. When renting, you never know when you may have to move because of new ownership, rent increases or other changes. As a homeowner, you decide when and if you want to move.

3. Privacy
While there are usually some limits on the access landlords have to property, almost all landlords can access your property for necessary inspections and maintenance. For many renters, this lack of privacy is a significant discomfort. Homeowners on the other hand generally have much stronger property rights and experience an increase in perceived and actual privacy.

4. Decorating
Homeowners are free to decorate, remodel and accessorize a home any way they want. Not only do you have the right to make improvements, but the value of those improvements becomes yours as well. Having your living space and exteriors just the way you want them can significantly increase your satisfaction with your living environment.

5. Financial Predictability
When you buy a home with a fixed-rate mortgage, you have more predictability over future housing costs. Because your interest rate never changes, the amount of your payment never changes. Financial planning and credit are more easily managed with a fixed-rate mortgage compared to renting.

6. Building Equity
When you own your own home, you pay rent to yourself instead of a landlord. Most homeowners pay for their purchase by obtaining a mortgage. As you pay off that mortgage, your equity builds and you gain an increasingly larger share in a valuable asset. Over time, that asset can work for you in many ways, such as home equity lines of credit. And of course, a home is a wonderful asset to pass along in an estate.

7. Investment Appreciation
There are certainly no guarantees of property value appreciation. In the long-term, however, real estate valuations almost always increase. This means that when you decide to sell your home, its value may be significantly higher than when you purchased it. The difference in value is called appreciation. You can reinvest that appreciation in other real estate or you may wish to downsize and keep the value of that appreciation for retirement or other purposes.

8. Tax Benefits
In the United States, the cost of home mortgage interest and property taxes are usually tax-deductible. Depending on your circumstances, thousands of dollars in taxes can be saved each year. These tax savings are not limited to federal taxes either. Many states and localities either base their tax system on the federal system or offer similar incentives to homeownership. Some additional benefits are designed specifically for first-time homebuyers. See your tax advisor for additional information.

If you still have doubts, contact your local Elkhart Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148. She can answer questions you may have about homeownership and explain the buying process to you.

Evelyn Johnston can be reached at (574) 304-7148. Prudential One Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Gets New Shoes at Woldruff's Footwear & Apparel, Goshen, Indiana

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:08:23 -0600

Woldruff's Footwear and Apparel in Goshen Indiana has it going on...Let me back up a bit...I was still wearing my summer Birk's, needing to buy a pair of shoes and to busy in Real Estate to slow down long enough to get them. Did someone say Real Estate is slow? I'll bet they aren't in the home selling business! This Elkhart REALTOR is swamped...Now back to my story:

I had an appointment in New Paris and was more than an hour early so I thought, you know Evelyn, you have seen that television commercial for a special shoe store in Goshen that has a wide variety of Brands and Sizes to fit every foot (See Woldruff's, your commercial is working) and I was almost to Downtown, so I slowed down and started looking for the store. I found it in the block between Pike Street and Washington, and there was a parking space right in front with my name on it, so I pulled in.

I opened the door and, there was action everywhere. People were walking in new shoes, heads down, checking out the shoes they had on, I heard a couple of shopper's giggling about a joke only they were aware of, and a Husband & Wife team talking to the Shoe Fitter about how much the Wife likes to spend his money in the shoe store. Immediately I was taken back to my childhood and a Buster Brown Shoe Store in Baldwin Park California, and the week before school started. Buying new shoes was a big deal. And Buster Brown Shoe's were the biggest part of the big deal. I'm not sure, but I think I must have smiled from ear to ear right then. Such a nice memory!

I looked for a place to sit and wait my turn and hadn't found one before I was approached by Dove Leinbach, who offered her services. We spoke for a few minutes about what I was looking for, I sat down and waited and when she returned she was carrying 6 boxes of shoes for my selection. The first pair I tried on were Merrell's and they felt like they were made for my feet alone. Very comfortable! I obediently tried on the other shoes and went back to the Merrells. I bought them and asked if the Manager was there. Scott Woldruff was with a Patron so Dove offered me coffee and a now vacant chair to wait. Now, this coffee wasn't just coffee. It was Barney's Coffee. Delicious! Soon Scott came over to see how he can help me and I asked if I could blog online about his store. So here we are. This is my first experience with Woldruff's Footwear and Apparel. But it won't be my last.

Even in this busy world that we live in, here is a Family Owned Business, thriving with competition like Wal-Mart, and succeeding. Hooray for Goshen's Pride and Joy of a shoe store! Hooray for Scott Woldruff who does business the old fashioned way, taking care of the needs of one customer at a time, and doing a very good job of it...

Evelyn Johnston is an Associate Broker with Prudential One Realty who takes pride also in serving one Client at a time. If you need a pair of shoes, Call Woldruff's Footwear and Apparel at 574-534-5088, if you have Real Estate questions, call Evelyn at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston 23403 Crest Court, Short Sale House For Sale, 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:09:54 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty listed this cute house for sale on a corner lot in Homeland Subdivision, and has had multiple showings and multiple offers. Could the housing market be on the upswing or does the short sale house for sale have appeal because it is a great opportunity to own a home at a great price? So long as you are willing to wait for the complex short sale process, you really can make a great deal!

Not familiar with a Short Sale? A Short Sale is defined as the sale of a home for less than the current Mortgage owed on the property. Not always a Pre-Foreclosure, sometimes a Short Sale is due to the market conditions where the house for sale is located. Such as in a poor economy.

If you seek information about Short Sales, Pre-Foreclosures in the Elkhart County area, call a Certified Short Sale Specialist like Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148.

55954 River Shore Estates, Short Sale, 3/4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Home For Sale

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:54:12 -0600

River Shore Subdivision is located on CR 16 half way between SR 19 and Ash Road, in Baugo Township. This large home for sale features 3/4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths and a 3+ car garage. This short sale property is in the Jimtown School District and convenient to the US 20 Bypass.

Boating, fishing and swimming in your in ground pool (now closed for the winter) will be at your pleasure, when you live in this home! You can enjoy an afternoon sitting on the multi-level deck and watch the meandering of the Lower St Joe River, grill out, play in the pool or just relax. The choice will be yours!

Inside the main part of the home you will be awash in natural sunlight during the day from the wall of windows and the two skylights facing the back of the property. Nice and cheerfull!

An upper loft is great for an office, play room or study hall. Plenty of storage in the double closets, along with two bathrooms and a full bath.

This home qualifies for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit of up to $8,000. What would you do with the extra cash just before the Holidays? Do you qualify? Call your local Elkhart County Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148 for your appointment to see this lovely home! Call now, while it is on your mind...

South Bend Indiana Auction No Reserves 1626 Caroline Street Sunday November 22, 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:44:30 -0600

1626 Caroline Street in South Bend will be auctioned by Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers, with no reserves at 11:00 am on Sunday November 22, 2009;

912 square feet, 1 story frame bungalow on a partial basement with a porch. Carpeted, 2 bedroom, 1 bath plus full steps to floored attic. Partial basement with gas forced furnace, waterheater and hook ups for washer and dryer. 1 x 14 deck in fenced back yard with 8 x 10 storage shed. Built in 1926, lot size is 45 x 154, 2007 taxes $1306.73. Zoned residential. Click Here to see photos of the property. Scroll down to November 22, 2009.

For more information contact David Meyers at Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers at 260-580-3400. Final Open House will be held Tuesday November 17th, 2009 from 4 to 6 pm.

South Bend Indiana Auction No Reserves 1622 Caroline Street Sunday November 22, 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:31:10 -0600

1622 Caroline Street in South Bend will be auctioned by Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers, with no reserves at 11:00 am on Sunday November 22, 2009;

This is a Residential Home with 1620 sf, 1. story frame home on full basement with 2 car detached garage, hardwood floors, 3 season porch, 3 bedrooms, full bath, partial finished basement plus 2nd full bath. Gas forced heat, deck to fenced triple lot with nice shade trees and fenced yard. Built in 1924. Lot size is 138 x 150, 2007 taxes $2277.22, zoned residential.

Contact David Meyers at 260-580-3400 with any quesitons. Final Open House will be held Tuesday November 17, 2009 from 4 to 6 pm. Photos of the property can be seen here. Scroll down to November 22, 2009.

South Bend Indiana Auction No Reserves Richey's Imported Car Care Buildings 1610, 12, 14 Lincolnway East

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:22:08 -0600

Richey's Imported Car Care, Inc.Buildings located at 1610, 1612, 1614 Lincolnway East in South Bend will be auctioned on Sunday November 22, 2009 at 11 am. No Reserves, cash is king! Photos can be seen here, then scroll down to November 22, 2009.

1610 Lincolnway East is 1888 SF 2 story wood frame duplex with hardwood floors, natural woodwork, porch, sunroom, and full basement build in 1908. 900 sf 3 car detached garage built in 1972. Lot size is 42 x 150. 2007 taxes $1173.56. Zoned Residential

1612-14 Lincolnway East: 2262 sf cement block building with office, bathroom, service counter, parts bins, waiting room, in floor hydraulic car lift, 2 overhead doors, 4-5 bays, and a customer entrance door. Built in 1965. Lot size is 50 x 150. 2007 taxes 1377.49 zoned commercial.

For more information call David Meyers with Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers at 260-580-3400.

South Bend Indiana Auction No Reserves business, 2 Homes, Reception Hall and Real Estate Plus Personal Property

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:12:50 -0600

Four Tracts will be auctioned off with no reserves in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday November 22, 2009. The properties located at 1612 Lincolnway East, 1622 Caroline, 1626 Caroline and 1617-21 Eldora, all in South Bend will be sold at auction, with no reserves. The terms on Real Estates: Buyer brokers welcome (contact auctioneer for details). $5,000 (per tract) down day of auction ($20,000 down for all tracts), balance on closing. Buyer to pay winning accepted bid price plus 2% buyers premium (2% of winning bid price) due at closing. Property sold absolute, no reserves, sells regardless of price. Property sold as-is, where-is. Property sold for cash. (The sale of this property may be financed, however the sale of this property is not contingent to financing approval). The information stated in this postis the opinion of Scheerer mcCulloch Auctioneers, Inc. and its agents, however, the decision to bid on the real estate property is entirely up to the individual bidders based on their own individual inspections and opinions. All measurements and tax information are from reliable sources, however, are not guaranteed to be accurate. Statements made day of auction takes precedence over any and all previous oral or written matter. Real estate closing to be within 45 days of auction date or sooner.

For the details of property to be sold on the four tracts click here. Photos of the property can be seen here, then scroll down to November 22, 2009.

South Bend Indiana Auction No Reserves Business, 2 Homes, Reception Hall and Real Estate

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:00:29 -0600

1612 Lincolnway East in South Bend Indiana is the site for the Auction with No Reserves. A Business, 2 Homes, Reception Hall and Real Estate, 4 tracts in all will be auctioned after the sale of the personal property. Open House to view the property takes place on Tuesday November 17th from 4 to 6 pm. The auction will be held sunday, November 22, 2009 at 11 am. Photo's of all the tracts can be seen here, then scroll down to November 22, 2009.

Scheerer McCullock Auctioneers, Inc. from Fort Wayne, Indiana will be on hand to conduct the auction. David Meyers can be reached at 260-580-3400 for directions or more informaiton.

Tract 1:

Richey's Imported Car Care, Inc., 1610, 1612, 1614 Lincolnway East inclues: 1,888 square foot 2 story wood frame duplex with hardwood floors, natural woodwork, porch, sunroom, and a full basement built in 1908. 90 square feet 3 car detached garage built in 1972. Lot size in 42 X 150,000.; 2007 taxes were $1,377.49. Zoned commercial.

Tract 2:

Residential Home 1622 Caroline, South Bend, In. 46613. 1620 square feet, 1.5 story frame home on full basement with 2 car detached garage. Hardwood floors, 3 season porch, 3 bedrooms, full bath, partial finished basement plus 2nd full bath, gas forced heat, deck to fenced triple lot with nice shade trees. Built in 1924. Lot size is 138 x 150. 2007 taxes $2272.22. Zoned Residential.

Tract 3:

Residential Home, 1626 Caroline, South Bend, In. 46613 912 square feet 1 story frame bungalow ona partial basement with a porch. Carpeted, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, plus full steps to floored attic. Partial basement with gas forced furnace, water heater and hook ups for washer and dryer. 11 x 14 deck in fenced back yard with 8 x 10 shed. Built in 1926. Lot size is 45 x 154. 2007 taxes $1306.73. Zoned Residential.

Tract 4:

Morey's Party House, 1617-1621 Eldora, South Bend, In 46613. 3597 square feet, 1 story over a full finished basement reception hall. 2 full kitchens, mens and womens bath rooms, lobby, stage, storage rooms, ceiling fans, gas forced heat. Approximately 18000 sf of asphalt paved parking. Built in 1938. Lot size is 170 x 154. 2007 taxes $2164.02. Zoned Commercial.

South Bend, Indiana Public Auction-No Reserves-Business-2 Homes-Reception Hall-Real Estate

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:17:18 -0600

Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers will be holding a No Reserves-Auction of a Business, 2 Homes, Reception Hall and Real Estate! Sells Regardless of PRICE! 1612 Lincolnway East, South Bend, Indiana.

Scrap materials, coat rack, 2 upholstered chairs, 15 plastic molded chairs, 54 folding metal chairs, 8 "4 top" tables with heavy base, 6 8' folding tables, 6 6'folding tables, winter and Co upright piano, 15" floor machine, mops and buckets, appliances, window air conditioners, floor jacks, healey engine blocks, British car parts books, gas caps, wooden steering wheels, 13", 14" 15" wire and steel wheels, tires, hub caps, doors, cylinder heads, whole engines, transmissions, oil pumps, mufflers, belts. Pop cooler, chargers, lincoln welder, jack stands, creepers, sioux valve grinder, welding supplies, grease and lube equipment, approximately 100 gallon used oil tank, work benches, wooden and metal rolling benches, nuts and bolts, 2 ton press, parts cars (no titles):TR7, MGB Roadster, TR3, Jaguar, Titled cars: 2 MGB BT's, 2 MG Midgets, Volvo V6 164, '67 Jaguar 420 sedan (80k miles), 66 Buick Rivera Grand Sport (70k miles).

If you are a car buff, tree mechanic or an experienced and licensed mechanic, there is something here for you! Come check it out. Call David Meyers, Sheerer McCulloch Auctioneer at 260-580-3400 for more information. Open House Tuesday November 17th. Photo's of the property can be seen here, then scroll down to November 22, 2009.

South Bend Public Auction Morey's Party House-No Reserves

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:29:05 -0600

Morey's Party House, 1617-1621 Eldora, South Bend, In is being auctioned off, with no reserves on Sundaqy November 22, 2009. This long standing Reception Hall is a one story building with approx. 3597 square feet, a full finished basement. There are 2 full kitchens, men and women's bathrooms, lobby, stage, storage rooms, ceiling fans, and a gas forced heat furnace. Approximately 18,000 square feet of asphalt paved parking. Morey's Pary House was built in 1938 and the lot size is 170' X 154'. There is approximately 18,000 square feet of asphalt paved parving lot, the lot size is 170' X 14' and the buildingn was etrected in 1938. 2007 property taxes were $2164.02 and Morey's is zoned commercial. Click Here to see photos of property. Scroll down to November 22, 2009.

If you are looking for an investment property, come by on Sunday November 22, 2009. This is one of four parcels being auctioned with no reserves. Open house Tuesday November 17, call for directions.

For more information on this auction please call Auctioneer David Meyers at Scheerer McCullock Auctioneers, Inc, 260-580-3400.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Lists New Short Sale at 23403 Crest Court, 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bath

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:48:11 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston has listed a new Short Sale at 23403 Crest Court, Elkhart. This beautifuly landscaped corner lot features 3 bedrooms and 1 bath and a great ground level deck with shading to enjoy your evenings in. The

fenced back yard is also landscaped and shaded with a mature oak tree.

What is a Short Sale? It means the property will be sold for less than the current mortgage. It also means that the Mortgage Lender has to agree to the amount someone is willing to pay, since they will be settling for less than full balance. Potentially this is a great bargain for you. Are you a First Time Home Buyer? If so you are elegible for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit of up to $8,000, or 10% of the amount you pay for the home. There are some limitations, so give your local Elkhart Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty a call at 574-304-7148. She can answer all your questions about this home or any other home listed in the area.

Elkhart REALTOR Evely Johnston: For Those Who Have Decided Not To Decide-Higher Home Prices Ahead!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:31:57 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston has this to say: For those who have decided not to decide about buying a home, Higher home prices are ahead...

For several months now, I have been receiving multiple offers on properties that I have listed. According to an article I read online,The Pending Home Sales Index says all indications show that house prices are indeed on the upswing.

What does this mean to you? It means the urgency to buy is increasing. For several months, perhaps a year folks have been in no real hurry to make a decision on buying a home, even when they both loved it. People are afraid that after buying, the price will drop even further, and they missed an opportunity to get an even better deal! For those of you who have decided not to decide-higher home prices are ahead!

With the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit extended and enhanced, now is the time to buy! To begin your search, call your local Elkhart Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Fights The Big Guys Who Hold Up Short Sale Processing

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:46:24 -0600

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty fights the big guys who hold up short sale processing by filing complaints on her Clients behalf with the Indiana Attorny General's Office. A little known rule in Indiana is the House Bill that demands that the Mortgage Lender MUST acknowledge receipt of an offer on a pre-foreclosure property within 10 business days, and make a decision as to acceptance or rejection of the offer within 30 business days. There are only a few Mortgage Lenders who are complying.

So, if you are behind in your Mortgage and would like to sell your home before it goes into foreclosure, speak with a Certified Short Sale Specialist. This complex process is not for the weak or timid REALTOR!

For more information, call Evelyn direct at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Leadership by Ducks Theory

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:44:58 -0500

During our second day at the Indiana REALTOR Leadership Academy, after the Rainbow Leadership Style Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston and 17 others from around the State learned the Duck Theory of Leadership. This was explained in detail by fellow Indiana Realtor Leadership Academy Student Barry Skalski in his blog. Learn the"Ducks" principles here.

If you are interested in Leadership and giving back to our Elkhart County REALTOR's, the 2010-2011 session will begin in October 2010. This is a wonderful thing to participate in and the benefit to you is tremendous... Contact Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148 for more information on how you can serve!

Elkhart Indiana REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Attends Leadership Academy

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:04:31 -0500

Beautiful Camp Ransburg in Bloomington, Indiana, was the location of the first meeting of the Indiana REALTOR's(r) Leadership Academy that Elkhart Indiana REALTOR Evelyn Johnstonattended. The turning of the leaves, the smell of burning leaves and the definite chill in the air all worked together to bring 17 REALTOR's(r) from across the State together to learn about Leadership!

Some of us had met or talked with one another in our own markets while conducting normal Real Estate Business, but for most of us this was where we met for the first time. Within hours, we were on our way to becoming friends.

The C.O.P.E. Course Leaders at Camp Ransburg started us off with a clever way of learning each others names and after a few more "thought provoking" games to teach us to think outside the box and solve simple puzzles, we moved outdoors. Ahhhhh, fresh air! I choose to walk to the site of the course and slipped once, but didn't go down, and then had to hang onto a tree to swing my legs over a stream! It was a close call! I was under the impression we would be doing athletic type exercises but much to my surprise the activities were more a "team building" exercise. Several of them! In each instance we had to work together to solve various problems. We are building a team of future Leaders. Hopefully in the Real Estate World!

If you have Real Estate Questions, call your local Elkhart County Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148!

Every Seller Needs To Know, What Sells a house?

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:45:11 -0500

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston ran across this "Every Seller Needs To Know, What Sells A House" article and though Seller's in Elkhart would also like to know! Enjoy!

Via Carra Riley CRB, CRS, GRI (Carra Riley Inc.- Real Estate Consultant, Author, Speaker ):

Every Seller Needs To Know, What Sells a house?

There are four varibles that sell a house.

1. Price

2. Terms

3. Condition

4. Location

All four of the variables go together to create the "perfect sale." Each aspect must be taken into consideration if you want a property to sell.

1. Price fixes everything! Don't let anyone tell you different. When the buyer perceives there is a value because of the price, they will buy the home.

The other three varibles always can effect the price.

There are circumstances where a buyer has lost the ability to qualify for a traditional loan because of a foreclosure or bankruptcy and the buyer needs owner financing. With Owner carry Terms that particular buyer may be willing to pay more because they have ownership with possibly a small down payment.

Conversely, if the Condition is bad the price will have to be reduced to reflect a value in the home where a buyer will have to come in and do repairs or cosmetic updates.

Location is the toughest variable in the sale to compensate for. Most people have heard about in Real Estate the terms Location, Location, Location. If the location is bad.. ONLY price will sell the property possibly combined with terms so exciting that a buyer will not be able to pass up the deal.

2. Terms. If the Terms are attractive, sometimes a seller can get more money for the home. For example: a home with a value of $325,000 listed with owner carry terms of $25,000 down and no bank qualifing might be able to sell at $350,000 because of the terms.

Under any owner carry situation, it is important the seller speak with their accountant and attorney before accepting any contract and agreement to finance. The seller should be completely aware of the liability and consequences in owner financing. This is just an example how price can increase with the right terms.

3. Condition is a key factor in selling a home. When the property is in top condition, looking like a show home the seller may get top market value for the property. In times where homes are selling at a slow pace, in order to procur a sale, the home should be the BEST property at the Lowest price to get to the closing table.

Taking a seller on a preview tour of the homes in the area similar to their property can save months of discouragement with a home not selling. When a seller can see the competition and accepts the fact their home needs to be the Best house at the lowest price to sell, the home will sell and the seller will see what they are up against in comparison.

Carpet or paint allowance does NOT work in selling a home. If the home needs carpet, put it in. If the home needs painting, get it painted. Many times this can cost a seller $5,000 to $8,000 to do those upgrades. Investing, yes, investing is the correct term, for getting the house sold. The money invested will come back in the form or a quick sale at full market value.

A picture is worth a thousand words so think about how the property looks and even take some pictures to see what a buyer is looking at. Sellers should look at the pictures like they were a buyer and ask, "would I buy this house in this condition for this price?" Are the kitchen counters cluttered? Are the closets a mess? What does the front door look like and the yard when people drive up to the house?

A seller has 8 seconds for a buyer looking at a home to decide if they really like the house and if it will go on the A list. The buyer starts the decision making process when driving up to the home while looking at the surrounding properties and the entrance to the home.

There are many agents are trained in "staging" a home and there are "staging services" which help a seller to understand what needs to be done to create a "marketable product." Listen to these people if you want to get the house sold.

The seller needs to separate from the house and see it as an investment or product that needs to be sold. The seller needs to take all the emotions out of the happy memories in the home if they are serious about selling.

4. Location is the only variable which cannot be changed. A bad location, is a bad location so only price and terms are going to help this situation.

It does not matter that the same model home across the street sold for thousands more, because it was ACROSS THE STREET and did not back to the highway. A seller needs to get a reality check on location and think about when they purchased. If the seller got a good deal when they bought because it had a bad location then they have to give the new buyer the same good deal to sell.

Sellers should take all the emotion out of the business of selling a home and treat the transaction as an investment decision.

If the goal is to get the home sold then listen to the professionals and let them do their job.

As Donald Trump would say, "It's only business."

Cosmic Cow Pie

Carra Riley

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Talks About Selling to Different Generations, Part 4, Generation Y

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:13:11 -0500

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston talks about selling to different generations, part 3, Generation X. Age plays a critical role in customer buying decisions. In fact, the generation into which we are born has as much impact on buying and purchasing decisions as income and education. Our shared experiences determine what motivates us toward or away from a sale, according to the report I received from Scott York of Metropolitan Title Company here in Elkhart. He may be reached at 574-293-9111. Part 1 was about Seniors/Mature generation, you can read about that here.

Let's see what we have on Generation Y:

Watched parents and grandparents deal with change-growing up in a world that is constantly in motion, revising and restructuring
Amazing optimism-goal oriented
Color blind when they relate to people different from themselves
Have always had technology and assume you should too
Raised on the mantra "You are Special"-shaped them as consumers
Extra solid snse of their individual identity
Many receiving financial help from family members
These buyers are starting from scratch and need a lot of attention
More likely to live near the city rather than the suburbs
Best informed customers but most unresponsive to traditional advertising

Bottom Line:

We are in the people business, take time to know and understand our differences.

Thanks you Scott for this information on how to deal well with Generation X! If you have questions about Title Insurance, call Scott at Metropolitan Title, 574-293-9111. If you have Real Estate questions, call Elkhart Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148.

Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston Talks About Selling to Different Generations, Part 3, Generation X

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:06:55 -0500

Let's see what we have on Generation X:

AKA "Baby Busters"
Unpredictable and disloyal to brands and skeptical of big business
First one that was largely a product of divorce (latchkey kids)
Very high expectations about receiving easy and personalized service when they want it, not just when you are open
Self reliant and resourceful when looking for a home
Done a lot of research online-know what they want
Not much landholding
Highly diverse group-large number of Hispanic and Immigrants

Messaging:

Down play the emotional side of the buying process, not likely to get swept away
Take a factual approach-they are skeptical-be well prepared
Prefer communicating through online
Summarize what they will need before closing
Don't sugar coat bad news, use corporate jargon or busswords
Get to the point quickly-give concise information