Griffith, IN

It’s Chili week in Griffith, Indiana. Chili week seems fitting due to the weather. I’m not complaining because the sun was out today! We’ve had one of the mildest winters that I can remember in my advanced years. Like the way I got around that?

In the next four days there are two chili events in Griffith, Indiana one on Saturday, January 28, 2012 and the other on Monday, January 30, 2012.

The Lions Club of Griffith will be hosting a chili supper as a fundraiser on Saturday, January 28, 2012. The proceeds from the event will benefit the Griffith youth programs.

The Griffith Lions Club Chili Supper will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Location is at the Griffith Senior Center, 349 N. Indiana Street, Griffith, Indiana 46319

Cost is Adults $7.00, Children 12 and under $3.50.

The American Legion Post 66 of Griffith will be hosting a chili cook-off on Monday, January 30, 2012. If you wish to participate, bring your chili by 5:30 p.m. to enter the contest, judging will be at 6:00 p.m.. The top four chili dishes win a prize.

The Griffth American Legion Post 66 Chili Cook-Off will be located at 132 North Wiggs Street, Griffith, Indiana 46319. Cost is $7.00.

Admission includes beverages, hot dogs, brats, chili and dessert. For more information call Ed Bacon Sr. at 219-718-8390.

Come on out and support these worthy organizations. Who doesn't like chili in the winter and the best part is you don't have to make it yourself.

Despite all the wisdom of getting my name on the internet in as many places as possible, I just discovered I'm just not a blogger. Sure, I have lots to say but it's a whole lot of the same stuff every other REALTOR has. Better to know my limitations.

This past week though I had a pretty cool experience in real estate. I had an open house, a beautiful house in Griffith at 735 N. Cline Avenue. It was pretty icky outside so when it was supposed to end at 3pm I was in no hurry to leave. About 3:15 a couple showed up and asked if it was too late to come in. Well, what do you think I said?

So I showed them around the house and as beautiful as it is (don't believe me check out this) it just wasn't the house for them. I asked them to sit with me while I packed up and tell me about the home in which they would like to live.

Back story: when I don't have an open house I frequently go to open houses to see more inventory but without bothering the owners with an appointment when all it is is a preview.

It turns out that what they were looking for, I'd already seen so I called the listing agent to get an instant appointment. It was vacant, I didn't think it would be a problem. For whatever reason, he did not answer me as quick as I think he could have and we were already in front of the place - having had my open house friends follow me to the home.

We walked all around the outside in the snow. I told them what was inside each window as we walked. I knew which one was over the sink, that the fireplace was woodburning, I knew which window was to the master bedroom and all about the new carpeting. I knew where the owner had gone and I knew the neighbors and the neighbor's puppy's name.

Now, I'll take the shortcut to the end of the story. It will be 12 days since I showed them the house when I return home from GRI in Bloomington. They wish to write an offer.

If you're only seeing houses when you have clients in the car you are missing great opportunities. Besides the open houses, in fairer weather I see all the vacant houses I can fit in a day. When I claim to be an expert on the neighborhood I can say it with great sincerity. I know my town. I see all of it I can. This was just the first great time it came to fruition. Know your inventory, it works.