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Archive for October, 2008

Vacant Homes Need To Be Winterized

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Maintenance Tips

Oct
31st

Although today is a gorgeous, sunny fall day here in Greenwood, we can’t forget that colder days are just around the corner.  And for many of our sellers, they are looking at how to best take care of their vacant properties through the winter.

 We cannot emphasize enough the importance of Winterization if your home is vacant.  Water can do a lot of damage to the home if pipes burst and vacant homes are at the most risk during Winter.

 A lot of people think that keeping the furnace and the water on will be enough to avoid any problems.  While in theory that is true, the problem strikes when the power goes out, the furnace does not get re-lit and no one knows about it since the home is vacant.

If you are responsible for a vacant home, please take a look at the attached flyer.  Feel free to contact any company you choose, but we just wanted to bring this to your attention before freezing temperatures set in.  Pipes can freeze if the temperature in the home is 55 degrees or lower.

Now please keep in mind that if your home is for sale, the buyer will more than likely want to have a home inspection performed prior to closing.  At that time, the home would need to be “De-Winterized” for the inspection and then depending on how far out the closing date is set, it will need to be Winterized again prior to closing.  There would be a charge for this however, the cost would be minimal compared to any water damage that bursting pipes might cause.

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 317.893.1636

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

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Early Voting In Johnson County

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Community Events

Oct
29th

Apparently, this is something that has always been available, but I’ve just been too clueless to notice it.

But if you’re hoping to avoid the long lines on voting day, you might try heading to the lower level of the courthouse in downtown Franklin to cast your vote early.

From what I’ve heard, mornings might be the better time to try avoiding any lines. You have between now and Monday, Nov. 3rd at noon to vote early. The courthouse is located at 5 E. Jefferson Street in Franklin and their hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm. Good Luck!

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Halloween Bash A Success!!!

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Community Events

Oct
29th

Thanks to all who came out for our first ever Halloween Bash. Since it was our first one, we weren’t sure how many people would turn out but we had over 150 guests register. Thanks so much!!!

Chelsea, Kelsey, Rhonda and Scott

Chelsea, Kelsey, Rhonda and Scott

Even Sonny and Cher dropped by!

Even Sonny and Cher dropped by!

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Halloween Fun In Greenwood – You’re Invited!!!

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Community Events

Oct
20th

Come One Come All to the Halloween Bash This Saturday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Keller Williams office on Fry Road in Greenwood.  You don’t have to stay for the whole thing to have a good time.  Bring the Kids, Paint Pumpkins, Everyone Wins!  If you need more info, please call us today at 317.893.1636  See You There!

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This Week’s Best Buys On Greenwood Real Estate!

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Best Buys

Oct
17th

Between last Friday and the time of this writing, there have been 33 new homes come on the market within the “Greenwood” and “Center Grove” areas. Out of these 33, I’ve found three that I think are “Best Buys”.

I found the first one yesterday and the address is 584 Oakwood Drive and it’s priced for $99,900. This property is located in The Oaks neighborhood, has 1,472 square feet, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms, a Fireplace and separate Living Room and Family Room.  In a neighborhood of higher selling homes, this one is assessed at $132,500 and seems like a really great deal.    

 The next one is pictured below at 1348 W. Smith Valley Road. I’ve driven by this home thousands of times and always thought it had nice curb appeal and couldn’t believe it last night when I drove by and saw a For Sale sign in the yard. What was even more surprising was the price I found on it this morning…$86,500!!! Oh my gosh!!! Certainly this can’t last long at this price. Although it looks like the previous owner paid too much for it in 2005 when they bought it for $141,500. But heck, even the county has it assessed at $113,100 so at $86,500 it’s definitely a great deal any way you look at it.

The third and final pick of the week is 1234 Sherman Drive. Priced at an unbelievable $39,900 I think this price is absolutely amazing!!!

We don’t have any record of what it was previously purchased for. But I can tell you that Johnson County has it’s assessed value as $107,500. Now there is a disclaimer that there is evidence of possible mold. But still, at this price the mold can be taken care of and this home could easily be rented for positive cash flow or flipped for a profit.

Are you getting out and looking at what’s available right now? If you’re out driving around and want more information on a specific house or… you find something online that you’d like to take a look at inside, by all means give us a call. We’d be more than happy to shop with you! 317.893.1636

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“Be Greedy When Others Are Fearful And Fearful When Others Are Greedy”

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Buyers, Real Estate Investing

Oct
17th

Wow!  What great advice!  And it comes from none other than Mr. Warren Buffet!  Yes, Mr. Buffet says that now is the time to buy your piece of the American pie.

Sure, there’s a crisis going on and many are not going to be able to get a mortgage right now.  But for those of you that have been good with your money and have protected your credit, now is your time to take advantage of this crazy situation we’ve found ourselves in.

No matter what you’re looking at to buy right now, whether it be clothes, or a car or what have you, good deals are all around us.  But when we bring it specifically to the world of real estate, the deals that can be had right now are on a much grander scale.

If you’re a “Move Up Buyer” and looking to get into “that” neighborhood….now is the time to do it!  Go ahead, take a hit on the sale of your home, but take advantage of the hit that the seller of “that” home is having to take.

For example, if you’re taking a 10% hit on the sale of your home, how does that help you buy another one?  Well, a $100,000 home minus 10% is now going to sell for $90,000.  Ouch! That doesn’t feel good! 

But look, a 10% hit on a $200,000 home means you can now buy your next home for $180,000.  You lose $10,000 on the sale of your current home, but gain $20,000 on the purchase of your next home.  At the end of the day, that still puts you ahead by $10,000!

Or…maybe you don’t have any desire to move right now.  Fine.  Stay in your current home, but take advantage of this mortgage crisis and buy bargain homes and hold on to them as rental properties.  Because people are going to have a harder time getting approved for mortgages right now, it means that the rental market is going to be in even greater demand.

Bottom line – if you’ve been good with your money and have protected your credit along the way, now is the time to reward yourself…Go For It!

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Getting Your Home Ready For Fall

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Maintenance Tips

Oct
6th

Can you believe the 80 degree weather we were enjoying just last week has so quickly left us?  Wow!  I even had to turn on my furnace for the first time.

Well, as summer changes to fall it means it’s time for us to start getting our homes ready so they’re properly protected for the change of seasons.

Here is a great list of Fall Maintenance Tips For Your Home:

These helpful reminders have been provided for us by Cornerstone Inspection Services…thanks guys!

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Why Is There A Slope Under My Laminate Floor?

Posted by Shawna Ebersole | Categories: Stump The Inspector

Oct
3rd

From time to time we have people call or write in with specific home inspection questions that we may not always have the answer to.

When that happens, we turn those questions over to our resident expert, Jim Schwarz of Center Grove Real Estate Inspections.

Here’s what Jim had to say in answer to this particular question:

I may have seen the actual home or at least one like it.  The laminate flooring was installed with a pad underneath.  In order to avoid a difference in height at the bath entrance, which would have created a trip hazard and appearance issue, the installer held the pad back about a foot to create an easy transition into the bathroom.  Under these circumstances, it was probably the best decision.

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