Posted on April 19th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Nature
Around every corner it seems there is another stunning example of a flowering tree these days. Wow…a photo-op everywhere you look. Everything is doing well this year, including the perennial flowers too. The right amount of rain and sun I guess. I don’t know why but the Magnolias usually appear first, and then leave first too…while Bradford Pears (like the in the photo above) Red Buds, Dogwoods and Flowering Crab Apples stay a bit longer.
I was glad to see the temperatures fall a bit the last few days as it helps to keep the blossoms on the trees a while longer. A little natural refrigeration. I’m trying to enjoy them while we have them.
Posted on April 16th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Photo Flash
I just liked the colors and contrasts of these flags against the blue sky outside the main entrance of the Indianapolis Zoo. I wish I had taken a video too. The wind was steady and gusty at times with whistling sounds and flags flapping in unison.
Posted on April 12th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Market Conditions, Market Watch
Because market activity in this area is directly affected by the seasons, comparisons to the same time period of prior years is the most accurate way of comparing market activity. As an example, winter months are always slower than spring and summer no matter how the economy has affected things.
This month, the residential market in central Indiana continues to strengthen showing substantial improvement over last year during this same time period. The number of sales and average price increased for eight out of nine counties in the greater metropolitan Indianapolis area. Also, the average sale price of a home sold in central Indiana increased as well, with homes in Marion County increasing over seventeen percent from the March 2009 level.
For more detailed analysis of the local residential real estate market with actual number, charts and graphs, take a look at my latest Market Watch Newsletter. Market Watch is published every month. If you would like a subscription, let me know and we’ll send you a link to each new issue.
Posted on April 8th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Financing, For Home Buyers, For Home Sellers
The deadline in order to be eligible for the tax incentives from the Federal Government for home buyers is really causing some excitement in the marketplace right now. As most people know by now, first-time home buyers can receive up to $8,000, and seasoned home owners up to $6,500 as a tax credit if they close on a home they are purchasing before June 30 this year. The frenzy though is being caused by the realization that the deadline for the contract to purchase the home must be accepted in writing between buyer and seller by April 30th, just weeks away. Even though terms of the tax incentive program have been widely published for a long, long time, it doesn’t surprise me that a number of people have waited until the last minute. Just human nature. ”Oh my gosh…this really is going to go away soon!”
It’s been interesting lately. I’m in the process now of showing homes to people who are trying to beat the April 30th deadline…and getting phone calls from others I know who are thinking about jumping in. One thing they almost all ask me is if I think the government is going to extend the deadline past April 30th? I honestly don’t think they will extend it…or even need to for that matter. The economy, as far as the housing market goes, is definitely heating up. I encourage anyone with questions to contact me. I’ll be happy to answer any inquiries about the tax incentive program or the market now.
The incentives would be nice to have I guess as long as you were going to buy a home anyway. But it’s never worth buying anything that you wouldn’t buy without them. And a deal isn’t really a deal if it means purchasing something at a time that wasn’t perfect, especially something as important as one’s home.
Posted on March 28th, 2010 by Richard. Categories: Mystery Challenge
Do you recognize the object in this photo? The subject of this Mystery Challenge photo is located outside in a public place in Indianapolis. If you are the first one to solve the Mystery Challenge then you win a prize…in this case a $25 gift card from Simon Malls.
For your answer to be correct, please explain what the function of this object is and exactly where it’s located. Entries are to be submitted by using the ‘Make a Comment’ link in this post. Good Luck!
Update 04-23 – Clue – Everyone that has lived in Indianapolis any time at all has passed by this a number of times.
Update 05-10 – Clue - I’ve left a great clue on another post on IHB. Great clue!
Update 07-01 – We have a winner! Well…sort of. I’ve decided to retire this Mystery Challenge without an official correct guess being posted to date in the comments. A good friend of mine sent me a direct email and guessed the correct answer a long time ago, but refused to accept the prize because they know me so well. I’m disappointed I didn’t get an official winner…but that won’t stop the challenge. Look for a NEW Mystery Challenge coming very soon. Somebody please guess this new one!
