Posted on July 14th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: For Home Sellers
I had home listed that just would not sell after a couple months on the market. It received a number of showings and was priced realistically for the area it was located. Comments from agents after showings were similar. “Nice home, but it felt sort of plain compared to others we saw.” Or, “Home had some nice features but it looked tired on the exterior”. After a little while it was clear what they needed to do.
Amazing what a few dollars and a little time will do. The owners cut out all the tall overgrown bushes and trimmed back the branches of nearby trees to raise the canopy so the house would stand out more. They got a tiller and churned up the soil all around the perimeter of the house and installed an edging made of bricks, then planted some new colorful flowers and bushes. They saved some of the existing plantings they had earlier…moving, separating and replanting where needed. Then covered the new flower beds with hardwood mulch. They also painted the front door and sidelights with a fresh new coat of paint. The before and after effect was dramatic. The house was the same but the image was enhanced by a new frame.
The house sold shortly afterwards and the Sellers were happy with the outcome. The said their only regret was that they hadn’t done it sooner.
Posted on July 12th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Downtown, Public Buildings & Sites
Normally when we can see the dome of the State Capital Building then we’re looking up at it, so I thought it was an interesting view from this perspective. This shot was taken from the top of the Monument on the Circle zooming in west down Market Street. To me it looks like the Monument and the Capital Building are about the same height? I’ll have to research that factoid. It’s recorded somewhere I’m sure.
After looking at this photo I started wondering how they raise and lower the State and U.S. flags on the top. You can’t just climb up there and pull on the ropes…well, unless you’re Spider Man.
Posted on July 10th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions
Economically speaking, we’re not used to standing still here, let alone go backwards. We have a heritage of new growth and improvement that dates back to our very beginning as a nation, state and city. The lone exceptions that stand out were the 1930′s depression era, and far less dramatically, the last 2-3 years of negative or stagnant growth. Roosevelt got it right that the only thing to fear was fear itself. Perception…that’s the key. In both of these times, big business got out of control and let us all down, and big media played right along and drove the story until we collectively believed the worst.
Lesson to be learned? Again and always…perception is reality. Stay strong and positive. Listen to the media with a healthy sense of skepticism, realizing that they are in the business of creating a product. It’s main goal is to increase revenue from selling advertising, not especially to inform correctly. They’ve learned that the more dramatic the sound of their message, the more people will turn to look their way. Better ratings equals more advertising clout. I’m always skeptical of others who describe what the world is or will be when they make money doing it.
New growth is inevitable. People inherently want to grow, improve and be happy. It’s our nature. Follow your heart. Intend the world that you want and it will materialize and grow.
Posted on July 8th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Nature
We’ve had a good stretch of great weather lately with lower humidiy and temperatures than before. Very enjoyable. Then it was back to oven again. The trick to me though is to enjoy every day, no matter what the weather is that day. I know that’s harder to do sometimes…like when it’s late January and it’s freezing cold with solid gray skies day after day. Just makes you appreciate this time of year when put into perspective. Personally I think we are lucky to have the range of climate we get in the changing seasons here. A good balance.
Took this photo recently on a beautiful day recently as I went for a walk on some heavily wooded property out near Geist. I liked the pattern of back-lit maple leaves that sun and nature provided.
Posted on July 6th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Mystery Challenge
Does this look familiar? This photo was taken somewhere in the central Indianapolis metro area. If you are the first one to solve this Mystery Challenge then you win a prize. In this case a $25 gift card to a local restuarant of your choice. For your answer to be correct, please state the exact location where this photo was taken. Entries are to be submitted by using the “Make a Comment” link in this post. Good Luck!
Posted on July 4th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Food for Thought, Holidays
Even though I was born deep within it’s borders, I didn’t really start to get what America was all about until traveling far outside of them and getting a sense of what goes on in other parts of the world. I’ve come to believe that mankind is nearly the same everywhere…99.9%. We all get up in the morning and go to work one way or another to feed and support ourselves and our families, and we all cherish our children and their futures above all other things. As far as mankind goes, the only real differences in countries and regions are in the dreams of the people who live there. Growing up in America, that difference is hidden…like not seeing the forest because of the trees. Because as you look at this land from afar, the difference can be simply described in two words…hope and freedom. Most take those gifts for granted here, but a lot of people in other parts of the world would give everything they own just for a taste of it.
The last several days as we approached the 4th of July, I found myself looking with interest every time I saw an American flag, the symbol of our country. There are lots of them everywhere you go. It just made me wonder…the farther away from 1776 we get, how has the dream evolved for this country and all of us that are linked to this part of the planet we call America? Lots of fireworks will be exploded, and gatherings large and small will happen today in celebration. This little experiment in government we call America is 234 years old today. A great number of people have sacrificed everything so that we could enjoy this day. It was their dream of hope and freedom that still lives in all of us.
