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!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 11.14.12

Steady…

Dan’s activity this week:

 Busy week of showing homes to buyers and negotiating sales!

Showed houses Saturday, Sunday, yesterday, tomorrow and this coming Saturday…who says the market slows down in the winter? 

After a few counters my clients and the buyers came to an agreement on the sale of their home!  We have already had the inspection and are now working on the response.  We are trying to hit a December 7^th close date, which normally wouldn't be an issue just that there is a two day holiday in the mix. 

Another of my listings has an offer contingent upon the buyer selling their home and it now looks to be moving forward.  The inspection is scheduled in the near future. 

One of my six investor listings received an offer that I think will pan out.  It will be nice to finally get some of those homes moved off his balance sheet this year.  Buyers at that price point just have a hard time getting their financing approved.

Tonight, I’m signing the contract for a new listing!  This is a repeat client and I can’t wait to help them out again.  It’s a great house and is move-in ready.

 Rates for the week

From the IBJ...The average rate for 30-year mortgages was unchanged at 3.57 percent in the week ended Nov. 7, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.89 percent to 2.88 percent.

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

The November "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!

November's Color of the Month is:

"Chestnut Brown"

What a warm color for any room or any season in the home.  Use it on walls, accents, furniture, and fabrics throughout your home!  As their blogger puts it, "To me, it’s the color equivalent to a warm hug — it’s inviting and welcome in every kind of room, from modern to the most traditional," or "It's like hot chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon!"  

DM Irish can't agree more!

View the HGTV  "Chestnut Brown" Pinterest Board HERE!

Weekly Rate and Real Estate Update, 11.7.12

The morning after…

Dan’s activity this week:

Now that the elections are over, how will this affect residential real estate?  Well, it looks like Health Care Reform will continue on so the 3.8% tax that goes into effect on 2013.  In reality its impact is limited and it won’t affect all too many of us.  However, what does this mean…click here to learn the Top 10 Things You Need To Know About the 3.8% Tax.  If you’d like to see what the National Association of REALTORS® have been working on in 2012 check out this list.

From the two calls last week, I've got 4 new transactions!  Each client is looking to sell and buy a new home.  While the sale of their homes won’t be a windfall for them, the purchases they are looking for will be a great financial move for the future, great buys and low low rates.  The few thousand they thought they might get on the sale of their homes pale in comparison to the tens of thousands they stand to enjoy from the new purchase and cheaper financing!

Meanwhile, one listing received an offer that we are negotiating as we speak and another looks to get a second offer!  I expect that both offers work out well for my clients and come early December, each will be on to the next phase of their lives. 

Also a consultation I had a few weeks ago looks to be ready to list.  So next week looks to bring that activity and I’ll be gearing up for that soon.

Although us REALTORS® typically enter a slower sales season coming up, mine hasn't slowed yet and I hope it doesn't.  While working hard on Q4 of 2012, I’m prepping for Q1 of 2013 and am excited about what that will bring!

Rates for the week

From the IBJ... The average rate for 30-year mortgages fell to 3.57 percent from 3.61 percent in the week ended Oct. 31, according to Bankrate.com. The rate for 15-year mortgages fell from 2.90 percent to 2.89 percent.

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

Foreclosure Friday, 11.2.12

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

  Westfield; Westfield-Washington Schools; Foreclosure; 4078 sf, the listing doesn’t give the basement size but I’m guessing 1746 sf; 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and ½ baths, 4 fireplaces; 3 car garage; 0.92 acres; now sitting on the market only 11 days; it will needs some updating for sure but it’s in a great neighborhood in Westfield!

 Home B

 

 Fortville; Mt Vernon Schools; Foreclosure; Built in 1900 this home has 4010 sf with 2013 sf in the basement I mean cellar; 4 bedrooms, one full bath and one ½ bath; 4.2 acres; This property will take you back in time… lawn & pasture, the home, carriage house & horse barn, this Bedford brick home has the unique amenities of the 1900 era. Wraparound porch, leaded glass windows, with elegant marble stair case, painted murals, French doors, servants stairs & quarters, 2 fireplaces, and of course nooks & crannies.  Let’s go see this one!

 Home C

 Fishers; Hamilton Southeastern Schools; Foreclosure; 3324 sf on 1716 unfinished basement; 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths and one ½ bath; .35 acres; 3 car side load garage; home will need light renovations but has hardwoods, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, island and double oven; Huge master closet 20’!; All bedrooms have walk-in-closets and the basement has daylight and egress windows.

 Home D 

 Fishers; Hamilton Southeastern Schools; Foreclosure; 3141 sf on 1418 basement; 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths and one ½ bath; 3 car side load garage; Great neighborhood; homes needs updating and could use some light renovations; not much of a backyard but that is overcome with a nice side yard;  The front yard is a great sledding hill!  A little TLC and some elbow grease will do this home well!

  

Home E

 

 Pendleton; Pendleton Heights Schools; Foreclosure; 4726 sf, no basement; 6 bedrooms, 3 full baths and one ½ bath; 8.84 acres!; 3 car side load garage; home has a in-ground pool; close to the interstate; it looks to me almost like the front elevation is from the show Dallas!; all this for under 300k!

  

Contact Realtor® Dan Irish here for info on any home above or homes/land in the Indy area!