Linda Zyla

Thinking about downsizing or a lifestyle change away from lawn care and snow removal? Look no further than beautiful BRIDGEWATER ESTATES, Valparaiso's premier maintenance free community. This lovely neighborhood on the city's northside, features all brick single family and paired patio ranch homes.

JFM Homes, recently completed an outstanding paired patio ranch home located at 3608 and 3610 Bridgewater Drive. Presently offered by John Santner and Linda Zyla of Century 21 Alliance Group, these homes offer plenty of features and benefits to the discriminating buyer. Real Estate Professional, Linda Zyla notes:

You will be delighted with this well appointed all brick home. Step into the wide foyer and see the open concept living area. The cathedral ceilings grace the living room with frazie carpet, gas fireplace w oak mantel & raised brick hearth, dining room with brazilian hardwood floor, ceiling fan and the kitchen with birchwood cabinets, Brazilian hardwood floor, pantry, stainless steel sink, laminate counters with beveled edge and extra high backsplash. Enjoy the outdoors from your spacious 14 x 16 balcony. The details continue in the master bedroom with two extra large, lighted closets, frazie carpet and private bath. The master bathroom with marble vanity, birch cabinets, comfort height toliet and walk in 4' shower with seat. The guest bedroom is spacious with frazie carpet and ceiling fan. A main floor laundry alots for full size appliances. The lower level has another 1400 sq ft and is partially studded for future expansion. Maintenance free area with snow removal and lawn care.

To visit the neighborhood take Calumet Avenue NORTH and turn EAST on to Country Club Road. Turn NORTH into the BRIDGEWATER ESTATES on Bridgewater Drive to home.

Stop by and see this delightful home on SUNDAYS from 1-00 to 4:00 p.m.

Homebuyers seeking wide open spaces often desire a neighborhood with larger lot sizes. Valparaiso offers many neighborhoods with larger lot sizes in a variety of price ranges.

On the upper price point is Bridlewood on Joliet Road with rolling hills, creek and a minimum of 3,000 sq ft homes. On the west side of the city is Harrison West a gated community of luxury homes and Pepper Creek with large open expanses. Hawthorne Hills, just south of US 30 is under development and offers both new homes and lots.

For midrange homebuyers, Glenwood Hills, Hunters Point, Lakeside Meadows, Lexington Farms, Meadow Glen, Saeger Estates, Sylvan Manor and Valley View offer an excellent selection of homes.

So if you are looking for a home with a larger lot size, Valparaiso provides a multitude of neighborhoods in various price ranges for today's home buyer

Almost daily someone stops me in the grocery store, at the post office or as I am walking my dog and asks how the real estate market is doing. My response is always fine, yes there are areas in Northwest Indiana that homes are selling at a slower pace, and yes, the are price points in every city that are not selling. The truth be known, houses are still selling everyday thru out Northwest Indiana. People would be surprized that homes in all price ranges are selling. In 2007, from January 1st to September 30th over 1527 homes sold in Porter County. The same time period this year, 1159 homes have sold. So in the worst housing market in 30 years, we still sold over 1100 in homes so far this year in Porter County.

Two years ago when the Valparaiso Bus Service was proposed few people in the community could see a need. Fastforward two years later with rising gas prices, a growing community and a thriving Valparaiso University student body adds up to a successful service.

This convenient serrvice loops thru three major areas of the community, the Valpo North with the soon to be opened YMCA and redesigned shopping center, Valpo Downtown with its unique stores and eateries and Valpo East where most big box retail stores are located.

Once again, Valparaiso has proved to be ahead of the pack in pro active thinking!

This is the last week to register to vote prior to the General Election on November 4th - contact Porter County Voters Registration at www.porterco.org for forms.