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Is Investing in Indianapolis Real Estate Right for Me?
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 at 8:52am. 1766 Views, 1 Comments.
For almost a decade, real estate prices skyrocketed, making it tough for average folks to make much money on rental properties. If an average-sized three bedroom, two bath ranch house is selling for more than $200,000, it’s pretty hard to recoup that cost - especially on a monthly basis. But, as more and more houses are bankowned or in foreclosure, there are likely some buying opportunities, particularly in distressed properties. Now is a good time to get a good price on a bank-owned house. Offering a quick settlement, taking a property in ‘as is’ condition, and cash financing can all be very attractive to a selling bank, especially if they are sitting on multiple properties.
Of course, one house will not make you rich. But if you consider…
Must Have New Home Tech Gadgets
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 at 8:49am. 1876 Views, 2 Comments.
In a down real estate market there are a few things that builders can do to keep the interest of their buyers. One of those things is to keep designs innovative and incorporate the latest home technology. These little bonuses can increase the value of a home and can easily be incorporated into a building plan.
In-Wall Box Adapter
With these gadgets, you can take TV mounting one step further. Flat panel in-wall adapters can be mounted in the wall. Designed for placement between 16-inch studs, the video wall mounts offered by www.chooseamount.com will accommodate flat panel TVs from 15 to 32 inches. The item also comes with knock-outs for cable and electric.
Digital Peep Hole
The world of digital products continues to expand with the…
Be the First to Know: Free Indianapolis Foreclosure Alerts
Friday, September 24th, 2010 at 7:11am. 840 Views, 1 Comments.
Indianapolis home foreclosures can be the single best way to land an investment property at a significantly discounted price. Current market conditions make it an ideal time to land a bargain residential piece of property. While markets like Reno and Miami are struggling to rebound, Indianapolis has been named as one of the best places to buy an investment property.
Old stereotypes about foreclosed home just don’t fit anymore – these aren’t falling-down houses in bad neighborhoods – foreclosures include waterfront properties and houses in established, even affluent neighborhoods. Keep in mind you’ll need to factor in the costs to repair anything not maintained while the house may have sat empty – could be missing light bulbs, or there might be…
Indianapolis Flooring: Hardwood, Tile, or Carpet
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010 at 8:32am. 794 Views, 0 Comments.
Whether you’re buying a newly constructed house and get the thrill of choosing your floor, or you’re buying an older home and need to make renovations, flooring options can be confusing. There is no one right answer for everyone, but the choice you make you’ll have to live with for a while, so consider your family’s needs, your personal preferences, other homes in the area, and the cost to install and maintain your flooring preference.
In the kitchen, many people are scared of hardwood floors. They’re afraid that any spills will immediately damage the floor. And, if you don’t have enough coats of poly on top, it might. But with enough coats of sealant, hardwood can be very durable. The other advantage is this – if you stand in your kitchen a…
VA Loans Explained
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 at 7:29am. 849 Views, 1 Comments.
If you have served your country as a member of the Armed Forces, then as a veteran, you may have another resource to help you buy your home. Since 1944, the U.S. government has offered a variety of benefits for those who have served in the military.
One of the benefits is mortgage insurance from the Department of Veterans Affairs, previously known as the Veterans Administration or "VA." Under the VA program, men and women who have served in the military service qualify for VA mortgage insurance. The advantage? VA insurance allows a qualifying vet to buy a home with nothing down.
Not every veteran will qualify for a VA loan. But if you do, VA will guarantee a maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $104,250, which limits the maximum…
Indianapolis Short Sales Explained
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 7:53am. 1058 Views, 3 Comments.
If you’ve lost your job, are behind on your mortgage payments and struggling to keep up, you’re in a tough position. If you’re like thousands of other homeowners, your house may not be worth what it once was. Indianapolis has remained a fairly strong housing market, but some areas have taken hits. What can you do if you don’t see a clear way to move forward and you’re scare of losing your home?
If you’re worried about making next month’s mortgage payment, and the stress is starting to get to you, it might be time to consider a Short Sale on your home. A Short Sale is where your lender agrees to accept an offer for less than what your payoff/amount that is owed is. It’s a win-win for both parties. The owner of the home avoids foreclosure a major…
How Much Home Can You Afford?
Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 9:28am. 932 Views, 2 Comments.
To arrive at an "affordable" home price, the guidelines for most lenders follow a pretty typical standard. There is allowed a total debt-to-income ratio of no more than 36 percent. Your debt ratio is the sum of your Princial+Interest+Taxes+Insurance and any other credit card or loan payments, divided by monthly gross income. Debt ratio will obviously be a higher percentage, since most people have other loans or credit card debt. Generally, your debt ratio should not be more than 36%. In this example, with monthly gross income of $5,000, your total loan payments (including the proposed mortgage loan payment) should not be more than $1,800.
Here’s a pretty safe rule of thumb: Most people can afford a home that costs up to three times their…
Homes in Center Grove
Friday, September 17th, 2010 at 7:46am. 2951 Views, 0 Comments.
The Center Grove area is known for its award-winning school system, high-end luxury homes and unspoiled natural setting. Center Grove has real estate offerings to meet every budget and every need. Whether you’re looking for high-end luxury homes or a starter condo, Johnson County is the perfect place to call home. The wide range of homes – from $100-$300K offers you the perfect blend of lifestyle, location and finishing touches.
Center Grove is close to the arteries that feed the Indy Metro area while far enough away from downtown to enjoy small town community living. Center Grove is located just 15 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. Plus, it borders Greenwood, a larger area with a shopping mall, hundreds of stores, all major retailers and…
Eco Friendly Indianapolis Homes
Thursday, September 16th, 2010 at 8:20am. 1197 Views, 1 Comments.
One of the best reasons to buy a newly constructed home is because it can be so ecologically friendly. Sure, you can renovate an existing house and upgrade all of the appliances and make it more eco-friendly, but at what cost – of time and money? If you wanted to build a house, you’d become a general contractor.
Of course, energy star appliances have been around awhile – lots of houses have those. What else is there in the eco-friendly housing arena? Don’t forget – saving the earth usually means lower operating costs, too!
- Solar water collectors used to supply hot water
- Low-VOC and low-toxic interior paints and finishes improves air quality
- Tighter seals allow for less air leaks and a more comfortable home (triple glazed windows)…
Home Selling With Pets
Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 at 8:00am. 577 Views, 0 Comments.
You’re ready to sell your home and you’ve done almost everything right. The closets are cleaned out, the bathroom fixtures are updated, and the old wallpaper in the dining room has been stripped and painted over with a lovely neutral paint. Before you call the real estate agent, you realize you need to do something about that pet.
There are two primary concerns when you’re dealing with pets and selling your house. First of all, what do you do with the pet while you’re showing the house actively?
For most people, putting their cat or dog in a boarding kennel for a few weeks in unthinkable, but some pet owners may have a friend or family member who wouldn’t mind pet sitting for a little while.
Otherwise, you’ll just need to…
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