Pantone 2013 "Color of the Year"

Per their website: Pantone is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.

Annually they do a "Color of the Year" and it's interesting to see where the color people are putting their focus.  For 2013, the color is....drum roll please: 

"Emerald"!

Emerald is a pretty daring color for housing.  While I don't see it on too many walls, cabinetry, or exterior color schemes, I believe it makes the perfect accent color on pillows, fabrics, and chotchkies (ch-aw-t-ch-keys) around the home.  For colors this daring, I always suggest using them at a minimum and putting them on items that can be swapped out with the seasons without too much investment (just in case it wears on you after about 3 weeks!)

Clothing, design, decor, accents....let's see where the Emerald color shows up in housing and design this year!  Of course we'll see it in March for St. Patty's day.  How will you put Emerald in your design scheme for 2013?

-Mindy

Go To Pantone's "Color of the Year" website HERE! 

Questions: Email Mindy Here!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 12.19.12

Great forecast, great rates!

  

Dan’s activity this week:

Warning… you've heard this before…but buyer activity across the board is slow for the next 30+ days. 

Good inventory is still hard to find.  At this point in the year some buyers are considering building a new home and not waiting for the Spring listing blitz for good homes to come on the market.

So in the last week I've locked up two more listings for the Spring, bringing my total now to 7…just one away from my goal.  My drive in that number is to hit my quarterly and thus annual goals.  As of now, with buyers and sellers, I’m projecting 11 closings in the 1^st quarter of 2013 (my goal is 7!)

Which leads me in, again, to this…as you go out to Christmas and New Year’s parties with friends & family and someone starts talking “house”, your recommendation of me and a referral of my services would be appreciated, I can’t reach my goals without you!

Don't forget to set your own goals for 2013 now.  You've heard it before...if you don’t have a goal...you’ll hit it every time!

Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages climbed from 3.50 percent to 3.52 percent in the week ended Dec. 12, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages was unchanged at 2.85 percent.

Email me here to start your home sale or purchase process!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 12.12.12

Update, Year Review, and 2013 Goals

  

Dan’s activity this week:

The two closings last Friday went off without a hitch!  Both closed at our in-house title agency so it was nice to literally sit in the same seat for each closing, just an hour-and-a-half apart.

Buyer activity across the board was pretty slow for my listings.  With another listing coming on the market today and two more in the wings, my clients are ready to sell and, in many cases, buy again!

The hard part about buyers is finding good inventory.  Since last year the inventory has gone from over 8 months down to almost 5 months!  That means if no new homes were listed, it would take only 5 months to sell all existing homes for sale.  To put that into a frame of reference, the current 5-month inventory levels are the same from the pre-housing slump of 2006!  A good problem for sellers and the stabilization of pricing, but it makes it more difficult for those buyers out there.

In addition, so far I’ve lined up 4 clients who are ready to list their homes for sale during the upcoming 2013 Spring and buy as well…a good start, but my goal is for 4 more!

With no more closings in 2012 on the books, my numbers are in!  I more than doubled my sales dollars and increased the number of closings by 145%.  My average sales price of a home was $275k, (the MIBOR average is sub 200k and my office average is 250k, the highest in Indy) so I was pleased with that effort.

Based on the great year of 2012, my goals for 2013 are as follows: 25 closing (buy and/or sell), increase the average sales price to 280k and increase my sales by 166%!  All obtainable goals with your help and me doing what I’m supposed to be doing consistently well.

So as you go out to Christmas and New Year’s parties with friends & family and someone starts talking “house”, your recommendation of me and a referral of my services would be appreciated, I can’t reach my goals without you!

Don't forget to set your own goals for 2013 now.  You've heard it before...if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail...

Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages dropped from 3.52 percent to 3.50 percent in the week ended Dec. 5, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.86 percent to 2.85 percent.

Email me here to start your home sale or purchase process!

December "Color of the Month"

Each month we highlight HGTV's "Color of the Month".  Many of us are looking for ways to make changes around the home and what better way than to use suggestions, pictures, and color input from industry leading pros at HGTV who know homes inside and out!  

Watch monthly as we put our spin on their info and pass it on to you!


December's Color of the Month is:

"Icy Purple"

Not only is this color great for home decor, it's a hot clothing color as well.  Just the sight of anything purple brings life to a room and keeps the winter duldrums at bay.  DM Irish doesn't suggest this for a wall color, but definitely a great option for art, towels, pillows and accent pieces throughout the home!

Follow the HGTV Icy Purple Pinterest Board HERE!

Foreclosure Friday, 12.7.12

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 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

  Indianapolis, IPS Schools, Foreclosure, 2192 sf, with a 1085 sf “basement”, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 car detached garage, 0.14 acres, now sitting on the market for 52 days, this Butler-Tarkington home was built in 1933, great character home that will need some TLC, floors look like they can be refinished and saved!

 Home B

 Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Foreclosure, built in 2005 this home has 4340 sf above ground and a 2414 sf in the finished basement with full wet bar, 4 bedrooms, 5 full bath and one ½ bath, .43 acres, 2 fireplaces, 3 car garage, this Hamilton Proper home has only been on the market for 6 days and just needs a few updates and minor repairs

 Home C

  

  Indianapolis, IPS Schools, Foreclosure, 1882 sf, with a 780 sf “basement”, 4 bedrooms, 1 full bath and 1 ½ bath, 2 car detached garage, 0.21 acres, 1 fireplace, now on the market for 80 days, this Butler-Tarkington home was built in 1910, great character home that looks to be in decent shape, the floors look really good, classic arches, built in hutch the dining room, although the kitchen could use some work

 Home D 

 Noblesville, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Foreclosure, 3338 sf on a 1255 sf unfinished basement, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 1 ½ bath, 3 car side load garage, .31 acres, 1 fireplace, nice neighborhood close to golf courses, a popular floor plan from Centex, office/den plus large (17 x 10) bonus room upstairs, the home has been on the market for 74 days

  

Home E

 Carmel, Carmel Clay Schools, Foreclosure, 3136 sf with a 1332 sf finished basement, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, .36 acres, the screened porch and fenced backyard overlooks a pond, 3 car front side load garage, home has a large bonus room over the garage that could be a 4^th bedroom, there is an in ground irrigation system, looks like it needs some general updates, flooring, paint, etc, the home as been on the market for 55 days.

 Home F

 Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Foreclosure, built in 2006 this home has 4152 sf above ground and a 1659 sf in the unfinished basement although plumbed for a bathroom, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, .26 acres, 1 wood burning fireplace in the great room, 3 car side load garage, this home sits on Geist and comes with a deeded boat dock, the backyard is fenced, the hardwood floors appear to be cupping so that will mostly need to be addressed, has only been on the market for 7 days and the bank is just now taking offers, priced right to be on the water!

 Home G

Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern Schools, Foreclosure, built in 1996 this home has 3141 sf above ground and a 1418 sf in the finished basement, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bath and one ½ bath, .35 acres, 1 fireplace, 3 car side load garage, home has only been on the market for 65 days as a foreclosure and may more as a short sale, it will need a few updates and minor repairs (and tree trimming!), great location and neighborhood though

  

Thanks for reading...if you have any questions, please contact Realtor® Dan Irish here for info on any home above or homes/land in the Indy area!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 12.5.12

A Home for Christmas!

Dan’s activity this week:

OK, so now both of these closings are THIS Friday!  Everything has worked out so the additional inspection items, although not painless, didn't kill the deal.  The “first right of refusal” buyer had the buyer of their home speed up their closing, so that allowed us to close on the 7^th vs. the 14^th or 17^th.  My clients (and I!) are happy about that one!

We did get some activity on the newer listing, but it’s still a very slow time of year (I’m sure I’ll repeat that one a few times).  Still good online activity so people are looking, but as I’m sure you can attest to, everyone’s schedule is jam packed with Christmas events, Santas, pictures, parties, shopping, etc.

All that said, I signed a new listing last night that will be on the market next Tuesday!  I’m excited to get this home sold and find the next home for this great family. 

Well, the two buyer’s offers from last week didn't go anywhere.  The banks just weren't quite ready to wheel n’ deal yet.  So, onward to the next homes we go…

I also met with the client referral from last week.   We are looking at a Spring listing and a purchase somewhere in the area.  They aren't sure quite what they want yet and the options are all over the place from building to existing to historic within Indy and Hamilton County.  TBD!!

So, again, a nice consistent week in the Real Estate world…let’s keep it rolling forward!

Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages dropped from 3.53 percent to 3.52 percent in the week ended Nov. 28, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages was unchanged at 2.86 percent.

Email me here to start your home sale or purchase process!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 11.28.12

Great week!

Dan’s activity this week:

As I sit here listening to my childhood 1972 Johnny Mathis Christmas album, one of the best, I think of the how everyone’s home is transforming into “Christmas mode” and how it made me feel when I was a kid.  Our homes definitely have a huge impact on our lives and if it’s not a positive one you can do something about it…

My next closing is close, but even though the appraisal passed last week we are still just now hammering out the inspection negotiations!  Everything looks to be good and I think we’ll get past  this with relatively little pain and on to closing next Thursday!

My "first right of refusal" house had its inspection and appraisal on Monday so we should be getting word back on that by the end of the week.  Everything is progressing on that deal as we are shooting for a Dec 14 or 17 closing. 

On another front, my new listing is slower than slow right now!    We knew the risks of putting a home on the market during this time of year, but I feel we should be getting some interest soon.  The online activity of people viewing the home has been very good and sometimes it just a matter of time before that translates into through the door activity. 

My two other new clients each have offers that have been submitted, or will be by the end of the day and each of them are offering on a foreclosure!

In other late breaking news this week, I got a call from a prospect that is now ready to sell their home and buy another locally, got a referral from a past client to sell and buy another and picked up a young buyer last night while watching the Hoosiers crush the Tar Heels! 

So, yes, its been a busy week, thanks for asking!

  Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages dropped from 3.54 percent to 3.53 percent in the week ended Nov. 21, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.87 percent to 2.86 percent.

 Email me here to start your home sale or purchase process!

DM Irish Christmas and Holiday Decor!

I have to keep pictures and notes of how I decorate each year for the holidays so I can remember the next time the season comes around.  It's so fun to decorate for the seasons!

-2012 Interior-

We painted the mantle to match the cabinets in the kitchen on the opposite side of the home, but visible from the same space.  Love the light color paired with dark walls (Dapper Tan, Sherwin Williams).  Live greenery sits a top the mantle and a wood burning fire fills the home with warmth.  

This salvaged window was repurposed as a coat rack and I inserted holiday fabric back behind it.

Live greenery swags were bunched and hung from the hooks.

The entry boasts the staircase and landing and we lined it with live greenery garland, added white lights and handmade poinsettia and raffia bunches.  The stuffed white snowman sits on the 100-year-old church pew and is one of those decorations that welcomes a child's touch!

The landing received the same live greenery garland and has two live poinsettias in both corners.

The base newel post became the focal point with a larger spray of poinsettias, ribbon, pine cones and raffia ties.

The decor ledge at the entry holds the 6' tall tree and is a great centerpiece both inside and out at night!

The lights plug into a switch in the closet so it makes it easy to turn the lights off and on thru the day.

All the main floor windows and doors have sprays of greenery hung upside down from a ribbon support.

The sofa table offers a little pop of color and this is also where we display the kid friendly manger scene (not pictured) that they can grab and play with throughout the day.

The dining room has the antique furniture, glass ornaments, and Pottery Barn "12 Days of Christmas" plate set on display.  We call this "Mommy's Pretty Room" and the littles are off limits from playing in this space (sorry kids!)

A pop of bright blue on the table paired with a poinsettia and pine cone spray sits at the entry.

-2012 Exterior-

The front doors hold the focal point of the home with berry wreaths, 3' tall trees, wall swags, and cut evergreen and log displays below the steps.  

It's not the holidays without a vintage sled!  This one sits out at the yard light and will be redesigned after Christmas to stay out for the balance of the winter months.  

Wall swag below the light; window box in the backdrop

4 window boxes are filled with cut boxwood, evergreen and holly; a ribbon wraps each box and pine cones fill in the extra spaces on top.

Took the year-round planter, added a burlap garland wrap topped with a poinsettia piece and twine, a few cut evergreen swags, and some logs from the wood pile out back!

Years past.....

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 11.21.12

Grateful for sure!

Dan’s activity this week:

First of all, I'm very thankful for the blessing I've received over the last year.  My business has truly been blessed and it feels good that hard, consistent work does pay off.  I couldn't do it without you!

My clients who received the offer last week have past their appraisal!  Nowadays, no matter what you think the outcome of an appraisal will be, buyers, sellers and REALTORS® are always uneasy until we clear that step of the process. 

My listing that has a first right of refusal received a low ball offer from an investor who is just “fishing”.  So after I do my obligation and present it to my clients I can throw that one aside!

My new listing is live and it looks great!  Even in this traditionally slow time, homes sell every day.  A few years ago, I even sold my personal home on Thanksgiving Day! 

I headed out last weekend and again tonight with buyers looking at homes.  Interestingly enough each of these buyers don’t have to sell their current homes before buying the next one and each is most likely going to put an offer in on a larger, nicer foreclosure, fix it up and then move in and sell their previous home…that sounds oddly familiar!  I guess you attract those who are like you.

 Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages was dropped from 3.57 to 3.54 percent in the week ended Nov. 14, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.88 percent to 2.87 percent.

 Email me here to start your home sale or purchase process!