Mary Jane DiMichele

The First-Time Buyer tax credit is a great way to take advantage of the more affordable price of homes in the present market. Uncle Sam will provide you with a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of a home - up to $8,000. But the deal has to close by December 1, 2009.

There is still time to get in on the program; but it can take several weeks to finalize a deal, so you need to start getting your ducks in a row now. First, you need a pre-approval letter from a lender. This not only tells you whether you can actually afford to buy a home, it gives you an idea of how much home you can afford. And when you find the home you can move on it quickly. The lender will need pay stubs, bank statements and tax returns to generate the pre-approval.

I invite you to start your search on my website: Home Run Indiana. Click on Search For Homes. Then start the search. Beginning on line helps you narrow down you search early, saving time and gas when you are ready to look at those few special finds.

Once you have found your dream home it still takes several weeks to get through the lending process, title work, inspections and paperwork. That's why I strongly suggest that if you want to take advantage of the First-Time Buyers tax credit you need to get busy now!

Need more information? Please feel free to contact me. I'd love to help - and with my 25+ years of experience, I know I can! Call me at 219-934-6318, x 239. Or fill out a contact form at my website.

Northwest Indiana is home to many great annual events, so you don't have to spend a lot of money on gas or a lot of money on expensive tickets. Highland, Indiana has an delightful family festival coming up in September.

September 11 through 13, Highland will host the 2009 Midwest Zest Fest - A Celebration of Everything Lemon - in Main Square Park. You can enjoy food, rides, arts and crafts and entertainment.

Special Events: On Friday night the Lemon Parade will wend its way through the park and there will be a lemon-pie-eating contest. The group Kashmir will entertain. On Saturday there will be a battle of the bands beginning at noon, topped off by a performance by Bonfire. There will also be a 5K race. Sunday brings performances by Robin's Dog Shows and a presentation by Vader's Fist, a group that is all about Star Wars.

Enjoy a day off close to home and support your neighbors!

Midwest Zest Fest
Highland, Indiana
Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13

Find out more at: http://www.midwestzestfest.com.

Highland, Indiana is a great place to live, and I can help you find your dream home here - or anywhere in Northwest Indiana. Put my experience working with everyone - from first-time buyers to empty-nesters and every stage in between - to work for you! Call me at 219-934-6318 x 239.

From my perspective, the market seems to be starting to stabilize. People are beginning to feel confident enough to start the process of purchasing a new home. Housing prices are very good right now and enticing not just to first-time buyers who are excited about the possibility of using the tax credit. People wanting to move up or downsize are putting their toes in the water as well.

Right now, I see buyers looking at more properties during their search. This is probably due to the number of homes available and that buyers want to be sure that they are getting just what they want. Also, I see them relying more on their Realtors to find prospective homes. Realtors often have a better knowledge of everything available in a neighborhood, including foreclosed homes which can be a bargain.

The process is taking a little longer right now, as the lenders and appraisers are being more careful in an effort to make sure buyers are qualified and the properties are priced correctly and fairly.

So, if you have been considering a move, now might be the time to start. Let me put my experience in the Northwest Indiana real estate market and commitment to my clients to work for you in finding the home that meets not just your needs, but your dreams. From home search to closing, I know the ins and outs of the process and will provide you with the best outcome integrity and experience can offer.

> Eavesdrop-Once in a while!
>
> Friday I overheard a tale of woe.
> A buyer's plight...OH NO!
>
> Bob thought he found the home of his dreams
> until..closing it would seem.
>
> The home search went well with his agent Nel.
>
> They looked at a few-
> cuz that's what you do
>
> When the right one came along, he broke into song.
> "Where do I sign, to make this one mine?"
> "Of course, right here, on this dotted line."
>
> The process was great-oh, what a rate!
>
> The time came for closing, his nerves in a fluster
> when he was told his appraisal was lackluster.
>
> "The appraisal came in $10,000 under sales price"
> "Now what do I do?" This isn't nice!
>
> Bob, oh Bob. Looking back, as they say...another
> agent could have saved you from this day.
>
> Curious? Contact Mary Jane DiMichele
> McColly Real Estate

Mary Jane DiMichele