A New Years Poem

I went to the closet to store a few toys.

When I opened the door there was nothing but noise.

Box after box fell onto the floor,

It took all my power to close that big door!

Down to the basement to store all that 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 and 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'll 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Ugly Green carpet, everything outdated,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 this home is a really good deal.

The look on out 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.

Seller's accepted out 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!

Christmas Humor

Midwest Population Change

Ever Wonder what the Highest Priced Home in Local NW Indiana is Selling For?

The Highest Priced home on the Local NW Indiana Market is in Munster!       8707 Crestwood Ave.
                                                                                  
$1,485,000.

It's been on the market for 78 days.
It features 6 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths.

Located on 2.45 Acres and was built in 1995.

7,174 sq ft of finished Living space.  3 Car Garage.

With $300,000 down payment. Your Monthly payment would be approximately:  
                          $6,000 Principal & Interest
                               965  Taxes
                           $6,965  Per Month. 

Let's Write this Beauty up!!

Runner up is in Cedar Lake:  14208 Greenleaf Pl
$1,400,000. Located on the West side of Cedar Lake.                      5 Bedrooms. 5.25 Baths.
7,079 finished Sq Ft.

Dogs Know

Buying a Misrepresented Property

Question: 

While on leave from the military, we bought a home that was totally misrepresented. According to the listing, it was a 2300 square foot, four-bedroom, lake view house. During the escrow, we read the tax documents and discovered that the home is actually 2000 square feet with only three bedrooms. We also learned that the fourth bedroom is an unpermitted addition and the “lake” is a retention pond. When we tried to cancel the sale, the seller threatened to keep our deposit and take us to court. We consulted an attorney, but he said he couldn’t do anything in this case.  So we closed and now owe more than the current appraisal value of the property. What can we do?  

Answer:  

It is very disappointing to know that you closed on the property. Once you learned that the listing details were false, you had every right to cancel the sale. They had no basis for their claim because they were guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation and violation of seller disclosure laws. The same culpability applies to the listing agent, who should have known better. Furthermore, anyone who would abuse members of our military in this way can add “scum-bag” to their other reprehensible attributes.

The fact that your attorney did not advise you not to buy the property is actually astonishing. It’s hard to image someone with a law degree being so bereft of common sense. At this point, you need some better advice from a more reliable real estate attorney.

Food For Thought

Halloween Tales

Question: You’ve been showing all kinds of home for years. Any spooky stories you can share?

Answer:  I always make a habit of knocking or ringing the doorbell, even if the house is vacant. My clients and I were standing on the porch as I rang the doorbell of a vacant house, and we all distinctly heard “Who is it?” in a gruff little old lady’s voice. We all looked at each other. I asked if they heard it, and they nodded their heads up and down. We went in and checked out the house (and all the closets) but found no one. Buyers did not want this home.

Years ago, a fellow Realtor said he had a listing that the seller said was haunted by a young boy. He said when his article came out in the newspaper for advertisement of the new listing, there was a young, dark figure of a boy standing in the doorway in the picture.

I was showing a home built in the 1800s. The kitchen was actually located in the basement. When I went to get the lockbox key, my client told me that the door to the basement/kitchen was unlocked, so we went ahead and went in that way. We pulled the door closed behind us but didn’t touch any locking mechanisms. We proceeded to preview the home. We decided to exit the same way we came in, but when we went to open the door, it was locked. That creeped us all out, fortunately were able to get out through the back door. No sale here.

I showed a house built around 1900. There was an attic area with a stairway. At the top of the stairway was an old doll, sitting in a rocking chair, staring at you. If you went all the way up the stairs, you were greeted by about 10-15 similarly creepy dolls sitting in rocking chairs. It was an eerie experience.

A local real estate agent justified the strange placement of the bed and several layers of blackout curtains with the fact that her client is a vampire. The home eventually sold. No further update, but, “When Black Cats prowl & Pumpkins Gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween!”

Question: I'm considering the purchase a home I cannot afford. At this time, I can afford around $80,000 -- basically a home that's in need of repair. The house that I want is $219,000. I do not know if either choice is acceptable. I obviously do not want to live at either choice for very long (no more than three years). Should I take the plunge and get in the game now, or should I save up money and do things the "traditional way."

Answer: There is no choice. You cannot buy a property which is three times beyond what you can afford. No legitimate lender will provide financing. Such a purchase has a huge chance of leading to foreclosure and bankruptcy. Even if you can make the mortgage payments, what about taxes, utilities and repairs?

What you should do is to work at saving more and increasing your income. Also, spend more time learning about real estate in general as well as the specific trends in your local community.

No less important, buying a home with the intent of selling in three years could be a disaster. It costs money to acquire real estate and money to sell, so even if you get a higher price you could have an actual cash loss on the sale.

E-mail us your Real estate questions at:  Cathyah@aol.com

Call Cathy & Jim Higgins for our opinion on your Home:

Ind: 219-865-4361  Ill: 708-828-3304.                         

Licensed Broker/Realtors in Indiana & Illinois

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Website: www.Cathyhiggins.com

Dogs Rule.the House

What happens to my mortgage payment if Interest Rates Rise?

If you wait to buy a Home for any reason, you stand the chance of interest rates rising. We do not have the economy for interest rates to fall, so I doubt that will happen.

Say you would be financing a $200,000 mortgage for 30 years.  You were quoted a 4.5% interest rate. 
Your Monthly Principal & Interest Payment would be: $1013.
Over 10 years you would have paid approx $82,000 in interest.

But, you wait a year, interest rates rise to 5.5%.
Your Monthly Principal & Interest Payment would now be: $1135.

Over 10 years you would have paid approx $101,000 in interest.

This guy created a problem!

Question: I am in the final stage of purchasing property. As a part of my purchase agreement, I inserted a contingency that the appraised value of the home must meet or exceed the selling price. The appraisal came in $14,000 less than the selling price, giving me the right to re-negotiate or to rescind the purchase agreement.

At this point, I allowed the seller to obtain a second appraisal of the property. The second appraisal came in at almost exactly the asking price. This $15,000 difference in appraisal on this property has me both concerned and confused. How do I determine which appraisal is correct?

Answer: You had an appraisal contingency in your purchase offer. It allowed you to back-out of the transaction in the event of a low appraisal. There was a low appraisal. Now the question is this: If you could buy the property how much would you pay? Either the seller will accept your revised offer or not. Be aware that the lender will only finance the transaction on the basis of the sale price or the appraisal, whichever is lower.

As to the two appraisals, you only needed one as required by your offer.  Not sure why you allowed a 2^nd appraisal? The second valuation has muddled the issues.

Food for Thought

What Defines a Bedroom?

Question:   We have a bedroom in our basement. The appraiser said it is not a bedroom and our home appraised at less than sale price. How could they say it is not a bedroom when we have beds in there and our sons slept there for 13 years? We are furious!

Answer:  We understand your frustration. You have a nice home, both parties agreed to the sale price, you made it through the home inspection and everyone is happy. Then the appraiser steps in and ruins this perfect deal.

Although your home obviously has a bedroom in the basement, it does not meet the bedroom criteria that an appraiser uses. This may vary from state to state, but generally a bedroom is considered a bedroom by an appraiser if it has 2 ways of egress (door and/or window). The bedroom must be at least 70 sq. ft, and it cannot be smaller than 7 ft in any horizontal direction. Sorry, that 2’ x 35’ room is not a bedroom. The escape window or door must be at least 5.7 sq. ft for an opening.                                                                                                                                                                                        But guess what? It doesn’t need a closet according to the appraiser! 

                                                                                                                                  NOTE: It would be a good idea to put at least an armoire in that bedroom to satisfy your buyer.

The Conclusion: It may look like a bedroom, it may have a bed like a bedroom and you sleep in it like a bedroom, but according to the appraiser, it doesn’t quack like a bedroom.

Regular, Daylight & Walkout Basements

Question: We went looking at new construction models and were given several basement options. We are used to just one kind of basement. What’s the difference?

Answer: Remember when a basement was a basement?  Where creepy crawlers, high humidity and low light were common. The place where all unwanted things were stored because we didn’t want to dump them. Where shadows appeared ominous and the light bulbs were always burned out. The place where we always worried would seep water during a rain storm. These types are called standard basements. That's all changed with the new basement designs.

Even if a basement is not finished at the time of the build, an additional lower level gives a homeowner options of expanding their living space in the future. This expanded living space can really bring a home to life.

Walkout basements have lots that are heavily sloped, but allow a home's lower level to feel very similar to the other levels in the home.  With full windows that brighten up the lower level and full access to the backyard, many home owners enjoy a home built on a walkout lot.  Almost any type of home can be built on a walkout lot, but considering the importance of the lower level in a ranch home, many home buyers prefer walkout lots when specifically building a ranch. One disadvantage to a home built on a walkout lot is that although you can access the backyard from the basement, the main level's backyard access is raised into the air and requires stairs to access the yard.

Daylight basements provide a balance between walkout and standard basements.  Homes that feature a daylight design can be built on a variety of land elevations.  With full windows in the basement, home owners can use a lower level with a bit more creativity.  Although the added light increases the visibility from a lower level basement, if your home is built on a daylight lot, the deck and backyard access from the main level will require stairs and railings to get from an elevated deck down into the yard.  Many home owners say the added light in the lower level and the way daylight windows can make a lower level feel more like other levels in the home, is worth the increased cost and having a raised deck.  With somewhat of the best of both worlds, daylight lots are great for almost any type of home. 

Always Worth Reading

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read,

Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,

For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day.

A young boy approached me, all tired from play.

He stood right before me with his head tilted down

And said with excitement, "Look what I've found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,

With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.

Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,

I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat by my side.

He placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise,

"It sure smells pretty & it's beautiful, too.

That's why I picked it; here it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.

Not vibrant of colors, orange or red.

But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.

So I reached for the flower, and replied,  "Just what I need."

But instead of placing the flower in my hand,

He held it mid-air without reason or plan.

It was then that I noticed for the very first time,

That weed toting boy was very much blind.

I heard my voice quiver, tears shown like the sun,

As I thanked him for picking the very best one.

"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,

Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see

A  self- pitying man beneath an old willow tree.

How did he know of my self- indulged plight?

Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see,

The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.

I then held that flower up to my nose,

And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose.

And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed he held high,

About to change the life of another passerby…..

Is my Home a Lemon?

Question:  Since we bought our home, we've had an endless stream of maintenance problems. The house is only about five years old, but everything seems to be going wrong. For example, two of the faucets started leaking. Then one of the toilets became clogged. After that, the front door began rubbing against the jamb, making it hard to close.

This is the first home we've ever owned. We hired an inspector before buying it, but none of these problems was disclosed in the report. What can we do, now that we're stuck with this lemon?

Answer:  If the problems on your list were serious or unusual, 98 percent of the homes in America would be lemons. In fact, the symptoms you have noted would tend to make your home as normal as mine. If faucets, doors, dishwashers did not require periodic maintenance, that would be a noteworthy abnormality.

A common misconception among first-time homebuyers is the expectation that homeownership is a turnkey operation, that a well-built house in good condition will tend to remain that way without timely offerings of effort by the owners. Homeownership, in a sense, should be viewed as a part-time hobby, one that requires ongoing participation and weekly contributions of time, money and sweat.

As newly initiated homeowners, it may be time to buy yourselves a set of handyman tools and a book on routine property maintenance. Don't try to tackle any serious issues such as electrical problems or conditions involving gas-burning fixtures. Items of that nature should be delegated to licensed experts. However, simple repairs, such as changing the washer in a leaky faucet, are skills worth learning.

You have embarked upon the lifelong pastime of homeownership. Acquiring the basic skills of common home repairs will increase your pride of ownership, save you worthwhile sums of money, and keep you from over-responding to minor routine defects. It is an ongoing process of learning. Enjoy the journey.

Coldwell Bankers New Dog Commercial. You will Love it!

By now, some of you probably have seen the heartwarming new Coldwell Banker® TV ad, “Old Dog, New Dog,” which debuted in May and is the highest rated real estate ad of 2018, according to AceMetrix. The ad promotes our National Pet Adoption Weekend, set for October 13 and 14.

Since partnering with national adoption network Adopt-A-Pet in 2015, Coldwell Banker’s Homes for Dogs Project has helped place more than 20,000 pets into loving homes.

Our involvement in projects such as Homes for Dogs reflects a commitment to creating lifelong connections and making a difference in the communities we serve. The closing line of the new ad sums it up perfectly: “Because our agents don’t just understand real estate, we understand what home is all about.”

Click here for the absolutely heartwarming video.

Home Ownership Benefits

Homeownership is an aspiration for many, but not everyone is even aware of all the benefits that come from owning your own home. Here are six ways that you can gain from ownership.

1. Equity building: Unlike a rent payment that goes into a landlord’s pocket, a portion of each typical mortgage payment is invested into the property as equity for the owner.
2. Tax benefits: Mortgage interest, property taxes and even some closing costs may be tax deductible depending on the situation*.
3. Fixed payments: Most rent payments inevitably go up, but with a fixed-rate mortgage, the mortgage payments stay the same for the life of the loan.
4. Long-term savings: In most circumstances, buying a home to live in long-term is cheaper than renting, and once the mortgage is paid off, that monthly payment disappears.
5. Greater freedom: When it comes to things like decoration, renovation, pet ownership and other property uses, ownership almost always provides more freedom.
6. Intangible benefits: It can’t be measured, but the pride, stability and sense of community many feel from owning their homes is a definite benefit.

Top Ten Most Desired Home Features

From flat-screen TVs to fireplaces, there are many luxuries that make up the dream list of most homeowners today. With Design Your Dream Home, Homes.com, instead of conducting a simple poll, has taken a more ingenious approach to collecting data in compiling a list of the 10 features homeowners desire most. 
 
The study, which is in the form of an interactive page, allows users to literally create their own dream home online. Moving from a living room to your fictional master bedroom to a yard, and, lastly, to a kitchen, the Homes.com page provides 10 features to choose from in each space, of which you can choose one.
 
"This is the first year that Homes.com has used the interactive webpage to gauge their consumer's interest in the types of features that they'd like to see in their dream home, as well as in a new-construction home," Cheria Brickhouse, content marketing coordinator at Homes.com, tells Housecall.
 
Amenities that you can choose from include exercise equipment, a large tropical fish tank and spa, just to name a few. The interactive page is still live and Homes.com will continue to collect data, but these are currently the top 10 most desired home features:

1. Pool
2. Fireplace
3. Private balcony
4. Entertainment center
5. Walk-in pantry
6. Ensuite spa
7. Walk-in closet
8. Energy-efficient appliances
9. Bay windows
10. Guest house 

More Words of Wisdom. Home Ownership

As Realtors, we get this one question asked of us over and over:

Should I update my home?
The typical homeowner response is: When we do decide to sell, the new owners are going to change things anyway.

If you can afford to update your home, do it. Don't go crazy with updates. Save your money, then update within your budget. Why?

One, you will be able to enjoy these updates and feel proud of your home and what you have done.

Two, it will add value to your home. Home values increase due to inflation and supply and demand. If you have a home that looks great, the buyer demand will be higher, and that will generate a higher home price. And, if the supply (homes currently for sale) is low, your homes value will increase even more.

Three, If you choose not to update anything, then do NOT expect a quick sale and do NOT expect to receive the value that an updated home has. The buyer demand for your home will be lower.

Four, If you cannot afford to update and remodel your home, there are other less expensive options you can take to get more value for your home and you can do them yourself.
Improve your curb appeal. Make your homes exterior look "Wow."
Paint the exterior. Keep your grass and bushes trimmed.             Add colorful flowers. Make your home look Sparkling Clean.
Update fixtures one at a time as you can afford it. 
Don't underestimate the power of the first impression, inside & out.

If you make the decision to buy a home, along with the benefits, comes some work. Do this work & it is called, "Pride of Ownership." Take care of your home and you will be rewarded.     

If you do not want to do the work (or pay to have it done), then you probably should consider renting.

We wrote a paper on enhancing your home for impact. If you'd like a copy, just contact us.

Wisdom & Stuff

Dog Humor

Real Estate Questions

Question: I have a neighbor whose downspout has a plastic extension that's directed at my house. The houses are only about ten feet apart and the ground is a bit higher on his side. I have asked him to reroute the extension to no avail. Do I have any other options?

Answer: Yes. Given that the homes are 10-feet apart I suspect you're in a newer community with a homeowners association. If we assume that no one has the right to devalue your property by flooding, you could ask your HOA for help or you might ask the local building inspector for assistance.

If the slope was created by a builder, if it was man-made, then one could imagine a suit against the builder, the HOA and the neighbor for the damage done to your property. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail before costs for litigation reach flood stage.

Question: All of my friends tell me its a bad idea to buy an investment house with a friend. Is this true?

Answer: Yes and no. Yes, you can reasonably buy investment property with a friend, relative, co-worker or anyone you choose. No, it's not a good idea if done incorrectly.

The problem is not in the joint buying, it's usually in the lack of a written agreement between the investors. Without a proper agreement put together by an experienced attorney in advance of any purchases, it's inevitable that what started as a good relationship will run into problems when one investor wants to sell and the other doesn't, finances change or the property has losses. So, if you want to buy with someone, that's fine -- just have a proper agreement in place before the first check is written.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/in/schererville/1240-primrose-lane/pid_25356585/

New Listing in Auburn Meadow in Schererville. 
Condo.    $154,900.

Everything on the Main Level. No Stairs.

2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Main Floor Unit.

In Unit Laundry room.

Master has a Private Bath.

1,367 sq ft.

New Listing Condo in Auburn Meadows, Schererville

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/in/schererville/1159-auburn-meadow-lane/pid_24861513/

   

1159 Auburn Meadow Ln, Schererville.  $151,900

Beautiful & Spacious 2nd story Condo w/ private entrance. The Open-Concept welcomes you to an expansive Living room and Eat in Kitchen boasting plenty of Dining Space, Natural Light, Stainless Steel appliances & Breakfast Bar. The first impression as you walk into this home is Spacious, Bright & Cheery! Beautiful Wood Laminate flooring flows through the Great rm & both Bedrooms. The Master bedroom has a private bath, walk-in closet & a second full-size closet. The second bedroom has a full bathroom just outside the door & offers privacy on the opposite side of the home. Main floor Laundry rm w/ Washer & Dryer. Home has ample storage space. Private Balcony has a view of the Pond. The Garage is right behind the home and there is ample

 parking. It is a short walk to the pool & fitness center. Many residents walk to the Movie theaters, shopping, post office, and nearby restaurants. Lawn care & Snow removal & Scavenger are included. Call Text or Email us your Questions.

Click the Link or Copy & Paste the URL in your Browser.

What's an Excellent Credit Score....and What isn't

A score of 850 is as high as you can get, with scores ranging from zero to 850.

Here’s the breakdown:

· Excellent credit is 750+

· Good: 700-749

· Fair: 650-699

· Poor: 550-649

Those are the general breakdowns.  Some lenders may have different criteria. But essentially if you want to have excellent credit, you’ll need a FICO credit score of 750-plus.

New Listing: 17052 Cornell, South Holland

https://youtu.be/7_OQob1TUjc

Click the Link for the Video Tour.
or Copy & Paste into your Browser.

New Listing in South Holland at 17052 Cornell.
Really nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath Split Level.
$142,500

Simple Explanation for Closing Costs

Shopper Newspaper Column 5-9-18:

Question: I'm getting ready to enter the market to buy a home. I've heard about so many different terms lately my head is spinning! What do "closing costs" mean and who pays them?

Answer: Imagine that you're buying a $3 million yacht. You go to the yacht store, find one you like and then get in line at the check-out counter to pay your bill (remember, this is a fantasy, we're imagining here). The clerk rings up your tab and then adds $200,000 for the sales tax, shipping and handling.

The extra costs at the check-out counter above the purchase price are, essentially, closing costs. The situation at the yacht store is similar in real estate. In addition to the actual cost of the property, say $300,000, there are also taxes, lending costs, insurance, appraisals, legal fees, etc. that are collected at closing.

Who pays closing costs is often a matter of local tradition or, what the form says. However, forms can be amended and local traditions are not binding. The real way it works is this: Unless otherwise required by law, all closing costs are negotiable. In a strong sellers' market you can bet that the buyer will pay many if not all closing costs. In a strong buyers' market, the owner will likely offer a "seller's contribution" to off-set the purchaser's closing expenses.

The important point is that closing costs are typically negotiable. For specifics, speak with your real estate broker.

Nice Saying...Something to Think about

To Be Happy, You Must:

Let go of what's Gone.

Be Grateful for what Remains.

Look forward to what is Coming.

This Real Estate Market

If you are thinking about Selling and Buying, My Gosh, do it now !

Homes are Selling well in Indiana & Illinois. 
Prices in NW Indiana are rising & Interest rates are still low. This may not be the case in a few months!

Now is the Time to Buy!

We Did! 

This is sort of Real Estate Related

Question: Our home is listed with a Broker. We have had quite a few showings. It amazes me how little the Real estate agents who show my home know about my home? Isn’t it their job to know all about my home? How are they going to sell it if they don’t know much about it?

Answer: I think you are a bit unfair. How is a Realtor supposed to know everything about your home when they have probably never seen it before?  A Realtor uses the MLS report to review your homes details prior to their viewing. A Realtor can use his/her experience to point out important details about the home to the buyers as they walk through.                                                                                                                                                                      Many sellers put out home information flyers highlighting the many features that their home offers.

This is always welcomed by prospective buyers.

You can write down all the features you want, but what about the feeling buyers get when they walk through your home?  Do they feel comfortable? Do they like the layout? How does the home look?   Is it updated? Is it cluttered? Does the home look run down, or does it show that it’s been well cared for? Do they experience that Wow factor?  These very important feelings do not require a Realtor to know every detail about your home.  

If you want your home to sell at the price you expect, then it’s up to you to help create these positive feelings, by making your home look as appealing as possible. If you’ve had quite a few showings and no offers on your home, then it’s time to start listening to your Brokers suggestions, instead of blaming the Real estate agents.

The New Tax System Explained using Common Sense

                    https://www.youtube.com/embed/BomQxCG5VG4?rel=0&autoplay=1

                           Copy and Paste in your browser if necessary. This is worth the trouble.

Two Types of People in the World

New Listing in Schererville's Eagle Ridge Estates. $333,999
2234 Cowan Ct

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/in/schererville/2234-cowan-court/pid_24083519/

Spacious Ranch style home with a Very nice walk out lower level in Eagle Ridge Estates. Home is in a low traffic cul-de-sac with a pie shaped lot, which opens out to a large yard. The kitchen has an Island, Bay window, Pantry closet, Ceramic back splash & a large Dining area that overlooks the large deck & beautiful yard! Main level laundry room & formal dining room w/ Tray ceiling. Main level Master bedroom w/ whirlpool tub, double sink vanity & walk in closet. The lower level has 3 bedrooms, a family room, Bonus room & a full bath. Great for related living or teens! Lower level covered Patio. 75 gallon water heater. 2.5 car attached garage.

Haven't Seen a Better Time to Sell than Now

This is a really good market if you are thinking of selling....Illinois or Indiana.

Home Prices are up due to demand and if your Home has been cared for with some updates, you will get top dollar!

Purchasing a Home in a hot market can be challenging. Nice homes in this type of market usually sell quickly. But.....
The good news is buying another home now will most likely be a great investment as Prices are on the rise.

Interest rates are still historically low.
If you're thinking about selling.  Now is the Time. 

Call us. We'll be happy to go over everything with you. For Example:

* What you need to do to get your home ready to sell without spending a fortune.

* What your net proceeds will be that you can apply towards your next purchase.

* How the Selling and Buying Process works. We do this all the time. We have answers to all your 
   questions.

* You can be sure there is no pressure from us. We don't do business that way.
   We give you the  answers, you make the decision!

* Our Main Goal is to sell your home for the most money possible. We market to reach all 
   prospective buyers looking in your price range and area. The more buyers our Marketing reaches, 
   the better the chance of selling your home for top dollar!

* Visit our website to review our marketing plan or just call us. www.Cathyhiggins.com

Concerned that my Home Sold for Over Asking Price

Question: I'm selling my home in a great area. We had many offers and the one we took was $20,000 over the asking price. The buyers are putting in a lot of cash and are only financing $100,000 of the $600,000 sale price. We're afraid that our house will not be worth that much, but does the lender care?

Answer: Lenders care very much about value and risk. They will make a loan based on the sale price or the appraised value, whichever is less. If a buyer wants to pay more, that's okay -- as long as the additional price is not paid with lender funds.

Appraisal problems are not common, but they do happen. When Realtors look at comparable properties that have sold, they also do a little give and take. Compared to the similar homes, the subject home may have more land, more updates, more square footage, etc. This is how a higher asking price is justified. Obviously, the buyer agrees, because he has accepted the sellers selling price. An appraisal is not an exact science, it is more of an art, or opinion of the appraiser, based on what he has seen with comparable properties that have sold.

In your case, you have a home selling for $600,000 and a borrower who is putting up $500,000 in cash. The lender is providing $100,000. The lender wants to be certain that in the event of foreclosure the property has sufficient value to re-pay the loan.

In this case, even if the property sold at a 75 percent discount from the sale price, there would still be enough value to re-pay the lender. From the lender's perspective, this is a loan situation with virtually no risk because there is so much equity in the property -- that $500k put up by the purchaser.

Why Does February have 28 Days?

February is a terrible month. By the time it arrives, we’re sick of the cold, sick of our winter clothes, and in many cases, just plain old sick. Fortunately, it’s a short month—just 28 days. But why?

Turns out, it’s not because everyone in the history of the human race has hated February. The month’s quirky timing dates back to the 10-month Roman calendar, which began in March and ended in December. That’s right. For a while, January and February didn’t even exist. To the Romans, who made their lot by planting and harvesting, winter was a nameless, dateless slog. For part of the year, there was literally no system for keeping track of the days.

By the time the second king of Rome took the throne around 750 BC, the Romans decided to add two more months to their year in order to sync their calendar more accurately with the 12 lunar cycles. Those two months—January and February—had 28 days each, until the king decided to add an extra day to January to make the year 355 days long. Even numbers were considered unlucky at the time, and a 354-day year was unacceptable.

The calendar still had its flaws. Following the lunar cycle worked well for a few years, but soon the seasons became out of sync with their typical months. To fix it, the Romans added a leap month called Mercedonius. Rome’s high priests would decide when the month would arrive, and no one else in the city could keep track of what day it was. As you might have guessed, this was a nightmare.

When Julius Caesar took power, he reconfigured the entire thing again and aligned the length of the year with the sun, so that each year would add up to 365 days. For some reason, he left February at 28 days.

And you know what? We totally agree with that arbitrary decision. February should always be as short as possible; no one likes it that much anyway.