When I’m working with Buyers, I usually stay away from showing a home that has a pending sale, let alone writing a back-up offer. The reason is that the primary offer in place usually works and I don’t want my Buyer-customer tied up. Something better might come along and they could miss the opportunity to act upon it because they were focused on the other home. The only reason I would is if my customer really wanted that particular home, above all others, and thought it would be worth taking a chance. Besides, the Buyer can always withdraw the back-up offer at any time unless the Seller agrees to make it the primary offer.

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But mainly I just like taking photos of it when given the opportunity. I like the way it looks.

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I thought there must be another REAL name for a Butterfly Bush. It just sounded like slang or more like a common, popular name. So I looked them up. But no, that’s the real name. And how appropriate. Butterflies especially seem to be drawn to them instinctively. Their favorite dining experience.

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While some would see this as negative news, I call it a normal reaction to market influences and a step in the right direction. From my vantage point, I see a stronger and more balanced market. More homes in higher price ranges are selling now which happened far less frequently a year ago. But mainly I hear and see more optimism in the voices and eyes of customers…and the phone rings more often.

For an in-depth analysis of last months market activity, including actual sales numbers, charts, graphs…take a look at my latest Market Watch Newsletter.

The most positive result of slower market activity is that interest rates dropped to astounding levels. Last time I checked, the rate for a 3o yr conventional loans with NO buy-down points was 4.5%. And  for 15 yrs it’s 4.0%.  The rate for an FHA loan with only a 3.5% down payment to purchase is 4.375%. Those are amazing rates. Very good timing especially when you consider home prices are more affordable than they have been for years. Great circumstances for anyone who wants to purchase a home or refinance.

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There’s been a discussion lately about the possible sale of land assets used by the water company which helps to provide a good portion of our drinking water. It’s suspicious when they start looking at selling publicly controlled property when times are leaner and there’s a shortfall in the budget. Why don’t they take a harder look at spending instead. No surprise. Growing or maintaining the scope of government seems to be more important to those in government. Don’t they realize once something is sold, it’s gone. What’s next, Monument Circle?

The Central Towpath above is one of these assets as well as Geist and Eagle Creek Reservoirs. Just look how beautiful this is. More importantly, it’s one of those things that binds us together as a community and a way we interact with each other. To me it’s treasured public art that we not only can look at but use. The real issue is control. What will happen if private interests want to change something later that is contrary to the best interest of the public. Land is probably our most precious asset. It nurtures us now in ways that cannot be replaced, and must do the same for future generations.

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I had home listed that just would not sell after a couple months on the market. It received a number of showings and was priced realistically for the area it was located. Comments from agents after showings were similar. “Nice home, but it felt sort of plain compared to others we saw.” Or, “Home had some nice features but it looked tired on the exterior”. After a little while it was clear what they needed to do.

Amazing what a few dollars and a little time will do. The owners cut out all the tall overgrown bushes and trimmed back the branches of nearby trees to raise the canopy so the house would stand out more. They got a tiller and churned up the soil all around the perimeter of the house and installed an edging made of bricks, then planted some new colorful flowers and bushes. They saved some of the existing plantings they had earlier…moving, separating and replanting where needed. Then covered the new flower beds with hardwood mulch. They also painted the front door and sidelights with a fresh new coat of paint. The before and after effect was dramatic. The house was the same but the image was enhanced by a new frame.

The house sold shortly afterwards and the Sellers were happy with the outcome. The said their only regret was that they hadn’t done it sooner.

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Normally when we can see the dome of the State Capital Building then we’re looking up at it, so I thought it was an interesting view from this perspective. This shot was taken from the top of the Monument on the Circle zooming in west down Market Street. To me it looks like the Monument and the Capital Building are about the same height? I’ll have to research that factoid. It’s recorded somewhere I’m sure.

After looking at this photo I started wondering how they raise and lower the State and U.S. flags on the top. You can’t just climb up there and pull on the ropes…well, unless you’re Spider Man.

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Economically speaking, we’re not used to standing still here, let alone go backwards. We have a heritage of new growth and improvement that dates back to our very beginning as a nation, state and city. The lone exceptions that stand out were the 1930′s depression era, and far less dramatically, the last 2-3 years of negative or stagnant growth. Roosevelt got it right that the only thing to fear was fear itself. Perception…that’s the key. In both of these times, big business got out of control and let us all down, and big media played right along and drove the story until we collectively believed the worst.

Lesson to be learned? Again and always…perception is reality. Stay strong and positive. Listen to the media with a healthy sense of skepticism, realizing that they are in the business of creating a product. It’s main goal is to increase revenue from selling advertising, not especially to inform correctly. They’ve learned that the more dramatic the sound of their message, the more people will turn to look their way. Better ratings equals more advertising clout. I’m always skeptical of others who describe what the world is or will be when they make money doing it.

New growth is inevitable. People inherently want to grow, improve and be happy. It’s our nature. Follow your heart. Intend the world that you want and it will materialize and grow.

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Took this photo recently on a beautiful day recently as I went for a walk on some heavily wooded property out near Geist. I liked the pattern of back-lit maple leaves that sun and nature provided.

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Does this look familiar? This photo was taken somewhere in the central Indianapolis metro area. If you are the first one to solve this Mystery Challenge then you win a prize. In this case a $25 gift card to a local restuarant of your choice. For your answer to be correct, please state the exact location where this photo was taken. Entries are to be submitted by using the “Make a Comment” link in this post. Good Luck!

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