Posted on August 8th, 2009 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions
If you’ve been paying attention to the news media lately, the news has been rather uncharacteristic for them. They have actually been reporting some good news. What a surprise! I bet they just hated to report that jobless rates have fallen, layoffs have slowed, and workers hours and pay have increased. Even President Obama stated that “the worst may be behind us”. And the stock market nosed upwards which indicates a less pessimistic outlook from investors.
I’m still shaking my head. To me the press still has a glass half-empty mentality. I smiled when I saw someone in the media characterize the economy recently as “very bad…but better because it was less bad than it was before”. They still managed to get the word BAD in twice. If you’ve read any of my posts before talking about the media, you know I take issue with the over-generalization and sensationalistic quality of the statements made by the news media. They look for bad news…then roll the figures of some facet of the economy of the whole country up into one and send out a homogenized version for us to absorb. The trouble is, each community throughout the country is unique. Actually every person is unique with a unique set of circumstances affecting them.
All of us here in this area in the real estate industry have already seen a big increase in business. I’ve reported numbers to prove that. But even more importantly, we have seen an optimism that can be seen on peoples faces again…and the market responding accordingly. I listened to a speaker recently who had been traveling to real estate markets all over the country. He remarked that the midwest and Indiana didn’t feel like other areas. The market was off much more in other areas of the country.
I believe that the American people, including those, and maybe especially those of us in the Midwest are baisically postive minded and want to be happy. But we just keep getting beaten up by the media. I think the economy would take off into the stratosphere if the media would just shut up. Leave us alone and let us work. The sky is the limit as it always has been for us.
Posted on August 7th, 2009 by Richard. Categories: Real Estate Perspective
Over the years, I’ve had a number of people ask me what the letters CRS mean after my name on my business cards or web site. I remember once a client said to me, “I don’t know what those CRS letters mean after your name, but thought it must mean you are good at something”. I remember chuckling and saying something like…”Good! …that’s the reaction they are supposed to get”…and then giving a brief explanation similar to what I will give now.
The letters CRS stand for Certified Residential Specialist. It’s a designation that is awarded to qualifying Realtors by the Council of Residential Specialists. The RS Council serves as an educational and marketing organization within the NAR (National Association of Realtors). I received this designation so long ago (about 16 years ago) that I really can’t recall exactly the courses I took to earn it. But generally the requirements were that I complete a series of advanced courses specifically focused on residential real estate. Plus I had to submit documentation that I had closed a fairly large number of residential transactions. So essentially more education and experience than a lot of other Realtors. I’m told that only 5% of all Realtors have the CRS designation.
Even though those requirements were filled a long time ago, I continue to take classes almost every year for some aspect of residential real estate. The real learning comes though every time I get involved with and complete another transaction. I never fail to learn something new every time. Suffice to say, it’s an interesting business and the learning curve continues to climb even though it’s been over 27 years since I began the quest.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 by Richard. Categories: For Home Buyers, For Home Sellers
When a property is being listed, there are several documents and forms that the owner signs and fills out in order to get the home on the market. The main document is the Listing Contract, but no less important is the Sellers Residential Real Estate Disclosure. That’s really a mouthful to say…so when speaking about it, I usually refer to it as the Sellers Disclosure. Indiana state law requires that the owner of any home must fill out and provide this form unless it is an estate sale, bank owned or a new construction home. The Sellers Disclosure essentially discloses the condition of the home to the best of the Sellers knowledge. This includes the condition and age of the roof, condition of the foundation, heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems, all appliances, and much more…essentially every feature of the home. It also states whether the owners knows of any problems with hazardous substance like radon or mold, encroachments on the property lines, judgements or civil actions that would affect the property, and other things that would have an adverse effect on the value, condition or habitability.
So, if I’m representing either the Seller or Buyer, the Sellers Disclosure is a great document to have. Anything that promotes and encourages the truth is worthwhile. If a defect is known before making an offer or during the inspection process before closing, then both parties can deal with it out in the open while Buyers and Sellers are still negotiating. If you are a Buyer or Seller, the last thing you’d want is a surprise situation where a huge defect is discovered after the final closing. I certainly want my client to be happy, and want everyone to be treated fairly.
Posted on August 1st, 2009 by Richard. Categories: Nature, Photo Flash
The old saying goes, “You can’t get something for nothing”, but having a garden is one thing that comes very close to beating those odds. Sure there is the price of seeds or seedlings and a few supplies…and there’s a little physical work occasionally. But the costs are minimal…and the exercise and caring for the plants is actually enjoyable. All in all, a very low total cost for what you get.
I have no idea why the price of herbs is so expensive in grocery stores, but if you’ve done any shopping for herbs, then you know what I’m talking about. The price just seems out of whack usually for the amount and quality of what you get. So I guess that’s one of the reasons I grow herbs now. The main reason though is I like the flavor and aroma that fresh herbs add to food. There’s an amazing difference in taste and fragrance using fresh herbs instead of the ones that you find in most grocery stores.
Here’s a shot of some of the Basil in my herb garden. It’s doing really well this year. I’ve already harvested quite a bit. And I learned just recently that it can be frozen and kept for use later. Now I don’t have to worry about growing too much. So, yet another old saying is smashed to pieces. “Too much of a good thing” in this case is great.
Posted on July 31st, 2009 by Richard. Categories: Just for Fun, Photo Flash
Several weeks ago I visited the new Indianapolis Airport and wrote a post that I published shortly afterward on this site. I took this photo then too. At the time, I wasn’t sure what the shot would look like, but after I saw the result, I knew I couldn’t discard it. It was just too interesting to me…artistically that is.
The face of the main airport terminal is made up entirely of large glass panels. From where I was standing, the terminal was directly in front of me, and I was on the roof of the parking garage about two hundred yards away across from it with a zoom-lens. Directly behind me in the opposite direction was the huge Airport Control Tower…Oh, maybe 2,000 yards or so behind me. Looking at the terminal though, I could see the image of the tower reflected in the glass panels. I wasn’t sure how the camera would record it. If you look closely, you can still see the white beams and infrastructure of the terminal inside.
I try to enjoy everything and have fun no matter what I’m doing. So this photo and post ‘reflects’ on me too.
This is not the first and it definitely won’t be the last time that the 
