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Vanderburgh County, IN Real Estate News

By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
We are about to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow and will then be well into the Christmas and holiday season. Although, let’s be honest, most of the storefronts already have their windows decorated for the season! There are plenty of ways to make fun family traditions in Evansville, IN this holiday season. We have activities for every person’s taste! Here are just a few! Nov. 30 Holiday C.A.R.E. Faire The Evansville Animal Shelter’s Holiday C.A.R.E. Faire is a fun event for all of you animal lovers! You can bring your dog or cat to have their picture taken with Santa “Paws.” You can also buy gifts for your pet at the silent auction. C.A.R.E. will be collecting canned food to use for the animals at the shelter. Dec. 1 Food Drive at the Evansville History CenterFrom 1-4pm on Dec. 1, the An...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
All the Evansville, IN kids are getting excited to dress as their favorite superhero or who they want to be when they grow up. Halloween school parties will be taking place this week and trick or treating will happen on Friday evening. Here are a few other Evansville, IN events for this week that you may be interested in. Corn Maze As a celebration of Native American super food, this Friday (Halloween night) there will be a corn maze at Angel Mound from 3-9pm (flashlights needed from 7-9pm). You can visit the museum to learn how agriculture helped shape a civilization. A mythological scavenger hunt will also take place! Bring hot dogs or s’mores items to roast in the open fire pit at this fun event. Concessions will also be available for purchase. At night there will also be flashlight ...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
I am definitely breathing in this gorgeous fall weather we have been having. The temperatures have been perfect. Not too hot or too cold. Fall has officially arrived and Evansville, IN has a number of fun activities in store for this week and weekend! Wine Down Weekend will take place tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 25) at the Reitz Home Museum Carriage House in Evansville, IN. This event, which takes place from 5-7pm, allows you to enjoy a beautiful historic setting with live entertainment while enjoying a glass of wine (or beer) and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Reservations are not required.  Both Friday and Saturday nights, Boogie Nights in Evansville will have entertainment. Friday night the band featured is Sixty Four East—which is a high-energy party rock cover band. Saturday Burlesque...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
Summer is winding down and the school year has recently started for those of you with kiddos. But that doesn’t mean that the fun has to end! The 34thAnnual Newburgh Fiddler Fest takes place Aug. 22-24 at Old Lock & Dam Park in Newburgh, which is just a short drive from Evansville, IN. This event will include craft and vendor booths, carnival games, live entertainment, a variety of food vendors and a beer garden. Entertainment Live entertainment will be playing Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9pm. On Friday the entertainment is Scrubs and on Saturday it is String Theory. Food Dinner is served from 5-8pm tonight, from 12-8pm on Saturday and from 12-5pm on Sunday (or until the fish run out). This event will offer a variety of portions of catfish dinners that come with catfish fiddlers, b...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
Why Should I get a pre-approval? I haven't found a house yet! I get this question a few times a week from both first time buyers and seasoned buyers and there are TONS of reasons that have nothing to do with your agent's paycheck.   So, here are few of the important reasons: So you know what your payment will be. A good loan officer will be able to give you a good idea of your payment including your taxes and home insurance.  Most online calculators only give you principle and interest based on little to no info.  What type of loan can you get?  There are a lot of loans out there but not all homes qualify for all loans.  Pre-approved for USDA (Rural Housing)-homes inside city limits won't qualify typically. FHA or VA? Most bank-owned (foreclosures) homes won't qualify. What inspections ...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
  No money down doesn't mean you won't be writing checks!!  I get a lot of calls from buyers who have heard they can buy a house with no money down followed by the question: Is this true?? My answer yes and no.   In the Tri-State Area there is a loan called a USDA or Rural Housing loan that is specifically for qualifying homes that are located outside city limits.  There is not a down payment.  It's a great loan for buyers who don't have a lot of cash saved up or want to use their savings to remodel their new home. The no part? There are always deposits and fees when you buy a house.  When you make an offer, you'll have an Earnest Money Deposit.  This is a "good faith" deposit that you are serious when you make an offer.  If your offer is accepted, this is held in your agent's or the l...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
It is almost here….one of my favorite holidays. A time to embrace this wonderful country we live in and celebrate being an American. The 4th of July. The time for neighborhood BBQs, family picnics and cool activities to keep kids from overheating like running through sprinklers and throwing water balloons. And of course, not to be forgotten, the good old fashioned, beautiful fireworks displays. In Evansville, IN you have the option to also see the fireworks a bit early, this Thursday (June 26) over historic Bosse Field following the game between Evansville Otters and Florence Freedom from Kentucky. Other events taking place on the 4th include: Old National Bank’s Thunder Air Show. This event takes place on the Evansville river front from 1-4pm and features a variety of aerobatic and mil...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
Summer time….ahhhh summer time! It has been such a cruel winter that we are all ready for the taste of summer at last. And in the summer most of us are not in the mood for coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate. But for coffee lovers, the heat will not stop us from drinking our beloved beverage.   Penny Lane just opened its third location in East Evansville, IN. While they will definitely have the traditional (hot) coffee available year-round, they also have become known for their specialty iced coffee—especially in the hot summer months! This coffee house boasts a bright, modern look and feel with eclectic décor that provides a welcoming and comfy environment, including mismatched rugs and sofas.   Speaking of summer months ahead…have you considered selling your current Evansville, IN home t...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
Emerging as an art and entertainment district, Downtown Evansville is located on Main Street, between the Ohio River and Martin Luther King Blvd (7th Street).  While not all of the historical buildings are located in the downtown area, several structures such as the Old Courthouse, Old Post Office and Custom House at Second and Vine streets definitely showcase the rich history and character of Evansville. Downtown Evansville features several staples for entertainment and leisure time, including Central Library, the Tropicana Evansville Riverboat Complex on Riverside Drive, The Victory Theatre on Main Street, The Centre on Walnut Street, CMOE Children’s Museum on 5th street,  and the Evansville Museum of Arts and Science on Riverside Drive.  Certainly a place of community gathering and c...
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By Homes For Heroes
(Affiliates nationwide for Hero Rewards)
I’m very excited to be a part of Home For Heroes. There are so many giving people in my community that deserved a huge “Thank You” for everything they do and Homes For Heroes is a great way to help those who spend their days and nights helping us. The last year, I’ve been searching for a way to give back locally in addition to my company’s participation in Children’s Miracle Network, Susan G. Komen, our annual food drive and helping a family for the Holidays. This program is exactly what I’ve been looking to do: Help Heroes on a local level. I’ve been a licensed REALTOR since 2008 and cover both the Kentucky and Indiana portions of the Tri-State. I absolutely love helping people buy and sell homes. In my down time, I love to go fishing, golf, cruises, and spend time with my husband, 4 d...
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By Kathy Jackson, Big or small, I sell them ALL!!
(RE/MAX Mainstream)
One of the things I love about working with home buyers in Evansville and Henderson, is seeing their dreams come true. I enjoy helping people become first-time home buyers, and I enjoy helping homeowners trade up into something bigger. It's one of the best parts of being a real estate professional! Sometimes, though, things do not go according to plan, and a different buyer makes a higher bid and gets the house. Or they bump up against a seller who isnt willing to meet them halfway. I'm going to share a few suggestions that can help home buyers get their offer accepted! 1. Have a mortgage approval letter in hand, and have several copies of it. Include a copy of it when you submit your offer. It proves you are ready to buy. Remember that these approval letters are only good for a month o...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Never mind what those TV get-rich-quick infomercials would have us believe: building long-term wealth requires focus and patience. Patience, because a steady growth is a more reliable strategy than flashier single investment ‘wins’ — and focus, because opportunities slip past when daily demands soak up all our attention. For financially secure individuals, current real estate trends deserve some attention. Right now we have an environment that may be unique in our lifetimes — one that calls for seriously considering the long-term potential investment properties offer. If you agree that investment properties in our area are worth investigating further, you will discover multiple financing alternatives:   · Finding a mortgage for local investment properties is the choice most people thin...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
The first day of spring falls on the 20th—making Wednesday the day many homeowners start planning their ritual seasonal maintenance. Spring is also the traditional launch of the busy season in real estate, when safeguardingproperty values can become a less abstract matter. Because water damage is Public Enemy #1, homeowner checklists should always highlight three points: First: the Roof As soon as March’s lion turns a bit more lamb-like, it’s time to get out the ladder to survey roof damage. Leaves, twigs or other storm debris that have clogged gutters during the weather months can allow moisture to penetrate the roofing and below, in the worst case triggering mold or rot. Look for holes or rust in the flashings or metal seals around roof joints, chimneys, skylights or any other structu...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
“Curb appeal” is an instantly understandable byword: one every home seller hears. You can see for yourself how Evansville property listings that feature sparkling exterior shots with superior ‘curb appeal’ instantly draw your attention — and often, higher offers. Hearing the phrase makes you picture potential buyers standing at the curb, viewing your property. Yet the most important part of ‘curb appeal’ is the second word, not the first. “Appeal” should be an active concept: one that’s about reaching out, roping potential buyers in. Successful sellers create appeal by making every part of a home’s presentation — from its debut in the local property listings to final inspection and closing — as actively appealing as possible. It’s a frame of mind that brings results. “Nice idea,” you m...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
When real estate occupies most of your day (as it certainly does mine), you find yourself receiving no end of information. Some summarize points of view that are available elsewhere; some provide original information that isn’t particularly relevant to our local market. One piece that gets more than the usual quick-scan-then-into-the-recycle-bin treatment is the HPI Data Report. It comes in once each month from the demographers at CoreLogic ®. This group knows what they are talking about: among other things, they collect the most comprehensive property database in the U.S. Last week was relatively quiet on the news front, so when they checked in, I was able to give their report a thorough going-over. What I found: Holy smoke! Prices of homes for sale nationwide made the biggest year-ove...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Your mortgage: you only think about it once a month (if you’re on autopay, maybe not even that often). Why worry about it? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Wrong! Like all aspects of your big-picture financial planning, keeping an eye on that mortgage can be an extra wealth-building move. I can point to three reasons why re-evaluating your mortgage could pay dividends: Down, Down, Down… Ok, with interest rates continually making headlines, this one might be a no-brainer. But some folks don’t realize just how attainable significant savings may be: a drop of just a single percentage point in themortgage rate can make a gigantic difference. A general rule of thumb is that if you can lower your interest rate by a percent or more, it usually makes sense to refinance. It’s certainly w...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Last week, Evansville home sellers saw more than the usual number of reasons to look forward to this spring’s local home sales selling season. It looked like the opposite of the lengthy real estate “Perfect Storm” that caused freefall across the national landscape. Signs pointed to the possibility that we may be headed into the opposite market conditions. Webster’s Dictionary says the opposite of ‘storm’ is ‘calm’ – but I don’t think you would callEvansville’s home sales outlook a “Perfect Calm.” Far from it! Some of the signs: -Falling Inventory. Per the NAR’s Existing Home Sales Report, there’s a nation-wide shortage of total inventory. By the end of January, it had fallen another 4.9%: lowest in seven years. Raw unsold inventory hasn’t been this low in 14 years! Our current month’s ...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Market Watch   This month I want to recap the local real estate market in 2012 compared to 2011. This is especially easy since our market improved in virtually every category last year. The easy place to start is closed transactions. Our BLC (broker listing cooperative, which used to be called MLS) closed 4,387 home sales last year up 8.83% from 2011. The median sales price increased 4.4% increasing our average sales price to $125,971. Days on market decreased 11.3% compared to 2011 but is still higher than I like, at 105 days. The big news, which I have mentioned frequently over the past year, is that the months supply of homes listed for sale continues to decline. The average for 2012 was 7.32 months down from 8.70 months in 2011 and 9.43 in 2010. This is the lowest average level in 6...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Sometimes home values can undergo abrupt changes. One way that can happen is through the ‘Surprise Remodel’ phenomenon. That’s when you wake up one morning to find that your local house grew larger…overnight! If you are one of the many residents whose children have left for school, the Surprise Remodel is what happened the moment you realized that that you were, in fact, suddenly in possession of an extra room. Sometimes it takes a few months, but as soon as you conclude that the sentimental value of leaving the high school memorabilia in place is outweighed by the value of transforming the room into more useful space, you have a number of ways to proceed: Workout Area Transforming the former kid room into an exercise area is one foolproof way home values can be increased. Remove carpe...
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By Rolando Trentini
(F.C.TuckerEmge Realtors, LLC)
Suppose you are driving past one of those ‘For Sale by Owner’ yard signs…and the house looks good!  Do you screech to a halt, jump out and rush up to the front door to – quick! – sign a deal? More likely, you jot down the phone number (hopefully one is visible, though with For Sale By Owner signs, it’s not always the case) so you can call up your agent to get the details. Veteran buyers considering a local For Sale by Owner (FSBO) property know why it’s highly beneficial to use their agent from the start. Even if you have found the home yourself, you should want that first call to go to an agent. Here’s why: ·         Agents offer advanced relationships that stand to improve your bottom line. For example, timing often can make or break a deal, and agents can utilize their network of th...
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