Posted on January 19th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Architecture & Design, Just for Fun, Public Buildings & Sites
This remnant of the wall from the old market with archway and masonry detail has always intrigued me. It stands alone out in the open, in the park area to the west of the main entrance of the City Market. I know that it was preserved probably because of it’s historical significance and rich detail, but don’t know enough about the old market building to understand where and how it was actually used. It definitely makes the park there a little classier though.
Paris has got the Arc de Triomphe. And so I’m calling this the Arc de Marche deVille. (pardon my french) Sounds a little more World Class? Although I know most of us Hoosiers would probably just prefer to call it The City Market Arch.
Posted on January 15th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Nature, Photo Flash
With the warming trend the last few days, I was finally inspired to take the last of the holiday lights off the bushes that had been cemented in under a thick crust of ice. The last remnants of the snow storms are almost gone. You never know in Indiana though. It could get ridiculously cold several more times…or head into a mild weather pattern for a couple months. After a lifetime of experiencing the weather in Indiana, I’ve learned to just go with it and enjoy whatever happens.
Spring is officially only about 7 weeks away. I’ve actually been looking in seed catalogues and on deck furniture websites lately. Anymore, time seems to go by so quickly that it will be here before you know it. I thought this photo would help remind everyone what’s coming around the bend soon.
Posted on January 13th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions, Market Watch
When I see others I haven’t seen in a while and get into conversations, eventually they’ll ask me how the market is doing now. I suppose it comes with the territory of being a real estate broker. But I’m happy to do so really, because at least I know they’re getting the truth as opposed to some hyped-up or cynical, over-produced news story out there. The truth is, the market continues to show improvement and stabilize. That’s the perspective that’s evident if you look back at sales figures for 2009. Sales activity for residential homes picked up, especially noticeable in the second half of the year, as momentum increased from July through October, and about level in the last couple months of the year compared to 2008. For real numbers, in-depth analysis, charts and graphs, take a look at my Market Watch Newsletter for this month.
It’s possible that Federal Tax Credits for first-time buyers helped to stimulate some of those sales. But demand always seems to break through eventually on it’s own. Despite economic news that has had people hunkered down for the last couple years, I think they just get tired of not having the home they wanted, or moving to the place they wanted to move to. So someone pulls the trigger and buys someone else’s home…one sale leads to another…and another…and so forth. One thing different from last year, in addition to the first-time buyer credit, there is also now a tax credit for current homeowners who purchase another home. One stipulation is the sale has to be under contract before the end of April this year in order to qualify. The difference is they don’t have to just be first-time buyers. This may help to get momentum going a bit in the first quarter. I don’t think these tax credits make someone buy a home that doesn’t want one, but it may motivate them to act earlier than they would have. If you have any questions about the tax credits or the market, feel free to contact me.
It’s always interesting in January because it’s a new year. It feels like the slate is clean and a new day. It will be fun to see how 2010 progresses. Just a hunch, but I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised.
Posted on January 12th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Nature
I’ll confess that I posted this photo just for me. Took this shot recently and…I don’t know…just something about it that I liked. This is taken from a bluff overlooking White River towards the bank on the opposite side. The surface made an interesting canvas for the ‘photo-painting’. I rotated the photo 180 degrees so the images reflected on the surface appear to be right-side up here. You don’t have to look that closely to see the ripples and shimmering caused by rain drops.
I remember thinking then that the undeveloped area near that section of the river may look now just as it has for possibly hundreds of years.
If you haven’t realized by now, I love American history and it’s traditions. The American story. Recently I took a walk in one of my favorite areas of our own town, Lockerbie, just north east of downtown. I chose these photos today because this area is one of the most historic and traditional neighborhoods in Indianapolis…it’s beginings traced to the origins of our city. It was originally platted in 1847 and was home at one time to everyone from laborers, to leaders in commerce, and to our famous local poet James Whitcomb Riley. Listed in the National Register for Historic Places, it’s one of the places I love here and a part of our own American story.
