Who says there are just cows and a race car in Indiana?!  If you’re looking for weekend fun outside, keep this list handy:

TOP 30 THINGS TO DO AROUND INDY & CARMEL

This list is IMPRESSIVE! I’ve done several things on it, but am going to work my way through the whole thing this spring/summer and do the Bloomington list, too (go IU!). My top 3 favorites on the list are:

1.   Newfields at the IMA – the gardens here is one of my favorite destinations in all of Indianapolis for picnics and walks

2.  Midtown in Carmel – the place to be for great cocktails, food, coffee, walking, biking, everything!

3.  Eagle Creek Park – so much to do in the park, but GO APE is not to be missed! Ziplines and rope climbing right here in the middle of the city.

What are your favorite activities around Indianapolis that need to be added to this list? Tell me about it and don’t forget bookmark this list for when you’re trying to think of something new to do next weekend 😉

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7 Essential Curb Appeal Tips for Sellers 

When you’re walking through a neighborhood and a house catches your eye because the lawn is well-manicured, the front porch is inviting, the house is painted the perfect color, the landscaping is fresh and the flowers are vibrant, that’s curb appeal! It’s what makes you go “wow” and wonder how amazing the inside must be as well.  Curb appeal is all about first impressions which is critical to selling your house at top dollar.

With spring starting to bloom in Indiana, it’s time to focus on the exterior of your home. You want your home to stand out from the others, and the exterior will be the first area buyers see. If it’s not in top shape, there’s a good chance buyers will offer you less or move on to the next home. Here are my best tips for improving your curb appeal:

#1 Be meticulous about your lawn and landscaping
Given that winter was likely harsh on your landscape, this will take some time. You need to trim and prune trees and bushes to get rid of anything dead or overgrown. Add a fresh layer of mulch to your flower beds and around trees to give them a professional, well-kept look. If you have any bare spots in your lawn from snow and ice, add seeds or sod to help renew and cover those areas. Fertilize your lawn to make it green up and get out your edger to clean up the edges along your sidewalks and driveway.

#2 Wash Your House
Your siding, garage doors and windows probably look a bit dirty and dusty after this last winter, so it’s time for a deep clean to make everything look fresh and new for the spring. If you don’t have much siding, use a bucket of soapy water and a bristled brush to remove dirt and debris. If the grime and dirt won’t come off easily or you’re tackling a large area, you may need to use a power washer or ask me for a good contractor to help. If your garage door faces front, clean it as well. Cleaning windows and screens go a long way to refresh the exterior and you’ll be amazed at how it brightens up the interior of your home as well.

#3 Decorate your front porch

Start with a deep clean of the porch – knock down all cobwebs, nests, and debris. If you have any peeling paint or rotten wood on the porch, you will need to make repairs and paint. After that, let the decorating begin! If you have enough space, add a cute bench or matching chairs and a small table. Outdoor rugs and door mats are a great way to show some style and create a space to linger. Outdoor pillows add color and plants are a must.

#4 Seasonal flowers

Large pots at your front door with bright flowers add a ton of curb appeal and cannot be overlooked. You don’t have to be a florist to make these look good – go large with your pots and use one color of flowers to make the biggest impact. If you have a greener thumb, continue with flowers along your sidewalk. Ferns on the front porch always make a statement. Make sure your flowers look fresh for the season and your overall porch decorating theme reflects spring, summer or fall.

#5 Make your front door POP!
Once people pass through your renewed landscaping and beautiful front porch, they will stand at your front door. If your door is dirty, faded or peeling, or in disrepair, it must be addressed (and after a long winter, it will definitely be dirty). Start by washing it down and then assess the paint, color and condition of the door itself. If your door doesn’t need to be replaced, a fresh coat of paint in a bright trendy color is one of the best things you can do to enhance your curb appeal.

#6 Add a fence
A nostalgic touch that adds a lot of charm to a home is a decorative fence around the front of your property. It doesn’t have to be a secure fence like those you would add around the backyard, but rather a cute picket or wrought iron fence in the front yard. This can be especially appealing to families with young children

#7 Update the mailbox
Mailboxes often get overlooked, but they most definitely add curb appeal to your home. There are a lot of options for decorative mailboxes online or at local home improvement stores. Look for a mailbox that compliments your home’s color and style. Pass on any utilitarian plastic box and go for something with attractive. If you have a sturdy mailbox, but it needs a makeover, you can paint it a new color or add your address to the side with stickers or metal decals.

As your local real estate resource, I am always available to provide guidance to clients and friends on how to improve your curb appeal. If you need contractors to help you with landscaping, painting, window washing, etc, don’t hesitate to contact me for access to my list of preferred partners. Call anytime you need assistance with your home!

The 2020 real estate market saw a lot of activity, despite the pandemic, and Central Indiana is a hot spot. National Association of REALTORS has identified our area as one of the Top 10 Markets During and in a Post-COVID Environment. 

Factors that are driving our local market include:

1. Record low interest rates that are projected to stay in the 3% range in 2021
2. Low inventory levels, meaning not enough people are selling their homes to keep up with the buyer demand. This ultimately increases prices and keeps days on market low.
3. New home construction is limited in Hamilton County – labor, materials, and local regulations make it difficult to build homes that are affordable for first-time buyers
4. The ability to work in any location is bringing a lot of out-of-state buyers
5. Mortgage pre-approvals are up, a leading indicator of buyers in 2021

Per MIBOR data, Hamilton County home prices have increased 9.5% over 2019 (through Nov).  The median price is now $325,000.  It isn’t just the northside suburbs seeing demand, Marion County prices rose by 11.5%!

2021 will be another good year for sellers, as prices are projected to continue to rise and there are still a lot of buyers looking for homes.  This doesn’t mean we can over-price homes or poorly market a property.  Listing your home still takes expert preparation, a strong on-line presence, and correct pricing.  Getting offers is often the easiest part of the process, but inspections and appraisals make the journey to closing difficult.  I’m here to help you prepare your home for listing and navigate the process to closing.  My biggest tip is to start planning now for your spring-summer move.  Learn more about listing your home and my listing services.