Let's Chat Indianapolis!: Indiana: Greenwood

Find Home Values in Center Grove - Greenwood IN.

Find out what your neighbors homes are selling for or check out the price in any Greenwood neighborhood.  Updated reports will be emailed to you every 4 weeks!

Help!  I Think I Might Be Ready to Buy a House! -- What's the First Step?

So you've either recently decided to purchase a home in Greenwood -- or are at least considering the possibility.  You'll be joining the ranks of hundreds of families who realize that home ownership offers a number of benefits including building equity, saving for the future, and creating a welcoming environment for your family. But where do you begin?

Are you checking out Open Houses and searching for homes on-line?  Are you wondering how this whole process works?  What's the first step?  When do you actually start looking at homes?  Maybe you're driving through Greenwood neighborhoods trying to find the right location.  Are you reading blogs to find answers?  Maybe you've found a home you love on-line but wonder how you go about taking a look inside.  What's a pre-approval and how do you get one?  How long does it take to find a house, close and move in? 

Sound familiar? The thought of buying a home may seem a bit overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be!  The first step is to find an agent who will sit down with you, answer your questions and put together a plan based on your needs and time frame.  Then when you're ready to begin looking at homes, your agent becomes your "go to" contact.  You don't need to call every listing agent to schedule a showing, -- YOUR agent does that for you!  So how much does it cost to "hire" a buyer agent?  That's the best part -- nothing !  -- In central Indiana, the seller pays both the listing and buyer agent's fees.     

But even more importantly, when you're working with a buyer agent, they will be representing you, not a seller.  They won't be striving to "sell" you one particular house, but instead, working to find the "perfect place for you"!  Plus, it's just more convenient to work with one person throughout the transaction.  You will begin to build a relationship with your agent.  I know that after showing several homes, we begin to get a true understanding of what our buyers are looking for -- what neighborhoods, types of houses and features are important.  Then when something new comes on the market that looks like a good fit, we're quick to give them a call!

Here are some examples of what The Hoagland Group does when representing a buyer:

• Meet with you prior to looking at properties to answer your questions and ensure you are comfortable with the process.  Often we meet for a "coffee chat" (or dessert, if you're not a coffee drinker!) just to get acquainted.
• Give you a Buyer Handbook to Home Ownership for future reference.
• Review a transaction time line -- when do things happen? 
• Go over a Purchase Agreement, so you will know what to expect when you find your dream home.
• Explain how Indiana "in arrears" property taxes work
• Share what a pre-approval is and why it's important
• Introduce you to a great lender who will help you with the financing aspect of your purchase.
• Help you evaluate different financing options to ensure the perfect fit for your financial situation.
• Provide an estimate of your closing costs.
• Put together a realistic "wish list", location and price range for your home search.
• Discuss the pros and cons of new construction vs existing homes
• Introduce you to great builders if you decide to consider new construction
• Get you started on a custom home search - you can register to save searches and receive email or RSS feeds daily. 
• Visit properties together at your convenience - that includes any home for sale, even New Construction and those For Sale By Owner.
• Assist you in evaluating houses and neighborhoods -- which areas have the best re-sale? 
• Help you determine the right price and write an offer when you find the "Perfect Place for You"! 
• Represent you through the negotiating process
• Provide a custom checklist with all of the buyer "to do's" for each transaction and check in periodically to see how things are going and offer assistance as needed
• Introduce you to excellent Home Inspectors and coordinate scheduling as necessary
• Write a Buyer Response to Inspection and be your advocate ensuring all necessary repairs to the property are completed prior to closing.
• Follow up with appraisers as needed
• Provide your lender with all requested documents
• Recommend a Home Owners Insurance Agent if needed
• Assist with information and timing to transfer the utilities
• Review the HUD Settlement Statement with you prior to closing
  
• Attend your closing -- we call it the "Celebration Table"!
• Follow up to ensure the possession of the property goes smoothly and everything is as expected

Having a great agent as your advocate from beginning to end makes all the difference!

Originally posted by Steve and Tonda Hoagland on the Hoagland Team Active Rain Blog

The Trails at Woodfield in Greenwood IN - presented by The Hoagland Group

Welcome to The Trails at Woodfield!  This is a lovely Greenwood neighborhood comprised of newer homes originally introduced by Davis Homes. Westport Homes is currently finishing out the neighborhood.  New Construction base prices range from $140,900 to $182,900.  Prices of recent existing home sales range from $171,000 to $258,000.

Amenities include:  pool, pool house, basketball court, playground, sand volleyball, and several ponds.

Township:  White River - Center Grove Schools

The Trails at Woodfields is part of a Planned Development which also includes The Chateaux at Woodfield, an area of custom and semi custom homes by several different Greenwood builders, including Brizendine and Princeton Homes.  Beazer has also entered the development in an area called Tuscany Village.

Conveniently located between SR 135 and US 31, near restaurants, shopping and only minutes from the Greenwood Mall and I-65.

View Larger Map

Click the scrolling pictures above to check out homes for sale in The Trails at Woodfield and the surrounding area.

Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible???? 

We frequently hear this question as we're working with buyers to find the "perfect place" in Indianapolis.  Of course we aren't tax accountants (thank goodness!), and therefore not allowed to provide tax advice.  But we can refer our clients to great resources where they can find the answers to these questions.

According to the IRS website, Loan Points and Origination fees are tax deductible, and PMI may also qualify.   Visit this IRS website for the details.  It is actually amazingly easy to understand and an excellent resource.  We also recommend you talk to a tax accountant to see how this applies to your individual circumstances. 

Thank you Lenn Harley for reminding us about this in your recent post Is The Origination "Point" Deductible?? Yes the IRS Says So".  Of course, we also caution everyone to read the IRS site carefully, because as Lenn so aptly put it "The Devil is in the Details".  We couldn't agree more!

Originally posted by Steve and Tonda Hoagland on their Active Rain Blog, www.IndyChats.com

Guaranteed Buyouts Cost Sellers $$$$

One of our former clients in sent us an email today.  They are considering building a new home in Indianapolis and want to find a Realtor or builder who is willing to offer a Guaranteed Buy Out.  Are we interested?  Here was our response.....

We have never taken on a Guaranteed Buyout because we don’t feel it is in the best interests of our clients.  In essence, to provide a GBO we would have to hedge the risk of selling your home.  To do that we would have to offer less as a GBO price than the current market value.  For instance:  We might offer you 80% of your list price for your home if it doesn't sell within a particular time frame.

We have met with some of the best builders around Indianapolis.  Most of them are also hesitant to do a GBO, even if the “new” home is significantly higher priced.  There is a substantial amount of risk involved – particularly in the current real estate marketplace. 

Understandably, the idea of a GBO is very appealing to a seller– mostly because you won’t end up owning 2 homes at the same time at some point in the future.  However there is a cost to that reduced risk.   

In our experience the best way to reduce your cost and maximize your return is to hire a great agent and sell the home out right.  The housing market is very much like the financial market – it is very efficient and if it seems like too good of a deal it probably is.  If a builder is offering a GBO, the dollars are “still in there” – they just move to a different column on the spreadsheet.  A GBO requires a builder to assume the risk of selling your property.  Because the market is efficient they have one of two options:

1.  Offer you less than market value as a GBO price.
2.  Offer you market value, but add the “risk value” to the purchase price of the new home.

Either way there is a cost to you if the home doesn't sell in the designated time. 

You have several different options. 

 Aggressively market your home with an experienced agent, sell your home at a price you are comfortable accepting, then contract with a builder at the very best price you can negotiate. (May require a double move.

Accept a guaranteed buyout price that is significantly below market price, but know you won't own 2 homes at the same time. (From either a builder or broker who is willing to provide a GBO.)

Accept an inflated guaranteed buyout price from a builder and wonder how much just got added to the price of the new home.

We firmly believe that in order to get the best price on your new construction home in Indianapolis, you should negotiate the price independent of any discussion of a guaranteed buyout from a builder.  It's the same principle as negotiating a price on a new car without a trade in!  That way you can know for certain the true cost of your home and compare builders more accurately.  For the most part, our experience has shown that Guaranteed Buyouts Cost Sellers $$$.  Unless you happen to come across a broker or builder that doesn't know the market or is willing to agree to a buyout at market price.  In that case... they will usually end up keeping the home on the market for months after the buyout, accruing steep holding costs, leasing or selling at a significant loss.  In which case the GBO costs them $$$$ and you, the seller WIN!

Homes for Sale In Greenwood IN 46143  - offered for sale by The Hoagland Group - 1368 Tuscany Dr

• 2,424 sq. ft., 3 1/2 bath, 4 bdrm single story "with 1 bdrm up" - $229,900 - Former Model Home!

Tuscany Village, Greenwood  -  Top of the line finishes and every available upgrade are found throughout this open and spacious 4 BR, 3 ½ bath, 2420 sq ft former model home. The gourmet kitchen is a wonderful entertaining space featuring hardwood floors, double oven, center island, stainless appliances and corian countertops.

Other amenities include a home office, gas fireplace, open floor plan, cathedral or 9' ceilings, decorative columns, walk-in closets, pantry, ceramic floors, arched doorways, security system, master bedroom on main level, jack n jill bath, custom window treatments, built in speakers, irrigation system, patio - with pergola, 2 1/2 car garage and Center Grove schools!

Great location, only minutes from the Greenwood Mall and restaurants. Easy access to I-65 or Meridian Steet (less than 30 minutes to downtown Indianapolis) Premier lot backs up to community common area and playground.  Contact Steve or Tonda Hoagland to schedule a showing!

See More Property Details, Google Maps, Virtual Tour, etc for 1368 Tuscany Drive, Greenwood IN  46143.

Homes for sale in Greenwood IN - The Hoagland Group just listed 615 San Ricardo Ct in Center Grove

The Villas, Greenwood  -  A lovely updated kitchen will make you glad to call this 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in Center Grove “home”! Enjoy time with friends around the fireplace in the great room, or on the multi level deck in the huge nearly 1/2 acre backyard. Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac this home is convenient to entertainment and shopping - the Greenwood Mall is only 5 minutes away - and has very affordable property taxes. Newer roof & windows, ceramic tile floors, cathedral ceiling, security system, mini-barn, storage barn, and playset – this home has it all! Center Grove schools too!

Click here for more details, virtual tours, google maps, etc.on 615 San Ricardo Ct, Greenwood IN

Originally posted by Steve and Tonda Hoagland at www.Indychats.com on 6/29/2010

The Hoagland Group just SOLD 999 Silver Hill Lane, Greenwood, IN  46142

Beautiful home in the popular Center Grove neighborhood of Silver Springs.

If you happen to live in Silver Springs, stop by and say "hi" to the Jansing family!

 This one is sold, but there are may other lovely Center Grove Properties still available.  Click on the slide show below to see additional options.

!

Originally posted by Steve and Tonda Hoagland on Active Rain Blog, Indychats.com

Homes for Sale in Greenwood IN - SOLD by The Hoagland Group - 577 Macy Way in Pebble Hills

This charming Center Grove home in Pebble Hills was listed for $175,900 and sold in 21 days for $167,500.  The welcoming great room was the center of this lovely home & featureed a soaring cathedral ceiling & cozy fireplace, while the adjoining breakfast room & kitchen led out to an incredible half acre yard with mature trees, lush landscaping, basketball court & mini barn.   The large patio was a wonderful outdoor living space for relaxing, watching the kids & pets play, or entertaining friends and family.  There was a the versatile living room area which could be used to accommodate a busy family’s needs – dining room, home office, playroom, etc.  Great location -- popular Center Grove Schools and only 20 minutes to downtown Indianapolis.

Find other similar homes for sale in Center Grove by clicking on the scrolling properties below.

Originally posted by The Hoagland Group on Active Rain Blog at www.IndyChats.com

Homes for Sale in Greenwood IN -- 4729 Hickory Wood Row -- Hickory Stick  

    

• 4,211 sq. ft., 4 bath, 4 bdrm single story "Plus large finished basement" - $399,900 - Beautiful Home!

Homes for Sale in Greenwood IN -  Quality craftsmanship & attention to detail abound in this beautiful home built by Cary McNeal, 2003 Johnson County Builder of the year! Dramatic entry, decorative stone sidewalk & arched windows welcome your guests!

Open floor plan is fantastic for families or entertaining. The formal dining with hardwood floors accommodates a huge table so there's room for large dinner parties or family gatherings and it's open to the spacious great room with soaring ceilings and built in bookshelves.

An extra wide open stairway leads down to the entertaining area in the spacious finished basement which features a wet bar , 2nd fireplace, 4th bedroom with daylight window, bonus room (great exercise area), full bath, den with built in cabinets and large unfinished area for extra storage.

Inviting Master Suite features a whirlpool tub surrounded by a glass block window, raised double marble vanity, separate shower, plus a huge walk in closet sure to be the envy of your friends! There is also a private entrance leading to the cedar deck.

Lovely kitchen features granite counters, tile floors, Amish cabinetry, breakfast bar & built in china cabinet in large informal dining area surrounded by windows which look out over the pretty back yard.

Other amenities included, poplar woodwork, irrigation system, lighted crawl space, security alarm, wood shelf storage systems in closets, transom windows, abundant storage & 4 car garage.

All located in a quiet golf community with a neighborhood pool for everyone to enjoy!

 Property information