Homesellers....how do you stack up?

NEW VIDEO BLOG coming 9 a.m. 6/22 (Wednesday) talking about just released Indy housing data and why it's not fully accurate.  Got a BIG bone to pick...literally.  



Up....DOWN.....SIDEWAYS.  Which direction is the Indy home market headed?   Greg talks with WIBC's Steve Simpson and gives us the answer.

Central Indiana home sales dropped in April compared to one year ago.  What's it mean? 

Here's a hint as to why those numbers are down.

Want to live dirt cheap?  While Indy has incredibly affordable housing....here's the absolute lowest priced markets in the U.S.

Housing may actually be on the upswing...although it doesn't always feel like it!

No surprise new home starts are down when the resale market is still struggling.

Battling the neighborhood eyesore.  What to do?

Google wants to help you pick your next home mortgage.  Uh oh.

National resale housing numbers are struggling as well. 

The dryest Realtor in America....that thousands want to watch work.

Happy Feet!  Hot flooring trends and how to choose your next floor.

Five national issues that are hot in the real estate industry.

Shabby chic to early American College Dorm.  How well do you know your home decorating styles?

**Just got the word I'll be appearing on HGTV's 'More Bang For Your Buck' that we'll be shooting on 6/16-17 here in Indy. Air dates forthcoming...unless I stink.

Every day....every week.....every year we hear it: "But my property is worth more because......" Today's New World of Real Estate's insensitve moment gives you straight talk about value.





The other big news of the week involves interest rates. Conventional loan rates jumped a full half of a point this week to the mid 5's. Why? A devalued dollar because of our skyrocketing federal debt. Get your money now friends because in a couple of years 5.5% is going to be a distant memory.

Misery Business.














There's no other way to describe how the way flooding has affected Indiana over the past five days. Nearly 11 inches of rain fell in a number of places from roughly 10 p.m. Friday night 6/6 to Noon on 6/7. We've had several additional inches since then which has only added to the pain residents south of Indianapolis have felt. This view from State Road 37 in Martinsville is one of many examples of the mess. As of this post the immense waters have rolled further south and affected addtional counties in southern Indiana.

Across Greenwood, Franklin, Columbus and numerous other communities the flood waters have raged and ruined countless homes, businesses and lives. You can see additional aerial photos of the damage across Indiana here. Readers of the Indianapolis Star have submited numerous photos that can also be viewed.

Now there are additional hazzards in the water, some man created and some natural but all are hindering clean up which will take months.
It seems a bit petty to be thinking about our real estate market at at time like this so for now, we would encourage you to support those in need by donating to the Indiana Red Cross.

Those affected are in our thoughts and prayers. We'll have a market update on less important matters in the next few days.

Thanks Shooter. See you in 3 1/2 years.

Dennis Hopper has once again endeared himself to the people of Indiana with a standing ovation performance as a part of Indy's Super Bowl presentation for the 2012 game. Hopper, referring to the giant inflatable mushroom like objects that will tower over the Indy streets during Super Bowl weekend 2012, said they 'looked like something he may have have eaten during his younger years.' Mr. Hopper was the perfect example of why people buy something. They like the salesman. No doubt Colt's owner Jim Irsay scored more than a few envy points by having Hopper lead the charge in selling Indy to the NFL for the cost of a couple of game tickets to the event, just 43 months away

Huge Benefit For The City.....
No matter whether you agree or not, image is everything. Having the most watched television event in the world in your back yard will certainly add major cred to Indianapolis' reputation around the world.

True, most companies don't make decisions about their geographic futures simply by a sporting event, but it certainly won't hurt to see our city basking in the international glow of the world's eye in early February of 2012. Weather issues? That whine will emulate only from certain media outlets who pride themselves on patronizing the 19th hole and certain special female guests during SB week. The reality is that with the plan that's laid out, downtown Indy will be a Super Festival with a Saturday night party that will be successful and unique. Consider this: What if by some quirk of fate, we get one of those occasional 45-50 degree and sunny February weekends? If that would happen, it would be an absolute outdoor grand slam. People here would act like they had just gone to Florida and probably would roam the festivities in sweat shirts and flushed cheeks from the fun they would inhale downtown. No matter, you don't plan an event like this by the weather and I'm betting the party and the long term benefits will both be great no matter what. That doesn't change the fact that I still would rather not see 4 degrees and snow that weekend.

Random thoughts actually related to the real estate business....
In one snapshot we can get a pretty good summary of the housing market. In April of 2007 versus April of 2008, the eleven county metro area was off by about 24% in units of real estate sold(that's April only, not YTD). Again real estate is a micro economic medium meaning individual price points and geographies within the metro can be very different. The short version is we're off significantly from April of 2007 which was off by about 18% from April of 2006. We're bouncing along the bottom now. Look for better times in 2009 but certainly not before the presidential elections later this year.

Questions...comments...donations:
Greg@GregCooper.com or 317.848.GREG (4734)