Real estate is full of ups and downs.  There's the thrill of finding the perfect home for you, followed by the news that the sellers JUST accepted another offer.   There's the excitement of listing your home and getting an offer, followed by the news that during the inspection it was discovered that your furnace is shot.   I could go on, but you catch my drift.   Thankfully, our client's worlds has been filled with more good news than bad.      But there is still some bad news from time to time. If it's something minor a phone call is okay in my book.  What about the MAJOR bad news?  The news that a deal isn't closing?  News that the appraisal came in 5% below agreed price?  The news that during the inspection, it was discovered that the entire attic is full of mold and the foundatio... 07/08/2013

Fort Wayne Indiana Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for June 2013. How was the real estate market for the City of Fort Wayne last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  410 Average List Price:  $142,393 Average Sales Price:  $137,171 (96% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $113,500 Average Days on Market:  62 Sales prices ranged from a low of $6,500 to a high of $1,050,000.    Overall the real estate market in the City of Fort Wayne is good.  Average days on market continues to improve.  It's still a good time to sell a home in the Fort Wayne area.  There are currently 1,670 active listings with a price range of $5,000 all the way up to $1,799,900.   If you are considering buying or selling a home in the City of Fort Wayne we would love the opportunity to... 07/05/2013

Northwest Allen County Real Estate Monthly Market Report.  Homes Sold In NWAC Fort Wayne in June of 2013.  Here is a look at what happened last month in NWAC. Homes Sold:  87 Average List Price:  $209,228 Average Sales Price:  $202,276 (97% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $175,500 Lowest Sales Price:  $36,100  Highest Sales Price:  $510,000 Average Days On Market:  50 So what does this report tell us about the Northwest Allen County School District real estate market last month?  It was very strong.  Home sales held steady between May and June.  That's awesome!  The average sales price is at 97% of list price...  awesome again!  Days on Market have also dropped from 66 to 50.  Great Progress! It's a great time to sell your home in Northwest Allen County!!!   Here is a look at curren... 07/04/2013

Southwest Allen County Real Estate Monthly Market Report.  Homes Sold In SWAC Fort Wayne in June of 2013.  Here is a look at what happened last month in SWAC. Homes Sold:  75 Average List Price:  $235,071 Average Sales Price:  $225,608 (96% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $167,500 Lowest Sales Price:  $91,000 Highest Sales Price:  $1,050,000 Average Days On Market:  56 So what does this report tell us about the Southwest Allen County School District real estate market last month?  It was very good!  Sales price at 96% of list price has held steady for the past few months as well as the 56 days on market.  This really shows that the real estate market in Fort Wayne (especially SW) is doing well with steady progress!  It's a great time for sellers in this market! Here is a look at cur... 07/04/2013

  This is the scene on my back deck this morning.  RAIN.   This has been the scene here in Fort Wayne this summer.  RAIN. Rain, rain, and more rain.   Storms, storms, and more storms.   It's been super steamy and hot, and now it's cooled down to highs in the 70s, and of course RAIN.   As far as outdoor activities have gone, the rain has kinda stunk. Plus when you have two dogs going in and out, you get to dry off their muddy and wet paws every time they come in.  You dog owners know what I mean.   This morning we are listing a commercial property followed by a home inspection at a home over in the Foster Park area.   I'll bring an umbrella while we are inspecting the outside.  That's not a big deal at all.   What I really AM looking forward to is seeing the basement.     The home is ol... 07/01/2013

At the beginning of the year, Amanda and I sat down and really worked hard on putting together our goals for 2013.  We vowed that we would stick to them and make them happen, no matter what.  We just passed the halfway mark for the year and decided to check our progress.   Happy clients/units sold:  Check.   Dollar amount sold:  Check.   (We are thankfully way ahead of our goals on both of of those.) New listings per month:  Check. Floor time done each month.  NOT check.  We've given away a lot of it to help team members and because of how busy we've been. Blogging about five subdivisions a month:  NOT check.  I'm slacking there, but that is going to change. Meet every Monday morning to hold each other accountable:  NOT check.  Man.  What the heck are we doing??   Two open houses per mo... 06/30/2013

12.  Hidden lock boxes with no warning.  There have been a few times where my clients and I spend more time looking for these suckers than we do looking at the home! 11.  The old "I've been selling real estate for 30 years" card being pulled. 10.  Realtor functions.  Too many big egos in one place, and too many handshakes where the person you are shaking hands with is looking to see who is behind you.  9.  Speaking of handshakes...  the "double grab and then turn your head and speak very insincerely and over the top" handshake.  I hate that.  8.  When one of the Realtors at the closing asks the buyer "Is your hand getting tired yet??" that is followed with a hearty laugh.  That joke wasn't funny the first time I heard it, let alone 150 closings later.  7.  The "reader."  You know, the p... 06/29/2013

  A couple of summers ago Amanda and I went to a listing appointment up in Falcon Creek Subdivision.  The home was a gorgeous ranch on a full finished basement and in the $250,000 price range.   As we toured the home we were very impressed with the color choices, the decor, and the how clean and uncluttered things were. Then they showed us the laundry area leading into the garage.  As soon a we stepped into the room we both could smell stale cigarette smoke.   Then they opened the door to the garage, and we were both overcome with the stale and disgusting smell of cigarette smoke.  I coughed and almost gagged.     As former smokers, Amanda and I do not judge those that do smoke.  We get it.  Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things that we've ever done in our lives.  Just wanted ... 06/28/2013

Last week Amanda and I got a call from a very sweet woman that needed to sell her home here in Fort Wayne.  The Century 21 agent that she previously used move to Chicago, so she needed a new Realtor to help her and her retired husband.   We set the appointment, did our homework, put our marketing plan and listing presentation together, and off we went! We started with a tour of the very well kept exterior of the home.  The landscaping was just right, the lawn was cut perfectly, and the overall condition and curb appeal was fantastic. The pride of home ownership was apparent on the interior as well.   They had warm and nuetral colors and the decor was "just rignt."   We sat down in the living after the tour was over...   And we just talked.   We talked about the local real estate market.... 06/19/2013

One of my buyers sent me a list of a few homes she would like to see.  As I was looking through the pictures and details, I came across this picture... I like knives.  I like tile a nice tile backsplash as well.  I'm also a big fan of blenders and have a giant veggie and fruit shake every morning. That said...  why the hell is this picture on an MLS listing? Is the agent focusing on the tile backsplash?  Maybe.  Could be.   If so, why not move the items that our eyes are clearly drawn to? I'm shopping for a home, not Wal Mart online. This particular home has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, almost 2,000 square feet, and plenty of charm. The listing only had about 15 pictures, while our MLS allows up to 30! Out of those 15 pictures, 2 or 3 of them were like this.   Now...  don't get me wrong. ... 06/17/2013

I had a very interesting conversation with a friend at lunch today.   Friend:  Okay.  I'm thinking about getting out of my apartment and buying a home.  Do you think it's a good time to buy? Me:  Yes.  Interest rates are still low.  It's not as much of a buyer's market as it used to be, but it's still a good time. Friend:  Gotcha.  Here's the thing.  I'm not sure of my future.  I may move down South in a couple of years.  Is it still smart for me to buy now?   Me:  No.  It would not be smart to buy a home right now unless it's a fixer upper and you can get some equity quickly.  If you buy a home for fair market value of $100,000 today, it's probably not going to gain enough value to cover all of your costs when you sell it in two years.  (I broke down all of his costs when selling.) Fri... 06/11/2013

          The Allen county Residential Real Estate market has been steadily improving over the last 12 months and is demonstrating significant improvement over the last 3 months, presenting a great opportunity for sellers who may have been waiting for an improved market before deciding to sell their current home.  Below I've charted the improvement in the number of sales, average sales price, and days on market.      The data for this report includes only residential sales of single family homes, villas, and condominiums within Allen county, IN. This report does not include any information regarding multi-family units, land, or commercial properties.                    Home sales have improved 8.8% to 4717 homes sold in the last 12 months ended May 2013 compared to the 4335 homes sold a... 06/11/2013

When you enter into a real estate transaction, there are many moving parts and many parties involved.  There are time contraints, delays, appraisal issues, underwriting conditions at the last moment, incompetent agents, wacky lenders, and once in a while you will run across a crazy client.     Once I knew Brent was pre-approved for a mortgage, we headed out to look at some homes.  We found the one he wanted and went ahead and put an offer in on it.  After a short negotiation process, we were under contract and ready to head to closing.   When I write offers I normally write them with the same timeline.  Buyer has 15 days to have the inspection, 5 days to physically meet with the lender, 15 days to get a home owner's insurance quote...  etc.  Once we have an accepted purchase agreement, ... 06/10/2013

Fort Wayne Indiana 46814 Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2013. The 46814 zip code is in the southwest part of Fort Wayne.  It extends north near Illinois Road, west over to Homestead Road, south to US 24, and east to Ardmore Road. Most of the 46814 zip code is in award winning Southwest Allen County School District. How was the real estate market in the 46814 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  23 Average List Price:  $288,053 Average Sales Price:  $277,157(96% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $220,000 Average Days on Market:  52 Sales prices range from a low of $130,000 to a high of $700,000   Overall the real estate market in the 46814 zip code in Fort Wayne is great!   Average days on market of 52 is really good for sellers.... 06/09/2013

The 46818 zip code in Fort Wayne Indiana covers a lot of area.  It ranges from the south side of Huntertown, all the way west to Butt Road, east over to I69 and Lima Road, and south all the way to Illinois Road. Most of the 46818 zip code is in award winning Northwest Allen County School District. How was the real estate market in the 46818 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  42 Average List Price:  $145,693 Average Sales Price:  $143,530(98% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $137,250 Average Days on Market:  65 Sales prices range from a low of $15,000 to a high of $325,000.     Overall the real estate market in the 46818 zip code in Fort Wayne is very good.  There are a high number of homes that sold last month, and the percentage of sales price to list price ... 06/09/2013

Fort Wayne Indiana 46825 Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2013. The 46825 zip code is in the north central part of Fort Wayne.  It extends north to Dupont Road, west over to Lima Road, south to Coliseum Blvd, and east to Saint Joe Road. How was the real estate market in the 46825 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  40 Average List Price:  $127,087 Average Sales Price:  $124,522(98% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $111,500 Average Days on Market:  61 Sales prices range from a low of $47,000 to a high of $265,000.    Overall the real estate market in the 46825 zip code in Fort Wayne is good!  Average days on market of 61is amazing!  It's a great time to sell a home in the 46825 zip code.  There are currently 129 active listings i... 06/09/2013

Fort Wayne Indiana 46835 Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2013. The 46835 zip code is in the northeast area of Fort Wayne.  It extends north to Leo Road, west over to Saint Joe Center Road, south to Stellhorn Road, and east to Schwartz Road. How was the real estate market in the 46835 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  67 Average List Price:  $141,880 Average Sales Price:  $138,471(98% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $119,000 Average Days on Market:  58 Sales prices ranged from a low of $42,000 to a high of $324,000.    Overall the real estate market in the 46835 zip code in Fort Wayne is good.  Average days on market is a little high at 88.  It's still a good time to sell a home in the 46835 zip code.  There are currently 212... 06/08/2013

Fort Wayne Indiana 46845 Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2013. The 46845 zip code in Fort Wayne Indiana covers an area in northeast to northcentral Fort Wayne.  The south side of the zip code runs along Dupont Road (where our Century 21 Bradley office is located), the west side runs along Lima Road up to Huntertown, the north side is up to Gump Road, and the east side reaches Leo Road. Most of the 46845 zip code is in award winning Northwest Allen County School District. How was the real estate market in the 46845 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  53 Average List Price:  $214,869 Average Sales Price:  $209,809 (98% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $190,000 Average Days on Market:  62 Sales prices range from a low of $86,500 t... 06/08/2013

    Fort Wayne Indiana 46804 Single Family Home Residential Real Estate Market Report for May 2013. The 46804 zip code is in the southwest part of Fort Wayne.  It extends north near Illinois Road, west over to Homestead Road, south to US 24, and east to Ardmore Road. Most of the 46804 zip code is in award winningSouthwest Allen County School District. How was the real estate market in the 46804 zip code last month?  Let's take a quick look! Homes sold:  53 Average List Price:  $149,978 Average Sales Price:  $145,179 (97% of list price) Median Sales Price:  $128,000 Average Days on Market:  54 Sales prices range from a low of $19,100 to a high of $442,900.   Overall the real estate market in the 46804 zip code in Fort Wayne is great!   Average days on market of 53 is really good for sell... 06/08/2013

Every time you pick up a local newspaper or magazine, you don't read the articles, you look to see what other Realtors® are advertising in it. You can calculate 3% of ANY number in a fraction of a second. You have driven every square inch of your town.  Twice.   You know which bar establishment has drink specials on which night. Your text messages amount for the month out number your 19 year old son's. You surprised a seller that was sitting on the couch eating chips.  In his underwear. Your car is filled with wrappers, empty water bottles, and 17 chargers or plug ins for your gadgets.   You can smell animal urine odors before you even walk into a home. You have mastered the art of putting on make up, eating, and looking over the details for your listing appointment...  on the way to th... 06/06/2013