About Elkhart County, IN

President Bush signed the Hope Now initiative in December to slow the flow of defaulted subprime mortgage defaults. The non-profit HUD-approved Homeownership Preservation Foundation should have by now approximately 550 to 600 counselors staffing the phone to talk to concerned conusmers. The number is 888-995-4673. They estimate receiving around 2500 calls a day, so expect to be on the phone for a while. The counselor will ask for information about your financial situation and make a determination, including eligibility to participate in the initiative. So before calling gather your mortgage papers, income verification and monthly expenses together so you will be prepared to answer their questions.

Elkhart, Indiana Home Owners are eligible if:

• They are current and expect to stay current after the rate resets, but are looking to refinance.
• They are current but face possible default after rate resents.
• They are in default before their rate resets.

The initiative applies only to purchase-money mortgages, not home equity loans, and only to borrowers who secured financing during the height of the houseing boom--Jan 1 2005 to July 31, 2007 and whose rate resets between Jan 1, 2008 and July 31, 2010. Lenders estimate there are 1.2 million borrowers eligible.

The counselors can help borrowers who don't meet eligibility for the initiative too. Income problems as a result of a job loss and unexpected expenses like a medical emergency cause people to fall behind.

Troubled borrowers who call the Hope Now number will find that their solution will depend on their situation. If you are able to stay current even with a rate reset Lenders may be able to take these borrowers through a fast-tract process into a more affordable loan.

Owners who face default after a rate reset they may freeze the rate up to five years. To qualify they must be ineligible for refinancieng, occupy the property as a primary residence and have a credt score of less than 660 that hasn't improved more than 10 percent since the loan was originated.

Owners already in default a loss-mitigation strategy, such as a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure, my be the solution. Under the mortgage debt foregiveness law signed by President Bush, borrowers who receive debt foregiveness as part of a loan workout over the next three years won't have to pay federal tax on the forgiven amount. Those who don't call in time may not be able to avoid foreclosure. If you are in default now, please call Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston, short sale specialist to discuss your options at 574-304-7148.

Every prospective homeowner would like to buy the best property in Elkhart , Indiana and their favorite neighborhood at the lowest price. That's the ideal situation, but in most cases, it's not easy to do. Usually, buyers have three property choices in an area --the sharpest, a mid-range or the "bottom of the line." So which one would you buy and why?

Obviously, the sharpest property usually carries the highest price tag. But buyers don't have to purchase the best-looking property in Elkhart in order to generate maximum appreciation. In fact, many times the best approach is to stay away from the sharpest properties. Although these homes have an excellent appearance, percentage-wise they may not appreciate as much as a mid-or lower-priced home.

At the same time, stay away from the rock-bottom priced properties. These homes are usually priced lower for a reason, and the cause for the low price may not be readily remedied. For example, a corner property, one on a busy street or a property with a shorter driveway are worth less because of the inconvenience. Buying one of these properties takes less money, but it appreciates less. In the long run, it will not be as strong an investment as a home that does not have these drawbacks.

Instead, look for a property in the mid-range. Pick a home in Elkhart Indiana that is between the top and bottom of the line. A buyer who stays in the mid-range will find that the property will appreciate, from a percentage standpoint, just as much --if not more-- than the higher priced homes.

Whether you prefer the top, middle or bottom of the line, the key is to carefully investigate an area, tract, or development before you buy. Travel down the streets; measure the traffic, examine the property, scrutinize nearby homes, calculate maintenance; talk to the neighbors, ask questions of your local Real Estate Agent, Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty. Oftentimes I can provide you with valuable insight. Look at the surrounding communities. How do they appear? Communities that are adjacent to one another will impact each-other.

Certainly it takes time, but remember, your home is going to be the single largest financial investment you will ever make--and you want that investment to be a wise one!

For more information about the the Elkhart County Subdivisions, call Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148.

Radon is a radioactive gas. it comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils, even in Elkhart, Indiana. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in Indiana. Contact Indiana's state radon office at 317-233-7147 for general information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only way to know about your home is to test it. You can also go to www.epa.gov/radon to ask about problems in schools, daycare and childcare facilities and workplaces.

This information about RADON was brought to you by your local Elkhart, Indiana Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty 574-304-7148.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon. And you can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home in Elkhart, Indiana.

Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That's because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the united States today. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the United States. Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all over the U.S. It can get into any type of building-homes, offices and schools-and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. Most Lowes, Menards or Home Depot Stores all located near Elkhart, Indiana, have inexpensive test kits that you buy and send the results (for another nominal fee) to be read. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools. Testing is inexpensive and easy--it should only take a few minutes of your time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes.

Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition, installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don't reduce radon levels to below 4;Ci/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy, even if it was built radon resistant. If radon levels are still in excess of 4 pCi/L, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator install a vent fan.

This information on radon is brought to you by your local Elkhart, Indiana Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty, 574-304-7148.

Short Sales and Foreclosures in Elkhart, Indiana are on the rise, as a matter of fact short sales in Elkhart County,Indiana and foreclosure filings have sky rocketed. You have probably seen them in the newspaper, page after page after page.

Are you behind in your mortgage payments and do not know what your options are? I do! I have helped lots of folks in the same situation that you are in, move on or work out a plan with the bank so they can stay.

Have you been served with a foreclosure complaint?

Call me today and I will explain what is going on and to start your loss mitigation process at 574-304-7148. The sooner you take appropriate action and call your local Elkhart County Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialist, the sooner you can move beyond this and on with your life. Pretending everything is alright is not going to make the Lender go away. Ignoring the letters and phone calls is not going to solve your problem. You and I working together can.

For a Free Consultation, call Evelyn Johnston, Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148