Saturday, December 21, 2013

2013 List of Indianapolis Christmas Holiday Light Displays: Decorations, Maps, Neighborhoods, and Directions

It's a holiday tradition: jumping in the car and cruising the neighborhoods of Indianapolis and Central Indiana to check out the beautiful Christmas light displays. Several resources around town have put together excellent guides, complete with photos, addresses, driving directions, and even reviews. Have fun! And Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays! - Lisa (Parrett) Treadwell

The Indy Star

See more photos, share photos, or offer your own thoughts/reviews on Indianapolis Christmas lights on the Twitter hashtag #HNL13


You'll find this Indianapolis Christmas tree light display on Ferguson Road.


Here's another great list from my friends at Indy with Kids


And check out a local website dedicated strictly to a list of holiday decorations in Indianapolis with photos, maps and directions.


And of course, here's a classic from outside our area


"I'm tired of waiting Mom! When are we going to go see Christmas lights in Indianapolis"?
















Saturday, December 7, 2013

Indianapolis Interest Rates for 2014 Home Mortgages

by Lisa Parrett

There seems little doubt that interest rates for home mortgages in Indianapolis and across the country will jump in 2014. They've already been slowing inching up as the real estate market has recovered over the past 18 months, so I wanted to provide you an illustration of where interest rates stand now, how they'll increase in 2014, and how that affects the ability to purchase specific Indiana houses for sale.

I reached out to Matt Davis, a mortgage consultant with Caliber Home Loans of Fishers.

"Several lenders have assured me that rates WILL GO UP in 2014. As rates climb, this will begin to affect affordability," says Matt. "For example, a buyer who is able to get an interest rate today at 4.5% may be able to afford a $250,000 property, but if their interest rate climbs to, let's say, 6%, this may take that same buyer down to maybe a $170,000-$180,000 property - and there's a big difference in amenities between a $170,000 property and a $250,000 property."

Indianapolis area homeowners who are undecided about selling will benefit by taking action early in 2014 while there is still a larger pool of qualified buyers. Conversely, buyers will want to say goodbye to procrastination.  

"Buyers who are on the fence about buying will benefit from more affordability now and more to choose from in a higher price range," says Matt.


To offer current examples, I asked Matt to provide mortgage and a complete financial breakdown of several Central Indiana houses for sale from The Indy Real Estate Experts. Click on the links to view closing costs, down payment amounts, and current interest rates, plus other financial details. 

If you're ready to buy or sell a house in Indianapolis, Broad Ripple, Fishers, Carmel, Avon, Greenwood, Brownsburg, Noblesville, or anywhere across Central Indiana DO NOT wait for spring. Early winter of 2014 is the time to put the process in motion! Contact me - Lisa Parrett of The Indy Real Estate Experts - for a no-obligation consultation and advice.