Pat's Real Estate Blog

The office I am affiliated with does not do the office tour of new listings.  That has been just fine with me because I am busy enough that I usually feel as if I have seen most of the inventory anyway.  However, we all know that is not true.  There are over 25,000 homes currently listed in the MLS to which I belong.  Granted, I have had some buyers look at so many homes that it felt like 25,000, but in truth, I have not seen everything in my market.

There are four buyer agents on The Haddad Team---five if you count me.  We have decided that it would be a good idea to tour our team listings as they come on the market. Why do we think this is a good idea?

1)  Most sellers are still disappointed to hear that our office no longer tours as an office.

2)  I remember back to the days when we did tour and it was always a great way to put the strength in numbers behind what you had already told the sellers whether it was in regards to price and/or condition.

3)  I also remember when occasionally a listing would get an offer the day of tour from one of the agents who toured.  Not likely to happen, but more likely than if we do not tour.

4)  A few of the buyer agents are new and it will not hurt them to see what is out there and here the comments of more experienced agents.  That is how they learn.

5)  This might just catch on.  We plan to invite anyone who wants to come and grow the group from there.

I have created a feedback form to distribute with a copy of the MLS info printed on the back.  Each agent touring the home will be asked to complete the form and return to the listing agent to do with as they see fit.  Most will share with the seller.

It would be great to get some feedback on the feedback form.  Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated:

Haddad Team Home Tour  July 8, 2008

  Property address:___________________________________________________

Opinion of community:____________________________________________

Curb appeal:____________________________________________________

Suggestions for exterior:__________________________________________

 1^st Impression upon entering home:__________________________________

Overall condition of home:_________________________________________

 Specific suggestions for interior:____________________________________

 Other comments:________________________________________________

 Opinion of price:_________________________________________________

Those of us who live in Hamilton County, Indiana are not the least bit surprised at the honor being bestowed upon us. Forbes Magazine recently named Hamilton County as the best place in the United States to raise a family. Among the criteria considered was cost of living, affordable housing, short commute times and of course a terrific school system. Admittedly, the results are skewed towards those counties with good school districts.

Forbes first looked for counties with populations of more than 65,000. Then they looked for well funded school districts. They isolated 97 counties where more than half of the per pupil spending comes from property taxes, not always a happy topic for residents, but looks like it is paying off!  Next Forbes eliminated counties with average SAT scores under 1,050 or average ACT scores under 22.  This left 51 counties.

Since raising a family involves more than just good schools , Forbes ranked the remaining counties according to 10 data points:

• Cost of living
• Graduation Rate                                                                              
• Standardized Scores
• Home Price
• Property Tax Rate as a percentage of median home price
• Percentage of home occupied by owner
• Per capita income
• Air quality
• Crime rate
• Commute Time

Hamilton County's roots are in agriculture, but after WWII, the growth in Indianapolis went north and Hamilton County became a suburb of Indy. Hamilton County is one county north of Marion County where Indianapolis is located.

The county is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. The County's population jumped from an estimated 182,740 in 2000 to 261,661 in 2007 according to 2007 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. It is the fastest growing county in Indiana out of 92 counties. In 2006, based on census estimates between 2000 and 2005, Hamilton County was the 18th fastest-growing county in the nation out of 3,141.  Based on census estimates between 2000 and 2007, in 2008, Hamilton County was the 23rd fastest growing county in the nation.

Cities in Hamilton County include:  *Arcadia, *Atlanta, *Carmel, *Cicero, *Fishers, *Noblesville, *Sheridan and *Westfield. Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville have all achieved recognition from various sources for the quality of life afforded their residents.

Noblesville is the County Seat.  The historical courthouse pictured above is still in use today on the town square. Geist and Morse Reservoirs are two man made lakes in Hamilton County that offer residents and visitors many recreational activities, such as boating, skiing, fishing and waterfront properties. Geist is located in Fishers and Lawrence and Morse is located in Noblesville and Cicero.

With so much to offer, it is not surprising that many people are returning to this part of the Midwest and many are relocating and making it their new home.                                  

For the biggest, brightest and best Fourth of July celebrations, see below!!

REGIONS BANK FIREWORKS BLAST - INDIANAPOLIS

JULY 4TH, 2008

Indianapolis' largest fireworks display synchronized to music. Exhibit set off from the Regions Bank in downtown Indianapolis at dusk.  Free admission.

CARMELFEST - CARMEL

JULY 4TH, 2008

Carmel Symphony Orchestra Concert: 8:30 p.m. Carmel Gazebo, One Civic Square.  Guests are invited to bring a picnic basket and enjoy some classic patriotic tunes with a fireworks show as the grand finale. Fireworks will be set off of the bridge over the Monon Trail at 126th Street,

FISHERS FREEDOM FESTIVAL - FISHERS

JUNE 28TH AND 29TH

Fishers's annual celebration complete with parade, games, crafts and food culminating with fireworks display Sunday evening.

JULY 4TH, 2008

Marsh Symphony on the Prairie: 8 p.m. at Conner Prarie, 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. Gates Open at 4:30 p.m. with the concert beginning at 8 p.m. Fireworks display finale.  Tickets required and may be purchased at all Marsh Grocery Stores.

Thunder on Geist: 10 p.m. at the north end of the island near Admirals Sound and Diamond Pointe subdivisions in Fishers. Fireworks will begin at dusk. Admission is free and open to the public.

NOBLESVILLE

JULY 4TH, 2008

Unsung Hereos Parade: 5 p.m. at the Courthouse Square in Downtown Noblesville. The parade route starts at 16th and Harrison streets, travels from 16th Street to Logan Street, from Logan to Ninth Street, from Ninth to Monument Street, then back to 16th Street.
The event precedes Noblesville's Fireworks Festival at 6 p.m. 18111 Cumberland Road.The festival will also include games, activities, food vendors, music by Dave & Rae, interactive inflatables, rock climbing wall, miniature NASCAR track, balloon artists, caricaturists, face painting, a car show featuring classics and street rods and a fireworks display at dusk. Admission is free and open to the public.

CICERO

JULY 4TH, 2008

Lights Over Morse Lake - Fireworks: 10 p.m. Watch fireworks on Morse Lake near Jackson Street in Cicero. The public is invited to sit nearby the Jackson Street Bridge or at Red Bridge Park. Boaters are also welcome! Admission is free and open to the public.

FIREWORKS TRAIN

Fireworks Train: Take a patriotic ride on the Fireworks Train from Hobbs Station at Noblesville's Forest Park to enjoy a spectacular fireworks show on the water in Cicero. The Fireworks Train will leave Hobbs Station for Cicero at 5:30 and 8 p.m. The train will return to the Museum about 20 minutes after the fireworks display concludes.
Fireworks are free, the cost of the excursion is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Park in Forest Park and take the train. Call for exact departure times. Reservations are required.