Courtney Bontempo's Blog: All Categories

Great news this week out of Detroit, General Motors GM will be adding a third shift to our Fort Wayne Indiana Assembly Plant. The creation of the third shift is the result of the Pontiac Michigan plant closure, bringing the production of the Heavy Duty pickup trucks to the Fort Wayne Assembly Plant. Although the jobs won’t be filled locally, it is estimated that this will pump an additional $50 million into the Fort Wayne area's economy. This will also provide a boost to the local housing market in Fort Wayne and surrounding areas. With the possibility of 700 new families coming to the Fort Wayne area this will cause an increase in employment in other areas of service, hence the trickle down effect. Fort Wayne has always been heavily vested in…

Within the next couple of weeks I will be changing real estate firms.... Currently I am a Broker Associate with BKM Real Estate's Ossian Indiana office. This January would have been my 2 year anniversary at this location. I have had great success over these years, but being from Fort Wayne Indiana and having an office outside of my hometown has been an impossible obstacle for me to over come. The decision to move on wasn’t an easy one to make. I love working for BKM Real Estate, and the employees there have been nothing but fantastic and helpful with my development as a top agent from the top down. It was important for me when I made the decision to move on that I find a company that has the same values and will challenge me to be the best that I can be.…

As many of you know, heating your home in Northeast Indiana can be extremely expensive during the coming winter months. What many home owners don't realize is that by taking some basic steps, you could drastically reduce your winter heating bill. Some of the following steps may require some updating of equipment, while most just require a change in lifestyle. I will start with the most basic and work up to those that may require additional equipment.

The first step, it is recommended that you open up your drapes and shades on the south side of your home to allow the sun rays to heat your home during the morning and afternoon hours. But it is recommended to shut them back up when the sun is no longer shining through. Second, make sure to close and lock…

I get this question a lot, while working with potential sellers in the Fort Wayne housing market. While somethings make more sense then others, their is still no simple one all answer to this question. Generally speaking I first advice homeowners to start with the basic home improvements. That being cleaning or replacing old carpet, fixing or replacing a defective roof, replacing old aluminum siding for vinyl, repainting walls and trim, installing energy efficient windows, or repairing or replacing any defective home mechanical systems. If after such repairs if needed are completed then at this time I would recommend making some additional improvements to your property. Now you find yourself with the decision of either remodeling your kitchen, bathroom,…

Historic Southwood Park situated on the South side of Fort Wayne has a little bit everything for everyone. The neighborhood was first developed at the end of World War I, from land that had been originally owned by Miami Chief Jean Baptiste Richardville. With a park like atmosphere in mind local Fort Wayne Realtors and developers envisioned tree lined boulevards, winding streets and stylish unique homes. Southwood Park has varied architectural styles including craftsman, prairie, Spanish revival, tudor and many more. These homes can range in size from the massive 5000 sq ft mansions along Old Mill Rd to the 1500 sq ft tudors along Indiana, Beaver and South Wayne Avenue. Over the course of the last few years I have noticed the trend of first time home…

Selling your own home can be a very gratifying experience. If you have the time and expertise I as a Realtor have no ill will against you. I personally don't prospect For Sale By Owners, unless my services are requested. With that being said I would like to try and educate those who do FSBO, so that they and their family members don't put themselves into unnecessary danger.

The sad but true world, that we live in today, makes it nearly impossible to extinguish friend from foe. We Realtors have the advantage of being able to pre-qualify potential clients, as well as having a record of whoever we do business with. For those of you considering or currently trying FSBO in Fort Wayne, please take every precautionary action possible to prevent you from putting…

Are you getting tired of paying your monthly rent with nothing in the bank to show for it? Believe it or not, you are not alone. The question becomes, what are you going to do about it? Paying rent every month has a couple of flaws to it-first your rent can go up, and second, your not building any equity. Fort Wayne is one of the best places to buy a home in the country. We have been ranked for years as having one of the lowest costs of livings. So why do so many choose to pay their landlords mortgage payment each month, rather then choosing to invest in their own futures? I think the answer to many of these questions is that their maybe some misconceptions that paying rent is cheaper then paying a mortgage. After all you don’t have to pay property taxes…