A shot taken near Oldfields at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. An inviting place to relax and take a break for a few minutes on a beautiful summer afternoon.
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Living in the Moment
Posted on August 18th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Community Feature, Food for Thought
One might expect to find something like this outside a temple at a monastery in Tibet…or possibly near the entrance to a mysterious tunnel partially obscurred by vines and jungle growth in an Indiana Jones movie. But no…it’s located in the small park near the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Delaware Street.
It seemed out of place when I first encountered it. But ultimately it reminded me that any place is a good one to release the stress and pressures of events in the past and plans for future, and maintain a positive intent. Funny to me how knowledge can appear almost anywhere at any time. I was just on my way to shop for shoes.
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Colts 2010
Posted on August 15th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Sports & Recreation
For a lot of us, a part of who we are has been laying dormant for a while…since earlier this year to be exact, as the final second ticked off the clock at the Superbowl. Funny how the passing of time has a way of altering your perspective on things. Every year in mid-summer I check out the Colts website to look at their upcoming schedule, and then meticulously type it into my Outlook calendar. So for a while, I’ve known the first pre-season game was going to be today. But it definitely feels much different now that it’s actually Game Day. That dormant part of us is awake and smiling again. It’s only the pre-season, but still a must-see event. For heaven’s sake, the Blue and White are going to be on the field. We won’t see much, if any, of the starters, but who cares…it’s great fun just the same. The familiar voices, sights and sounds of Game Day are back.
I have a feeling the club will be hungry this year after getting so close last time. Any predictions?
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Red-hot Summer
Posted on August 13th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Just for Fun, Nature
This summers heat streak has certainly been formidable. I’ve lost count of how many 90+ degree days there have been in a row. Willis Carriers invention of air conditioning a century ago was certainly a game-changer, although air-conditioning didn’t become commonplace in homes until the 1960′s.
Hot humid day outside? Just settle back inside, or jump in the car and click on the AC. Let’s see…maybe turn it down, OH, one more degree. Yeah, that feels good. It’s way too easy.
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Market Watch – August 2010 edition
Posted on August 11th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions, Market Watch
The view back through our window on the real estate market for central Indiana last month shows continued transformation, from a market slowed the last few years by a lack of consumer confidence with the economy, into a market that’s gradually becoming more optimistic and more traditionally shaped. The number of sales is very close to where it was last year at this time, but the difference is the prices of homes that are selling. Very few homes last year were selling in the upper-middle to upper price points. This year properties at those levels are moving too. If those sales are then averaged into the mix of all homes sold, the average price is higher than last year at this time, by almost 9%. To me, this shows a market that’s shaped more like ones we are accustomed to and I like where this appears to be going. Nothing breeds success more than success itself. I’m just not sure that everyone is getting the message yet. Those that have, have been taking advantage of the most incredible opportunities I’ve ever seen for purchasing a home…when I last checked today, interest rates of 4.375% for conventional 30 year fixed-rate mortgage money. And amazingly, FHA loans are 4.25% now for purchasing a home, and that’s with only a 3.5% minimum down payment.
Understanding where you’ve been often helps you to know where you’re going. For a detailed look at market activity last month with in-depth analysis, real numbers, charts and graphs, take a look at my latest Market Watch Newsletter.
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens next.
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Open House Philosophy
Posted on August 8th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: For Home Buyers, For Home Sellers, Real Estate Perspective
To me it feels something like the opening line for the long-running show Meet The Press on NBC, but adapted to my own reality. “If it’s Sunday, it’s an Open House”. More times than not, you’ll find me for a few hours on Sunday afternoon hosting an Open House somewhere, and today is no exception. Usually I decide about a week in advance if and where I’d like to have an Open House as it takes that long to prepare and orchestrate it properly. Ads for the newspaper and websites have to be submitted 6 days in advance, materials for handouts designed and printed, and signs placed stategically in advance. I’ve done so many for so many years that I have that down to a science almost.
The key from my perspective is to pick the right house to hold open. Usually it’s one that’s in a location within my target market area and price range, and one where I think probability is high to get some traffic. Although it does happen every once in a while, it’s highly unlikely that someone coming to an Open House will actually buy that home. But I come to one completely prepared to do so. I also come prepared with knowledge of current market and financing trends, and with general knowledge of other homes within a similar price range and for sale within a mile or two of that home. People who come to Open Houses are trying to get a feel for the market and sense of values. Some are thinking about buying and some are thinking about selling, or both. Typically they are not quite ready to move yet but starting to consider it.
People push back if you try to sell them anything, including homes. So I’ve learned the best thing is to let the home do the talking. A home starts speaking to people when they come in the door. I’m knowledgeable about the house and neighborhood of course and can answer any question, but mainly I just try to be myself and have fun with it, engaging people in conversation about everything other than real estate.
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Shades of Purple
Posted on August 6th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Nature, Photo Flash
I just liked this photo. The vibrant color of the blossoms contrasting with the green foliage. I’ve been trying to figure out what kind of bush this is though. I have no idea. Any guesses?
