Many people choose a school district for their children to attend before they even begin to search for homes. Even those without children should take into consideration the school district when they buy their next home. Cities, neighborhood and communities in a well performing school district will generally maintain their property values.

In most areas, you will also pay more for a home in one of the top performing school districts. Homes in Metro Indianapolis are no exception. Schools in Hamilton County where 5 High Schools ranked in the top 12 in Indiana, are where some of othe areas highest priced homes are. There are many great schools within the Metro Indianapolis area. Check out the list by US News list of best High Schools in Indiana for 2013.

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Fantastic bungalow for sale in the heart of Little Flower neighborhood in Indianapolis.

As one of Indy's up and coming historic districts, many of the homes in Little Flower have been updated and restored to their original beauty. This home at 1211 Shannon Avenue is no exception. 

All the charm of a traditional bungalow style home. This lovely home includes enclosed front porch where you will spend many a spring and summer day with friends and family, safe from rain and inclement weather.

Open living and dining with beautiful hardwood floors, allows enough space for enteratining or intimate gatherings. Open and bright with lots of windows and built-ins. 

Kitchen is at the back of the home...

The real estate market in Indianapolis has changed almost overnight into a seller’s market. With inventory tighter, homes are selling more quickly and often for more than list price.

Many home buyers are left empty handed when bidding wars happen.

How can a buyer be prepared for multiple offers?

1. Make sure you have a pre-approval, not just a pre-qualification. This can strengthen your negotiation power when submitting an offer and allow you to close quicker, if needed.
2. Search homes within your comfortable price range. It’s not the time to look at...

Grand home for sale in the beautiful neighborhood of Summer Ridge in Brownsburg Indiana.

This home has all you dreamed of! Large open floor plan on the main level features a large two story entry, formal living and dining room in the front and a beautifully updated kitchen, breakfast room andfamily room in the back.

You'll have more than enough room for entertaining! If by chance you have a full house, there's plenty more room out back or you can move the action to the completely finished basement.

Daylight window basement with 9 foot ceilings has a rec room, wet bar, bedroom/exercise room and a full bath. It would be a perfect in-law suite or a teen hangout!

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Gorgeous condo in a beautiful community surrounded by lakes, ponds and wooded nature. Maintenance free living allows you to enjoy all this beauty without all the work. Home features 3 large bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, dining, great room with over 1500 square feet of living space. 

Great room floor plan offers lots of space for entertaining and a fabulous fireplace with built-ins.

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Having shown 1000's of homes, it is still very interesting and often amusing to see what features are most important to him versus her. Take any two people and they will have very strong opinions about what is a "must have" in their next home.

For fun, I made this little graphic distiguishing the difference of important features.

Seriously though, deciding up front what you "must have" and what you can do without in your next home will make house hunting a bit easier.

easel.ly

It's never a good way to begin a conversation with a buyer when they say, "How much less you think they will take if we are paying cash"? Inevitably, a home buyer believes they hold the cards if they are paying cash.

There are a few advantages to the seller if a home buyer is paying cash. Most cash buyers don't ask for an appraisal, they can close quicker and there are never loan issues. When it comes down to dollars in their pocket though, most seller's will choose the offer netting them more money.

A seller may take a small percentage off for the buyer with cash just to alleviate hassle. In today's real estate market though, most seller's don't have to. Cash is still king when all other factors are equal. If a home buyer expects to get a huge discount because they are paying cash, chances...

Stunning,elegant meticulously updated and scrupulously maintained bungalow in the heart of Historic Irvington is ready for you. 

Expansive windows bring light and warmth into this vintage Irvington home. Gleaming hardwoods, gorgeous hearth warm gas fireplace, stunning wood paneled walls are just a few of the updated original features of this home.    

Dine in elegance in this classic Frank Lloyd Wright inspired bungalow in ...

Great opportunity to own this beautiful custom home in the popular Plainfield subdivision of Williamsburg in the Woods.

Situated on a large half acre lot, this home has a tree lined lot providing privacy and a canopy of shade over the fenced in back yard. The multi level deck has built-in seating where you're sure to spend many summer days and evenings with family and friends. Meticulously landscaped yard has an irrigation system.

Main floor living offers a large open space combining the kitchen, breakfast room, family room and sunroom, all overlooking the back yard. You also have separate formal living and dining rooms. 

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Wonderfully maintained and updated home at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Walking Trails within the neighborhood provides quick access to Lawrence Community Park.

So many amenities in this home to enjoy. Every detail you could think of is waiting for you here:

• Hardwood floors in the lower level
• Custom tile in kitchen and bathrooms
• Tile back splash in kitchen
• Solid surface counter tops
• Custom lighting in kitchen
• Beautiful built-in office in loft
• Ceiling fans throughout
• Custom window coverings
• Professionally landscaped with irrigation
• Upgraded lighting and fixtures 
• Extended height counter tops in bathrooms

Great home just minutes from downtown Brownsburg. Located in Willow Springs neighborhood on a cul-de-sac street and a five minute walk to Williams Park.

Large open floorplan features a spacious family room with stone fireplace, a formal living room and good sized bedrooms. Updates include:

• New Heating and A/C
• Light Fixtures in and out
• New Flooring Throughout
• Freshly Painted
• New Appliances
• New Garage Door and Opener

Situated on almost a third acre lot, backyard is fully fenced with a large deck and above ground pool. Get ready to enjoy the summer sunshine! Find out more about this home at ...

Beautifully decorated home in Shannon Lakes Subdivision offers over 4600 square foot of living space. Located on a cul-de-sac lot on one of Perry Township's favorite neighborhoods. This home offers 5 bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms and wonderful entertainment space.  See more about this home!

• Features include:
• Large spacious family Room
• Formal Dining Room
• Office
• Den/Library
• Large Kitchen with Breakfast Room
• ...

Great home for sale in Franklin Township. Open floor plan in this well maintained home in Adler Grove neigborhood. Check out these amenities:

• Three Bedrooms
• Two Full Bathrooms
• Large Great Room with Cathedral ceilings
• Cathedral Ceilings in Kitchen
• All Kitchen Appliances
• Separate Laundry Room
• Ceiling Fans
• New Flooring
• New Lighting Fixtures
• Split Master for Privacy
• Master Bath with Garden Tub
• Walk-in Closet in Master
• Good Sized Secondary Bedrooms

Home sits on a large lot with privacy fence and no neighbors right on top of you. Deck just off the kitchen makes great entertainment space for family and friends. Full details for 3335 Spring Wind Lane.

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Indianapolis is addind six round-abouts thorughout the city. Round-a-bouts have become popular for alleviating congestion and trafiic in neighboring cities, towns and counties within the Metro Indianapolis area. The city of Carmel in Hancock County boasts the most round-a-bouts and Hendricks County has added several in the last few years. The six planned round-a-bouts will be at the following intersections:

• German Church and 42nd Street
• German Church and 46th Street
• Spring Mill Road and 91st Street
• Edgewood Avenue and McFarland Road
• Edgewood Avenue and Gray Road
• Five Points Road and Thompson Road

I remember the first time I drove a round-about was in Cherry Hill, NJ. Back then, I was a bit intimidated and thought they were a crazy idea. Today, I like the simplicity of them, as well as the ease of travel.

I talk to many people who will do anything to avoid a round-a-bout. I'd love to hear your opinion...

It's hard to believe I am writing about Labor Day activities already. But, it's that time of year and the best time to enjoy outdoor activities and festivals. 

One of the most popular festivals in Indianapolis has always been the Indianapolis Greek Fest. It really should be called the Greek Feast, because this is the place to be if you enjoy Greek food. What's not to love!

Although I'm not Greek and can't even claim to have one ounce of Greek blood, I truly enjoy a good Gyro with creamy goodness of tzatziki sauce. It doesn't stop there, though - there's nothing on the menu at Greek Fest I haven't eaten and truly enjoyed. 

The Greek Fest is located in Carmel...

When you begin your search for a new home, you will also be searching for the best loan program and lender for your specific needs. Knowing the terms and costs for your loan is crucial to making a good financial decision, since fees charged by a lender can affect your monthly mortgage payment.

The whole process can often be a bit overwhelming and leave you wondering whether you were able to negotiate the best long term solution for your finances. One of your best alliances in your financial advisor, so I asked a few questions of a financial advisor I know.

1.      How should consumers compare one lender's offer to another?

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Indianapolis Home for Sale in Wayne Township

SOLD! One of a kind home in Chapel Bend on Indianpolis' west side. Great 2 story home with a Victorian style offers a large porch which wraps around the bay window. Located on a corner lot next to the pond with nothing but a canopy of trees behind you. 7205 Nostalgia Ln. Home Listing Detail

Other features include:

• 3 large bedrooms
• Over 2100 square foot
• Formal living roon
• Formal dining
• Large family room
• Kitchen with breakfast bar
• Breakfast room
• Privacy fence
• Wood lined lot

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SOLD!! This is truly one of those rare finds for a home in Fishers. When you compare the cost of building a new home and including all the upgrades already in this beautiful home, we think you'll agree. Check out the base cost of homes for sale in Sedona Woods, then make an appointment to see this home. You won't be disappointed!

Over sized three bedroom, with two and a half baths in Hamilton Southeastern School district has 2500 square foot of living space. Open concept floor plan on the main level, with separate living and family rooms, large kitchen and sun room. Kitchen features hardwood floors, 42 inch cherry cabinets, island, walk-in pantry and breakfast bar.

Upstairs are three huge bedrooms, plus a loft...

Starting Your Home Search on the Internet

The National Association of Realtors says that almost 80 % of home buyers start their search for their next home on the internet. Reading a little further you will find that NAR also says that most home buyers find the Realtor they will work with on the intranet as well. It is this combination of great local realtors, and their ability to make a home buyers on-line search easier that makes for a winning combination.

Local Experts Guide Your Search

Many home buyers start their search on national websites under the impression that they are being provided with the best information on the area they are looking in. Before long they start to spot a local realtor whose information comes up of in the search engines. They will start to build a relationship with that local agent as the expert in their market as they need their questions answered. They soon realize that when it comes to real estate a local expert is a necessary part of the formula...