The Indy Homes Real Estate BlogRecently posted or modified blog posts by tag - adding valuehttps://www.indyhomes.com/blog/Copyright IndyHomes.com2022-10-04T06:46:26-07:00tag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:11094Holliday Farms - Zionsville's New Country Club Community
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/holliday_farms_family.jpg" width="714" height="400" alt="Family enjoying Holliday Farms" />
With a unanimous vote the Zionsville Town Council approved the rezoning of 597 rural acres at Michigan and Willow roads that will become a luxury community in the heart of Zionsville. And while <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/zionsville/">Zionsville </a> already has an abundance of luxury neighborhoods, <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/zionsville/about-holliday-farms/" target="_blank">Holliday Farms</a> represents a new kind of community in Zionsville, complete with a mix of residence types, nature-filled green spaces, an 18-hole Pete Dye designed golf course (plus 9-hole executive course) and a club house overlooking Eagle Creek.
Our team was fortunate to meet with Brad Henke of Henke Development Group, the developer of Holliday Farms, to get an overview. We gathered at the old brick Holliday farmhouse just northwest of Interactive Academy. Under the noontime sun, Brad showed us a proposed map for the community, which is approved for up to 595 residences, a “village” area that will be home to a variety of restaurants and businesses, nature trails and park, and an enormous club house that will be the epicenter of the neighborhood with a fitness center, tennis, a pool with swim-up bar, several dining options and much more. As with their developments <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/carmel/bridgewater-club/">Bridgewater Club</a> in Carmel and <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/westfield/chatham-hills/">Chatham Hills</a> in Westfield, the Henkes envision a highly livable neighborhood that puts family and community at its center.
Hold your lot for $500
Lots began being staked in February 2019, and work on the golf course, which is expected to be completed in the spring of 2021, is humming along. A list of builders can be found <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/zionsville/holliday-farms-builders/" target="_blank">here</a>. A $500 fee, which is fully refundable, holds your lot. With a variety of housing options to choose from—everything from two-acre estate homes to empty nest ranches to multi-story townhomes—lots are expected to be priced $95,000 - $500,000. Lot selection will be done via lottery, and those who hold their lots early will be prioritized. So, the sooner you <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/zionsville/holliday-farms-lots/" target="_blank">hold your lot</a> the better your selection will be!
I’m certain that Holliday Farms will enhance the overall appeal of Zionsville. In fact, my husband AJ and I just became founding members of Holliday Farms’ club—we’re that excited about this fabulous addition to our town!
If you're building, you need a REALTOR
If you plan to build in Holliday Farms, and haven't considered hiring a REALTOR to represent you, I invite you to read this article, <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/buyers/building-your-home/">"Five good reasons to hire a REALTOR when building your house."</a> In short, hiring a Realtor when building your home will ensure that your best interests are looked after and that you get the most value for your money. Our team also has detailed information about each Holliday Farms builder and will help you choose the right builder for your property, your budget and your needs.
Learn more
If you’re interested in learning more about Holliday Farms, I’d love to tell you all about it. And, having just completed my custom home in 2017, I have many tips to share as you design and build your home, too! Please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch, or feel free to call me at<a href="tel:317-313-3200" target="_blank"> (317) 313-3200</a>.
For more Holliday Farms information & resources, visit our <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/zionsville/about-holliday-farms/" target="_blank">Holliday Farms website</a> where we add new updates regularly!
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<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2020-08-17T12:52:00-07:002020-08-19T09:29:54-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10211Does a pool make sense?Being in 2020 quarantine with our recent hot, dry weather might have you thinking about adding a pool to your home or, if you’re in the market, buying a home with a pool. Sounds great, huh? But before you take the plunge (pun intended!), learn how a pool could affect your home’s value and your wallet.
A pool will add value to my home, won’t it?
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/Hot_tub.jpg" width="550" height="367" style="float: right;" />
It might seem like a no-brainer; after all, pools are luxury amenities, right? Wrong. In Indiana, where outdoor pools can be used just a few months out of the year, a pool may not add to the value of your home in any significant way. And a pool could dramatically decrease the number of potential buyers when you need to sell, since many homebuyers don’t want the hassle of pool maintenance, not to mention the safety worries.
An in-ground pool could add some value if it’s well maintained, if it complements the overall style of the house and if it’s accompanied by popular backyard amenities, such as an outdoor kitchen. Also, homes with pools are more likely to sell if they are protected by a fence or a cover.
It’s important to note that above-ground pools, which are considered personal property, won’t add any value to the home.
But I really want a pool!
If you are looking to buy a home and want to have a pool, your best bet is to buy a home with an existing, well-maintained in-ground pool, rather than adding a pool after you purchase a home. Pools are very expensive to build, and you will not recoup those costs when you sell your home.
Remember too that pools add to the home’s overall maintenance—you’ll need to add chemicals, monitor chlorine levels, scoop out debris, and prepare the pool as the seasons change. Do you and your family have time for all of this? In addition to labor and time costs, pools directly hit your wallet as well—your electricity and water bills will increase and so will your homeowners insurance. And of course, you’ll have chemicals and other necessities to buy.
What should I know before I buy a home with a pool?
Before you buy, ask the seller for any maintenance and repair records he might have for the pool, and include the pool in the home inspection. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
Obtain recent prices from local pool companies on similar pools to see if you are overpaying for the seller’s pool, especially if it needs updating. Most pool companies are happy to oblige in order to get the maintenance, repair, or redesign business from the new owner.
With so much to consider when opting for a pool, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons. Be realistic with yourself. Will you really use the pool? Will you make time for all of the required maintenance? Can you afford the upkeep? Do you have the proper insurance and safety features in-place for pool ownership?
Lastly, a great alternative to pool ownership is to purchase a home in a neighborhood that offers a community pool. You can enjoy all the aquatic fun without the cost or hassle of your own pool. Be sure to ask us for our list of Indianapolis neighborhoods with swimming pools.
However you’re staying cool, I hope you’re enjoying your summer in Indianapolis!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2020-04-21T04:14:00-07:002020-04-21T11:13:03-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:11053Dance the night away at the Zionsville Street Dance!<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/zionsville_street_dance_logo.jpg" width="715" height="357" alt="Zionsville Street Dance logo" />
Looking for a family-friendly activity, or a great date idea? One of our favorite Zionsville summer fun events is coming up on Saturday, August 3—the Zionsville Street Dance.
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to find a live music venue where people are actually dancing. But the Zionsville annual Street Dance doesn’t dance-shame!<br /><br /><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/Zionsville_Street_Dance_instagram_and_blog_photo.png" width="422" height="422" style="float: right; margin: 6px;" alt="2019 Zionsville Street Dance" />During this summer fun family affair, everyone is encouraged to kick off their Sunday shoes, and cut loose--FOOTLOOSE! (Remember that part where Kevin Bacon flips around a warehouse in the tightest jeans known to man? What was the '80s?)
Here’s what you need to know about the Zionsville Street Dance:
This is the biggest Zionsville Chamber of Commerce fundraising event, which means that if you come—you are literally giving back to your community. Who knew dancing could be such a good deed?
The dance begins at 6 p.m. on Zionsville's Main Street, and the music will play until 11 p.m.
Presale tickets are $13, tickets at the door are $18. Children 10 and under are $5. A family pack (four to six family members) is $45 presale, $50 at the door—note that your family must arrive together.
If you don’t want to pay the online presale ticket convenience fee, tickets can be purchased in person at Akard True Value Hardware, Cobblestone or the Zionsville Chamber of Commerce.
The Endless Summer Band (ESB) will provide the musical entertainment this year!
The Indy Homes Team is thrilled to be one of the corporate sponsors this year!
This is a beer fest, food fest, and street festival combined.
This festival is great for first dates, couples, family fun, Bumble meet-ups--everyone!
THERE WILL BE 7,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. With that said, this is what you should and shouldn’t bring:
Should bring:
Your pre-sale purchased tickets—<a href="https://www.zionsvillechamber.org/street-dance.html" target="_blank">purchasable here</a>—You won’t have to wait in the long lines for tickets (and it’s cheaper).
Your ID – Doesn’t matter if you have white hair or three generations of children in attendance with you, IDs will be requested if you want to drink.
Cash—Food and beer lines move a lot faster with cash.
Dancing shoes—You will literally be dancing in the street, so be mindful of your toes. With that said, if you can whip out moves in stilettos or flip flops, go for it! The “Endless Summer Band” (ESB) will be playing, so you’re going to want to dance!
A large appetite—You don’t want to miss out on the amazing food vendors because you decided to heat up your Thursday night leftovers!
Shouldn't bring:
Your dog (or cat?)—7,000 people means that there will be a lot of noise, movement, and might result in your dog consuming a child’s ice cream right out of their hands while you’re turned away. Keep that in mind before tugging your pup along with you. Also, who is going to hold Spot while you’re dancing?
Outside adult beverages—(But you knew that already, right?)
This is about YOU. And your dance moves. We hope to see you all there!
<a href="https://www.zionsvillechamber.org/street-dance.html" target="_blank">Purchase presale tickets here >></a>
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2019-07-11T06:00:00-07:002022-10-04T06:46:26-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:11729One-tank getaway: The Doghouse Hotel and BreweryWelcome to the world's first brewery hotel, located right outside of Columbus, Ohio.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_photo_brewdog.png" width="355" height="355" style="float: left; margin: 7px;" alt="Happy beer lovers toasting each other" />Dubbed the "hoppiest place on earth," <a href="https://www.brewdog.com/locations/hotels/doghouse" target="_blank">Doghouse Hotel and Brewery</a> boasts 32 beer-themed rooms on its 42-acre complex. Indulge the ultimate beer-lovers dream: sleep over at the brewery!
Wake up and order a flight of BrewDog's classics, venture out to the shipping container-turned-bar, tour the beer museum, play giant Connect 4 and Guardians of the Galaxy themed pinball and more!<br /><br />This hotel doesn't offer only fun, it offers luxury. With locally made craft beer soaps, shampoos, and conditioners, turn your daily shower into a spa experience with a refreshing twist. Each room comes with its own shower beer fridge! Grab a cold one to savor while being drenched by a steamy rain-fall shower head. The complex also offers live music, a dog park, a full kitchen with tasty food, and a whole crew of craft beer connoisseurs who share your love for good beer. <a href="https://www.brewdog.com/locations/hotels/doghouse" target="_blank"><br /></a>
A little about BrewDog
<a href="https://www.brewdog.com/locations/hotels/doghouse" target="_blank" style="color: #990000;"><img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/beer.jpg" width="396" height="263" style="margin: 7px; float: right;" alt="Two beers on a bar" /></a>
You're likely familiar with BrewDog's famously great beer, which has been tapped in bars and pubs in Indianapolis since 2018. It has a wide range of specialties, from lagers to sours. Its flagship beer is the Punk IPA. <br /><br />BrewDog's began in northeast Scotland in 2007, with a mission to revolutionize craft beer culture and to infuse the world with its passion and knowledge about beer. This company is revolutionary in other ways, too. With full-scale paternity and maternity leave for its employees, the company also offers a paid week of "paw-ternity" leave for new dog owners. <a href="https://www.brewdog.com/" target="_blank">Learn more about BrewDog's punk-rock mission and revolutionary impact on craft beer in the UK. </a>
BrewDog's second U.S. bar set to open in Fountain Square
BrewDog will soon open a taproom in <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/downtown/fountain-square/">Fountain Square</a>! This will be BrewDog's 2nd U.S. bar outside of Ohio. According to IndyStar, its new taproom will have 24 beers on tap, a large outdoor patio, and upscale bar food. This new venue is expected to open in September 2019. Learn more about BrewDog's <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/dining/bars/2019/02/12/brewdog-brewery-dog-house-hotel-creator-picks-indianapolis-for-first-us-bar-outside-of-ohio/2848775002/" target="_blank">Fountain Square location.</a>
Now that you're convinced, here's the nitty-gritty
Room prices range from $170-$200, depending on the type of room and the day of the week. <a href="https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/index.aspx?propertyID=15342" target="_blank">You can book online.</a> <a href="https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/index.aspx?propertyID=15342" target="_blank"><br /></a>
The drive takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The exact location: 100 Gender Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110.
Do you have a hot spot for beer lovers that you'd like us to share? Leave us a comment below so that we can broadcast your favorite beer havens in upcoming posts!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2019-07-02T10:07:00-07:002019-08-25T15:53:05-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:11433Our best home transformation hack: TayMac covers!<img width="715" height="475" alt="Hack tools" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/Depositphotos_3061669_l-2015.jpg" />
Before listing a house, I have a long list of things I recommend homeowners replace or update to attract the right buyers and sell the home faster.
Some things are basic but create an immediate ‘wow’ to potential buyers, such as replacing a dull or outdated front door. Other recommendations are subtler but just as important, such as having yellowed ceilings repainted a fresh radiant white. Instant interior brightener!
One of my most basic (and easily overlooked) homeowner updates is to replace all old outlets and painted-over light switches to clean, bright white. Understandably, this recommendation often falls to the bottom of a seller’s To-Do list. It is a hassle to replace each and every light switch and outlet. Especially the very old ones – which sometimes means re-wiring and hiring a costly electrician.
But recently, I was introduced to a brilliant outlet updating hack by one of my savvy new clients. Right away, I knew this was the way to go!
Take a look at these TayMac Masque Revive Decorator Wall Plate Covers. These are the bomb!
<img width="159" height="159" alt="TayMac double cover" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/shopping.png" /> <img width="159" height="159" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/shopping-1.png" /><img width="200" height="200" alt="TayMac single cover" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/TayMac_Masque_cover.jpg" />
These slim bright white covers go over your outlets and sockets without replacing them. No electrician. No hassle. No re-wiring. No getting shocked. No giant time-suck to install.
They are readily available at Home Depot, Walmart, and Lowes. Even better, they can be ordered on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Taymac-2600W-1-Gang-Masque-Decorator/dp/B01N9F1PGW" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a> on all sizes. And they are inexpensive (one-outlet switch is about $2.30; the duplex is under $8; trio wall switch about $10.30), even less when you order them in multiples.
The covers give your switch plates an immediate facelift. They are a great alternative to changing out old discolored (or oddly colored) sockets! The plate fits over the top and provides a sleek, clean finish to your room.
Because the brilliant white covers are made of polycarbonate materials, they resist dirt, fingerprints, and wear and tear, and even come with matching screws. They are also guaranteed not to crack or distort during installation. You can add them yourself in less than three minutes per outlet.
How ‘bout that? Instant update at a nominal cost – with minimal effort!
It is the little things that add up to making the best first impression possible. That’s why this is my new favorite —and certainly the easiest -- hack ever!
Do you have a brilliant home update hack that you’d like to share with our Indy Homes Team? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
<img width="128" height="144" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2019-02-21T16:48:00-07:002019-06-20T07:56:33-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10847Home trend: Master-on-main floor plans <img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/master_on_main.jpg" width="715" height="439" alt="Luxurious master bedroom on main floor" />
Home building trends come and go, but the master-on-main floor plan seems to be here to stay. This doesn’t just go for upper-end homes—you’ll find master bedrooms on main floors across every price point. (Scroll down for a full list of master-on-main homes for sale now in the Indianapolis area.)
What’s driving the master-on-main trend?
A combination of practical concerns is driving the popularity of master-on-main floor plans, especially among certain growing demographics.
Baby boomers: A huge slice of the population is getting older (<a href="http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2010/12/20/baby-boomers-approach-65-glumly/" target="_blank">every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65</a>), and these seniors, while still vibrant, don’t want to subject their aching knees to dozens of trips up and down the stairs every day. Many are downsizing to homes with a master bedroom on the main floor while others are staying in the home that they love but closing off the upstairs and moving their bedroom downstairs to live on one level.
Multigenerational living: More and more generations are living together under one roof. According to the <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/04/05/a-record-64-million-americans-live-in-multigenerational-households/" target="_blank">Pew Research Center</a>, a record 64 million people, or about 20 percent of the U.S. population, lived with multiple generations in one household in 2016. Master bedrooms on main floors are ideal for these living arrangements—they better accommodate the mobility restrictions of an aging parent or the privacy needs of an adult child moving back with their parents.
A need for privacy: Parents who work long hours enjoy the quiet and privacy of a master retreat away from the children’s bedrooms on the upper floor. Even parents who want to sleep near their kids while they're small plan to eventually move to the main floor when the kids get older.
Special considerations
If you’re thinking about buying or building a home with the master-on-main floor plan, here are some considerations to keep in mind:
Cost: Adding a master bedroom to the floor plan of a home expands its footprint, which means that it will be more expensive to build. But your home will retain its value, especially in a neighborhood where the master-on-main floor plan isn’t so prevalent.
The laundry room: If you’re building a home with the master bedroom suite on the first floor, give careful consideration to where the laundry room will go. Does it make sense to have it upstairs where the majority of the bedrooms are (assuming those bedrooms are occupied) or downstairs near the mudroom and the master bedroom?
Bathroom count: Buyers of larger single-family homes, especially those greater than 3,000 square feet, want a bathroom for every bedroom to accommodate older kids, guests and a parent or adult child who moves in. Plan your build accordingly.
You never know: Even if you think you don’t want a master bedroom on the main floor now, you should consider having one—just in case. You might be glad you did as life circumstances change, and your home will fetch a higher price when it’s time to sell.
Of course, we recommend hiring an experienced REALTOR to help you make decisions when building your home so you can maximize its resale value. Contact us at <a href="tel:(317)%20815-4450">(317) 815-4450</a> to discuss building your dream home.
Do you have a home with a master on the main floor? What do you like most about it? Tell us in the comments below!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
Indianapolis-Area Master-on-Main Homes for Sale2018-04-26T16:02:00-07:002018-05-03T17:06:07-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10417Introducing the BEST Indy real estate website - the NEW IndyHomes.com<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/homepage.jpg" width="700" height="462" alt="IndyHomes.com homepage" />
After many months of hard work, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the NEW <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com" style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">IndyHomes.com</a>. Chock-full of information you won’t find anywhere else and cutting-edge functionality, we’ve built the site around you, our end user. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find:
Property search
Using our <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/property-search/search-form/">Advanced Property search</a>, search homes by a wide variety of criteria, including school district, architectural style, open houses, interior features, community and lot features, price reductions, days on market and much more!
Each listing includes large photos and detailed information, including price history and school info.
Create an account where you can save favorite listings and register for email alerts when homes that meet your criteria come on the market.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/account_home.jpg" width="450" height="383" alt="Account Home" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
Easy searching includes <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/property-search/results/?searchtype=3">searching by map</a>—just draw a shape around the area you’re interested in.
Have a question about a listing or want to schedule a showing? Just submit one of the handy forms!
<a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/property-search/search-form/">Start searching now >></a>
Community Information
We provide information on <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/indianapolis/communities/">18 suburbs, townships and popular areas</a> in and around Indianapolis, including a detailed overview; our restaurant, parks and events favorites; and public and private school information. Get a feel for what it’s like to live in any of these areas!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/communities.jpg" width="512" height="186" alt="Featured IndyHomes.com communities" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
Each community page also includes a one-click search-by-price-range tool, insightful market stats, and all listings for that community.
Pre-programmed community searches let you explore homes with special amenities with one click—easily search for homes with pools, homes on golf courses, new construction, waterfront homes and more!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/searches.jpg" width="700" height="384" alt="Indy Homes community searches" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
Looking for the newest listings, price reductions and open houses? These are easy to find with one click from the Searches box too.
Home buyers often narrow their choices down to favorite neighborhoods. The new IndyHomes.com lets you explore homes for sale in neighborhoods you’re interested in. Just click the “Neighborhoods” link in the “Searches” box in the upper-right corner of any community page and select from the list of neighborhoods.
<a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/indianapolis/communities/">Explore our 18 featured communities, as well as some of our favorite neighborhoods and Downtown Indy neighborhoods >></a>
About Our Team
Thinking about hiring us? Check out the <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/our-team/">Our Team section</a> to learn more about Indy Homes. You’ll find bios of each of the team members, a personal note from team leader Kristie Smith, how WOW service and our core values make us different from other real estate teams, and raves from our clients. Make an informed decision!
Relocation Information
IndyHomes.com’s <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/indianapolis/">Why Indianapolis</a> section provides an overview on everything from shopping and entertainment to meeting people in Indy to the various schools systems in and around Indianapolis. This section is a must-stop for anyone moving here! And of course, we offer full relocation services to our clients, including city tours, housing assistance and move coordination. Learn about those services in the <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/relocation/">Relocation section</a>.
Indy Homes Real Estate Blog
We pride ourselves on our informative blog, where you’ll find posts on goings-on in Indianapolis, selling your home, buying your home, home maintenance, luxury homes, tips on better living, as well as musings from Kristie. The Indy Homes blog has been going strong since 2011, but it has a fresh new look. Watch for new posts every week! <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/blog/">Check it out here</a>.
We hope this overview has been helpful! If you ever have questions, use the online chat feature at the bottom right of the homepage, or send us a note through the site’s <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/contact/">contact form</a>.
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<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2018-01-22T18:49:00-07:002019-06-14T13:28:20-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10301What I wish I had known before buying my first home<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/broken_washing_machine.jpg" width="686" height="468" alt="Broken washing machine" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />
I bought my first home in 2004, I was only 24 years old at the time. I believed that I had a firm grasp on “adulting,” and when I look back it is rather silly the things I thought I knew about homeownership that I really had no clue about. In 2004 I had just graduated from college, had my adult job and thought it now time to buy a house! I had been renting since 1998 and thought the only difference was I was wasting my money by not investing in homeownership. Turns out, there is a lot more to owning a home than meets the eye!
When renting, the apartment complex always took care of so many little details, I had no idea that I was still being coddled when it came to home management. They came in every three months to replace my air filter, they took care of any appliances, they fixed water leaks, etc. I just didn’t realize I was paying them for it. It was all encompassed in my rent.
Homeownership as a learning process
When I bought my first home, I already thought I had everything figured out; I slowly started to learn otherwise. Fast forward to living in my home for a month. One morning I am getting ready to shower and go to work like normal, but hey, there is no water!? What the heck! Well, it turns out that the former owners called to switch the water out of their names, but I hadn’t called to put the bill in my name. Easy step, right?! But I didn’t know I needed to do it. One day without water will ensure you never make that mistake again.
Fast forward again to the first winter in my first home. I thought having gas heat for my home was better than having electric heat. This is not the case, because a gas-run furnace still requires electricity to run! SMH! You’d think this was common knowledge, but it is not!
Then there were just a bunch of little things that I never considered that needed to be done routinely in my house. I had to change air filters. I had to have the air vents cleaned out. I needed to run “clean” cycles with my stove, dishwasher and washer because they routinely collect debris and can start to smell funny. I didn’t know a cup of white vinegar would clear up a smell in my washer and dishwasher. How could something stinky like white vinegar clear up another smell?! So weird!
I’m hardly what anyone would consider to be “handy.” I’m book smart, not hands on smart… So my first and second home purchases were all purchased within “dad” region. Meaning my dad was close enough to come help me figure all these little homeownership things out. But when I bought my third and fourth home I needed to get better at the know-how of home upkeep!
The value of home warranties
I was offered a home warranty with the purchase of my last home and this has been a godsend! I pay a low monthly fee to cover the unexpected repairs of my homes appliances. This has helped a lot with budgeting and with my dad being over 800 miles away, it’s nice to know I can call someone to come take care of things when the unexpected repair needs to be done on one of the appliances.
I have had my share of mishaps when it comes to my homeownership experiences, and I hope I can either inform, teach or just give you a laugh from what I have learned over the years. Please feel free to read my personal experiences at <a href="http://blog.reviewhomewarranties.com/" target="_blank">my blog</a> and take what I have learned to help you know more about what you need to know about homeownership and what it entails.
We at Indy Homes highly recommend offering a home warranty with your listing. Transferable to the home buyer at closing, the warranty also protects you while your home is on the market should anything break. Plus, it’s is a great marketing tool! Buyers are more likely to choose a home with a warranty, and they’ll appreciate the peace of mind that goes along with the coverage. Home warranties cost just a few hundred dollars, and we can preorder one for your listing. Want to learn more? Just give us a call at (317) 815-4450 or ask in the comments!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/Sarah_C.jpg" width="121" height="144" alt="Guest blogger Sarah Callahan" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Sarah Callahan<br />Our guest blogger Sarah Callahan is a former accountant/analyst from corporate America who started her own business five years ago and currently moonlights as a freelance writer. She grew up in Indiana, and her family and friends are all still there. She moved with her husband to Sioux Falls, SD so he could run his family's business.
2017-11-17T14:56:00-07:002017-12-28T10:57:25-07:00Sarah Callahantag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:9965Is your home ready to sell to the 'activity generation'?
Indianapolis REALTOR Kristie Smith explains how the characteristics of Gen Xers—the “activity generation”—influence how and why they buy certain homes and not others. Is your listing optimized for the activity generation? Watch the video and find out!
If the idea of preparing your home for sale is overwhelming, our team is perfect for you! We’ll show you room by room the right things to do to sell quickly and at the highest price. If you need help with repairs and upgrades, our home transformation manager will recommend contractors, schedule them for you and oversee every detail.
Call us today for a FREE consultation—317-815-4450—and get your home sold quickly for the best price!
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2017-06-12T13:09:00-07:002017-11-16T15:47:10-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10064Preparing to sell
Have you ever put a house up for sale before? Holy schinkes, I see why people don’t do it very often.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/preparing_to_sell.jpg" width="350" height="233" alt="for sale sign in front of home" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" />Earlier this year, my wife and I decided we were going to move. We’d only been here a couple of years, but found a house we really liked and just went for it. After jumping through all the financing hoops and agreeing on a price, we bought a house.
It was somewhere around that time we also decided it would be a good idea to sell the house we currently lived in as opposed to the alternative of paying an extra mortgage for the rest of our lives.
This is where things started to get real, very quickly. We’d only been in our current house for two years, but didn’t do nearly enough upkeep. Everything needed a good cleaning, all the baseboards in our house needed painted, and about forty other things needed done before we had a reasonable chance to sell our house.
We slowly started knocking things off the list. I spend the better part of three weeks with a paint brush in my hand, painting everything in sight, bedrooms, cabinets, baseboards and all the doors in our house, it was crazy. Dave, the paint department guy at Home Depot and I were becoming close friends. Once things were painted, I decided an easy way to update our house would be to change the hardware on all the doors in our house, not knowing older doors had small door knob holes and newer knobs wouldn’t fit. I spent two entire afternoons, (while my kids binge watched Pound Puppies on Netflix) hand boring out larger holes with a metal file.
The list
My wife, in addition to working a full-time job, also tackled many household jobs from ”the list.” Only one was a failure--the night she drilled 11 holes in the wall attempting to hang a towel bar. There were so many holes it looked like there’d been a drive-by shooting in our master bathroom. Forget about the holes though, there were many successes on her part. She painted our old white master bathroom vanity (that we almost took a sledgehammer to one night) and updated it by painting it an awesome deep gray. I was most impressed by her newly acquired plumbing skills. Somehow, by sheer determination and YouTube videos (she was too stubborn to read the instructions), she perfectly installed three brand new faucets in our bathrooms. They looked (and worked) great!
Night after night we checked more and more off the list: planting flowers, reversing a door, adding doors to a kid play area, and so on. I must admit, by the time the list was completed, our house looked really good.
I couldn’t help but wonder…why didn’t we do these things two years ago so we could enjoy them while WE actually lived here.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/petegilbert-9.jpg" width="128" height="132" alt="Indianapolis blogger Pete Gilbert" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: left;" />About the Author<br />Pete Gilbert<br />Pete is a former teacher, turned stay-at-home dad of kids ages 3, 5, and 8. When not packing lunches and shuttling kids all over town he writes a blog titled, "A Dad Influence" for <a href="http://www.indyschild.com" target="_blank">IndysChild.com</a>.
2015-07-01T11:09:00-07:002017-12-03T16:14:37-07:00Pete Gilberttag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10065Boat dock adds to home value at Geist and Morse reservoirs<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/geist-motorboat.jpg" width="424" height="283" alt="Motorboat on Geist Reservoir" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />If you’re looking for Geist or Morse waterfront real estate in Indianapolis, consider buying a home with a boat dock to maximize your enjoyment of life on the water. Having a boat dock offers several conveniences:
You’ll have the peace of mind of having your boat safely stored on your Geist or Morse property.
Your boat will be readily handy for jaunts around the lake, entertaining guests and all kinds of other water fun.
You and your family will have the safety and convenience of swimming off your dock all summer-long.
This convenience comes at a relatively low cost—$15,000-$28,000, depending on the neighborhood. And of course, having a boat dock increases the attractiveness of your home for many buyers when you decide to sell.
Other options for docking your boat at Geist and Morse
If the Geist or Morse property you want to buy doesn’t offer a boat dock, you do have other options. You could buy a separate dock—for the same $15,000-$28,000 price tag—elsewhere in your neighborhood. This means having to drive a golf cart or car to your boat and loading your boating essentials before sailing off.
The reservoirs’ marinas also offer slip rental, which currently costs approximately $1,300 to $4,000 per season depending on your needs. For a small per-access fee, these marinas also offer public-access boat launching ramps, but that doesn’t solve where to store your boat when it’s not in use. (Your neighbors will frown upon a boat parked in your driveway, and in fact, this is against most neighborhood covenants anyway.)
The most economical alternative? Many Geist and Morse waterfront residents don’t use their docks and as good neighbors may allow you to use theirs for free or a small fee. (Give a gift card, offer boat excursions or throw a dinner party to show your thanks!)
Whether you’re a boating enthusiast or just want to maximize the value of your new Geist or Morse home, you do have a variety of options for docking your boat. We’d love to answer other questions you have regarding Geist and Morse waterfront real estate! Comment below, call Indy Homes Team at <a href="tel:(317)%20815-4450" target="_blank">317-815-4450</a> or send an email to <a href="emailto:ksmith@indyhomes.com" target="_blank">ksmith@indyhomes.com</a>.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2015-04-06T11:19:00-07:002017-11-21T10:10:09-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10073Getting your Indy home ready to sell – Part IIinteSelling your home can be an emotional process and often an overwhelming one. The Indy Homes Team will guide you through each step in the process to ensure it’s the most enjoyable and profitable experience it can be.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/garage.jpg" width="300" height="225" alt="house with large garage" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />In <a href="https://www.indyhomes.com/blog/getting-indy-home-ready-sell-1/">Getting Your Indy Home Ready to Sell – Part I</a>, we talked a lot about the emotional aspects of preparing your home for listing. In Part II, we’re focusing on the practical and tactical items you’ll need to address to attract as many buyers to your home listed in Indianapolis.
Here’s a checklist of items to get ready to sell your home.
Paint – A fresh coat of neutral paint is optimal but at a minimum you will need to touch up your walls and baseboards. This is one of the simplest things to do in your home that will go a long way in first impressions. Earth tones, neutral colors and grays are prime picks for interior colors. Remember we live in Indiana—a more traditional locale—where bright turquoise exteriors aren’t as common as they are in Florida. Investing in paint for the home interior and exterior will have a great return when it comes to your final sales price.
Carpet – Builders love to talk about brand new carpet in their homes and leverage that fact in their pitches against the existing housing market. Keep this in mind when you decide whether to clean or replace your carpet prior to listing your home. Capet is a great keeper of odors, stains and allergens. Do your best to eliminate these detractions—especially pet odors. Like paint colors, neutral tomes are best for carpet.
Appliances – Modern appliances draw buyers in to imagine using and living in your kitchen. It’s true: the kitchen is the heart of the home. You don’t have to have the latest and greatest, top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, but they do need to be a reliable brand, clean and current. This is a safe place to invest a little money, knowing you’ll likely get it back out of the sale.
Fixtures – Be sure to bring your lighting, doorknobs and bathroom fixtures to current styles. Builder’s grade lighting fixtures need to be updated. If you have a special chandelier or foyer fixture that you plan to take with you, that will need to be included in your seller’s disclosure. Or you can take those down and replace with a current style fixture to leave in the home. If a buyer sees that chandelier, then wants that chandelier, and then you tell them they can’t have it—well, then buyer will be disappointed.
Flooring – Replace cracked, chipped, or scraped floor tiles and hardwood planks. Your floors don’t have to look brand new (but if they do, that’s a plus) but they need to show wear-and-tear well. Spiff up and shine hardwoods and touch up grout in your tiled surfaces.
Landscape – Your yard’s appearance along with home exterior material comprise your curb appeal. People eat their dinner with their eyes first and the same principle applies to a home’s overall appeal. Easy-to-maintain yards are most appealing to today’s buyers. Trim bushes, edge flowerbeds and incorporate color into your landscaping—yellow is a buying color. Be sure that buyers can see your house number.
Maintenance – Pull out your service records on your HVAC units, plumbing, roofing, electrical, etc. Buyers will want to know when the last time your furnace and air conditioner were last serviced, which is typically written directly on the units. All flawed mechanical will be unveiled with a buyer’s home inspection; so don’t be caught off guard. It’s a good idea to have your roof inspected ahead of time. Roof repair can be higher priced ticket item that you may need to address in an inspection response if you don’t address before listing your home.
The Indy Homes Team has some great ideas, tips, and tricks to get your home primed for listing. Call us today for a consultation. We love what we do and will help you every step of the way! We’ll even manage the transformation process for you and refer you to our wonderful vendor partners.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2014-06-14T11:34:00-07:002017-11-21T12:12:49-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10074Getting your Indy home ready to sell – Part I<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/cleaning-supplies.jpg" width="400" height="287" alt="cleaning supplies" style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: right;" />First impressions are everything when you’re trying to sell your Indianapolis home, even with record-low real estate inventory. It’s a great time to list and sell your home but remains crucial to put your home’s best foot forward once it hits the market. Buyers are making quick decisions to put an offer on a home. It’s a competitive time, and buyers will only buy one home. Put your home in the best position to grab these buyers—with fewer days on the market and offers as close to list price as possible.
Declutter
Buyers look to eliminate homes and narrow down to one home, and only one. Why would a buyer choose your home over the many, many competitors? Your listed and staged home will need to create an emotional experience and connection for people looking at your home—it’s typically a female driving the buying decision. Can they see their family living there? By decluttering your home, you’ll leave room for these buyers’ imaginations. If you need to get a storage unit, get a storage unit. Prospective buyers will open and inspect closets and cabinets. Let them see how easily organized and arranged your storage space can be.
Depersonalize
Along with decluttering your home, it’s a good idea to depersonalize it as well. By emotionally detaching yourself, you allow buyers to attach personally to the home. Remove family photos, sports memorabilia, and any potentially disagreeable items from walls and shelves. According to a National Association of Realtors® 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 90% of buyers can’t visualize the potential of a home. That’s why it’s so important to stage your home to show its full potential.
If you need some inspiration on how to stage and declutter your home, visit builder’s model homes in the area. Sure they’re professionally decorated, but you’ll also see how less is more. Pinterest and Houzz also offer great visual references for finely staged home to sell.
The Indy Homes Team has sold hundreds of homes and we know what sells. We’ll be honest with you and tell you what needs to happen in your home to get it sold—quickly! And often we’ll encourage you to pull away from the emotional ties to your home to see it as business transaction that needs to be marketed the right way —because that’s the truth.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2014-05-21T12:19:00-07:002017-11-21T12:21:09-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10147How to enjoy a nice fireplace in Zionsville this winter<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/warm-toes.jpg" width="620" height="413" alt="Family's feet warming before a fire in a fireplace" style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" />
Will this winter ever wind down? Just when the sun starts to shine, another snow hits the 10-day weather forecast. But not to worry—this just means there’s more time to enjoy a fireplace in your Zionsville home this winter. With cabin fever running high, a cozy fire inside might just be the cure.
Safety first
There’s lots of ways to still enjoy your fireplace this winter. But before firing up the logs, be sure to have your chimney and fireplace properly inspected. Hire a reputable chimney sweep to keep the flue free of hazardous creosotes. This will give you peace of mind for your fireside family night.
Avoid using wet wood; it can create excessive smoke and creosotes. Seasoned or kiln-dried wood is the optimal choice for nice fire.
Keep glass door or a grate in front of the fire to prevent hot embers from coming out of the fireplace.
Only use newspaper or a log starter as fire accelerants. Flammable liquids are a no-no.
Keep the fireplace damper open to prevent smoke and dangerous gasses from entering the home.
Be sure to let the fire fully burn out before trying to remove the ashes.
Yah - What about those ashes?
Never use a paper bag to remove and store your ashes. A metal can or bucket is the safest way to store fireplace ashes—and keep them stored outside and away from the home. And do hold onto them for future use! Not sure what to do with all the ashes after your fire burns out? The good news is that ash offers many uses to your Zionsville garden and yard. Here are a few ways use ash instead up adding it to your waste:
Compost enricher – Sprinkling a few ashes in with the organic compounds enhances the nutrients.
Pest repellent – A light application of fireplace ash in your flower and garden beds repels slugs and snails.
Tomato food – You can add 1/4 cup of ash to holes of calcium-loving plants like tomatoes.
Over 300 homes listed in Zionsville include a fireplace. Many even have multiple fireplaces, including one in the master suite. Since this winter never seems to end, there’s plenty of time to enjoy a fireplace of your own.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2014-02-28T13:47:00-07:002018-03-01T18:18:17-07:00Kristie Smithtag:indyhomes.com,2012-09-20:10231Top 10 list of New Year’s resolutions for your homeWhen the new year arrives, promises and resolutions abound. Here’s the top 10 list of what the resolute home owner should accomplish this year.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/new-years-resolution-apple.jpg" width="350" height="288" alt="January 1 calendar" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" />Ready for 2012? Here it comes:
Lose weight (cut energy use)
Quit smoking (purify indoor air)
Get out of debt (budget for improvements)
Learn something new (educate yourself on home finances)
Get organized (de-clutter)
Volunteer (support your community)
Drink less (curb home water use)
Spend more time with the family (share home improvement projects)
Get fit (exercise your DIY skills)
Be less stressed (use maintenance-free materials)
1. Lose weight (cut energy use)
Your house is a glutton, gobbling energy like a starved elephant. Gain control by trimming energy use.
A good place to start is your HVAC ductwork. Ducts are notorious energy-wasters, leaking your heating and cooling air through holes and loose connections.
Sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%, saving you $200 per year or more, according to Energy Star. You’ll make your home more comfortable, and a more-efficient system helps extend the life of your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump.
Because ducts are usually hidden inside walls, ceilings, attics, and crawl spaces, sealing and insulating them may be a difficult and time-consuming DIY job. If you can’t reach all your ducts, concentrate on those that are accessible.
Use duct sealant — called mastic — or metal-backed tape to seal the seams, holes, and connections. Don’t use the confusingly named “duct tape,” which won’t provide a permanent solution. Be sure to seal connections at vents and floor registers — these are likely places for leaks to occur.
After sealing your ducts, wrap them in fiberglass insulation. Most hardware stores and home improvement centers have insulation wrap products made for ducts.<br />A professional heating and cooling contractor will charge $1,000 to $4,000 for the work, including materials, depending on the size of your home and accessibility to your ducts.
Insulating your ductwork may qualify for a rebate from your state or local municipality. Check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.
2. Quit smoking (purify indoor air)
The EPA lists indoor air quality as one of the top environmental health hazards. That’s because indoor air is full of potential contaminants, such as dust, mold spores, pollen, and viruses. The problem is at its worst during winter, when windows and doors are shut tight.
You can help eliminate harmful lung irritants in your home with these maintenance and improvement tips:
Maintain your HVAC system and change furnace filters regularly. Use the highest-quality filters you can afford ($10-$20) and change every month during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Keep indoor air pristine by using low-VOC paints when you remodel your rooms.
Use localized ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms to remove cooking fumes, smoke, and excess humidity. Make sure ventilation systems exhaust air to the outside of your home, rather than your attic crawl space or between ceiling joists.
In fireplaces and wood stoves, burn real firewood rather than pressed wood products that may contain formaldehyde.
Use a portable air cleaner to help cleanse the air in single rooms. Portable air cleaner types include mechanical air filters, electrostatic precipitators, ion generators, and ultraviolet lamps.
Note that each type of air cleaner is designed to remove specific pollutants; no portable air cleaner removes all pollutants. Be wary of air cleaners that generate ozone — a known lung irritant.
3. Get out of debt (budget for improvements)
Creating a yearly budget for home improvement and maintenance helps prevent overspending, and encourages you to put aside money for major replacements — such as new roofing or a kitchen appliance — that come up every few years.
Protect your home finances by knowing how much you’ll probably spend each year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau says that average annual maintenance and home improvement expenditures are about $3,300 per household. Leading lending institutions agree; HSH Associates and LendingTree.com place average costs of yearly maintenance and upkeep at 1% to 3% of your home’s initial price.
That means the owner of a $250,000 home should budget between $2,500 to $7,500 each year for upkeep and replacements. Have extra at the end of the year? Save it for more costly upkeep and replacement items down the road — you’ll probably need it then.
4. Learn something new (educate yourself on home finances)
Want a little education that goes a long way toward your financial health? Learning how to improve your insurance score can help you keep your home insurance premiums from getting out of hand. Here are a couple of easy lessons:
Letting credit card debt build up is a black mark on your credit history — and an indicator that you’re likely to file an insurance claim. The more claims, the higher risk you appear to be to insurance agencies, which lowers your insurance score. Low scores mean higher rates for home insurance.
Keep payments on loans up-to-date. Don’t miss payment deadlines; if you do, notify your lender that your payment is forthcoming. Delinquent payments signal insurers that you can’t manage your money — resulting in a lower insurance score.
5. Get organized (de-clutter)
No excuses — that clutter has got to go! Start by creating more storage space so you can stash stuff easily.
At wit’s end for new storage space? You’ve probably got storage solutions you didn’t know you had. Put up a high shelf between the walls of a narrow hallway, and tuck storage in out-of-the-way nooks, such as under-stairs spaces and between wall studs.
If your small home is pinched for space, don’t despair: There’s still room for storage. Shoe organizers ($20) do more than hold shoes — use them to store keys, notepads, and cell phones. At about $300 per drawer, have a cabinetmaker install drawers in the toe kicks of your kitchen cabinets for napkins, cookie sheets, and appliance manuals.
6. Volunteer (support your community)
In a world that often seems topsy-turvy, a little altruism helps restore balance. You can volunteer your time and energy to help others, and at the same time help promote safety and preserve the value of your neighborhood.
A neighborhood watch program fosters a sense of community and helps stop crime. Set up a meeting with neighbors to discuss concerns and priorities. Gather facts to present at the meeting: What kinds of crimes happen nearby? Are there patterns? Ask a local police representative to come to your first meeting to answer questions.
Start a community garden. Bring together neighbors for bonding, eating healthier, and saving on groceries. A 4-by-16-foot raised bed garden plot provides $200-$600 worth of food annually. As the organizer, you can expect to spend 20-30 per month for six months getting your community garden going.
7. Drink less (curb home water use)
Our houses are thirsty. The average household uses about 400 gallons of water each day, or almost $700 per year in water and sewer costs. Making a few simple changes, such as installing EPA-certified WaterSense products, could trim up to $200 from your annual water bill. Add to that energy savings from reduced costs to heat water, and your yearly savings could reach $300 or more per year.
Low-flow showerheads include technology that reduces the amount of flow yet keeps pressure up, resulting in shower streams that are powerful and satisfying. They cost from $10 to $150, and installation is an easy DIY job that takes only minutes.
Replacing your pre-1994, water-guzzling toilet with a low-flow toilet prevents $90 worth of water costs from being flushed away. HE (high-efficiency) toilets use compressed air and electric water pumps to flush with less than 1 gallon of water; older models required up to 8 gallons.
8. Spend more time with family (share home improvement projects)
Spending quality time with your family takes quality planning — but it’s worth the effort. Rally your family around these fun-to-do projects to make every minute count:
Plant a tree. Pile the clan into the family wagon and shop for a tree that’ll become a new member of your family. Have your kids name it and help care for it. You might have to dig the hole, but everyone can take turns adding mulch and watering it. A bonus: planted where its shade will protect your house from summer sun, a $50-$100 tree cuts your yearly energy bill by $100 to $250.
Make a home emergency preparedness kit. Make a scavenger hunt of gathering up all the necessary supplies, such as flashlights, toilet paper, and duct tape, and assemble your kit during an evening together. It’s a good, non-scary way to teach small children about what to do if there’s an emergency.
9. Get fit (exercise your DIY skills)
Looking to trim a little of the old spare tire? Routine home maintenance and repair is a double win — you’ll burn calories while keeping your house in tip-top shape. Try these essential fix-ups and improvements from CalorieLab:
Building a fence: 340 calories per hour
Caulking windows and doors: 280 calories per hour
Cleaning rain gutters: 272 calories per hour
Installing ceramic tile: 238 calories per hour
Interior painting: 136 calories per hour
Chopping firewood: 340 calories per hour
Mowing the lawn: 306 calories per hour
Planting shrubs: 238 calories per hour
General gardening: 204 calories per hour
10. Be less stressed (use maintenance-free materials)
If you want less to worry about, install low-maintenance materials and products designed for durability and long, trouble-free service.
Fiber-cement siding lasts for 50 years or more. It’s weather-proof, and resists dents, fire, insects, and rot. It’s exceptionally stable, even with changes in humidity, so that paint jobs last longer than on wood and wood-fiber siding products.
LED bulbs last a phenomenal 20,000 to 50,000 hours between changes, or about 18 to 46 years when used for 3 hours each day. Although the initial cost is high (about $40 per bulb), LED bulbs pay for themselves in energy savings in about 10 years.
Classic ceramic tile comes in many colors and textures, but at its heart it’s incredibly tough, stain-resistant, and impervious to moisture. You can count on ceramic tile’s good looks to last for decades on floors and walls without needing repair or replacement.
<img src="https://assets.site-static.com/userfiles/685/image/blog_images/ksmith-4.jpg" width="128" height="144" alt="Indianapolis Realtor Kristie Smith" style="float: left; margin: 3px 10px;" />About the Author<br />Kristie Smith<br />Kristie Smith is the founder and CEO of the Indy Homes Real Estate Team. She is a REALTOR, and is one of the most recognized and accomplished Indiana real estate agents. Ranked among Central Indiana's top 10 real estate teams, the Indy Homes Team specializes in relocating families moving to the Indy area, as well as Helping People on the Move locally in Indy.
2011-12-31T08:16:00-07:002019-06-24T06:25:28-07:00Kristie Smith