A Great Location & a Relaxing View!  All you need to do is MOVE RIGHT IN!  The Condo has been freshly painted, and has new Carpeting. A new Roof & Skylights were taken care of in Nov 2009.  Both Bedrooms have nice Full Baths with Vaulted Ceilings.  There is a Wood-burning Fireplace in the Living Room, along with a Patio door & 2 matching windows that offer a superb view of the large Pond.  Convenient location close to the Interstates, Great Shopping & Restaurants!

The number of Sales and Pending Sales are down from the same time last year, but two Averages are up noticeably.

The Average Home Sales Price is up from $120,850 to $135,519, which is a 12.14% increase.

The Medium Home Sales Price is up from $86,900 to $100,000, which is a 15.07% increase.

In January 2010 there were 3,980 homes listed, an 11 percent increase compared to the same month last year.  The first positive increase since February of 2008.

Foreclosure property sales reported in the Broker Listing Cooperative (BLC) fell by 38 percent in January compared to one year earlier. 

TIME IS RUNNING OUT: Anyone that hasn't owned a home in the past 3 years could be eligable for the Federal Tax Credit up to $8000.  All qualified buyers must have an accepted offer by the end of April and must close by the end of June 2010.

The purpose of the survey is to get a physical count of the people in each household. Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau:

You will first receive a questionnaire in the mail. If you fail to respond a census worker will visit you.   If that fails you may receive a phone call, but you will never be contacted by e-mail.

If they come to your house verify the U.S. Census worker is who they say they are.  Each U.S. Census worker will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice.

Ask to see their identification and badge before answering their questions.  U.S. Census workers are currently verifying address information.

U.S. Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

Do not invite anyone you don’t know into your home.  The survey is very short. It is 10 questions that shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

To see a list of the questions please go to 2010 U.S.

Census at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/how/interactive-form.php

Source: ID Theft Assist

You will be impressed with the Over $70,000 in Updates including Bolivian Rosewood Floors on the Main Level.  The Custom Kitchen was designed for entertaining with Maple Cabinets, Granite Countertops & 2 dishwashers.  Two Master Bedroom Suites - One is unbelievable, with an oversized Whirlpool Tub, a 2-sided Gas Fireplace, Large Sitting Area & a HUGE Walk-in Closet!  Room for your exercise equipment, pool table & theatre equipment.  Three Decks all overlook the Reservoir and your Deeded Boat dock with lift - Just Bring Your Boat!  You MUST SEE to believe true Maintenance-Free Living!

No neighbors behind you - just a nice meadow and then a large pond!    This Large 4 or 5 bedroom home has an extended floorplan, is very nicely decorated & features many updates. Full high-quality finished basement offers a nice sized wet bar, is ready for your home theatre equipment & also has a large area for  a pool table or 5th bedroom.  You will love the extra storage space with shelving.  There is an Oversized Garage with Keyless Entry, plus an expensive deck & trellis area overlooking the large backyard.  It really is a MUST SEE!

The 4th quarter housing market in the Indianapolis area flourished with homes posting a dramatic rise.  Home sales were up 15 percent from 4th quarter 2009 versus 4th quarter 2008.  Buying activity in nine counties surrounding Indianapolis indicates that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of their rentals, and into the market.  

A look at county-by-county increases in 2009 home sales from October to December provides some of the details:

Boone       UP    56%   to       211

Johnson     UP   31%   to       477

Hamilton    UP   28%   to     1,131

Shelby       UP   27%   to       109

Hendricks   UP   16%   to       449

Marion       UP   15%   to     2,811

Madison     UP   15%   to       330

Hancock    UP   14%   to       229

Morgan      UP   11%   to       186 

Average Price of Homes Sold in the Indianapolis area December, 2009 vs. December, 2008: 

$142,010    December, 2009

$128,479    December, 2008

On the main page of the website, the News link will take you to the stats or use the link below.

http://www.homesonwater.com/Newsletter

If you are considering a sale and/or purchase this year, don't hesitate to contact me.  If you own a non-waterfront home that you would like to sell, let me know.  We will implement our Waterfront Marketing System to help sell your home.

  Several Counties Show Extraordinary Gains

All nine central Indiana counties showed gains in November, 2009 home sales compared to November, 2008.  However, Boone, Hamilton and Johnson Counties reported the largest gains.

Ø  Boone County:  67%

Ø  Johnson County:  59%

Ø  Hamilton County: 45%

Tax Credit Extension: Closing Deadline Doesn’t Mean What it Meant Before

The first-time homebuyer tax credit extension will extend the tax credit until April 30, 2010. 

However, there is an additional benefit for qualifying homebuyers under the tax credit extension.

The Senate agreement stipulates that buyers must have a sales contract on a house by April 30 to be eligible, but it gives homebuyers an additional 60 days to close the purchase. 

“There is little argument that the extension of the first time home buyer tax credit should help stabilize home prices,” according to Dan Breault, Regional Director, RE/MAX of Indiana. “Since the program was created home prices have found a bottom and have actually started trending higher.”

There are definitely some areas that are continuing to see lower home prices but as a whole the United States has seen a tick up in the price of homes.  Now that the tax credit will last until April 2010 there is a good chance that we have seen the bottom in housing prices for the time being.  The overall market in the Indianapolis area is beginning to stabilize, year-to-date home sales in central Indiana are down only 4 percent, or 939 homes, when compared to 2008.    

This link should answer most of your questions regarding the Tax Credit for First Time Buyers AND the new Tax Credit for current homeowners.

On Geist Reservoir - Large secluded Half-Acre Lot with 120 Ft of Soft-Sloping Water Frontage and easy access to the boat dock & boat lift.  This is a wonderful Ranch with a Walk-out Basement surrounded by beautiful trees and landscaping that you are looking for! 

Home includes a wonderful new Kitchen layout with New Cabinets, a Center Island, Granite Counter Tops & Stainless Appliances.  There is a peaceful Hearth area in which you can relax after meals. Or you can go to the 4-Season Sunroom, which offers you beautiful views of the reservoir.

The open Floor Plan features beautiful Neutral Maple Hardwoods in the Huge Great Room, Dining Room, Kitchen & Hearth Area, a 2-story entry, Crown Molding, Cathedral Ceilings, Skylights, Built-in Bookshelves & much more you have to see!  Over $170,000 in Upgrades!

The Updated Main-Level Master Bedroom Suite offers a Walk-In Shower containing multiple shower heads & a Whirlpool Tub with a waterfall faucet.

The Large Main Floor Great Room features a Gas-Log Fireplace, while the Family Room in the Basement has a Wood-burning Fireplace.  The Family Room is plenty large enough for your Theatre Room, a Wet Bar, plus there are 3 Bedrooms - all with lake views. 

Enjoy the 2-tiered Deck, which provides relaxation in the Hot Tub. With Winter here, you will appreciate the Heated Driveway.

Make sure to look at the pictures for the wonderful home and waterfront views!!

First-Time Home Buyers Fueling Housing Market 

INDIANAPOLIS - (November 18, 2009) - Indianapolis area home sales in October 2009 surged 23% compared to October 2008, according to new monthly data compiled by RE/MAX of Indiana.

Home Sales: By the Numbers

Ø  2,199  Homes Sold in October, 2009

Ø  1,781  Homes Sold in October, 2008

This jump is the first positive year-over-year percent increase since October 2008, and it can be attributed to first-time homebuyers trying to close on homes prior to the original closing date of the tax credit. The tax credit is now extended. Home sales in the $75,000 to $125,000 range were up 55% compared to the previous year. 

Indianapolis has seen positive growth in home sales since the inception of the first-time homebuyer tax credit in February.

In order for these to become permanent, the Indiana Constitution must be amended which requires the legislature to pass the caps again for a second time and then the voters have to approve it in a referendum.

Northern Marion County (Indianapolis) the average sale price has increased $20,033 from the average sale price during 2008 - the average Waterfront Sales Price is now $289,160.

If you want to know what is going on in your neighborhood or your favorite neighborhood, just let us know.

Here is the link to the Newsletter - http://www.homesonwater.com/Newsletter

Also, don't forget to make sure your landscaping is awesome.  Fresh mulch, blooming flowers, freshly trimmed bushes and a well groomed & edged lawn is always a huge factor for buyers.

NOTE:  I just completed a quick study of all our buyers leads so far this year and 40% of the buyers are relocating to our area from other parts of the country.  Having such a high percentage of out of town buyers looking for Waterfront Property is great news.

If you are planning to sell your Home On Water and want it to get noticed or if you are considering a move, please give me a call.  With my 25 Years of Experience, you will be in good hands!

Actually, as the seasons change you should always have several Digital pictures of your outside landscaping.  Blossoming trees, bushes & flowers or the fall colors can ALL be very valuable when preparing marketing materials!

30 Year Fixed Rates can now be found in the upper 4% range.  FHA 30 Year Fixed Rates can also be found in the upper 4% range. 

30 Year Jumbo Fixed Rates can now be found in the upper 5% range.  Final rates are determined by credit scores and loan amounts.  Interest rates can change daily.

It takes alot more effort to keep our transactions together.  Put my 25 years of experience to work for you! 

If you could only take one of these bills, which one would you choose?  (It's always the clean one)

That's exactly what happens with your home.  The buyer will choose the cleaner one, because it looks better, and has more functionality (it works better in pop and candy machines).  We have to make sure your home is dressed up and looking good.

Similiar to the TV show American Idol - when a buyer views your home, your home is on stage for about 20 minutes.  Make sure your home is ready.  In this market, the homes in average condition are NOT selling well. 

As of March 15, 2009:  Area Waterfront Stats

2009 - 41 Sales   $348,567 Average Sale Price

2008 - 63 Sales   $336,003 Average Sale Price

2007 - 69 Sales   $278,692 Average Sale Price

The average Waterfront Sales Prices are up from the same time frame in 2008 and 2007.  

For this quick snap shot, the comparison was between Jan 1 to March 15 in all 3 years.  Areas included all 3 northern Marion County Townships, Carmel & Fishers. 

The number of waterfront sales are down, but the average sale price is moving up.  For accurate Sales Stats of your neighborhood or your favorite neighborhood, just send us an email or give us a call at 317-290-6688.