Once Once again it is time for me to picture what gives me my motivation to work so much.  Motivational Mia!  She visited the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis with her mother and some friends.  I am encouraging Mia to be a scientist or a doctor.  I think it’s working!!  This is obviously some sort of scientific experiment!! 02/28/2011

Previously, I wrote a post about the process for bidding on a HUD property in the past;however, things changed in recent months.  The general process remains the same, but there are differences that are important to note. If you are an Indiana home buyer interested in purchasing a home from HUD, this brief tutorial will explain to you how the bidding process works. HUD properties are listed both in the local BLC (MLS) and on the HUDHomestore website.   Previously a HUD home could only be opened by an agent that had a special key to enter the property.  Now any agent can set up a showing via the same methods used for any other property currently on the market.  If the probability is high that you will purchase a HUD property, it's also a good idea to verify whether or not the agent's of... 02/26/2011

So you've gotten the call and it looks like you are relocating to the Indianapolis area!  There are many great things to know about Indy; it is a city where there is always something new!  The Super Bowl will be here in 2012!  The Indianapolis 500 draws crowds from all over the country.  There is a strong theatre district downtown, fabulous indoor and outdoor shopping and lots of biking and hiking and of course golf! There also is a 1900 acre lake called Geist Reservoir with boating, sailing, tubing, jet skiing and all kinds of water activities. Indianapolis is a short drive to Lake Michigan, Chicago and Cincinnati too! Here is a video on the Indianapolis area:   In addition as Geist and Indianapolis Realtors, we would love the opportunity to work with you in finding the perfect home in... 02/25/2011

105 Lindenwald Dr, Indianapolis 46217 offered for sale by The Hoagland Group Overview Maps Photos Description $121,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 BathroomsInterior: 1050 sqftLot: 0.31 acre(s) Location 105 Lindenwald DriveIndianapolis, IN 46217USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Tonda & Steve Hoagland Keller Williams(317) 340-4575tonda@perfectplaceforyou.comhttp://www.PerfectPlaceForYou.com Listed by: The Hoagland Group at Keller Williams Indy Metro South Our recent listings 6642 Trail Ridge Way, Indianapolis 46259 -- Offered for sale by The Hoagland Group105 Lindenwald Dr, Indianapolis 46217 offered for sale by The Hoagland Group641 Gatewood Dr, Greenwood 46143 - offered for sale by the Hoagland Group4... 02/24/2011

With Carpenter Realtors, you can now use your smartphone to search for homes right where you are! Buyers can use their smart phone to search for homes for sale nearest where they are now. Let's say you're in a neighborhood that you love, and you want to find more homes for sale nearby. At callcarpenter.com, you can search for homes for sale and they will be sorted by the nearest home within a  mile of your location. Drive to a different neighborhood, and your search results will change. You can be in front of a home and download all of the info about that house right to your phone. "We're thrilled to be the first real estate firm in metro Indianapolis to offer a GPS search option on our mobile website," said David Caveness, Senior VP of Carpenter Realtors®. "Home buyers will find this e... 02/23/2011

Indy airport was designated best in customer service.  The Indianapolis International Airport was recognized as the best airport in North America, for performance excellence.  In addition, the Indianapolis airport was rated number 3 in best regional airports in the world.  The prestigious Airport Service Quality(ASQ) passenger survey measures customer feedback measuring the experience from the time of arrival to the departure gate.  Go Indianapolis!  We will be ready for the 2012 Superbowl in Indianapolis .  02/23/2011

  Finding great ways to spend the day in Indianapolis is hardly ever a problem. The city is filled with fun things to do! But just in case you need some help, here’s an idea for a great way to spend the day in Indianapolis! Spend some quality time here…. In your gorgeous and AFFORDABLE Indianapolis home with large rooms, flexible loft space, and a to-die-for screened porch and multi-tier deck! FYI: Indianapolis once again ranked No. 1 on CNN Money’s 2011 list of Most Affordable Cities to Buy a Home!  Take a virtual tour. Then, take a short trip here (1.4 miles, to be exact)…. To Eagle Creek Park, where you can enjoy a day of sailing, hiking or bird watching.  Eagle Creek Park and Reservoir is just 10 miles from downtown Indianapolis and features a 1400-acre reservoir and 3900 acres of p... 02/22/2011

This is a photo of my fathers filling station(that's what we called it back then).  It was at the corner of 10th street and Leland.  It was called a PURE OIL STATION at that time.  If you look closely, you will see my mother standing by one of the cars and my father near the gas pump. (as a young man Dad looked like Robert Redford).  Not only do I have warm and fuzzy memories, this photo reminds me of the struggle each individual had for independence.  Across the street was a Polar Bear drive in.  Their Wimpy burgers were wonderful.  Just next door was the first Laughner's restaurant.  Mom and Dad and I would go to their cafeteria and as we went thru the line, they talked to Charles Laughner.  Laughner grew from that small cafeteria to a large chain with huge cafeterias on each side of ... 02/20/2011

I know my sump pump has been running pretty much non-stop the past few days, with all the snow melting. Don't wait until spring to check your sump pump, check it now. Here's what you should do: Remove the cover and slowly pour water into the sump tank Watch for the "float" to rise and trigger the pump Once the pump is engaged, the water level will quickly lower and the float will shut off the pump For more information on sump pumps, visit: http://www.homesaroundgeist.com/253369.aspx?&& or http://www.sump-pump-info.com/ 02/20/2011

I desperately need a computer expert that sits on my shoulder and tells me what not to do or what do do.  I do not even know where to look or what kind of help to ask for.  I pick up virus's, Google is 40x bigger than it should be on my screen, I am just inept at keeping this thing running smoothly.  Surely there are others, who like me, get their computers locked up and running like an old junker in a most frustrating way.  How do I learn this stuff?     or better yet, who will go to my house physically or just magically get inside my computer and fix it, when I holler I NEED HELP IN INDIANAPOLIS.  HELP ME, HELP ME, HELP ME. looks JUST LIKE ME EXCEPT FOR 2 DOGS, 1 CAT SOMEWHERE AROUND HERE. 02/13/2011

OPEN HOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN. 278 BEAR HOLLOW WAY.  WASHINGTON TO GERMAN CHURCH TURN SOUTH AND FOLLOW SIGNS.  ......................................... 02/12/2011

KNOW THE RISK!  I received a call from an acquaintance in California last nite.  He bought into a contract with his partner.  The contract purchaser was behind in their payments.  Purchaser did not pay taxes, contract payments and did not keep insurance on the property.  Property was listed for $150,000 a few years back.  Look at it now: 02/12/2011

KMC blog reminds us how costly it can be to wait.  Especially if you are definitely going to make a move.  Fence sitting is not the thing to do.  It can be very costly.  In Indianapolis, We are finding that prices are beginning to stabilize and interest rates are poised to move upward, here as well as KCM Blog   The Cost of Waiting for Prices to Fall Posted: 11 Feb 2011 04:00 AM PST   Many purchasers have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for home prices to hit bottom. They want to guarantee that they are purchasing at the best possible price. Like them, we also believe that prices still have some room to fall in most markets. However, we disagree that waiting is a good financial decision. The buyer should not be concerned about housing prices. They should be concerned about cost. T... 02/11/2011

There are many great reasons to move to Indianapolis (snow isn't one of them!), but a move is always full of some trepidation.  Where will we live, will I get lost in the city, what is there to do, how are the schools, how much is the cost of living, etc.  The Marchant Team focuses on relocation to Indianapolis.  We listen to what your questions and concerns are and answer what we can and help guide you through the process.  We send you a relocation binder filled with details about our city.   When you get here, we take you on a 3 hour tour showing you the highlights of the Indy area.  We created a video so that you can meet us and hear more about our relocation process. Marchant Team Moment...on relocation from Jeff Heck on Vimeo. When you are considering a move to Indianapolis, be sur... 02/10/2011

Since I was a little wordy on my other Wordless Wednesday post...I will keep quiet on this one....  :) 02/09/2011

Broad Ripple Village Real Estate Market Report Following is the market report for the area known as Broad Ripple Village as of Februrary 9th 2011. Excellent News!  January 2011 went out with a bang (in a positive way)!  The number of closed sales increased 350% over December and 233% over sales from January 2010.  While Indianapolis Real Estate did not suffer the same drastic losses in property values, our market did essentially come to a grinding halt during this recession.  Let's hope this is an indicator that the market is recovering. Current Active Listings 54 Min Price: $92,000 Max Price: $399.900 14 Condo, 40 Single Family Pending Listings 7 Min Price: $104,900 Max Price: $180,000 0 Condo, 7 Single Family Sold in the month of January 7 Min Price: $95,000 Max Price: $252,500 2 Con... 02/09/2011

MY ARM!!!!! I made it through the whole week after our lovely ice storm without a single fall.  It was treacherous, but I did OK.  Saturday, they predicted we would only have an 1" of snow.  Well, it ended up snowing over 6"!  So now, not only do we have 2.5 inches worth of ice packed on the ground, we've got all this "lovely" fluffy white stuff on top of it.   I was pulling out of the garage and wondering why I wasn't going anywhere so I decided to get out and see what the problem was.... KERPLUNK!!!! Right on the ground!  It happened so fast I didn't know what hit me...My arm was killing me for an hour or so, but it seemed to be alright.  The next day I had a small bruise in one spot...Yesterday I happened to look and WOW, it was an explosion of color and size! Oh well...I'm lucky co... 02/09/2011

Mayor Ballard has announced the next phase of projects this week, projects that total $32 million dollars. The mayor stated the city's committment to continue  improving neighborhoods, roads, sidewalks and demolish abandoned homes that create hazards and eyesores. The investment includes almost $4 million for repairing ADA ramps, sidewalks and curbs. Other projects including on the list for this next round of improvements also include: Meridian Street bridge over Fall Creek (Center Township) 56th Street bridge over Eagle Creek (Pike) Keystone Avenue from Hanna to Raymond (Center and Perry) Thompson Road from Bluff to Meridian (Perry) Mitthoefer Road from Maze to McGregor (Franklin) High School Road from Crawfordsville to 34th (Wayne) County Line Road West from Raceway to Paddock (Decatu... 02/09/2011

Indianapolis real estate information can be found everywhere on the interent.  However, there is only one place you can find information that is actually updated daily and can give you up to the minute information about the area you are looking in.If you are considering a house for sale in Indianapolis Indiana for example, and you want to get an idea of how it compares to the Indianapolis real estate market overall, you may want to check out our statistics page specifically designed for Indianapolis, Indiana.  The statistics page gives detailed information about all of the active homes in the Indianapolis market. Our stats pages can be found in the left column of links on our home page and just about any other page on the site under the button "Market Statistics". After clicking on the ... 02/08/2011

Do you burn bridges or do you build bridges? My inspiration for this post came from an invitation from a realtor to ‘friend’ him on facebook.  He owns a real estate franchise here in the Indianapolis area.  I had one of my very first transactions with this man.  He was so nasty to this then newbie, that I went to my manager to ask why.  It was eleven years ago, but I remember my manager told me that many of the‘older’agents usedintimidation especially when they knew they were dealing with a new agent.  Really??? Bridge burnt.  Little did this loser know that I would one day do more business than he does.  Be his friend?  Join his office?  Sell his listings?  The bridge is gone.  Can’t go there!  Am I still holding a grudge?  Sounds like it, but I prefer to think that I choose to surroun... 02/05/2011