northwest indiana information: Consumers Beware of Pay Up Front Services with Claims to Help Sell Your Home or Slow Down Foreclosure!
- 07/27/08 10:19 AM
'Performance Outsells Promises' this has been our motto since entering Real Estate Sales in 1999. Recently, much to our concern, we have interviewed more & more potential SELLERS who have paid $1 to $5000 ( one to five thousand dollars ) UP FRONT, to total strangers to LIST their Home on a Website To "Help them Sell it" ......OR, another newer service now offers help those behind on Mortgage payments in order to Avoid FORECLOSURE ! the PROBLEM????? They end up NOT Delivering any READY, WILLING and ABLE (qualified) Buyers. So these FRUSTRATED CONSUMERS use the Internet and GOOGLE some more and find US.... Our Questions … (9 comments)
Here are some more facts from our current Company Newsletter: Current Statistics 49 offices around the state 1400 Sales Associates 2.5 Billion sold in 2007 14,310 Families represented in 2007 12,457 New Listings in 2007 10th Largest Regional Brand in America Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS - "Spouses Selling Houses' TM F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty Serving Lake County, … (5 comments)
We received an email from one of our Local Lenders today concerning HUD's proposed changes to FHA Loan requirements. In looking at the above Email Newsletter.... The Section Under Changes At A Glance # D. quoted below caught our eye.... " D. Proposal to Prohibit Seller-Paid Down payment Assistance- On June 16, 2008, the Department re-published its proposed rule governing seller-funded down-payment assistance gifts in connection with FHA-insured mortgage loan transactions. HUD invited comments to the proposal, which must be submitted by August 15, 2008. " In our local NW Indiana Marketplace - Seller Assisted Down-payment FHA Loans have provided opportunities … (5 comments)
northwest indiana information: National Debt Clock - Amazing Speed of U.S. Spending - LOOK->
- 06/26/08 03:47 AM
Jeff Showed me this the other day and I couldn't believe my eyes! Like many of you, we discuss the state of the economy and it's impact on our business, life, etc and ways to CUT BACK and put away for 'rainy days'. (Principles once Highly Valued & Taught by our Fore fathers). He said something about our Government setting a bad example by spending money faster than it comes in - I had no idea until he showed me this visual-----> (click link below) Notice the Name of the Website => BABYLON TODAY
Sincerely, Grace Jeff & Grace Safrin - … (2 comments)
northwest indiana information: Rally For The Cure - Northwest Indiana Golf Outing Supports the Cause!
- 06/23/08 04:31 AM
Last Week I had the Opportunity to Golf and Wear Pink :) in our Ladies Golf League Annual Rally For The Cure! -> (Click the above link to find out how your Golf League can sponsor an outing supporting the mission of Susan G. Kormen for the Cure of Breast Cancer) The weather was awesome, the company fun and the proceeds went to a worthy cause!
Here are some photos of the event: Click on the Photos for More Information about Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana
If we can assist you in finding a Property In NW Indiana … (0 comments)
northwest indiana information: Northwest Indiana Events - Mark Your Calendar for the 2008 Gary South Shore Air Show !
- 06/20/08 07:34 AM
Saturday and Sunday July 12 & 13th , 2008 over 1/2 Million people will come to Northwest Indiana's Lake Michigan Shoreline to enjoy this FREE event for all ages! This year the USAF Thunderbirds will be here- How Exciting!! For Information on this Show and other Lake County, Indiana Events & Attractions just click on links we have highlighted above :) Have a Healthy, Safe & Happy Summer! If we can help you relocate to NW Indiana, give us a call @ 219-405-1232 Sincerely, Jeff & Grace Safrin - REALTORS "Spouses Selling Houses"TM F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty............................................................................... Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, Jasper & Newton … (4 comments)
northwest indiana information: Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall in Michigan City, Indiana
- 06/11/08 09:26 AM
Northwest Indiana has a great outdoor Mall near the Lake in Michigan City called Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets that is worth careful consideration for visiting if you are in the area! With over 120 Stores of Brand names For Less, we rarely pay retail anymore without checking here first. Labor Day weekend is their annual sidewalk sale where clearance prices are even more drastically reduced... ( i.e. last summer I found a Burberry Ladies sleveless cotton shirt in my size for THREE DOLLARS ). Click Here For Driving Directions
This week we visited the outlet to do some shopping and although the weather was … (23 comments)
northwest indiana information: Listed AND Sold By The Safrin's - Home and Farm LAND in Northwest Indiana.
- 05/29/08 01:58 PM
Mark Twain once said " Buy Land, They Stopped Making It" Today we Closed on the Sale of a Large parcel of Land - 38 Acres (almost a quarter mile square) in Northwest Indiana - Starke County with a Home, Barn, Stocked Pond, Wooded Acreage, Tillable Farmland that is Leased Annually, and several acres of GOVERNMENT GRASSES with a transferrable contract. These specially planted grasses are Environmentally beneficial to the land. ( GREEN :) Transactions such as these require multiple extra steps to ensure transfer of proper documents with the county and that the new buyers are aware of conditions of ownership that may be unique & specific to … (7 comments)
northwest indiana information: Valparaiso, IN -Gourmet Cooking Just a Short Walk From Your New Home- Let us Take You There :)
- 05/18/08 10:04 AM
Living near Valparaiso, Indiana's Northside, which is conveniently located to Major Roads like the I 80/90 Tollroad and I 94 Expressway, makes for an easier commute to the big city of Chicago by Car or South Shore Train ! One of our all-time Favorite Dining Establishments is located on Valparaiso's North Side....THE DISH Restaurant! (click your mouse on the photo below for virtual tour & divine menu)->
Recently, we SOLD a New Townhome / Half - Duplex in Valparaiso's North Side Neighborhood of North Hampstead Whoever buys a Home in this community, will also enjoy dining at The Dish since it is within walking DISTANCE ! … (10 comments)
northwest indiana information: TONY'S SADDLE SHOP - One of Valparaiso, Indiana's Best Kept Secrets !
- 05/13/08 02:16 AM
Yesterday, between filming sessions for an upcoming episode of HGTV's Hidden Potential, we had time to stop at an unbelievable place called Tony's Saddle Shop located in Valparaiso, IN. You've heard the saying : You can't tell a book by it's cover ! That is so true of this retail business establishment that is a Trendsetter in Western and English Fashion !
Hoosier Hospitality is an understatement describing the exceptionally warm reception and knowledgeable answers to our many questions that we received while shopping here! The extensive collection of Women's, Mens' and Children' CLOTHING, along with a huge assortment … (11 comments)
We received a phone call a few months ago about the possibility for one of our hometown properties being featured on HGTV's show HIDDEN POTENTIAL. Well today, after much behind the scene details, that dream became a reality. Van loads of equipment and a caravan of vehicles, filled with kind and very knowledgeable production crew, spent several hours here in our Vale of Paradise ! The Shows Star Host Brandie Malay, and feature Architect/Designer Barry Wood were both gracious enough to take a moment from their busy schedules to take a photo with us. … (12 comments)
We received a phone call a few months ago about the possibility for one of our hometown properties being featured on HGTV's show HIDDEN POTENTIAL. Well today, after much behind the scene details, that dream became a reality. Van loads of equipment and a caravan of vehicles, filled with kind and very knowledgeable production crew, spent several hours here in our Vale of Paradise !
The Shows Star Host Brandie Malay, and feature Architect/Designer Barry Wood were both gracious enough to take a moment from their busy schedules to take a photo with … (3 comments)
northwest indiana information: Cash Buyers Are Coming Out to BUY REAL ESTATE !
- 05/09/08 05:04 AM
I once heard an exerpt from an interview with Donald Trump who mentioned he purchased Real Estate during the last know recession. Of course Real Estate Markets vary, but Northwest Indiana has remained an affordable place for housing options for both First Time Home Buyers AND INVESTORS....you don't have to be a Donald Trump to take advantage of some great deals at present! In the last few weeks specifically, we have had phone calls from cash buyers looking to fix & flip properties, AND from agents working with buyers who have been patiently awaiting a market such as this to purchase a home by … (4 comments)
northwest indiana information: Grace Safrin of NW Indiana achieves Certified Residential Specialist Designation - 1 of Only 4 % of REALTORS Nationwide
- 04/25/08 10:28 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IN INDIANA GRACE M. SAFRIN, REALTOR, BROKER ASSOCIATE WITH F.C. TUCKER ADVANTAGE REALTY HAS BEEN AWARDED THE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST DESIGNATION BY THE COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS. April, 2008. Grace M. Safrin, a Valparaiso, IN resident has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Fewer than 38,000 Realtors nationwide have earned the credential. Home buyers and sellers can be assured … (15 comments)
We received an email announcement this morning forwarded from our Broker, That one of our Favorite Attractions in Jasper County, Indiana Fair Oaks Farm will Be Featured on The DISCOVERY CHANNEL TV SHOW Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe on April 28th, 2008 at 8 : 00 p.m. CST ! Seems from the Description of this Episode, viewers will experience the various Jobs at a Dairy Farm, Including Milking a Cow and even helping with the delivery of a Baby Calf ! This FARM EXPERIENCE in Northwest Indiana is one of Our Favorite Places to Stop for Fresh & Excellent Dairy Products … (8 comments)
northwest indiana information: Price of Gas Has Inspired a New Business in Valparaiso, Indiana = Get Scootin'
- 04/18/08 04:28 AM
Yes, that's right. SCOOTERS for sale in Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana. In a prime store front location on the mainstreet of Lincolnway, 68 West Lincolnway to be exact...you can find many colors and styles! And at 90 miles to the Gallon of Gasoline, this new business in town should do AWESOME ! Even Jeff Tried one out :) For more info visit _> http://www.genuinescooters.com/dealers.html for Valparaiso, IN Map location or call 219-531-4386. Thinking of Relocating to Northwest Indiana? Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS - "Spouses Selling Houses' TM
Serving Lake County, Porter County, La Porte County, in NW Indiana. Please feel free … (8 comments)
northwest indiana information: Porter County Indiana - Property Taxes Are Going Down !
- 04/17/08 11:27 AM
As Porter County Property Owners, last week we received a Check from the Porter County Government as a refund of a portion of our last paid property tax bill ! What's even better, is that Indiana State passed legislation to LOWER Property Taxes in Our County as well !
<---Photo of the Porter County Government Building in Valparaiso, Indiana.
A Variety of Artistically hand painted benches grace the downtown area streets of Valparaiso, IN. This one is in front of the Porter County Government Building. Thanks for Visiting our Blog! To read more about local NW Indiana events, sports, and more, click our blog link. … (4 comments)
northwest indiana information: 1st BORN, 2nd Wife, 3rd REALTOR...
- 03/26/08 08:52 AM
This is just one in a series of Posts For Localism By Jeff & Grace Safrin, F.C. Tucker Realty, Serving Northwest Indiana...on HOMES SOLD IN A MARKET THAT's NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD.... I heard this saying the other Day in CRS Class and giggled. I had never heard it before, and the Agent who was explaining it said that this saying: " First Born, Second Wife, Third REALTOR " has been referred to as the preferred order of things in Life! Although I don't agree with the phrase, it
brought to mind a successful transaction we closed on this year. We just happened to be the … (9 comments)
northwest indiana information: Pursuit of Becoming a Certified Residential Specialist - A Goal that took 2 Years But well worth it !
- 03/20/08 04:03 AM
I am happy to report that I will be sending in the completed application with proof of transactions, along with core requirements and affidavits to be considered for this, the most coverted and highest professional designation awarded to REALTORS in the residential sales field. LESS THAN 4 % of all REALTORS hold the CRS Designation and it has been a pursuit of pleasure for me to LEARN, GROW and CHANGE for the purpose of FUTURE benefit to our clients! PRESS RELEASE 3/18/08 Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Realty ATTENDS SPECIALIZED LISTING COURSE
FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS On 3/17/08 and … (7 comments)
Northwest Indiana Real Estate - Lake, Porter, La Porte, Counties in NW Indiana. A Team Approach To Real Estate. We Are Internet Savvy! We provide you Valuable services and representation in Buying or Selling Real Estate and Relocation services : Competitive Market Analysis of Price, Marketing Plan that sells our Listings, Access to the largest buyer pool via Northwest Indiana Multiple Listing Service, Negotiation of Contracts. Coordination of the many aspects of Closing the Transaction: financing, inspections, insurance, appraisals, surveys, title work, deed, escrow, possession.
'Performance Outsells Promises'
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