Fort Wayne Real Estate Gina Zimmerman

Wow, my phone is ringing off the hook. Buyers are buying and sellers are selling. Seems as if the mortgage underwriters are slowing things way down but all in all there is so much more energy in the market. So just wanted to provide an update on market conditions in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

• Median Sales Price 89,900 vs 100,000 in 2008
• Average Sales Price 114,728 vs 105,453 in 2008
• Units Closed This Year 1,260 vs 1,058 in 2008
• Volume Closed This Year 289.4 vs 227 in 2008
• Inventory 2,981 vs 2,606 in 2008
• Pending Units Per Month 478 vs 463 in 2008
• Average Days on Market 116.3 vs 119 in 2008
• Months of Supply 6.2 vs 5.6 in 2008
• Building Permits YTD 105 vs 78 in 2008
• Sales Price to List 95.1 vs 93.9 in 2008
• New Construction Inventory 245 vs 204 in 2008
• 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortage 6.06 vs 4.78 in 2008

So welcome back Fort Wayne! We're on our way HOME!

We're about to make history. All of us. Together with trail partners, donors and volunteers, Aboite New Trails (ANT) currently has the ability to link together its existing trails and create a 41-mile continuous trail corridor that will stretch from Aboite Township all the way to New Haven's scenic trail system via the Rivergreenway and the Towpath Trail. And ANT is only $400,000 away from making it happen THIS YEAR.

Soon, everyone from all across Fort Wayne will have the ability to travel by foot or by bike to destinations along this corridor, including schools, parks and playgrounds, Eagle Marsh and downtown cultural amenities and events. No parking garage needed.

Since its inception in 2003, Aboite New Trails (ANT) has worked towards creating a safe, accessible trail system that allows residents and visitors to travel by foot or by bike to area destinations. Today, as people move towards saving money by walking, riding bikes, and selecting alternative transportation choices, their safety, fitness and quality of life are simultaneously improved. What's more remarkable is that these benefits are not limited to a select few, but are for everyone. And they last a lifetime. No other project alone can have the same breadth of impact on an entire community.

Currently, the Aboite Trails has 11 completed miles in its trail system. In addition to the 41-mile corridor initiative, ANT is working with its partners on other trail projects. Most recently, locally owned Brooks Construction provided a donation of several in-kind projects to help complete critical trail connections near Illinois Rd./SR 14 and Scott Rd.

These trails are your trails. To help make these and other projects happen, please consider getting involved or donating today. Visit them at www.aboitenewtrails.org to become a subscriber and receive updated information on projects and events. See YOU on the trail.

Upcoming ANT Events

Get Caught, June 7, 2009

Great ANT Race, Oct. 19, 2009

I am a licensed realtor by profession and an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP) by training. So when a friend asked me to redecorate her home (since she was thinking about selling in a few years) I checked my schedule, told her that I would work for her on my day off and called up my fellow stagers to tackle the project.

She has a gorgeous home on a great lot. But it had collected an extra item or two over the years. Her daughter in law is from Indonesia and I noticed that there were so many great Asian-influenced items scattered around the home. So we used things that were already in the house AND in the garage sale pile. The front sitting room went from a never used "Nintendo" space to a calm, sunny and comfortable office/sitting area. Thought you might want to scroll down to see the great BEFORE/AFTER results in this one room. THIS IS THE SAME ROOM FROM THE SAME ANGLE. Enjoy -- I know that the homeowners ARE!!

and

Today, I stopped by my sign company to pick up a PENDING (Gosh, I love the sound of THAT) Sign!

I stopped in my tracks before I entered the building-- there was a life size realtor holding a FOR SALE SIGN. (Reminded me a bit of the full size cutouts that they have with the Presidents when you visit Washington, D.C.) And beside that was an OPEN HOUSE and a SOLD sign with human faces attached. It was a HOOT!

So just wanted you all to weigh in. Is this out of the box, fun, creative and unique with the potential to attract buyers OR is this just plain silly. In all honesty, I am thinking that I want to place an order tomorrow:-)

Today, the City of Fort Wayne formally launched the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)! The program is designed to stabilize neighborhoods in the area that has been designated as the Area of Greatest Need. 7.2 million has been set aside to help qualified homeowners secure a home, pay a developer to renovate it to the buyer's specifications, and still have the buyer pay only the appraised value. WOW!

Hey this is great for buyers, this is great for developers and service providers, and this is great for communities that need to be stabilized. It is a complete WIN WIN for everyone.

I have viewed close to 100 properties in the Area of Greatest Need. Some of them are diamonds in the rough. Others are complete tear downs. Many of them are located in historic districts and have charming finish work and floor plans. Others are basic living structures. I will be glad to share information on any of the foreclosed homes that qualify.

Here are a few things that buyers MUST do:

• Retain a qualified, experienced realtor
• Get preapproval from your bank
• Be approved for the NSP program by the City
• Be able to occupy the foreclosed home for at least 5 years
• Attend 8 hours of Homeowner Education Classes

Currently, the City has fourteen development teams that are ready to work with you to help you into that home. It is a brand new program so there may be some bumps in the road. I am looking forward to working alongside the City and building community to see my community flourish and grow. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to be in touch by phone or email. I stand ready to be of assistance.