"Spouses Selling Houses" Northwest Indiana Real Estate

NorthWest Indiana Home Owners Looking To Sell Your Property?

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:37:53 -0500

If you are a For Sale By Owner or a SELLER whose Real Estate Listing has Expired in this challenging

Market, yet need to MOVE, please watch this Introductory Video and

then give us a call, to talk about our Out of the Box Marketing Strategies and Ideas to Sell Your Home!

It takes more than putting your property on the MLS these days to

Catch the Wave of Ready, Willing and Able Buyers to find your Home online in a Real Estate Search!

xx xx

We are Full Time, Full Service,REALTORS with Indiana's Largest Realty Company.

We are Internet Savvy!

Homes Are Selling in NorthWest Indiana!

Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS -"Spouses Selling Houses' TM

Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN.

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty. Jeff and Grace Safrin and F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided.

Union Township Middle School in Valparaiso, IN Named as No Child Left Behind - BLUE RIBBON School !

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:50:59 -0500

Scoring in the TOP 10 % on the ISTEP exams statewide :

Congratulations to the Great Team of Teachers and Principal Jerry Lasky @UTMS, not to mention the students and parents who are dedicated to learning that made this wonderful achievement possible!

Only 230 schools across the nation were named on 9/9/08 by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings as No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools (only 8 of these named schools were located in IN).

When moving From Lake County To Porter County, Indiana over a decade ago, Jeff & I both felt strongly about not only saving money on property taxes, getting more home and land for the dollar,but #1 on the list of must have's, was making sure the community we settled in had great schools!

The newness and facilities of both the Union Township Middle School and Wheeler High School are incredible.

Our daughter, (now attending university) graduated from this school system and it prepared her well for college!

Jeff & I enjoyed being ROOM PARENTS during our daughter's middle school years! The boys in our Kelly's class especially enjoyed having Jeff around - he was the only DAD at that time as room Dad :)

I actually was on the committee or panel that helped select Mr.Lasky as a candidate for consideration for principal of UTMS!

With this prestigious award - consider a move to Union Township in Valparaiso, IN.... if you have school age children!

We'd be happy to help you find a home here in your price range, and arrange a tour of the schools!

Give us a call @ 219-405-1232.

If we can help you find a home or land in NW Indiana, give us a call @ 219-405-1232 - we are Full Time Full Service Real Estate Brokers serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW IN.

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

WHAT IS GOIN ON IN INDY WITH MY COLTS ??? Heres a hint ---------

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:26:31 -0500

The Indianapolis Colts-New Stadium-New Expectations-Manning Bowl 2009 ?...not gonna happen.

My Colts are lucky not to be 0-4. YES 0-4.

They barely beat the Vikings in Minnesota as they were down 15 in the 4th.

Then to Texas and down 27-10 AND with 4 minutes left, are you absolutely kidding me?

Who kept the station tuned in? Well, actually, I did! How they came back with 21 unanswered points, converted 2 TD's on Houston's fumbles to win 31-27.... is really nothing short then the football angels looking down on this team!

Lets see.. Colts are 0-2 at HOME and with Tennessee playing like they can't loose, this is a tough AFC South this year!

Let's look at the Colts who:

1. Rushing - 67.8 yds/game LAST IN THE NFL - How are you playaction passing with that pathetic, highschool rushing numbers? My goodness, any team can rush 3 and still stop the run! That leaves 8 DB's to cover 4 wideouts...that, for any great QB is tough.

2. Peyton Manning - Pre Season...oooops..wait...he was not in pre-season:) So, in reality, the first 4 games have been his pre season! It is pretty much now or never for my Colts.

Here are some staggering stats that show just why they are 2-2 and lucky to be that !

PTS
20.8 (18th)

YDS
313.2 (19th)

PASS YDS
245.5 (7th)

RUSH YDS
67.8 (32nd)

Whats next for the Colts?

HMMMMMM.. 1.Baltimore at Home, of course they are incredible at rush defenses. 2. on to Green Bay, they may have a shot to win this one. 3.Then they are on the road for a nightgame against the Titans. 4. New England comes to Lucas Oil Stadium, and since Brady is not gonna be there, I will give them a shot at that one!

In reality, they need to win 3 of the next 4 games and IF they loose to the Titans they will be playing for a wild-card in late October? Who would have thought that ???

Bottom line is this: IF the Colts can start getting 100 yds/game RUSHING - RUSHING - RUSHING, they will make some noise in the AFC South. If they continue to avg 67.8 thru October, November and December, we all may be tuning into watching the other Manning preparing for the playoffs - honestly Eli Manning looks GREAT as do the Giants!

C'mon Colts, make Indy proud! There are still 12 games left and although I have my concerns, I still do think this team after today's incredible comeback, are on the verge of turning this season around.

Editorial opinions by Jeff Safrin

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Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Chicago White Sox continue the season "Livin on a Prayer"

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:15:03 -0500

The Chicago White Sox continued their incredible "win or lose" saga today at Comisky Park. In the past week the White Sox had to play a make-up and WIN, and They DID!

They win a coin flip to host a one game Playoff in which they had to win, They DID!

Today, the Tampa Bay Rays come to Chicago with a 2-0 lead and the Sox needed to win or they were on their way to golf in the Bahamas:) ..... and guess what? THEY WON AGAIN !

So now, it is 2-1 series lead and tomorrow: Monday nite, the Sox will face in less then a week another MUST WIN game(their 4th).

Maybe it is fate, maybe it is their time, but win or lose I have to say, I have never seen a team play in so many MUST WIN games and win them!

Today the Sox were a totally different team: Pitching was awesome.

Leave it to Coach Ozzie, he had 2 1/2 hours on a flight back from Tampa to Chicago, to have what I think was a "one sided" conversation with his team. Call it being PO'd, call it anger management, or call it motivation, ..... I call it "a brilliant Coaching Move!" Whether you like him or not, he got his team's attention and it worked!

So now, it is on to Game 4.

Chicago-Style Weather = Cool, Windy,& Brisk..the way we like it here, for October baseball..the way October baseball should be played.

GO SOX !

Editorial by Jeff Safrin.... whose wife is a South Side Gal :)

xxxx

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Porter County Indiana's Taltree Arboretum & Gardens

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:40:56 -0500

Recently, we attended an event hosted by

Meridian Title Company in Northwest Indiana

that was held at Taltree Arboretum & Gardens

a 300 ACRE natural sanctuary located in

Porter County, IN.

Crisp Fall weather made touring the lovely gardens and groomed walking trails around wetlands and prairies enjoyable!

Later, we enjoyed networking with collegues while enjoying some warm food and wonderful Beatles themed live music at the pavilion.

If you are a nature lover, and plan to move, visit, or live in the South Lake Michigan Region, Taltree is a GREEN SPACE preserved by volunteer and community efforts funded by contributions that is a must' to put on your List of things to see and do in NW Indiana!

Click on the their website to read more about their Calendar of events and offerings!

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Less Than 30 Days From For Sale Sign Going Up to Sellers Signing Documents at Closing - This Northwest Indiana Home Sold!

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:23:24 -0500

Yesterday, we CLOSED on a HOME we Listed For Sale in Schererville, Indiana less than a month ago!

The Day we Listed This Property, we gave the Sellers a " To Do List ' of suggestions or TIPS specific to their HOME to help create optimal showing conditions. We agreed to hold off on setting showing appointments for a week, to give them time to declutter and prepare the home for potential buyers to see. You only get a First Impression once :)

During that week, we were busy creating GOOGLE JUICE for this listing by syndication to various websites and Internet Marketing to the masses, as well as telephone & email matchmaking efforts to our sphere of influence and professional collegues :)

Calls started coming in a few days later to schedule showing appointments in advance and by the First Day of allowed showings there were 7 different buyers scheduled working with 7 different agents !

2 Offers to Purchase followed, one the same day, and one the next! A Multi -Offer Disclosure Form was implemented to give everyone a chance to bring their BEST OFFERS FORWARD....and the next night we presented 2 offers to our week old new clients to choose from!

Offer Price was not as much the deciding factor in this case as was ONLINE APPROVAL BY A REPUTABLE LENDER, which was wisely provided in by Documentation from the Buyer's Agent!

23 Days Later we CLOSED!

Our Thoughts :

These Sellers LISTENED TO OUR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT PRICING AND Implemented Our Tips to Get THEIR HOME READY To Sell !
These sellers LIKED OUR POSITIVE ATTITUDES about OUR LOCAL HOUSING MARKET, despite NEGATIVE Nationwide Press and had FAITH in us to get the job done!

HOMES ARE SELLING in NW Indiana - there were over 105 Closings on our Local Real Estate BOARD Yesterday ALONE!

WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE MOTIVATED SELLERS LIKE THIS :)

Give us a call @ 219-405-1232 To Market Your Home to Sell Too!

Sincerely,

Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS -"Spouses Selling Houses' TM

F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty

This is just one in a series of Posts For Localism By Jeff & Grace Safrin, F.C. Tucker Advantage Realty, Serving Northwest Indiana...on HOMES SOLD IN A MARKET THAT's NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD....

Client Testimonial From Someone on The INSIDE of this Business who has had experiences working with Thousands of REALTORS

Multiple Offers To Purchase - Bring Your Best Offer To The Table Please...

Back-Up Offers in REAL ESTATE - We Encourage Them, SALE PENDING DOES NOT MEAN SOLD.

The Journey To CLOSING a Home Sale Can be Difficult, Success is Collaborative WORK - Another NW Indiana Home Sold By The Safrin's

DeMotte, Indiana Home - Jeff & Grace Safrin of F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty Found the Buyers!

You Can ...Put it on The Board - Another NorthWest Indiana HOME SOLD By The Safrin's

13 weeks to Complete a SHORT SALE that almost didn't Close - Lessons Learned

Our Sellers Become Our Buyers!

Safrin's Found The Buyers For This La Porte Indiana Home

Listed AND Sold By The Safrin's - Home and Farm LAND in Northwest Indiana.

Cash Buyers Are Coming Out to BUY REAL ESTATE !

Valparaiso, IN - First Time Homebuyers are out in a Market that's not supposed to be good :)

Reverse Offers in Real Estate - A Paradigm Shift for the Northwest Indiana Market !

Who is NEXT ? Referrals come from asking !

1st BORN, 2nd Wife, 3rd REALTOR...

Tri-Omino Effect on Closing with 3 peat Clients! Another VALPARAISO HOME SOLD by The Safrin's in a Market That's Not Supposed To Be Good !

IN A MARKET THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD, Jeff & Grace Safrin Found the Buyer For This Valparaiso, IN Greenfield Creek Home - Why Did it Sell ?

A Step on the Path To Successful Real Estate Transactions...

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Traveling to Lower Michigan? - Dutch Market Farms is a MUST Stop every time for us :)

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:38:03 -0500

Since our oldest daughter recently became a Michigan Resident after graduating from Law School, we have become more frequent visitors to this beautifully scenic state in the Midwest :)

Along the route to Grand Rapids (from Northwest Indiana's city of Valparaiso where we reside), we cannot pass up exit 26 off of I -196 ( 109th avenue/Pullman). without stopping at the terrific Dutch Farm Market.

The fresh FARM GROWN PRODUCE sold seasonally varies, and is INCREDIBLE!

In May, we bought fresh Michigan Asparagus at unbelievable prices and even ate it raw in the car on the way to graduation ceremonies!

In July, we filled up on fresh Michigan Blueberries (and bought 10 lbs more to take home and freeze:)

In August the Michigan PEACHES were delicious and Inside, the Large Dutch Farm Market has it's own Bakery that sells it's own freshly made pies, breads, jams, jelly's & more!

September is Michigan Apple season - with a wide variety to choose from! You can even take a horse drawn buggy ride into acres of orchards and pick them yourself - or buy them individually, or by the bushel.

Fresh Farm grown Vegetables are available in season as well. Pumpkins and gourds and various squash are abundant and...look for my next post on the Cauliflower Potato Bisque Soup Recipe that I'm making today from the produce I bought for just a few dollars yesterday:)

Jeff even got to feed the horses the leftovers from some apples !

Family Fun for everyone with swing-sets and a playground and slide for the young at heart!

And, just a short trip from NW Indiana.

If we can help you relocate to NW Indiana give us a call @ 219-405-1232

Sincerely,

Jeff and Grace Safrin - REAL ESTATE BROKERS

"Spouses Selling Houses'TM

F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty

Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, Starke, Jasper & Newton Counties in NW Indiana

For more homes for sale visit our websiteor click on our blog link below

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Hebron, IN site For 'Best of the Midwest' Kohl's Fall Soccer Tournaments @ Hallmark Convention and Sports Complex

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:14:35 -0500

Last Weekend, we had the opportunity to watch Jeff's Nephew participate in

Kohl's FALL "BEST OF THE MIDWEST" Soccer Tournaments

held at the

Hallmark Convention and Sports Complex

located @

2105 E 181st Ave Hebron, IN 46341

Besides perfect Indian Summer weather, the grass and conditions of the many fields (over 120 acres dedicated to the game of soccer to be developed in phases) was impeccable.

Located off Interstate 65 In Lake County ,Northwest Indiana (State Road 2 exit West toward Lowell, IN ) the 120 acres of land dedicated entirely to soccer fields will be developed in phases.

Saturday's drive from Valparaiso was only about 20 minutes to the dozens of fields nestled in a rural setting among Indiana farmlands.

Pulling into park, we were amazed to see many license plates from all around the Midwest of families attending this Indiana hosted event including : Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Nebraska.

Scheduling of the games was well planned and spaced and allowed us to visit the various tents which housed various food and beverage concessions, sporting goods sales, vendors and exhibitors!

You could even lease a demo SONY high speed sports action camera for free and take home a DVD with your child's game action shots!

Although our Nephew's team lost their morning game, after a recess for a big lunch at Merrillville, IN Portillos/Barnelli's Pasta Bowl they came back in the afternoon to not only win, but shut out the opposing team! .......

I told my brother-in-law - you have to feed them lots of food before each game :)

Soccer Sponsors included both the Chicago Magic and Indiana Magic Soccer Clubs.

With developing facilities such as this, NorthWest Indiana is a place to consider if you are relocating and your children are avid about playing the sport of soccer!

Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS -

"Spouses Selling Houses' TM

F.C. Tucker Advantage Reaty

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...>

www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

NorthWest Indiana Attractions - Gary Railcats Baseball- Affordable Family Fun!

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:44:14 -0500

Last Week we attended one of the

Northern League playoff games for the

LOCAL Northwest Indiana

Gary SouthShore Railcats Baseball Team.

It was an unseasonably cool and windy evening after a weekend of post hurricaine IKE rains here in NW Indiana, but a fun time still.

With easy access via expressways and tollroad

to this new ballpark,

plus reasonable ticket costs and only $1 for a Hot dog...

this Northwest Indiana Attraction makes for an affordable outing for the entire family!

See you Next Season!

Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS - "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

F.C. Tucker Advantage Reaty

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ..... check out our Local BLOG...> www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

Please feel free to Contact us @ 219-405-1232 or, click the below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today

Autumn Begins.....Enjoy the Season :)

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:05:38 -0500

From Our Home to Yours......Wishing you & Your Family a Healthy, Safe & Joyful Fall Season....

Enjoy the change in scenery :)

and

Please keep us in mind should you know of anyone thinking of

Buying or Selling a Home in NorthWest Indiana.

As Always,

We appreciate Your Business and Referrals.

Sincerely,

The Safrin's

Jeff & Grace Safrin REALTORS - "Spouses Selling Houses' TM

F.C. Tucker Advantage Reaty

Looking to find out more about Life in Northwest Indiana ?

- the Housing Market

- Local Community Information, Events and Sports ...> www.NorthWestIndianaRealEstateBlog.Com

Please feel free to Contact us @ 219-405-1232 or, click the below to read / subscribe to our email newsletter with valuable Relocation Information.

NW INDIANA remains a Great REAL ESTATE MARKET check our past---> SOLD HOMES !

Thanks for Visiting! We hope to add your story to our client testimonials!

We are Your Local Expertsfor NW Indiana Real Estate.

Call us @ 219-405-1232 or email us for a RELOCATION Package Today