It's December 3 and 70 degrees in Indiana!!

Who would have thought a Hoosier could play golf, in Indiana, in December?  Harbour Trees golf course was busy this past weekend and today they are open for play, thanks to the awesome weather.  If it didn't get dark so early in the day, I would be out playing, despite the wet ground.   I sure hope many of you are taking time to hit the links and enjoy this spring like weather.  Who says you can't play golf year round in Indiana??

Harbour Trees to host 2014 USGA Women's Mid-Amateur

Pretty cool that my home course is hosting a USGA tournament.  Congratulations Harbour Trees! 

http://www.usga.org/news/2012/November/2014-Women-s-Mid-Am-To-Harbour-Trees/

Buying a lifestyle, not a just a home

When we moved to Noblesville, we purchased a house that offered a certain lifestyle.  Mike and I enjoy golf - the peacefulness of being on the course, the beauty, the friendships, the competition, the respect, the integrity.....it is more than just a game.  Buying a home on a golf course gave us the opportunity to live and breath what we love.  We hear the clanging clubs as golfers pass by, we see the beautful course (and watch someone else cut the grass) 24/7, the kids sometimes sneak out and run on the open fairway, we waive to friends as they pass by and while out playing our house is a convenient pit stop when nature calls.   A little slice of heaven....each and every day!

Knowing how much we enjoy our lifestyle, it only makes sense to help future homeowners find their dream lifestyle.  My passion is showing golf course homes and neighborhoods near and around the clubs.  There is something for everyone - price ranges that meet the individual budgets.   Find family homes, retirement homes, 2nd homes, homes on near the tee box, on the fairway, near the green, overlooking a pond - you tell me what you are looking for and I can help you find it. 

Considering a move?  Ask yourself what are you buying - a home or a lifestyle?  

Stony Creek Golf Course - 2013 Indiana Course of the Year

One of Noblesville's fine public golf courses was named 2013 Indiana Course of the Year - Stony Creek Golf Club.  Offering beginner, youth and junior programs, summer golf camps, a par 3 course as well as a full 18 hole course, Stony Creek is an affordable and enjoyable course.  They also host the Hamiton Southeaster Girls Golf team. 

To read more about Stony Creek, just click the link below. 

http://www.stonycreekgolfclub.com/

Cost vs. Price Explained in simple terms

I am a little bit of a chart/numbers junky so the link below really pumped me up.  It is a great visual that explains how just .5% jump in interest rates can impact your monthly payment. 

Cost vs. Price Explained  

BUY NOW....while the rates are low!!!

Benefits of having a Buyer's Agent represent you

No need to make buying a house harder than it has to be.  Don't think you have to track down every agent for every listing that you want to see.  You may waste a lot of time trying to reach agents.  Find an agent that you like, an agent that you trust, and then partner with them.

Every buyer could use a good Realtor partner.  And like any good relationship, commitment only makes it stronger.  Be honest about what you want, trust that the Realtor is working for you and will keep your best interest at heart, and ask questions.  Your agent can help you track down homes, set up showings, give you information about neighborhoods and market values.  A good Realtor will work with you and only enhance the buying process.  

If building is an option, take your Realtor along.  Did you ever consider that the person sitting in the model home is working for the builder?  They absoluetly are working for the builder.  That doesn't mean they won't work with buyers, too, but it does mean their loyalty is to the builder.  It doesn't cost a buyer ONE CENT to have representation.   So if it doesn't cost you anything, why not have a licensed agent represent you?    (Builders will not, and can not, charge buyers with representation more or offer discounts to buyers that don't have an agent.  So don't think you might get a better price if you negotiate on your own.)

So if you are just thinking about buying a house, start looking for a business partner.  Interview agents, check out their web presence - you can learn a lot about a person via the internet, find someone you are comfortable working with.  Make it a fun experience!

Radon - What is it and why test for it?

More and more homeowners are considering radon detection a "must" - and with good reason. Health officials have warned that exposure to unsafe levels of radon can cause an increased risk of cancer. In fact radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in North America, yet it is easily preventable. The Environmental Protection Agency has dubbed January "Radon Awareness Month." Read below to learn more about testing radon levels in your home and protecting your family.


WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF RADON?

Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is formed by the ongoing decay of uranium in soil, rocks, sediments, and even well or ground water. While radon that escapes into the atmosphere is not harmful, dangerously high concentrations can build up indoors, exposing residents to possible health risks.


HOW RADON ENTERS THE HOME

Radon gas can migrate into the home in several ways. Openings or cracks in basement walls or floors are common avenues. Sumps, basement drains, and spaces around gas or water fittings can also allow radon into the structure.


HOW CAN MY CLIENTS FIND OUT ABOUT RADON IN A HOME THEY ARE CONSIDERING FOR PURCHASE?

Radon can be measured using several different types of devices. Talk to your home inspector to find out what device they use and how accurate it is.

REDUCING THE LEVELS OF RADON IN THE HOME

Radon mitigation methods can include sealing likely entry points, improving ventilation, and a process called soil depressurization, which vents air from the house back into the surrounding soil, reducing the level of radon that can enter the home. Professional mitigation services are recommended to provide recommendations for a home's specific conditions.