Help Us Choose Which Northwest Indiana Charity Wins!

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

I have some really exciting news to share with you today. Recently, I challenged my team members to bring in 65% of their closed business from people they knew, past clients, or referrals, and they exceeded my expectations! We want to celebrate, but we need your help.

On June 30th, on whatever home(s) we close, we have decided to give that total commission to the charity you vote for!

We’ve selected local charities, and you get to vote. The charity in first place will get $3,000 or more, because we’ve committed to give at least $5,000 or more. The second charity will get $1,000, and the remaining charities will get $250.

Be sure to log on to www.boulderbayrealty.com to find a link to our Facebook page. For you vote to count, ‘like’ our Facebook page first!

On June 30th, we’ll know how much money we’ll donate and we’ll announce the winner on July 1st. Be sure to vote!

What Can You Do to Get Selling Results in Northwest Indiana?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Have you ever watched one of those house flipping shows on HGTV, where they paint, do the cabinets, stage the home, and turn a huge profit? It may seem like TV magic, but those things actually work!

Before you list your home on the market, we highly recommend making sure all the “honey do” list items are taken care of. Fresh paint is one of many things that will bring you a favorable return on your investment, and hiring a professional stager will make your home stand out from the competition.

Our team has a stager on staff, so when you list with us, we’ll have them come out and give you guidance on what you need to do in order to appeal to the widest range of buyers.

Doing these things will attract more buyers to your home, and will help your home to sell quicker and for more money as a result!

If you have any questions about this topic, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to hear from you!

We’re Giving Away Our Commission to Charity

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Our real estate team has decided that when we close our 100th home, we’re not going to take the commission. We’re going to donate those funds to a local charity!

We encourage you to browse our website and see what charities you can give this money to. Next, you’ll need to go to our Facebook page and like it, and then you will be able to vote for the organization that will receive a donation. You can vote once per day, so please go vote for your favorite charities.

The charity in first place will get $3,000 and the remainder of the charities will also be peppered with funds from the home sale.

Get out and vote!

If you need any help with real estate in the Northwest Indiana area, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How to Make a Stellar Offer on a Home in Northwest Indiana

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

The best thing that you can do when you write an offer on a home is to research the neighborhood. Ask your real estate agent for help while doing this, and make sure that they have input on your offer.

You will need to look at comparable sales in the area to determine if you are asking the right price for the home. We can certainly help you craft an enticing offer with an attractive price. 

You don’t want to offer too much but you also don’t want to put in a low bid on a home. Also, you should try to have as few contingencies as possible on the home. 

Please contact us if you’d like to craft a winning offer on your dream home in Northwest Indiana!

Should You Be Worried About Real Estate in NW Indiana?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Right now, there is a major housing shortage in Northwest Indiana, and we need your help! 

If you’ve considered selling your home, or if you’ve failed to sell at some point in the past, now is the perfect opportunity to give it another try. Buyers are out looking, but there are simply not enough homes available! 

In a market this tight, it’s not uncommon to get multiple offers when selling, which often results in a high purchase price. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to get top dollar and sell fast, now is the time to make a move!

If you have any questions about the state of the market, or if you need our assistance buying or selling real estate, we’re always available to chat. We would love to hear from you soon!

Congrats on Your Accepted Offer!

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Hey everyone! Bentley and I wanted to give you a huge congratulations on your accepted offer! Also, if you need to reserve our free moving van, please do so with our front desk. Call our office at 219-531-6683.

Your Purchase Agreement Checklist

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Below is a checklist that might be of some help to you. During this time, Angie Schott, with The Lynda Anderson Team, will be working with your lender, title company, insurance company, appraiser, etc.

Hopefully this is all pretty straightforward for you, but if you have questions, we're here for you!

If your lender requires additional information it is important to provide them with the documentation right away. Angie will be in contact with you regarding the progress of your home purchase.

If you need to contact Angie please feel free to call her at 219-531-MOVE (6683).

Again, CONGRATULATIONS!

The Next Step in Purchasing Your Northwest Indiana Home

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

I just got word from your buyer specialist that we're through the home inspection and moving forward. We'll be sure to reach out to your lender right away so they can make arrangements to order your appraisal.

It can take some time in between when the appraisal order is placed and when the report is completed, but your lender will notify us once the report is in and all is good there.

In the mean time, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us. We would be happy to help you!

Upgrade Your Home with Little to No Cost

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

You don’t have to spend money to make improvements in your home. It’s easy to upgrade your home at little to no cost at all. We’ve listed five effective ways to help you give your home a fresh feeling.

Declutter. Without spending any money, you can give your home a fresh look. Start by getting rid of things you don’t need.

Add or rearrange lighting. Playing with lights can make a room appear larger. Open window shades and feel better.

Invest in new hardware for kitchen cabinets. Instead of replacing cabinets entirely, hardware can add a fresh, polished touch to old fixtures. Consider it a new facelift. 

Repaint. With its minimal cost, paint can potentially be the biggest return on investment. If you’re going to add your home to the market, ensure your paint purchase is a soft, neutral tone. The walls should have a relaxed, even flow throughout different rooms.

Focus on your decor. Sometimes, you have too many things in a single room. My advice: less is more! It’s okay to pack up outdated furniture.

If there’s any topic you’d like to discuss, give me a call! I can research it and report back to you.

Happy Holidays from the Boulder Bay Realty Group!

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Dear friends and clients,

My real estate team and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your support in 2015. Because of you, we can buy our loved ones gifts for the holidays and have them over for Holiday feasts. You have helped make this Holiday season great for us and our families.

You are extremely valuable to us, and we want you to know that from the bottom of our hearts.

On behalf of everyone from the Boulder Bay Realty Group, we wish you a happy, fun, and safe Holiday season!

Sincerely,


Lynda Anderson

How Can You Ignite Activity on Your Home?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

When your home has been on the market for a while and is not selling, reducing the price isn’t always the right answer. Today we are going to talk about how you and your agent should go about addressing issues with your property not getting a lot of activity.

The first thing is you’ve got to hire the right agent. You need someone who is constantly watching the activity on your home once it goes on the market. It’s the agent’s job to know the heartbeat of the market and to educate you along the way. Once one of our homes goes on the market, we send email updates to them with homes that are in a similar price range and condition that are selling. We want you to know the movement in the market and how you stack up against the competition.

After you’ve done your research, you’ve got to determine what price range the buyers are at. Once you determine what price range that is, you’ve got to decide whether your home belongs in that price range or not. If you are trying to sell your home at $200,000 where the market is extremely slow moving, and all the buyers are at $170,000, you have a decision to make. Do you adjust to where there is more activity, or do you hold out and wait for your price? A good agent can help make this decision easier.

Is your home being advertised out there? We have found that 45% of buyers pick up the Homes and Lifestyles black and white magazine at the grocery store, so we include all of our listings in there. Additionally, 54% of buyers want virtual tours of homes online, and that number is only going to increase.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling or if you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Seven Tips for Living in a Listed Home

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

How do you live in your home while it’s for sale? We have seven tips to offer if you’re living in a home that’s currently on the market!

1. Start packing now. Invest in a storage unit. Start today.
2. Decide to store, sell, chuck, or donate items. There are tons of organizations that would be happy to pick up any unwanted items. 
3. Get squeaky clean. Your home will show better if it’s clean. 
4. Maintain your privacy. Personal items should be out of sight. 
5. Pack away valuables. This includes family keepsakes! 
6. Involve your children and make moving fun. Make it a game!
7. Hide items away last minute before showings. Grab a laundry basket and throw everything in it! Cover it up with a towel and pack it away.

If you have any questions at all, please reach out. Give me a call or send us an email if you’re thinking about buying or selling.

How Can You Add Value Through Your Garage?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Let’s face it, your garage is the catchall of your home. It’s the place where you put things you don’t want to be in the house. It’s likely not the focal point of your home, there could be oil stains, dust, and who knows what else. Now it’s time to put your home on the market, so you’ve got to clean it up and make it look nice for potential buyers. You can certainly add value to your home through your garage, and we’d like to tell you how to do that today. Here are a few of our best tips:

• Toss out, donate, or put into storage all the things you don’t need, and anything that could be considered unnecessary clutter.
• Pressure wash the floors.
• Consider painting the floors with a high-gloss painting.
• Buy totes or organizers that will help your garage look appealing and put together.

Taking care of little details like this in your garage tells buyers you are a person who takes care of every detail in your home. This will help them feel more assured when they bid on your home and reassure them that it’s a good investment.

If you have any questions for me or anything you’d like me to do a future video on, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!

Why Doesn't Your Agent Show Your Northwest Indiana Home?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Many sellers ask, "Why isn't my agent showing my home as much as other agents?" I asked myself this before I got into real estate, too.

Often, buyers call, ask questions about your home, and then hang up to call their agent. Buyers know we represent your interests. Buyers prefer to see your property with their own agent to negotiate on their behalf.
  

If your agent isn't showing your home often, that could be the reason. If you have any questions about real estate, call or email me. I would be happy to help you!

What Is Most Important When Renovating Your Home In Valparaiso?

Plan Ahead When Renovating

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Today, we want to share a video from HGTV to discuss how you can plan ahead when it comes to home renovations. Renovating your home can be an exciting process, but it's important that you don't get ahead of yourself. You can't just go willy-nilly into a major project and expect it to go perfectly. Planning properly for these types of projects can assure a smooth project, and one that may even cost less!

HGTV’s Amy Matthews recommends making a very detailed timeline of your project, including potential things that could go awry and making backup plans in order to prevent these things from happening. Putting your plan onto paper is a good way to start this process.

Another major step is choosing a good team of contractors that you can communicate with. If they don't know what you want done, they can't do it.

Just remember, there is no such thing as too much planning! If you plan on renovating your Albuquerque home, please contact us. We know great contractors and could also give you advice on what projects will bring you the highest return on your investment.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Renovations that Add Value to Your Northwest Indiana Home

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report   
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Today, we'll discuss what renovations get the most return on your investment. We've researched and figured out what updates will get you the biggest bang for your buck.

First off, changing your front door will get you an 85% return on investment, and it will only cost around $1,100. Adding a wood deck for $9,300 will get you a 77% return, so go ahead and install it now. You can enjoy it, and then when you go to sell, you will get a good return on your investment. 

Another upgrade that you can enjoy is replacing the garage door. Not only will this look better, but the new garage door will function better as well. A new garage door costs around $1,500, and you'll get a 76% return. 

A minor kitchen remodel could cost you about $19,000. Since the kitchen is a very important room, you can expect at 75% return.

Consider replacing windows as well. Wood windows would run about $11,000, and you'd get a 73% return. Vinyl windows would cost about $10,000 to replace, and give you a 71% return. Replacing the windows will also save you money on your heating and cooling bills.

Finally, remodeling a basement for about $61,000 would get you a 71% return on your value. That's money well spent, and you can enjoy your new basement until it comes time to sell.

If you have any questions about today's video, or want to know other fixes to add value to your home, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to guide you on any renovation decisions.

How Can You Save On Your Homeowner's Insurance?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report 
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Today we are excited to discuss some great ways to save money on your homeowner's insurance. We have seven tips for you today, and hopefully they will lead to your insurance payments becoming lower and lower. Here they are:

1. Shop around - don't be afraid to get 2 or 3 different quotes.
2. It's not necessarily important to insure your land.
3. Some companies will give you a lower rate if you are a non-smoker.
4. Install an alarm system.
5. Use one insurance company for all of your policies. Bundling them together will save you money.
6. Raise your deductible, it will lower your insurance premium.
7. Get some debt paid off to increase your credit score.
   
   
   

There you have it, seven easy ways to lower the insurance costs of your home. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to working with you soon!

What Are the Most Common Buyer Mistakes in Valparaiso?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report

Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale

Today we are discussing the most common mistakes that home buyers make. In Valparaiso, what are they?

Not being pre-approved is one of the biggest mistakes any buyer can make. Even if you feel comfortable with the payments, there is more to it than that. You need to know what type of financing you qualify for, and what types of concessions you want to ask for. 

One thing we don't want to do is take you into a home, have you fall in love with it, make an offer, pay for the inspection and appraisal, only to find out after all of that that you don't actually qualify for the loan. Now you've wasted money that you won't get back, and we don't want to take you down that road.
 

If you have any questions for us, or are thinking about buying or selling in Valparaiso, give us a call, text, or email. It would be our pleasure to serve you!

How Should You Handle a Multiple Offer Situation?

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report 
Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale 

How should you be handling multiple offers as a buyer or a seller? I get questions like this all the time from my clients, and today's blog is dedicated to answering those questions. 

For buyers, writing the highest offer will not always guarantee you the home. The most important thing that you can do is to find out what the seller wants, and try to satisfy those needs. Do they need to stay in the home after closing? Do they want you to cover some of the closing costs? Find out what's important to the seller.

I also highly recommend getting pre-approved before you step into the home. You look better as a buyer, and you can find out what you can actually afford.

Now, if you're dealing with multiple offers as a seller, you should know that the best offer doesn't necessarily mean the highest offer. Your agent's job is to get you the highest offer with the best terms possible. This can be made possible by stirring up a bidding war, which will raise your final sale price.

If you have any questions about how you can compete in multiple offers, whether you're buying or selling, please don't hesitate to contact me!