CROCKETT JONES JOINS INDIANA REALTY ONE

Indiana Realty One is pleased to announce that Crockett Jones is now part of their real estate family and team. 

As the owner and operator of Indiana Realty One, Rick Patton states “I’m just so very excited to have Crockett on my Team.  He’s a very smart businessman and he challenges me to be my very best and work harder.  I pray I can keep up with him.  He’s certainly driven to be the best he can be.  We’ll do great things together!”  Crockett and Patton were school mates and have enormous plans to rock the real estate market.

In April 2011 Rick was recognized as a “Five Star Real Estate Agent” in Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.  Last year Rick sold 54 homes and he has been a “Top 200” agent and Realtor since 2006.  When asked about Rick and the opportunity ahead Crockett states, “I'm excited about the opportunity of joining the Indiana Realty One Team. Rick has a proven track record in the real estate industry, which will enable me to work along side and learn from one of the best.”

While residing in Zionsville Crockett will be working out of our Carmel office.  Crockett brings years of customer service experience with him.  For the last six years he has been, and is still, the leading horticulture sales representative in Indiana.  In order to achieve this Crockett understands that the customer’s needs should always come first.

Give Crockett or Rick a call if you are thinking about selling, buying, building, or if you know someone who may be considering the same.  They treasure referrals and certainly reward those who refer!

MARKET UPDATE

The consistent trend of increased home sale prices continued through May.  The average sale price of homes in May 2011 increased by 9.6% to $178,800 as compared to May 2010.  The number of homes listed increased by 7.6% and the number of closed sales decreased by 31.2%.  Fewer homes are selling, but they are certainly selling for more than they did one year ago.  The average sale price for the first five months of 2011 increased by nearly 7% as compared to the same period in 2010. 

Interested rates have dropped slightly in the past 45 days.  Current rates are 4.25% for a 30 year fixed FHA mortgage and 4.5% for conventional.  Qualified buyers should take heed.  With interest rates bouncing up and down, it will only get more expensive to buy that dream home in the long term.  It’s one of the best times ever to buy.

SUMMER GRILLING TIPS

Home at the Grill: Tips and Tools for this Summer Season The weather is warm, your spirits are high, and the grill is getting hot. Before you toss on the charcoals or purchase a new propane tank, take a minute to read through some of these fun grilling tips.

A few prepping tips: Your grill, gas or charcoal, should be cleaned after every use with a stiff wire brush. The black buildup that forms on the grates could be full of carcinogens. Consider an electric starter or chimney starter instead of lighter fluid. These handy devices conserve money and make your meat taste better. Brining, the act of submerging your meat in saltwater for several hours before cooking, infuses meat and poultry with additional flavor and moisture. Brine meat for roughly an hour and make sure that your water (or any other liquid of your choice) has 1 cup of table salt to each gallon of water. Creating a brine is only limited to your imagination. In addition to water, mix in juices, beer, wine, or any spices to add extra flavor and punch. Consider a cooking spray like the Weber Grill'N Spray. Safe to use on a hot grill or open flame, this cooking spray helps coat the grill making cooking easier as well as less food residue to deal with at clean up. Temperature Control: it can make a difference! Searing: the way to go for a crusty exterior and cooler center. Start your grill at a high temperature to sear the surface of the meat, then lower the temperature to finish it off. This is a great method for pork chops, chicken, and roasts. Slow roasting: slow and low is the way for getting your meat fall off the bone tender. Great for pork butts and chicken, roasting should be done on a grill using indirect heat. If using charcoal you want to bank coals on both sides of the grill, and if using gas or gas powered infrared, use the outer racks. Medium/high heat: the most popular and consistent temperature to grill meat. Perfect for steaks, cooking over direct heat is an easy and quick way to get the job done. With a well oiled grate, lay the steak down and cook a few minutes on each side until done to your liking.

BUYING TIPS FOR APPLIANCES

Before buying new appliances, consider these tips to put more money back into your pocket and less into the store. Start out by measuring your space; some homeowners go out and buy new appliances with the thought that one size fits all. Untrue! Measure your space and be cautious of extraneous details; e.g. If you have a galley kitchen, there isn’t a lot of room for wide swinging doors so a side-by-side refrigerator is your best bet. Little details like this can go a long way when deciding how to spend your hard-earned money.

Abt Electronics: Abt Financing - 12 months No Interest With Minimum Payments (Up to 3.5% Cash Back Perks)

1. Buy Last Year’s Model: You may not need the latest to save the greatest. Look for quality and the best deal you can find. Retailers will hold sales when making room for the new appliances to stock their stores; spring debuts new refrigerators while cooking appliances are released in the fall and washer/dryers during the winter.
2. Shop Sales: Watch your local newspaper for Sunday circulars detailing any specials over three-day weekends, like President’s Day or Labor Day. Retailers offer great discounts at the holidays for consumers who are looking to spruce up their home for the holidays. Some states also offer tax-free weekends around the time tax refunds are heavily processed.
3. Check Out the Floor Model: Usually there is no box available, but the appliance works just as well as any that are in the back room. Since it has been on display, floor models are offered at a discounted price. If you like what you see and it’s available, go for it!
4. HAGGLE: Negotiate a better price with your salesperson, it’s expected of us at some of the big box stores and retailers do provide their salespeople some leeway, especially at major chains. According to Consumer Reports, only 10% of their subscribers who bought small appliances and 75% who bought major appliances tried to negotiate a better price. Around 75% of those who did succeeded!
5. Do Your Homework: Research brands and appliances online before heading out to shop. A subscription to Consumer Reports is invaluable for any big ticket buys. You may even decide to shop online rather than head to a store with long-lines or poor customer service. In some instances, you can even order your item online, then pick it up at the store which will save you shipping fees.
6. Avoid Rent-to-Own: It may sound like a terrific chance to see if you like the product and “test drive” it all for the low price of around $20 per week. But in the long run, you end up paying more for the appliance and if you decide against keeping it, chances are you paid quite a bit more than what you would have if you bought it outright.
7. Online markets: Some websites offer deals on dealer overstocks. Sites such as CraigsList.org, Amazon.com or froogle.com allow consumers to read reviews and compare prices in the comfort of their home. Look to see if there is a “dealer” notation so you know if you’re buying from a store and not a private seller. Most times, shipping is not included and you will have to move the appliance.
8. Look for the ENERGY Star symbol: Appliances with the energy conserving logo will save you money in the long run and decrease your carbon footprint.
9. Beware of Buying in Bulk: Retailers will bundle appliances to entice consumers with the more for less mentality. Check out each item in the bundle before buying. Sometimes, these “deals” will include a high end item with a great track record for performance but the other appliance is a lesser model which may not offer the same quality and may cost you service fees down the road.
10. Warranty Life
    Many warranties typically expire after three years, which is likely before you will even have problems with your appliance. According to some reports, less than one in five appliances require service in that time period. However, when a breakdown does occur, the average cost of repairing the appliance is not much more than the average price paid for the warranty.
    Read the Fine Print
    Extended warranties often contain loopholes, such as not covering problems caused by normal wear and tear. The warranty may also be non-transferrable from one owner to another. For example, that lifetime guarantee you received on your new roof may not extend to the owner of your home when you sell. You need to read the fine print. Another example of a warranty woe, it may not cover the labor costs only parts. Check the guarantee before agreeing to anything.
    Overall, an extended warranty may not seem like a deal in which you want to invest. Consumer Reports advises against purchasing extended warranties which can run you $50 and up on your purchase for something you may not really need and isn’t saving you money on that great deal.
    Thanks to Home Life Perks ...

WINDOW TREATMENT TIPS

Spruce up those windows to make your kitchen more attractive with six easy-to-do ideas.

By Rose Kennedy

http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/six-tips-for-great-window-treatments/index.html

1.  STRIP AWAY 

Strip away heavy window coverings and replace with simple shades. One path to less fabric is using an upholstered cornice, says Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for Interiors by Decorating Den, or a flap valance like the Ace three-piece set from Swags Galore.

2. LIGHTEN UP

Natural light in the kitchen is essential. "Pleated shades offer a privacy treatment and still allow plenty of light," says Pelley.

Just one example of an attractive pleated shade is the Smith + Noble version, available in tones ranging from White to Sky Blue, in subtle stripes and a tropical-looking pattern. It even comes in versions suitable for skylights or arched windows.

3. PICK CURRENT COLORS

If you're using fabric, make sure it's in a contemporary tone.

"The terra cotta shades are very 'in' mixed with greens, blacks and golds," says Pelley. "You can also mix cotton fabric prints, either within a treatment or coordinating a print in the valance or cornice with another print on the cushion seats or place mats."

If your kitchen is particularly tiny, then light, cool colors can make it look larger and brighter, while dark, warm colors can make an oversized kitchen more inviting.

4. TRY SOME TEXTURE

Another hot trend is Roman shades made of rattan, bamboo or other natural fibers, says Pelley: "They add visual interest with their texture, but still roll up smoothly like the Roman shades of old."

5. SOFTEN DIRECT LIGHT

Too much direct sunlight is also an issue in kitchens, says Pelley, since it makes it hot and unpleasant to work in. Simple wood blinds or woven wood shades, like the Provenance sold by Hunter Douglas, will filter the light without looking too heavy.

6. CONSIDER SOME CURVES

"There are typically lots of straight lines in the kitchen — the cabinets, the appliances, the counters —everything is straight or square," says Pelley. "It's a good idea to add a window treatment with soft curves to open the space up, especially in a small kitchen."

Arching a valance is a good option, particularly over the sink. Other options include a curved cornice, a box-pleated valance with a curved line along the bottom or a London Shade from Smith + Noble that is nearly flat at the top but falls from inverted pleats to gentle swags along the bottom, with wings at either side.

Resources

Interiors by Decorating Den, www.decoratingden.com

Hunter Douglas, www.hunterdouglas.com

Smith + Noble, www.smithandnoble.com

Swags Galore, www.swagsgalore.com

GARDENING TIPS

Considerations for starting a garden include a few suggested steps.        These come from Home Life Perks spring newsletter.

If you're thinking of starting a garden this summer there are several steps in the process to consider. Here are a few tips for successfully growing a great garden this season compliments of Home Life Perks.

Space is everything: Even if you are keeping your garden small, the space in which the plants grow is important. If you overcrowd your pot, or the area in the ground, your plants will suffocate. Changing the pot as your plant grows or leaving sufficient room between seeds, bulbs or plants in the ground will help keep everything inside your garden thriving and looking great!

Watering without overwatering: The idea behind all plants (except for maybe a cactus) is that water will help it grow. Keeping the soil moist is the key to success.  Allowing the plants to be in too much water is not healthy, especially when seeds were just planted as they will swim up to the surface.

Asking for help:  When you go to the nursery or home improvement store for your garden products, ask questions. There’s no use getting a bunch of products that won’t grow in your backyard. Shade and space play a big part in how plants will react and if you can’t provide the amount of sunlight needed, your garden will not be as successful as you had planned.

Gardening can add life to any space. Fragrances of blooming plants can’t be reproduced with room sprays. And there’s nothing better than making dinner with food you grew from your garden, not to mention the conversation factor. Like everything else, good gardening is reliant on education, so the more you know before you break ground, the more successful your garden will be.

Arnie Goldberg --  Marketing Director -- Indiana Realty One --  arnie@indianarealtyone.com

ADVANTAGES of PURCHASING a HOME in a DOWN MARKET

Because there are so many homes available, many from bank repossessions, it becomes easier to negotiate a very favorable price.  Many sellers have been waiting to try to find the bottom, and have finally decided to sell their homes.   The fact that they have wanted to sell their homes for an extended period of time, makes them more likely to negotiate.

Rates continue to stay very low and it is a great time for obtaining a very favorable mortgage.

The long term investment in a home now is really an advantage as real estate is expected to increase in value in the next five to ten years.

If you have been considering a home and feel like your decision is making more sense now than a few months ago, we strongly suggest you get a pre-approval for a mortgage and begin your search.  Remember purchasing a home in a down market is a fantastic long-term investment.

Arnie Goldberg--Marketing Director--Indiana Realty One -- arnie@indianarealtyone.com