It’s Thanksgiving Eve and I can already smell my Dad’s turkey and my Step Mom’s Deviled Eggs. Oooh yeah… Every year they do it up BIG for all of us to come over and have a lot of food and a lot of fun. I am thankful for all the effort they go through every year to make it a great time for all of us. It got me thinking about all the things I am thankful for.
GOD
My wife and my son. They are my two favorite people in the whole world and I am so lucky and thankful to have them!
I’m thankful for my HUGE family and all the support and love I get from them (especially my mother in law Deb), my Broker Mary and all the love and support (and the swift kick in the pants when I need it) she gives me, my buddy Brian who is always there to listen to me vent and give me support, other agents in my office like Alisha who is always there to share a laugh and give support, and our Closing Coordinator/great friend Mona, who is like a “mom” at the office, even though she isn’t NEARLY old enough to be my mom.
I’m thankful that I am living the dream of being a full time Realtor and absolutely loving what I do. How many people can say that? I am thankful for the internet, for Active Rain, for Facebook, for my friend Barb Szabo who has taught me more than she will EVER know, and for SEO BABY!!
I sound like I just won an award don’t I? Hopefully Kanye won’t just up and interrupt me.
Anyway, I just wanted to share what I a thankful for. I could honestly sit here and type for a few more hours but I think you get my drift. I am thankful.
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, email us at ChristiansenTeam@gmail.com, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service.
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE or GOOGLE US!!
Here is what the listing agent told me a day after I showed my Buyer his AWESOME listing.
“You and your Buyer had better hurry up and get your offer in, I have somebody else VERY INTERESTED in the property so MOVE QUICK!!”
Really?
Seriously?
This home has been on the market for 345 days, is OVER PRICED by $20,000, has two walls caving in, is in a flood zone, and has a graveyard just beyond the back yard.
(Not the actual house)
You really expect me to believe that? Really????
Sometimes this game just really makes me smile. Like this.
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, email us at ChristiansenTeam@gmail.com, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service.
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE or GOOGLE US!!
I met Ashley at an open house earlier this year. She wasn’t quite ready to buy a home, but she told me she would call me when she was ready. A few months later she called me and said LET’S GO! We started the search, looked at 16 houses and then found THE ONE!! It’s a beautiful home that was completely remodeled and it was exactly what her and her family were looking for.
We made the offer, negotiated back and forth, and then BAM!!!! Accepted offer! Inspection, CHECK. Title search, CHECK. Closing, UM… woops, slight delay. The listing agent (who was also the owner) almost walked away from the deal because she had back up offers, but thankfully she didn’t. WHEW!
A few weeks ago I got an invitation to Ashley’s house warming party. I stopped by this afternoon and had an awesome experience. As soon as I walked in her daughter ran over to me and said “JARED, YOU HAVE TO COME SEE MY PINK ROOM!!!” Then a little bit later we played Candyland (I lost). We played pool, had a little food, and watched the Colts pull out a close one.
The coolest thing about it was to see this young and happy family enjoying their beautiful home that I helped them buy!!! All the furniture fit, all the painting that Frank did looked GREAT, and they are HAPPY!!
I LOVE THIS GAME! I LOVE BEING A FORT WAYNE REALTOR!!!!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, email us at ChristiansenTeam@gmail.com, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service.
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE or GOOGLE US!!
I wake up each day thankful for what I have and thankful for the life I live, but some days I just wake up and I know without a doubt that today that:
IT’S GOING TO BE A GRRRRREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!
The sun is shining, I already got my morning hug from my wife (AND SHE ALREADY HAS THE COFFEE MADE!!), my son is on a walk with the new pup, and I have 4 showings with some very fun people.
After my showings I will return to a home that smells like pumpkin pie that my wife is making for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving at her mom’s house and maybe we’ll all watch a movie together.
Oh yeah, I forgot about FOOTBALL too! Man, this day just keeps getting better!!!!!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, email us at ChristiansenTeam@gmail.com, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service.
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE or GOOGLE US!!
Director Roland Emmerich has given us several apocalyptic films in the past in Independance Day and The Day After Tomorrow, and he offers another look at the end of the world in 2012.
The preview for this movie really peaked my interest, not so much for the action, but for the story line. Well I was very disappointed in BOTH.
While this movie has some of the most incredible special affects I have ever seen, it was so over the top I found myself laughing out loud when I think I was supposed be saying WOW!!
Remember that scene from Star Wars when Luke Skywalker and his X-Wing Fighter just BARELY escapes as the Death Star explodes? Well, that happened at least 15 times in this movie but instead of an X-Wing Fighter it was a limo, a Bentley, a giant ship, a small airplane, a huge airplane, and my personal favorite…
THE WINNEBAGO!!!
I understand that movies like this are supposed to be fun and an escape for a few hours but I found this one to be insulting and would not recommend it to anybody.
HERE is a link to the trailer. If you do go see it go to Rave Motion Pictures in Fort Wayne, BEST POPCORN AROUND!!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN. Or if you would like to hear more about a certain subdivision in Fort Wayne or surrounding communities please let me know! I take requests!
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE.
1720 Carlow Court in Shannonside was old by my wife Amanda Christiansen in 23 DAYS!! It’s a 3 bedroom 2 bath 1016 square foot home that had a LOT of major upgrades.
Shannonside Subdivision ACTIVE listings
Active Houses: 6
Average List Price: $90,917
Average Square Feet: 1223
Average list price PER SQ FEET: $74
Current Average Days on Market: 68
As you can see again, living in Allen County in Fort Wayne Indiana is AFFORDABLE!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Shannonside Subdivision in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN. Or if you would like to hear more about a certain subdivision in Fort Wayne or surrounding communities please let me know! I take requests!
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
As you can see again, living in Allen County in Fort Wayne Indiana is AFFORDABLE!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Millstone Subdivision in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN. Or if you would like to hear more about a certain subdivision in Fort Wayne or surrounding communities please let me know! I take requests!
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
I just read a blog where somebody was venting about what they love and hate about selling real estate. I don’t like to focus on the negative so I decided to write a blog about the things I LOVE about being a Realtor here in Fort Wayne:
I LOVE it when a client finds their DREAM HOME!
I LOVE it when I get that excitement of a new lead.
I LOVE that I can set my own hours.
I LOVE it when a Seller is realistic about the price of their home and doesn’t want to list it for $20,000 over it’s true value.
I LOVE it when a Seller get’s a good offer on their home.
I LOVE when a Seller understands that their home needs to be in top shape and CLEAN and needs to be ready to show in 2 hours if needed.
I LOVE it when a Buyer doesn’t spend a lot of time in a house when they know as soon as they walk in that it’s not their home.
I LOVE when a Buyer makes a strong offer on a home and doesn’t make that lowball offer of $79,900 on a $140,000 listing!
I LOVE it when a Seller walks in to a showing and looks at me and says: “Jared, this feels like home. I want it.”
I LOVE that I work with the Broker that I do. Mary Sherer with RE/MAX Home Connection is the BEST!!!
I absolutely LOVE that I work with my beautiful wife Amanda and that we build each other up not on in this crazy business but in life. I am a lucky guy.
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN. Or if you would like to hear more about a certain subdivision in Fort Wayne or surrounding communities please let me know! I take requests!
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE.
1210 square feet with an open kitchen/dining room area
All of this for $92,500$89,900!!!
How’s that for CURB APPEAL?
Nice job with the landscaping!
Gorgeous wood laminate flooring and an open kitchen leading into the dining room.
How’s that for modern decor? Might have the owners come decorate my house.
Look’s cozy doesn’t it?
This home features a large fenced in yard (NEW PRIVACY FENCE in 2008), wood laminate flooring, newer carpet, updated bathrooms, and modern decor and colors. The exterior was freshly painted this year and the windows and gutter are NEW!!!Oh yeah, it has this AWESOME DECK!!!
Open House this Sunday from 1-3 and the Indianapolis Colts don’t play the New England Patriots until 8:30 Sunday night so you can stop by the open house without missing the game!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN. Or if you would like to hear more about a certain subdivision in Fort Wayne or surrounding communities please let me know! I take requests!
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
Want to know a little more about us? Check out our Facebook fan page HERE.
(Thanks to my friend Donna Harris with RE/MAX Austin Skyline over in Austin, Texas for this GREAT explanation of the tax credit extension!)
The $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended, expanded, and modified. It is no longer just for First Time Home Buyers, but it’s also for Move-up Home Buyers.
There are many rules you need to know in order to comply with this credit, and yes, it truly is a credit as long as you’re in the house for a minimum of three years. If you sell prior to three years, you will have to pay it back.
First Time Home Buyer means someone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. This means you could own an investment property and still qualify, but not a homesteaded property. If you are married and your spouse has owned a primary residence, but you have not owned one, you do not qualify for the tax credit. However, something new is that if you have a parent who has owned property and they co-sign for you, you could still qualify.
This tax credit is mostly referred to as the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, however, not everyone gets $8000. The number is the maximum number you are allotted for the tax credit and it’s based on 10% of the purchase price, not to exceed $8000. In plain English, that means if the house you purchase is $80,000 or more, you will get the $8000. If you buy a $73,000 property, you would only qualify for $7300. Make sense?
Move-Up Home Buyers are a new category for this tax credit, and there are more rules. You must have owned a primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. That means, if you have owned a property that is currently being used as a rental, but you lived in it for five consecutive years prior to renting it within the last eight, you qualify. If you bought an investment property that you rented out a few years ago, but now currently have lived in it for five years, you qualify. Simple enough…
The Tax Credit for the Move-Up Home Buyer is limited to $6500 and not $8000. Same rules apply where it’s 10% of the sales price, not to exceed $6500.
The income requirements have changed as well, and the limits are the same whether a First Time Home Buyer or a Move-Up Home Buyer. Single tax filers can receive the entire tax credit up to $125,000 whereas they can receive a partial credit from $125,001 to $145,000. Joint tax filers can receive the entire tax credit up to $225,000 whereas they can receive a partial credit from $225,001 to $245,000. Above these income limits, home buyers are not eligible for anything.
There has also been a purchase price cap added to this new law which was not part of the previous one. The cap is $800,000. That’s a lot of house, but if you can afford that much house, you probably have bigger things to worry about than this small tax credit.
Of course there is a deadline for everything, and this new law actually has two deadlines you need to pay attention to. The first one is that you must be under contract with a property by April 30, 2010. The second deadline is that the property must close and fund prior to June 30, 2010. That way, no one can wait until the last minute to purchase homes and then hope they close on time. There is a two month buffer, but that actually means you only have less than six months to find a property and get an executed contract!!
The above does not cover every single rulein this new law, but the above takes care of 99% of the cases. There is a rule that you cannot buy a house from a blood relative and receive the tax credit, but you can buy a house from a step-relative and still receive the credit… and others that are very rare circumstances.
Email or call me today for further questions, and let’s get you into a new house before six months come and go! The time will move faster than you think! And if you have a house to sell to be one of the Move-Up Home Buyers, we need to get that house on the market ASAP!
If you would like to buy or sell a home in Fort Wayne Indiana or in the surrounding communities, please call us at 260-704-0842, or you may want to visit our website for more specific information on the communities we service: Fort Wayne Real Estate, Huntington Real Estate, Columbia City, Bluffton, Roanoke, Warsaw and Winona Lake, Auburn, New Haven and North Manchester, IN.
Relocating to Fort Wayne? Contact us to see how we can help!
