We SOLD and Closed on a Property Today January 2nd, 2009 that was

 Subject To Lenders Approval of a Short Sale.

The Purchase Agreement was received by us via Fax from the Buyers Agent and Jeff contacted the Sellers Lender's Loss Mitigation Department the next morning.

He listened to the usual "sch-peal" of how LONG an answer would take and the LIST of requirements that needed to be in place (pre-lim HUD, hardship letter, etc...) even BEFORE they would consider reviewing this offer.

I walked over to him while he was on the phone and handed him a highlighted portion of

A New Indiana Law passed to help Homeowners facing a Short Sale...

Indiana HOUSE BILL 1359  an excerpt which reads :

"Requires a creditor, a mortgage servicer, or an agent of a creditor to acknowledge a written offer made in connection with a proposed short sale of property that is subject to a mortgage transaction that is at least 60 days delinquent. Provides that the acknowledgment must be provided not later than 10 business days after the date of the offer. Requires the creditor, servicer, or agent to accept or reject the short sale offer not later than 30 business days after receipt of the offer."

I heard Jeff read this exerpt to the Representative on the phone and then ask to speak to a supervisor:)

ONE WEEK ( 7 Calendar Days ) later, the offer was accepted and 3 weeks (21 Calendar days) after that the Final HUD 1 Statement to Close was Approved!  28 DAYS TOTAL - now that's a Short SALE!!!

Even the Buyers Agent was surprised..LOL

It will be a great NEW Year in Indiana, if other Lenders follow this example and heed THE NEW LAW affecting Short Sales  :)                                                                                                                          

There are monetary fines to the lending institution for failure to adhere, if the new TIME guidelines to keep Short sales SHORT is not upheld!

As PROFESSIONAL REALTORS....We'd rather work collaboratively WITH BANKS and LENDING Institutions to facilitate Successful Short Sales & help PREVENT the CLOGGING UP OF OUR PUBLIC Court Systems and Honorable JUDGES time.  Not to mention the waste of Indiana TAX PAYERS MONEY when a home forecloses ( who pays court system employees & sheriffs? we do ;)

There are ready, willing, and able buyers shopping NOW with Interest Rates LOW.......WAY BEFORE a house deteriorates and depreciates a neighborhood by standing empty for a year!

YOU NEED REALTORS to help SAVE this Housing MARKET. 

editorial opinions by Grace Safrin

Jeff & Grace Safrin - REAL Estate Brokers - F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty

Thanks for Visiting & Reading our Blog!  We hope to add your story some day 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

Click 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 !

Visit our website for more properties for sale.

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

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.  

 

Home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team	Retractable Roof -But Not in December in IN :)

It had been almost 4 years, since I was last at an NFL Game.  So as an early gift for my birthday, my parents gave Grace and I theirseason tix for Sunday's Colts game against the Detroit Lions, what a gift it was! Grace and I have always wanted to go see the new Lucas Oil Stadium home of where the Indianapolis Colts play, so off to Indy we went at 8:30 Sunday morning, as it is about a 2 hour drive from Valparaiso.

Team gets Ready To Run on Field Thru Tunnel	Cheerleaders Perform - Game Starting Flame!

As we entered the Stadium, I was in awe at just how enormous the facility is! Very art-deco decor in the concourses, which were so wide, that even with over 70,000 people walking around, there was plenty of room! Variety of Food and Beverage concessions stands Galore... like every 4 feet, it was sweet. Televisions on the outer concourse at every position possible, so you miss nothing when leaving your seat to buy refreshments!

No Recession noted inside the Dome :)	Alot to see and Do along the concourse!

Entering the field area. one word described my first thought, WOW! There are 7 levels to this stadium, with many private suites. As we looked to our left there was a huge all glass window with the Indianapolis Skyline behind it. The stadium is awesome! A SEA of BLUE loyal Colts fans, most wearing numbered team jerseys filled the seats.

Touchdown Colts!	Kick is good!

Sitting just 15 rows up from the playing field, you get a real feel just how HUGE these athletes are! We had great views, since the seats were very close to where the Colts run out on the field.

FUMBLE....	Ref reviews the calls :)

Now to the game...The Colts sure decided to let the Lions stick around for 59:00 minutes and never put them away. Until, with 48 seconds left, after the Colts were trying to run out the clock, they fumble the ball right in front of us and the melee for recovering the ball began. One ref signaled Detroit ball another came running in with held up the fist indicating 4th Down Colts!?! I saw the entire play come to life in front of me, and so I knew, no doubt, the Colts had indeed recovered the ball! Field Goal then kicked to leave the Colts up WINNING  by 10pts - GAME OVER. All the scoring except for 7 points was right in front of Grace and I so that made this day even more enjoyable:)

Ah here's the TV view we usually watch at home :)	Gigantic Screens in the Stadium provide closeups

It was not the Stadium, Nor the Colts 31-21 win, that was the most memorable event of this game. It was How the Colts and their Coaching Staff acted after the game!!!   Now, I can see why the Indianapolis Colts have the reputation of being one of the CLASSIEST Organizations in this league. After the game, Grace and I stayed, as did many other fans in the entire stadium to show their appreciation towards this team.  Players such as Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Caito June, Jeff Saturday, Peyton Manning + Head Coach Tony Dungy and many others who slowly left the field looked up into the stands and made purposefully contact with the fan...they : raised their hands, or waived, or gave a thumbs ups sign n one even pumped his fist to the crowd showing just how appreciative they are for support. A few even stopped to pose briefly for fans to snap photos. Their interaction with the crowd was something I have never seen pro athletes do in today's sports world. It was refreshing to see just how humble this team is!

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

Colts Players Connect With Fans at game End!	Jeff & Grace Safrin - "Spouses Selling Houses" -F.C.Tucker - Indiana's Largest Real Estate Company

-----------------------------

 Jeff & Grace Safrin - REAL Estate Brokers - F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty

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

Visit our website for properties for sale.

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

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.  

Come out and support our Local team ! Click Here for Schedule of Games and Ticket Info	V.U. Students & Super Fans dressed as Elves :) Crusader's Dance Team await Half-Time to perform.

Everyone I talked with after the first few season games said Valpo was gonna be OK this year. I have played basketball since I was 5 years old, and even coached some, so I knew better. Now, my concern become real after watching the Valparaiso University Crusaders Men's Basketball Team lose to Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne - IPFW Mastodons, 63-46 Wednesday evening at the ARC.

I looked at the season schedule and thought this would be the telling game for the Crusaders and it was. It is gonna be a tough, long & challenging seasonfor the young Valpo Men's Basketball Team.

IPFW is coached by Dane Fife, yes, the same Fife that played under Hall of Fame Coach - Bob Knight at the University of Indiana,and some of the same principals were displayed in Wednesady nights game:

 1. INTENSE Man to Man Defense 

2. Aggressive Animated Coaching 

IPFW played hard! The team played intense for 40 minutes and played a style of man to man D that would make any Coach proud.

Sometimes stats don't tell the game, these stats did:

Valpo Shot - 19 for 61 from the field - they MISSED 42 Shots - yes 42,  many were from inside the paint that is 31.1% for the game.

Valpo Shot - 4 for 21 from behind the arch - that is 17 missed and a whopping 19% for the game.

Valpo Shot - 4 for 12 from the Charity Stripe - that is 8 missed and 33.3% for the game.

  There was a 1 hour delay of the game even starting due to the Valparaiso University Girls Basketball Game (which I must say was exciting -VU Crusader Girls UPSET No. 21 Purdue Boilermakers in a great game!.

It does not get any easier in the next 2 weeks as on Saturday 12/13/08 the Crusaders travel to play the Redhawks of Miami of Ohio . Then a week from Saturday on 12/20/08 at the United Center in Chicago, IL- Are you ready .........The Tar Heels of North Carolina - yes the Number 1 Ranked Team in the Country will play Valpo. I really only have 2 words for that upcoming game OH BOY!                                        

 

I am an optimist, but, it is going to be a trying year for our Valpo Crusaders. Don't get me wrong, this team will be competitive, but need to develop consistency. I have only seen one player this year so far, Howard Little, show game in and game out consistency. Freshman standout Erik Buggs, shows promise, but still is learning and lacks some judgment..... Like trying to drive to the basket and beat 6'9" Post Players :)In time, I'm sure that will all change. Valpo so far this year, has shown they have no threat from anyone beyond the 3 point line. That will be an issue as the season goes on. IF, they can get some perimeter shooting- it will open the inside play to Igbavoda, Rogers & Little. The Crusaders have played all their games this year without standout Senior Guard Brandon McPherson and do they need him NOW !

Editorial By Jeff Safrin

________________________

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.

Click 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 !

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "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.                     

Welcome to The Athletics Recreation Center @ V.U.	Fast Paced Action & Heart filled efforts by the Players!

The Valparaiso Crusaders Men's Basketball Team began the 2008-2009 Season with a decisive win against Marian College of Indianapolis, IN - Final Score 87-56. The outcome of the game was really not in question from the opening tip-off. The Crusader's shot 51.4% in the first half and 61.3% in the second half from the field. That was a blistering shooting performance albeit the Crusader's scored 52 points,  yes 52 points inside the paint to 16 that Marian had. Valpo had more size and quickness than Marian and it showed in the final stats!

Will he make this shot ?	Student Super Fans dress the part of CRUSADERS !

Valpo led by Michael Rogers' 23 points : 11-14 from the field. Following Rogers was Cameron Witt whose inside the paint play gave him 16 points and 8 of 11 from the field. This was a mediocre test for the Crusader's as the "real" test" will start this Tuesday, November 18th  at the ARC when Central Florida comes to town. The Golden Knights are a very good Conference USA Team and have a standout guard Jermaine Taylor that is a projected 2nd round pick in the NBA Draft this year! They are a well coached/disciplined team that will test the Crusaders on both ends of the court! Come join us & see -> click here for Ticket Information.

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

 

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "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.                       

Crusader Mascot & Fans !	Set it Up !

 

This year for the Valparaiso University Crusaders is going to be nothing short of ... challenging ? There are many adjectives that may describe Homer Drew's team this year! There are only 3 Seniors returning from last years team and if the Crusader's are planning on any post season run, ALL 3 will need to produce in every game this year! The 3 returning Seniors are Jake Diebler, Brandon McPherson and Urule Igbavboa.

Saturday night, the Crusaders hosted Division III Blue Jays of Elmhurst College, at the ARC in an exhibition game. A game to just see what and who has the best chemistry,and for the first 20 minutes the answer was clear... no one had the chemistry Just yet:) The kids from Elmhurst showed guts and heart as they hung with the Crusader's!  Ahead by just two at the half, the Crusaders stormed out of the locker room in the second half with a 23-4 entertaining run and cruised from there, finishing the night with an 85-63 victory!

Great Free Throws !	Student Super Fans!

I was impresed by how the Crusaders played in the second half.. Igbavboa finished with 18pts - 7 Rebounds and 5 of 6 from the charity stripe. Igbavoda is gonna need these numbers game in and game outfor the Crusaders to have success this year. Alebit, Valpo did play the game without Senior Guard Brandon McPherson who is out with an injury. Howard Little,once again, showed his defensive skills with his tenacious play, play that will be needed.  Newbies Benjamon Fumey and De' Andre Haskins were absolutely impressive. Fumey finished the night with 13pts and 4 Boards and Haskins finished the evening wtih 15pts and 2 for 2 from the line! Freshman Erik Buggs, who I will name "Lightning" looked great at some moments and out of control at others:) One thing is certain, as the season goes on, this kid is gonna be GOOD! He is extremely quick on defense and his ball handling and penetration to free up others was awesome to see. The Blue Jays were lead by Brent Ruch who finished with 19pts followed by Ryan Burks who finished with 17pts. 

The final statswere indicative of the final outcome.. The Crusaders finished the night shooting 51.7% from the field - 35.7% from behind the 3pt arc and 82.8% from the free-throw line. Elmhurst finished shooting 36.2% from the field - 33.3% from downtown and 69.6% from the charity Line. Valpo will need to take care of the leather in their next game as they did commit 15 turnovers.

Time Out	Fast Action - Come Join Us! CLICK For TICKETS

 

So, the exhibition games are over and it is now on to the "real deal" regular season as the Crusader's host Marian College of Indianapolis on Saturday, November 15th with a 7:30p, tip-off. It will be an "interesting" season for this young team. As long as everyone stays healthy and the role players show up every night it very well can be a successful 2008-2009 Valparaiso University Crusader Men's Basketball Team!

Editorial by Jeff Safrin

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "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.                        

We've Blogged about Homes we've Sold in De Motte, IN . 

With easy expressway access to  I 65 in Indiana making travel to both Chicago, IL and Indianapolis accessible, this Jasper County Town has great Schools and the nearby town of Wheatfield is Home to one of our favorite Restaurants.

This week we listed for sale a Custom Built Ranch Home in Sandy Pines Golf Estates with Ammenities Galore....not to mention scenic views of the 14th Green of the Golf Course !

View of 18th Green & Golf Clubhouse at Sandy Pines in De Motte, IN

Enjoy the Slide show of photos of this property - feel free to click on the Information read about it!

xxxx

Oh yea...here is a detailed list of the features of this Home Theatre Room's Components:

• 7.1 Surrond Sound, includes 2 - 18"subwoofers in custom infinite -baffle set up.
• 6 Leather Recliners-Coaster Director Series w/cup-holders on stadium style risers
• Acoustically isolated.
• Riser & Seats can be raised & lowered by Electronic Controls, & move forward or back 2.5 ft. 
• 9.5 ft. wide Dalite Hi-Power Projection System.
• Remote controlled side masking curtains (provides options of 1.78 or 2.35 aspect ratios).
• Custom made Horizontal Expansion Lens & sled or 2.35 aspect Movie ratio's.
• Benq PE - 8720 DLP Projector
• Pioneer VSX - 1014TX receiver
• Behringer EP 1500 amplifier
• Behringer Feedback destroyer
• Pro DSP 1124P Parametric Equalizer
• Panasonic DMP - bd10A Blu-Ray Player
• Lumagen Vision HDP HD Video Processor
• In Wall  IR receiving system
• X10 powerhouse Converter module
• 2 Tripp-lite Omni 1000 LCD battery back-up systems
• Sony DVP - CX995V 400 disc DVD changer
• Monoprice HDX - 402 Full-matric HDMI splitter/switcher
• Acoustech speakers (HT-75 towers, HT-65 center, HT-63 surronds, HT-64 rear surronds
• 2 - 18" Ascendant Audio Avalanche subwoofers

Talk To Jeff & Grace Safrin of F.C.Tucker Advantage Realty today @ 219-405-1232 to Set Up a Private Showing on this Property!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talk To  Jeff & GraceSafrin "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.