Sunday, December 11, 2016

Indianapolis 2016 Christmas & Hanukkah Holiday Fun Page



Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish friends!





Even if you're not Jewish, here's how to make some great latkes & other goodies





Gingerbread Pancakes






The Jolly Days Winter Wonderland at the Indianapolis Children's Museum is always filled with fun and frolic this time of year. Yes, there's nothing that this mom and Indianapolis real estate agent loves to do more than   take her kids to this hotspot for an afternoon of caroming down the Yule Slide and "ice skating" in our socks! 


The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century. 


Enjoy the Beautiful Voice of Josh Groban







Thinking About Buying or Selling an Indianapolis House in 2017?

Monday, December 5, 2016

Indiana County Auditor Contact Info (Phone): File 2016 Property Tax Exemption

by Lisa Treadwell

The Indy Real Estate Experts at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Indiana Realty, and Security Title Services remind you that you have until December 31, 2016 to file your property tax exemptions for Indiana homeowners.

Remember to file your tax exemptions if you bought or refinanced a home this year...your taxes could double if you don't!

Contact us for help or call your county Auditor's Office listed below.

You may also text me at 317-246-9966 for a list of the county auditor numbers.


Filing Indiana Homestead Exemption or Mortgage Exemption




Thinking About Buying or Selling an Indianapolis House in 2017?









Sunday, December 4, 2016

2016 Marion County/Hamilton County, Indiana Property Tax Exemption Information: Homestead and Mortgage

by Lisa Treadwell

Did you buy a house in Indiana or refinance in 2016? Would you like to potentially cut your tax bill in half? Say yes!

If so, you have only until December 31, 2016 to file your property tax exemptions in Marion and Hamilton counties. The clock is ticking and the busiest time of year is now here, so don't let this important opportunity fall by the wayside!

List Your Indianapolis House for Sale This Winter & Avoid Summer Competition!




The two most common exemptions are the homestead and the mortgage exemption (Other types of property tax exemptions include old age and veteran's, among others). Just by filing the homestead and the mortgage exemptions, homeowners can cut their property taxes in half. 


Text Me (Lisa) at 317-246-9966 for a List of Indiana County Auditors

Conversely, if you purchased a property where the exemptions were filed with the previous owner and you (the new buyer) fail to file your exemptions by Dec. 31, your taxes could double! Did you hear that? Double! Ouch.

Don't forget: If you refinance or have a deed change at any time, you will also need to re-file these deductions.

Information on Property Tax Exemptions in Indianapolis & Marion County

As an Indianapolis Realtor, one of the questions I'm most frequently asked when I broach this subject is: "What do I need to bring and where do I need to bring it?"

You (the buyer) will need the closing packet you received from the title company (or at least your HUD statement, Mortgage, and Deed).



City of Indianapolis and Marion County Auditor's Office

Where you go will depend on what county the property is located in. In most cases, it will be the county auditor's office in either the county courthouse and/or city/county building.

The Marion County Auditor's Office encourages you to complete the application online, but you may also complete it in person or by mail.



Auditor's Real Estate office 
City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., Suite 841. 
Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday  Phone:(317) 327-4646. 

Marion County Property Tax Exemptions


Partially Disabled Veteran Exemption
Totally Disabled Veteran
Old Age

Hamilton County, IN Property Tax Exemption Information












Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Protect Your Indianapolis Real Estate! William Shatner's Turkey Fryer Fire Safety Tips and How to Deep Fry a Thanksgiving Turkey

by Lisa Treadwell

Turkey fryers produce turkey taste that is manna from heaven. Paradoxically, they may produce house fires and burns to your skin that can be tragic and the spawn of the devil.

Here are a couple videos to help you safely enjoy an Indiana Thanksgiving. All hail William Shatner and turkey fryer safety tips. #ShatnerFryersClub





How to Safely Deep Fry a Thanksgiving Turkey





Winter is a Great Time to List an Indianapolis House for Sale

Sell in January or February when the competition is slumbering and your house commands top dollar with fewer houses on the market!

Contact Lisa for a No-Obligation Analysis  of How Much Your House is Worth



From The Indy Real Estate Experts
Nov 2016


Monday, October 24, 2016

Why Fall and Winter are Ideal Times to Sell Your House: Indianapolis Housing Market Fall 2016

by Lisa Treadwell

It's a seller's market in Indy. Yep, there's an extreme lack of Indianapolis and Washington Township houses for sale as we stroll through the fall months and then winter.

As an Indianapolis realtor, I don't like that one bit! I need some houses to sell, people! :)




However, we often see this. Some homeowners make the mistake of believing that spring and summer are the only good times to sell a house. And, there are others who simply don't wish to go through the process as kids get back to school and the holidays approach.


Those are good reasons indeed, but if neither applies to you, and you're contemplating listing your house for sale and finding a good real estate agent in Indianapolis, there are several good reasons to act now and list your house for sale in the fall:

Lack of Competition!

It's already been a sellers' market in our area and that trend will only continue.

But fewer houses on the market mean that if you REALLY wish to sell your house, now is a perfect time. 

Plenty of people are still looking for houses to buy during the fall and holiday season.

Fewer houses available for sale in Washington Township, Indianapolis:

Your Indianapolis house for sale will STAND OUT

More potential buyers will see it

You'll receive more offers

Lack of inventory = high demand = More $$$ for YOU


Ok, you get the idea. If you're ready to investigate how much your Indiana house is worth and get a feel for the market in your neighborhood, contact me here for a no-obligation analysis.

Not Ready to Commit to Selling During the Fall or Holidays?

That's fine. Let's get a head start on winter and start the process of listing your house for sale as soon as the holidays are over: on January 2, 2017!

Learn More About The Indy Real Estate Experts












Sunday, October 9, 2016

Transit Drives Indy: Info on the Marion County Transit Plan and November 8 Vote

by Lisa Treadwell

The election on November 8 will see Indianapolis voters head to the polls and cast their ballot on Question 2.

Supporters of the Marion County Transit Plan and the Transit Drives Indy campaign hope those voters will answer YES on Question 2 and help to develop a better Indianapolis transit system.




According to the website, approval of the plan (Yes on Question 2) will allow "IndyGo to deliver frequent, all-day service to more residents, businesses and neighborhoods, cutting wait and travel times and adding new rapid transit lines over the next five years."

As an Indianapolis realtor - a Washington Township real estate agent - who is a strong supporter of initiatives that will strengthen our business environment and add to our quality of life, it only makes sense for me to support this plan and a vote of "Yes on Question 2."



Additionally, as an Indianapolis realtor who specializes in helping seniors downsize, sell a family home, and transition to new housing, I am a strong advocate of those things which will help our older adults and improve their mobility and quality of life.

A better and more convenient Indianapolis mass transit system is certainly one of those things!

Time to Find a Good Indianapolis Realtor? 


You Decide! Yes on Question 2?


However, I certainly want you to have the information to make up your OWN mind on this vote. I've added a few links on this blog post to help YOU determine what answer you place on your ballot.












Thursday, September 8, 2016

Press Release: Indianapolis Home Buyers Show Faith in Fall & Winter Buying Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Consumer Sentiment on the Rise as Indianapolis Real Estate Heads into 
Fall & Winter Home-Buying Season

Indy Real Estate Experts watch current and prospective homeowners show a favorable view of the real estate market 

Indianapolis, IN (September 8, 2016)-- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices' latest Homeowner Sentiment Survey indicates that current and prospective homeowners are increasingly optimistic about U.S. real estate. Respondents cited low interest rates as a key reason for their growing optimism.

Reversing downward trends for the past two surveys, 61% of current homeowners and 65% of prospective homeowners now see the real estate market as more favorable for sellers and buyers. In fact, 76% of prospective homeowners – a survey group composed mainly of millennials and Gen-Xers – said this year is a more ideal time to buy a home.

The national optimism holds true in metro Indy, where Indianapolis realtor Lisa Treadwell, owner and Associate Broker of the Indy Real Estate Experts at Berkshire Home Services, Indiana Realty, says home buyers and sellers express confidence in the market to her on a regular basis.

“The quote I hear most often from home buyers and sellers is that they 'feel the real estate market is heading in the right direction,'” notes Treadwell. “There is also a significant understanding that appreciation of homes and the quick increase in value of residential real estate provides a great opportunity for both buyers and sellers around Indianapolis neighborhoods.”

Respondents seem to have shaken off the effects of last year's (2015) rate hike. Active homeowners are significantly less concerned that low housing inventory, which has hampered real estate’s recovery in many markets, will hurt their chances to find the right home.

However, 72% of prospects showed increasing concern that rising home prices will make it more difficult to buy a home. To purchase their ideal home, current homeowners and prospects said they are more willing to forego swimming pools, accessibility to public transportation, basements and proximity to their workplace. They are less likely to compromise on location within a good community, a good floor plan, proximity to solid schools and the outward appearance of a home.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Consumer Sentiment Survey Methodology
Interviews with 2,506 respondents were conducted online by Edelman Intelligence in February 2016. The respondents captured were either current homeowners (individuals who currently own a home as a primary residence) or prospective homeowners (individuals who do not currently own a home and are likely to buy a home as their primary residence in the next six months). The margin of error is +/-2.2% for current homeowners and +/- 4.4% for prospective homeowners.

Media Contacts:
Lisa Teadwell
317-246-9966
lisa@indyreexperts.com

Website:
The Indy Real Estate Experts:
www.indyreexperts.com

Monday, August 22, 2016

{Podcast} Audio Interview with Lisa Treadwell, Co-Chair of Indy Do Day 2016

I recently sat down for a podcast interview with Mark Bingaman, our Social Media Expert at the Indy Real Estate Experts, and explained a bit more about Indy Do Day 2016.

Please feel free to listen at your leisure and learn what's goin' on with this year's event. It's about 5 minutes long, so you can listen as you're doing other stuff online, or even download the interview and listen at another time.



Sunday, August 14, 2016

Infographic: Buy an Indianapolis House: How Interest Rates and Credit Scores Affect Your Monthly Payment

by Lisa Treadwell


So you want to buy a house in Indianapolis or somewhere across Central Indiana? Awesome! As an Indianapolis REALTOR, that's music to my ears. And you should want to buy.

But you do need to understand the difference your interest rate makes not only in your monthly payment and total cost, but also in the house you can afford. That's important because it could make a difference in whether you can be approved for a mortgage for that perfect house you've spotted for sale in Broad Ripple or Carmel or Zionsville or downtown.


How to Keep a Mortgage Payment Under $1,000 Monthly  







Perhaps you find these numbers a bit sobering. But now you know the answer to the questions "How much house payment can I afford?" and "How much mortgage can I afford?"


How Your Credit Score Affects Mortgage Interest Rates


And so, there's that too.










  






Wednesday, July 20, 2016

{Video} Our Video Overview of Indy Do Day 2016

by Lisa Treadwell



Here's the new video detailing exactly what Indy Do Day 2016 is all about, along with a bit of background on the event's history.

As co-chairs of the Indy Do Day 2016 committee, Michael Schiele and I invite you to watch the video, learn more, and then plan to join us September 29, 30, and October 1, 2016.

Join Us and #LetsDoThis

Friday, July 1, 2016

2016 Indianapolis Fireworks Times/Schedules: 4th of July Events, Food Ideas, Recipes, Fashion, and Fireworks Safety

by Lisa Treadwell

From Carmel to Fishers to Washington Township to downtown Indianapolis, here are Indiana fireworks time and schedules, plus my annual Fourth of July fun page to supply you with some basic info and a few fun ideas to add even more sparkle to the holiday. Have fun and be safe! 



Central Indiana Fireworks Times Courtesy of Indy with Kids

4th of July Outfits & Fashion Ideas
















Indianapolis Fourth of July Food & Recipe Ideas