Good News in Real Estate!

The Indiana Association of Realtors released their report for January 2012, and the news is encouraging.  Statewide, closed home sales are up 13.9% year over year, looking at January 2011 and January 2012.  And even with pricing pressure from foreclosures, the median price is up 1%.

Locally, things are looking toward a recovery, too. 

• In Boone County closed sales are up 11.4% and the median price is up 3.7% year over year.
• In Hamilton County closed sales are up 36.1% and the median price is up 5.3% year over year.

If you've been thinking of selling, call me at 457-9350 for a consultation.  Sales are up, yet inventory remains low with only 268 active listings in Zionsville and 613 active listings in Carmel.  That is good news for sellers!

Best of Zionsville

 

Wow, third year in a row!  Thank you  for this special honor for my office!

Why Wait?

Did you know there are 261 homes for sale in Zionsville?

If 261 seems like a lot to you, consider that Zionsville usually has between 600 and 700 homes for sale.

What does this mean to you?  If you've been thinking about selling, get on the market now to avoid the spring rush and take advantage of less competition.

Overall, there are about 10,000 fewer homes for sale in central Indiana than there were last year at this time. 

Call me and I'll help you get the process started!

Deadline for Deductions Approaching

You have until December 31, 2011 to file your homestead and mortgage exemptions.  If you've purchased, sold, refinanced, or changed title, please make sure you have taken care of this to drastically reduce your property taxes owed.  Deductions reduce the amount of assessed value a taxpayer pays on a given parcel of property.

For more information, in Hamilton County, visit the website for the auditor's office.  In Boone County, visit the auditor's website or call (765)482-2940. 

You do not need to do this every year, only in the cases of selling, refinancing or changing title.  Give me a call if you need any further assistance. I'm happy to point you in the right direction. 

How to Choose a Realtor

When choosing a realtor, you have about 7,000 possible candidates in central Indiana.  How to make the right choice?  Ask some good questions and trust your instincts.

1.  How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
2.  How will you educate me about the home buying process?                         
3.  How will you market my home for sale?
4.  What is your experience and education...in real estate and otherwise?

Notice that none of my suggested questions include the realtor's commission.  While you absolutely should ask about that and ultimately get it in writing, it should not be the question to qualify or disqualify the realtor candidate.  The fact is, while I provide an excellent value, I do not compete on cost.  I compete on quality of service. 

Also, trust your instincts. Does the realtor present professionally in speech and dress?  Is the realtor affiliated with a reputable company and refer you to outstanding mortgage lenders and home inspectors? Does the realtor treat you with the courtesy you deserve, no matter the price point of your home?

You have a lot of choices.  Ask your friends for referrals, but be sure to ask your own good questions and trust your instincts in choosing a realtor.

Preparing Your Home for Sale in the Fall

Selling your home in the fall? Vivid fall foliage will enhance your home's curb appeal. You can't rely on nature alone, though, when preparing your home for sale in the fall.

Rake frequently to keep leaves on the lawn to a minimum.  And as trees shed their leaves, your home will be more exposed; chipped paint or dirty siding will be even more noticeable, so pressure-wash your house and repaint if necessary.  Fall is the perfect time of year for those tasks.  Be sure gutters and downspouts are clean so buyers will know you are diligent about maintaining your home.

Natural decorations such as pumpkins and potted mums or kale can enhance your home's curb appeal.

If your busy schedule doesn't allow time for raking or pressure-washing, just give me a call.  I can provide you with referrals for lawn services, house painters, and handymen who can help you prepare your house for sale in the fall.

Selling Your Home in the Fall

Many people think of spring as the perfect time to put their home on the market.  But listing your home in the fall can have some advantages.

• You will have less competition now as fewer homes are on the market.
• You may get more money for your house because you have less competition.
• While you may have fewer showings, buyers in the fall--and winter for that matter--tend to be more serious and more qualified.
• You always have the option of allowing showings around your busy fall schedule. 
• Corporate transferees are looking online for homes now;  January is the biggest month for corporate relocations. 

Real estate does have seasonal fluctuations, but homes are sold twelve months out of the year.  Let the seasonal nature of the market work in your favor.

Why Fewer Homes for Sale Benefits You

In the thirteen counties that comprise the MIBOR Broker's Listing Cooperative (BLC) area, there are about 15,600 homes for sale.  That sounds like a lot, doesn't it?  But consider that at this time in 2007, there were 21, 241 homes for sale!  That's a lot more competition...to drive prices downward and to make any imperfections in a house a reason for buyers to look instead at the house down the street. Today's numbers are comparable to the home inventory of 2004, and are moving in the right direction. 

And on a seasonal basis, fall is a good time to list your home due to less competition.  The potential buyers out there now tend to be more serious and more qualified.  With less homes to choose from, your home can stand out even more.

Home Staging: Just Paint it Tan?

I should paint every room tan, right?  That is a question I get a lot when I sit down with listing clients to talk about home staging. Every home staging is unique. Consider this picture:

This room is far from neutral.  But it is clean, fresh, inviting, balanced and lacks personalization. 

There is an adage in the real estate business that for every hour spent staging your home, you'll net $100.  I don't know if that's an exact correlation or not, but I do know that staging is very important in a high inventory market. And if your realtor isn't giving you advice on staging or enlisting professional stagers, then you're missing a critical factor of getting the most for your sale.

So, no, not every room has to be tan...but I will let you know if it does need to be changed.  When it comes to your house, I'll be honest yet respectful about how to stage your home for sale.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Obviously I wasn't a Boy Scout, but I sure do like the way they think.  Always Be Prepared.   Before we stage your home and that bright red Carpenter Realtors sign goes in the yard, here are some really beneficial things you can do to prepare for a successful home sale:

1. Get a pre-listing home inspection.  This can be especially helpful if you have an older home.  For a few hundred dollars, you can be forewarned about items that may scare away potential buyers.

2. Get replacement estimates.  If you cannot fund any major repairs revealed by the pre-listing inspection, obtain estimates. This will help potential buyers determine if they can afford the home.

3.  Make minor repairs.  If you're like me, it's easy to get used the quirks of your home. But you're much better off to fix that squeaky door or leaky faucet.

4. Clear the clutter.  Store it away, but remember even your boxes need to have an organized appearance if they are visible in closets, the basement or the attic.

5. Clean. Your home needs to sparkle.  Clean the baseboards and switch plates. Clean the refrigerator and oven, even if you're taking them to your new home;  in the buyer's eyes, they're a reflection of how you've maintained the home.

Of course, I've got all the referrals you'll need to get prepared, from inspectors to tradespeople to cleaning services.  I'll help you make it easy to always be prepared.