70 something waqys to lose your home started a while back and you can catch up here.  eWe are talking about the reasons why you would want to use a reputable Title Company when you purchase your residence or any other real estate.  Let's review numbers 71 to 77. 71.  Pre-existing viiolation of subdivision mapping laws. 72.  Pre-existing violation of zoning ordinances 73.  Pre-existing violation of conditions, covenants and restrictions affecting the land. 74.  Post-policy forgery against the insured interest. 75.  Forced removal of residential improvements due to lack of an appropriate building permit (subject to deductible). 76.  Post-policy construction of improvement. 77.  Damage to residential structures.   This concludes the series of 70 something ways to lose your home.  If you ha... 10/03/2009

Elkhart Reall Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston talks about selling to different generations, part 2, Baby Boomers. Age plays a critical role in customer buying decisions.  In fact, the generation into which we are born has as much impact on buying and purchasing decisions as income and education.  Our shared experiences determine what motivates us toward or away from a sale, according to the report I received from Scott York of Metropolitan Title Company here in Elkhart.  He may be reached at 574-293-9111. Part 1 was about Seniors/Mature generation, you can read about that here.   Baby Boomers make up 30% of our population and they were born between 1946 and 1964.  Here is what you need to know: Most populous and influential Enjoyed opportunities in education and employment Feel good genera... 10/03/2009

Age plays a critical role in customer buying decisions.  In fact, the generation into which we are born has as much impact on buying and purchasing decisions as income and education.  Our shared experiences determine what motivates us toward or away from a sale, according to the report I received from Scott York of Metropolitan Title Company here in Elkhart.  He may be reached at 574-293-9111. Let's take a look at Seniors/Mature catagory.  This covers 26% of our population, and they were born between 1909 and 1945.  They: Grew up in a time when things were rationed Saved for a rainy day, prudent, moral Buy pruducts and services that satisfy their basic needs Tend to move slower and may not be tied to a specific market Your Messaging: Speak to family, home patriotism and traditional valu... 10/03/2009

70 something waqys to lose your home started a while back and you can catch up here.  We are talking about the reasons why you would want to use a reputable Title Company when you purchase your residence or any other real estate.  Let's review numbers 61 thru 70... 61.  Forged notarization or witness acknowledgment. 62.  Deed not propertly recorded (wrong county, missing pages or other contents, or without required payment). 63.  Deed from grantor who is claimed to have acquired title through fraud upon creditors of a prior owner, 64.  Deed to a purchaser from one who has previously sold or leased the same and to a third party under an unrecorded contract. 65.  Claimed prescriptive rights, not of record and not disclosed by survey. 66.  Physical location of easement (underground pipe or... 10/03/2009

The first thing you should do if you are behind in your mortgage payment, is, call your Mortgage Lender and ask for their help, says Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty.  Your Mortgage Lender does not want your home back, they are in the business to loan money, and accept deposits. Give your Mortgage Lender the opportunity to modify your loan, if possible, and stay in the home.  Do not move out!  Once you leave the home the Mortgage Lender can accelerate the foreclosure process and take possession of the home, when there may have been a chance for you to keep it. If you have concerns about your situation, call a government approved counselor like La Casa Goshen, they are a non profit agency who is paid with grant money based on the number of homeowners they help i... 10/02/2009

To continue with our list of 70 something ways to lose your home, I will list items 41 to 60.  To go back and beging at the first posting of 70 something ways to lose your home part 1, click here. 41.  Undisclosed but recorded option, or right of first refusal, to purchase property.oven 42.  Undisclosed but recorded covenants or restrictions, with (or without) rights of reverter. 43.  Undisclosed but recorded easements (for utilities, access, drainage, airspace, views) benefiting neighboring land. 44.  Undiscloes but recorded boundry, party wall or setback agreements 45.  Errors in tax records (mailing tax bill to wrong party resulting in tax sale, or crediting payment to wrong property). 46.  Erroneous release of tax or assessment liens, which are later reinstated to the tax rolls. 47.... 09/30/2009

The Elkhart Fall Home Show held at the RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame in Elkhart was small but cozy when compared to the Spring Show.  However, it left time to talk to the different building related companies that displayed their products and services. Garden Homes out of South Bend, Indianaadded to their standard, a higher commitment to living green. Today's home buyers want to lower their energy bills and live in healthier homes.  Garden Homes is now certified by the NAHB (National Home Builders Association) National Green Building Program, which has a flexible green rating system to fit their budgets.  For green home building that's workable, authentic and affordable, go to www.nahbgreen.org. Also according to their literature, it's hard to go for 24 hours these days without hearing somet... 09/26/2009

Items 31 to 40 coming up! To learn the first 30 items of 70 something ways to lose your home, part one, click here.  Here we go: 31.  In affective release of prior satisfaction of mortgage due to bankruptcy or creditor prior to recording of release (avoiding powers in bankruptcy) 32.  In affective release of prior mortgage or lien, as fraudulently obtained by predecessor in title. 33.  Disputed release of prior mortgage or lien, as given as mistake or misunderstanding 34.  In affective subordination agreement, causing junior lien to be reinstated to priority 35.  Deed recorded but not properly indexed so as to be locatable in the land records 36.  Undisclosed but recorded State or Federal Tax Lien 37.  Undisclosed but recorded judgment or Spousal/Child Support Lien 38.  Undisclosed but ... 09/26/2009

"Page 1 is good!"  Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty, "I am excited to be on page 1, let alone 7 times!  I have worked really hard to get here and have to work even harder to stay on page 1!" Blogging is part of Evelyn's daily routine and it is paying off.  Writing about subjects from her listings to local business to spotlight, Evelyn can be seen and heard all over Elkhart County. If you are wanting to Buy a Home or Sell A Home, call your local Elkhart County Real Estate Expert Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148. 09/26/2009

Are you ready for items 21 to 30 of the 70 something ways to lose your home?  If this is your first article on this, please go back to part 1 of 70 something ways to lose your home. Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston continues: 21.  Deed affecting property purported to be separate property of grantor, which is in fact community or jointly-owned property. 22.  Undisclosed divorce of one who conveys as sole heir of a deceased former spouse. 23.  Deed affecting property of deceased person, not joining all heirs. 24.  Deed following administration of estate of missing person, who later re-appears. 25.  Conveyance by heir or survivor of a joint estate, who murdered the decedent. 26.  Conveyances and proceedings affecting rights of service-member protected by the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relie... 09/26/2009

Lisa Graber represented Granitech Design Center at the Elkhart Fall Home Show and was surrounded by stunning cabnetry and granite table tops and counters.  Located on Old US 20 near the new Wal Mart, Granitech started in 1998 and has assembled a professional staff with over 60 years of experience in working with natural stone. The experience encompasses the highest quality of design, fabrication and installation for residential and commercial application. Their expertise extends to work with kitchen counter tops, fireplace surrounds and hearths, bath vanity tops, tub and shower surrounds and a large variety of flooring materials.  Granitech is committed to your total satisfaction; from design, to quotation, to final installation. According to Granitech's brochure, The hard facts are: Ro... 09/26/2009

Here I will talk about reasons 11 to 20 in part 2 of 70 something ways to lose your home.  If you missed the first 10 ways to lose your home you can read part 1 here. We are talking about the importance of obtaining Title Insurance from a reputable and financially secure company, like Metropolitan Title Company here in Elkhart.  According to Scott York, here are the next reasons you could lose your home: 11.  Deed challenged as being given under fraud, undue influence or duress. 12. Deed following non-judicial foreclosure, where required procedure was not followed. 13.  Deed affecting land in judicial proceedings (bankruptcy, receivership, probate, conservatorship, dissolution of marriage), unauthorized by court 14.  Deed following judicial proceeding, subject to appeal or further court... 09/26/2009

Elkhart Fall Home Show is much cozier than the Spring Show, yet a well rounded group of building experts were displaying their products, floor plans and various items. One of the most unique displays to me was the Grey Water Recycling water solution. According to their brochure, they quoted the US Department of the Interior who claim "In some areas of the United States, existing water supplies are or will be inadequate to meet the demands for water for people, cities, farms and the environment even under normal water supply conditions." BBC News said "The world's supply of fresh water is running out.  Already, one person in five has no access to safe drinking water." And Nature Publishing Group reports "Over the next two decades, the average water supply per person will drop by a third,... 09/26/2009

Not a very pleasant thought, to lose your home, let alone 70 something ways to lose your home, and there is probably many many more reasons besides those I list in which you can lose your home says Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston.  Metropolitan Title Company provided the list, something to get your mind thinking about what assurances you have when you purchase Title Insurance... Some of these items will also stop a Short Sale from being approved as well.  Let's take a look and see what not to do... Forged deeds, mortgages, satisfactions or releases - well, yes, forgery is never a good thing! Deed by person who is insane or mentally incompetent. - Every State has rules about who can and cannot sell a home.  If the person selling is not mentally competent, they cannot sell. Deed by minor ... 09/26/2009

Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty says, if you are looking for a really good deal, here is one you are to late on!  This 3 Bedroom 3 Full Bath home sold to a new owner today.  This Short Sale was approved through Bank of America in record breaking time! Elkhart Attorney Deborah Beaverson with Riverwalk Law is the main reason that affected Short Sale processing time down to a manageable level. Her expertise and constant contact with Attorney's Fiewell & Hannoy and her professionalism won the day for me and our mutual Clients.  Thank you Deb!     09/22/2009

If you want to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, Act Fast as Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty reports CNN urging Home Buyers on!  If you think you have plenty of time, Read the article below! NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Use any metaphor you want: the ticking clock, sands running through the hourglass or pages falling away from the calendar. The fact is, time is running out to claim the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit. Passed earlier this year as part of the economic stimulus package, the credit is good for up to $8,000, or 10% of the purchase price, and applies to people who have not owned a home in the previous three years. (There are some income restrictions.) The best part: Unlike a similar program from 2008, the credi... 09/19/2009

Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston says according to CNN, Customer satisfaction with newly built, single-family homes is increasing after sagging in boom years. New YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Builders may not be putting up as many houses as they did during the boom, but what they are building, they're building better. According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 U.S. New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study, overall customer satisfaction increased for the second consecutive year, up 32 points to 811 on a 1,000 point scale. Satisfaction with the quality of the home also grew, to 825 up from 799. The rate of customer-reported problems dropped to 9.55 problems per home down from 11.51 problems in 2008. "Fierce competition among home builders has led to a market where only the str... 09/19/2009

According to a recent CNN news release: A report released Thursday shows that substantially fewer people had their homes repossessed in August. Unfortunately, a large number of Americans are still falling behind on their payments. A total of 76,134 troubled borrowers lost their homes in August, but that is 12.7% fewer than in July, according to RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosed properties. The pipeline of troubled borrowers remains full, however. Filings of all kinds dropped only slightly, just 0.5%, from July. According to RealtyTrac spokesman Rick Sharga, there are a couple of possible explanations for the decline in bank repossessions, called REOs in the industry. "It could be that the government-led mortgage modification programs are finally gaining some traction," he sai... 09/19/2009

Selling your home before foreclosure is foreclosure prevention, says Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston, with Prudential One Realty, even if you are behind in your payments, you can sell your home!  I just read 4 articles by CNN on Life After Foreclosure, and all were relieved when the process was over.  Some successfully sold their homes, and were gratefull for not having a foreclosure on their credit record. What you need to know about selling your home as a Short Sale is detailed in my blog "Short Sales, Everything You Need To Know".  This 5 part series will walk you through the process and answer many of your questions.  If you would like a personal consultation regarding your home and your situation, please call Evelyn Johnston at 574-304-7148. 09/19/2009

The First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit of up to $8,00 is coming to an end.  Elkhart residents need to take notice and understand that there is less than 90 before the current program comes to a halt.  Are you willing to loose up to $8,000? The cost to the taxpayers to extend this offer has kept the program from being passed.  Don't loose your share! According to MSN's article on the clock ticking on first-time home buyers tax credit, more than a dozen bills have been introduced to Congress to extend the life of this popular program.  Housing Sales have been up for the past 6 months and the experts are claiming that 48% of the sales are from First Time Home Buyers taking advantage of this offer from President Obama. What are you waiting for?  Have you received your share of the Tax Credit... 09/19/2009