Monday, December 11, 2017


Just Listed! Sprawling Ranch on a huge lot, Located on a quiet Cul De Sac.
7896-82nd Ct, Crown Point  (Cline Ave & 82nd Ct)

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/in/crown-point/7896-west-82nd-court/pid_21252220/
Copy and paste this into your browser for all the Info and Pictures!




Friday, December 1, 2017

Renting vs Buying

What $1500 / month gets you when Renting in Indiana: (from msn.com)

$1,500 in rent per month buys you: 2,049 square feet

Percentage of dwellings with dishwashers: 55 percent

Percentage of dwellings with washer/dryers: 31 percent

Percentage of dwellings with air conditioning: 58 percent

Now.......

Buying a home with a 150,000 mortgage.

$885  P&I Monthly

$200  Taxes Monthly

$1085 per month.

Plus the vast majority of homes will come with dishwashers, washers & dryers, central air, a 

garage, tax breaks and a basement!


Who says renting is better?

Why was my Offer Rejected?

Question: We recently made on offer on a home, the owner counter-offered, we turned down the counter-offer. A few days later we e-mailed the broker that we would like to make the same offer again. A couple of days later the broker called and said the owner was considering our offer. A few more days passed, we heard nothing from the broker, but we decided to go with the owner's counter-offer if the seller turned us down again.
The call never came from the broker. Instead an e-mail was sent saying the owner didn't accept our original offer and that the home was now under contract. Now we think we should have been given the first chance to accept the owner's terms instead of it being sold to someone else. The home had been on the market for more than a year so it wasn't like there was a great demand for it. What do you think?

Answer: You were given any number of chances to buy the property. First you made an offer that was not accepted. Then the owners made a counter-offer that you could have instantly accepted -- but did not. Then you re-submitted your original offer and it was not accepted by the sellers. Lastly, you want another chance at the counter-offer you first rejected but by this time the owners had accepted a bid from other purchasers.
The bottom line: You had your chance. There are many players in the marketplace. The fact that the home did no quickly sell does not mean the owners are required to sell on your terms. Lastly, an offer or counter-offer once rejected is dead and need not be re-considered.

3 Greatest things to Hear


Thursday, November 30, 2017

Interesting Question

Would you rather have: 
More time and less money      OR 
More money and less time?

Friday, November 17, 2017

Home Warranty vs Homeowners Insurance

Question: What is the difference between a home warranty and homeowner’s insurance?

Answer: The best way to describe homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty is to compare them to a car purchase.
When purchasing a car, you are required to have insurance on the vehicle. This protects you financially if anything were to happen to the car. The same thing is true with home insurance. If your home experienced damage that is covered by the insurance company (for example a fire), you would be compensated by the insurance company.                                                                                                                                                               A home warranty, on the other hand, provides a guarantee for certain parts of the home, depending on the home warranty policy you purchase.
When you buy a vehicle with a warranty, the car manufacturer is guaranteeing that certain parts of the vehicle will not break while the vehicle is under warranty. If a part does break while under warranty, the car manufacturer will have the problem fixed at no charge to you.  The same is true of a home warranty. The home warranty company will pay to fix anything that is covered by the warranty (for example the furnace).
Once the home warranty expires, usually after a year, most homeowners do not renew. This makes sense because you are familiar with your home, and you probably have set aside funds for home maintenance. Keep in mind that home warranties do not pay for everything. You have to check the policy.

Homeowner’s insurance and a home warranty may sound very similar, but they are two very different products. Insurance protects the buyer from a catastrophic loss. A warranty protects specific aspects of a home. You never hope to need either, but are thankful for the protection they provide. 

We Should all Remember This!


Friday, October 20, 2017

Halloween Story

Question: Have you ever shown a house you thought was haunted?

Answer: There was one showing that I recall with dread & discomfort; a showing where home features ceased to be a concern, where routine was overshadowed by fear, where disclosures were eclipsed by an enormous desire to flee the premises. It just so happened that this showing occurred on the eve of Halloween.  My clients were rehabbers looking for their next investment. The house was an old, neglected 2 story Victorian in the country, with leaning fences & dense vines engulfing the walls, windows & roof. I learned that the property was an estate & that it had been the subject of headlines when the owner was found hanging from the rafters of the Foyer. The Police investigation had not determined whether the death was from suicide or foul play.
I arrived ahead of the buyers and decided I should turn on some lights in preparation of their viewing. As I pushed open the big, creaky door & entered, I noticed the silhouette of a noosed rope, still attached to a high dusty beam. A foul odor of decay permeated the stagnant air, and I recall reading that the man spent many days at the end of the rope before neighbors found him.  I remember how hard it was to move from room to room looking for a switch that would take me out of the darkness. A steep staircase descended into the basement, where I know my clients would want to check the structural components. As I entered the basement, I could not locate the light switch. All I had was the weakening light from my flashlight. I then heard a sound coming from upstairs. At first, it blended with the incessant creaking of the structure, but now the difference was unmistakable. It was the slow and steady cadence of footsteps. Hoping to hear the voice of my clients, I called out. “Hello, is someone upstairs?” No one answered, but the footsteps continued. I called out again, but there was no answer. Then a shadow appeared on the stair and moved slowly & silently downward. A dark form started to take shape. As it reached the basement floor a putrid foulness filled the air, so that breathing became forced and repugnant.  My attention was drawn from this to some shadowy object that dangled from its left hand.
But then, the eyes of its disjointed head found me, the lips formed a sardonic grin, dripping with thick gray saliva. The light of the waxing Moon gave me a quick glimpse of what could be the ghost of the old man, hung by the rafters. Its left hand extended towards me and the acrid smell of cold breath filled my face as it cried out.........






”Trick or Treat!”

Friday, September 15, 2017

The Passing of Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned, but overbearing, regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teenagers suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. 
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they had themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer paracetamol, sun lotion or plaster to a pupil, but could not inform the parents when a pupil became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home, but the burglar could sue you for assault because you protected yourself and your own.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized that he was gone. ……………Author Unknown

Rudeness or Honesty?

Question:  A real estate agent cane to my home recently to evaluate my home and give me an estimate of value. He told me my home needed to be decluttered & made to look sparkling clean. He was a nice person, but I was insulted by his insinuation that my home needed more cleaning. My home may not be updated but my house is clean. Are all you real estate agents this rude?

Answer:   You called a Realtor for advice and a selling price for your home. So, let’s make sense of what you are saying. You said he was a nice person, so obviously he wasn’t rude.                                                                                                                                                                                             Your home is cluttered & not updated. He told you to declutter & to make your home Sparkling clean for showings and you are upset with his advice?
Any good Realtor would give you this advice. Our job is to sell your home for the best possible price, at the least expense to you & in the shortest possible amount of time. By telling you to declutter, your home will look larger, which will help you in obtaining a higher selling price and it will look nicer and more appealing to a buyer.                                                                                                                                         By making your home sparkling clean, your home will look refreshed & more attractive to buyers. Sparkling clean will make your home look and feel newer, which will make up for some of that updating you chose not to do. All this “rudeness” creates a bigger demand for your home and basic economics dictates that demand increases prices.
The alternative would be for him to say your home looks wonderful and it needs nothing.               The result would be a home that sits on the market longer and begs for a low offer. 


My advice would be to listen to your Realtor. He is a professional who works for you and only wants the best for you. Stop being so sensitive and spend your energy decluttering and making your home Sparkling clean. Sounds like excellent, inexpensive & sparkling advice to me.

Friday, August 4, 2017

New Listing 1504 Doral in Schererville

One Level Living In The Greens of Scherwood

This is an absolutely Beautiful Ranch Style Home nestled in a Collection of Charming & Prestigious Townhomes called the Greens of Scherwood. Large Great room with Soaring ceilings, Skylights & Corner Fireplace. Formal Dining room. Nicely updated eat in Kitchen w/ Granite Countertops & Sink, Breakfast Bar, Pantry closet, Ceramic Backsplash & Stainless Steel Appliances. Attractive blend of Wood look Vinyl flooring & Carpet. Main level laundry room. Vaulted ceilings throughout. Master bedroom w/ a walk in closet, private luxury Bath w/ double sink vanity, Whirlpool tub, Heat lamps & Separate Shower. Bedrooms 2 & 3 have walk in closets. Private patio w/ a live privacy fence. Electric, retractable Patio Awning. 2 car attached garage w/
 professionally applied epoxy floor paint. Custom Window treatments. Andersen Windows. Elegant Masonry exterior. In-ground Sprinkling system. HOA fee Includes: Snow removal, Grass & Bush cutting, exterior maintenance including window washing & gutter cleaning.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Did We List our Home too low?

Question:   We received a full price offer on our home the 2nd day we had it listed. We now think we may have listed it too low. Your thoughts?
Answer:   Versions of this column have appeared before. It is still true. And for many, still relevant. Perhaps nowhere is this phenomenon more clearly illustrated than in the case where a seller receives a good offer right away.
The annals of real estate are well stocked with stories of sellers who refused to take a good, but not perfect, first offer, and who then waited a long time before finally accepting something else at a considerably lower price. The Sellers first thought is almost inevitable. "Did we list it too low?" "If someone will offer this much so soon, maybe we should wait a while and see if we can get more." As an antidote to the ill effects of the "curse of the first offer", this observation might be kept in mind.
The fact that an offer is received early in the listing period -- even in the first few days -- doesn't mean that the property has been listed too low.
Today, a good buyer's agent will have electronically entered a "profile" of his client's needs and price range into the system. Then, whenever he logs on to the MLS, he will be notified if a listing has been entered that matches that profile.
We all know that there is typically a bit of a dance in the pricing and negotiating for a property. Sellers, with the concurrence of their agents, will usually list their property for an amount that is both higher than what they believe its value to be and higher than what they would be satisfied to receive. Why? Because they know that buyers almost always want and expect to pay less than the listed price
The final point is that potential buyers learn quickly of the existence of an appropriate new listing. Thus, a flurry of activity at the outset of the listing does not necessarily imply a too-low price; rather, it reflects the efficiency of the system. Don’t be greedy, take your good offer and run to the bank with the profits.

Munster Little League State Championships

State Championship !
Watching our Grandson Tyler in Indianapolis for the Munster Little league State Championships for 10-11 Year Olds. They finished 5th. Very proud of him and his team.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Great Time to Sell

The Indiana Real Estate Market is back in full force. If you have have done some updating over the past years, you will be rewarded. Demand for NW Indiana homes is high (for now anyway).

Updated, Sharp homes with any kind of WOW factor are selling well for great prices, and the appraisers are going with it!
This is true despite the large amount of new construction out there. This new construction is a sellers competition, but many buyers do not want to deal with the new construction costs, the wait and the hassle of building a home.

If you have been thinking about selling,  NOW is the time.
Give us a call and we will help you all the way!

Jim & Cathy Higgins
219-865-4361

Selling Real Estate without a License?

Question: A friend of mine -- honest, I'm not talking about my house -- asked me to put her house up for sale on the Internet, twice, and I got a few interested people but nothing serious. She has asked me again to do the same. She lives in a gated resort community and wants $350,000.
I just thought you might have some creative ideals for selling this house. She's going to give me $10,000 if I can sell it and I need the money. I'm also thinking of advertising in a magazine. What do you think?

Answer: I think you're doing a terrible disservice to your friend, and I think you should also look at the real estate laws in your jurisdiction. They will no doubt say that without a real estate broker's license you have no ability to sue for a real estate commission -- thus if you sell the property your friend is not obligated to pay you a dime.
Your friend may well be trying to help you, or may honestly think that you have a skill which would allow you to sell the property. But what do you know about real estate contracts? Seller disclosures? Complete Internet exposure? Fair housing requirements? Financing? Pricing? Seller contributions?

The list goes on, but the point is this: There's a lot more to selling real estate than advertising. Without a broker's license you do not have the right to collect a fee from another for the sale of a property. Worse, you might sell the property for less than it's worth or you may create unintended liabilities that cost your friend huge amounts of money. Go no further with this until you have spoken with a local -- and licensed -- attorney.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Homes are Getting a Bit Smaller

According to Bloomberg, It's not quite a tiny-house movement, but homebuyers frustrated by the lack of listings that fit their budget will probably take it. 
In the aftermath of the U.S. foreclosure crisis, homebuilders focused on the top end of the market, where it was easier to find attractive profit margins and credit-worthy borrowers. The median size of a new single-family home increased year after year, reaching a high of 2,467 square feet in 2015—49 percent bigger than in 1978 and 8 percent larger than the prerecession peak in 2007. 
Now that trend has begun to reverse. The median home size decreased slightly, to 2,422 square feet, in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual report on the characteristics of new housing. The trend continued into the first three months of 2017, quarterly data show.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Major Mistake!

Question: I'm in the process of purchasing a home offered for sale by owner. What questions should I ask the seller that will provide me with pertinent information about the property? Also, what questions should I ask that will give me information that most sellers don't want buyers to know?

Answer: This isn't going to work. There are a universe of potential questions and the odds are overwhelming that you will miss one or more -- and maybe pay thousands of dollars in excess costs as a result.

For instance, is the sale subject to a home inspection? Must the inspection be "satisfactory" to you? If the inspection is not satisfactory to you will you get your deposit back if the owner does not make repairs? Must the repairs be satisfactory to you? Can the seller limit repair obligations to a given dollar amount? Are you getting good, marketable and insurable title? How do you know?  Please, get a Realtor before you sign anything.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Great Time to Sell

We haven't seen the market this hot in a long time! Illinois or Indiana.
Combine a nice sales price with historically low interest rates, and you have a great time to buy your Dream Home. Interest rates won't stay this low forever. Life's too short. There is nothing like the excitement of a new Home. Call us. We can help you with that first step.

1. We will tell you what you need to do to get your home ready for sale.
2. We will do a net out report so you know how much you will have to put down on your next home.       This will include a likely sales price and what the expenses will be.
3. We will show you our Marketing plan.
4. We will go over the entire process with you, so you understand everything.
5. We take you step by step and guide you the entire way.
6. We have done this hundreds of times.
7. Once you have the facts, you can think it out and make a decision that is best for you.
8. No pressure. We don't do business that way.

Call or Email us.
Illinois: 708-828-3304.
Indiana: 219-865-4361
Cathyah@aol.com

Good for the Goose, Good for the Gander

Question:  I negotiated the purchase of a condo, downstate from here recently, and closed a about a month ago. Most of the units in the complex are unsold. I happened to be on the Internet the other day and saw that the builder has now reduced the asking price of similar units in the complex by $35,000.
http://www2.realtytimes.com/ads/rtads3.nsf/dispcount5.ag?Open&AdID=RT_ListingStory_C&rnd=3932158&I did not pay full price -- they met my offer by reducing the price about halfway and made up the rest with seller's credits which I took at closing in various ways. Their rationale for this approach was to "keep the comps up" (my official purchase price was just under that of the last buyer -- so there was a pattern of keeping the comps up).
This maybe a silly question -- but I have to ask: Do I have any recourse against them for dealing with me in bad faith? They had to have been planning this huge reduction for a while.
Answer: A builder is simply a seller. Like any seller, the builder wants as much as possible from every sale. You bargained with the builder and obtained a number of concessions. These concessions must have been attractive, otherwise you would never have purchased the unit.
But, markets change. A good deal today may not be so good tomorrow.
To see if you were treated unfairly, let's try the "good for the goose, good for the gander" test. Imagine that the value of the unit soared $50,000 within a month after buying. Would you have gone back to the builder and said, "help me out, I should be paying you more for this unit so let's renegotiate so I can give you more money." Just a guess, but I don't think so.

As to maintaining comps, the builder is right. The builder has multiple units to sell. He or she wants to maintain prices to maximize future sale values and to keep recent buyers happy with their purchase. If roles were reversed you would have the same strategy.

Saturday, April 8, 2017

A Sign of the Times


Cameras and House Viewings

Q. Our home is for sale. We are not home for viewings, but we do have cameras that record the walk through with each showing. We were surprised how these people open our closets, kitchen cabinets and appliances. Do you think we should say something to our Realtor?
A. Say something about what? Are you taking the closets with you? Are you removing the Kitchen cabinets for your new home?  I can guess with extreme certainty that you are not taking them with you. Since you are leaving them because they are part of the home, what is wrong with the buyers looking at them, observing the space they offer & feeling the quality?                                                                                                                                                                                                                    As far as appliances go, whether you plan on leaving them or taking them with you, they are still negotiable items! Buyers have every right to observe them in a respectful manner. When you go to the supermarket you check the condition of the fruit. You read the labels of products that you may want to buy. The same applies to the items that are staying with the home.

Buyers will notice that there are cameras watching them and they will be very uncomfortable. This is even worse than if you were following them around during a showing, blabbing about how wonderful your home is. An uncomfortable viewing does not usually equate to a home sale. Ditch the cameras and let your buyers fall in love with what could be their new Home. 

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

A Few inexpensive Ideas when Selling your Home

Question. We have decided to sell our home of 40 years. We don’t have the funds to remodel our home. We do have a newer roof and furnace. We are hoping these two updates will add some value to our home. We have many memories here so we don’t want to give it away. Any suggestions?

Answer.  You have made your house a home by raising your Family here and creating priceless memories. That will never change. But, if you haven’t updated in 40 years, your home will not be priceless to potential buyers because you cannot compete with homes that have been updated, and you can be assured that the appraiser will agree! A newer furnace and roof are home essentials & are assumed to be in excellent condition. These will not add value, but will give you an advantage over a home with OLDER essentials.
 Here are a few things you can do to add value at a minimum expense. The exterior is your home’s first impression. Get a bucket of soap & water. Have some fun while cleaning. Throw on your Bermuda shorts, rent a power washer & hit the deck, stairs & gutters. Make your walkways sparkle- Wizard of Oz style.  Add curb appeal by cutting & edging your lawn for a very clean look. Add color to your exterior with flowers and bushes. Can’t afford to paint the exterior? Paint shutters, doors & trim. Tack on some new address digits to keep things classy.

In terms of selling, the Kitchen is the most important room. Add new hardware to cabinet doors. Make the Kitchen look Sparkling clean. Bathrooms can help sell a home. How about adding a new toilet seat, shower curtains and rugs? Also, remember these 2 important words: “Sparkling Clean.” How about some new switch covers? Dump the orange carpet and expose those nice Hardwood floors.                                                                                                                                                    All these inexpensive touches can make your home stand out from the competition. Sharp homes sell faster and for more money than average homes. Don’t forget about painting the interior too. Bold colors do not mean beautiful. In fact, they devalue a home. Stick to neutral colors and be sure to stay away from white walls! It’s a home, not a Laboratory! 

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Need More Space? Now is a Great Time to Buy a Home

I went to the closet to store a few toys.
When I opened the door there was nothing but noise.
Box after box fell on to the floor.
It took all my power to close that big door!

Down to the basement to store all this stuff.
I was looking for room, but there wasn’t enough.
So out to the garage to find some more space.
But it was loaded with boxes all over the place.

It’s time to move, this house is too small.
I’ll get on the phone & give my Banker a call.
He looked at my numbers and said you’re Approved!
Let’s start packing our stuff and get on with this move.

We’re looking at homes, we know we’ll find one.
But after 36 viewings, there really were none.
Ugly green carpet, everything outdated.
The ads on these homes were way overrated.

We asked our Realtor, is there anything nice?
She said yes there is, but you’ll have to up your price.
We weren’t very happy, she could see on our face.
She said $10,000 higher and you’ll find a nice place!

The home on Elm Street was pretty as a picture.
With Beautiful flooring and outstanding fixtures.
Granite counters and Stainless Steel.
We can see that this home is a really good deal.

The look on our face went from frown to smile
We had found our dream home, but it did take a while.
It has triple the space, this home is just great!
Let’s make an offer, before it’s too late.

Sellers accepted our offer, we are so delighted.
Plus nervous and anxious, but definitely excited!
Christmas in our new home, because the closing is near.

And Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

Common Question: How long does the home buying process take?

Answer:  A common point of confusion for people when they are purchasing a home is how long the home buying process will take. Some think that it all comes together immediately, while others assume that it will take months before they move into their dream home. The truth is that there are a couple of different components which can either expedite the process or prolong it. First and foremost, when you begin to look for a home, you should be prepared to allot however much time you will need to find it. The amount of time it takes to find your chosen home can vary for many reasons.  If the inventory is low, it may take you a little more time to find the house that’s just right. Finding a house with any unique features that you want may also take you a little while longer.  Your motivation and personal timeline will also impact how quickly the shopping process can take. On average, though, I would say buyers in my market look at 15-30 homes before ratifying a contract.
 Once your contact has been accepted, your lender takes the ball.  The Lender work starts with getting the property appraised and all of your financial documentation in order for an underwriter to review. Although you were give a prequalification by the lender, the underwriter ultimately decides if you are credit worthy.
A 30- to 45-day window from contract to close is a good ballpark for most purchase loans in Indiana. Could be as long as 60-75 days if you are buying in Illinois. Illinois takes longer because….. well it’s Illinois. But, understand, it’s not uncommon for underwriters to require additional documents once they begin scrutinizing your loan file.  

Borrowers can help speed the process along by returning those documents as quickly as possible. You don’t have a ton of control once you’re under contract on a home, but this is one key area where your swift action — or lack thereof — can have a big impact on your homebuying timeline. During the loan process, you can complete the home inspection, so this should have no effect on the time it takes to close. Every home buying experience is different. Each has its own twists and turns. But these are general guidelines as to how long the home buying process works.