Life in Lafayette - The Romanski Group Blog - Greater Lafayette Indiana Real Estate and Community Information!

Home For Sale: 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

February 14th, 2015

Welcome to 5730 US Hwy 52 S. in Lafayette, Indiana!

If you are looking for a new home on a large wooded lot in Tippecanoe County then this is the home for you! This home is located in south Lafayette in the McCutcheon School District on 3/4 of an acre lot with mature trees and beautiful perennials!

front of house 2

This home offers character and charm throughout with it’s beautiful hardwood floors and arched doorways!

large living room with hardwood floors in 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

arched doorways – 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

This home has a BRAND new kitchen with new appliances and a large dining area! There is also an updated bathroom with ceramic tile!

new kitchen of 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

updated bathroom of 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

The bedrooms offer a lot of natural light and hardwood flooring!

bedroom of 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

bedroom of 5730 US Hwy 52 S., Lafayette

There is a mud room that leads into the 2-car attached garage! Enjoy gardening this summer and using the potter’s shed!

storage shed

If you are looking to get just outside of the city limits of Tippecanoe County on nearly an acre then this may be the home for you!

Click here for more information and to see more photos!

Contact The Romanski Group today to see this home (765) 293.9300!

5 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value!

February 8th, 2015

Do you have big plans to sell your home in 2015? If you are looking for ways to increase the value of your home in the coming year, here are 5 “do-it-yourself” projects that you can begin working on now to help increase the value of your home.

#1 – NEUTRALIZE EVERYTHING

One of the most cost-effective value adding improvements is paint. You may love the bright green paint in your bedroom but not everyone else will agree. It is always best to neutralize the paint throughout your home to appeal to as many potential home buyers as you can. Fresh paint will help your rooms look updated and attractive. Using neutral colors will help make your house appealing to a wider variety of people. A fresh coat of paint does not cost that much but makes a BIG IMPRESSION! Remove wallpaper, borders and get those walls neutralized!!!

Here are some good neutral colors to consider:

#2 – UPGRADE YOUR FLOORING

One of the main things that can turn off buyers is dirty and worn out carpeting and flooring. This is an upgrade that can vary depending on your budget, from replacing the most worn areas of your carpeting, to installing all new carpet or refinishing wood flooring. If you have old orange shag carpet or a baby blue toilet in your bathroom from the 60’s or 70’s – it’s best to get that replaced.

#3 – CLUTTER FREE

One of the best places to start with increasing the value, and the desirability, of your home is with the elimination of clutter. This can either be a project that you do yourself, or hire a professional if you feel like its an overwhelming task to take on yourself. We need to showcase the amount of space that you and not give the appearance that you are overcrowded. Make 3 areas in your home – one for keep; one for throw away and one for donate and start decluttering! Removing some of your personal photos and kids artwork will help potential home buyers visual their belongings and their photos in your home. Counter and bathroom vanities need to be organized and tidy to maximize the amount of space that you have and the refrigerator should be cleared off as well. A clutter-free house will make your house feel larger and open, resulting in added appeal to potential buyers.

#4 – SPIC AND SPAN

Give your home a thorough cleaning inside and out! Take yourself on a tour of your home beginning at the front door and look high to low. You will want to clean everything from the cobwebs out of the corners to the ceiling fans, floors, walls, bathroom vents, baseboards and more! You will also want to have your carpets professionally cleaned unless you are replacing the flooring. Remember……you only get ONE FIRST IMPRESSION!

#5 – MAKE INEXPENSIVE UPDATES

Put new grout around that tub if needed! Tighten screws in your cabinet hardware; replace the old towel bars in your bathrooms or the old faucet in the kitchen! If you have any leaking faucets, hose bibs or a non working water softener – now is the time to get those repaired! Maybe you need to give your furnace and A/C a tune up (keep the record of this by the way to show the buyer). Replace burnt out light bulbs so it doesn’t give the impression that there may potentially be an electrical issue. Have you septic tank pumped if it has not been done in a few years. Replace broken windows. Have the fireplace chimney swept if it hasn’t been done recently either. It’s best to do these things NOW rather than after the inspector has gone through and then you’re under a time crunch to make the repairs or remove doubt from the buyer that the problem really was just a burnt out light bulb. Be sure to keep all records and receipts of any repairs or service calls that are completed.

Preparing your home for the market can be a tedious job! Hopefully you are working with an experienced Realtor that will give you real honest suggestions of the home selling tips that you can’t avoid. It only hurts the sale of your home if your house is not prepared the minute it hits the market. You have many Agents from which to choose. Pick someone who truly cares and is honest with you.

When you are ready to meet with a Real Estate Professional we would love to interview for the job of selling your home!

The Romanski Group with Keller Williams Realty (serving Lafayette and West Lafayette Indiana and surrounding areas)

Sweet Valentine’s Treats in Lafayette!

February 5th, 2015

We recently shared a post called Local Flavors of Lafayette taking you to some of our favorite restaurants around Lafayette Indiana! We hope by now that you have been able to try a few of those establishments!

We also have a sweet side to us (yes, I know that may be hard to believe) and love is in the air so we decided that we needed to seek out some of the BEST ~ SUGARY ~ SWEET ~ TREATS being offered in the Lafayette area for Valentine’s Day!

It was so much fun going around and getting all sugared up as we tried some of Lafayette and West Lafayette’s local candy stores, ice creameries and cake shops. I am pretty sure that I gained 20 pounds while writing this blog…..but it was all for a good cause:)!!!! We had the opportunity to meet some pretty awesome local business owners and their team members while learning about their stores and their upcoming Valentine’s Day specials.

Okay Enough of My Rambling…It’s Time to Buckle Up…..We’re Going on a SWEET RIDE!!!

McCord’s Candies – 536 Main St – Lafayette, IN 47901

First and foremost I want to mention that customer service is the key to any successful business! This quaint little candy store has been in downtown Lafayette for over 100 years so they must be doing something right! We were welcomed with a smile and they were very helpful!

This place had a very nostalgic feel! Their homemade candies, Italian sodas, ice cream treats and affordable lunch are all delicious!! McCord’s Candies and their candy canes alone make this place close to heart and one of our favorites. Oh, they also serve up an awesome cherry vanilla coke. McCord’s does a lot of fun events to get their customers involved such as the candy can making events near Christmas and the new McCord’s KIDZ CLUB they are starting. They will have some special treats for Valentine’s Day including hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate covered cherries and other Valentine’s candies!

Mammaw’s Sweet Shoppe – 3803 S R 26 E., Ste B – Lafayette, IN 47905

Oh boy, oh boy – wait until you try these amazing sugar cookies, cupcakes and other treats!

You must take a visit to this adorably chic bakery in Lafayette!! Not only do they serve up amazing treats but their customer service is equally as sweet! They have scrumptious desserts for everyone no matter the occasion from weddings to birthdays to showers and more! They won’t just make you a cake…they will make it an event! As their website says “Nobody makes cookies like Mamma….NOBODY!” We have to agree! Their decorated sugar cookies are out of this world!!! They also have a party room for special events! Be sure to pre-order your customized box of a variety of chocolate cupcakes complete with a bow or your Valentine’s cookies!

Something Blue Bakery – 918 Main St – Lafayette, IN 47901

Cupcakes and whoopie pies and cakes….oh my!!!

Something Blue Bakery has an eye for detail! Their cupcakes come in small and large sizes and specialty flavors change from week to week. This adorably charming bakery offers some seating and is decorated just as cute as it can be!! Their display of cakes inside the bakery will knock your socks off too! Some of their Valentine’s treats include: “Chocolate Bliss” (a chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache filling), “So Berry In Love” (a strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and a Bavarian cream fill) and “Gimme S’more Lovin'” (a chocolate cake with marshmallow buttercream, marshmallow filling and topped with graham cracker crumbs). Anyone drooling yet!!

The Pink Walrus – 3575 Promenade Pkwy – Lafayette, IN 47909

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…The Pink Walrus!

This is not only a yummy treat but also a fun experience!! They have a wide variety of frozen yogurt flavors to choose from and a TON of different toppings!! The possibilities are endless! Grab your bowl, select the flavor(s) that you want, load up on all of the toppings you can fit in and walla!!! You pay by the weight so maybe don’t fill up your dish completely to the top (but close to it). The atmosphere is fun, bright and cheery! The walls are all painted bright colors and the chairs, tables, and booths all follow in kind. The table tops are covered in bottle caps – see how many matching bottle caps you can find! An overall great experience. Be sure to stop in with your love and load up on all of the special Valentine’s Day toppings!

Kathy’s Homemade Candies – 611 Main St – Lafayette, IN 47901

In the heart of Lafayette is this unique little shop with an assortment of chocolates, candies, sodas, popcorn and novelties!

You can literally watch Kathy whip up these homemade delectable treats in the adjacent kitchen while you browse the selection of chocolates, sea salt caramels, old fashioned hard candy, cake balls, specialty truffles, jelly babies, and much much more. Some of her specialties that she’ll be making special for Valentine’s Day are the giant heart shaped chocolate chip cookies, decorated sugar cookies, customized boxes of chocolates and she will be spending countless hours dipping 10 cases of fresh strawberries in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate!! It’s best to pre-order your Valentine’s Treats.

Two Crazy Ladies Chocolates and Gifts – Located in Lafayette

Do you want to help a cause while spoiling your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day? Check out this fundraiser and help support their mission field….

They have a variety of homemade chocolates, caramels, dark chocolate cherries and toffee packaged in beautiful gold boxes. Check them out of Facebook for more pictures or to special order. Their awesome supporters rave about how delicious their chocolates are!!

Sugar overload we know….but admit it this all sounds pretty delicious! Maybe you can take your Valentine to try all of these sugary, sweet treats!!

We hope that you will agree that Lafayette has some unique places to eat and shop making it a pretty sweet place to live!

If you are looking to find a sweet new pad or you are thinking of selling your home, let us know – who knows maybe we’ll show up with chocolate!

Fix and Flip – Your Next Investment!

February 3rd, 2015

Are you thinking about getting into the HOUSE FLIPPING BUSINESS?

Here are 5 Steps to get you started with Who, What, When, How and Why to Get into Fixing and Flipping Properties.

As a first-time home flipper, look for quick-flip opportunities — cosmetically challenged houses that you can repair or update and sell without a huge investment of time or renovation costs. This strategy enables you to focus on the overall process and on finding good opportunities. A GREAT resource to being reading is “FLIP – How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit”.

1. FIND THE DEAL

You will most likely look at many homes before making a decision. You may attend Sheriff Sales and have your Realtor send you e-alerts with properties that have been foreclosed on or those that are in the short sale process. You need to look for homes that are fixer-uppers or that have equity and is priced low for the market. Remember, in real estate investing, you make your money when you buy the house. Ask your Realtor for neighborhood comps to help you make a wise decision!

2. FACTS – WILL MAKE OR BREAK THE DEAL

You must do your due diligence before you actually put an offer in on the property. Be sure you understand the market, the area where the home of interest is located, costs for repairs, after repair value, the time it will take you to complete the repairs, deed restrictions, liens and possible title issues.

3. FINANCE THE DEAL

Flipping houses can be an expensive endeavor. The best way for a quick transaction and most flexibility is to use private money, a personal loan or hard money loans. You will need the money to not only purchase the property, but to also make the repairs necessary, pay contractors for their time and materials and then sell the property. Be sure that you work with a qualified mortgage lender if you consider financing your project. Here are some options:

Your own cash: Cash and savings, equity you’ve built up in your home (your home’s value minus what you owe on it), and retirement savings.
Personal loans: Money from family members or friends who are either willing to take a risk on you or are wanting to invest in real estate without having to do the work.
Conventional loans: A loan you borrow from a bank or other conventional lending institution based on your income, net worth (the value of what you own minus the value of what you owe), and credit history.
Government loans: If you’re buying properties from government-sponsored programs, you may qualify for government loans, even as an investor.
Hard-money loans: High-interest, short-term loans that are often attractive to investors who can’t qualify for conventional loans. (One benefit of hard-money loans is that the lender often accepts the investment property as collateral for the loan, so you don’t have to place your own home at risk.)

4. FIX THE HOUSE

The goal when buying a house to flip is to not have to tear it down to the foundation. It is also not to fix it up to make it the most beautiful or nicest home in the neighborhood. Focus on the most important and most profitable repairs for your quick flip.

Start with the curb appeal and work your way indoors. Begin with a thorough cleaning of everything including having the furnace and A/C serviced and cleaned. Make a list of what needs updating such as: light fixtures, sinks, flooring, countertops, paint, vent covers, smoke detectors, cabinet hardware, etc. You don’t need to use the top of the line products – keep it neutral throughout!! You’ve heard of the acronym K.I.S.S. – do just that and keep it simple!

5. FAREWELL AND SELL

When you are about 2-3 weeks from completion it’s time to call a Realtor out to provide you a market analysis based on the improvements that you have made and current neighborhood or area sales comparables. Your Realtor will have the listing paperwork prepared and ready to list your property as soon as you give him or her the green light. Your Realtor will also schedule their professional photographer to make the best first impression in marketing the home. You may also want to consider hiring a home staging company to give that extra WOW factor! If you have done your job correctly, your property will sell quick, you will make a profit and be ready to move onto your next project!

When you buy a quick flip opportunity, your goal is to make the property impeccably clean and well-maintained, something all home buyers want. So now that you understand the process to Fix and Flip you need to contact The Romanski Group to get your started and set up to received e-alerts of foreclosures, short sales and any other property that may make a good investment!

You can also get started NOW BY SEARCHING PROPERTIES in your county:

Search Tippecanoe County FORECLOSURES or SHORT SALES NOW!

Search Carroll County FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES NOW!

Search Clinton County FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES NOW!

Search White County FORECLOSURES and SHORT SALES NOW!

Search Benton County FORECLOSURES AND SHORT SALES NOW!

Top 10 Local Flavors in Lafayette!

January 24th, 2015

If you’re anything like us we are ALWAYS looking for a GREAT place to dine with local flavors and good reviews!! It is so disappointing to spend your hard earned money on a lousy meal. So if you are looking for the BEST places to eat in Lafayette, here are our picks for the Top 10 Local Flavors in Lafayette (and if you know us well then you know we are food snobs and wouldn’t steer you wrong)! We also asked some of our friends about their local favorite restaurants in Lafayette and here’s what we came up with….(and in no particular order)….

1. Maru Japanese Sushi – 111 N. Chauncey, West Lafayette, IN 47906

As a person who loves sushi I have to say this place has amazing sushi selections! This is a small cozy place to chill on Purdue’s campus and one of the best places for sushi around! When your on Boilermaker ground you have to try the Purdue roll! Some of our other favorite’s include the Dragon roll and the Playboy roll. You can walk from the Purdue Memorial Union to Maru in a couple of minutes.

2. Bruno’s Pizza – 212 Brown Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 – www.brunodough.com

A casual, locally owned family friendly pizzeria with a heavy dose of Purdue Boilermaker memorabilia throughout! Seriously don’t order anything until you’ve tried the famous Bruno Dough and Apple Butter or Peanut Butter Pizza (actually it’s not a requirement but highly recommended)!!! Bruno’s also has party rooms for larger groups and TV’s so you can keep an eye on the score!

Bruno's - Bruno dough with cheese and marinara sauces - West Lafayette, IN, United States

3. DT Kirby’s – 644 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 – www.thebestdivebar.com

Grab your buddies to watch a Purdue game or load up the kids for some amazing food at DT Kirby’s in downtown Lafayette, IN! You’ll love the fun and funky vibe here!! If you are always on the hunt for a good specialty burger or crazy combination hot dogs this is the place!!! Be sure to try some of our top choices……the Wasabi burger or dog, the bacon, egg burger or maybe a giant pork tenderloin with mushrooms!! The kids will love it here too! Get your napkins ready for a messy meal! You won’t walk out hungry that’s for sure!

4. Black Sparrow – 223 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 – www.blacksparrowpub.com

If you are looking for a rotating beer selection or a hipster crowd with exposed brick and a cool bar then this is the place!!! From their fig pizza or El Diablo pizza to their melt in your mouth burgers and steak frites your mouth will be in heaven! If you are a foodie, you will not be disappointed with their unique menu and flavor combinations! A great location in downtown Lafayette near Riehle Plaza!

5. LaScala Italian Restaurant – 312 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 – www.lascalaitalianrestaurant.com

Now this is LOCAL flavor!! Focusing on farm fresh ingredients from local Lafayette area farmers their motto is Farm to Fork! You will taste the difference in the quality of food at this staple in downtown Lafayette! You might need to make reservations! Our readers recommend trying the homemade Paco’s Famous Tomato Basil soup for starters and working your way into one of these entrees: the rich and hearty Gnocchi Bolognese or the Ravioli Florentine with Shrimp or perhaps the AntiPasti La Scala Platter.

6. Sylvia’s Brick Oven – 625 Columbia Street, Lafayette IN 47901 – www.sylviasbrickoven.com

Tin ceilings and unique lighting make for an intimate setting – a great place for an evening out with your loved one! Using original recipes and fresh ingredients on their pizzas baked including their fresh mozzarella cheese your pizza is baked in a brick oven and will come out with the perfect crust. Their pasta dishes are terrific, tasty and in good portion sizes. We recommend you try whatever the pizza of the day choice is or perhaps the Luau Pizza with the Garlic Knots with marinara as an appetizer.

7. Parkside Seafood House and Oyster Bar – 1902 Scott Street, Lafayette, IN 47904 – www.parksideseafood.com

Situated across from Columbian Park is this charming new restaurant in Lafayette! Daily seafood specials, great wine selection and quaint decor with outdoor and private seating. We suggest you begin with an order of oysters, then go with the Lobster Roll or the Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese or the daily fish selection and finish with the creme brûlée that will melt in your mouth!

8. Akropolis – 3311 South Street, Lafayette, IN 47904

With Greek music playing in the background of this Mediterranean themed restaurant you will feel like you are in Greece! Try their combination plate.–dolmades (stuffed grape leaves,) moussaka, cheese pie and gyros. All of the entrees are delicious and authentic. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Gyro’s with the homemade Tzatiki sauce! Be sure to save room for the homemade Baklava!

9. D & R BBQ – 135 N. Creasy Lane, Lafayette, IN 47905 – www.dandrmarket.net

If you love BBQ, brisket and southern comfort food you better head on over to D & R BBQ in Lafayette! Amazing BBQ, brisket, smoked salmon, Mac n cheese, smoked chicken, ribs, baked beans and green beans!!! D & R also does catering with specialty meats, appetizers, cheeses, fish spread and more! Did we already say how amazing this food is? You will feel like you just went to BBQ heaven when you’re finished here!

10. Mountain Jack’s – 4211 State Road 26 E., Lafayette, IN 47905 – www.mountainjackslafayette.com

Romantic setting – mouth watering steaks and prime rib! In fact, we think it’s the BEST prime rib in the area! The salad alone is worth going for. The server comes to your table with a giant tray and a big lazy Susan full of cups of ingredients and you tell them which ingredients you want them to put on your salad. Our top choice however is the Filet Mignon Westwood style with a hollandaise sauce and crab meat topping is to die for.

And because we couldn’t leave out one other hot spot in downtown Lafayette we added a bonus to our list:

Bistro 501 – 501 Main Street, Lafayette, IN 47901 – www.bistro501.com

Situated on a corner in downtown Lafayette this beautiful french restaurant offers a savory menu in an upscale setting. If you appreciate fine foods and drinks then this is the place for you. The Tempura Shrimp is one of my favorites! It is served with a mango relish and a ginger soy cream sauce that just makes it! Some other favorites are their quiches for lunch, the salmon, steak frites, duck and rack of lamb. The chef takes pride in the quality of food and presentation each and every time!

Bistro 501 - Rack of lamb - Lafayette, IN, United States

We could go on an on with many more hot spots in the Greater Lafayette area, so we figured why not!!! Here are just a few others you need to try also: Hour Time, Heisei Japanese and Sushi, Triple X, Red Seven, McGraw’s, Thai Essence, 9 Irish Brothers, Sacred Grounds, Gaza and Kokoro!!!

Whether you’re a Lafayette local or you’re visiting the area for a Purdue game or scouting the area for a potential relocation hopefully we have given you enough variety in these top Lafayette restaurants to try out. Be sure to come to the annual Taste of Tippecanoe where many of these restaurants feature their specialties! Please be sure to comment if you have any other favorite’s (restaurant name and your favorite dish) that we MUST add to our list!!!

Perhaps while you are enjoying one of these fine meals you will be discussing selling or purchasing your next home with The Romanski Group!🙂

First Time Home Buyers – CAUTION when buying a home

January 7th, 2015

Alright, you’ve made the decision to move out of mom’s basement and buy a home, or maybe your just growing tired of asking your landlord to fix the leaking ceiling. Either way we have created a list below of the agonizing mistakes that a First Time Home Buyer can make.

1) Never hire Aunt Betty

She may have changed your diaper and you trust her dearly, however this can turn into a costly mistake.

Fueled by blissful dreams of living large, rolling in luxury vehicles and working 5 hours a week, thousands of people are dropping their careers and racing to become a Realtor. The average real estate agents sells between 4 to 6 homes a year. (Hardly enough to make them an expert). And the agents that are successful in Real Estate are working 40 hours plus a week. So before you hire Aunt Betty or your friend’s, sister’s, cousin’s, ex-roommate, be certain that they have the experience that is critical to the homebuying process.. Buying a home is more than just grabbing a Starbucks and running around Lafayette/West Lafayette looking at houses. An experienced agent will be a fierce negotiator, have extensive knowledge of contracts and forms, be familiar with different financing options, and have a sharp knowledge Lafayette/ West Lafayette Real Estate market values. Hiring a part time agent that has limited or no knowledge the Lafayette/ West Lafayette Real Estate market could cost you thousands of dollars!!

auntimages

2) Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

There is a wealth of information online for First Time Home Buyer’s. ITS NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE.

When it comes to checking out houses and neighborhoods online nothing replaces ” feet on the ground” knowledge. We suggest buyers step out of their comfort zone and drive by favorite houses at night. “Hear what it’s like when not everyone is at work … hear the large dog barking and roosters crowing” that may live in neighbors’ yards”

Zillow and Trulia have become the most popular places to search for homes and gather information. However their valuations are not typically accurate. For example an online home valuation is a Zestimate may say that a house is worth $250,000 and a first time home buyer’s Lafayette/ West Lafayette Real Estate Agent will know that the home is worth $199,000.

3) Pass on the inspection

Keeping a little change in your pocket now and passing on the whole house inspection can cause your bank account to be sucked dry in the future. A home inspector is skilled at looking through a home and finding the defects that even the most skilled contractor may never notice. First time home buyer in lafayette indiana should never spare this expense.

4) Shop for a mortgage.

Just because you bank there doesn’t mean you have to borrow money to buy a home from them.

There are many options when it comes to buying a home. A loan originator that specializes home loans can be a huge asset when it comes to buying your first home. Their extensive knowledge of credit, government programs, and underwriting are extremely valuable and can save you some much agony and streamline the financing process.

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5) Have fun it only happens once.

Realtors love working with virgin home buyers. The excitement and anticipation is contagious and the dream of owning your first home is within reach.

When you enter into the home buying process, so will you friends, family members, co workers, and people from church. And because they care, they’ll share the experience they have, or the stories that they have heard. Sometimes this can create fear and anxiety. Remember…no 2 real estate transactions are alike, an a Experienced Real Estate Agent the specialized in Lafayette/ West Lafayette has seen just about everything that can happen in a real estate transaction. A great Realtor will have team of experts who look forward to representing your best interests.

So when you’re ready to purchase your first home – let the Romanski Group –

FIND YOUR NEXT HOME HERE NOW!!!

1419 N. State Road 29 – Find your New Home in the Country!

December 16th, 2014

Welcome to 1419 N. State Road 29 in Flora, Indiana! This home is located in a great central area between Lafayette, Kokomo, Logansport and Frankfort! Curl up with a blanket and a good book and relax on the covered front porch or get cooking with your friends or family in the awesome Zinn kitchen!

Exterior of Home

Zinn Kitchen

There is a 2-car attached garage and a 2-car enclosed carport with a garage door. There is also a 1-car detached garage PLUS an additional outbuilding that has been gutted and could be finished – the possibilities are endless! Hang out in the summer grilling out on the back porch that overlooks the field and with friends playing a game of kickball or flag football in the large yard! The fall makes a great time to have for a bonfire and an outdoor movie. If you are looking to escape city life then 1419 N. State Road 29 in Flora is the home for you!!

Exterior – view of garages

Backyard – perfect for football and kickball!

Let us know if you would like to take a closer look (765) 293.9110!

See more photos and information now!

The Increasing Role of Social Media in Real Estate

November 14th, 2014

The Increasing Role of Social Media in Real Estate

Social media is increasingly becoming an important tool in real estate. Real estate agents are realizing more and more the need tp use social media in real estate. Real estate is a business of relationships. Social media is about building relationships. It’s an obvious connection, but one that we as real estate agents are really just starting to embrace.

Real estate agents have typically done things through print. We’ve relied on other things like prospecting, networking, and signs to really help us build our business. But over the past two decades, the need to understand the role of social media in real estate has increased. The old model isn’t working as well.

According to Realtor.com, more than 1 billion people are on Facebook with 175 million of those being Americans. Obviously, social media in real estate has the potential to really expand a real estate agents ability to build their business. But here’s the thing, it’s not just about building a business. It’s about building relationships.

We’re passionate about that. So, we wanted to make some suggestions on how to not only use social media in real estate, but to build relationships.

Tips for Using Social Media in Real Estate and Relationships

Social Media in Real Estate - The Romanski Group - Building Relationships

Image courtesy of: http://commonseoquestions.com/2014/08/13/how-does-social-media-marketing-work/

1. Listen -Any good relationship requires communication. And the key to communication is to listen well. Listening is more than just quietly thinking about what you’re going to say next. It means really understand what’s being said.

2. Engage others – Don’t just write a status and then expect people to engage you. Comment on pictures, ask questions, and share things that people naturally want to talk about.

3. Be consistent – Building relationships involves regular communication. Sharing something once a month is going to get you no-where. And with social media algorithims measuring how “relevant” something is, you have to show that you are a regular producer of quality material. Whether you are using social media in real estate, another business, or just to build relationships, you have to communicate regularly.

4. Have Fun – The Romanski Group is about having fun. We work hard so we can play hard. Social media in real estate and other businesses can become a chore if you don’t learn to have fun with it. Having fun with social media in real estate and in building relationships is attractive and just makes it easier to do.

Connect with us on social media via the links below!

Facebook || Pinterest || Twitter || Youtube

The Magic Numbers of Real Estate

November 13th, 2014

If you Google “Magic Numbers”, you’ll find a number of different links that lead to descriptions of “magic numbers” in physics, sports, computer programming, and even magic numbers of “productivity”. Then there are of course the divine or golden ratio found in the human anatomy. Wherever you look, there seems to be these “magic numbers” that just makes things “fall in place” or work well together. Don’t you wish there were these “magic numbers” in real estate? Maybe there really is a magic number in real estate!

Magic Numbers of Real Estate

Real estate is a business of numbers. How many years a person stays in a home, the percentage of the asking price to offer to get the best deal, and so much more. The question is, is there a number that makes real estate “fit together”? That the pieces of real estate just come together and make it an easy transaction? We believe there is.

But the magic numbers of real estate aren’t found in a percentage of commission or asking price. It’s not found in the amount of buyers to the amount of available homes or anything of the sort. While their are typical numbers expected when making an offer, and the numbers related to how many homes compared to how many buyers there are is important, we’d rather tell you about seven numbers that are the “magic numbers” of real estate. Pull out a pen and paper. Write these numbers down; two, nine, three, ninety-one, ten. Here’s the thing. If you take these numbers and put them into your phone, you’re going to reach a team of real estate agents that are committed to making your real estate transaction just fall into place. Let me repeat the magic numbers of real estate for you. 293-9110.

Like any “magic” numbers in other fields, it requires understanding how they can lead you to an understanding of how other things work together. That’s what we do. We not only explain how things work, but we focus on making the transaction as easy and smooth as possible. Again, 293-9110. Call us and see how much “magic” you experience in your next real estate transaction!

Why It May Not Be Your Fault: Learning from Ben Bernanke

November 12th, 2014

Why It May Not Be Your Fault Your Mortgage Was Denied

Did you know that last month Ben Bernanke announced he had applied for a loan to refinance his home mortgage and was denied? If you don’t know, Bernanke was the previous Chairman of the Federal Reserve, the section of the government that oversees all the financial issues for our government. So, when it comes to finances, this guy knows his stuff. This guy had the majority of the United States on the edge of it’s seat trying to figure out what the government was going to do on various financial topics. And now, he can’t get a loan to refinance his home. Bummer.

Ben Bernanke’s failure to get a loan is surprising. If ever there was a guy who should know how to get a mortgage, it would be this guy. And yet, here he is, trying to get a loan and he gets denied. Uh-oh! What’s even more interesting is that Ben Bernanke announced it himself. He didn’t feel a need to hide his failure. He then went on to say that he felt that it may be that lenders are likely going too far on the conditions placed on individuals for mortgages. That’s important.

If Ben Bernanke cannot get a loan, how much harder is going to be for the average consumer? It’s not impossible to be honest. But there are times when everything seems to be the perfect scenario to get a loan, and you still get denied. Believe it or not, it may not be your fault! It may be a result of the amount of regulations that lenders are placing on mortgages.

To make things even more complicated, the way your FICO score is calculated may be changing soon. So, what are you to do? Here are three steps to avoid ending up like Ben Bernanke.

3 Ways To Avoid Being Like Ben Bernanke

1. Hire a real estate with some experience dealing with lenders. The Romanski Group has over 20 combined years of experience in working with lenders both in and outside of the Greater Lafayette area. Having a real estate agent that is fighting for you to get your mortgage approved is an important part of our job description. Call us today to talk about how we can help at 765-293-9110!

2. If a specific lender denies a mortgage application, consider going to a mortgage broker (someone who works with numerous lenders to find which one would be willing and able to provide a quality mortgage).

3. Ask why the mortgage was denied and work on whatever issues that exist. Credit concerns? Our lenders work with credit repair companies that can make a huge impact on your credit report. Is your debt to income ratio too high? Take some time to focus on paying your loans down.

Ben Bernanke - The Romanski Group - Why Your Loan Getting Denied May Not Be Your Fault -

Photo Courtesy of m.startribune.com

Bottom line? Don’t be like creepy Ben Bernanke. Talk with a real estate agent that can make sure you get the mortgage you’re looking for! Call us today at 765-293-9110!