Indy Home Marketing - March 2010 Newsletter

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March, 2010 Newsletter

Volume 4, Number 3

			Census Forms will Arrive Later this Month... U.S. Census data directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is allo- cated to communities for neigh- borhood improvements, public
	health, education, transportation and much more. That is more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few min- utes to fill out your census form will help ensure our commu- nity gets its fair share of federal and state funding. Continued

	STAGING YOUR HOME TO SELL... Staging is presenting your home in its best and most appealing light to the majority of home-buyers... and it's becoming an increasingly used selling tool in today's competitive market. Staging goes beyond cleaning, declut- tering, painting, and making minor re- pairs to a home you plan to sell. It's actually about often simple changes
	(such as furniture rearrangements or wall color changes) that can make your home look bigger, brighter, and more appeal- ing to potential buyers. Although it sounds simple, staging can be a challenge for most homeownersRead More


		RECIPE OF THE MONTH Old Fashioned Meatloaf Here's a hearty meal for a chilly day that the whole family will enjoy. And, it makes great sandwiches as well! Recipe courtesy of: Food Network

INGREDIENTS:

•	1 pound ground beef	•	1 egg, lightly beaten
•	1/2 cup chopped onion	•	1 1/4 teaspoons salt
•	1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
•	1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
•	1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
•	8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice

TOPPING:

•	2 tablespoons brown sugar	•	1/3 cup ketchup
•	1 tablespoon prepared mustard

DIRECTIONS:

Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix all the meatloaf
ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.

Mix the topping ingredients for topping and spread on loaf.
Bake the meatloaf for about 1 hour. Serves 4.

	Time is Running Out to Take Advantage of the Extended Homebuyer Tax Credits... Since Congress extended the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's first- time homebuyer tax credit late last year, and also added a new credit for repeat and moved-up buyers, thousands nationwide have taken advantage of the opportunity. When you factor in today’s historically low interest rates and hous-
	ing affordability with the financial incentive from the government, it’s easy to understand why so many homebuyers have taken ad- vantage of this limited time opportunity. However, the ability to utilize first-time buyer tax credit of up to $8,000, or the up to $6,500 credit for move-up buyers, will not be available much longer. To receive the tax credit, buyers must meet program eligibility requirements, enter into a binding home purchase contract by April 30, 2010, and be able to close their purchase on or before June 30, 2010. For more information about both programs and eligibility requirements, contact us HERE, or click on the information page HERE.


			Don't Forget to Turn Your Clocks FORWARD 1 Hour on March 14th... Did you know Benjamin Franklin, while a minister to France, first suggested the idea of Daylight Savings Time in an essay he titled "An Economical Project for Diminish- ing the Cost of Light?" The essay was first published in the Journal de Paris in April of 1784! Learn more about the history of Daylight Savings Time HERE.

2010 Census (continued)

The Census form is short, asks just 10 questions, and shouldn't
take more than 10 minutes to complete. The data you provide
to the U.S. Census Bureau through the 2010 Census form is
also private. The specific information you personally provide
will NOT shared with federal, state, or local government
agencies (including law enforcement).

A Word of Caution

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has advised people to be co-
operative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud
or identity theft. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census
workers will count every person in the United States and will
gather information about every person living at each address
including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

One major concern is how do you tell the difference between
a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? The BBB offers the
following advice:

• If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have
a badge, a hand-held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and
a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their
badge before answering their questions. However, you should
never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

• Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or bank-
ing information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for
the U.S. Census. Remember, no matter what they ask, you
really only need to tell them how many people live at your
address.

• While the Census Bureau may ask for basic financial informa-
tion, such as a salary range, you are not required to answer
anything about your financial situation!

• The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank ac-
count, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit dona-
tions. Any one asking for that information is not with the
Census Bureau.

• Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in
person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact
you by e-mail. So, be on the lookout for e-mail scams imper-
sonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attach-
ments in an e-mail that are supposedly from the
U.S. Census Bureau.

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Staging Your Home to Sell... (continued)

without expert and objective guidance. When you list your home
for sale with Indy Home Marketing, we'll provide you with pro-
fessional advise and the staging resources you need to get your
home sold quickly, and for top dollar.

However, if you're planning to sell your home, here are 5 things
you need to do BEFORE considering staging or placing it on the
market:

Clean Your home must sparkle! To achieve this level is usually
only feasible by hiring a cleaning crew. In fact, having a clean-
ing service return weekly while your house is for sale is pro-
bably a pretty good investment. Get your windows profes-
sionally cleaned inside and out too.

Fix Got a dripping faucet or a cracked tile? These will send the
wrong message to potential buyers. Getting them fixed before
you put your house on the market is a smart idea.

Eliminate Clutter The "50% Rule" requires that you eliminate
the clutter in your home by at least half. Everyone loves clutter...
it reflects our memories, hobbies, and values. But it doesn't sell
homes! Clutter makes homes seem smaller and disorganized.
Even the ancient practice of Feng Shui has the elimination of
clutter as a central focus.

Neutralize Neutral colors sell... it's a fact. Try to convey the
image of quality and neutrality. Potential buyers who walk
through your home want to imagine themselves as the owners.
If you use styles or colors they would never select, you've just
turned them off. Although neutral colors are safest, bolder
colors selected to accent furniture, carpeting, architectural,
or other home features can be a marketing "plus" in some
cases. However, the use of bolder colors schemes are
generally best left to decorating professionals.

De-personalize Remove objects that your potential buyers
won't be able to identify with. Buying a home is an emotional
decision, and you want potential buyers to make an emotional
connection with your home by being able to "see" themselves
in it.

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