Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Voice of the Agent: "Over Personalizing Your Home.....Hurts!"


We each have our design and decorating style.  Some of us are more talented than others.  As a homeowner you get to paint, decorate, and design the way you want to make it yours, to an extent!  If you plan to stay in your home forever, then have at it!

However, if you plan to resell anytime soon and want to recoup your expenses and maintain your home's value, then make sure NOT to over personalize your home!  Going too far off of what's generally appealing will lower buyers' interests, lead to longer days on the market, and likely result in a much lower final sales amount.




I showed a home recently much like the one pictured above.  The artistic owners had hand painted bright colors and floral designs on the trim work, doors, cabinets, and stair parts throughout the home.  As a result, the home was sitting on the market and was heading into foreclosure because buyers weren't writing offers and the owner needed to sell.



What might be fun and artistic at the moment can hurt your resale value.  It's in your best interest to consult with a Realtor® or interior designer about making wise design decisions before you make too much of an investment of your time and money!





Sunday, November 27, 2011

Steps to consider when questioning your property tax bill

Have you ever wondered what can be done with a property tax bill in question?  Dan recommends this article written by the National Association of Realtors® for assistance in steps towards resolving your issue. 


Dan's takeaway from this article of noteworthy consideration:
"There are a few things to keep in mind as you weigh an appeal. The board can only lower your real estate assessment, not the rate at which you’re taxed. There’s also a chance, albeit slight, that your assessment could be raised, thus increasing your property taxes.  A reduction in your assessment right before you put your house on the market could hurt the sale price."






  • Appeal Your Property Tax Bill

    To successfully appeal your property tax bill, you first need to do a bit of sleuthing into your real estate assessment. Read




  • Friday, November 25, 2011

    Foreclosure Friday, 11.25.11

    Times are hard and many people have lost their homes due to the challenges in the economy. "Foreclosure Friday" is our way of bringing awareness to the availability and potential of distressed properties in the Central Indiana area. Buying a distressed home, whether if it's in Short Sale or already Bank Owned, is a great way to help stimulate the economy.


    Here Are A Few Of Our Reasons Why:
    -Sellers/Banks are able to depart from their current home
    -Jobs are created for Realtors®, Contractors, and Suppliers
    -Neighborhood home values can be regained
    -Buyers may get a positive equity position
    -Lonely homes get happy homeowners!


    Our short list of distressed properties below are currently active on the market in the Indianapolis area. DM Irish does not own, nor have these properties listed, but rather is being a resource for what's available to purchase.
    Stay tuned biweekly as we pass along homes in the area that might be a good match for you!
    Need more info on one that catches your eye or want helping searching for any home in the area?


    Home A
    3848 sq feet, including basement; 4 beds, 3 baths
    126th and Hazel Dell Road, Carmel; Carmel Schools
    Possible Short Sale; Large, flat lot; Great area; Nice layout needing your personal touch!




    Home B

    3835 sq feet, including basement; 4 beds, 3 baths
    116th and Keystone, Carmel; Carmel Schools
    Possible Short Sale; Nice lot with mature trees; Great area; Needs major overhaul on updates and cosmetics




    Home C
    3298 sq feet including finished basement; 4 beds, 3 baths
    86th and Ditch Road, Indianapolis; Washington Township Schools
    Bank Owned; Home has new carpet, fresh paint, new gutters and new roof;
    Great lot in an area of character homes; Needs some updates




    Home D
    2963 sq feet on a crawl; 4 beds, 4 baths
    79th and Allisonville Road, Indianapolis; Washington Township Schools
    Bank Owned; Great lot with mature trees; Needs updates and cosmetics




    Home E
    2907 sq feet on a slab; 4 beds, 3 baths
    131st and Howe Road, Fishers; HSE Schools
    Short Sale; Good condition; Nice lot with pond view; Great location


    To get more info on any home above or be set up on your own personal search,







    Sunday, November 20, 2011

    A Trip To Colonial Antiques, Architectural Salvage


    One of our all-time favorite places for home goods is Colonial Antiques!  We happened upon this great find several years ago and enjoyed shopping the barns, yards, and shelves of salvaged architectural items from area homes and businesses.  If you enter with an open mind and ability to see the diamond in the rough, you'll realize the value of what's being offered for sale!

    Located on the west side of Indianapolis on 96th and Michigan Road, Norm and his wife Amy have been running this business for over 30 years!  Stop in, explore the aisles of doors, light fixtures, door knobs, mantles, and random salvage items in his inventory.  You never know what you'll find!!




    On this day, Mindy shopped with her kitchen renovation client for four new (old) light fixtures.
    Many great fixtures were found and the collected, antique look was achieved!



    Doors, hardware, windows and more.....



    In the market for a cast iron tub?  This one dates back to 1910!
    Our client actually purchased the middle white door in the background for use on her kitchen pantry!



    Norm is very helpful in assisting buyers to search his inventory to match the items on their list.
    If you visit, make sure to ask where the items are from, their date of origination, and, of course, the price!  Let us know if you go.....and tell them we sent you!





    Wednesday, November 16, 2011

    The Voice of the Agent: "Pricing a home to sell, not to sit"

    Bi-weekly snippets and tidbits of Real Estate for you from Realtor® Dan Irish.
    Contact DM Irish here for questions and topics you want answered!


    Pricing A Home To Sell, Not To Sit

    You've watched your neighbor's home list and sell.  You know what you've put into your home and what is owed on it.  You know the emotional value you put on your home because your kids were born and raised there and many memories were made in this house you made into your home.  However, the honest truth is that the market and buyers don't factor any of that in.  Unfortunately, what you owe on your home doesn't determine what it can sell for.  Only the market in your area will determine what you can get out of the sale of your home. 

    So what's an example?  Joe and Suzy Smith owe $200,000 on their home.  It's a nice 4 bedroom, 3 bath home that looks great from the inside and out.  This Smiths really want to list their home for $250,000 because "It's a great home and we need to get our money out and clear all of our costs."  Upon receiving a market analysis from their Realtor®, they find out their home is only able to realistically sell at $210,000 AND they owe closing costs and real estate fees on the bottom line. 

    It's going to be tight, but it will be doing the client a disservice to list their home way above fair market value where the Smiths want to list.  Doing so will mean they'll likely be encountering longer days on the market, sellers' frustrations, and likely netting much less than they could have gotten from the home sale if they would have been priced correctly when first listed.

    The truth is it doesn't really matter you think your home is worth.  Nor does it matter what your agent thinks or 10 other agents just like him.  The person whose opinion matters is the buyer that makes an offer.  If the ultimate goal is to get sold and move on to the next smaller or larger home for the buyers' original reasons for selling, then we have to be competitively and aggressively priced from day one in this market.  We just can't afford not to be!


    


    

    Friday, November 11, 2011

    1950's Kitchen Renovation.....Progress Continues!

     Mindy's been consulting with a client to help her complete her 1950's kitchen renovation.  We've hauled off the red counters, pink back splash tiles, and stripped the wallpaper!  The granite's been selected and templated to the existing cabinets.  We're taking care of electrical, drywall, and finishing touches before the new materials arrive next week! 


    Before is on the far left.
    Tiles and wallpaper are removed, rough electrical is installed,
    and drywall repair is underway in the kitchen, bath and pantry.




    Granite tops, a new sink and faucet, and floor and back splash tiles are making their way in soon!  New black appliances, wall paint, and the bells and whistles are close behind.  The client is happy with the progress and can't wait to see her kitchen's new look!




    Foreclosure Friday, 11.11.11

    Times are hard and many people have lost their homes due to the challenges in the economy.  "Foreclosure Friday" is our way of bringing awareness to the availability and potential of distressed properties in the Central Indiana area.  Buying a distressed home, whether if it's in Short Sale or already Bank Owned, is a great way to help stimulate the economy. 

    Here Are A Few Of Our Reasons Why:
    -Sellers/Banks are able to depart from their current home
    -Jobs are created for Realtors®, Contractors, and Suppliers
    -Neighborhood home values can be regained 
    -Buyers may get a positive equity position
    -Lonely homes get happy homeowners!

    Our short list of distressed properties below are currently active on the market in the Indianapolis area.  DM Irish does not own, nor have these properties listed, but rather is being a resource for what's available to purchase. 
    Stay tuned biweekly as we pass along homes in the area that might be a good match for you!
    Need more info on one that catches your eye or want helping searching for any home in the area?



    Home A
    4143 including finished basement; 4 beds, 4 baths
    Carmel near 126th and Keystone; Carmel Schools
    Preforeclosure; Great condition; Amazing lot and area; Character neighborhood
    DM Irish renovated a home on this street and this is a great area to be in!




    Home B
    2362 sf on a slab; 4 beds, 3 baths
    116th and Cumberland Road area in Fishers; HSE Schools
    Bank owned; Great bones and layout; Excellent lot; Needs cosmetics




    Home C
    3528 sf including finished basement; 4 beds, 4 baths
    126th and Keystone in Carmel; Carmel Schools
    Bank Owned; Character neighborhood; In-ground pool; Gorgeous lot; Needs cosmetics




    Home D
    3737 sf including unfinished basement; 4 beds, 3 baths
    96th and Molenkopf Road, Fishers; HSE Schools
    Bank Owned; Great layout; Wooded views with fenced-in yard; Needs cosmetics
    Recent major price reduction from seller!




    Home E
    1962 sf on a crawl; 4 beds, 3 baths
    Hague and Carrigan, Noblesville; Noblesville Schools
    Possible Short Sale; Large, private lot; Character features; Great condition!





    Wednesday, November 9, 2011

    Staging "Walk and Talk" Before A Home Goes on the Market

    A staging "Walk and Talk" is what Dan feels is a necessary part of getting a home ready for the market.  Before a home is listed, Mindy walks through the home with the client and gives them feedback on first impressions on the interior and exterior of the home.  She also focuses on wall colors, furniture layout, decor, and the home's general appearance. 
    You only get one chance to make a great first impression!


    -Kitchen-
    In this room, Mindy advised the client to:
    -hide the trash and recycling cans
    -clean off the kitchen counters
    -and keep the pantry organized and clear of clutter on the floor



    -Mud Room/Drop Zone-
    In this room Mindy, advised the client to:
    -vacuum out the return air vent on the ceiling
    -minimize the amount of shoes and belongings in each cubby
    -show the buyers how this space should be used by actually leaving items in the cubbies, too!



    -Laundry Room-
    In this room, Mindy advised the client to:
    -clear off all counters to show off the folding space available
    -use baskets to organize the shelves
    -remove items that get little use and put them in storage so this room's assets are fully exposed


    A staging "Walk and Talk" is a part of Dan's listing package and is of no additional expense to the client.



    Friday, November 4, 2011

    Before and Now: Progress Pictures on a Client's Renovation, Part 2!


    One of Dan's Real Estate clients bought a distressed home on the north side of Indy and is in process of making renovations in prep for a relisting soon.  We've been tracking the progress along the way and here are some pictures to date!



    Kitchen Before and Now with new color, counters, and back splash!




    Bath Before and Now with tiled shower and new vanity sink.
    The entire layout was reworked as well!




    The yard on this home is fabulous! 
    Mature trees, flat space, quiet neighborhood!



    

    Thursday, November 3, 2011

    The Voice of the Agent: "A Neighborhood Talks"


    Bi-weekly snippets and tidbits of Real Estate for you from Realtor® Dan Irish.
    Contact DM Irish here for questions and topics you want answered!

     

    A Neighborhood Talks!

    Have you ever found the perfect home only to drive a little further and discover it's in the wrong neighborhood?  Buyers beware!  Not only do you have to weigh the features and resale values of the home you're considering, but you also have to pay attention to many more details within the area, too!

    -Are there tons of cars, campers, or boats parked on the streets?
    -Are trash cans visible outside of trash collection days?
    -Is there an HOA in place to help monitor the value of the neighborhood?
    -If you're shopping in July, are Christmas lights still hanging from gutters?
    -How are neighbors keeping their lawns with regards to weeds, watering, and landscaping?
    -Are there several homes (every neighborhood has "that house") that have loud or offbeat colors of shutters, front door, and trim?
    -What's the general upkeep of most of the homes in the area?

    I suggest you drive through the neighborhood you're considering multiple times of day in order to get the big picture of what you're buying into.  If you have any reservations, pay attention to that.  Unfortunately, no matter how nice and well kept your home is on the in and outside, a collection of deadbeat neighbors with a lawn, house, and clutter galore can kill your resale value in an instant.  I stand by the saying, "Never buy a home you can't sell."  Be a smart shopper.....a neighborhood talks!