Many new real state investors are getting into real estate investing and are bombarded with many terms and terminologies they don’t understand. Continue reading What type of investment property is for me?
Tag Archives: urban
Potential Meth Lab Homes now complicate the buying process even more
Buying a home sometimes can be a roller coaster ride. You now have to watch out for meth labs when buying any home. Not only the production, but also casual smoking of tenants or seller will contaminate the house, Continue reading Potential Meth Lab Homes now complicate the buying process even more
Things to consider before you jump into buying your house.
You are graduating from college, you have your first real job in your field of expertise, and you are ready to purchase a home and get out of the apartment you are currently in.
Before you consider looking at homes on the internet, or with a REALTOR, there are several things you should do first. Continue reading Things to consider before you jump into buying your house.
Settles Report for 9/1/2014 to 9/8/2014
Last week we did not publish the Settles Report. We questioned some of the reported numbers that where subsequently corrected, but too late for us to publish the report during that week.
Why is my house not selling?
Have you ever driven though a neighborhood and noticed For Sale signs coming and going but there is that one house that has not sold and it is still sitting there waiting for a buyer?
I spoke to a friend of mine the other day who actually sold his home as a for-sale by-owner and he had his house sold within 4 days. His neighborâs house has been on the market already for several months.
Most the time you hear agents speak about location, location, location.
Many times you cannot control the location of your home unless you are willing to pick it up and move it. With trending neighborhoods, a good location might turn into an undesirable location and an undesirable location may turn into the new hot spot. Location is one of those things you cannot control so focus on the things you can control.
What is under your control?
- Cleanliness of the inside and outside
- Yard maintenance
- Property maintenance
- Interior decoration
Have your ever gone to the grocery store with the intention of picking up only one item and discover when returning to your car you had many items, but not the one you wanted? Think of your home like that grocery store. It is up to you and youâre listing agent to spark the interest of a potential buyer to as many characteristics of your house as possible.
In a store, the end caps at the end of each isle have a specific purpose and your end cap is the exterior of your home. The purpose for the end cap, and your exterior of your house, is to entice the buyer to take a look inside. The stores use high profit items to lure you to the end cap and all of the sudden you are inside the isle and see other things you think you would like to have.
Each item in each isle is strategically placed on the shelves. Have you ever noticed the more reasonable priced items are on the bottom shelve and the more lucrative items are right at eye height? Your isle is the interior of the house. So letâs put the more âreasonable pricedâ items like personal pictures, trophies and additional clutter on the very bottom of the shelve (storage) and put the more buyer appealing items at eye height. And remember, sometimes less is more.
The next time you go grocery shopping check out the lighting in the store. Have you ever noticed that the store has different types of lighting? Some areas have a more cool looking lighting and others have brighter lighting. Now translate this to your house you want to sell. The more inviting the lighting is in your house the more appealing it looks to the buyer.
Keep this in mind! Think of your home like that of a grocery store. It is up to you and youâre listing agent to entice the buyer to make them shop.
When you have any questions, or would like to have the Settles Team help you make your home look more appealing to a buyer, contact the Settles Team.
Settles Report
For this report we looked at the active, pending (in escrow), and sold stats for Marion, Johnson, and Hamilton Counties for the week of June 30th to July the 6th.
Marion County was the county having the most properties offered for sale during that week. There were 389 properties listed with an average list price of $129,680. Washington and Lawrence Townships were the leading townships with 62 new listings each. The average list prices for Washington and Lawrence Townships were $218,531 and $213,983 respectively. During that same week, the entire county had 189 properties having an accepted offer (pending sale, in escrow) with an average 67 days of time on the market. 335 other listings closed that week.
Hamilton County had 176 homes entering the market that week. The average list price for Hamilton County was $299,368. Clay Township had the most properties offered for sale through the local BLC. The average list price for Clay Township that week is $322,314. Clay Township led the county with 44 new listings. Noblesville followed with 41 new listings. The average list price for Noblesville was $289,037. During this time Hamilton County had accepted offers on 100 properties (pending sale, in escrow) with an average marketing time of 66 days. 194 made it to the closing table.
Johnson County had 67 new properties entering the market through the local Central Indiana BLC. The average list price during this time was $231,843. Pleasant Township had the most new listings with 25 and White River Township is following with 22 new listings. Pleasant townships average list price that week was $124,680 and White River Township was $263,185. Johnson County had 38 accepted offers (pending sale, in escrow) after 105 days of marketing. 58 properties closed during that week.
For more detailed information on sales within your area contact the Settle Team for more information.
Are you in the market for a Retirement home?
Here are 5 key factors you should take in to account when looking for a home.
1-Â Â Â Â Â When you are planning a relocation to a community outside the State you are living in consider vacationing in the area during both the busy season and off-season. Many communities have different âfeels’ to them depending on the time of year. Some people make the mistake of buying a home in a town that they have only visited on vacations once or during the peak summer period.
2-
During your vacation stay find out where medical care is located. According to AARP, more than 60% of Americans ages 50-64 have at least one of six chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Once seniors reach the age of 65, more than 80% are affected by one of these chronic diseases. Close proximity to hospitals, doctors, and medical facilities should be considered when retiring.
3-
Think about gas prices and other conveniences. Your new home may be located far from family and friends and there may be no public transportation. You may end up spending a lot of money on gas and tolls. Twenty percent of people over 65 do not have a driver’s license. Many who do drive prefer not to drive at night or in inclement weather. Cost of living and the closeness of conveniences should be factored in as well.
4-
Determine how much living space you are comfortable with. Not having a family at home, your space needs will diminish. When looking at homes pay very close attention to how wide the door frames are. Does the home have stairs and if so how many? Do I need a basement and if so how will I get into the basement? Consider a garage attached or detached and whether they have stairs in the garage and attics when looking for a home. Also look for handrails or the possibility to put up handrails in areas like the bathroom or shower. The average size of a home for people over the age of 55 is 1,800 square feet.
5-
Look into social aspects of the area. If you like people, dining out, and shows, you may not want to opt for a remote location. Think about the activities you enjoy both during the day and at night. Many active-adult communities offer entertainment, bus trips to tourist attractions, and on-site shows and programs.
For help to find your perfect retirement home or any other real estate question contact the Settles Team!
2014 Home-A-Rama, Westfield IN
Just as in previous years, Home-A-Rama 2014 again has some great custom builders showcasing their craftsmanship. This time they are in the Brookside Neighborhood by Langston Development located in Westfield IN.
Brookside is one of Westfieldâs premier neighborhoods with a variety of custom homes. Due to the variety of custom builders building in this Neighborhood you never will have a house that looks the same as your neighbors.
This year the Home-A-Rama 2014 features G&G Custom Homes, Bedrock Builders, Hoss Homes, M/I Homes – Showcase Collection, and Heartwood Custom Homes.
The Brookside neighborhood itself is a very diverse and stylish neighborhood with home prices ranging from $600,000 to $1.7 million. Just minutes away from all major conveniences like recreation, shopping, and schools. Brookside is located on 161th Street East of US 31.
Every one of the builders being showcased at the 2014 Home-A-Rama had a very unique style. I found that high vaulted ceilings and open floor plans are still popular.
Even when you have an open floor plan you still can find corners that will be quite enough for conversation or relaxing. Hideaway spaces like a hidden game room or reading /play room found itself into their design as well.
Pocket and barn doors have finally made their way back into the Midwest building style. It makes a stylish addition to a home and also will make room for other amenities. Clean lines and simple but stylish dĂ©cor design helped showcase the builderâs craftsmanship.
For more information about this or other neighborhoods, the builders, or the area in general contact the Settles Team.
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CENTRAL INDIANA IS NOT A BAD PLACE TO BE
Based on the recent mentioning on livability.com, Central Indiana, especially Indianapolis, has made many positive changes over the last 10 years.
 Whoever would have thought that Indianapolis IN would be #3 on the list of top 10 list for having the best Downtown in 2014? Normally we have several other Central Indiana towns on this list and it is enjoyable to see that Indianapolis finally made it.
Indianapolis has worked very hard to make their downtown more user friendly. You can take a stroll up and down the Central Canal by foot, or bike. Rent a bike or boat, or take a gondolier ride down the canal.
When you stroll around Indy you will see all the new art pieces that have been integrated into the city landscape. You have a many options for shopping, entertainment, and dining.
USA Today has noticed the positive changes and innovative ways Indianapolis has been growing and picked Indy as the best place for conventions. It is very easy to find hotel space in Indianapolis. Park your car and just walk. Everything is within walking distance and the Indianapolis walk-ability, connectivity, and access to the restaurants, entertainment, and hotels won them many positive reviews.
Indianapolis, and Central Indiana itself, is one of the more affordable places to live, rent, and buy. With a current median price of $136,000 for a home for Central Indiana we are still an affordable area to live. In all areas we have affordable housing that is more in the range of exclusive housing in the downtown as well as the outer areas of the downtown area.
When you would like to have more information about Central Indiana and the Central Indiana possibilities please contact the Settles Team.