Tonight We’re Going to Party Like It’s 1989

I love to throw a party.  Any kind of party.  I've hosted Birthday parties, Halloween parties, Going-Away parties, Christmas parties, Dinner parties, Driveway parties, and We-Don't-Have-Anything-Better-To-Do-Tonight parties.  Actually, no theme is needed.  There are many of you reading this who have enjoyed a little strobe-light-Holle-basement-action in their day.  That basement has brought the masses a lot of joy over the years...

And real estate is always a popular topic of conversation.  Come to think of it, maybe that's why everyone comes over...along with the free booze.  People love talking about houses:  how much this one sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc.

So why do I subject myself to late-night guests, large food and beverage bills and massive clean-ups?  Because I like to surround myself with energy.  Because I like my home to be alive.

Now here's something wild:  What if I merged my two passions in life, entertaining and real estate?  I often think back with nostalgia to my high school job. Back in the late-80's, I worked as a receptionist in a real estate firm outside of Chicago.  The building was on a busy intersection of town with lots of hustle and bustle.  People were always popping in to talk to the agents (who went through Aqua Net and Marlboro Reds like it was nobody's business).  The place was hopping with activity.  It was alive.

So, yep, I did it.  This month I opened Highgarden Real Estate, The Carrie Holle Group, in the heart of downtown Carmel.   Oh...it is everything I could have hoped for.  Life!  Energy!  Hustle and bustle!  My team and I are throwing a party each and every day and talking to all kinds of people about something they love to talk about:  how much this house sold for, how terrible this one looks online, how this one sold in a day, etc., etc.  But we're also taking it up a notch and talking about how much we can sell your house for, how we can make your home look amazing online, how we can sell your house in a day.

And how cool is it to actually talk to a real live person face-to-face instead of some voice from a cardboard sign or the internet?  Yes, we're going retro, baby.  All the way back to 1989.

So come on in and visit with us.  We'll help you with everything real estate...buying, selling, building, financing, investing.  Sit on our pretty green sofa, have a drink, and take a load off.  If you're really lucky, we'll have out a bowl of chips and the strobe light on.  But, unlike my basement, this party ends at 9.

The Hostess with Mostest,
Carrie

There’s No 'I' in Team

I know this may come as a huge shock to some of you, but I'm an only child.  Usually, I forget all about it.  Then there are times like yesterday when everyone is posting pictures all over Facebook for National Siblings Day and other times that I have to do certain things...like share.

There are pros and cons of being an only.  The pros:  getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.  The cons:  getting all the love and attention (and Christmas presents) you desire, being self-sufficient, and being fiercely independent.

A Realtor is a great profession for an only child.  Let's think about it.  We get our name and picture splashed all over the place.  We are a one-man-show and are in charge of our own business.  Our success or failure is solely in our own hands.  We can work without anyone telling us what to do...maybe that isn't an only-child thing...maybe that's a Carrie-thing.

About six months ago, I had an epiphany.  What if real estate was a team sport as opposed to a single-player sport?  What if I could do more for my clients with a group of competent people working with me?  What if I sought out the most amazing, strong, intelligent, and driven women I could find?  What if I even, gasp, threw in some other only children?

I did just that.  And O-M-G.  The results are amazing and totally contradictory to the Only Child's Creed.  Sharing is fun. The ideas, advice and suggestions I get from many far surpass what just little ol' me can produce.  Seclusion is boring.  Yes, we all need a little alone-time, but when our group is together, the office becomes alive (and super loud).  Many are greater than one.  What we can do by combining efforts and hard work blows anything that one person can do alone out of the water.  It's fierce.  It's magical.

So I invite you to meet this awesome team who, together, can list or sell a home like nobody's business.  Reinvent the wheel?  Hell ya, Baby!  Many parts make a mighty whole.  Thinking about starting your own group?  Awesome.  Just don't touch this one because this one is mine.

Only is lonely,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

Ms. Nostradamus Berkus Cochran Schwab Freud

Oh, to be a kid again.  Remember what it was like to dream about what you wanted to be when you grew up?  I went through all kinds of ideas:  a pediatrician, a high fashion model, a ballerina, a newscaster, a media attorney, and a spy (the latter was my most recent wish).  But then life takes a few twists and turns, and we end up where we are.

Being a Realtor isn't the most glamorous or exciting career title.  However, there are many, many vocations wrapped up in this one.  I think the word "Realtor" means "one who wears many hats" or "one who is just plain crazy" in some ancient language.  Buying and selling houses is actually a very small portion of what we do.  Life would be much easier if we were simply sales people. 

Bestie.  Realtors spend a lot of time with our clients.  We get to know you well.  We see you happy, and we see you cry.  We know your life story, and your children and your goldfish.  We are Facebook friends with you and follow you on Instagram.  Seriously, we talk to you more than our own mothers. 

Psychologist.  Buying and selling a home is emotional (that is an understatement).  During this time people act in ways they normally wouldn't.  It is up to us to listen, comfort, and guide clients though their emotions.  This, in turn, leads us running to our own psychologist.

Decorator.  When selling, we possess the tools, or hire someone who does, to stage your home to sell (yes, this means putting all the Precious Moments figurines in a box).  This is even more important when buying.  How can you arrange your sectional to fit in this space?  What can you do to this kitchen to make it look less...well...ugly?  We've got your answers.

Phone Operator.  You may think this is an extinct craft.  Good news!  The phone operator still exists...in the form of your real estate agent.  Our phone rings and dings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We are happy to be at your service. 

Visionary.  Look into our crystal ball.  What do you see?  Appreciation of 11%?  Fun neighbors?  A Walmart being built behind this home in five years?  Only we have the answers.

Financial Advisor.  Interest rates, mortgages, closing costs, taxes, appreciation and depreciation are all are part of our everyday conversations.  We help you avoid dealing with Mr. Foreclosure Man or Mr. Tax Lien Fellow or Mr. What-the-Hell-Did-I-Do Guy down the road.

Jester.  We don't mime or juggle (well, maybe some), but we have to bring levity to certain situations.  This is serious business, and good Realtors can lighten the mood....especially me...I'm super funny.

Attorney.  There is a lot of legal mumbo jumbo that Realtors oversee.  A home is usually the largest purchase one will make.  There are a ton of moving parts to a real estate transaction, and we are trained to deal with it.  We hold a lot of the liability.  You're welcome.

Bouncer.  Not on my watch!  Don't schedule an apportionment to look at a listing unless you are qualified.  Don't send us over an offer unless it's legit.  Don't try to bully our clients in any way.  We're here to protect our clients, and if someone is messing with you, we'll throw their butts out.

So there you have it.  Jack of all trades and master of none?  Nope.  The great Realtors fine tune their craft to be exceptional in all of these categories.  Just don't call me at 2 a.m. and ask me to juggle while reading your inspection response.

Wishfully Thinking,

Carrie, P.I.

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The Ten Personalities of Realtors

Throughout history researchers have attempted to categorize people by their personality types.  Are you a Caregiver?  Peacemaker?  Nurturer?  Doer?  It's fun to read through these lists to see which one you believe yourself to be.  Having worked in the real estate industry for twenty-plus years, I've come to realize that we Realtors are a breed of our own. Therefore, we need our own classifications.


The Ally.  You are friendly and accommodating.  You understand that everyone has one common goal:  to get a house sold and closed.  There's no making waves for you.  Cooperation is your key to success.  Other agents will totally accept your friend request on Facebook.

The Neophyte.  You've been in the industry for less than a year.  Your idea of doing industry research is checking out Miley Cyrus' latest digs on Instagram.  You won't let studying an inspection report or learning about financing get in the way of doing Jager Bombs in Broad Ripple.  If you don't get serious, you'll be back at Steak-n-Shake serving up cheese fries.

The Scavenger.  You will do just about anything to get a listing.  Reduce your commission to $500 to beat your competitors?  No problem!  Rebate a buyer 50%?  Yep.  Sorry, Charlie, the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies to you.

The Basket-Case.  Your emotions are out of control.  The sky is always falling and the smallest blip turns your life upside down.  Take a deep breath, my friend.  You will get through this, and life will be OK.  However, if you can't seem to make it through this transaction, my third grader has an extra chill pill you can have.

The Mentor.  You've a true pro in the industry.  You serve as a teacher and enjoy helping other agents in any way.  Sharing advice and resources gives you pleasure.  Working with you is a good as a cup of chicken noodle soup and a fuzzy blanket.

The Magician.  You're skilled in the art of illusion.  You have some awesome tricks up your sleeve:  vanishing and reappearing at just the right time, walking on water, catching a bullet, etc.  If only your magic skills were as good as your people skills.  Try your hocus pocus with another crowd.

The Bully.  You are a total know-it-all.  In your mind, nobody can hold a candle to your expertise.  Your holier-than-thou attitude is apparent.  You badger other agents with your strong opinions.  When someone disagrees with you, you attack.  We can all see right through your self-esteem issues.  The bullied has become the bully.

The Administrator.  You get things done.  Your organizational skills are stellar.   If you had the time to memorize the covenants and restrictions for each of your listings, you would.  Your world is ruled by checklists and order.  We thank you for keeping us in line and helping make us look like we are as organized as you.

The Fossil.  You've been in the industry for more than 50 years.  Your glamour shot is awesome, even if it's 20 years old.  The internet baffles you.  You still go to your clients' homes to get their real signature on a real piece of paper.  It takes you longer to send a five word text than it would to hand-write the Gettysburg Address.  Time to hang up your blazer, baby.

The Snake.  You come across as such a pleasant person when you are face-to-face.  But, oh, when it's just the right moment....zing!  You are the champ of back-handed compliments.  Negative selling is your forte.  News flash:  talking smack about other agents only makes you look like the creep you are...zing!


So, what kind of agent are you?  If you can't figure it out, just ask me.  And remember, we are all in this together.  Cooperation and kindness make life easier for everyone.



The Golden Rule rules,
Dr. Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The 'One' Habit of Highly 'Scaredy-Cat' People

I've been given several motivational and self-help books by friends and colleagues over the years.  Rather than feeling insulted ("You think I need improvement??  Pshaw!"), I read them with an open mind.  Well, let me be more specific:  I skim the titles of the chapters and maybe read the first ten pages.  Around page 11, I realize I know everything already and don't need the help.

Most of these books relate to the art of excelling in business and motivation:  How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Awaken the Giant Within, Drive, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.  I am literally reading the titles off the bookshelf next to me.  There are several more, but I don't want to turn this into a real snooze.

The people who gift me these little gems care about me and are looking out for me.  They know something that I refuse to acknowledge:  to be great in business, any business, change is necessary.  So what do I need to change?  I need to put my tail in between my legs and ask for referrals.  Sigh.

For some reason, this is incredibly difficult for me to do.  I'm not sure why.  I'm very outgoing and real, but I can't udder the words, "Do you know somebody who's looking for a home?" or "Tell all your friends about me!" or "I would really love your business."  It was the same thing when I moved around as a kid.  "Will you be my friend?" would never have been uttered - I would have rather jabbed my eyes out.

In my field, real estate for those of you a day late and a dollar short,  referrals are the heartbeat of success.  Sales just don't fall out of the sky from the Great Listing God.  It is an active pursuit.  This is how business is done in the real world.  It isn't because you saw someone's glamour shot in the newspaper and thought, "Gee, she looks like she really knows how to negotiate."  It's because someone you know and respect gives you a suggestion, or it's because I ask for it.

So, I put myself before you friends, and humbly ask:  Do you know of anyone who wants to buy or sell a home?  Because I can do it.  I can do it like nobody can.  I challenge any other Realtor out there to do a better job or work harder at it than I will.

There.  Deep breath.  Jeez, I may just  have to write my own book now.  I'll let you know if I do, and if so, I may even have the guts to ask you to buy it.



Thank you in advance for telling everybody you've ever met about me,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

Can You Build It? Yes You Can!

Over the years I've yearned of moving to a much older section of town close to where my kids attend school.  It has character and charm.  It's something out of Father of the Bride.  However, my husband refuses to buy an older home.  "Ghosts and gross stuff in the carpet," he claims.  Ugh.  So, we have always lived in a new home.  I've had to work really hard to un-generic them and give them some personality.

However, building a home makes sense in many instances.  Although new home construction came to a screeching halt when the market tanked, it is alive and well again.  It's a really great option, especially in the Indianapolis/Carmel-area where inventory is low.

There are basically three different categories when it comes to building:

Production - This is a builder that has specific communities and specific floor plans from which to choose.  The only real thing you can individualize here would be your lot, grades and colors of cabinets and flooring, and the choice of items such as appliances and some cosmetics like spindles.

Semi-custom - This is a cross between a production and custom home.  There are specific communities and floor plans here as well, but you have some flexibility in moving walls, a greater amount of options and upgrades, and perhaps the choice of building on your own home site.

Custom - This is the creme de la creme of building...and it's the most difficult.  You are responsible for finding and choosing your own home site, designing your plan from a blank piece of paper, and choosing every.last.bauble that goes into your house.  "Did you see the door hinges I just picked out?  Superb!"  There are a million moving parts to a custom build.  Let's take a quick look:

Home site - So you love this wooded lot, but what do you really know about this development?  Are the lots selling at a steady pace?  What is the reputation of the developer?  How much is it going to cost to run utilities and clear the trees and debris?  You'd better find out before you plunk down a chunk of change on you dream property.

Architect - Do you know any?  What does his finished product look like?  How much is he going to charge?  Is this step even necessary with what you are trying to achieve?

Builder - This is the biggie.  There are a lot of "custom" builders out there.  You need to choose wisely.  Very wisely, my friend.  This could be the nightmare of all nightmares or the coolest thing you've ever done.  A friend's recommendation isn't always sufficient.  Some of my friends love John Mellencamp.  Enough said.  You need to speak to someone who can help you navigate through the pros and cons of each builder in your area.  Just make sure they have custom building experience (like moi).

Why on earth would you need a Realtor to build a home?  Oh boy, there are a million reasons why you don't want to go through this alone.  When it comes to production and semi-custom builds, you work with the builder's sales rep.  She becomes your friend throughout the course, however, she represents the builder, not you.  Big shocker, but sometimes things goes awry in the building process.  Some are small, some are not so small.  It works largely to your benefit if you have someone looking out for you and, perhaps, going to battle on your behalf.  Believe me, it will always work out in the long run, but during the stressful moments, allow me to do your dirty work.  And, here's a little secret:  Many builders have a Realtor's fee built into their margin.  You pay for a Realtor whether you use one or not.

So there you have it.  Building 101.  There is nothing better than the smell of a new home and moving into something that is individually yours.  Something that you've created.  It's worth the time and patience.  And I guess it's also worth avoiding the late-night hauntings and toenails in your carpet.

Always under construction,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

Take a Ride on the Crazy Train

I've had my fair share of encounters with the bizarre.  I'd like to avoid it, but I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, even if that makes me look like the nutty one.  Let's face it, some people are such good liars and/or actors they could pull the wool over anyone's eyes.  Today I'm going to share some of my faves with you.

Nutball #1.  A guy called me to see a home.  He said he was moving to town because he had just acquired a race team (which is not outlandish in Indianapolis).  He told me that he owned a lot of real estate including a condo in Chicago and a chalet in France.  I pre-qualified him a bit about his finances, and he totally seemed legit.  Later that day I met him at the property.  He pulled up in a 1982 Chevette.  OK...maybe he was frugal.  He was wearing a stained Mountain Dew t-shirt.  OK...don't judge a book by its cover.  We spent a great deal of time in this house, and I took him to two others.  He talked a good talk telling me stories about his days in the racing industry, how he got his start, his wife's non-profit, etc., etc.  At the end of our appointment he gave me an autographed copy of his book "that is being made into a $100 million movie starring Eddie Murphy and Tom Cruise."  Enough said.

Nutball #2.  A guy called me about one of my listings, a beautiful home in a beautiful neighborhood just under $1 million.  He said he had been waiting to find the right home in this particular area.  Things started off totally normal.  Two cars pulled up.  I assumed it was he and his girlfriend.  They walked through the house for several minutes.  They ooo'd and ahhh'd over several things.  "I'm just not feeling it," he said.  Hmmm, OK.  "How much would you start feeling it for?" I asked.  He gave me a price.  He told me it would be a cash deal and he would close in two weeks.  I told him I needed proof of funds before I presented the offer.  He proceeded to take out a disposable flip phone to call his "banker," and walked away.  I started talking with the girl.  "So what does John do for a living?"  "He's an entrepreneur."  Oh, yes.  The mythical entrepreneur.  "Is he your boyfriend?"  "If that's what you want to call it."  Ohhh-kaaaay.  "Let me write down the best phone number in which to reach him."  "He'll get angry if I give you the wrong one."  The red flag had officially risen.  John walked back in and kicked his girlfriend-if-that's-what-you-want-call-it out of the house so we could talk business.  He told me that he was a business owner which included a cafe, beauty salon, and...strip clubs.  He tried to reach his "banker" on two other phones in his possession.  Needless to say, I never saw the funds.  Although if I did, they may have come in $1 bills.

Nutball #3.  An older lady was looking for a home in which to downsize for she and her immobile husband.  We had two full days of homes to see.  During those two days, I got to witness the workings of her digestive track.  She had just started a raw diet which was comprised of broccoli, scallions, beans, celery and cabbage.  She'd bring a purse full of pre-packed baggies and munch all day.  She was kind enough to offer me a bite now and again.  The real problem set in when the food started to work its way through her system.  There were multiple stops for "poop breaks," and just imagine what it was like in the minutes before the stop.  Then, I bumped into her son one evening.  He told me that his mom was a serial-looker and never had any intention of buying a home.  So basically, I had just served as her tour guide on the stinkiest train in town.

Nutball #4.  I won't go into many details here.  I only ask that if you are going to send me naked pictures of yourself from the neck down, don't do it on the same text strand as the one in which we negotiated your offer.

We all encounter strange things from time-to-time in our careers.  There are all types of people that make the world go 'round.  I'm simply asking that you take your meds before you give me a call.


Playing with a full deck,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

How to Be a Good Client

I recently had a conversation with my boys about qualities that I value in a friend.  As they grow up, they are trying to figure out why they are close with some kids and not others.  It's something I've never really thought about.  I like certain people because, well, I like them.  Sure, we are all attracted to kind, moral people.  But when I really dig into it, there are constants that all the people I've been close with possess.

Sense of humor.  I love when people make me laugh, I love to make others laugh, and as many of you know, I love to make myself laugh.  A good sense of humor is clearly at the top of my list.

Realness.  I am real and raw and I am drawn to others that are similar.  Fake, stuffy, condescending or conceited people don't work for me.  Really.  Get over yourselves.

Honesty.  Nobody likes a liar.  It is a serious character flaw in my book.  Don't make up stories.  Don't say you did something when you didn't and vice versa.  Don't pretend to be someone you're clearly not.  Tell me the truth, brutal or not, and I will always trust you.

In a perfect world, my clients would also have these attributes.  It would make my job a heck of a lot easier and more enjoyable.  So today, out of the kindness of my heart, I am going to give you some friendly advice on how to be a good client.

1.  Have a sense of humor.  Things rarely go as planned in a real estate transaction.  There will be all sorts of unexpected hiccups.  If you want to yell and scream and cry about weeds in the neighbor's yard, please, take a few deep breaths.  We will get through this, and it will be OK.  Learn to laugh a little.  Things could be worse...your new next door neighbor could be mowing his lawn in a Speedo and his bare double-d's every Saturday morning.  I'll take the weeds.

2.  Be real to yourself.  More importantly, be realistic.  Do you really need to look at homes way outside of what you are willing to spend?  Are you emotionally prepared to sell the home where your kids grew up?  Does your husband even know that you are out looking at homes?  Be introspective.  Think before you jump in feet first.

3.  Be Honest.  Please tell me the truth about who you are and what you want to do.  No, you are not a race car driver.  No, you are not waiting for a multi-million dollar settlement.  No, you have no desire to buy a home - you just like to look.   This is my job.  I don't do this for kicks and giggles.  If you have no intention of buying a home, or are just taking a ride on the crazy train, please just watch HGTV instead of calling me.

If you follow these simple rules, your real estate transaction will be pleasant and smooth and fun.  We will stay in touch and maybe even be lifelong friends.  I will work hard for you, look out for you, protect you and enjoy doing it.  And if you're lucky, I may tell you some REALLY funny jokes along the way.


Friends Forever,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

You're Boring Me

Indiana is a boring state for real estate.  In fact, most of the Midwest is pretty boring.  Sure, there are pockets of areas with some really cool homes, but the vast majority of houses around here are a real snore.  Having sold homes for my entire adult life, it takes something really unusual to pique my interest and get me excited.

Think about the homes you've been in over the years.  There are probably only a couple that got your attention, let alone took your breath away.  They pretty much all look the same.  And there, my friends, is the real challenge of being a listing agent:  making a boring home stand out from the crowd.

Why do some homes that appear to be clean, well-kept, neutral and well-priced stay on the market forever?  Because they are boring.  Why do some homes take a hit on price when there isn't a thing wrong with them?  Because they are boring.  Why do some homes get dozens of people through to look at them but don't get an offer?  Because they are boring.

Take, for example, a listing appointment I had about a year ago.  The home was a traditional two-story in a great neighborhood.  White walls, brass fixtures, honey oak cabinets, beige countertops, and on and on.  I'm drifting off to sleep just writing about it.  After taking a tour of this home, I talked to the owner about staging.  At my expense, I would bring in a designer who would transform his home into something not so humdrum.  This would allow us to sell in quickly and for more cash.  "That's ridiculous!"  he said.  "Why would I put money into a home that I am selling?  That's like putting new tires on a car before I trade it in!"  Nope.  No, it isn't.  News flash:  real estate appreciates.  A car does not.

Listen peeps, spending $5000 on staging a home for sale may bring you rewards of two to ten times that.  I know this from statistics, market research and a lot of experience.  This is why you hire a Realtor.  We know what we're doing (at least some of us).  This is not about painting the rooms wild colors and making a crazy statement.  It's about making the home appear modern, fresh and cool.  Sometimes when representing a buyer, I see people fall in love with the decor and style of a home.  In essence, they fall in love with the home itself.  See??

My job is to sell your home.  Period.  Yes, yes, the price has to be right and so does the location.  But wouldn't you like to get the most money as possible out of your home??  Wouldn't you like it to sell??  Great.  Then let me bring in a designer who will edit, paint, change fixtures, and rearrange furniture to make your home look like a million bucks.  Let's have people oooo and ahhh when they walk through.  Let's get a full-price offer on the first day.  And maybe, just maybe, let's get them to forget they're in Indiana.


Never Boring,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

I've Got 'Sole'

My husband says that I have acquired a taste for leather.  In other words, I put my foot in my mouth...a lot.  I've done the classics like asking a girl when her baby was due.  She responded that she had the baby a year ago, and then called me a %*#@*.  Oops.  And then there was the one where I asked the woman if she had spilled something down the front of her shirt.  Nope.  It was sweat.  And there's the time when I met my friend's brother for the first time.  For some reason we started talking about first names.  I went on and on about how I despised the name Darryl.  The brother's name?  Darryl.

These words do not come from a malicious place.  They just come out.  I blame my dad.  He was the King of Foot-In-Mouth-Syndrome.  Sitting in the stands with him watching my boys play sports was nerve racking.  Whenever he started to laugh under his breath we knew something was coming.  "With this kid pitching, we're going to be here all day."  Oh, great.  That's his mom sitting right next to you.  Or the time at the grocery store when he said to the bagger, "Guys our age need help out to the car."  The bagger was 45.  Then there was the time that he asked the Colt's new quarterback what he thought of Peyton's seven touchdowns (with the Broncos) in the last game.  Ugh.  Then he turned to his wife and told her he loved her on The View.  Double ugh.

Early in my career, I learned the hard way that sometimes my slips could really offend people.  Yuck, this house is awful!  "Really?  It's perfect for us."  Why would anyone want to live on this side of town?  "This is where I grew up."

I tried really hard to keep my opinions to myself.  I adopted the nod and smile technique.  This house has the master bedroom upstairs and the others are in the basement.  This will be perfect when we have the baby.  Nod and smile.  Everyone in this neighborhood is a senior citizen, but I'm sure they will love our six kids.  Nod and smile.  The neighbor kids are throwing rocks at cars.  I'm sure this isn't how they normally behave.  Nod and smile. 

Then I finally snapped.  I couldn't keep quiet anymore.  That's not me!  I needed to share my thoughts and opinions with my clients.  After all, that is why they hired me.

As a Realtor it is my duty to inform and point out all kinds of things:  How does your family live and will this home work for you now and in the future?  What is the commute really going to be like?  Will this be a community where your kids can safely run around and meet friends?  Does this neighborhood hold its value?  Will this road be widened into your backyard someday?  What is going to be built on that empty field behind the house?  Is this home totally overpriced?  Will this sloped yard accommodate your future pool?  Will this "simple fix" end up costing you thousands of dollars?

Your Realtor should possess a level of knowledge and expertise about real estate and be vocal about it.  True, I've learned a thing or two about making impulsive statements.  Now I try to do it with a bit of style and grace.  Please know that I will always give my opinions, welcomed or not, to help and protect you...even if your name is Darryl.

Accidentally Insult You Later,

Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The Point of No Return

People spend their money on all kinds of things.  I see evidence of this when I go into various homes.  I've seen some bizarre things ranging from antique doll collections (they just stare at you... just stare) to a Coca Cola themed home to dozens of pictures of toads artfully arranged on a twenty foot wall to naked mannequins...

Frankly, the way you spend your money is nobody's business.  It's yours.  You've worked hard for it.  My opinion about money is that you should save/invest some, donate some, pay for the necessities, and the rest is for funsies.

People often ask me if I think doing "such-and-such" is a good investment for their home.  Well, if we're going textbook here, yes, there are some things that traditionally are good for resale:  updated kitchen and baths, flooring that's in good condition, landscaped yard, good windows and roof, stainless steel appliances, etc., etc.  YAWN.

And there are some obvious things that aren't good for resale:  a home that has not been maintained and cared for (water damage, paint, roof, windows, flooring), a home that is totally outdated, a home that smells or is haunted (see my past blogs).

Many home improvements benefit your lifestyle, not your investment portfolio.  There are some things you can do that will recoup a nice percentage of your money and others you do purely because you want it or like it.  On average, home improvements see a 60.6% return.  The best returns on investment (over $10,000) are siding replacement, deck/patio additions, window replacement, and minor kitchen remodels. (NAR 2013)

People often say that they "have $xxx,xxx invested in my home and want to get that back out of it."  If only it was that easy.  I've stopped counting how much money I've put into my home long ago.  I don't want to know.  There are very few people who will recoup dollar-for-dollar out of their home.  The market is such that homes just don't see that kind of appreciation anymore.  And that's OK.  After all, it is your sanctuary...the place where you spend most of your life, the place where memories are made and where your family lives, loves and grows.

So get that pool!  Paint that room bright purple!  Buy those $20,000 worth of new doorknobs!  If it makes you smile, then do it!  You can't live for what you think everyone else wants.  This home is YOURS, not the next owner's.

Enjoy your home.  Live in it for today, not tomorrow.  A talented Realtor (ahem) will help you prepare it to sell and will try get the most money out of it someday.  Go ahead.  Invest in that $20,000 worth of hardware, and let me deal with convincing the buyers that you have the best knobs in town.


Happy Spending,
Carrie

wwwTheCarrieHolleGroup.com

What's Your Home REALLY Worth?

I feel like I've been in real estate half my life.  Oh wait, I have.  Because I'm a fossil in this profession, some things are second nature to me.  There are some things I just instinctively know.  It's kind of like "knowing" when I go into my son's room there will be dirty underwear on the floor.  Like "knowing" my husband forgot to pick up bread on the way home.  Like "knowing" I probably made a fool of myself last night after the shots.

Recently I had a dear friend enter the real estate industry.  In helping her get acclimated, I've had to think through things that I just "know."  One of these things is the method of how to value a home.  Oh yes.  There is the "How to Comp a House 101" that every agent learns, but I wanted her to really get it.  Feel it.  Be one with it...

I realize that most people have a sixth sense about home valuation, especially about their own.  However, since I've had to recently sort through my thought process, I thought I'd share how it's really done.

1.  Price-per-square-foot.  This is the most widely talked about predictor of home value...and it's the most misunderstood.  These numbers must come from like homes that have sold and closed in your neighborhood.  I cannot compare a ranch to a two-story or a 4000 square foot home to a 6000 square foot home.  And FYI, the larger the home, the less price-per-square foot (in the same neighborhood). The square footage used in this calculation does not include below-grade space.  No basements.  However, basements do count in total price calculation.  For example, if you don't have a basement, and everyone else does, your price-per-square foot sinks like the Titanic.  The same goes for an unfinished basement.  And if your basement dates back to 1974 and everyone else on the block has flat screens and wet bars.  I see a loss in your future.

2.  Time.  Although it may be fun to sit around and talk about what your neighbors have sold their homes for, those numbers mean nothing.  Nothing.  I have to use closed sales within the last 3 months...6 months max.  If I can't find a solid sample within this time period, I have to look within nearby neighborhoods and adjust accordingly. 

3.  Bedrooms and bathrooms.  So you have four bedrooms when all of your neighbors have five?  Go back 3 spaces.  You have five, but two are in the basement?  Go straight to jail and do not pass go.

4.  Yard.  The size of the yard counts a bit, but the location of the yard or what you can see while standing in the yard might be a biggie.  So you're on a lake (let's be real...a retention pond)?  Some like that, many do not.  It's a wash.  The same goes for cul-de-sacs and corners.  A large lot that backs up to a nature preserve?  A one-acre wooded lot?  Very good.  You will see an increase in price is when you have something unique or much more appealing than the others.

5.  Finishes.  Although you will never see dollar-for-dollar, a home that is updated will fetch a better return.  

6.  Condition.  This isn't rocket science.  The better shape your home is in, the better off you are. If all your neighbors are a savvy as you, all things are equal.

7.  Layout.  Depending on the area in which you live, the floor plan is pretty important.  Here in Indiana, we are very traditional (and boring...read my past blogs).  Anything that strays from the norm can get you in trouble.  

So there you have it.  When you call me to do a market analysis on your home, I will spend a great deal of time analyzing these things.  I know you want to sell your house for what you bought it for in 2005, but that's just not happening, friend.  What will happen is that I will put a ton of thought into pricing your property to try to get you the most money possible.  And I "know" that I will do just that.

Comp you later,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

On a Wing and a Prayer

I started my career working for a local builder in 1995.  It was an awesome learning experience about the real estate industry...and it was my first REAL learning experience about people.  I learned that many people in the world are...um...wacko.

One person in particular sticks out to me.  She came to work with us as a sales consultant, and she had a direct line to God.  Now don't get me wrong.  I am a spiritual person, and I respect everyone's right to their own beliefs.  But this.  This was downright crazy.

She prayed for crazy things with people that visited her model home.  Oh, you want Lot 211?  Let's pray that it's available.  Don't know if you should put ceramic in the kitchen?  Ask Him.  Should you upgrade the carpet pad?  God says yes.

It really got to me when she started convincing people that their credit score would increase or their loan would be approved after she made a quick request to the Man Upstairs.  People really believed her.  I don't know about you, but my God has bigger fish to fry than whether or not my credit score jumps up thirty points today.

In those days, little more than a pulse was needed to obtain a loan.  Now, however, the mortgage industry has much stricter guidelines.  Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has to jump through some hoops to get a mortgage.

Freddie and Fannie have put new rules in place to eliminate risky loans in an effort to protect buyers.  Don't be scared by it - just be prepared for it.  Here's what you need to know:

Work on improving your credit score.  Under 620?  No go.  Over 740?  You'll get the best rates available.
Save your money.  You'll need a normal down payment this time around.  3.5% on an FHA, 5% on a conventional, 20% on a jumbo (in Indiana, $417k and above).  Sure, there are a few (very few) exceptions, but the vast majority of us will have to put down what is required.
Be realistic in how much you can afford.  Debt-to-income ratios are much more restrictive.  On a conventional, 45% of your gross income is the max that can go towards debt.  Not 46%.  Not 47%.  Just 45%.
Claim enough income.  For those that are self-employed, the incomes on your past two years' returns are set in stone and a lender will take the average.  Period.  No funky stuff.  
Play by the rules.  No more interest-only.  No more negative amortization.  No more stated-income.  No more no-doc loans.  No more 40 year loans.

Exceptions to the rules above:  There are some private banks and lending institutions that will and can make their own rules.  Please do your due diligence first to make sure they are reputable.

The good news in all of this is the interest rates are still crazy-low.  They can't stay this low forever.  Buy a home now, and with the extra money you save in interest, upgrade the carpet pad.


Amen,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

A Guy Walks Into A Basement Bar

I had this scary reoccurring dream as a kid where I would walk downstairs into my dark basement and Bozo and Cookie the clowns would be sitting at the bar waiting for me.  I'm not sure why they were sitting at the bar, and I'm not sure what they wanted with me...gosh, maybe I need some psychotherapy for this one. 

Aside from the the weird clown dreams, the basement was the source of a lot of fun and happiness when I was growing up.  It's where we had parties.  It's where we spent Christmas Eve with the family. It's where I played "restaurant" and "school" with my friends...and eventually it's where we reenacted all the scenes from Grease.  However, it was still a basement:  cool, dark and damp.

Basements have come a long way in the last twenty years or so.  They have become true extensions of our homes and not just a place where we throw things we don't want around...including our kids.  We put a lot of thought into our basements and how we can make them uniquely ours.

This is a subject I know all too intimately.  We just did the basement-remodel-from-hell last year.  It started with a "Let's finish the basement so the kids have somewhere to hang out with 100 of their closest friends," to a "Let's finish the basement so we can have somewhere to hang out with 100 of our closest friends."  Long story short, after three contractors and ten months, we have a very cool basement.

The thing we went back-and-forth with most was what to do with the bar.  This is also something very important to buyers.  I can't tell you how many times my clients will walk away from a house because they don't like the bar area.  This is interesting because often the people who make the biggest deal about the bar will rarely or never use it. 

You'd be astonished by some of the answers I get when I inquire why a bar is important to someone.  Some say they will use it to cook meals and entertain for the holidays.  That's all fine and well, but running up and down the stairs a million times will get really old if you don't have a full-size refrigerator and oven.  Some say they are going to throw huge fantastic Super Bowl parties.  Great.  Buy a house for a football game that comes once-a-year.  Some actually say they have no idea because they rarely entertain.  I love that one.

Here's my advice:  Figure out if and how you will use a home bar. There will be some things you need and some things you think you need that you really don't.  Will you be using it purely for a refreshment area?  A small fridge and a microwave will suffice.  Do you drink a lot of wine?  You'll need a wine refrigerator and perhaps a room-converted-to-a-cellar to store it.  Will you be making a ton of drinks?  Get an ice maker.  Will you be watching the game?  Invest in a good TV and comfy stools.  Do you have small intimate get-togethers?  A sprawling bar will be a waste.  Will you have people over who are similar to my neighbors?  You'll need a place to chill Rumchata and to store a few hundred bottles of vodka. 

Don't have any friends?  Just sit at the kitchen table and call it a day.

Cheers,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

The World is Changing, IKR?!

It was only a year ago that I learned what LOL means.  I'm not kidding.  I used to think it stood for "Lots of Love."  I finally asked my husband why people would respond to me with LOL.  I just thought it meant they loved what I was saying.  Another one that took me a while to figure out is <3.  I had no idea why people were using this.  Less than 3??  What the heck does that mean?  Was it a religious reference?  Who were the three people I was less than?  I finally asked someone a few months ago.  Weird.

Texting in general took me a l-o-n-g time to understand.  Why wouldn't you just pick up the phone and call?  Why not send an email?  For crying out loud, I was just getting used to my flip phone and then I had to type on a keyboard with keys the size of gnats.
And then there's social media.  I love Facebook.  It's easy, and it's entertaining.  I can just click "like" or write a normal sentence in my status bar, and I'm done.  Twitter is another beast.  What's with all the #s and the @s and the bitlys?  I still have no idea what I'm doing, and I find it interesting that random people "follow" me whom I've never met.  How do they even find me??  Don't get me started on Flickr, Snapchat , and Vine - I'll leave those to the teenie boppers.

The information is infinite when it comes to researching a subject.  Personally, I love research.  I obsess over anything I'm currently into:  buying a car, finding a vacation destination, exploring summer camp options for my kids.  I use the internet to research everything.  Clearly, the rest of the world shares in my obsession.  In 2013, Google reported that they had 2,161,553,000,000 searches on their website.  That breaks down to 5,922,000,000 searches per day last year.  Yikes.

For people who grew up in the twentieth century, the internet, texting and social media are still fairly new concepts.  As kids in the Nineteens (that's how my kids refer to the 20th Century), we didn't have any of these things.  We talked on a phone with a cord.  We left messages on answering machines and tried to leave a clever recording for our incoming callers ("Wait for the beep.  You gotta leave your name, you gotta leave your numba.").  Our research was done strictly in the library with use of the card catalog.  We had to type our papers on a typewriter, and when we got really cool, a word processor.  We didn't have electronics consuming us at every moment.  We had to talk and make eye contact and use full sentences.

The point is that we've changed the way we communicate and discover.  Gone are the days when somebody looks through the paper for a home (unless your name is Ester and you are 98).  The real estate section of the paper barely exists.  People search for homes (and cars and hotels and summer camps, etc., etc.) online.  In fact, 96% of people start their home search online.  And the information you can find is limitless.  There are websites, search engines, articles, tweets and YouTube videos about homes on the market.  You can take a tour of a home without ever stepping foot inside.  You can read statistics such as days on market and price-per-square foot.  You can even see a satellite shot of the house to make sure it's not backing up to a busy road or the neighbor's jacked-up rusted truck.

How does this affect you?  Well, it really affects me more as a Realtor than it does you.  I have to make a home shine from top to bottom through pictures and video.  I have to make sure that a home is splashed on every website and social media outlet as possible (over 400 to be exact).  I have to text. I have to Facebook. I have to Tweet.  I have to YouTube.  And I have to write world-famous blogs.


TTYL,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com

Amityville Horror?

A couple weeks ago in the Indianapolis Star, there was an article about a house in northern Indiana that was possessed by evil spirits.  They tortured, tormented and haunted the people who lived there.  Needless to say, I tossed and turned for several nights.  That kind of stuff creeps me out. 

Does this really happen?  I believe it does.  My mom has all kinds of spooky stories about the house where she grew up in Illinois.  It was a very old house, and long ago before funeral homes existed, people had viewings of the dead in their living room before burial.  They dressed the dead in "dead people attire" which included long black dresses and veils for women.  Long story short, it seemed as though one of the stars of that show didn't know she was dead and was still hanging out in my mom's home.  There were several other things that went on there, but I'm sure my mom doesn't want me to share them in fear you might think she's a nut.

I have been in several houses over the years, and there are some that give me a yucky feeling when I walk in.  I can't explain it - it's not a matter of condition or decor - it's just a feeling.  I've never listed a "haunted" house (that had been disclosed to me) or shown a house that was full of ghosts (also, that had been disclosed to me), but I've certainly been in houses that make me feel like I need to take a shower when I get home.

What is it?  Unhappiness?  Loneliness?  Violence?  Is there some kind of vibe or personality that attaches itself to a house?  Does it ever leave?  Can you get rid of it?

The real question is:  How do you find out if a death or violent crime occurred in a house before you purchase it?  This is referred to as a "stigmatized property."  It is defined as property in which buyers or tenants may shun for reasons that are unrelated to its physical condition or features. This can include murder, suicide, or a belief that a house is haunted.

In the state of Indiana, the seller only has to disclose this if asked.  That's right.  There can be all kinds of crazy psychological phenomena and a dozen murders that have taken place in a home, and nobody would be the wiser unless they asked.  I have to admit, I have never represented anyone who has asked this question of a house they were seriously considering.  Usually, the funky feeling that I feel upon entering a home is also felt by my clients.

So your lesson for today is:
1. Buy a newly constructed home and hope that it's not built on an Indian burial ground, or
2.  Have your home blessed/cleansed/de-demonized before you move in, or
3.  Follow your intuition and don't buy a home that makes you feel uneasy.

Trick or Treat,
Carrie

www.TheCarrieHolleGroup.com