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Indianapolis Open House - December 4, 2011 - 6539 Jarvis Drive

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:18:31 -0800

Indianapolis Open House - December 4, 2011 - 6539 Jarvis Drive - Noon to 2:00pm

YOU'RE INVITED!

Please join us to take a look at this "like new" Franklin Township home for sale in Indianapolis, this Sunday, Dec 4, 2011!

Just Reduced! New Price $105,000. Cute ranch home for sale in Indianapolis w/NEW ROOF in pretty neighborhood. Spotless like new condition, tree lined streets & COMMUNITY POOL set this apart from others on the mkt! Open floor plan features split bdrm layout & 3 WALK-IN closets! Fresh paint, ALL APPLIANCES included-New refrig, dishwasher, washer & dryer! Nice deck is great for entertaining! Just 3 min to Greenwood Co Line Rd/I-65 (Exit 101). Greenwood mall, restaurants, entertainment -- all nearby! Taxes will drop significantly on this Indianapolis home for sale after exemptions are filed.

See you at noon!

For more details, video, maps, visit http://6539JarvisDrive.PerfectPlaceForYou.com

Search Thousands of Indianapolis Homes For Sale!

Have an Indianapolis home to sell? No problem! You may be eligible for our "Sell for Free Program"

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We are passionate about helping our clients improve the quality of their family's lives. We do so much more than just "sell" houses. (read more) With backgrounds in Sales, Technology, and e-pro certified, we use the latest tools to simplify each transaction for our clients and utilize extensive internet exposure to market our listings. Google us or any of our listings!

The Hoagland Group specializes in the following Central Indiana areas: Indianapolis, Greenwood, Center Grove, Whiteland, Franklin, Mooresville, Martinsville, Avon, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Geist, and Plainfield.

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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783 Blue Moon - Homes For Sale Avon IN 46123

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:48:36 -0700

783 Blue Moon - Homes for Sale Avon IN 46123

This lovely home for sale in Avon IN has everything you’re looking for! Front porch & soaring 2 story entry welcome your guests while 9’ ceilings add to the spacious feel throughout the mail level. Formal living room and dining room, yet casual open floor plan. Inviting kitchen features 42” maple cabinets, pantry, center island & breakfast nook just off of the family room. Main flr bonus rm is perfect play area, den or guest rm.

Upstairs you'll find a beautiful Master suite complete with garden tub, double vanity & separate shower plus a loft, laundry room and 3 more large bedrooms. The Loft is perfect for pool table, playroom …. imagine the possibilities! One of the largest lots in Sunchase Woods -- fenced & on a quiet court too! This great Indianapolis Home For Sale has a perfect location near I465, yet popular Avon schools!

Search All Central Indiana Homes For Sale

For more details visit the Official Property Website for 783 Blue Moon Avon IN 46123

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Homes for Sale Franklin Twp - 6539 Jarvis Dr Indianapolis IN 46237

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:23:28 -0700

Homes for Sale Franklin Twp - 6539 Jarvis Dr Indianapolis IN 46237

Cute 3 bdrm, 2 bath ranch home for sale in Indianapolis in pretty Smithfield neighborhood in Franklin Township. Spotless like new condition, tree lined streets & community pool set this apart from other homes for sale in Indianapolis! Open floor plan features split bdrm layout & 3 walk-in closets! Fresh paint, all appliances included -- New refrig, dishwasher, washer & dryer! Nice deck great for entertaining! Just 3 min to Co Line Rd/I-65 (Exit 101). Greenwood mall, restaurants, entertainment -- all nearby! Taxes will drop significantly after exemptions are filed.

SEARCH ALL INDIANAPOLIS AREA HOMES FOR SALE

More details at Official Property Site for 6539 Jarvis Drive Indianapolis IN 46237

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Homes for Sale Franklin IN 46131 - 2213 Somerset Drive - Legends Golf Course Community

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:37:42 -0700

Homes for Sale Franklin IN 46131 - 2213 Somerset Drive - Legends Golf Course

Have you always wanted to live in The Legends golf course low maintenance community? Check out this beautiful custom built home for sale in Franklin IN, on the 18th tee of The Legends! Quality and attention to detail abound -- hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, arched windows, custom lighting, crown molding...and more!

The kitchen’s center island is the hub of the open floor plan and overlooks both the cheery informal dining space and the great room. High end walnut cabinets and solid surface counters add to the luxurious feel of the kitchen. The 4 season sun room offers a stunning view of the Legends Golf Course and opens to 2 separate patio areas. There is also a 2nd private entrance from the master bedroom suite which also looks out over the Legends Golf Course. If you get tired of the view, you can pamper yourself in the master spa complete with walk in shower, double marble vanity and garden tub.

The gorgeous dining room is a very flexible space which would also accommodate a lovely living room or home office, whatever suits your needs. Built in media cabinet and surround sound speakers in the great room make it the perfect place to relax and watch a good movie!

Upstairs boasts a full 2nd bath and two 16 X 17 bedrooms, each with 2 large closets plus a huge walk in attic. Storage space galore here and even more storage in spacious laundry area, plus a handy utility sink and fold down ironing board.

This low maintenance community, with really reasonable HOA fees, handles all of the lawn care and landscaping which means you have time to play a round of golf at the Legends or just relax! This home for sale in Franklin IN is ideally located -- with nearby access to I-65. Easy commute to Greenwood, Indianapolis or Columbus!

For all of the details on this home for sale in Franklin IN, visit http://2213somersetdrive.perfectplaceforyou.com

SEARCH ALL HOMES FOR SALE

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Country Home For Sale in Johnson County -- Bring Your Horses!

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:02:14 -0700

Country Home for Sale in Johnson County -- Bring Your Horses!

Looking for country living in Johnson County – but not too far from shopping and restaurants? Check out this 4 bedroom home for sale on 1 acre!

Homeowners have lovingly cared for this beautiful country home with many extra upgrades like real hardwood flooring in the kitchen & dining area, cathedral ceiling and gas fireplace in great room, marble vanities, raised ceiling in Master Bdrm, ceramic tile entry, six panel doors and more!

Popular open floor plan and kitchen with center island and pantry. New carpet -- roof & gutters new in 2007. Additional heated 24’ X 48’ garage with workshop and air drops – perfect for car enthusiasts, but very versatile space – really nice!

Great Johnson County location on a quiet dead end street with very little traffic and no neighbors for miles behind the property. You can bring your horses too!

Buyers -- Purchase this home with The Hoagland Group and receive a Free Home Inspection ($300 Value).

Do you have a home to sell? No problem. Buy this home and we'll sell yours for FREE! *

Visit: http://879WRusticLane.PerfectPlaceForYou.com for Details on this property AND the Special Promotional Offerings!

*Some limitations apply.

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Home Values in Center Grove Greenwood IN

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:11:06 -0700

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!

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Seeing A House Through The Agent's Eyes

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:58:46 -0700

Great blog post by fellow Kansas City agent. A good agent definitely adds tremendous value when looking at homes. We visit lots and lots of properties. Take advantage of our experience!

Via Maria Morton, Kansas City Real Estate (Prudential Kansas City Realty):

Although most home buyers have figured out that working with a Buyer's Agent is to their advantage, some are not quite sure exactly how seeing homes with an agent benefits them until they visit a few homes with their agent; then the light bulb clicks on.

Your agent sees many more homes than you do so is able to notice things about each house that may escape your attention. Things like drainage, attempts to cover up defects, and quality of workmanship, for example. Many home buyers are not aware of the difference between a regular water heater and a tankless water heater; your agent can explain the value to you.

The buyer sees a well-furnished, well-decorated, charming home. The agent sees an air conditioner older than Moses, cracks in the foundation, gutters that need to be cleaned and a roof nearing the end of its' lifespan.

Home buyers often lack the expertise to imagine future changes to a house. Your agent will also be able to help you envision what can be done to improve the home in the future and how much that work might cost. For instance, you may want to add a screened in porch or a swimming pool; your agent can help you figure out if the house you are considering would be able to accommodate this plan.

The buyer sees a garden shed, dog run and children's swing set all in the same space. The agent helps the buyer realize that all those objects cannot exist in the same space.

Sometimes, the home buyer is focused on the appearance of the home's decor and forgets to consider the condition of the house. Other times, the home buyer is too focused on unimportant details and needs the agent to help them evaluate the whole house in comparison to their other possible choices. The agent brings balance and perspective to your home finding experience.

The buyer is enamored with the bay window and window seat in the family room. The agent points out that the window is 50 years old while the window in the other house is the newer, energy efficient kind and the view is presently obscured by the window treatments which could be easily changed.

Most home buyers today understand the value of having an agent to negotiate and conduct the transaction for them but are unaware of the value of seeing a house through the agent's eyes. How often do I hear the words "Wow, I never thought about that! I'm so glad you're here with me!" ... The Second Showing ...

A good agent will help you evaluate each house so that you make sound decisions based on facts rather than fluff.

Realtor Maria Morton -816-560-3758- Leading Edge Society 2010...♪♫   ....Zillow rating

For Buyers:  How To Buy A House in Kansas City ...

For Sellers:  Choosing The Best Agent When Selling Your Home ...



...*Information obtained from Heartland MLS is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. **This is an eclectic blog combining a little business with pleasure; please consult a licensed professional before making life altering decisions. Maria Morton, Realtor©, SRES is a Kansas City Real Estate Agent licensed in MO & KS and affiliated with Prudential Kansas City Realty 816.410.5499.o Maria Morton Copyright © 2011 *Seeing A House Through The Agent's Eyes*

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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The "Big Six" Home Selling Factors

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:49:00 -0700

We wanted to share a great blog written by a fellow agent. She sells in a different part of the country, but the "Big Six" selling factors are exactly the same if you are selling a home in Indianapolis. -- Steve and Tonda

Via Karen Kruschka - Prince William, Fairfax ,Stafford County VA Real Estate Service (RE/MAX Olympic Realty):

Although they can be stated in different ways there are only six factors that affect the sale of a home.

It is important for you, as the seller, to understand who or what has control over them and how they impact on each other.

You control 3 of the 6

The Market controls 2 of the 6

Your REALTOR® controls 1 of the 6

YOU Control
1. Price - You determine list price for your home. However, a list price above the market for homes similar to yours will impact negatively on buyer interest in making an offer. Your REALTOR® will review price history with you to assist you in making a list price determination.

2. Terms - Buyers have requirements just as sellers do. Your willingness to respect them and be willing to negotiate which terms will be acceptable to both parties can have a very positive impact. Price and Terms will usually be negotiated at the same time.

3. Condition - How well you have maintained the home will influence both your price and length of time to sell. The pool of buyers who are willing to make major repairs is much smaller than the pool of buyers who want a home that has been well maintained.

THE MARKET Controls
4. Timing - Economic conditions operate independently of price, terms and property condition. Similarly, seasons and weather factors can affect the time it takes to sell a home.

5. Competition - The number of homes on the market most certainly bears heavily on your ability to sell your home on a timely basis.

YOUR REALTOR® Controls
6. Promotion - From entry into the Multiple Listing System, to internet marketing and any other programs your agent will have an impact on your home sale.

CONCLUSION
No one of the six factors alone controls the timely sale of your home. Your agent should provide you with

Feedback from prospects who have visited your home

Changes in market conditions

Your willingness or ability to make adjustments in price, terms or condition based on the information provided will be the final determinant as to how quickly your home will sell.

+++++++++++++++++++

My Team has 35 years experience in Woodbridge, Dumfries, Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket Prince William County

”Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS”

If you plan to buy or sell a Woodbridge or other Prince William County home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-690-6569. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

Prince William County

Karen Kruschka's Web Site

Popular Prince William County subdivisions to consider are Eagles Pointe, Wellington, River Falls, Saratoga Hunt, Winding Creek, Lake Ridge, Westridge, Old Bridge Estates, Brittany, Montclair, Ashland, Port Potomac, Potomac Club, Rollingwood Village, Lake Terrapin, Lake Side and Meadowbrook Woods

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Attention Indianapolis Home Buyers! FHA Monthly Mortgage Insurance Increasing on 4/18

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:23:38 -0700

Attention Indianapolis Home Buyers! FHA Monthly Mortgage Insurance Increasing on 4/18

Just a reminder that the FHA monthly mortgage insurance premium is increasing on April 18th. If you are going to use FHA financing and have an Indianapolis area property you're considering purchasing -- don't wait. Getting an address to a lender so they can pull a case number before the 18th will save you money.

If you haven't found the "perfect place" yet -- don't dispair. Yes, your monthly FHA mortgage insurance will be a little higher, but there are other options. You may want to consider saving a little extra so you can put down an additional 1.5% and use Conventional Financing.

New Monthly Mortgage Premiums

90% LTV 95% LTV 97% LTV

FHA 1.10% 1.10% 1.15%

Conv .49% .67% N/A

(FHA minimum down payment is 3.5%, Conventional minimum down payment is 5%)

Give us a call for more details!

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Indianaplis Short Sales -- Are They Good Deals?

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:46:35 -0800

Indianapolis Short Sales -- Are They Good Deals?

Maybe! Many buyers think banks own Indianapolis short sale properties, thus they set the list price. They don't. (For more information on this, read Part 1 in this short sale series -- What is a Indianapolis Short Sale?.) The seller is still the actual homeowner, so it's the seller who actually controls the list price.

But since Short Sale offers are contingent on approval by the
seller's lender, it is the lender who ultimately determines the
sales price which they are willing to accept on a short sale based on their guidelines and a current appraisal. Once this value is determined they will either reject, counter or accept an offer. If accepted, they will issue a short sale acceptance letter to the homeowner along with not only the accepted price but other terms such as the closing date and possibly the requirement that the seller agree to a promisory note to make up some of the difference between the approved sales price and the mortgage balance. The homeowner has the option to accept the terms of this agreement or allow the bank to proceed with foreclosure or deed in lieu.

So the big question is, what price is the bank willing to accept in order to get the deal done and avoid the expense of foreclosure? In a perfect world, there would be published guidelines as to what the "usual" or "normal" amount might be, but unfortunately, the world of short sales is anything but "usual" or "normal".

So you see, it depends on the circumstances of each individual Indianapolis short sale and how motivated and realistic the bank is as to what the true market price is and what they are willing to accept.

And it's not just the price that makes a short sale a "good" or "bad" deal. It's often how the short sale is handled by the listing broker and bank. When working with buyers who are considering purchasing an Indianapolis short sale, we open a dialogue with the listing agent prior to showing a short sale to determine the individual details. Here are some of the variables we want to know about in order to evaluate whether or not a short sale is a "good deal".

1. How many mortgages are on the property? If there is a second, the approval process will be more difficult. A second only receives $3000 from a short sale, so they
often elect not to participate or require the buyer or seller to bring additional funds to closing to make up the difference between the 2nd mortgage balance and the $3000. This is often a deal breaker.

2. Which Banks are involved? Local banks tend to know the local market and can make decisions more quickly. If there are two mortgages it may be easire to get an approval if the same bank owns or services both loans.

3. How many offers will be sent to the bank? Short sale offers are handled differently
depending on the bank and listing agent. For the buyer, the best scenario is to have one primary offer accepted by the seller and sent forward to the bank. The bank may still counter the offer, but at least the buyer doesn't wait for weeks or possibly even months, just to have another offer submitted at the last minute.

4. Homeowner Occupied? Although short sales are usually sold "as is", if the seller is still living in the property (and usually they are) then the condition tends to be less
risky. The utilities are still on, the lawn is mowed, general maintenance is more likely to be taken care of, vs. an empty home which may or may not have been properly winterized, has overgrown landscaping, flooded basement etc.

5. Are there other liens on the property? A title search should be completed when the property is placed on the market, but this isn't always done, and even if it is, the seller may continue to acquire additional liens (Federal Income Tax liens, contractor liens, etc) that may not be discovered until the last minute.

6. Has the homeowner initiated the short sale documentation with the lender? The bank will require the homeowner to submit financial documents supporting their financial hardship. If this has already been intiated, or better yet, completed, then the process will move more quickly. If not, it could be months before the bank responds to an offer.

Basically, there are some great Indianapolis short sale deals out there, but as you can see, there are also risks, they take longer and often there are headaches along the way. But it's precisely these risks and headaches that make the prices more attractive. If it were easy to buy a short sale, everyone would!

An experienced short sale agent helps buyers understand and evaluate the risks. They also explain the differences between short sales and other types of distressed sales, such as Bank Owned properties or HUD's and how each works with the seller's goals and timeframes. After looking at all of the options, weighing the risks and benefits, some buyers will decide the reward is worth the risk, while others will determine that the whole "distressed" sale market isn't for them.

The good news for all buyers is that these distressed sales are forcing non-distressed sellers to lower their prices in order to remain price competitive. So even if you decide a short sale isn't for you, it's often possible to find a beautiful home where the sellers are motivated and have priced below market value. And that's a great deal too!

Contact the Hoagland Group at 317-340-4575 to find out more details on Indianapolis Short Sales, Greenwood IN Short Sales, or other central Indiana Short Sales.

Originally posted on Hoagland Group Active Rain Blog

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Considering Moving up to a New Home in Indianapolis? It's Time to Take the Plunge!

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:48:49 -0700

Considering Moving up to a New Home in Indianapolis? It's Time to Take the Plunge!

It's a fantastic time to consider moving up! In fact we're surprised more people aren't taking advantage of this "perfect storm" for move-up buyers in the Indianapolis area. Here are some things to keep in mind about the current market:

- Homes for sale that are in excellent condition, show really nice and are priced appropriate for the local Indianapolis market are selling

- With interest rates at a record low - many people can buy significantly more house for the same monthly payment as they could, even just a year or two ago, when rates were say 6%.

On a $300,000 mortgage the payment at 4% the monthly P&I is $1432, at 6% that same mortgage is $1799. That's $367 every month for as long as you own the home! If you're planning on staying put for awhile, the savings can be significant.

- It's necessary to price the home you're selling to reflect the current market - but you're also buying at a discounted price and if you're moving up - you win! Anything you lose on the sell side, you more than make up on the buy side.

- The rates are being held artificially low right now, but as soon as the economy and housing market shows signs of recovery, rates will start climbing -- right along with the prices.

- Is new construction an option? If so, builders are offering some fantastic incentives right now.

This short video does a great job of explaining the unique opportunities the current market has for move-up buyers in the Indianapolis real estate market: http://youtu.be/uxOaf8235Rs

Don't be left watching from shore -- the water's great -- take the plunge!

originally posted by The Hoagland Group on Active Rain Blog

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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Cream of the Crop, Bottom Feeder or Somewhere In Between????

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:34:04 -0700

Cream of the Crop, Bottom Feeder or Somewhere In Between?

Why do some houses sell while others seem to forever linger in the sea of inventory? Well, it seems there are several different levels to this sea of inventory in Indianapolis and buyers are either skimming off the cream or diving deep under and feeding on the bottom! -- Everything in between is invisible!

Levels of the Inventory Sea!

Cream of the Crop... Offer the most features, best price, best location, most updates, best finishes, best condition -- You get the idea! They float along the top, waiting for buyers to quickly gobble them up!

Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride... Priced "About Right", consistently in buyers "Top 3", quite a few showings -- but never invited to "the big dance!"

Close, but No Cigar... Somewhat over priced, buyers "like" the home but there are always better options for the same price -- consistent showings

Mr. Cellophane... Looks like all the others on the market -- nothing to set it apart, overpriced, occasional showings -- lingering in the sea of inventory!

Not a Contender... Substantially overpriced, lots of other options at better price, condition, location, etc. --few to no showings -- drowning!

Food for the Bottom Feeders... Priced well below market to reflect condition and circumstances -- Bank Owned (REO), Short Sales, "As Is", HUD's. Lots of activity here -- but different buyers!

The sad part is that seller's lingering in the middle seem to have the opinion that given enough time, they too will rise to the top. It just isn't so! No amount of time will cause a property to float upward. To rise to the top -- a seller must either adjust the price or improve the condition/amenities. As new listings come on the market, the great ones will jump right to the top, ensuring the "stale" listings remain submerged where they will eventually expire without selling!

On the other hand, if an owner must sell, but isn't able to make the adjustments necessary to float to the top, they will begin a steady decent to the bottom where they will eventually end up as a short sale or Bank Owned property.

So what's the big secret? How does a property become the "cream of the crop" in the Indianapolis housing market? Know the competition! -- then either provide "more" for the same priceas the competition (more size, more amenities, etc) OR provide the "same" (size, amenities, location etc) for "less price".

Then, relax... and enjoy the ride!

Originally posted by Steve and Tonda Hoagland on ActiveRain Blog 10/13/2010

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Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:27:03 -0700

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

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Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:07:04 -0700

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.

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Search for Central Indiana Properties or for more Real Estate News, visit PerfectPlaceForYou.com.

Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

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More options for the underwater homeowner: FHA Short Refinance to homeowners

Tonda & Steve Hoagland Greenwood Indiana Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:07:09 -0700

Fellow Active Rain Blogger Anna "Banana" Kruchten shares great information and another option for 'underwater' homeowners.

Via Anna 'Banana' Kruchten, Phoenix Property Shoppe 602-380-4886:

More options for the underwater homeowner: FHA Short Refinance to homeowners

Owe more on your home than it's worth AND you're current on your existing mortgage?

If eligible, you now have additional refinancing options to help keep your home afloat.

It was announced this past Friday, August 6, that homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their home could qualify for Federal Housing Administration’s Short Refinance option.

“Starting September 7, 2010, FHA will offer certain ‘underwater’ non-FHA borrowers who are current on their existing mortgage and whose lenders agree to write off at least ten percent of the unpaid principal balance of the first mortgage the opportunity to qualify for a new FHA-insured mortgage.”

This program is aimed to help FHA’s efforts to stabilize housing markets through offering 3 to 4 million ‘underwater’ homeowners a second chance through the end of 2012.

To be eligible…

The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements & have a credit score equal to or greater than 500.

The homeowner must owe more on his/her mortgage than their home is worth.

The homeowner must be current on his/her existing mortgage. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence.

The borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance, bringing that borrower's combined loan-to-value ratio to no greater than 115%.

The existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75%.

Lenders, want to know if you’re eligible?
Participation is completely voluntary. Read FHA’s mortgagee letter for more information.

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If you're thinking of selling your Phoenix-area home, please give us a call. We're here to help you and make the selling process simple and stress free.

Call us today to request your complimentary market analysis to determine how your home compares to others in your area.

Feel free to contact me by phone 602-380-4886 or Email Anna Banana

You can also visit our website for more information on Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

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The Masters Series

Anna "Banana" Kruchten was recently chosen as one of 12 Masters of Real Estate by the National Association of REALTORS® at realtor.org. ‘Banana’ has a knack for using unique strategies to market her properties, gain new clients & train her agents how to build a successful real estate practice.

Let's Connect!

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Search for Central Indiana Properties or for more Real Estate News, visit PerfectPlaceForYou.com.

Steve Hoagland, Steve@PerfectPlaceForYou.com
Tonda Hoagland, Tonda@PerfectPlaceForYou.com

Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe to Let's Chat Indianapolis! by Email