Local Greater Lafayette Indiana Real Estate: http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/Residential and commercial real estate activity for Lafayette and West Lafayette looks strong, according to the cities annual State of Real Estate report. The report shows that business investments from companies, including Toyota and Caterpillar, are having an impact on the area's economy. Highlights in the commercial development area include the continued growth of the Purdue Research Park and the Cascada Business Park and the recently completed Renaissance Place.Real Estate Activity SummaryResidential, 2005Properties sold: 1,988Dollar volume: $283.5 millionAverage sales price: $142,620Interest rates, 30-year fixed, no points: 5.25% to 6.25%New housing starts from building permits: 898 total(134 in L... 04/16/2007

Homeward Bound is a 5K Walk that's part of a statewide effort to fight homelessness.  The walk will take place in Lafayette, Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Michigan City, and South Bend.  All money raiased will go directly to the local organizations.Use the website http://www.homelesswalks.org/ to sign up.  PROVIDED BY:Your Real Estate Specialists Group - http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/Keller Williams Lafayette, Indiana  04/16/2007

  http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/ LAFAYETTE, INDIANAArea,20.1 sq mi (52 sq km). Pop.(2000) 56,397HISTORYThe area around what is now Tippecanoe County was inhabited by a tribe of Miami Indians known as the Ouiatenon or Weas . The French government established Fort Ouiatenon in 1717 across the Wabash River and three miles south of the location of present-day Lafayette. The fort became the center of trade for fur trappers, merchants and Indians. An annual reenactment and festival known as The Feast of the Hunters' Moon takes place there each fall. Lafayette was platted by the river trader William Digby, in May 1825 . The town was made county seat for the newly formed Tippecanoe County soon after in 1826. Like many small frontier towns, Lafayette was officially named for the Frenc... 04/05/2007

"The entire staff was friendly, helpful and a pleasure to do business with.  Everyone went out of their way to process my loan in a timely manner" -Sharon Tres"We would like to thank your entire team for the great service that you provided during our first home purchase. Due to your outstanding job, we were able to close on our new home with no problems." -Patricia Greer"I really appreciated the assistance in obtaining my mortgage and your creativity in financing options." -Pat Johnson"I was declined by three other companies. We were very pleased that David was able to get the loan approved. Thanks David. We appreciate it, and look forward to recommending our friends!" -Ravi KC"Great team work! Thanks a lot! You were tremendously helpful and pleasant to deal with. Our experience with Ti... 04/02/2007

 www.YourRealEstateSpecialists.comNow that it's warm in Lafayette, Indiana I find myself looking for outdoor dining.  Whether it's a quick lunch, or long dinner...it's so relaxing and refreshing to dine outdoors.  Here are some places in Lafayette, Indiana that offer outdoor dining:Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar 2715 South Creasy Lane, Lafayette, 765-477-9325http://www.buffalowildwings.com/ - Great Wings, Sports TelevisionCox's Pub 2401 Schuyler Avenue, Lafayette, 765-742-8727http://www.coxspub.com/ - Local Karaoke Bar, PatioDog & Suds 601 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, 765-447-5457http://www.dognsuds.org/ - Wonderful Coney Dogs & Famous RootbeerFrozen Custard 2319 Wallace Ave., Lafayette, 765-447-6090http://www.originalfrozencustard.com/ - Walk from Columbian Park, the Best Frozen ... 04/01/2007

    Great Curb Appeal to Attract Buyers for Your Home Lafayette, Indiana Real EstateOur Website:  www.yourrealestatespecialists.comStaging the interior of your home is very important, and the exterior is equally, if not more important when trying to sell your home.  Potential buyers see the outside of your home & yard before they every take a peek inside.  So many buyers are finding their homes on the internet, and driving by to narrow down the amount of homes they actually tour.  If the exterior of your home and the yard are lacking in curb appeal, you're missing out on buyers. As I drive around the local Lafayette & West Lafayette area, it's amazing how many homes don't have curb appeal while they're on the market.  With just a few small touches to your home's exterior & your yard, yo... 03/31/2007

 http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/                                                                               Getting Your Home Ready to Show...and SELL!One of the first major steps sellers must take before putting their homes on the market - besides finding a real estate practitioner, of course - is to clean each room from floor to ceiling. Windows must sparkle, lighting fixtures must shine, and tabletops must be clutter free. Depending on how long your clients have lived in the home, this step could be one of the hardest tasks to tackle. To get them started, refer them to this Web site for time-saving tips on cleaning, de-cluttering, organizing, and time management. They'll find advice for virtually every area of the home, including the exterior. The site, heavy with articl... 03/31/2007

Home ownership is still very much a part of the American dream but one that mandates homework, legwork and considerable effort on your part to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Here's how to make your dream a reality.   HOW TO BUY YOUR OWN HOME IN LAFAYETTE, INhttp://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/STEP 1: Decide if it makes sense for you to buy a house or keep renting. If your job keeps you on the move, it may not be worth it. You may need to stay put for at least three years to recoup your closing costs. If your desire to own a home is based on wanting to create stability, keeping control over your living situation, building equity and investing in your future, go for it. STEP 2: Strengthen your credit: Pay off credit cards, resolve any credit disputes or delinqu... 03/31/2007

Don't let man's best friend get lost in the shuffle of a move. Relocating your dog to a new home can be a smooth transition for everyone involved if you follow these simple steps.   www.YourRealEstateSpecialists.comBefore the MoveInstructions STEP 1: Obtain a copy of your dog's veterinary records to give to the vet in the new area. STEP 2: Call the state veterinarian in the capital of the state you're moving to. Find out if you need to provide any paperwork to bring your dog into the state. STEP 3: Call the town or village hall in the new locale. Ask about licensing requirements. STEP 4: Make arrangements for your dog to travel with you in a car or by air. Dogs normally aren't permitted on trains or buses. Tips & Warnings Get a health certificate from your vet. Some states require that ... 03/31/2007

5 Factors That Decide Your Credit Score www.YourRealEstateSpecialists.comCredit scores range between 200 and 800. Scores above 620 are considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. These factors will affect your score: 1. Your payment history. Whether you paid credit card obligations on time. 2. How much you owe. Owing a great deal of money on numerous accounts can indicate that you are overextended. 3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer the better. 4. How much new credit you have. New credit either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay promptly. 5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it's desirable to have more than one type of credit - installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example. Your Real Esta... 03/31/2007

REFINANCE CALCULATORHelps you determine if you will benefit by refinancing. DEBT CONSOLIDATION CALCULATORShows you how a refinance can reduce your monthly payments. Are You Throwing Good Money Down The Drain???"How You Can Get Debt-Free Fast And Escape From Financial Prison"Important Information About Your Home Mortgage:Now, maybe you're not losing a million bucks a year, but I'm willing to bet you are losing a small fortune! And I want to help you put that money back into your pocket, where it belongs.My name is David Mennen and I am a home mortgage, cost-reductionexpert.  I call it "financial prison" because even though we do live in the greatest country in the world, even people with good incomes, who are buying their homes, wind up in "financial prison" - mostly because of what bank... 03/23/2007

 7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home in Lafayette, West Lafayette, Indiana  www.YourRealEstateSpecialists.com Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there's no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSÒ found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you'll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can genera... 03/19/2007

Up Front Costs for Buyers in Lafayette & West Lafayette Indiana  http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/  1.  Earnest Money  -Typically $500 - $1,000 (can be any amount)(Deposit made at time of writing offer, which will be credited back at closing towards closing as per purchase agreement)               •2.     Inspection Fees - Typically $250 - $400(includes whole house, termite, and radon)We can recommend several home inspectors to you.*All Realtor fees are paid by the Seller Your Real Estate Specialists Group - http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/Keller Williams Lafayette, Indiana 03/19/2007

5 Things to Understand About Homeowner's Insurance in Lafayette & West Lafayette Indiana http://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/  •1.           Look for exclusions to coverage. For example, most insurance policies do not cover flood or earthquake damage as a standard item. These coverage's must be bought separately.•2.           Look for dollar limitations on claims. Even if you are covered for a risk, there may a limit on how much the insurer will pay. For example, many policies limit the amount paid for stolen jewelry unless items are insured separately.•3.           Understand replacement cost. If your home is destroyed you'll receive money to replace it only to the maximum of your coverage, so be sure your insurance is sufficient. This means that if your home is insured for $150,0... 03/19/2007

Common Closing Costs for Buyers  www.YourRealEstateSpecialists.comThe lender must disclose a good faith estimate of all settlement costs. A check to cover your closing costs will probably have to be a cashier's check. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for: •§         Down payment •§         Loan origination fees•§         Points, or loan discount fees, you pay to receive a lower interest rate•§         Appraisal fee•§         Credit report•§         Private mortgage insurance premium•§         Insurance escrow for homeowners insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage•§         Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of the mortgage. Lenders keep funds for taxes and insurance in escrow accounts as they are paid with the mo... 03/19/2007

10 Ways to Lower Your Homeowner's Insurance Costshttp://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/•1.           Raise your deductible. If you can afford to pay more toward a loss that occurs, your premiums will be lower.•2.           Buy your homeowners and auto policies from the same company. You'll usually qualify for a discount. But make sure that the savings really yields the lowest price.•3.           Make your home less susceptible to damage. Keep roofs and drains in good repair. Retrofit your house to protect against natural disasters common to your area.•4.           Keep your home safer. Install smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and dead-bolt locks. All of these will usually qualify for a discount.•5.           Be sure you insure your house for the correct amount. Remember, you're cover... 03/19/2007

 10 Things to Take the Trauma Out of Home Buying in Lafayette & West Lafayette Indianahttp://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/ 1.  Find a real estate professional who's trustworthy. Homebuying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It's critical that the practitioner you choose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality. 2.  Remember, there's no "right" time to buy, any more than there's a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don't try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don't usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won't stay on the market long. 3.  Don't ask for too many opinions. It's natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas wi... 03/19/2007

10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership  •1.     Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income. •2.     Develop a wish list of what you'd like your home to have. Then prioritize the features on your list. •3.     Select three or four neighborhoods you'd like to live in. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety. •4.     Determine if you have enough saved to cover your downpayment and closing costs. Closing costs, including taxes, attorney's fee, and transfer fees average between 2 % and 7% of the home price. •5.     Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report. •6.     Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for. Also explore diffe... 03/19/2007

 5 Reasons You Need a REALTOR 1. A real esate transaction is complicated. In most cases, buying or selling a home requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page government-mandated settlement statements. A knowledgeable guide through this complixity can help you avoid delays or costly mistakes. 2. Selling or buying a home is time consuming. Even in a strong market, homes in our area stay on the market for an average of 95 days. And it usually takes another 60 days or so for the transaction to close after an offer is accepted. 3. Real estate has its own language. If you don't know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it's important to work with someone who speaks that language. 4. REALTORS have done it before. Most people ... 03/16/2007

  5 Common Homebuyer Mistakes in Lafayette & West Lafayette Indiana1. They don't ask enough questions of their lender and miss out on the best deal. 2. They don't act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house. 3. They don't find the right real estate professional who is willing to help you through the home buying process. 4. They don't do enough to make their offer look good to a seller. 5. They don't think about resale before they buy. THe average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years. 5 COMMON FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER MISTAKES is Provided by: Your Real Estate Specialsits Group Keller Williams Lafayette, Signature Partners Lafayette & West Lafayette Indiana Real Estatehttp://www.yourrealestatespecialists.com/ http://www.lafayetteblog.com/Reprinted fro... 03/16/2007