At Home in LaGrange County Indiana-Country Living at its Finest!

What is the MLS?

The Multiple Listing Service is a database of properties that are for sale and that have been sold. It has detailed information about land, homes, and commercial property for sale in the area. Our local MLS covers the counties of LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and DeKalb. Realtors® submit their property listings there and use this database to help determine market value of a property before it is listed by a seller or purchased by a buyer. Agents can also set up searches and email listings to their clients.

Sellers benefit from the MLS because their property information becomes available to all of the agents in the area who are offered part of the sales commission as an incentive to show it to their buyers. This database can be searched directly by consumers at the website of our local Board of Realtors® and on various firm and agent websites with "Search The MLS" buttons. The public information has fewer details, but does have additional pictures.

Buyers benefit from the MLS because they can search for properties and find more information about a property they see for sale with a sign in the yard or in an advertisement. Properties are identified by their unique MLS#. Another benefit for buyers is that agents who belong to the MLS can search and show them any of the properties; even those listed by other agents or companies. So, instead of contacting many different agents, they can find one agent they are comfortable with to represent them as their buyer's agent.

SAME COMPANY. SAME AGENTS. SAME LOCATION.

NEW NAME.

RE/MAX Results in Wolcottville

I have some exciting news to share! Real Estate Sails, Inc. has joined forces with two other Northeast Indiana real estate leaders. RE/MAX Tri State Realty of Angola, and RE/MAX Results with two locations in Fort Wayne are joining with us to form RE/MAX Results. Our new company, with four locations, will have nearly 100 full time agents and sell nearly 200 million dollars of real estate annually.

RE/MAX is the number one real estate company in Northeast Indiana, the state of Indiana, and the entire country. The move from an independently owned company to a franchised company will provide me with the state of the art technology, systems, continuous training, referral networking and marketing strategies that will allow me to expand the level of service for all of my clients and customers.

Our office will remain in the same location and continue to share the building with Strawser Auctions. The agents I have been working with will all be staying. Penny Miller, formerly of Howe LaGrange GMAC will be joining us as an agent. And Todd Stock, formerly of RE/MAX Tri State, will be our broker.

Our name will change to RE/MAX Results as of September 1^st. Our signs will change in mid-September. Our office phone number has changed to (260) 854-2414. My email address has changed  to karen@karencanhelpyouhome.com. What won't change is the “hometown personalized” service that people have come to expect from Real Estate Sails in Wolcottville for over 30 years.

Adams Lakefront Open House

Sunday August 24th

2-4 p.m.

Adams Lake is an all sports lake.  There is still plenty of time for Summer Fun at the lake.  This home has a great sandy beach and spectacular views from your lakefront deck and covered porch.  Stop in and start planning your move to the lake!

David Rogers Days

A Pioneer Living History Festival

This weekend, August 23rd and 24th, is a chance to learn about life in LaGrange County in 1845.  The festival includes folk music and dancing, clothing, activities for kids, handcrafts, and other pioneer skills that are demonstrated  to recreate a bygone era.  It is a live history lesson.

 The festival is held at David Rogers Memorial Park on 250W in Wolcottville, named for the man who was a fine example of the pioneer spirit as he spent his life caring for others as a herbal doctor and land propspector.  His generousity lives on in the fund established for local children. 

This is a FREE family friendly event that "kids" of all ages will enjoy.    There will be an ASL intrepreter, a powered cart for those with walking difficulties, and large print programs. 

Visit the official David Rogers Days Website for more information, scheduling, and maps.

July 2008

(Numbers in parentheses are average list prices). As of July 31st, 2008, there are 350 homes currently for sale (166,538). They have been on the market for an average of 177 days.  84 are lakefront (267,423).  42 homes are channelfront (171,833), 106 are on ski lakes (258,579) or lakes with access to ski lakes (162,376). 55 on non-ski lakes (151,904) 35 have association or deeded access (116,095). 189 homes have no lake access (129,865).

In July 2008, there were 14 homes sold with an average sold price of 97,214. They spent an average of 169 days on the market, and were originally listed at an average price of 101,003. There were 64 new homes listed for sale this month at an average list price of 140,793.

I don't know if it is the great weather we've been having, the school year approaching, or that interest rates are starting to move up, but the buyers are out in full force!  In the past several months we have had a lot of buyers looking and not buying.  But, last month closed sales picked up a little.  And in August, we are getting lots of offers, many homes are pending and we've already had 4 closings this month!

Pine Knob Park is a 99 acre park east of Howe on SR120 and has more than your average public park.  It has special facilities for hunters and fishermen.

The wide dock offers handicapped access to a beautiful view of Meteer Lake and is a great place to fish. There are picnic tables and grills for cookouts.

The lake and marsh are the main attraction and can be enjoyed from the fishing dock and trails.  You can enjoy the sounds of nature and catch a glimps of the wildlife; but don't be fooled by the life sized wild game targets. 

This park has field archery targets and a wooded 3D archery trail. 

The cost is $5.00 per day or you can get an annual pass for $30.00.

The parking lot is gravel and there are several handicapped accessible spots.

The Clubhouse can be rented for $150.00

LaGrange County Parks Department office is located in Wolcottville at 0505 W 700S  (Dallas Lake Park) they are open Monday-Friday 8:00-3:30 (260) 854-2225

Email: lagrangecountyparks@yahoo.com

Web Address:  www.lagrangecountyparks.org

0505 W 700S  (Dallas Lake Park)

Dallas Lake Park is a 96 acre park located on the south shore of Dallas Lake.  The charge for entry is $3.00 per car.  An annual pass is available for $30.00.

The ramped entry to the wetland observation deck gives you access to the sights and sound of nature.  It is a great place for bird watching.

There is plenty of open level grassy area for outdoor sports,(bring a frisbee or a kite).  You will also find picnic tables and grills for cookouts, and a playground for the kids.  There are several water fountains.

The outhouse style bathrooms are handicapped accessible and roomy enough to change into or out of your swimsuit.

The path back to the beach area is a mini nature walk filled with the sounds of birds and glimpses of small animals skittering around.

The beach area has plenty of room for playing in the sand and swimming.  During the summer, the beach is staffed with lifeguards.

The Dallas Lake Park Lodge is available for rentals for $200.00

Contact the LaGrange County Parks Department at 0505 W 700S in Wolcottville (Dallas Lake Park) Monday-Friday from 8-3:30. (260) 854-2225.  E-mail is lagrangecountyparks@yahoo.com

Web Address is:     www.lagrangecountyparks.org

Back to School in LaGrange County

It's that time of year again. Shopping for school supplies, and realizing how much the kids have grown in just a few months (so nothing fits anymore). Here is the schedule for student registration times and some of the orientations and open houses that are being held to help students (and their parents) adjust to different buildings and teachers. The return date for Lakeland and Prairie Heights is August 21st and Westview students have their first day on August 19th. The kids are getting excited even if they refuse to admit it. The joys of summer vacation have started turning in to a few too many complaints of boredom and missing school friends. I'm sure some parents will join me in a collective exhale and sigh of relief as the buses pull away from home that first morning.

Lakeland School Corporation

Registration: August 13th Noon-7  August 14th 10:30-5
High School Freshman Only Day August 20th at 1.
First day of school for all students Thursday August 21st.
Here is a link to the 2008-2009 Lakeland Schools Calendar.

Prairie Heights School Corporation

Registration: August 14th Noon-8
Prairie Heights Elementary Back to School Night
August 20th from 5:30-6:30
Milford Elementary Kindergarten Picnic August 16th
Milford Elementary Open House Picnic August 19th
Freshman Orientation Camp August 18th from 10-4
First day of school for all students Thursday August 21st.

Westview School Corporation

High School Registration:August 12th & 14th 8-3,13th 11-5
7th Grade Orientation Night August 11th 6:30-8:30
Meadowview Elementary Open House August 12th 6-7
Shipshewana Elementary Open House K-4 August 14th 6-7
Topeka Elem. Kindergarten Orientation August 12th at 6
Topeka Elem. Open House Grades 1-4 August 14th 6-7
Westview Elementary Open House August 18th 6:30-7:30
First Day of School for All Students Tuesday August 19th
Here is a link to the 2008-2009 Westview Schools Calendar
 

What is my first step if I am thinking about buying a home?

Unless you are making a cash purchase, your first step should be to contact a lender to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Visiting a lender first will save you time and eliminate unnecessary stress later in the process. Some people find credit surprises that can take time to resolve. Your lender will tell you how much cash you will need for the down payment and closing costs. You will learn what you can afford and decide what you are willing to pay. This gives you a price range to guide your search. It is best to know your loan type and terms before writing a purchases agreement. In a time of rising interest rates, you can lock in your rate as soon as possible.

Loan pre-approval gives you a stronger bargaining position with the seller when you submit an offer. The seller will know you are a serious buyer with documented purchasing power. Securing your financing first will eliminate the risk of falling in love with a home only to find out that you can't get a loan, the house is out of your price range, or that the offer from a buyer with pre-approval was accepted instead of yours. It is very important to maintain your credit and not make any major credit purchases while searching for a home or while waiting for the closing on a home you are purchasing. Your credit may be checked again during the closing process.

If you don't have a lender, I've worked with many local lenders and can recommend one. I've had buyers who were hesitant because they have had credit problems in the past or haven't established their credit yet. If you don't qualify for a loan, your lender can work with you establish a plan to help you improve your situation. There are many loan programs available to meet your specific needs. Your credit history, income, available cash, assets, and military service can all help determine the best type of loan for you. Once pre-approval is out of the way, it is time to start shopping!