Paula Henry

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Indianapolis Tax Estimator for Marion County

October 28th, 2008 categories: Indianapolis Real Estate News, Indy Home Buyers, Indy Home Sellers

Here’s a little knowledge about the tax bills which will soon hit our mailboxes. Remember, you will receive a tax bill for the first half of 2007 in a few weeks, best estimates indicate November 10th. We then expect the last half of 2007 tax bill to come out in January.

By May 2009, we should be back to normal ( whatever is normal for Marion County Taxes) and will be paying for the first half of 2008, due, May 10th.

In the meantime, check the estimated tax rate and dollar amounts at the Marion County Tax Estimator site.

Here’s a pictoral directory and instructions for calculaing your estimated tax.

The disclaimer is – the tax Estimator is a projection only and not a statement of true tax liability. This will give you an estimate of 2008, 2009, 2010 tax rates and dollars.

Click the link in the center to check prior tax bils for a particular property.

There is also a link for information about deductions you may qualify for, but the link doesn’t work, so go here to find out about deductions.

Marion County Tax Estimator

First, choose your area, this is a bit more complicated than it appears, especially for certains areas. To find out exactly what your tax district is, locate your property by clicking on the link in the middle to view prior year taxes or go here. When you enter the information for your property, don’t be too specific – forget the streets and circles and boulevards; just use the basic; last name and address. When you receive your info – your results will show the tax district and assessed value, which you will need for the next step.

Marion County Tax District Map

Once you have the tax district and the assessed amount, enter any current deductions or expected deductions. Be sure to enter TOTAL assessed value (AV). Then you will receive the following data, which will provide you the estimated tax for 2008, 2009, and 2010. Remember, the 2009 tax rate will go down to 1.5% of assessed value and the 2010 tax rate will go down to 1.0% of assessed value.

The tax amounts assume no change in assessed value. I’m not sure how realistic that is, but the assumption sure looks good in print.

Tax Estimator Sample

This would also be a good time to remind you to file your exemptions, if you have not done so.

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Don’t Let Them In

September 28th, 2008 categories: Indy Home Sellers

While packing and cleaning today, working around the movers, a couple of men knocked on the door. I opened the door, expecting it to be the new buyer for his inspection. Instead, they were unrepresented homebuyers (no agent) who wanted to know if they could come in and view my home.

Of course you can’t! I wasn’t rude, I just wasn’t going to allow two complete strangers into my home to look around. Regardless of whether my home is sold or not, they were not getting pass the threshold.

I wanted to take a minute to remind all home sellers; please do not let anyone into your home unless they have an appointment. I mean, really, who walks up to someones home and expects an open invitation? I am assuming it is not your normal person and you certainly don’t want an abnormal person waltzing through your home.

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Leave the House

September 28th, 2008 categories: Indy Home Sellers, Random Thoughts, Selling My Home

As a matter of preference, I recommend my home sellers don’t hang around when the buyer is performing a final walk-through. A final walk through is the buyers opportunity to ensure all requested repairs were completed and the home is in the same condition as it was when they wrote the offer.

Because of circumstances beyond my control (movers, moving trucks and the day the buyer chose), I had to be home when the buyers came through for their final inspection of my home. My REALTOR did ask if I wanted them to come by, but…..Hey, I’m a big girl and besides that, I’m a REALTOR; I know to just stay out of the way, give them the receipts for the repairs and let them inspect.

Well, not so fast there – I still have an emotional connection to this place I have called home and I know the work we have put into it. If they want to know how the pool works or what day the trash gets picked up, well, I can answer that. The question I wasn’t prepared for caught me off guard and left me wondering what happen to the professional REALTOR I am. So my emotions got the best of me, but, at least I waited until the new buyer left. Now there’s the professional in me  :)

What was the question? What’s underneath the carpet in the fire-pit conversation area around the fireplace? A seemingly innocent question, until, they tell me they plan on taking out the carpet, level the floor, replace the flooring, tear out a wall, remodel the kitchen, take out the pantry……………………etc.

It’s not that I don’t believe this home needs some more updates or remodeling. But, today, it is still MY home and I wanted to believe someone bought my home because they would love it as much as I do.

The truth is, they will come here and make it their home – I just didn’t want to hear about it – at least not today.

Home sellers, get out of the house when the buyers come by and inspect. Leave them a nice note and imagine how much they will love your home. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

 

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Moving On

September 25th, 2008 categories: Indy Home Sellers, Random Thoughts, Selling My Home

Not Like Any Other Day

Door to HomeToday was an early morning as I got my youngest daughter on a plane and now I sit here at the Indianpolis International Airport, waiting for my flight to join my daughter in Phoenix. It is a vacation of sorts. My son will fly in for the weekend, as we have one last hooray at our Phoenix home. If you remember, we were supposed to have that last blast back in January, but time got away and we didn’t put the house on the market until June.

A Home Sold

I intended to chronicle the details along the way – but somehow time passed and the specifics don’t seem quite as important. Yes, my husband and I had differences of opinion about the price, when to reduce the price and how to respond to the offer, once we received it. It was not all that exciting to me, being a REALTOR, but I know every detail was important to my husband. I think REALTORS should sell their own home occassionally to remind themselves of the impact the whole process has on our clients and their family.

While, I have been able to rationalize price reductions in light of the reality of the current market, it wasn’t easy. We had two price reductions and an offer within days of the last price reduction. Yes, I wanted to make more money, but am glad I don’t face the prospect of having to bring money to close. I feel blessed in that respect. 

So far, I have been able to keep an emotional distance. Not so, today!

A New Life

Yes, we sold our home, but we also sold every spring where my husband would plant another plant or buy another yard ornament. We sold every summer where the pool and patio became a place of relaxation, a place where family and friends gathered. We sold the home where our last child became an adult. We sold a part of our lives which we both cherish and miss.  Our memories are deeply planted in our hearts, soul and a few thousand pictures, but the loss; it’s still the same.

On Tuesday – I will step into my clients shoes with a bitter sweet victory. Sometimes selling a home is a happy occasion; other times not so much. It’s always a transition. Along with every other transition life brings us, we will move forward with hope, optimism and another chapter in our lives. We have our new life in Indianapolis, another home to create memories together, this time with grandchildren.

It’s difficult moving on., but there’s another door waiting to be opened.

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Please Don’t Put Your Home on the Market!

September 21st, 2008 categories: Indianapolis Real Estate News, Indy Home Sellers

Put it ‘in” the Market

Really, I mean that! Probably not the way you think I do, though! See, there’s a huge difference between putting your home on the market and placing it “in” the market.

I’ve written before, not too long ago, actually, about pricing your Indianapolis home to sell. I honestly admit I do allow my clients to test the market “for a time”, especially if there are not enough comparable sales in their neighborhood or if they have an outstanding or unique home. I also let them know we must be ready to adjust the price based on activty, feedback and lack of offers. It rarely earns me bonus points, but I prefer honesty above all else and have walked away from listings I knew I had no chance of selling when the homeowner is stuck on their price.

A Current Example

So, why do I write this again? I have to tell this story; it is exactly the type of homeseller who needs to take their home off the market.

This particular seller is wasting their time and their agents time! It is a home I was personally interested in buying. I made an appointment, but was turned down because it was an inconvenient time. Hmmm……in this market, if you can possibly accomodate a buyer, you really should.

At the time, the home had been on the market for almost one year and they were on their second agent. So let’s look at the history:

Agent #1 had the home listed at $###,###. for 4 months. The information provided was accurate. The pictures used to market the home were just okay. The agent didn’t use a wide angle camera, which failed to capture the true beauty of the home.

Agent #2 did a fabulous job capturing the beauty of this home with professional photography which made you want to make an appointment to see the home. It made me want to go see it! It was originally priced at $###,### with agent #2 and reduced by $15,000 over the next six months it was listed. $15,000 represented less than 4% of the original listing price.

And…………………………..it expired last week without selling.

This week it came back on the market, listed with another agent, who is only marketing with 6 outside pictures, nothing impressive and here’s the big difference – they raised the price $10,000 more than the price it was originally listed for with agent #1, which is $35,000 more than the price when it expired with the last agent.

It Still Won’t Sell

If they really wanted to sell, this is NOT the way to do it. They should just take it off the market, because they are not “in” the market.

Raising their price will not sell this home. Now, though, it has been on the market for over a year, which makes homebuyers wonder what is wrong with the home. It also tells me they are stubborn about their price. This homebuyer – that’s me, will not look at a home where it is apparent the sellers are stubborn AND overpriced.

 

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