Searching for Noblesville Indiana homes? Don’t miss this one! Well maintained 3 bed/2 full bath ranch with finished partial basement and tons of storage!  Large great room or livingroom/dining room combo with cathedral ceilings and fireplace.  Huge master bath with soaking tub, separate shower and double sinks.  New paver patio and fully fenced back yard– all on a quiet cul-de-sac lot.  Just minutes from Morse Reservoir boat launch, park & beach! 

20008 Tahoe Circle
Noblesville IN 46062
3 bedroom, 2 bath
1873 square feet
$145,000

For information on Noblesville IN homes for sale and Hamilton County real estate contact:
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com

If the start of the new year has you looking around your house and wondering, Where did I get all this stuff, and WHY?, it might be time to add PURGING to your 2010 resolutions. While that might sound like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. Just follow these simple steps and your Indianapolis real estate will be a zen-like retreat in no time!

• Set the bar low. Don’t try to tackle your entire house at once. Chances are the only thing you’ll achieve is frustration. Pick a room (your favorite, the one that needs the least help, the smallest room in your house, whatever…) and give it the once over, getting rid of anything that’s obviously unnecessary. Once that’s done, dig deeper, opening drawers and closets for a more thorough purging. Three times around a room should ensure that you’ve done all you can! Uncertain about whether you should actually get rid of something, apply the following standard….
• Haven’t used it? Lose it. If you haven’t picked it up, worn it, or even looked at it in six months or longer ask yourself what the odds are that you ever will. Better yet, don’t even ask. Just get rid of it. Having trouble letting go? Try this…
• A little help from friends. One good and trusted friend is really all you need. While they’ll understand what’s important to you, they’ll also have a more impartial, rational view of your “treasures.” And speaking of treasures, remember that….
• One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Unless, of course, it really is just trash, in which case you should send it directly to the dumpster. Consider donating anything that’s in good and working condition. Sure, you could save it for a yard sale, but is the hassle really worth the $2 you’ll get for your $50 lamp? NO! Donating can be a good tax write off, and it you’ll feel good knowing your stuff is benefiting someone else. Many charitable organizations such as AmVets, Goodwill and Second Starts will even pick up your donated items! How easy is that? There’s only one thing left to do…
• Just say NO!  Unless you correct your bad habits and stop bringing more things into your home than you need, all your hard work will be for naught. Adopt a strict Do Not Enter policy. If you can’t immediately think of a place to put an object, a legitimate need for an item of clothing or a reason to replace a gadget, leave it at the store. Your bank account and your home will be happier for it!
   
  For information on Indianapolis real estate, contact your Indianapolis REALTOR:
   
  Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
  Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
  317.840.7555
  Pat@HaddadTeam.com
   
  Indianapolis homes for sale!

In what appears to be some welcome good news for the Indianapolis housing market, units sold and units pended (both increased by 16 percent in the three months ending in November 2009 compared to the same time period for 2008, according to data released by the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTOR®s.  Average sales price and median sales price also both showed an increase compared to 2008.
                                                                3 month period ending November 30
                                                                2008                       2009                       Percent change
Units Sold                                            5845                       6807                       16%
Units pended                                     5388                       6241                         16%
New listings                                       10,829                   10,317                      -5%
Average sales price                        $136,640               $139,652                 2%
Median sales price                         $112,000               $116,000                 4%

The Haddad Team is hosting some great open houses this weekend in Noblesville Indiana! 1141 North Street and18538 Piers End Drive will both be open Sunday, Dec. 20 from 1-3 pm. You’ll love the North Street location–it’s within walking distance of historic downtown Noblesville! If you’re looking for maintenance-free living without sacrificing space, you’ll want to check out Piers End Drive!

Contact your Indianapolis REALTOR for more information on Noblesville IN Real Estate and Noblesville Indiana homes for sale!

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com
Indianapolis homes for sale and Indianapolis real estate!

Baby it’s cold outside, and for many of the animals at the Indianapolis Zoo, that’s just the way they like it! The winter months may not seem optimal for a zoo visit, but for some of the cold weather creatures, including polar bears, sea lions and walruses, it’s their favorite time of year and the best time to see them in action!

And if the thrill of watching seals cavort through the water isn’t enough to lure you outside, consider that there are plenty of other exciting events going on during Christmas at the Zoo. Santa’s Village, carolers, Holiday Train rides and the Holiday Dolphin Show are just a sample of the fun that’s in store for zoo visitors!

If you need to warm up for a few minutes, take in The Polar Express 4D Experience, a simulated adventure based on the award-winning children’s book, or stroll through Woodland Wonderland at the White River Gardens, Hilbert Conservatory, where you’ll revel in nature’s holiday decorations and wildlife. Get there before Dec. 23 and you’ll even meet some real reindeer!

For zoo hours and admission visit www.indianapoliszoo.com.

For information on Indianapolis homes for sale and Hamilton County real estate contact your Indianapolis REALTOR:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com
Visit our Haddad Team site for more on Indianapolis and Hamilton County!

Just one mile east of downtown is one of Indianapolis’ oldest and most beautiful suburbs, Woodruff Place. Developed in the 1870s by James Orton Woodruff, the community has been listed on The National Register of Historic Places since July 31, 1972.  Below is what is written on the plaque outside of Woodruff Place:
 
Conceived by James Orton Woodruff, prominent citizen and industrialist, platted in 1872, as a residence park, this 77 acre landscaped enclave long existed as an incorporated town completely surrounded by the larger city. The district was finally annexed by the city of Indianapolis in 1962. Two hundred and forty dwellings of predominantly neo-Jacobean and Eastlake styles are aligned on three prominent esplanade drives adorned with handsome urns, fountains and statuary. The area was officially listed on The National Register of Historic Places July 31, 1972. Presented in the Bicentennial year of 1976 by Betsy Toy Hall in memory of her mother, Rose M. Toy and father, John H. Toy devoted residents of Woodruff Place for over 50 years.
 
For information on Indianapolis homes for sale contact your Indianapolis REALTOR®:
 
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com
 
Visit our Web site for Indianapolis real estate and Hamilton County real estate

Charming ranch home, located near Geist real estate in Lawrence Township. This delightful home sits on .74 acres with mature trees complete with shed and a fully fenced yard. Original hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, wood beams, large stone fireplace, sunroom and large 25×25 family room. House is in move-in condition and priced to sell. Easy show!
 

For more information on Indianapolis homes for sale and Indianapolis real estate, contact your Indianapolis REALTOR:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com

What’s up with all the trash Hamilton County? Lately, each time I drive up S R 37 between Fishers and Noblesville, I find myself hoping that none of the publications which continue to bestow honors on these towns are actually in town. Because if they stopped by right now to take a look or conduct a ranking, what they’d see is… trash. And a whole lot of it.
 
The roadside and median are covered with bottles, cans, plastic bags, even what appears to be an entire bag of concrete mix. Is this the image we want to present to the rest of the country? Is this the image that’s going to allow us to continue receiving the national recognition of which residents are so proud? Doubtful.
 
I understand that some debris is unavoidable, especially during the winter months when the wind might blow around the contents of a trash can or dumpster. But how much of what’s on the ground is the result of good, old-fashioned littering? I’m guessing a lot.
 
A quick call to the Indiana Department of Transportation confirmed that clean-up teams periodically collect trash along the state roads. How often that happens couldn’t be confirmed, but the nice woman did tell me they’d send someone out to assess the situation. I’m thinking that budget cuts probably mean litter collection is on a back burner, and we shouldn’t depend on someone else to clean up our mess anyway.
 
We might have great schools, reasonably priced housing and lots of shopping and recreational venues, but if our roadsides look like those of a Third World country we have to expect that when the next edition of Money magazine’s Best Places to Live is released, we won’t be on it.
 
A fast food bag tossed out the window here and soda can dropped there might not seem like a big deal, but it all adds up. And the result isn’t pretty.
 
For information on Hamilton County real estate and Hamilton County homes for sale, contact your Hamilton County real estate expert:
 
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com
 
Visit our Web site for Indianapolis homes for sale!

Savvy Indianapolis home buyers and sellers alike should know basic real estate lingo. If you’re preparing to buy Indianapolis real estate or have an Indianapolis home for sale, brushing up on the following terms can help you understand exactly what you’re getting into. Vocab quiz to follow!

Adjustable Rate Mortgage

A mortgage that allows the lender to periodically adjust the interest rate of the loan. The adjustments are generally based on changes in a specified index.

Agent

A professional who is trained and licensed to conduct Indianapolis real estate transactions.

Appraisal

A written estimate of the quality or value of your property based on sales of comparable homes in the area.

Closing costs

Expenses separate from the price of the property that buyers and sellers should expect to incur during a real estate transaction. These include a loan origination fee, title examination and insurance, survey, attorney’s fee, and prepaid items such as escrow deposits for taxes and insurance.

Commission

The payment your real estate agent receives for his or her services. Commission is usually a pre-agreed upon percentage of the selling price of the property to be paid by the seller.

Comparables

Comparables are recently sold properties similar to the property you are selling in terms of size, location and features. Comparables are used to help the appraiser determine the value of your property.

Delinquency

The failure to make a mortgage payment when it is due. Loan payments more than 30 overdue are likely to be reported to a credit bureau.

Down payment

A cash payment made toward the purchase price of a property. The amount of down payment varies according to the type of loan used and how much cash a buyer is willing to invest in a property.

Earnest money

A deposit submitted with a purchase offer to show that your offer is serious. Earnest money is generally forfeited if you decide not to complete the purchase, and is applied to the purchase price if the sale is closed.

Escrow Account

An account set up through your lender to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance and other services. The amount you pay into escrow each month is beyond what would be required if you were only paying principal and interest on a loan.

Fixed-rate mortgage

A mortgage in which the interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan.

Home Inspection

An examination of the construction, condition and internal systems of a home prior to purchase; a satisfactory home inspection may be a condition of purchase.

Homeowner’s warranty

Insurance that covers certain home repairs, appliances and fixtures for a specified amount of time. The buyer can request this coverage as a condition of the sale.

Loan origination fee

A fee charged to the borrower by the lender to pay for the administrative costs of processing a mortgage loan. The fee is usually figured as a percentage of the loan amount.

Lock-in

An agreement in which the lender guarantees a specified interest rate for a certain amount of time at a certain cost.
Principal, Interest, Taxes and Insurance (PITI)

These four components comprise a monthly mortgage payment. Principal is the part of the monthly payment that reduces the remaining balance of the mortgage. Interest is the fee charged for borrowing money. Taxes and insurance refer to the amounts that are paid into an escrow account each month for property taxes and mortgage and hazard insurance. The combined sums make up your total monthly payment.

REALTOR®

A real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and is bound to abide by the organization’s strict code of ethics.

Short Sale

A property sale in which the lender agrees to take a pay off that is less than what the seller owes on the mortgage. A short sale is generally initiated as a way to avoid foreclosure. More information on Indianapolis short sales.

Walk Through

The buyer’s final examination of the property being purchased; generally held at a specified time immediately before the closing.

For more information on Indianapolis real estate contact your Indianapolis real estate expert:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com
Visit our Web site for Indianapolis homes for sale and Hamilton County real estate!

The town of Fishers Indiana garnered yet another accolade last week when Business Weekly named it the best place in Indiana to raise a family. What is it that makes Fishers stand out? Here’s a list I compiled, in no particular order:

1. Handel’s Ice Cream–This Fishers tradition has been recognized by People, USA Today, Country Living and travelchannel.com as some of the best ice cream in the country. If you’ve ever stood in line on a warm summer night for a delectable (and heaping ) scoop of dolce de leche, you know why!
2. Schools, schools, schools–Elementary, middle, junior high and high school–they’re all good. And because two of the three middle schools and junior highs feed into both senior highs, students form friendships that span school boundaries.
3. Pedestrian paths–If you’re a walker, runner or just without your vehicle for the day, you’ll be both delighted and frustrated by the pedestrian paths found along most roads in Fishers. What’s good is that they connect the community. What’s annoying is that they inconveniently end wherever private property intersects–and that’s frequently along some roads. That means either darting across the street to the path on the other side or taking a chance against traffic.
4. Conner Prairie–Hot air balloon rides circa 1859, the opportunity to experience life as a runaway slave, Headless Horseman encounters and –best of all — 4th of July fireworks!
5. Hamilton Town Center –Ok, so technically it’s on Noblesville Indiana real estate, but just barely. The new outdoor shopping mall is part of the Saxony community, which includes business, retail and residential sections. Popular shops, an IMAX theater and several eateries are found within the cheery and beautifully-landscaped walkable center.
6. Allisonville Nursery–Even if you’ve never planted a shrub in your life, a visit to this upscale nursery and home decor shop will have you thinking you should. Gorgeous displays, a cozy atmosphere and a helpful staff make it a seasonal must-see!
   Fishers Train Station–Where else can you catch a train to the state fair, take a holiday ride on the Polar Express or celebrate Mother’s Day with brunch on board? It’s a Fishers landmark, and the themed rides make it unique! 
7. The name–Not only is Fishers a catchy name, it’s also a refreshing departure from the plethora of  “villes” (as in Nobles, Fort, Zions, Shelby and Crawfords) in the greater Indy area. It’s also not a knock-off of a larger and more famous metropolis (Nashville, Atlanta) or an exotic foreign country (Peru, Brazil and Lebanon).

For information on Fishers Indiana real estate and Fishers IN homes for sale, contact:

Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, e-Pro, GRI
Haddad Team, Keller Williams Realty
317.840.7555
Pat@HaddadTeam.com

For more information on Indianapolis Indiana visit www.HaddadTeam.com!