Ever think about moving to the Lake?

Have you ever pondered what it would be like to live on a lake? 

Well,  I did several years ago and made the move to Morse Reservoir.  Best move ever.  There truly isn't anything like it.  It's also a solid investment as the demand will always be high in Central Indiana while the supply is typically very low, thus driving up the prices. 

There are several options available in Central Indiana and I explored them all myself and work with clients regularly pondering and/ or choosing the lake lifestyle.  It truly changes the way you live and look at life. 

It's true that BOAT does mean...Bring Out Another Thousand and that the dock prices are much higher than you would ever guess if you aren't a laker.  I would argue that the positives totally out-way the negatives associated with cost.  Just be ready to pay to play.

  Ask me about my experiences.  I'm happy to talk lake frontage, coves vs. main body, water depth, fishing, surfing, skiing, wake-boarding, boats, docks and whatever other questions you may have.  Again, I've lived through it and developed a large network of boaters and/or lake homeowners.  Don't hesitate to reach out. 

Life is good at the lake!

John Long
Coldwell Banker Kaiser Real Estate
(317) 750-9698
john.long@coldwellbanker.com
IndyHomeNow.com

First Time Buyers - What to Bring to Closing Video!!

Here's a great video that was sent to me by a local title company that explains simply what is needed for your closing.  Don't hesitate to reach out to me for questions anytime.

Hamilton County Referendum's being passed for School's

Today I received the survey below from the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors (MIBOR) asking what we thought about the following:

On November 6, 2018, voters in Noblesville will be asked to consider a referendum for Noblesville Schools for a proposed annual rate of 37 cents of every $100 of a home or business’s net assessed value. The proposal is being made to fund mental health staff and initiatives, safety staff and equipment (53%) and retaining and recruiting high quality teachers and staff (47%).

We would appreciate your time to answer the brief survey below.

In my opinion, the government and schools are taking the easy way out and aren't working hard enough to keep within their current budgets.  They need to be more financially responsible and stop the wasteful spending on school projects. Stop passing referendum's every time a tragedy or event occurs.  They are using our kids and teachers to get more money from the tax payers.  This is the "easy way out" to say we will increase staff, security, or the number of teachers.  What if they actually stopped spending so much money on the high-end finish level of these schools (ie: carpeting, or gymnasiums, sports facilities, etc). 

I'm all for sports and having nice schools, but there is too much wasteful spending in my opinion at all governmental levels and it has an impact on the local economy when you start charging homeowners extra for taxes.  It's also reduces the amount of rental properties that can be purchased by investors that aren't paying cash.  For example:  Right now my homeowners with mortgages on their primary residence pay approximately 1% before any referendums.  My investors will pay approximately 2% of assessed value per year and commercial investors 3%.

To reduce it down to the ridiculous let's take a $200k rental property.  My homeowners would pay $2,000 and my investors would pay $4,000 per month.  When you divide $4,000 per month that is $333.33 per month that goes straight to taxes.  Add in the insurance costs of $90 per month and typical HOA fee's in many neighborhoods of $50 per month and the investor will need $473 per month just to break even if the home was paid for in cash.  

When the government passes an additional referendum of .37 cents on every $100 that will increase it another $740 per year or $62 per month. That takes the investor costs up to $535 per month.  

If you don't care about the investor, I hope you are a homeowner because if you are a tenant, they are raising your rent by that much just to break even.  When they raise their rent it increases rent for the entire market.  So your $1,500 per month rent now is $1,562 per month.  For many tenants that means an increase in work hours, which then can decrease quality of life and/or possibly increase cost of child care for the worker. 

So next time someone say's, you are being insensitive by not passing this referendum because schools are doing it for the kids or the teachers (who I do believe are underpaid by the way), just respond by saying....."These items need to be done and paid for, but by being more financially responsible at the school and governmental level, not by increasing my property tax dollars that will have a negative impact on everything I do." 

Referendums = higher taxes

Referendums = higher rent

Referendums = negative impact on local economy

Referendums = people go live where it costs less

*This is real news!

Need to sell a home in Sunblest in Fishers???? Call John Long @ Coldwell Banker Fast!

Take a Drone Tour of a New Listing of mine on the South Side of Indy!!!

NEW LISTING AVAILABLE FOR QUICK MOVE-IN LOCATED IN FISHERS - FOUR BEDROOM RANCH HOME

Amazing opportunity for sale in Fishers and available for quick move-in! Four Bedroom Ranch with fenced backyard, open floor plan, vaulted great room ceilings, remodeled interior, updated kitchen with newer appliances, laminate flooring throughout, freshly painted interior & trim. Brand new items include: AC unit, kitchen countertops by Countertop Connections, Whirlpool oven, glass shower door, lighting fixtures, door hardware, refinished deck, plumbing fixtures, ceiling fan and more. This will not last long!

Contact the Indy Home Now Real Estate Team today to schedule a showing!!!

*Selling Homes in Fishers and Hamilton County!

Open House 7582 Pinesprings E Dr., Indianapolis, IN - Sunday, June 4th 3-5PM

7582 Pinesprings Dr. Open House Sunday, June 4th 3-5pm!

Noblesville home for sale by John Long

New Listing in Westfield with 4 bedrooms plus loft and private yard for just $209,900!

New Listing in Noblesville for $234,900 with over 2,500 sq ft. & 4 Bedrooms.

File Your Homestead and Mortgage Exemptions for New Homes Purchased in Central Indiana.

If you purchased a property this year in Central Indiana, make sure to file your exemptions (homestead and mortgage if applicable) before the end of the year. If you aren't sure what they are, please feel free to contact me. I want to make sure all my friends, family and past clients are not paying too much in property taxes.

Typically you will bring your entire packet from closing. Usually the auditor will ask for the closing statement from your packet. Often your title company will file the homestead exemption, but don't rely on it. Make sure to call or go online at your county's website and file your exemptions before the end of the year!

A home with a mortgage and homestead exemption could typically pay 1% of the assessed value towards property taxes. A home without these exemptions could pay as much as 2%. Example: $300k home would be $3,000 with both exemptions or $6,000 per year without these exemptions in taxes. This is very important. Keep in mind this is a general reminder for those in many different areas so terms and conditions could vary per City, Town or County.

*Many of my clients have purchased new construction or existing homes this year in areas such as Noblesville, Fishers, Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, Avon, Plainfield, Brownsburg, Indianapolis, Cicero, Middletown, McCordsville, Greenfield, Fortville, Greenwood and other Indianapolis Metropolitan Areas. I want to make sure they file their exemptions if applicable. I am not an expert in taxes or accounting, but I do want to educate my customers as a real estate professional or at least give them a reference to find additional information on the importance of filing exemptions. There are additional exemptions available. Call, email or go online with your local auditor and ask for more information.

Considering listing your home in Fishers or anywhere in Hamilton County? Contact John Long, Managing Broker at Coldwell Banker Kaiser. I specialize in selling properties like the home below that was a listing in Fishers. We start with a listing consultation. The consultation consists of approximatel 45 minutes. During the listing meeting we will discuss your unique selling points of your home, any needed staging advice, needed repairs, furniture movement, placement, signage, marketing technology, photography, photo editing, and socia media campaigns specific to your property, the estimated timeframe that it will take to sell your home. When it comes time to sell your home, you need to work with someone who has your best interests at heart. Contact John Long with Coldwell Banker Kaiser at (317) 750-9698 or email at john.long@coldwellbanker.com. If you like what you see below, I can do this on your home as well. From the photography being completed it takes me just 48 hours to get your home listed on the BLC, third party websites and all marketing aspects coordinated and completed. It's a process and a system that comes together regularly. Just be ready to get it sold quickly!!!

Home pending in Harrison Woods in Fishers

Home in Sunblest Farms in Fishers listed and pended in same day

Fawnsbrook Woods home sold and closed today

Another beautiful home in Fishers closed. Congrats to my awesome sellers in Fawnsbrook Woods. I'm ready to bring on more Fishers listings. 

9958 Mirafield Lane in Highland Springs is pending!!!

Congratulations to my sellers. This house in Highland Springs near Geist Reservoir is pending.

HUGE PRICE REDUCTION ON GEIST HOME at 9958 Mirafield Lane to just $399,950.

New improvements were just made to this listing along with one of the largest price reductions I have ever made in real estate.  This home is a very solid value.

Exquisite custom built home! This meticulously maintained home is located in close prximty to Geist, just mins frm Hamilton Town Center on a quiet cul-de-sac homesite over 1 acre. It features a 2story fam rm w/ double sided frplce, updated kitchen w/ SS appliances, spacious sunrm, lrg Master Suite w/ Walk-in Shwr, 9' ceilings, Jack&Jill bath, deck&patio for entertaining, over-sized 3car garage, large drvwy, bsmnt amenities include bar, egress wndws& 1/2 bath. This home will not last long!

Take a 3D Tour of my new listing in Fishers - Master Suite on the Main Level, 4 Beds, Sunroom, over 1/2 acre For Sale!!!

8311 E. 131st St., Fishers - New Listing in Fawnsbrook Woods - Watch it being built in 1991

Want to see one of my newest listings being built in 1991. Check out this video from the current homeowner of lot #3, in Fawnsbrook Woods.