204 E Old Petersburg Rd / MLS #169845 / 24.48 Acres

Princeton IN, Lovely contemporary style home with lots of square footage that can be utilized in a wide range of configurations to fit your lifestyle.  24.48 acres of beautiful land with lots of trees and a gorgeous stocked lake. Floor plan offers a Main level with a formal dining room, half bath, 3 full baths, 3 bedrooms including the master bed and bath with huge walk in closet with built ins. From most rooms you can view the exquisite acreage.  In addition there is a Lower Level and a Pole Barn.  Offered by Janice Miller, ERA First Advantage Realty

HomeBuyer Tax Credit Update 11 7 09

It's Official!

Today, President Obama signed a bill that will extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to sales contracts signed by April 30, 2010 and will have until June 30, 2010 to close.  The bill also creates a $6,500 credit for those who buy a home after living in their current house at least five consecutive years out of the last eight.

Eligibility - A “first-time home buyer” must not have had an interest in a principal residence for a period of 3 years prior to the purchase.

Limitation on cost and income - Effective Nov 7th, 2009  ~~ $800,000 or less (vacation homes and investment properties are NOT eligible).  Income up to $125,000 for single purchaser and $225,000 for joint filers.  Additional $20,000 phase out.

Anti Fraud Rule - Taxpayers must attach documentation to their federal income tax returns.  If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue payment.  Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their tax returns for 2008 to claim the credit.

Repayment - The tax credit will not need to be repaid, IF the buyer occupies the home for a minimum of three years.  However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount of the credit will be recouped at the time of the sale.

This is GREAT news for buyers and sellers!  For additional information about this or any of your real estate questions, contact "Your Single Solution Agent" Janice Miller at 812-453-0779

Tax Credit Update 11 2 09

FROM:  US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT:  An extension of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit appears all but certain after the Obama administration called on Congress to give house hunters more time to claim the popular tax perk. The move comes shortly after Senate lawmakers stuck an agreement to not only push back the measure’s looming deadline but expand it to allow current homeowners and more affluent buyers to claim the credit.

The deadline for first-time home buyers to claim the $8,000 credit would be pushed back to April 30, 2010. But the term “deadline” doesn’t mean the same thing as it does in the current credit. The Senate agreement stipulates that buyers must have a sales contract on a house by April 30 to be eligible, but it gives them an additional 60 days to close the purchase…the effective deadline of the credit under this agreement is actually the end of June.

The agreement would allow current homeowners to claim up to $6,500 as long as the property they are vacating has been their primary residence for at least five years.

Senators moved to increase its annual income limits from $75,000 to $125,000 for single buyers and from $150,000 to $225,000 for married couples. These limits apply to both first-time and move-up buyers, although neither can purchase a home for more than $800,000 and still get the credit.

"Let's keep our fingers crossed!"   Janice

November Featured Home / 4111 Triple Crown / 169596

Large, updated 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in Newburgh location! Tons of updates including...carpet, paint, flooring, appliances, roof (2005), and heating and air (2006).  New patio with a brand new awning! This home has an awesome backyard-both large and flat! Privacy wood fenced, shed, and patio round out this wonderful home! Seller is including a Home Warranty.
Visual Tour of 4111 Triple Crown, Newburgh IN

For more information on this Great Home,
contact Janice Miller at 812-453-0779

My Little Sophie / Miss Piggy / Halloween 2009

BabyCenter.com has conducted a poll of 25,000 U.S. Women and found that 63% of online mothers now use social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter regularly, compared to only 11% three years ago to stay informed.  44% said they use social media for finiding information regarding parenting and products.
"They don't watch TV as much and they are not reading magazines as much, but instead they are checking out Facebook, Twitter ..." said BabyCenter's editor-in-chief Linda Murray.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hoping everyone has a Happy Halloween out there!

Dual Agency ~~ What it means for me?

What happens when you are interested in purchasing property that is being sold by the same real estate agency in charge of your buying needs?  You may have concerns about a dual buyer/seller agent.  Will this form of agency protect your interests, or that of the seller?  Will you as buyer be able to share confidential information about your needs?

In states such as Indiana, where dual agency is legal, the real estate agent will serve the needs of both parties fully, because good business practices and professional integrity require honesty and fairness.  As Realtor's we abide by a Code of Ethics!   If a buyer and seller are both represented by the same agency, they will be asked to sign a dual agent contract acknowledging the affirmative obligations of the real estate agent.  Neither party should fear being shortchanged because the other party's interests will come first.  Because the real estate agent will honor the code of confidentiality, both parties may share sensitive information without undue anxiety.

ERA First Advantage Realty, as a reputable real estate agency will help to reach a satisfactory outcome to negotiations for both parties in the transaction.
 
I Hope you have enjoyed this Real Estate Tip!  If you have any questions about this tip - or any other tips you may have heard elsewhere - please give me a call!  There is no obligation and you'll hear back quickly!
Janice Miller
ERA First Advantage Realty
812-453-0779

Featured Home of the Week / 5179 W Sherwood / MLS #169544

Featured Home of the Week / 5179 W Sherwood / MLS #169544
Newburgh 1.5 Story Family Home with 2,308 sq ft! 
Offering 4 Bedrooms and 2.5 Baths

For addtional information on this home, OR any of Janice's Homes call Today  812-453-0779 or Visit http://www.janicemiller.com/ for details.

Win a Playhouse ~~ All Proceeds go to MDA!

Win a Playhouse!

Tickets $10 each or 3 for $25. All proceeds contributed to MDA. Drawing to be held November 29, 2009. Winner need not be present to win. Tickets available at all ERA open houses and Offices!

Featured Home of the Week / 6699 Outer Lincoln / MLS # 168886

6699 Outer Lincoln / Secluded Horse Estate

Click Here for a Visual Tour

Positioning Yourself for Success!

Buying or Selling ~~ Positioning Yourself for Success!

1) Work with a Proven Full Time Real Estate Professional
2) Choose an Agent that can give you Timely, Accurate Market Conditions and Trends
3) If a property does not appraise, consider a second opinion. Some appraisers may be looking at the market in a negative way, where current statistics actually may show an upswing. Pricing, List to Sell Ratios, Neighborhood Locations and Local Job Opportunities can change month to month, affecting Value!
4) Underwriting rules vary from lender to lender, if you are denied a mortgage from one lender, consider making a loan application at a second lender. Let your seasoned real estate professional guide you.
5) Do not hesitate to make your offer. Once the ball heads towards the hoop, it can come down anywhere. If you don’t shoot, you’ll never know.
6) The market is ever changing ~~ Call “Your Single Solution Agent” Today
Janice Miller ~~ ERA First Advantage Realty ~~ 812-453-0779
When experience counts, Choose Wisely

Staging Your Home to Sell

Staging transitions “your home” to “a model home”.  It emphasizes the positive attributes and eliminates detractions to present your home in its best light possible. Studies show that a “staged” property helps your home sell faster and for more profit.

Searching for a home is exhausting to buyers, the more a home projects calm, simplicity, luxury and a comfortable feeling, the more the buyer will be able to envision himself living there and “make an offer”. You must emotionally connect with the buyer.

Tips to consider:
Organize and de-clutter: Put away books and knick knacks, create focal points to simulate a buyer’s perception of the the ideal living space.
Pristine clean: Make the home sparkle, paint and steam clean where necessary. (eliminate pet odors)
Neutralize the environment: Eliminate items of personal taste and make you home generic enough to appeal to the maximum number of potential buyers.
Sensory touches: Bake a cake prior to showings, buy a bouquet of fresh flowers / eliminate any unsavory odors from the home.
First impressions: Spend money where it matters, anything that will create a great first impression. Front Stoop and Entry foyer must be in immaculate condition.
Modernize: Consider current styles and trends that could inspire potential buyers. Invest or borrow a painting or sculpture that will reflect your homes decorative colors (Include walls, throw pillows, rugs and etc.)
Create space: One of the biggest reasons that people move is that they NEED MORE SPACE . . . so make your home as spacious as possible! Eliminate unnecessary furniture and rearrange the setting of the furniture remaining. Lighter, more neutral colors create a sense of increased space and tranquility. Mirrors also help to make rooms appear larger. Eliminate at least half of what is inside of each closet.! Remove clothing you no longer use or want, bag up seasonal clothing you won’t be using for the next 3 months. I always tell sellers, you are moving anyway, rent a 10 x 10 storage building and cram it full. Allow your home to open up and let buyers minds envision themselves in the space.
Group of threes: Things go better in threes. Create focal points by grouping three candles, three baskets or three pillows. It helps with the fluidity.
Light: Make rooms brighter and when showing, keep the curtains and shades open. More light adds to the sense of space and projects an uplifting, positive feeling.

In conclusion, “The way you live in your home and the way you sell your house are two very different things. Stage and present a way of life to the buyer that allows him or her to see how they will use the space for their lifestyle.
For more tips on getting your home SOLD! 
Contact Janice "Your Single Solution Agent" at 812-453-0779

Featured Home of the Week / 7988 Waterfront / MLS #168798

7988 Waterfront /  Located in Historic Newburgh Indiana / Old Hickory Waterfront Section
Visual Tour of this Wonderful Property

7988 Waterfront in Old Hickory Subdivision

Janice Miller - 812-453-0779

http://www.janicemiller.com/

FUN STUFF

WORDLE.net / Created by Jonathan Feinberg

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide.

Print them off, share them with your friends!

Be careful tho! It's addictive!!!

Janice

International Presence / Local Wisdow

ERA First Advantage Realty
Serving Evansville, Newburgh IN and the Tri-State Area

For most people, buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial commitments they will make in their lifetime. That's why ERA® professionals are committed to guiding customers through each step of the transaction

Become a Fan

HALSTON CIRCLE ~~~ SOLD!

9061 Halston Circle / Newburgh

Check out this lovely well designed Brick Ranch Home, conveniently located in beautiful Halston Manor! Contact Linda at 812-568-5835

One owner home with superb craftmanship, style and excellent quality! 25' X 14' Bonus room and walk-in attic storage. Split bedroom design, Great Room, Formal Dining Room, Lovely Kitchen with Island and opens to the nice wooden deck overlooking a lush, green backyard with newly planted trees. You'll enjoy the convenient location of Halston Manor - just minutes from Evansville's eastside and Gateway Medical community, and you'll enjoy being in a smaller, friendly neighborhood. The neighborhood lake with its beautiful fountain is located in the middle of Halston Manor.

Click Here for the Visual Tour

Contact: Janice Miller

ERA First Advantage Realty

812-453-5000

Email: janice.miller@era.com

ERA® Mortgage can now reduce your closing costs

ERA® Mortgage can now reduce your closing costs!

Lender fees can increase the amount of cash you must bring to the closing by as much as $1,200. ERA Mortgage has introduced a way to save money with their No Lender Fees option*.

By paying a slightly higher monthly mortgage payment – about $16 per month on a $200,000 mortgage – your can avoid paying fees for the appraisal, flood certification, credit report, underwriting, tax service and more. This gives you more cash on hand for a down payment, home improvements, etc.

For more information about the ERA Mortgage No Lender Fees option, contact your local Mortgage Advisor - Jan Young at 812-629-5607 or visit ERA Mortgage online.

ERA Mortgage is a lender you can trust. Their No Lender Fees option is just one of many benefits available to you and your family. You'll have a smooth and easy mortgage experience and a professional that will take the time to select the loan that's right for their needs.

For a same-day loan decision, guaranteed, choose ERA Mortgage!
Janice Miller
ERA First Advantage Realty
or call Janice at 812-453-0779

*If applicable, private mortgage insurance, discount points, origination fee, standard FHA MIP charges, the VA funding fee and other non-lender fees, including but not limited to fees for title insurance and recording must still be paid by the customer.

©2008 ERA Franchise Systems LLC. All Right Reserved. ERA® and Always There For You® are registered trademarks licensed to ERA Franchise Systems LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Featured Home of the Week / 7400 Park Ridge / MLS 168574

Featured Home of the Week / 7400 Park Ridge / MLS 168574

Enjoy beautiful Pfafflin Lake in the community of Lakevale Estates. Well cared for brick Ranch with a full walk-out basement. Enormous potential in the 45 ft. X 20 ft. unfinished basement area. Basement Rec Room measures 36 Ft. X 27 Ft. and comes equipped with a Pool Table and equipment, shuffle board, and a bar area. Main level entry hall with slate flooring, spacious Formal Living Room with a wood-burning fireplace, Formal Dining Room, Family Room with large open bar island opens to the Kitchen with offers a Breakfast room with Hardwood Flooring, Butler's Pantry and more. Master Suite has doors to the rock garden, His & Her closets, updated shower and new Toto Toilet. There are 2 other spacious bedrooms convenient to the newly updated full bath, a 8.4 X 9.6 Laundry closet and a walk-up floored attic. Landscaped areas with stone borders, mature trees, and very large outdoor entertaining areas. Don't miss all the ammenities this home has to offer.

For your personal showing...

Call Janice Miller ~~ 812-453-5000

Click Here for a Visual Tour

How Important are Listing Photos

How Important are Listing Photos?

A recent survey by the National Assn of Realtors found that 83% of Home Buyers said that pictures were the most useful tool when finding just the right home to view and 60% cited Visual Tours as an important tool when choosing homes to consider.

As a buyer browses through listings and begins to narrow down their list, how many listing without photos do you believe are on their list? Most of us are visual creatures and will skip right over a listing without at least one photo. And, in most cases, as the seller, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and if there are no photos, most buyers will “move onto the next listing”, so, it becomes very important to choose a listing realtor that places a high value on photos and visual tours! At ERA First Advantage Realty, we believe that “Every Home Deserves a Visual Tour!” AND we require at least 6 photos be turned in with each listing folder. Once the buyer finds your listing with photos, you want them to be quality photos, photos that will show your home in it's best light. If they are dark, blurred, lop-sided or so close that all you see is a ceiling and part of a window, that may frustrate the buyer and they may move onto the next listing.

As a listing Realtor, I have more than one camera, but my favorite is a Kodak digital wide angle lens camera that will capture more of the room than the standard lens. I take numerous photos, from many angles, I carefully pick thru them all to find the best, then these chosen photos are enhanced with a high quality software program.

I don’t want to just list your home, I want to take it to SOLD! I will ask you to reduce the clutter and remove family photographs, then, together we turn on all the lights and stage the home to look its best. Removing tablecloths from the kitchen and dining areas, and throw rugs from the kitchen, baths and foyer will allow your rooms to appear larger. I have 20 years + experience and will share the tips I have learned to make your home and the photos of your home gain the buyers attention!

Remember, HomeBuyers are judging your home, long before they come to your front door, so be sure you choose a Realtor that can AND WILL showcase your home in its best light, contact me, Janice Miller – “Your Single Solution Agent”.

Featured Home of the Week / 8410 Kneer Rd, Evansville IN

Must see this charming country estate on 2.83 acres just minutes to North Park Shopping. This custom built one owner home. Exterior features patio, above ground pool, 40x30 metal pole barn with concrete floor, furnace, and electric service. Grape arbor, blackberry bushes, and fruit trees surround the backyard. New roof in May 2009. Don't Miss this great northside home under $250,000!

Janice Miller

Click Here for a Visual Tour

Arriving at a Successful Sale

Many real estate listings come from individuals who thought they had sold their homes. Sellers who try to sell their own home learn the hard way that selling a home is not easy. Keeping it sold and getting to the closing table is an even more difficult task. What are the pitfalls involved in selling your own home?

Face-to-face negotiations may be very difficult, even when the buyer really wants to buy the house. Then there is the paperwork. Standard contract forms rarely cover all of the local requirements regarding disclosure laws. Such contracts may provide loopholes which could allow a buyer with cold feet and back out at the last minute.

When you have finally come to an agreement, how can you be sure that your buyers will engage competent professionals to handle their loan process and complete the closing? What if structural problems are discovered or property boundary problems are revealed? The experience and expertise of a professional real estate agent is your greatest asset in concluding a successful transaction.

Contact "Your Single Solution Agent" to meet all your family's needs.

Janice Miller / Broker

812-453-0779

ERA First Advantage Realty

To see Janice's Feature Properties: Click here

Featured Home of the Month ~ 6388 Jenwood Ct, Newburgh IN

PARADE HOME OF THE YEAR 2007 - truly a REGAL home! Fantastic price on a fantastic house! Custom built by Regal Homes of Southern Indiana, this 6,879 sq.ft./one owner home, located on a large wooded lot and cul-de-sac in upscale Woodfield subdivision, boasts over-the-top quality and exquisite attention to every detail in six bedrooms, 4.5 baths, fabulous kitchen, hearth room, living room/piano room, full finished walk-out lower level with 10 ft. ceilings, music room with double insulated walls and ceiling, 24x40

storage room, 15x14 storm shelter, security & fire system, re-circulation pump that allows for almost instant hot water, and landscaped by Perk-A-Lawn to provide you with year-round perennial color! Beginning with the stone and Spalding Tudor brick exterior, "marching soldier" patterned brick around the whole house and garage, detailed Keystone brick work around each of the Andersen windows, to the custom made ironwork railings and the under mount lighting on all eyes, you will "expect to be impressed" once inside. Hickory hardwood flooring, sculpted carpeting, 18" porcelain tile, intricate hardwood inlaid floor medallion, extensive millwork including double crowned arched doorways with raised panel case openings, "eye browed" windows, and French Country Wainscoting walls, Hickory plant ledges, magnificent chandeliers and light treatments custom ordered through BJ's Home Accents, Schaub hardware throughout, Amish custom glazed cabinetry, Plantation and wood blinds, Just Faux It hand painted walls and ceilings, and perhaps the most notable area of excellence: the elegant and unique ceiling treatments -- tongue-in-groove hickory hardwood cathedral in the formal living room/piano room, hand painted in the kitchen, fabulous bonus room mural, barreled in the master bath and bonus, beadboard in the laundry, family room vaulted, double trays in master bedroom, and double crowned in most other rooms.
Click Here for a Visual Tour of this Magnificent Home!
For your personal showing ~ Call Janice at 812-453-0779

Sunshine Sells / Seller Tips

Sunshine Sells

When your home is being shown, you want prospective buyers to feel especially good as soon as they step into your living room. So, it pays to give special attention and maximize the amount of light in your home, because dark homes may be depressing to many buyers.

When prospective buyers give their agents feedback, they often give the feel of light and airy spaces as a major attraction.

Begin your preparation for showing your home by cleaning the windows and curtains thoroughly. Open the drapes and blinds to allow the sunshine in. Even on a bright day it helps to turn on some lights in the main rooms of the house. If you are using shades or heavy drapes to eliminate a less-than-perfect view, you may want to consider replacing them with translucent curtains in a light color. Sunshine definitely helps to sell homes!

For more tips on getting your home "SOLD", contact "Your Single Solution Agent" . . . Janice Miller!

Featured Home of the Week / 6055 Laurel Ridge

6055 Laurel Ridge / Lakeridge Crossing

Spacious one owner home in Lakeridge Crossing within a short walking distance of the pool, tennis courts, playground and clubhouse. Beautiful lot with mature trees, professional landscaping both in front and backyard , retaining wall, sprinkler system and views of the lakes.

Click here for a Visual Tour

For more information contact Janice at 812-453-0779

Communicating with your Realtor

If you are using the services of a professional real estate agent to find a new home, good communication is crucial to the transaction. A real estate agent who knows your most significant criteria can work much more effectively to show you homes that will meet your needs.

Let the real estate agent know why you are interested in a specific location. Discuss specific requirements such as proximity to your job, good schools, or recreational activities. If there are no houses available in your price range, the agent may suggest alternate neighborhoods with the same amenities. Do you need a home office or do you have hobbies that you want to accommodate? Is there a particular style of architecture that you prefer?

Agents sometimes have to be intuitive when we work with buyers. The more you can describe to your agent what elements in the home are essential and where you are willing to compromise, the easier it will be to use their expertise to find a home that's perfect for you.

When you need a Realtor's expertise, contact "Your Single Solution Agent"
Janice Miller
812-453-0779