Karen Frederick, Lake Property Specialist

LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity Annual Auction in Shipshewana August 7-8

Friday Evening: Haystack Supper & Ice Cream begin at 4:30

The Wasepi Bluegrass Gospel Singers in concert at 6:30

Preview the auction items on Friday

Saturday Morning: Pancake & Sausage Breakfast starts at 6:00

The Auction begins at 9:00.

The sandwich line opens at 10:30

Auction items include handcrafted furniture, and quilts, tools, gift certificates and more. For more information about auction items, pictures of past events, a printable map and information about our organization visit the LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity website.

RE/MAX Results Wolcottville is Holding 5 Lake Open Houses on Dallas Lake and Witmer Lake on Sunday August 2nd from 2-4

Our agents are holding houses open on the Indian Chain of Lakes. Lakes in this chain include Dallas Lake, Witmer Lake, Westler Lake, Hackenberg Lake and Messick Lake. Dallas Lake and Witmer Lake are all sports lakes.

I will be at my listing on Dallas Lake so stop in and see what this home has to offer.It is nestled on a quiet cul de sac in Dallas Heights and has a full basement and a fireplace. This is a year round home that currently has two bedrooms and two baths with potential for more.

I will also have maps to the other homes on the open house tour.

Dallas Lake in Wolcottville, is a ski lake on the Indian Chain of 5 Lakes which includes: Witmer Lake, Westler Lake, Hackenberg Lake and Messick Lake. You will find seasonal cottages and year round homes side by side in the different "little neighborhoods" around the lake. The Dallas Lake Association plans events on and off the lake to give the residents opportunities to socialize. Residents on the lake are served by two different LaGrange County school districts, based on where they live. In general, those on the west side of the lake attend Westview Schools and those on the east side of the lake attend Lakeland Schools. Dallas Lake Park is a 96 acre public park on the south shore of the lake. There is a swimming beach with lifeguards, and beautiful wetlands to observe nature.

Dallas Lake is a 283 acre all sports lake with a maximum depth of 96 feet with clear water, sandy swim beaches and a sandbar. Popular fish in the lake include: bluegill, crappies, largemouth bass, and sunfish. There isn't a public access, but the lake is accessible via channels from Messick Lake, Witmer Lake and Westler Lake.

The Headline Said "Home Sales up in LaGrange County" Indiana-But What Does That Mean?

When I saw the News Sun Saturday morning with a headline proclaiming sales were up in our county, I wasn't suprised. I know the number of sales has been improving. We've been very busy working with homebuyers. The number of homes that sold in June 2009 (12) was higher than the number of homes that sold in June 2008 (8). Not a big difference by any means. So, the headline is true because 4 more homes sold this June than last June.

Then the article goes on to state that the median home price for June 2009 ($147,250) was 35.7% higher than the median home price for June 2008 ($108,500). If you don't work in our market every day and aren't familiar with how the statistics are compiled, that sounds like great news for the housing market in LaGrange County.

But lets take a look at the rest of the numbers and the sales that are represented in those figures. In 2008, 3 of the 8 homes that sold were lake properties. In 2009, 7 of the 12 homes that sold were lake properties. Lake properties generally have higher sales prices. And when you are calculating the median sales price, you're taking the number in the middle. That means 1/2 sold for more and 1/2 sold for less. In 2009, the median price was a lake home. In 2008, it wasn't.

When dealing with such a small number of transactions, it's more accurate to use longer periods and more data to establish a trend. Why don't we take a look at what has happened through the end of June this year and compare that to last year? I think that gives us a better idea of what is happening here in the county.

*The Median Sales Price through the end of June in 2008 was $110,000 and in 2009 it was $98,500. This is a 11.2% decrease in Median Sales Price

The Number of Homes Sold through the end of June in 2008 was 48 and in 2009 it was 68. This is a 41.7% increase in the Number of Homes Sold

When we use a longer period of data, we get what I'm seeing in today's market. There are more transactions. The number of home sales are up in LaGrange County this year versus last year. But, median prices aren't higher, they have dropped 11.2% when compared to last year for the same time period. And when you compute this for just the lake properties, we've seen a similar decline.

Another important item is how many properties are listed for sale. As of today, there are 317 single family homes listed for sale in LaGrange County, and with an average of 12 sales a month, it is going to take awhile to bring the inventory down.

Taken out of context, the published numbers may have misled those who just read the headline or those who aren't currently involved in the buying or selling process. Part of my job as a real estate agent is to provide accurate market information to my clients. My sellers are well aware that the median house price in LaGrange County hasn't increased 35.7% since last year.

You can read historical and current data about our local market on my website. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Northeast Indiana, you can visit me online, call or text me at (260) 336-4663, or call the office at (260) 854-2414 ext 108.

*These figures are based on data supplied by the Northeastern Indiana Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service for the period starting 01/01/2008 to present and include only single family or modular homes.

Adams Lake is a ski lake in Wolcottville. LaGrange County is in Northeast Indiana. Like most of our local lakes in LaGrange County, there is a lake association that plans get-togethers for the residents. Adams Lake has their meetings and card games upstairs at the Adams Lake Pub and there are events on the lake as well. Off the lakes, the different sides of the lake have mini-neighborhoods (sometimes just a street) of full timers and part timers who come on weekends or for the Summer.

The local elementary school is Wolcott Mills in Wolcottville. And students attend Lakeland Junior High and Lakeland High School in LaGrange. All are part of the Lakeland School Corporation.

Adams Lake in Wolcottville is a 308 acre all sports lake. This lake gives everyone a chance to participate in their favorite water activities. Many residents have nice "beach-like" swimming areas, or you can take your boat and anchor at the sandbar. In the evenings, there are campfires by the water. For those who like to go fishing, the locals are catching yellow perch, occasional largemouth bass, and bluegill year round if you enjoy ice fishing.

If you prefer speed, the lake allows skiing, tubing, and jet-skis. You can cruise the lake in your pontoon or take the speedboat.

If you like quieter activities, like kayaking, or a paddleboat ride, you'll find places for that too.

Adams Lake has speed restrictions from 6 pm to 10 am every day. This gives everyone a chance to enjoy their favorite activities safely and without interfering with others. There is a public access on Adams Lake with room to park around 8 rigs, so access is limited. The average depth of the lake is 25 feet and the deepest point is 93 feet.

Their are plenty of options when it comes to housing. On Adams Lake you will find places ranging from "that old cottage your grandparents had when you were a kid" to brand new modern homes. If you're ready to find your place on the lake, you can search our local listings at FindaPlaceOnTheLake.com, you can also call or text me at (260) 336-4663.