I can't lie, every time I hear the phrase Parks & Recreation I think of Leslie Knope and NBC's wonderfully hilarious show with the same name...
Yes, I know the setting for the show is a small town in Indiana and I understand it pokes fun of the quaintness of small town life. But it still makes me smile.
Bloomington in nothing like this tongue and cheek town because our Parks & Recreation department actually has useful and smart programing for all ages.
I'm sure you've heard me toot a horn about the wonderful activities here in Bloomington, Indiana. Check it out for your self. Here is a link to the 2012 Winter-Spring Programing guide. Go ahead flip through... I doubt you won't find at least one activity up your alley.
The 2012 Parks & Rec Winter-Spring Programing guide is out!!!
Enjoy.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Top 10 Ways to Make a Bad First Impression on Inspection Day
It's inspection day! The last last thing you want to do is leave the buyer or their inspector with questions about how the home has been maintained and cared for over the years. It's time to put your home's best brick forward, so here are 10 things you'll definitely want to avoid!
The Top 10 Ways to Make a Bad First Impression on Inspection Day
The Top 10 Ways to Make a Bad First Impression on Inspection Day
-
The front door is in need of repair; weather stripping is loose, exposed, or dragging on the floor.
- The doorbell is not intact and/or does not work.
- What's that smell?! The house smells musty, moldy, or tired. (Dirty carpet plays a big part in this impression).
- The home is cluttered. (You want the buyers and their inspector to be able to access all areas of the home. An obstacle course will not be welcomed with too many smiles).
- There are water stains at the ceiling, around the windows, within the sink cabinets, or beneath the shower/bath areas.
- Windows are inoperable or do not open and close easily. (You'll want to address any cracked glass or missing hardware as well).
- Kitchen appliances are not in working order or surface lights and/or fans are inoperable.
- There are loose, uncovered, or painted electrical outlets and non-working switches.
- There are no visible smoke and CO detectors. Or they are not working.
- There is damaged drywall from door knobs, picture frames, etc.
This is a repost from Chrissy Doremus ~ U.S. Inspect ~ Home Inspections
Chantilly, VA Chrissy's Blog can be seen on ActiveRain.com
Monday, November 21, 2011
Christmas Tree Farms
Tis, the season!
For all you local residents looking to spruce up your holiday cheer with an authentic experience of cutting down your own Chrismas Tree, Here is a list of local tree farms. Also for the best experience, Don't forget to read the Tips for your Tree cutting trip.
Twin H Tree Farms, Inc.
Christmas trees- you choose and we cut, Precut Christmas trees, Living Christmas trees (to plant later), Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, trees tied
620 West Chumley Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone: 812-824-7458
Email: jehopwood@twinhtree.com
Website: http://www.twinhtree.com/
Open: Daily, 10:00 am until Dark; Open for Christmas trees from the Friday after Thanksgiving until two days before Christmas.
Woodcrest Tree Farm
Choose and cut Christmas trees, Christmas gift shop, Pre-cut trees, Greens, Wreaths, Living-balled trees to plant after Christmas, Pine cones, Grave pieces, Garlands, Centerpieces
1427 Pinhook Road
Bedford IN 47421
(812) 279-5164
Email: jamicain@msn.com. Open: 10:00 am to dark
Beasley Creek Farms
Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo
210 St. John Road
Martinsville, IN 46151
Phone: 765-342-0209
Email us at: lstjohn4@yahoo.com.
Open: Friday 1pm - 10 pm Saturday, Sunday - 9am to 10 pm. Payment: Cash, only.
Chappelow's Christmas Trees
Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, Christmas trees- you choose and we cut, Christmas wreaths, trees tied, trees baled, saws provided, winter hay rides,
5763 East Dayhuff Road,
Mooresville, IN 46158
Phone: 317-831-2833
Email: chappelowtrees@aol.com.
Open: Friday November 24, 8am to 5pm 8am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday November 26 to December 24. Payment: Cash, only.
Jay's Tree Farm
Choose and cut Christmas trees,
7520 East Hendricks County Road,
Mooresville, IN 46158
Phone: 317-834-3804
Website: www.jaystreefarm.com/
Open: Weekends 9 am to 5:30 pm, Weekdays 3 pm - 5:30 pm.
Snowy Pines Nursery
Choose & Cut, Precut, Retail TREE SIZE: 2’ – 10’ Accepts Credit Cards
1375 N. US Hwy 231
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: 765-653-5304
Open: Nov 22- Dec 24
Hours: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm everyday
Wagoner Christmas Tree Farm
U-Choose & Cut your own: Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir
2148N CR 440W
Greencastle, IN 46135
Phone: 765 739 6135
Open: November 24 to December 24 9:00-5:30
Peiffer Farm
Choose and Cut
1185 E 600 S
Franklin IN 46131
Phone: (317)933-9194
Email: peifferjoe@yahoo.com
Open: Nov 25 and weekends through Dec
Hours: Sat & Sun 9:00-Dark
Tower Family Christmas Trees
Choose & Cut; Precut
Tree Types & Services: Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, Other Firs, spruces, Wreaths
Tree Size: 5’-12’
4416 W. Lowell Rd.
Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: 812-378-.3505
Website: www.towerfamlychristmastrees.blogspot.com
EMAIL: towered@att.net
Open: Nov 25 ‘till sold out
Hours: Mon - Fri 1-6pm; Sat/Sun 10-5pm
Roberts Tree Farm
Choose & Cut; Tree Types & Services: Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Spruces,
Balled Trees, Wreaths, Garland, Centerpieces, Grave Pieces Tree Size: 4'-12'
9977 N CR 25 E
Seymour IN 47274
Phone: (812)522-1288
Website: www.robertstreefarm.com
Email: idok@dishmail.net
Open: Nov 25-Dec 19 Friday-Sundays
Hours: 12:00-Dark Friday-Sunday
AND if you REALLY want to make a Holiday trip... Why not Hit SANTA CLAUS, IN...
SANTA CLAUS's Candy Castle
Holiday World
SANTA CLAUS Visitor's Guide
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Market Update Week of Nov 7th
Last week, more signs appeared that things are coming our way in housing. Wednesday the Census Bureau reported that the nation's home ownership rate moved up in the third quarter to 66.1%, slightly ahead of the prior quarter. Some commentators feel the three-year decline in home ownership might be starting to bottom out. Home ownership may have been encouraged by rising rents, with the vacancy rate now up to 9.8%.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) chimed in with a forecast that existing home sales should be up 1% this year, then up another 4.3% next year. Although the median price will fall slightly this year, it's predicted to rise 2.6% in 2012. New home sales, after dropping 4.7% this year, are projected to rise 21.3% in 2012. And this year's 1.8% price hike will be followed by a 3.8% gain next year. Let's hope they're right.
BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...Passion counts for a lot. The relentless intensity and commitment you need to succeed come from enjoying what you do and believing it's worthwhile.
• Review of Last Week
CLASSIC GREEK DRAMA...The European Union's efforts to avert a Greek tragedy featured a soap opera produced by the Greek government. One day they announced the EU bailout proposal would be put to a vote by Greek citizens, the next day opposing parties agreed to accept it. This melodrama pushed stock prices down, up, down, and after posting gains four weeks in a row, the S&P 500 scored a 2.5% weekly loss. The Fed also contributed, issuing a policy statement citing "a moderate pace of economic growth over coming quarters" and predicting "the unemployment rate will decline only gradually."
Friday's October Jobs Report revealed employment levels consistent with weak-to-moderate economic growth. Just 80,000 new jobs were added in October, but prior months were revised upward and the unemployment rate edged down from 9.1% to 9.0%. ISM Manufacturing and Services indexes showed business still growing, although very slowly. Consumers are doing their part, with weekly chain store sales UP 3% for the year by one survey and UP 5.2% by another.
For the week, the Dow ended down 2.0%, to 11983; the S&P 500 was down 2.5%, to 1253; and the Nasdaq slipped 1.9%, to 2686.
Investors worried about the European debt situation flocked to the bond market in droves. Yields and mortgage rates edged down, as bond prices escalated. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up 1.79, at $102.05. National average mortgage rates dropped again, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, and remain at very low levels.
DID YOU KNOW?...This week's University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index is a survey of people's feelings about their financial situation and the economy. The index was normalized to 100 in 1964.
• This Week’s Forecast
VERY QUIET ON THE ECONOMIC NEWS FRONT... Following last week's Fed meeting and employment report, this week's sparse economic news provides a nice breather. Initial Unemployment Claims should stay near the 400,000 level. The September Trade Balance is forecast to hold steady, with imports about $45 billion ahead of exports. Michigan Consumer Sentiment is expected to improve.
• The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.
Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 7 – Nov 11
• Federal Reserve Watch
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...Economists do not see a change in the Funds rate through mid-2013. A dramatic rise in inflation could alter that of course. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same.
Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25%
Probability of change from current policy:
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) chimed in with a forecast that existing home sales should be up 1% this year, then up another 4.3% next year. Although the median price will fall slightly this year, it's predicted to rise 2.6% in 2012. New home sales, after dropping 4.7% this year, are projected to rise 21.3% in 2012. And this year's 1.8% price hike will be followed by a 3.8% gain next year. Let's hope they're right.
BUSINESS TIP OF THE WEEK...Passion counts for a lot. The relentless intensity and commitment you need to succeed come from enjoying what you do and believing it's worthwhile.
• Review of Last Week
CLASSIC GREEK DRAMA...The European Union's efforts to avert a Greek tragedy featured a soap opera produced by the Greek government. One day they announced the EU bailout proposal would be put to a vote by Greek citizens, the next day opposing parties agreed to accept it. This melodrama pushed stock prices down, up, down, and after posting gains four weeks in a row, the S&P 500 scored a 2.5% weekly loss. The Fed also contributed, issuing a policy statement citing "a moderate pace of economic growth over coming quarters" and predicting "the unemployment rate will decline only gradually."
Friday's October Jobs Report revealed employment levels consistent with weak-to-moderate economic growth. Just 80,000 new jobs were added in October, but prior months were revised upward and the unemployment rate edged down from 9.1% to 9.0%. ISM Manufacturing and Services indexes showed business still growing, although very slowly. Consumers are doing their part, with weekly chain store sales UP 3% for the year by one survey and UP 5.2% by another.
For the week, the Dow ended down 2.0%, to 11983; the S&P 500 was down 2.5%, to 1253; and the Nasdaq slipped 1.9%, to 2686.
Investors worried about the European debt situation flocked to the bond market in droves. Yields and mortgage rates edged down, as bond prices escalated. The FNMA 3.5% bond we watch ended the week up 1.79, at $102.05. National average mortgage rates dropped again, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey, and remain at very low levels.
DID YOU KNOW?...This week's University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment index is a survey of people's feelings about their financial situation and the economy. The index was normalized to 100 in 1964.
• This Week’s Forecast
VERY QUIET ON THE ECONOMIC NEWS FRONT... Following last week's Fed meeting and employment report, this week's sparse economic news provides a nice breather. Initial Unemployment Claims should stay near the 400,000 level. The September Trade Balance is forecast to hold steady, with imports about $45 billion ahead of exports. Michigan Consumer Sentiment is expected to improve.
• The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.
Economic Calendar for the Week of Nov 7 – Nov 11
| Date | Time (ET) | Release | For | Consensus | Prior | Impact |
| W Nov 9 | 10:30 | Crude Inventories | 11/5 | NA | 1.826M | Moderate |
| Th Nov 10 | 08:30 | Initial Unemployment Claims | 11/5 | 400K | 397K | Moderate |
| Th Nov 10 | 08:30 | Continuing Unemployment Claims | 10/29 | 3.690M | 3.683M | Moderate |
| Th Nov 10 | 08:30 | Trade Balance | Sep | -$45.8B | -$45.6B | Moderate |
| F Nov 11 | 09:55 | Univ. of Michigan Consumer Sentiment | Nov | 61.5 | 60.9 | Moderate |
• Federal Reserve Watch
Forecasting Federal Reserve policy changes in coming months...Economists do not see a change in the Funds rate through mid-2013. A dramatic rise in inflation could alter that of course. Note: In the lower chart, a 1% probability of change is a 99% certainty the rate will stay the same.
Current Fed Funds Rate: 0%–0.25%
| After FOMC meeting on: | Consensus |
| Dec 13 | 0%–0.25% |
| Jan 25 | 0%–0.25% |
| Mar 13 | 0%–0.25% |
Probability of change from current policy:
| After FOMC meeting on: | Consensus |
| Dec 13 | <1% |
| Jan 25 | <1% |
| Mar 13 | <1% |
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Happy Halloween!
For Families with Children the fall colors bring apple picking, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating.
But as a parent, this season brings my biggest fears. Child Predators. Lucky for us Monroe County is pretty proactive when it comes to protecting our children. Convicted sex offenders in Monroe County are required to attend a meeting and movie night during trick-or-treat hours on Halloween.
For those who are still concerned and want to by-pass offenders homes here is a link to a searchable database of Home and Work Addresses for Registered offender.
This year’s official trick-or-treat hours in Bloomington, Ellettsville and the rest of Monroe County are 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31.
Please Trick-or-Treat Safely.
Trick-or-treat Safety tips from the CDC
Sexual Predator Safety tips from Monroe County
Monday, October 17, 2011
Economic Calendar for the Week of Oct 17 – Oct 21
INFO THAT HITS US WHERE WE LIVE...
One dream that, happily, doesn't seem to be going away is the one we Americans have of owning our own home. In fact, in spite of all the negative news we hear about housing, the percentage of Americans who own their home is still the second highest on record, according to the Census Bureau. Even better, new research reveals that up to two million people are planning to jump into the housing market in the next two years.
The study from a business-to-business media company confirmed that Americans place a high value on homeownership across demographic groups, across the country, even where there have been larger declines in home values. Given today's prices and super low mortgage rates, 72% of homeowners and 59% of renters polled said that right now is a "good" or "very good" time to buy! Another study found that 80% of homeowners plan to buy another home and most view homeownership as one of the best long-term investments.
>> This Week’s Forecast
BUILDING NEW HOMES, SELLING EXISTING ONES, CHECKING UP ON INFLATION...
This week gets us back to a look at the housing market. September Housing Starts are expected to be up a tad, just shy of 600,000 new homes a year. But analysts are predicting a slight dip in Existing Home Sales for September, although that figure should still hover near 5 million per year.With the Fed's easy money policies, we have to keep an eye on inflation. For businesses, prices are forecast up slightly for the month, as measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI). The Fed's big focus is always on the Core Consumer Price Index (Core CPI). This excludes volatile food and energy prices and is projected to be up a little, but well within the Fed's target range.
>> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.
Economic Calendar for the Week of Oct 17 – Oct 21
>> This Week’s Forecast
BUILDING NEW HOMES, SELLING EXISTING ONES, CHECKING UP ON INFLATION...
This week gets us back to a look at the housing market. September Housing Starts are expected to be up a tad, just shy of 600,000 new homes a year. But analysts are predicting a slight dip in Existing Home Sales for September, although that figure should still hover near 5 million per year.With the Fed's easy money policies, we have to keep an eye on inflation. For businesses, prices are forecast up slightly for the month, as measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI). The Fed's big focus is always on the Core Consumer Price Index (Core CPI). This excludes volatile food and energy prices and is projected to be up a little, but well within the Fed's target range.
>> The Week’s Economic Indicator Calendar
Weaker than expected economic data tends to send bond prices up and interest rates down, while positive data points to lower bond prices and rising loan rates.Economic Calendar for the Week of Oct 17 – Oct 21
| Date | Time (ET) | Release | For | Consensus | Prior | Impact |
| M Oct 17 | 08:30 | Empire State Manufacturing Index | Oct | –4.0 | –8.82 | Moderate |
| M Oct 17 | 09:15 | Industrial Production | Sep | 0.2% | 0.2% | Moderate |
| M Oct 17 | 09:15 | Capacity Utilization | Sep | 77.5% | 77.4% | Moderate |
| Tu Oct 18 | 08:30 | Producer Price Index (PPI) | Sep | 0.2% | 0.0% | Moderate |
| Tu Oct 18 | 08:30 | Core PPI | Sep | 0.1% | 0.1% | Moderate |
| W Oct 19 | 08:30 | Consumer Price Index (CPI) | Sep | 0.3% | 0.4% | HIGH |
| W Oct 19 | 08:30 | Core CPI | Sep | 0.2% | 0.2% | HIGH |
| W Oct 19 | 08:30 | Housing Starts | Sep | 595K | 571K | Moderate |
| W Oct 19 | 08:30 | Building Permits | Sep | 610K | 620K | Moderate |
| W Oct 19 | 10:30 | Crude Inventories | 10/15 | NA | 1.344M | Moderate |
| W Oct 19 | 14:00 | Fed's Beige Book | Oct | NA | NA | Moderate |
| Th Oct 20 | 08:30 | Initial Unemployment Claims | 10/15 | 404K | 404K | Moderate |
| Th Oct 20 | 08:30 | Continuing Unemployment Claims | 10/8 | 3.690M | 3.670M | Moderate |
| Th Oct 20 | 08:30 | Existing Home Sales | Sep | 4.94M | 5.03M | Moderate |
| Th Oct 20 | 10:00 | Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index | Oct | –9.6 | –17.5 | HIGH |
| Th Oct 20 | 10:00 | Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) | Sep | 0.3% | 0.3% | Moderate |
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Does your Agent Have a Side Job??
"Theresa, Is this video really applicable to today?
Aren't agents making money left and right? After all they get a big chunk of the sales price, right?!?"
Well, I hate to break it to you... Selling Real Estate is hard!
To be honest, most agents need a side job to be able to stay above the poverty line.
Don't Believe me? Let's look at some numbers.
Here's a look at some basic numbers:
| Persons in Family | 48 Contiguous States and D.C. | Alaska | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $10,890 | $13,600 | $12,540 |
| 2 | 14,710 | 18,380 | 16,930 |
| 3 | 18,530 | 23,160 | 21,320 |
| 4 | 22,350 | 27,940 | 25,710 |
| 5 | 26,170 | 32,720 | 30,100 |
| 6 | 29,990 | 37,500 | 34,490 |
| 7 | 33,810 | 42,280 | 38,880 |
| 8 | 37,630 | 47,060 | 43,270 |
| For each additional person, add | 3,820 | 4,780 | 4,390 |
Okay, Let's say our hypothetical agent is a family of One.
How much volume does one agent need to sell to be above the poverty line?
Assumptions:
1) They work in a traditional Real Estate Firm that starts the commission splits at 50/50
2) The agent has no other out of pocket business expenses like Marketing and Advertising.
3) The average commission on each sale is 6% which is split between the listing and selling broker 3%-3%
If we want to find the sales volume needed to
make $10,890 in commission we must first divide it by 3%
$10,890/.03 = $363,000
But then we need to account for the Firm's 50/50 Split
$363,000/.5 = $726,000
To be AT the poverty line as a family of one, the agent must sell $726,000 a year.
You say "Oh but that's easy... aren't homes selling at $300,000 a pop?"
Actually in our market, last year's Average Sales price was $166,271.
That means our agent would need to sell at least 5 homes to be above the poverty line.
You say...
"I see tons of house for sale, so they must be making it up with lots of volume"
Actually, Last year only 1,335 homes sold
You might think that's a lot
but...
There are roughly 426 Agents in town.
If all agent sold an equal amount of homes, each agent would only sell 3 homes per year and every agent would be living in poverty.
We know life is not fairly distributed, some agents are just better than others...
"So how many agents actually sell over $726,000 per year?"
Good Question!
In 2010, only 167 agents sold more than $726,000!
Which means 259 other agents in town either lived in poverty, had side jobs, or were so wealthy they didn't need money.
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