Currently, Indy Connect is in the “listening” phase, they are holding about 30 public hearings around central Indiana to gather the public’s comments and ideas. The next meeting in Hendricks County is 7pm on March 16th at Avon Town Hall. If you want your voice to be heard, you should go!

Some ideas being considered are toll lanes in the city’s most congested areas, significantly expanded bus service, light rail and commuter rail and of course more bike lanes and walking trails.

If you’d like more info about Indy Connect, I suggest visiting their website, and watching their video! http://www.indyconnect.org/

What would you like to see happen with Central Indiana transportation? What are your biggest concerns and biggest wishes? I want to hear them!

Buy now, and you can get tax credits! Up to $8,000 for first-time buyers, and $6,500 for people who have previously owned homes. Wait until after April 30th, and you will miss out.

Buy now, and you will have a LOW interest rate on your mortgage! Right now, interest rates are historically low. Mortgage interest rates are hovering right around 5% right now, and have been for some time. Soon that will change. The Federal Reseve has said that it will stop buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, and if that happens it will most likely cause rates to increase.

Buy now, and you will probably get a better price on the home you purchase. Accordin to the National Association of Realtors, 30% of markets are already experiencing price increases.  Home prices in the Indianapolis Metropolitan area fell during every month in 2009, except December. In December, we saw something strange, prices went up. Just a little, but still, UP! You know what? The same thing happened in January. And February too. I’m seeing a trend here.

If you would like to discuss your options, give me a call.

Carpenter has partnered with Microsoft to be the ONLY Real Estate company East of the Mississippi to use this new technology company-wide. We are only the SECOND in the United States to use this. You will soon be seeing our TAG IT! program on our flyers, yard signs, business cards, brochures, TV show and pretty much everything Carpenter does.

So what the heck is that thing?? What you see to the left is a tag. We can use tags to direct people to a website, a virtual tour, a video, or to give them our vCard info, or tell their phone to call us! This particular tag will bring you to this blog.

HOW?? All you need to do is go to http://gettag.mobi on your smartphone (this will work on MOST phones, but not all…yet. My friend Michael is still waiting for it to work on his Palm Prē). The site will direct you to download the app. Once you have it loaded and set up on your phone, open the app and point your phone at the tag. Click “Snap” and the phone will take a picture of the tag. Microsoft’s Tag Reader will decode the tag and open up my blog right on your phone, automagically!

Read about our new TAG IT! program on the Indiana Business Journal website: http://www.ibj.com/newstalk/2010/03/02/tag-readers-come-to-real-estate/PARAMS/post/18426

When I list your house, I will create a tag for your home’s virtual tour or website and put it on the Take-One flyers we use, and probably on the yard sign too. The Mircosoft site will allow me to view reports that track how many people click the tag and when. Go ahead and try it out!

Comments? Questions? I want them!! I would also love to hear your crazy, creative ideas on how I can use this!

Hendricks County Jan 10 Stats

Sunday, February 28th from noon-2pm.

Click here for details about 6078 Pine Bluff Drive!

Directions: From 465, follow US 36 WEST through Avon to County Road 625 E (look for the ball fields) Turn SOUTH on 625, follow for about 1.5 miles to Whispering Pines on the Right. Take the first right on LongLeaf, and follow around to home. (Long Leaf turns into Pine Bluff)

Discovery Education's Clip Art Gallery created by Mark A. Hicks, illustrator

Well, last week with all the snow, the kids really enjoyed the snow days they got! Tuesday and Wednesday they were able to sleep in, relax, play outside in the snow, come to my office with me, and play a lot of video games.

The only problem? Those days need to be made up! Avon schools has announced that school will be in session on Friday, April 30 and Thursday, May 27, to make up for the missed days.

http://www.avon.k12.in.us/

Call me for your tour!

Welcome to 6078 Pine Bluff Drive, in Avon, Indiana! This Estridge home is located in Whispering Pines, and is only 3.5 years old. They chose the best lot in the neighborhood to build on, and now it can be yours.

10 Home Features Buyers Want
Home designers and builders speaking at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas say that buyers are seeking cost-effective features and rejecting things that don’t have lasting value.

“It’s all about family togetherness – casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces,” says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio.

Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, identified these must-haves in new homes:

1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable

Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (01/30/2010)