Making Granite Selections....A Trip to Stone Design of Indy!

Mindy took at trip with her kitchen renovation client to Stone Design of Indy!  The client chose to use granite counters for their natural beauty and ease of use and maintenance.  DM Irish has been using a local granite fabricator and installer by the name of Granite Plan It since 2004.  Their sales rep, Barbara Fisher, Mindy, and the client visited the Stone Design warehouse in downtown Indy to peruse the aisles and find the best match for this kitchen's new look!

Email Mindy here to get more info on working with Barbara of Granite Plan It


Get More Info on Granite Plan It Here!

Get More Info On Stone Design Here!

(Note: Stone Design is solely a granite retailer. 

A granite fabricator and installer is needed to purchase and install the product.)

Our search begins!  Barbara and the client walk the aisles to explore the options.

The beauty of granite is truly amazing.  These are two extravagant slabs we saw on this visit.  The left side reminded us of a turtle shell and the right side was actually purple....yes, purple!  How cool would that be with flashy, glass back splash tiles in a savvy boutique or hair salon??  You never know what you'll find!

When you narrow down your search and want to get a closer look, call one of the stone operators over and he'll bring your selection to the front!  This video shows the granite slabs being moved around for clients to take a closer look. 

Quite amazing! 

One of our top choices was brought to the front and Barbara talks with the client over the layout options and pricing for this specific slab.  It's not a quick process, but taking the time to find the right color and movement in the stone is well worth the wait!

She knew it when she saw it!  The client loved this slab, known as "Cocoa Beach", from the start.  Our new kitchen is coming together nicely.  The client's existing cabinetry, new 18" floor tiles, new 3"x6" back splash tiles, and a new under mount, black composite sink will be pulled together perfectly with this gorgeous granite centerpiece.  

A visit to the granite warehouse is a DM Irish must when making selections for any kitchen, new or renovated.  Sometimes you'll spend a little more than originally planned, but seeing the entire slab in person is definitely something each client will want to do.  Thanks Barbara of Granite Plan It for assisting us in this part of the process and thank you Stone Design for your granite options and service to help us find the perfect fit!

Contact Mindy here for questions on granite or info on how to start your kitchen makeover! 

Foreclosure Friday, 10.28.11

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?

Email Realtor® Dan Irish Here!

Home A

2386 sf on a slab; 4 beds, 3 baths

Westfield near Oakridge and SR 32; Westfield Schools

Possible Short Sale; Good condition; Large floor plan; Some character features

Home B

2383 sf on a slab; 4 beds, 3 baths

Fishers near 121st and Hoosier Road; HSE Schools

Possible Short Sale; Great floor plan; Open layout; Needs updates and cosmetics; Great location

Home C

2044 sf on a crawl; 4 beds, 3 baths

79th and Dean Road, Indy; Washington Township Schools

Possible Short Sale; Great location on gorgeous lot with mature trees; Many character features;

Needs updates and cosmetics

Contact Realtor® Dan Irish Here for more info on any property above!

A 1950s Kitchen Renovation....Getting a New Look!

Mindy was called in to help this kitchen tackle its new look.  Built in the 1950s, this home has wonderful character features and a great setting in Carmel.  The client says it's time for new appliances, lights, wallpaper removal and new paint, new tile floors, sink and faucet, and granite counter tops! 

We love the rustic ceiling beams and cherry cabinets.  The overall goal is to keep the new look simple, yet in line with the existing design of the rest of the home.  Mindy's running the design, and is consulting with the client on the general contracting of the project.  Once the bids are all in, the project should only take roughly two weeks to complete!

Yellow appliances, red counters, and pink back splash tiles....your clock is ticking!

Clean lines and gloss finishes were not the right fit for this kitchen.  Mindy chose to capture the rough edges, textured stone, and earth tones in this color palette.  18" floor tiles laid on the diagonal will enlarge this small kitchen and help anchor the space.  Granite in a "Giallo Ornamental" will pair nicely with the buff-colored 3"x6" back splash tiles. 

Stay tuned to see this project come together!

Get more info on Mindy's design services here!

The Voice of the Agent: "Feedback Counts!"

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!

Feedback Counts!

When buyers view a home, they are encouraged to leave feedback for the seller.  The buyers' agent is responsible for passing those important words on to the listing agent.  As a seller, you work so hard to prep the home for the market and for each showing, so it's valuable to know what they thought as they took your grand tour.

Feedback on pricing, condition, curb appeal, and livability helps the seller know what to address and change if necessary.  Sometimes the feedback isn't positive, but in that, sellers can and should listen and make changes where necessary as steps towards getting the home sold!  Often times buyers see the home through much different eyes and bring awareness to the positives and negatives of the property. 
Thank you buyers for leaving feedback and two thumbs up for sellers taking it to heart and making those necessary changes!  In the end, everyone hopefully finds the home they've been searching for or gets sold to get where they need to be!

Contact Realtor® Dan Irish here for questions or comments

on feedback, listing, or buying a home!

Foreclosure Friday, 10.14.11

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?

Email Realtor® Dan Irish Here!

Home A

 4100 sf including finished basement; 4 beds, 5 baths

Fortville/Fishers 104th and Olio Corridor; HSE Schools

Not technically a distressed property, but corporate owned due to a relocation;

Minimal cosmetics, great lot, excellent floor plan,

screened porch, neighborhood pool

Home B

5300 sf including finished basement; 4 beds, 5 baths

131st and River Road; Carmel Schools

Possible short sale; Gorgeous custom neighborhood, nice interior with quality features;

2 bedrooms on the main, screened porch

Home C

4400 sf including finished basement; 5 beds, 5 baths

Fishers/Fortville near 96th and Olio; HSE Schools

Bank Owned, yet new construction; Home does back up to Olio, but is a nice layout;

Move-in ready; Potential for great deal in a custom neighborhood!

Home D

5500 sf including unfinished basement; 5 beds, 5 baths

191st and Springmill Road; Westfield Schools

Bank Owned; 3 acres of private country living!!  Tons of space;

Needs updates and cosmetics; Aerial views of the acreage are amazing!

Home E

4000 sf including finished basement; 5 beds, 4 baths

116th and Brook School Road, Fishers, Hamilton Proper; HSE Schools

Possible Short Sale; Amazing neighborhood with over sized lot; Needs updates and cosmetics;

Great find with amazing potential in one of Fishers nicest neighborhoods!!

Contact Realtor® Dan Irish Here for more info on any property above!

Dine, Stay, Relax in an Indy Historic Home: The Villa!

We've driven by it many times and finally we went in!  Located near 16th and Delaware in Indianapolis, the Villa Inn-Restaurant-Spa is a great place that celebrates a piece of the past while offering a spot for a great meal and relaxation from the hustle and bustle.

This great find is located in an old home that was built in 1906.  It was a residence until the 1930s and then became a corporate venue with many owners until it's current owner's purchase in 2001.  DM Irish dined in the restaurant and enjoyed a fabulous Italian meal.  After dinner, they gave us a tour of the entire space, except the kitchen!

Get More Info on the Villa and Its Services Here!

What an elaborate foyer and a great first impression!

The current dining room was the actual dining room then.  It's anchored by a huge, elaborate fireplace on the far left of the room.  It has 15-foot tall ceilings, an ornate chandelier, and a walk-in safe that once housed strategic plans during WWII.

This is one of four guest rooms in the Bed and Breakfast where the rates start at $200 a night.  Each room has its own private bath and character features.

Original doors, door hardware, trim, and hardwood floors make this quite the place to visit!

This former ballroom is now partially used as the salon/spa part of the experience.  The other half of the ballroom is being used as the bar.  Pedicure and massage services are offered in the basement rooms as well.  What an amazing use of space!

We enjoyed a birthday dinner and had the choice to dine inside or outside on this gorgeous October evening.  We chose to eat inside to take in the features of the home.  We plan to make a trip down again for all the services they offer.  If you enjoy historic architecture as we do, this will be one place you'll want to visit!

Great Design Ideas from the Broad Ripple Home Tour!

DM Irish took the crew out to the 2011 Broad Ripple Historic Home Tour. 

We loved it and found some unique design ideas within the homes that are worth passing on to you!  We've been Facebook posting some individual shots, but here are all the great ideas in one spot in case you missed our posts!  Enjoy!

This bath captured a former closet to enlarge this space.  The sink vanity piece is on the left as you enter and the coordinating vanity top is on the right.  We love the white brick and bead board walls in the backdrop.  The claw foot tub was unique to us with its black exterior base.  What a sharp space!

Old homes don't make it easy to get into wall cavities for cords and added electronics.  This owner built the wall out, kept the paint the same color as the wall, and used the space behind to hide the unwanted view of the TV cords.  Great idea!!



We love painted brick!  The owner kept the original stained woodwork on the bookshelves and painted the brick a crisp white.  What an amazing contrast!

Ever slept in a pallet bed?  Four pallets made the base and one pallet made the headboard.  All were painted in a flat white and this great find is one we plan to try!

This mudroom/drop zone/home office caught our eye as we were leaving the home.  Built-in bookshelves surround the chalkboard wall paint to create an awesome working space!  Fabulous!

The Voice of the Agent: "The Power of First Impressions"

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!

The Power of First Impressions

You've heard it before, but you truly do only get one chance to make a great first impression.  Buyers know by sight, scent, and sound within the first seven to 10 seconds whether your home will fit the bill.  There are way too many other homes out there getting high remarks for a buyer to come back and give your home a second chance.  Here are a few quick tips to make sure you're sending the right message on the first attempt:

• Keep lawn, sidewalks, plants, front door paint and door handle in top notch; if the outside looks great, they'll want to see the inside, too!
• Remove the clutter!  Buyers need to be able to see past your things to envision themselves in that space
• Keep it light and bright!  Open blinds and shades to show off the space and turn on lights in key rooms when showing the home
• Touch-up paint walls and high traffic areas for a crisp, clean look
• Clean, clean, clean!  Buyers don't want to move into other people's dirt, so this is key to selling your home and getting a solid offer
• Remove bad odors from stains or pets.  I showed a home with a horrible smell and the buyers couldn't get past the scent no matter the look or price of the home.
• Remove extra furniture to clear walkways and make each room appear bigger.  Crammed spaces will not be attractive to buyers.
• Finish your maintenance to-do list!  No one wants to buy a home with a laundry list of things to fix....unless it's a distressed home sale to start with. 

Contact Realtor® Dan Irish here for questions or comments

on how best to get your home ready to show!

Showing A Historic Home On Washington Street, Indy

Being married to a Realtor® has its benefits! 

DM Irish has a love, passion....ok, obsession with old homes! 

We've actually never lived in one, but tend to build our new construction homes to look old! 

Renovating old homes is definitely on our bucket list!

We're often seen driving slowly on downtown Indianapolis streets admiring the character features we see.  We came across this great find, saw it was vacant, scheduled an appointment, and took a tour.  Could the Irish six make this our next home?  Probably not, but it was worth the look!

Located near 46th and Washington, this circa 1925 home was once a "Grand Dame Double".  The home fills this large corner lot, and has a 3-car garage in the rear of the home.  Boasting over 5,000 square feet, the hardwoods, trim work, and historical features are in great condition!

 

Having later been converted to a single family home, the newer main entrance is on the right side of the home.  This gorgeous leaded glass door makes a grand statement!

This is the panoramic view from the entry.  Mirroring sides make it easy to see how the home was once two.  Look right to see all the trim work holding its original stain color.  Look left to see all the trim work painted and adding a totally different historic look!  Dining room, living room, fire place, kitchen spaces....the amount of space is amazing!

Nearing 100 years old, the hardwood stair treads, scroll newel post, and ornate balusters are in excellent condition!  Love the original grate, too.  Stunning!

When this home was two doubles, there was a full bath and 4 spacious bedrooms on each side.  This image reveals two bedrooms opened up to make what is now one large Master suite with two additional former bedrooms transformed into a now master bath and large walk-in closet.

DM Irish LOVES this bathroom.  You're thinking, "It looks so old!"  Exactly!  If we were to design a bath for a new construction or renovation project, it would be modeling these features!  Hexagon tiles with gray grout, pedestal sink, and subway tiles on the walls are just the charm we love!

We found this mysterious feature on both sides on the way up to each third story area.  At first thought, we guessed it a dumbwaiter.  The flash revealed this might quite possibly be just a simple attic access.  Bummer.....dumbwaiter sounds better, though!

This home is currently listed at $285,000.  It has no functioning kitchen and needs a plumbing overhaul.  The gardens out back have wonderful potential, too!  Interested in this or any other Indianapolis-area property, please get in touch with Dan here!