How to Winterize Your Indianapolis Home

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Winter is approaching quickly, and with that being said, you'll need to invest in some maintenance around your home in order to keep it in good condition. We have Scott Surette with Premium Inspections to give us some useful advice.

First of all, you need to disconnect your hoses and faucets. You don't want your pipes to freeze, so do this maintenance now to avoid a heavy loss later on.

Inspecting your gutters is also very important. You want them clean and clear of debris because if they're clogged this will cause water to get into your basement and this could cause major issues with your foundation. If your gutters are clear, the water can be pushed away from your foundation when the snow melts in the spring. You simply want to ensure that the water gets carried away from your home.

A very easy thing to do is to change your furnace filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow and this can cause damage to your furnace as well as your air vents. It's an easy thing to do, and it could save you a lot of money down the road. Preventative maintenance always pays off.

It's also a good idea to get someone to come and check on your fireplace and your chimney if you're going to be burning wood in it this winter. While you're at it, get your smoke alarms tested and replace those batteries if necessary.

Please don't hesitate to call Scott if you have any questions or concerns about winterizing your home.

Learn How You Can Join Our Growing Team

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Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    

Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Today, we will discuss how you can join our rapidly growing team, in addition to how and why our office is growing. Our business is up over 21% this year because of your referrals! Referrals were 61% of our business last year. We are forever grateful for people like you that are familiar with our business and continue to refer us to others.

This is why we need to hire new, top talent for our sales positions! We have sales positions open now and in the upcoming months. We'd like to share how you can join the team and what we're looking for in an applicant.

What's our ideal candidate? We are looking for someone who is energetic and full of life to add to our family-like atmosphere. We're very fast-paced and hold high expectations for everyone on our team. We're interested in hiring someone who wants to learn and adapt to the ever-changing world of real estate. We want a team member that will work to be the best they can be. Our team's core values include faith, relationship, integrity, trust, and authenticity. What you see is what you get! We want someone who loves working with people. Our vision aims to make a difference, change lives, and leave a legacy.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, be sure to call us directly at (317) 863-4663 or send us an e-mail at careers@eveloteam.com. We would love the opportunity to speak with you or someone you'd see fit for us. Thank you so much again for your referrals. We look forward to hearing from you!

Can You Trust Zillow to Give You an Accurate Home Evaluation?

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

As real estate professionals, we're continually bombarded by the question,"Why does Zillow price my home differently?"

If we go on Zillow's website, this is how they explain it: The Zestimate is created by an automatic software process designed by statisticians, and there is no ability for humans to manually alter the Zestimate for a specific property.

To make that more clear, let's say a home is estimated to be worth $500,000. If the Zestimate is off by 10%, that's a difference of $50,000! If the home is under-priced, you're missing out on tens of thousands of dollars. If your home is overpriced by 10%, it will sit on the market for awhile, and you might have to drop the price, causing buyers to wonder what's wrong with the home.

It's been estimated that Zillow's home estimates are only right 7% of the time. That means that they are wrong 93% of the time! That's a terrible success rate.

Remember, Zillow can't take features or upgrades on your property and compare them to other recently closed homes in your area, even though doing so gives you a more updated value on your property. Zillow doesn't walk through your home, and that's where our team can come in and place an accurate value on your home.

Ultimately, if you want the most accurate price for your home, make an appointment with a real estate professional. We will go over your home and the local market data in order to give you the most accurate home value.

If you have any questions, or if you're interested in a home valuation, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Check Out Our Top 10 Relocation Tips

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Relocating to a new city -- or country -- can be especially overwhelming for home buyers. Today, we've compiled some of our top ten relocation tips just for you.

1. Figure out the criteria for your new home. What kind of neighborhood do you see yourself in? If you have kids, how close do you want to be to their new school? Do you want an older home or a newer home? These are all things you need to know in order to have a successful home search.
2. Do your research. The more you know, the better prepared and more comfortable you will be.
3. Start a packing timeline. Write down a plan of attack. The less stress you have trying to stay organized, the smoother the move will be.
4. Ditch the junk. As you pack, keep a "Toss" and "Donate" box nearby. You can also have a garage sale to get rid of unnecessary items. It may make more financial sense for you to pack light and buy new things in your new location than to pay movers to lug everything across the country.
5. Look at exchange rates. If you are relocating internationally, definitely look into exchange rates. Also, in order to manage your finances, look at the cost of living in your new area.
6. Pack an emotional first aid kit. Leaving your home can be difficult. Bring favorite photos of friends, family, places and pets, or bring along meditation tapes to ease anxiety.
7. If you can, visit the new location in person. If you're able to, looking at homes in person is a great way to get a feel for the area. If you cannot be there for the home search, but found a home through an agent, paying a visit to the neighborhood before moving can help get you excited for your move.
8. Arrange temporary accommodation before moving. If you need to be in the new location before you close on your new property, make sure you have some kind of temporary lodging set up.
9. Pack strategically. Label everything! If you have things that you won't need to use in the next six months, pack those first. Maybe put them in a storage unit. Not only will this save you stress down the road, but it will also make your current property seem more spacious, which can help it sell faster.
10. Hire the right real estate agent. This is the most important thing you can do. A good real estate agent should be able to help you with everything on this list, from recommending moving companies to making you feel welcome in your new home.

If you know someone looking to relocate anywhere in the U.S. or beyond, we can help them with making that move. We have connections in every major city in the U.S. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to help you!

10 Tips for Throwing a Great Tailgate or Labor Day Party!

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Today, we're going to do something a little different. With football season just around the corner, we thought we'd share a video that I found on HGTV featuring 10 tips for throwing a great tailgate party!

1.    Be literal. If you or your friend has a truck, use a tailgate as the serving station.

2.    For lighting, use paper lanterns in team colors. It's easiest to hang them with zip ties. They are better than balloons, and they're reusable!

3.    Paint a plain cooler with your team colors. For best results, be sure to use spray paint designed for plastic.

4.    Use a silverware caddy. Use an easy-to-transport toolbox caddy for silverware and sauces.

5.    Make chip bag tacos. You want to have a simple menu, and walking tacos are delicious and easy to handle.

6.    Or, try chili and cornbread mason jars. These are a great alternative to the chip bag tacos!

7.    Don't forget the drinks! Bourbon-spiked hot chocolate is perfect for a cool fall day. Make sure you bring along unbreakable mugs.

8.    Serve a unique dessert. We recommend pennant cookies. Simply cut cookie bars into pennants.

9.    Create a hand washing station. Bring paper towels, soap, and water.

10.  Pre-game activities. Create a DIY ball toss using a drop cloth.

Even using just a few of these will make for a memorable tailgate party! We hope you found some of these ideas helpful. As always, if you have any questions about real estate, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Why Is Now the Time to Make Your Move?

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report     Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Today, we have a very special guest! Phil Lillge of Parker Mortgage Group, our preferred mortgage lender, joins us to discuss how interest rates affect buyers in the Indianapolis marketplace.

Many buyers don't realize that a small jump in interest rates will greatly affect the purchasing power of buyers. Right now, interest rates are at an all-time low, and it's only a matter of time before they begin to start creeping up. When we bought our home, interest rates were around 9% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage! You can currently lock in a rate as low as 3.5-4%! 

As home prices and interest rates rise, the amount of home you can afford is negatively affected. When lenders take a look at your debt-to-income ratio, higher rates will mean higher payments, which means you will have a less favorable ratio when looking to buy a home. The overall expense of interest over the life of the loan will also be factored in, and will affect your ability to afford the home you desire. Bottom line: the cost of waiting to make your move is substantial! 
 
If you would like to take advantage of this fantastic market, or if you need real estate assistance of any kind, give us a call or shoot us a quick email. We would love to hear from you!

Why You Need a Pre-approval in This Market

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report    
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Last time we spoke about the importance of beginning the pre-qualification process because it paves the way for you to be pre-approved for a mortgage loan. We have Phil Lillge with us again to help explain some of these differences.

As we said last time, it's important to provide your lender with W-2 Forms, pay stubs, and tax receipts if you want to move from being pre-qualified to being pre-approved. Once you are pre-approved, you can then begin looking at properties. You'll want to give your real estate agent the letterhead that designates you as being pre-approved because in a hot seller's market like the one in Indianapolis, you'll need it to stand out from other buyers.

Being pre-approved or pre-qualified was not a necessity in the past, but now it's almost a requirement. All sellers are going to be reluctant to sell you a home if you cannot even prove that you can afford it. This is especially important right now, as we find ourselves in a seller's market. This could help you differentiate yourself from other buyers, and it could help you win out in multiple offer situations.

Hopefully this information has been helpful to you. If you need assistance buying or selling in Indianapolis this spring or summer, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

How to Get Pre-qualified in Indianapolis

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report  
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Today we're going  to be speaking about how you can become qualified to buy a home. In order to do this we've invited Phil Lillge of Parker Mortgage to help explain some things.

The process of becoming qualified for a mortgage loan is two-pronged. The first part is sitting down with your lender and evaluating your position and your needs, as well as your qualifications.

Once you have that initial conversation, it becomes much easier for the lender to find you loan products that can help you comfortably afford a home. You'll have to talk about employment history, credit history, and other things like income history and insurance information.

The next step in the process is to determine which program would fit your needs best depending on what your profile looks like. Not everyone will benefit from the same lending program, so it's important to be honest when you consult with a lender, otherwise you may end up in a very sticky situation when you go to close on a home that you cannot really afford.

Hopefully this information has been helpful for you. If you have any more questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help!

How to Prepare Your Indianapolis Home to Sell

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report  
Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

Spring is here, and with it comes a busy real estate market here in Indianapolis. Before you go to sell your property, you're probably going to need to spruce it up a little bit. Here is a list of some things you can do to make your home stand out.

1. Curb appeal: This is often underestimated in the age of the Internet, but the outside of your home needs to look clean and inviting. Power wash the sides of your home, clean your windows, and spruce up your trees and bushes.
2. Declutter: Buyers don't like to see disorganized homes, so if you have a lot of stuff lying around, find places to put it, and possibly even rent out a storage space for all of your belongings. Get rid of personal collections and try to imitate the look of a new home.
3. New Paint and Carpet: These are small repairs that can make a big difference, and we have vendors that can help you if your carpet or paint needs some touch-up work done. Usually new paint and new carpet have huge returns when you go to sell.
4. Staging: You can get top dollar when you stage your home. This means bringing in our professional stager, who will come in and shift some things around to make your home look larger and more inviting.

If you have any questions about these selling tips, or if you have any questions regarding real estate in Indianapolis, please don't hesitate to call us. We're always here to help!

How to Make the Most of Indianapolis Market Conditions

Selling in the Indianapolis area? Get a free home value report 

 Purchasing in the Indianapolis area? Click here for full MLS access

The Indianapolis market is incredible if you're looking to sell your home, but if you're looking to buy, it might be rough. Today, we are going to talk about how to prepare as a buyer when heading into an ultra-competitive market!

If you haven't already noticed, we are extremely low on inventory. If you're a buyer preparing to enter this market, there are some essential things you need to do in order to prepare yourself! 

1. Find a good real estate agent: The Evelo Team would be more than happy to help you accomplish your buying goals. 
2. Get with a great lender: We have two lenders we love to work with because of their expertise and integrity. They will help you get pre-approved, which you need to do in today's market if you want your offer to be accepted. 
3. Be ready to write an offer: There's not going to be a home out there that will fit every need that you have. If you find one that's in good condition, a good price range, and a good location, you need to be ready to strike and write an offer right then.

If you're thinking about buying at any time in the near future, you need to begin your search NOW! The best homes are going fast, so if you want to find the right one for you, it's never too early to begin the search!

If you have questions, or if you would like us to assist you through this difficult market, we would be glad to help! Give us a call and we'll start devising a plan to accomplish your real estate goals today! 

Is the Value of Your Indianapolis Home Rising?

The Indianapolis real estate market is diverse with both buyers and sellers alike seeking a variety of different properties. As a prospective seller, you can find out the market value of your property with a free home value report right here, or if you're looking to purchase in the Indianapolis area click here for full MLS access. Always feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the current market conditions, or the value of your property at 317- 863-4663

Are you curious about what's happening in the Indianapolis marketplace? If so, you've come to the right place. Today, we're going to give you a quick rundown of the current market conditions in our area.

Knowing whether it's a seller's or a buyer's market is important if you are looking to buy or sell real estate. Right now, we have a seller's market in Indianapolis because there are many buyers, but there is not enough inventory to satisfy them. Sellers are currently having a lot of luck getting their homes sold in a very short period of time.

If you want to buy in this market, you have to be strategic in order to get the home you want. The most important thing you can do is get pre-approved right off the bat. When you're looking for a home in a seller's market, having a pre-approval letter will make a huge difference, as it gives you more leverage in a tough market.

Interest rates remain at historically low levels, which is great news for buyers and sellers alike. We're expecting them to stay low for the time being, but experts expect them to rise by as much as one percent in the not-too-distant future. Right now is not only the time to sell, but to get pre-approved and purchase a home while rates are low. Affordability is at its peak in Indianapolis, and you don't want to miss out! 

If you would like to take advantage of these fantastic conditions, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to hear from you!

What Makes Now the Time to Buy and Sell in Indianapolis?

The Indianapolis real estate market is diverse with both buyers and sellers alike seeking a variety of different properties. As a prospective seller, you can find out the market value of your property with a free home value report right here, or if you're looking to purchase in the Indianapolis area click here for full MLS access. Always feel free to reach out to us for any questions regarding the current market conditions, or the value of your property at 317- 863-4663

Have you been wondering where the Indianapolis market is heading? Is so, you've come to the right place!

The first question people ask us is whether it's a seller's market or a buyer's market. Lately, we've seen a market that favors sellers because inventory has been so low. In most areas of town, we have roughly five months of inventory. The homes around town with favorable locations, prices, and conditions are the ones that are going fast and for great values. 

In years past, builders would build spec homes, and for a while there was a huge surplus. However, once our market started to heat up, all the spec homes were bought up. Since builders can't keep up with demand, they're now being forced to build from scratch. Because it's roughly a six-month process and builders have raised the base prices of these homes, time is of the essence if you are looking to build a new home. Prices are only going to keep rising! 

If you have any questions about our ever-changing market, don't hesitate to give us a call or shoot us an email. We would love to help you take advantage of this hot market!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!