Waterfront Lifestyles-Small Town and Country Living on the Lakes in Northeast Indiana

Wolcottville Fire Department

Saturday February 6th

10:00 am

Informational Meeting

We are seeking a new family to partner with on our 20th home. This informational meeting will be a chance to ask questions and learn more about our program. You can get information about becoming a partner family and see pictures of the homes we have built with families in the past in our county at the LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity website. You can also call Mont Arnold, our executive director at 260-463-8519.

LaGrange County Habitat fo Humanity House 19

Home Buyers Will Be Affected by New FHA Guidelines and Policies

A HUD release from Wednesday gives the details on some proposed and upcoming changes and how they will make it hard for home buyers to obtain FHA financing this Spring and Summer.

A summary of important changes:

MIP Mortgage Insurance Premium Increase 2.25%

Max Seller Contributions Reduced from 6% to 3%

This is the total amount sellers can pay to help buyers who lack the cash for prepaids and closing costs. It is a percent of the purchase price.

FICO Score Affects Down Payment Amount

A minimum FICO score of 580 is required for a 3.5% down payment. Lower scores will mean a 10% down payment.

Watchdog and Public Reporting

They are also stepping up their monitoring of lender performance and compliance and increasing their ability for the enforcement of these regulations. They will be reporting lender ratings on their website to hold them publicly accountable starting in February.

Home Inventory-Insurance Scores-Insured Amounts

Being Informed Can Save You Money

Compile a Home Inventory with the Right Tools

A home inventory of your belongings for insurance purposes is a relatively inexpensive way to make any future claims go smoother. Read

Improve Your Insurance Score

• How good you are at paying your bills can have as much effect on your homeowners insurance premium as the tree that fell on your house. Read

• 

Homeowners Insurance: Are You Over- or Underinsured?

• Paying for more homeowners insurance than you need is a waste of money, but it can prove even more costly to get caught without enough coverage. Read

• 

Homeowners Insurance: Time for an Annual Check-Up

• An annual check-up on your homeowners insurance can result in a healthier policy and a healthier pocketbook. Read

• 

How to Correct Your CLUE Insurance Report

• An error in your CLUE report can increase your homeowners insurance premium or even prevent you from getting coverage at all. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2009 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Great Lake Views and a Nice Wide Channel! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath lake house has an attached oversized garage and an open floorplan. This well maintained home is a great choice for a lake getaway or year round home. Witmer Lake is a ski lake on the Indian Lakes Chain that includes Dallas Lake, Westler Lake, Hackenburg Lake and Messick Lake.

Photos and Virtual Tour of this Waterfront Witmer Lake Home

Let me know if you would like to take a look. This is a great opportunity for an affordable year round home or seasonal lake get away on a ski lake.

RE/MAX Results Wolcottville

Photos With Santa

All Proceeds Benefit K-9 Fund for Wolcottville Police Department

Stop in our office at 200 N. Main Street on Saturday November 21st from 11-4 with your kids and pets for photos with Santa! All proceeds benefit the K-9 Fund for the Wolcottville Police Department.

Pick Your Package:

12 Holiday Cards or

1 8x10 or

2 5x7 or

1 2010 Calendar

All animals must be current on vaccinations and under owner's control at all times. Pictures taken on a first come, first serve basis. Thank You! If you need more information, contact Karen at RE/MAX Results.

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2009 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

I belong to the National Association of REALTORS® and they have a new website that goes beyond the BUSINESS of buying and selling houses that realtor.com has done for years.

Houselogic.com offers articles and advice on caring for your home and community. Other topics that are covered include finances, insurance, and tax information. I will be sharing articles here on my blog.

Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters

A federal tax credit makes energy-efficient solar water heaters a more affordable and sustainable option for many homeowners. Read

Tax Credits for Replacing Heating and Cooling Systems

Upgrading to an energy-efficient heating and cooling system can save hundreds on your utility bills and up to $1,500 on your tax bill. Read

Tax Credits for Replacing Your Roof

Upgrading to a qualifying energy-efficient metal or asphalt roof can cut your cooling bill as well as knock off up to $1,500 from your tax bill. Read

Tax Credits for Adding or Replacing Insulation

Adding insulation is one of the easier and cheaper ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and cut your heating and cooling bills. Read

Tax Credits for Replacing Windows, Doors, and Skylights

If money seems to be escaping through drafty windows, doors, and skylights, this federal tax credit might make energy-efficient replacements more affordable. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2009 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

You can also research Indiana specific tax credit information for more tax credits and savings.

Make Your Move to the Country In This Spacious Home Located on Over an Acre Just North of Lakeland High School in LaGrange Indiana

View Slideshow of Photos 

• Over 3,000 Square Feet
• 1 Acre Lush Green Lawn with Irrigation System
• Professional Landscaping
• 4 Bedrooms and 3 Baths
• 3 Car Attached Garage
• Master Suite has dual sinks, shower, whirlpool tub
• Full Basement
• Entertainment Area Features Wet Bar and Pool Table

Stop by Sunday at 1890 E 150 N

in LaGrange, Indiana

Just North of Lakeland High School

LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity

Starts Our 19th Home!

We arrived Saturday morning hoping the cold drizzle would end. The basement had been dug and the foundation was finished by local contractors. The rain soon stopped for the rest of the day.

There were over 80 volunteers who showed up to help. There were locals and folks from out of state. The age of volunteers ranged from teenagers to senior citizens. Some volunteers make their living building homes and some were picking up a hammer for the first time. It's fun to watch the sense of accomplishment on the faces of those who are learning.

In the true spirit of Habitat for Humanity, families we have partnered with in the past come to help build the home with the new family.

The walls are assembled and then carried to the house.

By 10:00 am, 3 exterior walls were set.

In the next hour, roof trusses were put in place and we were wrapping the exterior walls. This will be our second energy star rated home!

When we stopped for lunch at noon, it was really looking like a house!

When we finished for the day at 4:00, the roof was 1/2 shingled, and the windows were in. The exterior walls were sealed and ready for siding.

The large turnout of volunteers meant we got further than we ever had on the first build day. All of the interior walls were built and set in place! I'm always amazed at how much can be accomplished by a group of volunteers in a single day! I just can't describe how wonderul it feels to work with a family to build their first home. It is such an emotional day for everyone involved.

Just like they did last year, the KZ-RV employees showed up the following Friday and spent the day working. They built the back porch, shingled the other 1/2 of the roof and put the siding on the house. There are photos from that day, and our second build day at LaGrange County Habitat's website.

You've been thinking about buying a place on the lake and you're not sure where to start. Here are a few things to consider in your hunt for your new lake home or cottage:

• Type of Waterfront? Lake or channel? Lakefront is usually preferred, but a channelfront location is more affordable and can be quieter.
• Do you want a swimming area out front? Do you just want to jump in the boat and go enjoy the lake, or do you want a sandy swimming beach? How deep do you want the water to be? Do you want a natural frontage or a seawall?
• What type of lake bottom do you prefer? It can range from sand to muck depending on the lake and the location on the lake.
• Do you want to be on a ski (speedboat) lake? If you want to pull tubers or ride a jet ski you will want to be on an all sports lake.
• Does the lake have restricted speed hours? Some lakes have hours when high speeds are not permitted so everyone has a chance to enjoy their favorite lake activities.
• Do you prefer a quieter lake just for fishing? Most fishing lakes will allow you to cruise in a pontoon, but you won't have the roar of speedboats and jet skis.
• How about a chain of lakes that offers both? Some folks like to live on one type of lake and have the option to "visit" the others for a change of pace.
• Will you live year round at the lake? Make sure the place is insulated for year round use. I can also give you information about our local schools.
• Will this just be a seasonal or vacation cottage? You'll need to make arrangements to winterize the cottage so pipes don't freeze and find someone to take car of the lawn when you're away.
• How far are you willing to drive? We are less than an hour from Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Portage and South Bend. And in a few hours you can be here from Chicago, Lansing, Toledo, or Indianapolis.
• Do you need a level lot or will stairs be okay? You should also consider how many stories are in the home or cottage.
• Proximity to stores, restaurants and entertainment?
• How much room for parking and guests? One thing you can count on when you make a move to the lake is that people will want to visit. Do you have room for them to park? Do you want (or not want) room for overnight guests?

These are just a few of the more common questions and concerns my buyers have had. Searching online is a great way to start. You can get an idea of what is available in your price range. I would be happy to email you the listings that may work for you and sign you up for an "instant alert" that will let you know as soon as a new listing is put on the market by any agent or firm in our area. If you find a place you're interested in, I can answer your questions and show you any of the homes and cottages you want to see listed by any agent or firm in Northeast Indiana.

LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity Annual Auction in Shipshewana August 7-8

Friday Evening:  Haystack Supper & Ice Cream begin at 4:30

The Wasepi Bluegrass Gospel Singers in concert at 6:30

Preview the auction items on Friday

Saturday Morning: Pancake & Sausage Breakfast starts at 6:00

The Auction begins at 9:00.

The sandwich line opens at 10:30

Auction items include handcrafted furniture, and quilts, tools, gift certificates and more. For more information about auction items, pictures of past events, a printable map and information about our organization visit the LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity website.

First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit- Frequently Asked ?'s

RE/MAX Results Wolcottville is Holding 5 Lake Open Houses on Dallas Lake and Witmer Lake on Sunday August 2nd from 2-4

Our agents are holding houses open on the Indian Chain of Lakes. Lakes in this chain include Dallas Lake, Witmer Lake, Westler Lake, Hackenberg Lake and Messick Lake.  Dallas Lake and Witmer Lake are all sports lakes.

I will be at my listing on Dallas Lake so stop in and see what this home has to offer. I will have maps to the other homes on the open house tour. The MLS #'s for all of the open houses are: 61329, 62485, 62887, 57766, 61325 and you can get details and directions by Searching the MLS here.

Dallas Lake in Wolcottville, is a ski lake on the Indian Chain of 5 Lakes which includes: Witmer Lake, Westler Lake, Hackenberg Lake and Messick Lake. You will find seasonal cottages and year round homes side by side in the different "little neighborhoods" around the lake. The Dallas Lake Association plans events on and off the lake to give the residents opportunities to socialize. Residents on the lake are served by two different LaGrange County school districts, based on where they live. In general, those on the west side of the lake attend Westview Schools and those on the east side of the lake attend Lakeland Schools. Dallas Lake Park is a 96 acre public park on the south shore of the lake. There is a swimming beach with lifeguards, and beautiful wetlands to observe nature.

Dallas Lake is a 283 acre all sports lake with a maximum depth of 96 feet with clear water, sandy swim beaches and a sandbar. Popular fish in the lake include: bluegill, crappies, largemouth bass, and sunfish. There isn't a public access, but the lake is accessible via channels from Messick Lake, Witmer Lake and Westler Lake.

Adams Lake is a ski lake in Wolcottville. LaGrange County is in Northeast Indiana. Like most of our local lakes in LaGrange County, there is a lake association that plans get-togethers for the residents. Adams Lake has their meetings and card games upstairs at the Adams Lake Pub and there are events on the lake as well. Off the lakes, the different sides of the lake have mini-neighborhoods (sometimes just a street) of full timers and part timers who come on weekends or for the Summer.

The local elementary school is Wolcott Mills in Wolcottville. And students attend Lakeland Junior High and Lakeland High School in LaGrange. All are part of the Lakeland School Corporation.

Adams Lake in Wolcottville is a 308 acre all sports lake. This lake gives everyone a chance to participate in their favorite activities. You'll find "beach like" swimming areas, or you can take your boat and anchor at the sandbar. In the evenings, there are campfires by the water. For those who like to go fishing, the locals are catching yellow perch, occasional largemouth bass, and bluegill year round if you enjoy ice fishing.

If you prefer speed, the lake allows skiing, tubing, and jet-skis. You can cruise the lake in your pontoon or take the speedboat.

If you like quieter activities, like kayaking, or a paddleboat ride, you'll find places for that too.

Adams Lake has speed restrictions from 6 pm to 10 am every day. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy their favorite activities safely and without interfering with others. There is a public access on Adams Lake with room to park around 8 rigs, so access is limited. The average depth of the lake is 25 feet and the deepest point is 93 feet.

Their are plenty of options when it comes to housing. On Adams Lake you will find places ranging from "that old cottage your grandparents had when you were a kid" to brand new modern homes. If you're ready to find your place on the lake, contact me today.

The Headline Said "Home Sales up in LaGrange County"-But What Does That Mean?

When I saw the News Sun Saturday morning with a headline proclaiming sales were up in our county, I wasn't suprised. I know the number of sales has been improving. We've been busy. The number of homes that sold in June 2009 (12) was higher than the number of homes that sold in June 2008 (8). Not a big difference by any means. So, the headline is true because 4 more homes sold this June than last June.

Then the article goes on to state that the median home price for June 2009 ($147,250) was 35.7% higher than the median home price for June 2008 ($108,500). If you don't work in our market every day and aren't familiar with how the statistics are compiled, that sounds like great news for the housing market in LaGrange County.

But lets take a look at the rest of the numbers and the sales that are represented in those figures. In 2008, 3 of the 8 homes that sold were lake properties. In 2009, 7 of the 12 homes that sold were lake properties. Lake properties generally have higher sales prices. And when you are calculating the median sales price, you're taking the number in the middle. That means 1/2 sold for more and 1/2 sold for less. In 2009, the median price was a lake home. In 2008, it wasn't.

When dealing with such a small number of transactions, it's more accurate to use longer periods and more data to establish a trend. Why don't we take a look at what has happened through the end of June this year and compare that to last year?  I think that gives us a better idea of what is happening here in the county.

First-Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit

So you're ready to buy your first home. Why not? It really is a great time to buy in our area, if you are planning on staying put for awhile. There are plenty of homes on the market, prices have come down to make them affordable, and interest rates are still historically low. The government is also offering you up to $8,000 to buy a home, IF you buy soon. Most of the first-time homebuyers I meet have plenty of questions as I guide them through the process of making the biggest purchase of their lives. And one of the popular topics is the First-Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit. I have seen alot of outdated information, and some that is just plain wrong. So I thought I would share the answers to some of the questions I've had.

What is a first-time homebuyer?  Someone who hasn't owned a home for three of the last five years. The home has to be your primary residence.

How much is the credit?  The credit is for 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000.

Do I make too much money?  The income limit is $75,000 for single and $150,000 for married buyers for the full credit. But there is also a partial credit for single buyers who make up to $95,000 and married buyers who make up to $170,000.

Do I have to repay the credit? The credit does not need to be repaid unless you sell your home or don't maintain it as your primary residence for three years.

What if I don't owe any income taxes? You still get the credit.

How do I get the credit? You file your taxes as you normally would and include an IRS form 5405.

Can I use the credit as my down payment? The credit can only be used for additional down payment after you have contributed the minimum down payment required for your loan type. Conventional loans require 20% down and FHA loans require 3.5% down. In some cases your down payment can be a gift from a family member. And Rural Development and Veteran's Loans don't require a down payment.

The question I am rarely asked and one that is very important is how soon you need to act. The answer is, get started right away. You must close before December 1, 2009 to claim the credit. You need time to find the right home. Once you find that home, it can take 30-45 days to close on the purchase.

If you're ready to get started, contact me today. Even if you're just thinking about it and have questions, let's sit down together and talk about buying your first home!

I am a real estate agent, not an attorney or tax professional. I am offering basic information that I found on the IRS Website. If you have specific questions you should consult an attorney or tax professional.

Adams Lake Wolcottville Open House

5125 E 620 S  Sunday July 12 2-4 pm

This lake house is the place to spend your summers!

• Great Swimming Beach
• Covered Porch
• Lakefront Deck
• Fireplace

There will be something for everyone in Rome City this weekend.

• Cub Scout Pinewood Derby
• Boat Parade on Sylvan Lake @2:30
• Car Show
• Live Music by The Fords and a music tribute to the troops
• Poker Run on the water on Sunday
• Rides for the kids 11-8
• Plenty of Food and Contests
• A Parade Down Main Street starts at 1:00 from the Elementary School

The fireworks over Sylvan Lake are always spectacular!This year right before the fireworks on Saturday night, the RE/MAX hot air balloon will fly over carrying the winner of our drawing for a ride- Barb Hinkle.