Preventing/Dealing with Frozen Pipes

Winter Weather Preventions!

During these winter months of very cold temperatures you want to be sure you take precautions so your pipes do not freeze.  This short video will give you some tips and precautionary ideas so you will not have any freezing problems.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9SO0xN_b8NU

Home Buyer Seminar, Greenwood, IN

Your Keys to Real Estate COME JOIN US in our FIRST SEMINAR in a series: Tuesday, February 2, 2014 7:00—8:00 pm MONICAL PIZZA—Smith Valley Road and 135 We will share the 8 steps of buying a home.  A mortgage lender and an insurance agent will be present to answer questions and give advise.   Personal time for questions with a real estate agent will also be available.  Barbara Blake, Sue Whitney Erin Dunn Vance, Barbara Dunn Stear

Indianapolis Home Show -

92nd Annual Indianapolis Home Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The nation's oldest and the Midwest's largest home-focused extravaganza with more than 900 exhibitors. Jan. 24 to Feb. 2: Fridays 11-9, Saturdays 10-9, Sundays 10-6, Mon-Thu 11-9. $13 ($3 ages 6-12). Info: See Web site or call 317-705-8719.
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County.
www.indianapolishomeshow.com/
[Ref #585201] More Home Shows 
Locate this address with MapQuest

Indiana Outlook on Real Estate!

Real Estate Outlook In Indiana Slowly Improving

By NETWORK INDIANA

Posted January 17, 2014

Real estate sector representatives say the vacancy rate for commercial real estate is declining, which could spur new developments.

Photo: flickr (ellbrown)

Retail real estate property is remaining at a 7 percent vacancy rate in Indiana.

The state of real estate forecast was presented in Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from the commercial real estate company Cassidy Turley covered various aspects of real estate, including industrial, retail, office, and capital markets.

“Sales are up 3 percent to 3.5 percent,” Cassidy Turley Senior Vice President Bill French said. “However, we are just starting to see the fallout of that,” he says, citing leak projected earnings announced by GameStop and Best Buy.

French says the holiday shopping season went well with sales up 3 percent.

“The occupancy rate has increased dramatically,” he said. “We’re seeing just about 7 percent is the vacancy rate, which is a healthy number.

French added that some submarkets are seeing vacancy rates as low as 4 percent, which, he predicts, could spawn new development activity in the near future.

Find a Home in Greenwood, IN - Use my Mobile App!

Try this great Keller Williams Mobile App for free!!  It has a built in GPS so wherever you go you will be able to find information about homes at your fingertips!  Just go to you apps store and find "Keller Williams Realty" use my agent code: KW2BZBYTQ and enjoy!  Be sure and sign up for the current sweepstakes  for $50,000.  You may be a winner!!

Homeless Teens in Johnson County Need Your Help!

The KIC-IT organization located in Franklin, IN in Johnson County needs your help.  Their food pantry is very low.  Please visit their website at: http://www.kic-it.org/#!get-involved .  You can click on their wish list to see what type of items are needed and you can even sign up to volunteer or become a sponsor.

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes

5 Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes

1. They don’t ask enough questions of their lender and end up missing out on the best deal.
2. They don’t act quickly enough to make a decision and someone else buys the house.
3. They don’t find the right agent who’s willing to help them through the homebuying process.
4. They don’t do enough to make their offer look appealing to a seller.
5. They don’t think about resale before they buy. The average first-time buyer only stays in a home for four years.

Source: Real Estate Checklists and Systems, www.realestatechecklists.com.

Attachment	Size
Download All Buyer Handouts	204.5 KB
Download All Seller Handouts	96 KB
Download "Handouts Common First Time Home Buyer Mistakes"	22.5 KB

AverageSelect ratingCancel ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome

Cancel rating

Poor

Okay

Good

Great

Awesome

Your rating: None Average: 5 (2 votes)

M & I Homes at Greenwood Station -- Be Represented!!

M/I Homes.

Fulfilling Dreams Since 1976.

M/I Homes has been building new homes of outstanding quality and superior design for more than 30 years. Founded in 1976 by Irving and Melvin Schottenstein, M/I Homes has fulfilled the dreams of over 83,500 homeowners. What started as a family business, M/I has grown into a national leader.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NiD14WFMjug

Quality. Value . Trust.

Since our founding, each home has been built with uncompromising quality, innovative design and enduring value in the best, most desirable locations possible. M/I Homes believes the more you know about the home building and buying process, the more comfortable you’ll be. Our Confidence Builder Program makes the process ofbuying a home as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Let me be the one to represent you if you decide to build a new home!!  Home builders build in a realtor fee in the cost of every home whether you use a realtor or not.  So, be sure to be represented and have someone on your side to look out for your needs !  GIVE ME A CALL!! Would love to help you in building your dream home.

What the New Mortgage Rules Mean for You

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

New mortgage lending rules are going into effect Friday that aim to put an end to the worst mortgage lending abuses of the past.

The new rules are designed to take a "back to basics" approach to mortgage lending and lower the risk of defaults and foreclosures among borrowers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which issued the new rules.

"No debt traps. No surprises. No runarounds. These are bedrock concepts backed by our new common-sense rules, which take effect today," said CFPB director Richard Cordray in remarks prepared for a hearing Friday.

Related: Million-dollar housing markets

Mortgage lenders are being asked to comply with two new requirements: The Ability to Repay rule and Qualified Mortgages. Here's how they will impact borrowers:

Ability to Repay

• Lenders must determine that a borrower has the income and assets to afford to make payments throughout the life of the loan. To do so, the lender may look at your debt-to-income ratio, which is how much you owe divided by how much you earn per month, including the highest mortgage payments you would be required to make under the terms of the loan. To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, add up all your monthly obligations -- including student loan, credit card and car payments, housing costs, utilities and other recurring expenses -- and divide it by your monthly gross income.

Calculator: How much house can you afford?

• In an effort to put an end to no- or low-doc loans, where lenders issue risky mortgages without the necessary financial information, lenders will be required to document and verify an applicant's income, assets, credit history and debt. For borrowers, that means more paperwork and longer processing times.
• Underwriters must also approve mortgages based on the maximum monthly charges you face, not just low "teaser rates" that last only a matter of months, or a year or two, before resetting higher.

Great Ranch in Center Grove, Greenwood, IN

3014 Hornaday Drive, Greenwood, IN

Listed for $155,000

This all brick ranch has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.  Very large fenced in yard and walking distance to several Center Grove Schools and athletic facilities.  There are many updates throughout!  

Don't miss this gem!  MLS #21265917.
Call me today for a personal showing!!

Renting vs Buying??

DID YOU KNOW…

That your rent payment might be as much as a mortgage payment?

A $100,000 home can have a payment of $615 that is some pretty cheap rent to pay!

WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN BUY?

A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. This will save you a lot each year, because the interest you pay will make up most of your monthly payment for most of the years of your mortgage. You can also deduct the property taxes you pay as a homeowner. In addition, the value of your home may go up over the years. Finally, you’ll enjoy having something that’s all yours - a home where your own personal style will tell the world who you are.

Here is a mortgage calculator that might be helpful for you to see what a mortgage payment might look like for you: 

http://www.bankrate.com/partners/sem/mortgage-calculator-rates-tl.aspx?ec_id=m1027724&ef_id=Um5YSgAABUFtV0MO:20140116135000:s&MSA=3480

2013 Home Buyer and Seller Survey Report

The 2013 Home Buyer and Seller Survey from the National Association of Realtors shows some very interesting results.  Watch this short video to hear the results from the survey.

http://bcove.me/qmxj7abp

Events Happening at the State Fairgrounds this WEEKEND!

Saturday, January 18, 2014, 10:00 AM.
46th Annual Indy RV Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
In the West Pavilion, Jan. 11-19. Over 120,000 sq ft of RVs, parts and accessories, camping info, travel trailers, motorhomes, fifth wheels, and more. Mon-Fri 1-8, Saturdays 10-9, Sundays 11-5. $7 cash only. Info: 317-927-7500.
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County.
www.indyrvexpo.com/
[Ref #592098] | Remind Me

The Woodworking Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
In the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion, Jan. 17-19: Fri 12-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-4. $10 online, $12 at the door. Info: See Web site below or call 317-927-7500.
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County.
www.thewoodworkingshows.com/
[Ref #592803] | Remind Me

Rising Interest Rates Will Impact Affordability

How Rising Interest Rates Will Impact Affordability

Posted on November 11, 2010 by adminkwblog — 13 Comments ↓

In a recent Forbes blog post, multimillionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson declared that today’s record-low interest rates made this the best time to buy homes in fifty years. “If you don’t own a home, buy one,” Paulson said. “If you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes, buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.”  Why should we care what Paulson thinks? Well, he was among the few to accurately predict the subprime collapse and, while no one has a crystal ball, a closer look at the numbers supports his call to action.

Historically low interest rates are the key…and they aren’t likely to hang around for long.

As we wrote in SHIFT, buyers who “choose to wait until prices come down more” are gambling that interest rates will hold steady or drop. The truth is even a 10 percent drop in home prices is nullified by a 1 percent increase in interest rates. The figure below illustrates how this works for a $250,000 home purchase and the relative likelihood of each scenario.

To figure out which was a smarter bet–counting on home prices to fall further or interest rates to rise–our research department took the last ten years of monthly home price andmortgage interest rate data and ran the numbers to see which was more likely: an increase in mortgage rates or a further drop in home prices. Here’s what we found:

1. A one percent increase in mortgage rates is ten times more likely to happen than a ten percent drop in home prices.
2. A one percent rate increase more than offsets a ten percent reduction in home prices.
3. When interest rates fall by one percent, the total interest paid is almost three times more than the interest savings from a ten percent drop in home prices.
4. The probability of both happening at the same time is ridiculously small, and homeowners would still pay 15 percent more in interest over the life of the loan.

Interest rates have dominated the news in recent months as we’ve shattered record low after record low. Potential home buyers need to understand the positive financial impact low interest rates have on the cost of home ownership and the thousands of dollars that can be saved over the life of a typical mortgage loan. For those who can afford to buy, trade up, or invest, our current market presents a lifetime opportunity.

DID YOU KNOW... about Real Estate??

Some Interesting Facts about Real Estate: DID YOU KNOW.......

• A homeowner's net worth is over thirty times greater than that of a renter.
• TGIF! The best day of the week to list your house is Friday.
• Odds are you're going to need some help selling: homeowners have a 120% better chance of selling their home when using REALTORS.
• According to the National Assoc. of Realtors Community Preference Survey, 78% of respondents said that the neighborhood is more important to them than the size of the home.

Source website: "YourHomeForSale.com"

Great Buy in Center Grove Area in Greenwood, IN

This is a home you don't want to miss out on!  Listed at $179,900 this three bedroom, two full bath home is a great buy!  Everything is brand new and you would be the first owner to live in it!  It has an open living room, dining room and kitchen which makes a perfect area to entertain. There is 1,949 square feet of living space. The wood burning fireplace in the living room can be enjoyed from all three areas.  This is a split floor plan which features a wonderful master bedroom suite.  The master bathroom has a garden tub along with a two walk in closets and a walk in shower.  It is located in Tuscany Village subdivsion which is part of Center Grove Community Schools.
Here is a video for you to view more of the great features of this home:
http://youtu.be/RVzBRxLd0GI

I would love to take you through this home so you can see for yourself what a great buy this home really is.  Please give me a call today (317) 966-1790 to see up a showing!!

What's Happening around Indy!!

Free Indy Events Mobile App

AroundIndy.com's mobile app for Android devices is available in the Google Play store: http://bit.ly/ZDaQtV, or in the iTunes App Store for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad: http://bit.ly/YjsjGV. It's a FREE download on your mobile device.

This is the fastest, easiest, and best way to keep up with what's going on around Indy. Download the app today and check it out for yourself--thousands of readers and users already have. Or, if you don't want to install another app on your smartphone, then simply visit our mobile Web site using your smartphone or tablet browser: http://aroundindy.com/mobile/mobile.php. Don't forget to bookmark it for easy access!

Free Mobile App with $50,000 Sweepstakes!

Keller Williams is hosting a $50,000 Sweepstakes with their new MOBILE APP!!
Someone has to win -- maybe it will be you!!!
Please view my video on how you can win and how to download the mobile app for FREE!! (Oh, by the way, on the video I say you can will $5,000 but it's really $50,000)!
You will need to use my agent code once the app is download - my code is: KW2BZBYTQ
Enjoy the useful app and good luck in the sweepstakes!!
http://93186d020c51f4069db3-880aa91a5e9f130f9186a8b6a03c1500.r8.cf1.rackcdn.com/swhitneykwcom_PROMO_S30_US.mp4

Greenwood, IN Open House on Saturday 1/4/2014

OPEN HOUSE at 1545 Tuscany Drive, Greenwood, IN
This Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm
Come visit this new three bedroom, two bath home that was built by Beazer Homes.  There is 1,949 square feet in this split floor plan home.  The great room has a wood burning fireplace that is open to the kitchen and dining area.  The master bedroom features a large bathroom with a walk in shower , a large garden tub and 2 walk in closets!  This home is located in the Center Grove Community School district and is close to shopping and other amenities.

STOP BY AND SEE ME ON SATURDAY and view this lovely home!  Be the first to owner of this energy star certified home!

Win $50,000 with Mobile App from Keller Williams!

Win $50,000 by just downloading Keller Williams mobile app!
This mobile app will assist you in the process of finding a home that is currently listed from any agency.
 Just go to your apps store and download: Keller Williams Realty, use my agent code: KW2BZBYTQ
Here is a short video explaining in more detail how the app works:
     http://93186d020c51f4069db3-880aa91a5e9f130f9186a8b6a03c1500.r8.cf1.rackcdn.com/swhitneykwcom_PROMO_S30_US.mp4

Just by downloading this app you can win $50,000!!