Good news for the new year.

2012 will be warm and fuzzy.

http://www.realtor.org/research/reinsights/economistcommentary

Happy Holidays!

Rents will go up next year

As I've mentioned in previous posts, rental property is moving. Investors are buying rental property. Why?

Because rents are rising, and they will continue to rise in 2012.

Check this out.

Call me!

3176985675

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2011/12/16/rents-rising/

No Foreclosures for the holidays. Merry Christmas

The grinch will not steal your Christmas this year.

If you are in mortgage crisis, rest easy for the holidays. Fannie Mae will halt all foreclosures over the holidays.

Check this out.

Call me! 32176985675

Pending Sales Up in October! Midwest is good news!

Lending improving, mortgage rates low, affordability is high!

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1303016820001/national-association-of-realtors-housing-market-outlook/?playlist_id=87185

Boone County Indiana is really moving!

If you are moving to Indiana, Boone county is the place to live. Affordable real estate, great schools and nice people.

Here's a little something from Forbes Magazine if you are looking for a great garage.

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mhj45gfhm/5000-royal-street-park-city-ut

I know a couple of homes locally that might suit you!

Call me.

6985675

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, another year, another gobble gobble as in investors are gobbling up great real estate deals because they know that the rental market will be very strong next year and on to 2014. It's as if we are traveling back in time to an earlier year where people rented more than owned.

The European markets are drowning in debt and we are thankful that the USA is not quite in that bad shape.

We are thankful that the Latin American markets are doing well. And we will be eternally thankful to them if they don't forget that we are friends except of course for Mexico who cares not for its people, and who sees the United States as a rich uncle who owes them everything. And thanks to the drug cartels--nine fighting it out in the border town of Reynosa alone, the border states real estate is booming, but the culture is suffering and the cultural clash is reaching the boiling point.

What does all this have to do with the State of Real Estate? Well, it's Thanksgiving and we are thankful that we can take a break, enjoy our family and pray together that the good ol' USA will survive

Veteran's Day coming up!

If you are a veteran, Thank you!

If you are a veteran or spouse of a veteran, I hope you will find this information useful. There's money out there for veterans, so please use this valuable service.

Exterior Finishes/Veneers

Here's a very interesting article from REALTOR.org on the pros and cons of various exterior finishes.

http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/architecture-coach/slideshow/dissecting-home-s-exterior

Co-habitating or Same-sex couples can own a home!

A couple of referenced couples have approached me to ask if they can own a home if they are not married.

The answer is yes, indeed. I'm using information provided from a documents titled Forms of Co-Ownership from my friends at Chicago Title. And of course, you should consult an attorney, or CPA to determine the legal and tax consequences of how title is vested. Here in Indiana married couples assume property as man and wife in a Tenancy by the Entirities. The husband and wife own as "one entity". Title is not separable, each has individual interest in the whole and the creation of an estate is presumed (unless otherwise stated). They have equal rights of possession and a conveyance must be signed by both. The survivor becomes the sole owner.

Joint Tenancy situation. The ownership, persons can/may be husband and wife interests must be equal and title interest is in the whole. The granting clause in the deed must specify joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Each has equal right of possession. The purchaser becomes a tenant in common with the other co-owner in the property. Sale of the interest by each party.

When couples are not married, they may take ownership of a property as Tenancy in Common. Any number of people, ownership is divided into equal interest, each has a separate legal title to his undivided interest, equal rights of possession. The co-owners interest may be conveyed separately without the consent of co-owners. The purchaser becomes a tenant in common with other co-owners, and on co-owner's death, the interest passes to his/her estate.

How's this for Real Estate Nirvana?

Harry Smith with NBC news reported that there are so many jobs in North Dakota presently, that anyone who can drive a truck or drive a nail into a wall can make from $40K to $80K per year.

Not only that, there is no housing for the expected population shift. Builders and construction crews are working feverishly to keep up with the demand.

Ah, to be a realtor in North Dakota today, "Go west young men and women, go west!"

What a wonderful silver lining in today's economy.

If you go, hey, send me a referral, please!

317-698-5675

http://www/blanca-houston.com

Today is Holloween.

Remember

New Efforts to reach more borrowers!

If you need to modify your present housing situation, this information will be very valuable to you!

http://rismedia.com/2011-10-25/fhfa-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-announce-harp-changes-to-reach-more-borrowers/

If you want to buy a house, now is a great time. The only thing is, "you need to have a job".

I know a mortgage entity that will lend you money if you have a degree. Bring your degree and they will take this a

Paul Vocker Speaks, folks you need to listen

http://speakingofrealestate.blogs.realtor.org/2011/10/23/volcker-speaks-are-the-right-people-listening/

Why do you need to listen? Because Mr. Volcker knows what he is talking about.

Why is this important to you? Because we do not ever want to see a desasterous market because of administrative mistakes a huge bureaucratic entity like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made.

Person of Color?

Ah, hopefully this caught your eye.

I found this very interesting and I hope you will as well.

Ms. Janice Jones, who oversees model home design for a major home builder offers the following insights regarding use of color in your home. For the entire article, please find it in the Indianapolis Star Home Finder supplement Sunday, October 23, 2011. They site NAPSA.

Find pops of color in accessories such as throw pillows, coffee-table books canisters, etc. Different colors have different effects. This is my favorite tidbit.

Red: This color is stimulating and encourages self-confidence.

Orange: Promotes happiness and celebration. I read another color-related piece which stated that orange in the bedroom stimulates intimacy; just saying. I cannot site this.

Yellow: This color is uplifting and light-hearted. Hint: If you are selling in the winter, use this color as the house will show light, bright and warm in a dark gloomy winter day. Please trust me on this.

Blue: Blue is calming in softer tones. Avoid navy or midnight blue as it will make your space seem smaller, although according to Ms. Jones, it promotes clarity in deeper ones. (Confusing)

Green: You may know this, but this is the color of nature. It feels fresh and rejuvenating. A caveat, do not use avocado. It is dated and like the yummy fruit, it turns quickly.

Aqua: Like the water on a still lake, this color is restful while pink in gentle and sweet. They make a great pair.

Purple: This color may bring out a sense of compassion. Another thing to think about here is if you use too much, it a sense of sorrow will be an unexpected consequence, though it looks good on a crown.

Call me. Let's talk.

317-698-5675

Rental Property Sales Up. See, I told you....

There is an article in today's Indianapolis Star which reports that Duke Realty will sell 82 properties nationwide. However none of the Indy-area holdings which are 84.6 % leased are included in this $1.08 billion dollar deal.

Why you may ask? Although unemployment is up in our fair area, Indiana is holding it's own very nicely. Indiana will be a major player in industry because of it's diversity of opportunities. Add to this the fact that people will decide to rent instead of buy while the majority pay off debt, rental properties will be the way to go.

If Duke Realty has figured this out, folks, you can make money too.

Call me.

698-5675

Something Rotten in Denmark?

In the quest for improving my blog to better communicate with my throngs of readers, I've incorrectly entered something in blog setting section. In the unlikely event that you are able to read this, maybe the error isn't that great, but I doubt it.

Stay tuned....

End of the World today, if not; Occupy This....

Today is the end of the world according to the the doomsday preacher, sorry I don't recall his name. 
The occupy movement is in full swing all over the world.  Call it the Arab Spring, Great Awakening, Spiritual Renaissance, something big is about to happen, let's hope it's something good.

Should we be here tomorrow, please consider this real estate tidbit. 
We've seen an increase in hobby farm sales, parcels of 10 acres or less.  Buyers tell me that they are looking for their own "slice of heaven".  We've moved away from the traditional American Dream home, a nice 3 BR ranch in a nice neighborhood, to a house on a small piece of land where one may grow a vegetable garden, put away (can) ones own food, and keep a pet horse, goats, or chickens.  "We keep and eat what we can, and we give away the rest. It's a good feeling." 
It's a benevolent way of life, a feeling of maintaining control for what one eats, for what one grows, as we know a garden bounty is directly related to how well we nurture it, and for satisfying that for which  we yearn--freedom.
Looking for a nice piece of land with a home on it? 
I've got plenty for you to choose from.
Call me.  317-698-5675

October is Boo month!

Well, we've got Octoberfest, Columbus Day, My mom's birthday, Halloween and many other neat things happening in October.

So, let's talk about haunted housed; a sticky wicket to be sure.

They are out there. As a broker extraordinare, one of many talents, I happen to know how to clean this type of house (long story).

http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-money/2010/10/27/how-to-sell-a-haunted-house/?pending=1#comment-8574

Happy house hunting, or is it haunting?

drafts published

I don't know why this happened, I guess there is a reason for everything.

I just noticed that the posts I thought I'd made in this blog were never posted, so I posted them all at once. I've just indendated you, reader annonymous, with information and a sneek peek into my mind.

Low rates/no loans

Mortgage rates are at historic lows, home availability is at historic highs. So why is the market not moving?

The answer is Banks are not lending. Either they are afraid of the market, or they know that they are about to dump millions of houses on the market.

The silver lining in this unhappy scenario? If you have good credit, a good score and you are serious about the responsibility of home ownership, you will find wonderful surprises at a very good price.

If you are an investor with cash, and you may know this already, you are "cashing in" on the wonderful finds in this market. Investors are picking up many homes because they know that the rental market will be very good and steady for the next five to ten years.

Call me.

698-5675

Want to make money?

Banks and other investors are buying tax liens.

You can too.

Investor buys a property owner's tax lien. Owner allows it because he doesn't want to lose his property to the county.

Investor says, "You've got 3 years to pay me back with interest."

Owner defaults, and Investor says, "hand me the keys, this property is mine."

Most likely sells ithttp://azstarnet.com/real-estate/article_662a10e9-c317-5b92-a51b-9efa96fce37d.html

MIP REMINDER

I've been off the blog for a while, you may have noticed (or not). What is the point? This information is useful, however. FHA announced a .25% increase in annual MIP premiums on all case number orders after April 18th. This means that if you've been looking to get into a HUD home, you should do it today..... Call me. 317-698-5675

Interest Rates will be going up!

We've been talking about this and we've been anticipating this too.
There was a panel of housing industry experts on the Diane Rheme Show on NPR today talking about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

There are new lending guidelines, new stop-gap measures and a new way of FHA financing.

The result is that interest rates will go up this year.

Now is the time to buy, folks!
Is anyone out there?
Call me.
698-5675

Charter on Charter Schools

Teachers rallied at the state house yesterday against the Charter School Bill.
Con--It will affect school room size and disproportion ratios and funding
Pro--It will give families the right to choose schools so that their child gets the best education

As in all cases: There are two sides and the truth is in the middle.

Yes people have the right to choose.
Who is going to build the schools and who will fund them? Are school districts going to fund Charter Schools, and where is the money coming from? Are they robbing Peter to pay Paul?
Is the tax money from family A who goes to a Charter School going to be funneled there thus the sum will be subtracted from School B?

Why is this issue on a Real Estate Blog?
Because schools matter. They affect property value.

Unemployment Rate Fell to 9% in January

Hello out there!
Wow, who would have thought that the unemployment rate falling to 9% is good news!
Well, it is, and that means that more people will be looking for houses to buy.
Here's the thing. If you cannot afford to buy a house, don't.
But if you can, it is the best thing that you can do for yourself and your family.
FICO scores of 600 are OK these days too. Who would have thought that?
The times, they are a'changing.

Call me. Let's make a deal happen for you!

Small Business Loans Will Increase.

The drums of change in the business markets are staring to stir.
Small business loans are available.

I've got a small commercial property: .92-Acres, restaurant, auto repair place with a two-bedroom apartment upstairs.
$157,000.00 Seller motivated!

Re-financing up, sales down

Re-Fi's were up by 14% in 2010. This means that sales were down by 14% at least.

People are staying put and refinancing their mortgages. It is a sound strategy, but it leaves us out of the game for now.

We press on.
Rates are still low. And a credit score of 600 will get you in.

Call me!

More Foreclosures?

I attended a Real Estate Update meeting the other day, and guess what.

The national market will be hit with one million foreclosed homes in 2011. I don't have the number that will hit the market in the Indianapolis Metro area, but the foreclosures are still coming!