The clock is ticking and if you want to buy a home and claim your tax credit, you need be be viewing homes!  Elkhart has plenty of homes in all townships for you to find one that suits your needs.  The First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit of up to $8,000 is only available if you close on a home by November 30, 2009.  That is less than 90 days away and a normal closing is processed in 30 to 45 days.  What are you waiting for? The Tax Credit is for people who have not owned a home in the previous 3 years, makes $75,000 a year if you are single and $150,000 or less if you are married, and you must live in the home for 3 years. The amount of Tax Credit you are eligible for is 10% of the price of the home up to $8,000.  What are you waiting for?  Call your Elkhart Real Estate Expert Evelyn Joh... 09/19/2009

Attorney Deborah J Beaverson with Riverwalk Law Firm sent Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty the following recommendation: Dear Evelyn, Thanks so very much for yoru hard work, dedication, experience, knowledge and the care that you employ when assisting our mutual clients. Very truly yours (Signed) Deborah J Beaverson Deborah and I have together successfully negotiated an approved Short Sale on the home of our mutual Clients and the property will close the week of September 20th. A Short Sale is a property that cannot be sold for the amount the Home Owners currently owe on the property whether currently paid according to agreement or past due.  Sometimes the Real Estate Market is the sole reason it will be a Short Sale.  If you are not familiar with a S... 09/19/2009

Commission is not everything!Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty says, selling your home by yourself could be dangerous to your financial health.  And here is why, are you up to date with Indiana's Real Estate Laws?  The Federal Real Estate Laws?  My Real Estate Partner in 2007 Pamela Brubaker developed these 55 questions to ask someone who is thinking of selling their home alone: Do you have a contract that was drafted specifically for use in Indiana? (your state) Do you need an escrow? What is the purpose of an escrow? Do you know how to find an experienced escrow company and escrow officer? Does your transaction need or require title insurance? What is title insurance? Who does title insurance protect? What is the difference between lender's title ins... 09/12/2009

According to Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston, you need to Get Pre-Approved First!, and here is why...until you sit down with a reputable Mortgage Lender or Mortgage Broker, you really do not know how much of a home you can afford to buy.  After the Mortgage Lender/Broker has reviewed, verified and qualified you as a ready, willing and able buyer, you have P O W E R! With your pre-approval in you hand you can safely go shopping for a home! Prior to shopping though, you also need to take time to sit down and make a list of the things you want in your new home and the things you need in your home.  Armed with both of these things you can shop smarter.  There is no pre determined number of houses you have to look at before you find the home that just feels right. When you walk int... 09/12/2009

Now is the time to take advantage of the current Short Sale market in Elkhart Indiana, says Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty.  The selection of homes available for purchase in the Short Sale catagorey is plentiful.  Are you Prepared to buy a Short Sale? The Intrest Rates are favorable, if you are eligible for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit and you can afford to wait for the Short Sale process, you can come out smelling like a rose.  The time is now to buy, but you need to be educated on the Short Sale process. So, if you would like to take advantage of this market and are not sure how to go about doing it, call your local Elkhart Real Estate Expert and Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148.  Hurry now, the end to the ... 09/12/2009

According to Elkhart REALTOR Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty, what you do when you can't pay your mortgage payment is call them.  Let them know you are unable to pay on time, tell them when you can pay and keep in contact with them.  The Mortgage Lender wants constant communication with you, they do not want your house.  They are in the business of Lending, now Owning. If they are not cooperative hang up and call again, you will more than likely get a different person on the other end of the phone and try again. Perhaps you don't know when you can pay again.  Seek an approved HUD counselor to talk to.  LaCasa Goshen is approved in our area and is an excellent place to start.  What good will they do?  Well, for one, thing they are up to date on what programs are available to h... 09/12/2009

There is no shortage of Short Sales in Elkhart according to Certified Short Sale Specialist Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty.  It seems like every subdivision, every income Home Owner has representation in the homes currently listed in the Multiple Listing Service of Elkhart County, Indiana. Long term unemployment has spread from the labor force on up and through managment and even owners of businesses.  When no one is ordering products they affect manufacturerers and suppliers too. If you have been caught in the crossfire of extended unemployment and your home is in jeapordy, make sure you call a Certified Short Sale Specialist who knows how to help you.  Any REALTOR(r) can help you sell your home, but not all REALTOR(r)'s are trained to help you either BUY or SELL a Short Sa... 09/12/2009

The time is running out if you are wanting to buy a home in Elkhart and take advantage of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.  In order to claim this $8,000 you must: Find a Home you want to buy Not have owned a home in the prior 3 years Single person's income must be $75,000 or less Married person's income must be $150,000 or less You must live in the home for three years The of Indiana Association REALTOR(r)'s published this checklist: Get in Order.  Have the client complete all the necessary paperwork that will be asked for the the lender.  This includes the verification of employment form, recent pay stubs and bank statements, copies of W2 forms, social security cards and any asset statements. Check Your Credit. With lender looking so closely at credit reports it's importan... 09/10/2009

 If you have recently decided to move from an Elkhart renter to an Elkhart homeowner, you are not alone. First-time homebuyers made up 41 percent of the market, according the National Association of REALTORS®' 2008 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. And price declines in many markets around the country have created unique opportunities for those considering home ownership for the first time. As an Elkhart homeowner, you have security and stability, the freedom to decorate and remodel, potential to build equity and tax benefits. And with interest rates still at historically low levels - 5.22% for the typical, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (as of early August 2009), combined with ample inventory, now is a great time to buy. Plus, there are several incentives and programs available specifi... 09/08/2009

Elkhart Real Estate Agent Evelyn Johnston's specialty is Short Sales.  For more than two years she has helped Home Owner's avoid Foreclosure by helping them sell their homes.  This pre-foreclosure sale helps troubled folks by... Avoiding Public Embarrassment by visits from the Sheriff Ruining Thier Credit Rating For 5-7 Years Sometimes Avoiding Bankruptcy Helping Them Understand The Process Short Sales are good, they have helped bring over-priced homes down to a more reasonable value allowing YOU as a potential Home Owner get more for your money than you would have just a few years ago. So, Who Is Afraid Of A Short Sale? People who have a deadline that they need to move by don't particularily like them.  Sometimes it takes several months to get the necessary approval from the Mortgage L... 09/05/2009

This move up home located at 23191 Orachard Ridge Drive in Elkhart by REALTOR(r) Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty, is now being offered as a Lease Purchase. Terms are set and available by calling 574-304-7148. Orchard Ridge Subdivision is located in Concord Township and is just a hop, skip and a jump away from Eastside Elementary on CR 13.  If you are wanting to move up to a home  that offers quiet streets, upgraded home features and well taken care of, here is a creative alternative to financing.  Call Evelyn Johnston for all the details at 574-304-7148.   09/05/2009

It is no secret that when you look good, you feel good and feeling good helps others around you feel good, it's the Mary Kay Ripple Affect.  Karen Sue Mishler has been helping Elkhart Indiana women feel good for twenty seven and a half years. She started wearing Mary Kay Cosmetics when she was 15 and after she married and the children came along she needed adult companionship, so she took on the role of being a make up consultant, and hasn't looked back. The first week of work she was successful, the second week she did the same, then she got to the point that she was self sufficient all the time helping Elkhart women look their best.  She had found her niche! Mary Kay told her that when you do something you love so much that you would doit even without pay, you'd be paid well.  Karen S... 08/11/2009

In Concord Township, Orchard Ridge Subdivision is a move up community of homeowners that want all the best life has to offer them for all their hard work.  The Home Owners of Orchard Ridge chose this Subdivision among all the others partially because of the well built, well thought out home plans.  These homes were built for active families on spacious lots, with comfort in mind. Take a look at 23191 Orchard Ridge Drive, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths and 2780 square feet of living space offers you room to move about.  If you want to be "away from it all", there is the full finished basement with rooms for solitude, if that is what you want.  A full bath and "space".  I have heard that families need to eat at least one meal together every day.  When I grew up we ate breakfast and lunch together an... 08/11/2009

When you are hungry, time stands still.  In Elkhart Indiana there are signs of a new restaurant, Colonial Pancake House and Restaurant put out temporary banners about a month ago, right after they painted the outside of the building a very nice shade of light teal.  We knew something was happening in this restaurant...we have been waiting and watching, and tonight the lights were on. Remodeling is ongoing so we only have outside pictures for now. So I stopped by this to talk to the Manager George Christodoulides..his parents Steve and Joanne are currently running two other restaurants but this will be the first in Elkhart, Indiana.  As you can tell from the name, Colonial Pancake House and Restaurant they are primarily a breakfast place.  That is great for me because I like breakfast al... 08/10/2009

Since the Summer of 2006 visitors, neighbors and travellers have been flocking to Elkhart's href="http://www.americancountryside.us/market/about/" title="american countryside farmers market" target="_blank">American Countryside Farmer's Market conveniently located at US 20 Bypass and CR 26. This three story structure is the perfect example of a gathering place you would expect out in the country. Built of quality and sturdy workmanship, this Farmer's Market is home to area Farmers, Crafters, Growers and Furniture Makers.  Although not open when I visited them today, I was able to shoot some outside photos of tables, chairs, patio furniture and the blooming flowers that decorate the grounds. I have shopped here in the past and found the Market versatile in it's offerings from hand made s... 08/09/2009

One of the first things you notice when you walk into Jan's Place in Elkhart, Indiana is all the humorous signs lining the walls.  My favorite is, "You know the look you were trying to get?  Well, you missed it".  I think she was talking about me! Jan's Place is small in comparison to the brand name food restaurants, but that's okay.  She has made up for it by being BIG on TASTE and since 1991 her Patrons have been in the process of becoming her family.  She has watched children grow into adults.  She laughs with them, jokes around and cuts up with them and then occassionally she hits them upside the head--the no cussing zone is strictly enforced! The most popular item on the menu is the "Junk Omelet" created by Jan's Sister in Law Verlin many years ago.  Next comes their bacon cheesebu... 08/09/2009

23191 Orchard Ridge Drive, Elkhart, Indiana is home to a 4 Bedroom, 4 Bath Home For Sale has everything you want and more, in a move up home...Updated lighting, cool contemporary colors, cozy kitchen and dining area to gather with your family or friends for a summer cook out or a meal together. This two story home sits on a huge corner lot.  How big is huge?  Well, there is enough room for a family reunion, community picnic, kids chasing the dogs, cartwhells, touch football, soccer game, trampolineing, gardening, jump rope, softball, tumbling, somersaults, grilling out or roasting marshmallows, or throwing a birthday party...  Does that sound to big to you?  Are you an outdoor person?  This could be some of the activities you can enjoy while owning this home. To see this home, or any ot... 08/08/2009

Orchard Ridge Subdivision in Elkhart, Indiana is a move up neighborhood with homes currently on the market ranging in value from $224,000 up to $350,000. Orchard Ridge is a fully developed subdivision by Pheasant Ridge Development Company. Phase 1 had 77 lots to sell Phase 2 was begun in the summer of 1999 and Phase 3 became available in the fall of 2000.  Homeowners Association dues began at $100 per year plus a $100 initiation fee. This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home for saleis located deep within the subdivision where car traffic is at a minimum, your safety at a maximum... If you are looking for a home in a quiet subdivision, with well rated schools, Orchard Ridge could be the one you are looking for. Concord Schools educate the children in this subdivision, here are their websites: Easti... 07/27/2009

This is a brick 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath home for sale in Sherwood Glen Subdivision. Located less than 5 minutes from all the great shopping on US 33, like Target, Michael's Art & Crafts, Meijer's, and just down the street from Concord Mall and more shopping! If you prefer living in a Subdivision, this could be just what you are looking for. The living room is surrounded by two sides of windows and the view to the lovely manicured lawn is dynamic. This home also qualifies for the First Time Home Buyer's full Tax Credit of $8,000. What would you do with extra cash? Do you qualify? Call Evelyn Johnston with Prudential One Realty at 574-304-7148 for your private preview, and to see if you do qualify! 07/10/2009

Does living in a Subdivision appeal to you?  Have you always wanted to live around like minded folks who care about their homes, their neighborhood and the better good for all who live within it's boundries?  I am talking about Orchard Ridge Subdivision and the neighbors and friends who all watch out for each other's property value.  What am I talking about?  Well, not one home that I have seen in Orchard Ridge Subdivision has been in need of repair or neglected.  And this observation has been many times as I have visisted my listing at 23191 Orchard Ridge Drive.  This 4 Bedroom, 3 Bath home for sale is no exception.  The lawn has always been freshly mowed, shrubbery is well trimmed and plantings have been changed and freshened as the season requires.  Here is a look at your neighbors, ... 07/02/2009