There's nothing like Basketball Season in Northwest Indiana!

Every year we look forward to cheering on our home town team - Valparaiso University Crusaders.

The Horizon League has some fiercely competitive teams for NCAA in the Midwest!

The 1st year as head coach-> Bryce Drew, son of Homer Drew has certainly earned consideration for horizon league 'coach of the year' award  (ok, so we may be little a biased:)

Valpo has just 4 games left in regular season

1 on the road 2/11/12 ->Valpo @ Youngstown State

3 more games at home = The ARC ->

2/14/12 Valpo vs. UIC

2/21/12 Valpo vs. Loyola

2/24/12 Valpo vs. Butler

So come on out, bring the family & friends and support the team in the home stretch before March Madness!

follow hashtags #GoValpo and #ValpoGameDay on Twitter

Here is a PRE Game Video taken recently at VU ->

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Why List Your Northwest Indiana Home For Sale with F.C.Tucker 1st Team Realty?

As of today, approximately 30% of homes listed for sale by our office in NW Indiana have accepted offers on them!

We are looking to increase our inventory of properties to sell in NWI because our phones are ringing with buyers who are interested in the properties that already have offers on them!

If they do not want to write a back up offer on these homes, we can show them your home if it meets their criteria!

So please call one of our experienced, professional, FULL TIME REALTORS today to get your Northwest Indiana home on the market soon!

Below is our Top 10 List that will help you understand what buyers are looking for in Today's market.

 

       Top 10 Factors that help Sell a Home:

1.       Price                                        * There is a saying in Real Estate=Price is King!

2.      Location                                    * You Cannot Change Location, Location, Location!

3.      Live-ability                                * Neighborhood Amenities do make a difference.

4.      Condition                                  * If Price is King, Condition is Queen!

5.      Competitive Advantage             * Current Listings are Competition=Buyers will Shop and Compare!

6.      Curb Appeal                              * You only get a First Impression ONCE.

7.      Staging                                     * The WOW factor may bring multiple offers!

8.     Kitchens                                     * An Updated Kitchen is a big selling point.

9.      REALTOR                                   * Your Biggest Ally->The REAL work in selling a home begins after an accepted offer. Experience overcoming Transaction Obstacles is key to Closing Escrow these days!

10.  Marketing                                    * It’s Global & gone Social.

The market is not what it once was.  You must be realistic about selling in today’s market.  Consider these Top 10 Ways a Home Sells and help your home put its best forward. 

You have to “WOW” that buyer!  The home has to be GREAT!

Talk To Tucker, Indiana's Real Estate Leader to Sell Your Northwest Indiana Home

 This week, I  attended an Indiana CRS BOD Meeting and Luncheon at the Marriott in downtown Indianapolis, IN.

Indy is host city for Super Bowl XLVI and what a great NFL experience  is happening the week leading up to the big game

Hoosier Hospitality at it's finest!

Media madness at it's best too! 

SKY sports blog even got a photo of Jeff and the Colts Super fan at the same time they were posing and looking at My camera LOL !

Here is a brief photo re-cap of the fun time we had before and after my conferences :)

Zipline anyone?  what you can't see are the office workers 4 stories up in adjacent buildings that were distracted by the zipline riders this week LOL

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I tweeted this photo of Prince Amukamara #20 of the New York Giants cordially signing autographs of fans in the lobby and was subsequently notified by tweeps who follow him of his philanrhropic efforts!

 What an awesome few days in Indy and what a view from our room too ->

If you get a chance to go down to Indy before the Superbowl this Sunday to expereince the pre-game atractions downtown - DO IT - and bring your family - you won't be dissapointed!

Having a cottage in Valpo with a place to lay your fishing gear, grab a cold drink and have off street parking to PARK YOUR BOAT, Trailer and CAR for under 50 K ?

Check out the Neighborhood Information below with numerous links to not only fishing on flint lake, but

other nearby lakes in Valparaiso Indiana as well!

For Avid Fisherman - These are some links to bring you some information about

Flint Lake and Fishing on Flint Lake in Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.

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Over the weekend, we listed for sale an all brick Townhome in the Munster, Indiana neighborhood of

White Oak Estates!

We've blogged about living in the town of Munster before.

Whether downsizing or just starting out, this Townhome priced at assessed value offers a convenient

location off  Main Street.

Lake County Indiana Living has it's advantages...Close to major roads for Chicago-land commute, plus, parks and

shopping and dining are all nearby!

Lawn Care, Snow Removal and Landscape Maintenance are included in the monthly HOA dues.

All offers to purchase are subject to lenders approval of a short sale. Showings by appointment.

  In 2010 Congress passed Obama's Health Care Bill that has in it a Real Estate Tax of 3.8 % that is effective on 1/1/13 that will affect some Property Sales depending on the sellers income bracket.

This tax may affect many types of Real Estate Sales TAX Scenarios in 2013 such as:

* Sale of A Principle Residence (Capitol Gain)

* Sale of a Second (Vacation) Home (Non-Rental)

* Sale of an Inherited Investment Property (Residential or Commercial)

This new tax is sometimes referred to as 'Medicare Tax' as proceeds will be used to extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund predicted to run dry. 

The National Association of REALTORS has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions FAQ's on their website for your reference.

Bottom line is that for some..... waiting to sell their home will affect their bottom line next year. 

If you are thinking of Waiting till next year to sell you Northwest Indiana property-you may want to think again->

 Talk To Tucker Today to get your home on the market this year!

In 2010 the FHA waived the regulation prohibiting insuring a mortgage

on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days.

For the second year in a row,

the Federal Housing Administration is extending a temporary waiver of it's

anti-flipping rule.

Therefore, home buyers who are pre-approved with FHA finaincing, WILL be able to buy a home that has

changed hands in the last 90 days under the following conditions:

• The transaction must be ARMS-LENGTH (no interest between buyer and seller OR any other parties involved in the real estate transaction).
  

• Cases in which the sales price of the property is 20 Percent or more above the seller's acquisition will have to meet lender specific conditions.

• The waiver does not apply to HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgages)

This will allow investors to acquire, rehab, and sell properties with no time frame constraint.

 Since FHA loans are popular with 1st time homebuyers and buyers who lack the larger conventional loan downpayment, this waiver may stimulate the housing market in 2012.

The inventory of foreclosed and abandoned properties may be bought by investors who will be able to fix, (flip) and sell them to FHA approved buyers regardless of the (previously imposed) time frame.

If you are looking for Investment Property in Northwest Indiana and want to take advantage of this

FHA Anti-Flipping Rule Waiver extension through 2012 -> Talk To Tucker!

You're Brain's the Most Important Real Estate, Invest in it!      

 CRS 201 Listing Strategies 2 Day Course in Merrillville, IN February 9 & 10, 2012

My personal testimonial about pursing my CRS designation can be found by a trail of Internet evidence over the 2 year journey it took me to earn this designation.

How did these classes help improve the bottom line in our business?

We closed more sales. Even in a challenging market!

Knowledge, Inspiration, New Ideas and Strategies learned during CRS Classes from seasoned sucessfull instructors was key to our business growth.

How ? (This is my story, yours will differ:)

• Like discussing the strategy of reverse offers in the CRS classes I took in Merrillville, Indiana

• This led to an article I contributed to that ran in CRS Magazine.

• The article was found by a syndicated Real Estate Author who interviewed me for Chicago Tribune Article.

• Mutliple newpapers nation wide re-printed versions of the article.

• The producer of ABC News Nightline read it, called us and yes we were on TV !

It doesn't stop there..... from other ideas written down during class brainstorming session...one of our listings got exposure on HGTV's Hidden Potential and the Local paper

 Our Listing Inventory is still key in keeping the phones ringing with inquiries and buyers today. We are using what was learned in CRS classes to sell Northwest Indiana Real Estate. 

"Build it and they will come!"

If you are are REALTOR who is not a CRS, consider investing in yourself and attend a CRS Class this year!

It's an investment I am thankful for as it is still paying dividends (and generating new referrals :)

Editorial by Grace Safrin, CRS, Broker/Co-Owner F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate

 If you are REALTOR in the Chicago-land area or Northwest Indiana don't miss this upcoming opportunity In Merrillville, Indiana on February 9 & 10, 2012 to attend

CRS 201 : Listing Strategies (from the Council of Residential Specialists) The Proven Path To Success

Contact The Indiana CRS Chapter to register today at 800.707.8461

or email:

ChapterAdmin@IndianaCRS.com

permission for posting of this Class Flyer granted by Administrator of IN CRS Chapter.

This home is located in phase II of Eagle Ridge Subdivision off Route 6.

Located between Valparaiso and Chesterton this Duneland area development in Porter County provides easy access

to Indiana Dunes National Lake shore, South Shore Train Station for Chicago-land Commute and Indiana Toll road

and expressways nearby for an hour drive to The LOOP Downtown.

A new hospital is being built nearby (estimated completion late 2012 off IN SR 49 ).

Enjoy the music video tour and give us a call to make an appointment to see this beautiful property!

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