Refreshed & Recharged....and FOCUSED!

JAMAICA - 2011

This has been a VERY busy year for me. I changed companies, got married, ran 2 half marathons, did some consulting work, and managed my Real Estate Business. I needed, looked forward to a 6 day getaway for good friends' wedding / Jesse & I's sort-of Honeymoon. I was stressed about leaving--I had a 3 page to-do list in the days leading up to our departure, printed off 5 pages for the agent covering for me and, reviewed the resort's Internet and wifi policy several times. However, from the time I awoke at 3am to head to the Indy Airport....I was able to relax and BE IN THE MOMENT & take a vacation. It has been years since I took more than 2 or 3 days off -- really off, like cell phones off, off!!

We had an amazing time. The resort was beautiful. The wedding was amazing. My husband & I had a blast with new friends as well as enjoying some quality time together. Most Importantly, I was able to relax, enjoy my vacation, and look forward to my next getaway!

I am back to work with a new focus and motivation -- I'm looking to close a few more pieces of business in 2011 and have already started planning for 2012. I'm hoping that 2012 will be my BEST year yet -- I have always had good sales in "even" number years....

As Always, I'm NEVER too busy for your referrals. I have built my business with referrals -- pass my name to anyone you may know. I will make you proud of your recommendation.

-Stacy

Sellers, Put away personal photos.....here's why:

Recently, I was showing houses to a buyer & they were REALLY liking this one home. We noticed a lot of pictures on the wall...wedding pics, various vacation pics, etc. and my buyer says "those people look familiar & I know a couple of guys in their wedding party" (YES, HOMESELLERS, we look at your pics on the walls, books in your bookcase, and your diploma on the wall...tells us a lot about you!!)

A few days later, my client's sister was talking to a friend who was trying to sell their home and the Friend tells her "we have been in our NEW home for several months & We have GOT to sell our old house immediately, and we would leave all the furniture if someone would just buy the house." GUESS WHAT??? SAME HOUSE we were about to make an offer on!!!!

In my professional opinion, having this information in our arsenal, definitely HELPED us in our negotiations. Without it, we were looking at a well-priced home, and would have been told that the sellers had already purchased a home and that was their motivation for selling....we would have assumed that maybe they would "rent" if the house didn't sell since obviously, they didn't need to "sell to buy"

So at the end of the day, my clients got a GREAT house, at a GREAT price & some furniture added in the deal. On a positive note, by "knowing" the sellers, we know that they are great people and that they took really good care of the home.

So the moral of the story is....Put all personal items away...!!

Swimming Pool -- Asset or Liability???

So I recently was listening to the radio while on the way to show houses and the DJ was talking about things that decrease value in the home and mentioned swimming pools....the other DJ couldn't believe it!! Then I remembered thanks to I-HEART RADIO, I was listening to a Miami, FL radio station...ahhhh, it all made sense to me.

Here's my personal take on Swimming pools:

Depends (really!) on where you are geographically located. In the Indianapolis, Indiana metro area. I feel there are LESS buyers that actually want to deal with a swimming pool, than actually have the desire to have a pool on their "must have" list. With our climate, you may only be able to actually use the pool for a 3-4 months out of the year--and that puppy better be HEATED and that costs $$$$.

In warmer climates, many times the pools are NOT HEATED and you may only NOT be able to use the pool for 3-4 months -- making them more desirable/tolerable to buyers...I have had clients that would NOT look at a home if it had a pool as well as those that were OK with a pool (if in good condition). The ONLY client that I had that actually had a pool on their "must have" list was a high-end client. The Miami based DJ touched on the high-end buyer by stating that homes over $1 million, a pool was usually expected by the client.

For me personally, I wouldn't want the upkeep/maintenance of a pool BUT a neighborhood pool is a must for me -- lounging by the pool in the Indiana Summer is my female version of being on the golf course.

For more info on Indianapolis Metro homes with or without swimming pools, contact me today!!! I have a very lovely lisitng w/ a swimming pool: www.talktotucker.com/21112994.

Good News in the Real Estate World…Central Indiana Home Sales UP 16 percent in June and FC Tucker Company up a whopping 35%.

You all know I LOVE some good, positive news regarding my industry that I LOVE!! – here it is.
June 2011 pended home sales rose more than 16% over June 2010. My company, the FC Tucker Company saw company sales increase 35% !!! Average Sales Prices in the central Indiana area have also increased slightly…MORE GOOD NEWS!! I feel that the best news of all the recent sales statistics is that Inventory from June ’10 compared to June ’11 is DOWN. Inventory = Supply, when Supply is ↓ then Demand will go ↑ and Prices should rise as well…Something welcomed news for Home Sellers. In central Indiana there is still a overall 7 month inventory but, among homes selling for $300,000 or less, the inventory is down to a 6 month supply. According to Industry leaders, a healthy balanced demand/supply real estate market is 4-6 months. With June’s positive numbers, year to date home sales are down 9%, with a continued positive trend, we may end the year in the positive!!!

Month of May....Racing into Real Estate Sales

I’ve been a little busy which is a GOOD THING! In addition to selling houses, I ran and finished my second EVER half-marathon the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (13.1 miles!!) on May 7. The weather was actually perfect running weather and it was actually pretty painless this year. Next year, I promised my fiancé that we can go to the Kentucky Derby instead (they usually fall on the same Saturday in May). The mini marathon is actually the kick off to all the May festivities leading up to the Indianapolis 500.


The month of May is always very busy in Real Estate. I have been very busy w/ buyers and sellers. You may be hearing on the news that the prices are down compared to one year ago. That is true BUT the inventory is down as well…a lot! In fact, inventory is down double digits in some areas. I can certainly attest to low inventory. I have been out with buyers and we are having trouble finding what we are looking for. For sellers, it’s still considered a buyer’s market…low rates, lots of deals, etc. BUT with a well-priced home that is staged/merchandised well – your home will sell!! I have also been running into multi offer situations…which is lovely and a sign of an improving market. When inventory or Supply is down, prices should go up….we are hopeful that rising prices are right around the corner. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS THINKING OF MAKING A MOVE – CALL ME –THE TIME IS NOW!!!