Elkhart, IN

My first Client Grand Baby was born November 29th, 2008. She and her Mommy and Daddy are all doing well and proudly taking photos of the precious young lady! I am as proud as I can be. Welcome Jo Anna Marie to our world. I met your Mom and Dad when you were just a wee one, conceived just a little over a month and we have talked about you, dreamed about you and were anxious to meet you. Mom and Dad have lots and lots of plans for you. And then there are the Boys, they can hardly wait to meet you, someone their own size. No doubt they will protect you and watch over you from now on.

We promise to love you and cherish you! Thanks Mom and Dad for including me in the family! Sigh and Big Sigh...

My own children have blessed me with 4 grandchildren and now I am a Gramma by Client!

This home is lovely and well decorated inside.  I was able to take new photos and wanted to share them with the world.  I will be holding an open house in the near future and will update Elkhart when it is scheduled.  Max is the puppy in the cage and he is a character, as is the Tomcat...

To preview this or any other home, please call Elkhart Indiana Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148.

Evelyn Johnston, Elkhart, Indiana Real Estate Agent with Prudential One Realty has enrolled in a progarm to further her education and become a Broker. Statistics show that less than 10% of Real Estate Salespeople return for higher education. There are more opportunities for income as there are certain Real Estate Transactions that only a Broker may perform. Evelyn already holds the titles of Certified Short Sale Specialist, e-Realty Certification, Relocation Specialist, Referral Agent and sometimes Listing Leader in her office.

Elkhart, Indiana Board of Realtors manages our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and maintains the activity of the local Elkhart Real Estate Homes for Sale. They do a good job of tracking sales so that the REALTORS (r) can effectively provide feedback to Sellers on how to price their home in today's market. Even with current statistics we often times cannot predict what a property will sell for.

Just yesterday one of my properties listed as a short sale had a Broker Price Opinion (BPO) done by a local Broker that has a lot of experience. That price was very different from my seller's price. Today's market changes on a daily basis and when your REALTOR (r) asks for a price change it reflects how the market has changed and increases your chances of selling sooner, ask enough questions to assure yourself that changing the price is in your best interest.

For current market value on your home, call your local Elkhart, Indiana Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialiest, Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148.

President Bush signed the Hope Now initiative in December to slow the flow of defaulted subprime mortgage defaults. The non-profit HUD-approved Homeownership Preservation Foundation should have by now approximately 550 to 600 counselors staffing the phone to talk to concerned conusmers. The number is 888-995-4673. They estimate receiving around 2500 calls a day, so expect to be on the phone for a while. The counselor will ask for information about your financial situation and make a determination, including eligibility to participate in the initiative. So before calling gather your mortgage papers, income verification and monthly expenses together so you will be prepared to answer their questions.

Elkhart, Indiana Home Owners are eligible if:

• They are current and expect to stay current after the rate resets, but are looking to refinance.
• They are current but face possible default after rate resents.
• They are in default before their rate resets.

The initiative applies only to purchase-money mortgages, not home equity loans, and only to borrowers who secured financing during the height of the houseing boom--Jan 1 2005 to July 31, 2007 and whose rate resets between Jan 1, 2008 and July 31, 2010. Lenders estimate there are 1.2 million borrowers eligible.

The counselors can help borrowers who don't meet eligibility for the initiative too. Income problems as a result of a job loss and unexpected expenses like a medical emergency cause people to fall behind.

Troubled borrowers who call the Hope Now number will find that their solution will depend on their situation. If you are able to stay current even with a rate reset Lenders may be able to take these borrowers through a fast-tract process into a more affordable loan.

Owners who face default after a rate reset they may freeze the rate up to five years. To qualify they must be ineligible for refinancieng, occupy the property as a primary residence and have a credt score of less than 660 that hasn't improved more than 10 percent since the loan was originated.

Owners already in default a loss-mitigation strategy, such as a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure, my be the solution. Under the mortgage debt foregiveness law signed by President Bush, borrowers who receive debt foregiveness as part of a loan workout over the next three years won't have to pay federal tax on the forgiven amount. Those who don't call in time may not be able to avoid foreclosure. If you are in default now, please call Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston, short sale specialist to discuss your options at 574-304-7148.