Todd Crilley

Ive been showing a great deal of Forclosed and vacant homes in the Falling Waters subdivision. There are some great deals on the homes out there. The taxes out there are some what high. The good thing about that is that in 2009 there will be a Tax Cap for Indiana that will cap the taxes 1.5% of the sale price of the home, cutting the taxes out here in half. I think that will start to pick up the Luxury Market.

Well good news on the Real Estate front. The National Associations of Realtors has shown that Pending home sales have gone up 6.7% and the most important thing about that, is that it is the third consecutive increase in more than 2 years. With home values down some 30% from their peak about 3 yrs ago , the market is showing good signs of life.

It been an interesting year in real estate. When some of our buyers have searched and finally found a home, the next step was getting them pre-approved for a loan. Lenders are really checking Solds more in depth then they have been in the past. They are really looking at 6 months out instead of your standard 12 month. I think we are near bottom, not at the bottom just near it. Either way, I really believe there are great deals out there and that its a great time to buy.

For the buyers out there in the NW Indiana area, we are still doing an Open House every Sunday noon to four pm at 1804 Ridge Road in Munster. Come view this 5500 square foot two story brick home with a finished basement and please bring any questions you might have about this market and why it is a great time to purchase a home.

If you are moving to Indiana, here is a little road construction report that might come in handy. I know that in Lake County , the road construction is due to be finished by this November. The traffic will move more smoothly after they are finished. Good for us, they will be done right before our first snow.