Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 10.31.12


What’s scarier?

Dan’s activity this week:

Its Halloween today and the question is what’s scarier…your little angels dressed up like goblins or missing out on great financing rates and getting more house than you thought for the next 30 years?  Its most people’s biggest investment and you should treat it as such.  Use a professional that surrounds himself with professionals.

This week I received two calls out of the blue from now clients who both want to sell their homes and move up!  I met with one the other day and we are going to be out looking at houses this weekend or next. 

The other client and I are finding a date to meet and talk in the next few days.  They haven’t done this much and feel uncomfortable with the entire process so this consultation will be a great time for them to ask any and all questions and for me to help a young family down this road…I can’t wait!



Rates for the week
From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages fell from 3.62 percent to 3.61 percent in the week ended Oct. 24, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.91 percent to 2.90 percent.


Monday, October 29, 2012

Overview of the 1st Annual "Irish Fall Family Fest"!





On Sunday, October 14, we scratched off the final to-do on our renovation project list, bought some tasty food, created the party favors, organized the entertainment and had 150 people and over 50 groups into our home that day!  It was a great time of meeting new neighbors and welcoming friends, family, and clients in to catch up with our family and celebrate the completion of our recent renovation.  Even though the winds were present, the sun was out and we had a fabulous time!







As a gift from us, each family received a homemade jar of brownie mix to take home and use when needed.  




We also drew names for those in attendance and gave away six prizes!


Conner Prairie 1-Year Membership: The David Family
 2 sets of Ram Kids' Meal and Ben and Ari's Coupon: The Kerpsack and Blunk Families
$15 Orange Leaf Gift Card: The Hoener Family
YMCA $25 Gift Card and Guest Passes: The Murphy Family
$25 Bub's Burgers Gift Card: The Dalton Family





The tables were set and the centerpieces were arranged!




The fall decor welcomed the guests through the new front doors.




The banner was hung, the mums placed, and hay bails directed people to the front door.




The entertainment included a magician, the Kona Ice Truck, a balloon twister, and a glitter tattoo artist....the kids loved it!





The pinata was a big hit!!





Fruit, veggies, Conner Prairie dipped marshmallows, pretzels, and rice krispie treats; Paradise Cookies, sandwiches, and beverages....the food was a hit!




The kids had a make-your-own goody-bag bar.  They selected from all types of treats and toys to create their own party favor bag.




We had "before" pictures put up to showcase what the home looked like in each room before the renovation.  





The fire pit was in action and s'mores were ready to be made and eaten!




We also welcomed some of our trade vendors and set out sign-up sheets for our guests to get more info from them.


We thank these vendors for sponsoring a portion of the party:

Barbara Fisher with Stone Artisans
Mark Kuchik with Access National Mortgage
Phil Ennis with PJE Lawncare and Landscape
Amanda Wilson with Clay's Flooring

We totally enjoyed this event and are so thankful for all the people that took the time to stop by.  The 2nd annual Irish Fall Family Fest will be in October 2013, so stay tuned for more details!

Mission Accomplished!
The Irish Family!



Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 10.24.12


A great weekend!

Dan’s activity this week:


I know why it was quiet last week on the showings…all the REALTORS® were down in Bloomington riding in the Hilly Hundred bike ride!  I should know…I was there and saw a lot of agents riding.  Day 1 was a little chilly and wet but that helped keep the 57 miles a cool ride.  Day 2 was much warmer and sunny, perfect for a 43 mile outing.  It was a great weekend, but my legs are still feeling the effects.

The consultation last week went well.  One thing to consider out there: if you purchased a home with the First Time Homeowner Tax Credit offered by the US Government in 2008-2010, make sure you read the fine print.  If you sell that home before your 36 month commitment is up, you owe the entire amount back on that year’s taxes!   

Also received a call, while in Bloomington, from a friend of a friend who is ready to sell their home in Carmel and move up in either Carmel or Fishers!  They had been using another agent and it just wasn’t working out for them.  I’m ready for the opportunity, let’s get going!



 Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages rose from 3.59 percent to 3.62 percent in the week ended Oct. 17, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages rose from 2.88 percent to 2.91 percent


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 10.17.12


What an event!

Dan’s activity this week:



Ahh, the closing of the Short Sale, of course not without its own set of drama right up through the end.  Weather it was the 5 light fixtures of the home that were taken by the former owner and then some of them returned, or funding pushing the closing from morning to the evening, it was a hectic day but in the end, my clients now own their new house.  After some fixing up it will be their home.


More multiple showings on the listings in this last week!  One of the homes we received a contingent offer that my clients accepted.  So now that buyer just has to sell his home and we are good to go. 

I've got a consultation tomorrow with a past client who needs to sell his fiancée’s home.  There are also two other prospects who are in the process of getting ready to sell. Although Fall just started, we are thinking Spring of ’13 now!

WOW!  We had over 150 people come to our Irish Fall Family Fest!  A great turn out and the rain held off for us.  Unfortunately, the wind did not and forced the cancellation of both the rock wall and bounce house…we didn't want to be in the news for kids getting flying off the rock all or the bounce house rolling down the street in 50 mph wind!  We called in a Magician last second and he did a fine job along with the balloon twister, glitter tattoos, piñata and a visit from the Kona Ice truck!    



 Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages rose from 3.52 percent to 3.59 percent in the week ended Oct. 10, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages rose from 2.84 percent to 2.88 percent.


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 10.10.12


This can’t go on forever!

Dan’s activity this week:
Someday, my rate updates will not be so cheerful and you’ll be kicking yourself for not locking in these incredible rates or buying that smaller, bigger, better, etc whatever home because the rates were so low you could afford it!

The short sale home had its inspection and all seems well.  There was nothing too big just the regular high number of maintenance items that get neglected when a home starts to go through the foreclosure process.

Second showings on multiple listings in this last week!  Let’s get those buyers in these homes before the holiday rush I say!  Also one of my clients had an exciting day on Monday as their washing machine shutoff failed…causing some water damage to the floors.  The restoration crew was out the same day and whoever ends up buying the home will have brand new flooring!

I’m still pursuing the two agents who have clients interested in my investor portfolio for sale.  Let’s hope they aren't waiting for the outcome of the election to decide if they want to spend their cash.

So after one of my past clients expressed a need to sell a home, two other prospects contacted me to do the same thing!  Let’s keep that pipeline filled up.  My clients and prospects are already planning their Spring home sales and purchases.  If you are considering a Spring move, contact me now so you can plan accordingly.

The doorbell will be ringing off the hook this Sunday at the Irish Fall Family Fest.  Nothing like having a couple of hundred people come through your newly renovated home with some of our subs completing work still this week!  The temperature looks great at 73 but there is a 40% chance of rain…pray for that 40% after 6pm!  If you read this blog with regularity, you are invited…just email, call or text me to RSVP. 


 Rates for the week
From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages fell to 3.52 percent from 3.55 percent in the week ended Oct. 3, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell to 2.84 percent from 2.88 percent.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 10.3.12


What are you waiting for?!?!?!

Dan’s activity this week:

First, rates are just way too good, call me now to sell that house and buy the next home and lock in those rates for the long haul.  At least let me pass you along to my mortgage partner.  Sorry, I had to get that off my chest, now on to our regularly scheduled update…

So the short sale is now cruising right along, financing is in full effect, appraisal passed and the inspection is this weekend.  So with the exception of some major structural or biological issue, we close in less than 2 weeks! 

Again, good activity on my other listings since last week, so I just need some of these buyers with good feedback to send me that offer.  There is definitely a time warp affect for buyers and sellers.  A week to a buyer is like a month to a seller…or their agent! 

I picked up another potential buyer for my client’s investment properties.  Although I don’t have anything more than that at this point, the fact that two came in within days of each other gives a small indication that those with money to spend are considering spending it. 

As I was making one of my anniversary calls (I call my clients on the anniversary of their closings) a past client informed me that he is newly engaged and they’ll need to sell her home!  I can’t wait to help this couple become a family under one roof.

Tick, tick tick…the Irish Fall Family Fest is fast approaching.  Preparations are feverish so save the date of Sunday, October 14th from 3-6…that’s when the 1st Annual Irish Fall Family Fest will be unleashed!  Invites have been mailed out so here it is!  If you read this blog with regularity, you are invited!  Just email, call or text me to RSVP. 



 Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages fell to 3.55 percent from 3.70 percent in the week ended Sept. 26, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell to 2.88 percent from 2.95 percent.

Again, what are you waiting for?!?!?!