United Country Named Among Top Brokerages

The Land Report recently named United Country Real Estate among the top real estate land brokerage companies in the nation in the article, “America's Best Brokerages.”

Closing approximately $1 billion in land sales annually, United Country is the largest land brokerage listed in this special report, which evaluated the nation’s leading land brokerages based on 2010 sales results. 

 

more... 

Strongest Housing Markets This Year

Inman News examined housing, economic and demographic data for metropolitan areas nationwide in compiling a list of housing markets that are showing signs of strength and may outperform other housing markets in 2011 in several key metrics. We also asked a host of real estate search and data companies to share research and methodology to identify high-performing real estate markets across the U.S.
Real estate markets in the Midwest and Northeast dominated our list of fast-rising real estate markets nationwide identified in the Inman News analysis, as many markets in the Sun Belt states are still struggling through the housing downturn.
Nationwide, unemployment is high, home prices are flat and trending lower since the expiration of the federal homebuyer tax credits, and overall sales fell last year compared to the prior year.
Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow, said it's unlikely that "substantial price appreciation" will occur "in any market nationwide in the near term."
"Nationally, I don't think we'll see a bottom in home prices until later this year and once they hit bottom we're looking at a prolonged period of time where housing appreciation is below historical norms," Humphries said.
Nevertheless, Inman News identified some markets with significant price appreciation as well as a vibrant job market, a high level of home affordability, low foreclosure activity, and other indicators for a healthy housing market. Of the 10 markets identified in the full report, most have populations below 250,000. In addition, jobs in the health care industry and public sector, especially, buoyed employment in these areas.
To compile the list, Inman News considered markets with low unemployment rates, high median sales price growth, growth in the number of building permits issued, a rise in in-migration from other states, population growth, projected job growth, affordability, low foreclosure activity, median household income growth, fewer average days on market for for-sale properties, and growth in occupied housing units. The markets are ranked according to population, sales volume, and median sales price appreciation. Population was weighted most heavily in the rankings, followed by sales volume in proportion to population and rate of price appreciation.

Read more at Yahoo Real Estate...

Quote of the Day!

"Love is shown in your deeds, not in your words." - Fr. Jerome Cummings

Quote of the Day!

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden

Quote of the Day!

"Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are." - Chinese proverb

Quote of the Day!

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." - Lou Holtz

Quote of the Day!

"Effort only fully releases it's reward after a person refuses to quit." - Napoleon Hill

Quote of the Day!

"A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate depth of his ignorance." - Gian Carlo Menotti

We are so excited for the future of United Country Coffey Realty and Auction.

The staff spent last week at a conference in Austin, Texas learning of ways to better the company and conversing with other awesome United Country offices. We are thrilled about all the new stuff we learned and about the positive outlook everyone has about the real estate market. The future is looking good and we can't wait to help you find the property you have been dreaming of or sell a property and help you move on to a new step in your life. Check out our website or call us to find out what all we can do to help you!

Mortgage interest rates

Mortgage rates as of March 14, 2011.

People's State Bank
30 year - 5.000 %
20 year - 4.750 %
15 year - 4.125 %

German American
30 year - 4.750 %
20 year - 4.750 %
15 year - 4.125 %

Learning great ways to better service our clients!

Our staff is in Austin, Texas for the next few days attending the annual United Country convention learning about ways to better ourselves and out services to better help you. We are excited about what we are hearing and can't wait to get back and implement what we have learned and offer even better services to our customers. We have so many great services and opportunites we can offer you. As spring is rolling into action don't forget to book your auction or list your house with us. We look forward to working with you.

Quote of the day!

"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before change." - Unknown

Quote of the Day!

"Tough times never last but tough people do" - John Thomas "Spider" Salley

Quote of the Day!

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus

Quote of the Day!

"You are the only  person alive who has sole custody of your life... Your entire life... Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank account, but your soul." - Anna Quindlen

Great time to be buying a house!

Mortgage Rates as of 2/28/2011.

Fifth-Third
30 year fixed - 4.750%
15 year fixed - 4.125%

United Commerce
30 year fixed - 4.875%
15 year fixed - 4.250%

German American
30 year fixed - 4.875%
15 year fixed - 4.250%

Quote of the Day!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Quote of the Day!

"What we anticipate seldom occurs, what we least expected generally happens." - Benjamin Disraeli

4 steps to your first mortgage.

Getting a first mortgage may not be as stressful as it's often portrayed.

Many homebuyers have heard an earful about how stressful it can be to get a first mortgage. But getting a first mortgage doesn't have to be quite the horror story that it's so often portrayed as.
With that in mind, here are four ways to make getting a mortgage easier:

1. Know your limit
A reputable mortgage broker or loan officer can help you determine the maximum amount you can borrow to buy a home. That doesn't mean that you must stretch your finances that far, however.
Consider your other monthly expenses and the other costs of homeownership, such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, repairs and maintenance. Set a budget and stick to it.

2. Beef up your down payment
While it's possible to purchase a home with a down payment of as little as 3.5% of the sale price, it's safer to make a larger commitment, if you can. The fatter your down payment is, the less you must borrow to buy the home and the more easily you'll qualify for a loan. Put down 20% or more and you can avoid the cost of mortgage insurance, which protects the lender but which the borrower pays.

3. Know your ratios
Lenders traditionally use two debt-to-income ratios to qualify borrowers. The "front end" ratio advises that your house payment shouldn't be more than approximately 28% of your monthly income. The "back end" ratio suggests that your house payment plus the minimum payments on your other debts shouldn't exceed about 36% of your income. If you have a hefty down payment and a high credit score, you may get more flexibility. But again, that doesn't mean you have to borrow a lot.

4. Know your closing costs
Most borrowers focus on the monthly payment. But getting a first mortgage involves other costs, as well.
Typical expenses include an appraisal, home inspection, prepaid interest and title insurance, among other items. Review your good-faith estimate and discuss the costs with your loan officer so you'll know much money you'll need to have at closing.

Article from MSN.

Quote of the Day!

"Accomplishment is socially judged by ill defined criteria so that one has to rely on others to find out how one is doing." - Albert Bandura

Mortgage Rates

Rates as of 2/21/2011.

United Commerce
30 year fixed - 5.00%
15 year fixed - 4.25%

Quote of the Day!

"Tolerate, change or be grateful." - Unknown

Quote of the Day!

"Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some." - Robert Fulghum

Quote of the Day!

"And what does the lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." - Micah 6:8

Recipe of the week!

Enjoy this nice weather and Grill a burger!
 
WHAT YOU NEED

1 medium each green and red pepper, cut into strips

1 small  onion, sliced

1 large sheet heavy-duty aluminum foil (20x12 inch)

1/2 cup  A.1. Original Steak Sauce, divided

1 lb. ground beef

4   kaiser rolls, split

PREHEAT grill to medium heat. Meanwhile, place peppers and onions in center of sheet of foil; drizzle with 1/4 cup of the steak sauce. Bring up foil sides, then double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for air to circulate inside. Set packets aside. Mix meat and 2 Tbsp. of the remaining steak sauce; shape into 4 patties.
GRILL packets 2 minutes. Add meat patties; continue grilling 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender and burgers are cooked through, turning burgers over after 4 minutes and brushing with the remaining 2 Tbsp. steak sauce.
PLACE burgers on bottom halves of rolls; top evenly with vegetable mixture. Cover with tops of rolls.

Recipe from Kraft Foods

Quote of the Day!

"Adaptability: A wise man adapts himself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it." - Unknown

Quote of the Day!

"A man has happiness in the palms of his hands if he can fill his days with real work and his nights with real rest." - Unknown

Your home's spring tuneup essentials

With this nice weather, you may be motivated to start your spring cleaning. Check out this article from MSN "Your home's spring tuneup essentials" for some great ideas!

Quote of the Day!

"Everyone chases after happiness, not noticing that happiness is right at their heels." - Bertolt Brecht

Quote of the Day!

"All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts." - James Allen

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates as of February 14, 2011.

United Commerce
30 year - 5.000%
15 year - 4.375%

German American
30 year - 5.000%
15 year - 4.375%

Monroe Bank
30 year - 5.000%
15 year - 4.375%

Quote of the Day!

"The greatest works are done by the ones. The hundreds do not often do much, the companies never; it is the units, the single individuals, that are the power and the might." - Charles H. Spurgeon

Happy Birthday Jimmie Dean!

Happy Birthday to an awesome boss, dad, husband, friend, Realtor, auctioneer and businessman. Thanks for all you do! Hope you have a GREAT Birthday!

Quote of the Day!

"Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans." - John Lennon 

Enjoy spending time with your loved ones this valentines day and tell them how much you love them today and every day! Happy Valentines Day to all our friends and clients! 

Make something sweet for your sweet this Valentines Day!

Easy Red Velvet Cake

1 box White Cake Mix
1 small box Instant Chocolate Pudding
2 c. Milk
2 Eggs
1 (1 oz.) bottle Red Food Coloring
1/4 c. Cooking Oil
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 T. Vinegar

Icing
1 stick Butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) Pkg. Cream Cheese, softened
1 (1 lb.) box Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven to 350. Combine cake mix, pudding, milk, eggs, food coloring and cooking oil, mix well. Dissolve baking soda in vinegar. Add baking soda mixture to batter and mix well. Pour batter into 3 prepared round cake pans. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cake tests done. Remove from pans and cool completely.
ICING: Cream butter and cream cheese in a bowl until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla. Spread between layers, over top and sides of cooled cake. Store in refrigerator.

Quote of the Day!

"And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." ~Ephesians 4:32~

Quote of the Day

"The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible." -Arthur C. Clark

Quote of the Day!

"We all have a few failures under our belt. It's what makes us ready for the successes." - Randy K. Milholland

Quote of the Day!

"I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day. " - Abraham Lincoln

How to Analyze a Neighborhood Before You Buy

Five years ago, it was easy to tell a good neighborhood from a bad one. All you had to do was conduct a quick check on nearby schools and keep an eye out for hopelessly abandoned properties. If the schools were good and the homes well-kept, the neighborhood, and your future home, were keepers.
Today, though, determining whether a neighborhood is good and will hold its value isn't so easy. The suburbs, once the Mecca of homebuyers with kids, now outrank urban city centers in terms of poverty. And that sparkly McMansion on the corner might actually be in foreclosure.
So how can you tell if you're buying into a neighborhood you'll like and, just as importantly, will likely hold its value until you're ready to sell? Below are some tips you can use to find the perfect neighborhood and new home for you and your family. Neighborhood is a big factor that should be considered when buying and investing in real estate.
1. Create Your Dream Neighborhood: Most people know what they'd like their dream home to be like, but they give little thought to the neighborhood. Start by defining what your dream neighborhood is like. Can you walk to the downtown area? Do you want to live in a historic neighborhood? Do you want to be in an exciting college town or in a more sedate, family-oriented environment? Write out your list of wants so you know what to look for.
2. Look at Public Services: With property taxes falling, many towns and cities are having to cut back on the public services they offer. Parks, libraries and police often get the ax first. Drive through a potential neighborhood, and then through the town, and look carefully for clues that the city is having financial trouble. Are the streets clean? Are the parks in good condition? Is the grass cut? Check the library as well. Have they had to cut their hours? You could also ask the librarians about the neighborhood and town as well. They're often a gold mine of information.
3. Look at Schools: If you have kids, then the quality of local schools is a huge issue. Even if you don't have children or plan on teaching a homeschool curriculum, schools still matter simply because when it comes time to sell, your buyers will likely have kids. Research the local schools using sites like GreatSchools.org. It can also be helpful to attend a PTA meeting to talk with local parents. They'll tell you candidly how well (or badly) the schools are doing, and if they're having budget troubles as well.
4. Examine Clues: Do you see a lot of For Sale signs? Does your potential neighborhood have a lot of cheap apartments for rent? Are the businesses downtown shutting down? These are signs that things might be on the decline. Also, picture yourself in the neighborhood. Go through your daily routine to make sure you'll still have the same quality of life. For instance, if you run every morning, are the roads safe enough for your morning jog? If you bike to work, are there bike lanes for you to use? If you love grabbing a cup of coffee, is there a neighborhood barrista for you to enjoy? Don't forget to listen. Can you hear noise from the highway or airport? Is there a club or bar nearby that might get annoying at 2 a.m.? These are all important things to consider.
5. Talk to People: Talk to your potential neighbors. You'll be living next to these people, perhaps for years. Having great neighbors can make or break a neighborhood, so find out how they like living there and what they're like. Remember, you can always make home improvements to your house if there's something you don't like. But changing your neighborhood? It's not so easy. It's worth the time and effort to do some research and legwork early on - you'll be glad you did. What are some things you consider when moving into a new neighborhood? Did you ever find anything unexpected after moving in?
Heather Levin is a personal finance contributor for MoneyCrashers.com and also promotes green living on the blog, The Greenest Dollar.

From - Yahoo!

Quote of the Day!

"An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field." ~   Niels Bohr

Quote of the Day!

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." ~   Alexander Woollcott

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates as of February 7, 2011

United Commerce
30 year - 5.00%
15 year - 4.25%

German American
30 year - 4.875%
15 year - 4.25%

People's State Bank
30 year - 5.25%
15 year - 4.375%

Quote of the Day

"Football is like life -- it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority." - Vince Lombardi

Everyone enjoy the Superbowl!

Bloomington, Indiana a Great Place to Live

Did you know that Bloomington's cost of living is 12.49% lower than the national average? Providing so much culture and diversity, Bloomington has so much to offer. With renowned musical talent, the largest lake in Indiana and excellent educational opportunities; it's a great place to call home.

Quote of the Day!

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." - Helen Keller

Hope everyone is Staying Warm!

Hope everyone is staying warm and starting to recover from the blizzard. We are thankful to all who are working hard to get the roads cleared, power back on and taking care of people whether it be policemen, EMT s, firefighters, or hospital personnel. Thanks to all who are out in the weather to take care of others!

Quote of the Day!

"Use what talents you have; the woods would have little music if no birds sang their song except those who sang the best." - Reverent Oliver G. Wilson

Weekly Mortgage Rates

United Commerce
30 year    4.750%
15 year   4.125%

Fifth Third
30 year    4.750%
15 year   4.125%

People's State Bank
30 year    5.000%
15 year   4.125%

Quote of the Day!

"Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it." - Anon.

Quote of the Day

"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you are right." - Henry Ford

Quote of the Day

"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"" -Hebrews 13:5-6

Quote of the Day

"Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ''Make me feel important.'' Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life." - Mary Kay Ash

Gearing up for a big Superbowl party? Here are a couple great party friendly recipes!

Cream Cheese and Olive Spread
1 8 oz. Pkg. Cream Cheese, Softened
1/4 c. finely chopped Green Olives
Mix softened cream cheese and olives. Serve with corn chips or crackers.

This is a staple at any Coffey family get together, and one everyone looks forward to.

Boneless Buffalo Wings
2 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
1 c. All-Purpose Flour
1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/4 tsp. Paprika
2tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
1 Egg
1 c. Milk
4-6 c. Cooking Oil
1/4 c. Hot Sauce
1 T. Butter
Bleu Cheese or Ranch Salad Dressing

Cut each breast into 6 pieces. Combine flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and black pepper. In another bowl, whisk together egg and milk. One or two at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture. Repeat the process so that each piece of chicken is double-coated. When all chicken pieces have been breaded, arrange them on a plate and chill for 15 minutes. Preheat cooking oil in a deep fryer to 375. Drop each piece into the hot oil and fry for 5-6 minutes or until each piece is browned. Drain the chicken pieces on a plate lined with a couple of paper towels. As chicken fries, combine the hot sauce and butter in a small bowl. Microwave the sauce mixture for 20 to 30 seconds or just until butter is melted, then stir to combine. Place the chicken pieces and sauce into a covered container. Shake gently until each piece of chicken is coated with sauce. Pour the chicken onto a plate and serve with bleu cheese dressing.

Quote of the Day!!!

"All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts." - James Allen

Quote of the Day

Starting today we are going to post a "Quote of the Day" every day, let us know what you think of the quote!

"It's not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours." - Sam Ewing

What is your favorite quote?

Mortgage Rates This Week

Mortgage rates as of January 24th, 2011

German American

Home Loan
30-year           4.750 % 
20-year           4.750 %
15-year           4.250 % 

Fifth Third Mortgage

30 Year           4.750%

15 Year           4.125%

People's State Bank

30 Year          5.000%

20 Year          4.750%

15 Year          4.250%

Need a quick, warm dinner idea with all this cold weather?

Try this great taco soup recipe...

Taco Soup
1lb. Ground Beef (the less fat the better)
1lg. Onion, chopped
2 cans diced Tomatoes
2 cans diced RO*TEL Tomatoes and Green Chilies
2 cans Whole Kernel Corn
1 can Ranch Style Beans
1 pkg. Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

Brown ground beef, add onion and all other ingredients. Simmer over medium heat uncovered for about 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream, corn chips or tortillas, if you wish.

Winter Cropping System Breakfast

Tuesday, February 15th at 8:00am

Chambers Restaurant
72 West Market Street
Spencer, Indiana

PARP Certification will be available
Speaker: Betsy Bower, Agronomist. CERES Solutions

No Cost - But Tickets will be required. Tickets are available through RSVP. 
RSVP before Friday Feb. 11th at 4:00pm
Owen County SWCD 812-829-2605
Putnam County SWCD 765-653-7454
Monroe County SWCD 812-349-2064
Greene County SWCD 812-384-4718 x 3

Unusual Dates in 2011

This year we will experience 4 unusual dates.... 

• 1/1/11
• 1/11/11
• 11/1/11
• 11/11/11

NOW figure this out.... take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year

Actual Batmobile from 1992 Batman Returns Up for Auction

In the world movie cars, none took more of a center stage than the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman movies 2 decades ago. Now you can own a piece of movie history as Batmobile #3, the original vehicle from the 1992 blockbuster Batman Returns, is put on eBay auction block. This isn’t simply a set piece, but a fully functional vehicle with a Chevrolet 350 CU Target Crate Engine, able to produce 200+ horsepower. The seller also stressed that this isn’t a replica but the actually vehicle used in the movie. It comes with full documentation and contracts from both Warner Brothers and DC Comics. For more information, see the auction page at the link below.

 

More info at Freshness

Mortgate Rates 1/19/2011

People's State Bank rates as of 1/19/2011

30 Year Fixed:                               5.000%

20 Year Fixed:                               4.750%

15 Year Fixed:                               4.125%  

Buying VS Renting

A home is one of the most expensive purchases most of us will ever make during our lifetime. Whether you decide to rent or buy, either choice comes with its own rewards and risks. Homeownership offers many advantages over renting including:

Advantages of Buying versus Renting

Buying	Renting
Tax write-off	No tax write-off
You can upgrade your home as you see fit	Need permission to make any changes
Build equity in your home as value appreciates	Your money goes toward the landlords equity
Control of loan payment options	Rent can increase periodically
Pride of homeownership	You have no ownership

While owning your own home has many benefits, there are still risks to consider:

Disadvantages of Buying versus Renting

Buying	Renting
You're responsible for property maintenance	Your landlord or manager handles general repairs
Need to sell, rent or lease property in order to re-locate. May have to wait until market conditions are right	Freedom to move once your lease expires
You pay for all your own utilities, property taxes and insurance	May include utilities, property taxes, and property insurance
Home improvement upgrades can run into thousands of dollars	You're not financially responsible for improvements

However, all things considered, homeownership is by far one of the best single investments you can make given the potential long-term benefits.

When does it make sense to buy?

People, who have generally rented their whole lives, purchase a home for various reasons. Owning something of value with a chance of watching their investment appreciate is one reason. Purchasing a home to save money over the long-term is another.

Example

Let's say you're currently renting a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. Your monthly rent is $1,000. You find a two-bedroom, two-bath at a market price of $250,000 (roughly the national average.) You have $25,000 saved - enough for a 10 percent down payment. For the purpose of this example, you're looking to finance $225,000, which includes closing costs.

Using one of several mortgage calculators on the Internet, your monthly payment would be approximately $1,385 for a 30-year fixed loan at an APR of 6.20 percent (the national average). After taxes and appreciation in equity, your monthly payment over five years would average $499 per month.

Costs Savings of Buying versus Renting

Calculations	Rent	Purchase
Monthly rent/estimated mortgage payment	$1,000	$1,385
Purchase price of home		$250,000
Percentage of down payment		25,000
Length of loan term (years)		30
Interest rate		6.2%
Years you plan to stay in the home		5
Yearly property tax rate		1%
Yearly home value appreciation rate		4%
Results
Price of home after appreciation		$304,163
Remaining balance after 5 years		209,887
Equity in house		94,276
Tax savings (28% bracket)		23,030
Avg. monthly payment over time	1,047	499
Total payments (over 5 years)	$62,820	$29,973
Total savings if buying		$32,847
Source: Ginniemae.gov. These calculations are estimates only. You should always seek the guidance of financial or tax experts before making any buying decisions.

The outcome could dramatically change should an unforeseen economic downturn or financial hardship occur (e.g., home improvement costs, catastrophic damage, etc.). While, no one can predict if home appreciation values will spiral downward, or if mortgage interest rates will rise, it's clear that under the right circumstances home ownership can be financially rewarding.

More information at Yahoo

We can help you find the perfect home and the perfect mortgage

Not only can we provide you great real estate services and help you find a perfect home, but we can also help you find the perfect mortgage and good rates through United Country Home Mortgage Services. Buying a home is a huge decision and can be confusing at times and learning about loans and deciding which loan may be right for you can add to the confusion. Let us help you today and relieve some of the stress, buying a new home can be fun and exciting. 

United Country Home Mortgage Services offers

• Government FHA and VA loans
• First-time homebuyer products
• Low down payment programs
• Purchase and refinance products
• New construction and vacant lot financing products
• And much more

Mortgage Rates are lower than last week!

Mortgage rates as of Monday January 10th 2011

People's State Bank

30 Year Fixed:        4.875%

20 Year Fixed:        4.625%

15 Year Fixed:        4.125%

Monroe Bank

30 year:         4.75%

15 year:         4.125%

1 BED HOME FOR SALE OR RENT BLOOMINGTON

1 Bedroom Home For Sale or Rent. Could be used as a rental or make it your very own. Also, include a small building that could be turned into an efficiency apartment. 

For more information see our website

Looking For a home to rent? Nice 3 bed 2 bath in Springville, IN in a rural setting

Charming country living. Enjoy this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. Hardwood floors in the living room, family room and bedrooms. No extra cost to enjoy the breath taking sunsets on the large covered porch. 13 miles south of Bloomington. 10 miles from Crane gate. 12 miles northwest of Bedford. 4 miles west of Hwy. 37. Vinyl replacemnt windows, laundry sink in laundry room, 40 gal. gas water heater (1 yr. old), wood stove in living room, gas fireplace in family room. FOR SALE OR LEASE

More information at www.unitedcountryin.com

January Home Maintenance Checklist

The most important job this month is to prevent water damage from bursting pipes and leaks in your home.

The dead of winter is the time for the greatest vigilance in your home-maintenance routine. The most important job this month is to head off damage to your home from water and dampness from a number of sources:

• Groundwater and rain seeping into your home.
• Leaky pipes inside the walls.
• Pipes bursting from freezing and thawing.

Take a tour
After a winter storm, get outside as soon as you can. Walk around the house, checking for damage from wind and broken tree limbs. User binoculars if you can't see your entire roof. Scan for loose or missing shingles.
Give special attention to vulnerable pipes — indoors and out — that are exposed to the cold, including hose bibs, pipes in outside walls, garden sprinkler lines, swimming pool pipes and pipes in unheated attics, basements and garages. A frozen pipe needs only a one-eighth-inch crack to leak as much as 250 gallons a day, according to this State Farm Insurance video, which demonstrates how to shut off your water and insulate pipes.

Take these steps to safeguard against damage from frozen and bursting pipes:

1. If practical, insulate any pipes exposed to the cold. Ask hardware-store personnel for the best materials for the job.
2. Seal any leaks that are letting cold air in, especially around dryer vents and pipes and where electrical wiring enters the house.
3. Search for uninsulated water supply lines in the attic, garage, basement and crawl spaces and in bathroom and kitchen cabinets adjacent to outside walls. During a cold spell, open cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathroom so the home's heat can reach them. (Reminder: Put harmful household cleaners out of the reach of children.) Keep doors shut tight in the garage and outside closets and cupboards during freezing weather.
4. When temperatures drop below zero, open both hot and cold faucets a trickle to relieve pressure in the pipes.
5. Locate your home's water shut-off valve; learn how to turn off the water quickly in case a pipe bursts.
6. If you'll be gone in freezing weather, even overnight, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house for broken or leaking pipes. Show him or her how to shut off the water.
7. Keep temperatures inside the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above, night and day, even when you're gone.
8. Promise yourself that when the weather improves you will add to the installation in the basement or crawl space and attic.

Leak prevention

• Install small, battery-powered individual leak alarms, also called flood alarms, under the refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom drain pipes, dishwasher and laundry appliances and behind toilets. Cost: around $10-$15 each.
• Check to make sure your sump pump is operating properly. If it has a battery backup, unplug the pump from the wall and test it.

Look for pests seeking shelter
Cold weather drives mice and insects into the walls of your home. Even unheated parts of the house invite these pests. Insects need only a crack to enter, and mice can get in through a dime-sized hole. Houseflies, particularly, pose a health risk because they can transmit disease.

• Seal any cracks where pests enter.
• Empty compost and garbage frequently.
• Keep food covered and put away; keep counters clean.
• Fix leaky pipes quickly.
• Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly, preventing the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge; scrub removable drain covers weekly.
• Check basement, attic, crawl spaces and the back of cupboards and cabinets for mice droppings or holes. If you find evidence, install traps immediately or call a pest-control service.
• Pick up and dispose of outdoor pet waste promptly; turn compost piles frequently.

Make an inventory
While you are putting away holiday gifts, seize the opportunity to make a quick home inventory. An inventory is a record of your home's features, conditions, furnishings and valuable possessions. If your home is damaged or destroyed by fire, flood, mudslide or other disaster, you can use the inventory to substantiate your insurance claim to get the maximum replacement value for what was lost.
Your inventory doesn't have to be fancy. You can get started and add to it later. Supplement your record with photos or video. The Insurance Information Institute has free software for making a room-by-room home inventory. Download it here and watch an instructional video here.

Tips:

• Save receipts for valuable home purchases and for work you have done to upgrade the interior or exterior of your home.
• Keep a copy of your inventory in a bank safe-deposit box or on a hosted server online, so you can get it even if your computer is destroyed.

Also …
Here are a few more winter tasks:

1. Check the labels on the switches in your electrical circuit-breaker panel and make new labels if necessary.
2. Check your furnace filter monthly in the winter to see if it needs replacing.
3. Use a vacuum-cleaner tool or a long-handled brush to clean under and behind the refrigerator, including the coils.
4. Clean lint from under laundry appliances, especially the dryer, carefully work the cleaning tool down into the lint filter; outdoors, clean the dryer vent outlet, reaching as far as possible into the pipe.
5. Gather product documents and warranties into a folder. Go through the contents and discard outdated materials.
6. Walk around inside the house with a screwdriver, pencil and paper. Tighten any loose knobs and attachments and list repairs to tackle later.
7. Examine the ducts of your forced-air furnace and seal any leaks with duct tape.

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Mortgage Rates as of 1/3/11

Is buying a new home on your to do list as the new year starts? Take advantage of the mortgage rates!

People's State Bank

30 Year Fixed:                               5.000%

20 Year Fixed:                               4.750%

15 Year Fixed:                               4.250%