Realty Insights for Home Buying, Home Selling, and Indy Info

Following is an article from The Indy Star's Homes Section. I was used as a source for the article and wanted to share the article. Closer Inspection: Appraisals, inspections and savvy homebuyers by Shari Held for Custom Publications A lot needs to be done in the time between making an offer on a house and closing on it. "Everything moves very quickly once an offer is made," said Diane Brooks, a Realtor with F.C. Tucker's Suburban North office. "The title work is ordered, the buyer applies for a loan and the home is inspected all within two weeks after the offer is accepted." The home appraisal and inspection both are integral aspects of the homebuying process. In simplest terms, the appraisal assigns a dollar value to the home, and the inspection details the home's condition. Under the microscope Home inspections aren't required by law in Indiana, but Brooks said that having one is money well spent. "If there are any major defec...

With the first full day of spring upon us, it's time to think about spring cleaning! Regular cleaning and home maintenance can help homeowners avoid costly repairs in the future. Here is a checklist to help you get started with your spring cleaning and maintenance projects: Weed, trim shrubs and trees, and clear any overgrowth from flower beds, sidewalks and driveways. Lay down mulch to create a clean and well-kept look for all your landscaping. Mulch is also a great way to keep weeds down and is easy to maintain. Check your exterior walls, windows and foundation for possible moisture leaks. Look for mold or other signs of water damage and repair immediately. Powerwash your home's exterior if it's vinyl siding or brick, or apply a fresh coat of paint to wood siding. Clean out gutters and clear any debris from the roof. Double check downspouts. If your lawn is patchy, try a seed and fertilizer combination made specifically for filling in patchy grass areas. Change furnace ...

The F.C. Tucker Company's president of Residential Real Estate Services Division, Jim Litten , has made his predictions for 2007: "While increased inventory was a challenge in 2006, the last few months of the year showed signs of the market beginning to balance. I expect that trend to continue into 2007. With a more favorable market for sellers, home sales will likely keep pace with 2006. Trends in home production are another positive sign for market balance in 2007. Home builders in 2006 realized that there were simply too many homes on the market and thus began to cut back on new builds. Interest rates throughout 2006 stayed historically low. The Federal Reserve is likely to continue holding interest rates steady in the first two quarters of 2007. The most encouraging economic indicator heading into 2007 is employment. Unemployment rates continue to be low and wages are up. The overall home ownership trend will certainly be a boost to the local housing market in 2007. Home ...