Garrett Gutermuth with Cressy & Everett Real Estate

09/23/2026

Open house Thursday, September 24, 5:00-7:00 PM at 922 N Hill Street, South Bend.

Built in 2022 and minutes from Notre Dame -- the photo shows just how close. 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4,584 finished square feet.

Stop by anytime between 5 and 7 and I'll walk you through it. If Thursday doesn't work, send me a message and I'll set up a private showing.

922 N Hill Street, South Bend, IN 46617 -- $1,050,000


Garrett & Carol Gutermuth, REALTORS® · Cressy & Everett Real Estate · (574) 850-2252
Equal Housing Opportunityi

09/16/2026

I'll be hosting an open house next Sunday at a brand-new home a short walk from Notre Dame — 1006 Sorin Street, South Bend.

Five bedrooms, four and a half baths, 2,610 square feet of new construction with an interior designed by Leah Rubin. Two en suite bedrooms (one on the main floor), a gourmet kitchen built around a 48-inch range, a lower-level wet bar with custom tile, and a detached two-car garage with the option to add a one-bedroom apartment above it.

Sunday, September 20, 2:00–4:00 PM — come see how it's finished. I'd be glad to walk you through it.

1006 Sorin Street, South Bend, IN 46617 — $992,000

Garrett Gutermuth, REALTOR® · Cressy & Everett Real Estate · (574) 850-2252
Equal Housing Opportunity

09/16/2026

I'll be hosting an open house this Friday evening at the Golden Gables condos on Notre Dame Avenue — 734 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, a short walk from campus.

Four new-construction residences, three still available:
• Two first-floor condos from $778,000 (2 bed/2 bath and 3 bed/3 bath)
• A five-bedroom whole-floor residence on the second floor — 2,935 sq ft, $1,749,000
Every unit has private front and back balconies, high-end stainless appliances, and covered parking. Elevator access to the upper floors.

Friday, September 18, 4:00–7:00 PM — stop by on your way to the weekend. I'd be glad to walk you through any of the three.

734 N Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617

Garrett Gutermuth, REALTOR® · Cressy & Everett Real Estate · (574) 850-2252
Equal Housing Opportunity

09/06/2026

Everyone saves for the down payment. Then the other number shows up.

Here is what it actually takes in cash to buy a $250,000 house in Michiana.

Two numbers, not one. The down payment is what everyone plans for. Closing costs are separate, they are due the same day, and they run roughly $6,000 to $8,000 on a $250,000 house. Put 3% down and the second number is about the size of the first.

You do not need 20% down. Three percent on a conventional loan if you are a first-time buyer. Three and a half on FHA. Zero on VA, and zero on USDA if the property qualifies — which is decided address by address, not town by town, and covers more of this county than most people expect. Still, the typical first-time buyer puts down about 10%, the highest since 1989.

What closing costs run. Fannie Mae measured 1.1 million real closing statements and the median came in at 2.18% of the purchase price, everything included. Indiana sits near the bottom of the country, and it is not a loophole — the state, its counties and its cities charge no real estate transfer tax at all. Most states do.

What that money actually is. Origination and underwriting. Appraisal. Credit report. The lender's title policy and the closing fee. Recording — $25 for the deed, $55 for the mortgage. Then prepaids: your first year of homeowners insurance, prepaid interest, and the tax escrow. Prepaids are about half of it, and that half is money you would owe anyway, just early.

Send me your price range in a message and I will walk you through the real cash to close, line by line, before you ever sit down with a lender.

Estimates for a $250,000 purchase in St. Joseph County; actual costs vary by lender, loan type, credit and property. Not a loan offer, quote, or lending advice. Garrett Gutermuth is a licensed real estate broker, not a mortgage lender.

Garrett Gutermuth, REALTOR®
Gutermuth Homes at Cressy & Everett Real Estate
Equal Housing Opportunity

09/05/2026

If you're thinking about selling your house as-is — without making any repairs — the fastest option is almost always a cash investor, but it's usually the most expensive decision you can make.

Here's an example. Say a cash investor offers you around $200,000 for your house — no repairs, no hassle, close whenever you want. A retail buyer would pay around $250,000 for that exact same house, but they're going to ask for $3,000 to $5,000 in repairs before closing.

So here's the real question: would you rather sell for the most money, but deal with a longer process and a repair list — or sell for the least amount, but have a smoother, shorter process?

There's no wrong answer here, and it depends on your situation. But you should know both numbers before you decide. If you're weighing that choice on your own home, send me a message — I'll walk you through both options so you can choose the best option for you.

Garrett Gutermuth, REALTOR®
Gutermuth Homes at Cressy & Everett Real Estate
Equal Housing Opportunity

09/01/2026

Open house at 922 N Hill Street, South Bend -- Wednesday, September 2, 6:00-7:00 PM.

5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 4,584 finished square feet, built 2022.

Come walk it in person. If Wednesday doesn't work, send me a message and I'll set up a private showing.

Garrett & Carol Gutermuth, REALTORS®
Gutermuth Homes at Cressy & Everett Real Estate
Equal Housing Opportunity

09/01/2026

The highest offers on your home come in the first week -- not the third.

Swipe for why days on market quietly works against sellers, and why the plan should be built around week one instead of counting on patience later.

Curious what your first week could look like? Send me your address in a DM.

Cressy & Everett Real Estate

09/01/2026

Under $200,000 in Mishawaka is getting hard to find. This one is at 234 W Lawrence Street, walking distance to the parks and the Riverwalk.

An 1890 home with a big living and dining room open to the kitchen, a full bath with a shower on the main floor, and a bonus room off the entry that works as an office or a main-floor bedroom. Upstairs, three bedrooms and an updated tiled bath with a whirlpool bath tub. Covered patio off the back, fenced yard, shed. About 1,800 square feet.

Want to walk through it, or find something like it in your price range? Send me a message and I will set it up.

Listed by Christine Tirotta, Cressy & Everett Real Estate.

Garrett & Carol Gutermuth, REALTORS®
Gutermuth Homes | Cressy & Everett Real Estate
(574) 850-2252
Equal Housing Opportunity

08/30/2026

08/28/2026

Goosebumps!