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Click below for helpful information and resources from the premier Indiana Realtor - Merrion & Associates Realtors...

• Debbie's Tips On Buying A Home
• Why Choose "FULLTIME" Northwest Indiana Realtors?
• What To Look For In Northwest Indiana Realtors
• The Loan Application Process And What You Will Need
• Debbie's Tips For Sellers
• Life Spans Of Common Home Components
• Helpful Telephone Numbers And Web Sites

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Debbie's Tips On Buying A Home

1. Choose a lender and get pre-approved for your home loan.
2. Decide what type of home you want (i.e., single family, condo, etc.). If you're looking for beach property, such as Long Beach Indiana real estate, be mindful of the "season".
3. Write down the requirements that are most important to you and your family, particularly when shopping for Long Beach Indiana real estate (i.e., number of bedrooms and baths, ranch or multi-level, location, family room, etc.)
4. Choose only "FULLTIME" Northwest Indiana realtors to help you pre-select homes in your price range that meet your requirements. Find a skilled Indiana realtor who will help you find desirable homes in your specified area, particularly when searching for Long Beach Indiana real estate.
5. Let's start house hunting! Again, be mindful of the "season" if searching for Long Beach Indiana real estate.
6. When we find a home you want, as your Indiana realtor, we will negotiate for you. Even prized Long Beach Indiana real estate is negotiable!
7. We will make an offer in writing, and once the offer is accepted we will begin home inspections. No matter the home or type of home - even with top-notch Long Beach Indiana real estate - home inspections are critical! As your premier Indiana realtor, we have a list of qualified home inspectors available for you to select from.
8. Once the inspections are complete and all is well, we will move to closing.

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Why Choose "FULLTIME" Northwest Indiana Realtors?

1. Fulltime professional Northwest Indiana realtors will get you in to see homes on your schedule.
2. Fulltime professional Northwest Indiana realtors will give you current selling prices for houses similar to the ones you are considering.
3. Fulltime professional Northwest Indiana realtors will give you up-to-date information about taxes, school districts, and conditions in the areas that interest you.
4. Fulltime professional Northwest Indiana realtors will handle negotiations over price and terms of your offer. As your premier Indiana realtor, we can present your offer to the seller with the seller's agent present, if you desire.
5. As a premier Indiana Realtor and a "FULLTIME" Real Estate Professional, fulltime professional Northwest Indiana realtors will be with you through every step of the buying process

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What To Look For In Northwest Indiana Realtors

1. Knowledge about the community in which you want to live. This is particularly important when searching for beach property, such as Long Beach Indiana real estate.
2. Experience. Only hire an experienced Indiana Realtor - not all Northwest Indiana realtors offer the same level of experience.
3. Patience. It may be difficult to believe, but not all Northwest Indiana realtors are created equal - or are equally patient. Choose your Indiana realtor wisely.
4. Access to the area's multiple listing service (MLS). The MLS gives you the listings of all sellers and lots of property in your area - including the much sought after Long Beach Indiana real estate - and not just those represented by your Indiana realtor.
5. Ability to understand your wants, needs, and personal tastes. Again, hire only experienced professional Northwest Indiana realtors.
6. Honesty and trustworthiness is a must - look for Northwest Indiana realtors with plenty of both.
7. Willingness to keep you informed of changes in the market, as well as buying/selling trends. Your Indiana realtor should have intimate knowledge of the area, including with the much sought-after Long Beach Indiana real estate. A good Indiana realtor will never push you into buying before you are ready.

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The Loan Application And What You Will Need

1. Picture ID.
2. Proof of Social Security number(s).
3. Residence address for the past two years.
4. Names and addresses of each employer for the past two years.
5. W-2's and last two pay stubs.
6. For each checking and savings account, you will need the name of the financial institution and their address, account number, and current balance; you will need the last two months' statements.
7. For each current loan, you will need the name of the lender and their address, the account number, current balance, and current monthly payment.
8. If you are self-employed, you will need the last two years tax returns, as well as a year-to-date profit and loss statement prepared by an accountant.
9. Loan information and address(es) of real estate owned.
10. Estimated value of furniture and personal property.
11. Certificate of eligibility or DD214's (VA only).
12. Deposit for credit report and appraisal.

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Debbie's Tips For Sellers

Best advice I was ever given: "You only have one chance to make a good first impression!"

If you have ever walked through a "model home", you know how good they look. There are things you can do to make your home look and feel like a "model home" - without spending a lot of money.

The property needs to look good from the street, up the sidewalk, on the front porch, throughout the home, in the darkest closets, and even in the attic and basement. You want to give the impression of a well cared for home. You want the buyer to feel that this home is quality all the way through - not just on the surface! Here's a summary of things to do:

1. Trim the shrubs and prune the trees
2. Paint the front door
3. Wash all of the windows
4. Put bright light bulbs in all fixtures
5. Clean out all closets and cabinets
6. Repair leaky faucets, caulk bathtubs, showers, and sinks
7. Remove excess furniture
8. Keep beds made and clothes picked up
9. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher
10. Clean out the garage, basement and attic

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Life Spans Of Common Home Components

Dishwasher	7-10 years with lake or river water, 5-7 years with well water
Disposal	5-10 years
Range/oven	15-20 years
Compactor	7-10 years
Furnace Gas or Oil	15-20 years
Furnace High Efficiency	12-15 years
A/C Compressor	8-12 years
Heat Pump Compressor	8-12 years
Sump Pump	5-8 years

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Helpful Telephone Numbers And Web Sites
From Your Premier Indiana Realtor Merrion & Associates

Satellite Images
Google Earth
Want to know more about a specific location? Google Earth combines satellite imagery, maps and the power of Google Search to put the world's geographic information right at your fingertips. Click the link below for additional information and instructions to download the tool to your desktop.
earth.google.com

Electric & Gas
AEP, LaPorte
Electric and gas service
(877) 237-2886
www.aep.com

NIPSCO
Electric and gas service
(800) 464-7726
www.nipsco.nisource.com

Michigan Electric AEP
(800) 311-6424
www.aep.com

Michigan Gas / SEMCO
(800) 624-2019
www.semcoenergygas.com

Telephone Service
AT & T
(800) 742-8771
www.att.sbc.com

Verizon Wireless
(800) 256-4646

Cable & Satellite Television
Comcast Cable
(866) 594-1234
www.comcast.com

DISH TV
(800) 333-3474
www.dishtv.com

DirecTV
(888) 238-7177
www.directv.com

Refuse Departments
Michigan City Refuse Department
(219) 873-1530
www.emichigancity.com

LaPorte Wastewater Dept.
(219) 326-3175

Long Beach Refuse
(219) 874-6616
www.longbeachin.org

Water Departments
Michigan City Department of Water Works
(219) 874-3228
www.emichigancity.com

LaPorte Water Department
(219) 362-3175

Long Beach Water Department
(219) 879-9353
www.longbeachin.org

Newspapers
Michigan City News-Dispatch
(800) 489-9292
www.thenewsdispatch.com

The LaPorte Herald-Argus
(219) 362-2161
www.heraldargus.com

The Beacher
(219) 879-0088
www.bbpnet.com/beacher

City & Towns
Michigan City
www.emichigancity.com

Town of Long Beach
www.longbeachin.org

City of LaPorte
www.ci.la-porte.in.us

Town of Trail Creek
www.alco.org/communities/trailcreek/

New Buffalo
www.newbuffalo.com

Schools & libraries
Michigan City Area
(219) 873-2000
www.mcas.k12.in.us

LaPorte Community School Corporation
www.lpcsc.k12.in.us

Michigan City Public Library
(219) 873-3040
www.mclib.org

Queen of All Saints School
Michigan City
(219) 872-4440

Notre Dame School
Michigan City
(219) 872-6216

St. Paul Lutheran School
Michigan City
(219) 874-7409

Marquette High School
Michigan City
(219) 873-1325

La Lumiere School
LaPorte
(219) 326-7450

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