REALTORS® RELEASE INDIANA REAL ESTATE MARKETS REPORT FOR APRIL 2012
 Statewide housing market improves on all indicators as inventory drops 

(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – REALTORS® today released their monthly Indiana Real Estate Markets Report, which showed that statewide, when comparing April 2012 to April 2011:

• The number of closed home sales increased 13 percent to 5,568;
• The median sale price of those homes increased 2.7 percent to $116,000;
• The average sale price increased 3.5 percent to $137,533;
• The number of pending home sales increased 11.8 percent to 6,101;
• The number of new listings increased 2.3 percent to 11,340; and
• The percent of original list price received increased 0.1 percent to 90.7 percent.

“April was one of the best months the statewide housing market has seen in years,” said Karl Berron, Chief Executive Officer of the Indiana Association of REALTORS®. “And members are confident the next few months of the traditional selling season will follow this positive trend so long as Hoosiers are working.
“Going forward, we will be closely watching the activity related to the percent of original list price received at sale and inventory of homes for sale,” continued Berron. “Favorable supply-demand trends may finally be ticking toward sellers, though with still historically low interest rates, qualified buyers have a great market in which to make an investment.”

Anyone looking to buy or invest should start with the sortable county tables of this report and then talk to a local REALTOR® who can give the most insight into what’s happening in a neighborhood, city or school district.
More about the Indiana Real Estate Markets Report
Established in May 2009, the Indiana Real Estate Markets Report was the first-ever county-by-county comparison of existing single-family home sales in Indiana. In March 2010, IAR added statistics on other types of existing detached single-family (DSF) home sales – condominiums, duplexes, townhomes, mobile homes, etc. – to the report.
The report became even more robust in August 2010.  It now tells how the statewide housing market is performing according to eight different indicators, each with one-month and year-to-date comparisons, as well as a historical look. It also provides specific county information for 91 of Indiana’s 92 counties in a sortable table format, allowing for consistent comparison between local markets. IAR obtains the data directly from and releases this report in partnership with 26 of the state’s 27 Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), including the Broker Listing Cooperative® (BLC®) in both central and southwestern Indiana.
IAR represents approximately 15,000 REALTORS® who are involved in virtually all aspects related to the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of real property in Indiana. The term REALTOR® is a registered mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of America’s largest trade association, the National Association of REALTORS®, and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

We go around the table and tell each other what we would have in our “Dream House”. Money doesn’t matter, reality doesn’t matter.
Jakob says his house would have: A room full of china and a baseball bat.
Evan says his house would have: A room full of Puppies
Andy says: My house would have a chef!
I say: My house would have a beach.
And we go around the table a few times until we run out of ideas.
So, let’s play! What would YOUR house have? GO!

I have always felt that lights should be turned off, when I am finished showing a house. I worry about the seller who set the house up and then won’t be back for hours. I worry about electricity bills and making sure that the seller knows someone was there. I *REALLY* worry about candles that are lit and always make sure to blow them out.

So, IF you were selling your house, which would you prefer?

Jakob said his school was doing a “Hunger Games Book Club” so he decided to read it, but I wanted to know what the Buzz was all about. As soon as I finished the first boo, I had to rush to Half Priced Books to get “Catching Fire” asap!

I’ve finished all 3 now, and Jakob is just beginning the second book. What I really love about it is that the series gets kids reading again, just like Harry Potter did a few years ago. Even kids who whine and complain about reading (ahem, J) are begging to stay up a couple minutes later to get this chapter finished.

On Sunday I took Jakob to the movie to see The Hunger Games, and we loved it too! Just an amazing story. It was a great way for us to bond and relax. Evan went with Daddy to see The Lorax while we watched our movie. Definitely better to read the book BEFORE you go see the movie, you will get so much more from it!

Is it scary? Yes. Is it kind of awkward for kids at some points? Yes. Would I totally recommend letting your tween read it anyway? YES!

This weekend in Avon the newest Beazer Home community will open, and you and your readers are invited to join in the festivities.  

It’s from noon- 3pm this Saturday.

Ribbon cutting ceremony is at 12:45pm

Avon High School Jazz Band is playing at 1pm

We will have food, drinks, and giveaways

Tour two new model homes- The Jefferson and The Bradley

 

1922 Winchester Blvd. Avon, IN 46123. Just east of Dan Jones Rd. on County Road 200 N/21^st Street.

Well, now the most technologically advanced real estate company in Central Indiana (I just made that up, but it seems right!) offers you an APP for your iPhone, iPad and Android phone! I have it on my phone already, and I love it! Our APP features the GPS Search, Open House Listings, a general search, a link to contact us, a link to our company blog, and info about us.

Go check it out!!

Imagine a small kitchen. There is not much counter space, but it has a dishwasher.

Now, imagine the same small kitchen. There is an L-shaped countertop, which is still small but much better than the previous kitchen. However, there is no dishwasher.

So, which is more important to you? Dishwasher or countertop? Please answer the following poll!