About Bartholomew County, IN

A Real Estate Agent or is it Santa Claus seen on the streets of Columbus Indiana this past Christmas season? This is the story of a life changing event for "Martin Dorgan", a Real Estate agent in Columbus Indiana that chose to give back to his community, and pay it forward.

I still believe Santa Claus lives! Not the one always dressed in a red suit but the "Real One" that lives within me. You could be a youngster, middle aged or a downright old dog, and still believe in this wonderful ideal. Lets face it, it's ageless, timeless, and priceless, aren't all our memories and dreams?

I chose to bring that fantasy character to life this past Christmas in myself. Because I believe I gave life to this mythical and spiritual being. And by doing so, I gave my life purpose and I was rewarded by feelings that overwhelming, made me feel good about myself. I wasn't just giving monetarily, sure I contribute to charities and throw a contribution in the little red kettles, but this was different, I was giving of myself. .

This Christmas I decided not to procrastinate any longer, and I knew what would stimulate my well being. For many years I had thought about how fortunate I actually was, compared with some. As it turned out it was so much more and I would learn more about Santa Claus last year, than in all the previous years that I had I lived.


What I would discover would be the poverty and pain and suffering that I was never directly aware of. Of course I knew there were many poor families here in Columbus Indiana, but I had never been in their homes and saw the conditions first hand that they lived under. I remember seeing some conditions that literally made me ill, but I won't embarrass these people by describing some of the conditions I experienced first hand.

My heart was breaking with all the conditions I would see and I learned who Santa Claus really was and what the spirit of Santa Claus and the spirit of "Christmas" truly meant. It was an act of giving and kindness and "love of humanity" that no one could ever explain in a book and certainly it made no difference if he or she was wearing a red suit. This experience for me became the real living Santa Claus and no red suit would have made it more real.

After I got over the initial shock of all this poverty I had witnessed first hand, I realized even more what I was involved in, a true life changing experience. I remember these men and women and children would come up and hug me with tears in their eyes and I realized that God himself was indeed touching my soul.

Through the Columbus Firefighters Cheer Fund foundation my life was transformed and I could never be the person I was before. I had been changed both in my spirit and in the heart of my very soul.

My involvement was simple, delivering to every family on our list. Have you ever seen a heart cry? Mine did. I could not clear the tears from eyes as people would answer my knock at the door, invite me in my arms filled with their Christmas box" they would come and embrace me and say "Thank You, Mr." If one can ever be touched by an Angel, I surely was.

Yes, they were poor or unfortunate due to circumstances, but they were filled with excitement and emotions. They showed me true gratefulness simply for us caring.

You see, as I reflect on this incredible experience, another of my life's dreams is to be part of another Columbus Indiana Firefighter's Cheer Fund delivery next year!, and I know it is in my future. I know that one day it will become my reality again. For any Holiday balance to exist for me, it must include remembering these people and all the forgotten. So watch for me next year! Again, weather permitting; I'll be using my corvette as Santa Claus's sleigh. Thanks again Columbus, I loved the experience of giving back to my community.

Here I am lined up waiting for Columbus Indiana Firefighters to load up another delivery.

I'd like to personally say Thank You! to all that contributed, and all the volunteers for their support, in this "So Worthy" cause, bringing smiles to young and old alike!

And I would also like to challenge all agents across the nation, to "Try To Do Something Equally as Giving"

Columbus Indiana Residents! Seek out a Marketing Specialist To List your Home

What to do if your home isn't selling in the current market or is it a hot selling season,but you aren't getting warm. If you haven't received any offers on your home you're probably asking yourself what is wrong? Maybe facing the question of whether to take it off the market. A house that goes too long without selling begins to appear "stale" and can actually damage your future chances of a sale. How long is too long? It's not an exact science, but there are some helpful indicators.

In a dry market, a sales period of six months to one year isn't unusual. Look at recent sales reports of similar homes nearby to determine a reasonable selling interval. In a hot seller's market, a house that hasn't sold within one month indicates a problem. In either case, there are several steps you can take before putting up the white flag.

Hold an open house on a weeknight. Competition is lower, and you'll attract the interest of buyers who can't make weekend appointments because of other commitments. Ask your listing agent to talk to all other agents in his or her firm who have shown your home. The feedback from their clients can guide you in making home repairs, toning down your décor, making landscaping improvements and the like. Leave some treats out to make potential buyers more comfortable: beverages, nuts, cookies -- anything that won't lose freshness or be too messy.

If you've had offers but you considered them too "lowball," try readjusting your sights. Determine the lowest price you find acceptable, and consider anything more as "gravy". In a long slow and sluggish markets you may even have to sell at a loss, so it's important to take every offer seriously. You don't want to alienate a potential buyer who has solid financing because you've set your sights unrealistically high.

Is your listing agent giving your house adequate attention? If not, start by having a candid talk. If there's no change, discuss the problem with the firm's broker. As a last resort, wait until your listing agreement expires.

Think! Before you sign on the dotted line! Ask good questions! of an interviewing agent, Yes! It is an interview!

Then choose an agent with some agressive strategies and vision! A strong presence on the internet is optimal provided its marketed in the right locations. On the other hand, if you have a fabulous agent but the market is tanking, consider offering an increased commission or a bonus for your listing agent as extra incentive. If you do sweeten the pot for your agent, amend your listing contract to reflect the change, and be sure it's added to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) -- buyer agents will also be inspired to give your house extra attention.

Disclaimer: If your home is currently listed, or you are currently working with a Realtor, This is Not meant as a solicitation. The World Wide Web is open to anyone, it is your choice to visit this blog. Martin Dorgan Coldwell Banker South Central Realty 1015 Third Street Columbus Indiana, 47201 Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122 Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com

It's my personal opinion that the market is different! But it is still very much alive and active. There are pockets/price ranges that are selling like hotcakes, while others appear to be on slow bake.

Now! According to our local newspaper, our local Real Estate Board, and some Brokers and agents in town, "The County is showing Positive Housing Trends, while the Nation over-all is in a slump. The article goes on to state:The country is in a slump that it hasn't seen in more than a decade. Bartholomew County is seeing rising prices and a steady pace of new home construction".[Source; TheRepublic]

Five years of statistics from our Columbus Board of Realtors, and the County, show an overall strong local market. Sales prices for single family homes in Bartholomew county have steadily increased since 2000. This years average price is $164,677.00 is 10.5 percent higher than 2006[as of Sept.30]The overall average number of homes sold has increased every year for the last six years.

New home construction value already has topped $44 million this year. Compared with $45 million from January to September 2006. According to the county chief code enforcement officer, the number of permits issued for new home construction has remained steady. In 2006, 199 permits for new homes were issued from January through September, compared to 195 this year.

The number of homes sold is slowing, but local real estate agents are expecting a rebound seen by recent activity. Through the first nine months of this year, 778 homes have been sold, down 44 from the same period last year. The consensus is that this is tied to uncertainty about property taxes. However that should correct itself! Property tax bills were delayed this year and are expected to be mailed this week with the May and November payments due at the end of November.

The tax issue, could be playing a part in how long listings are remaining on the market. Average days on market this year is 120 days, two weeks longer than that of 2006.

Economist Morton Marcus noted in a recent column that Kokomo was the only Indiana city in which home prices fell compared to a year ago. Bloomington, Gary, and Columbus had increases of more than 4%, which is about the national average.

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself! Today it is fear running through the financial markets, that is our greatest concern"quoted from Marcus. Part of the National Housing crisis is attributed to a natural correction in the market after values soared in recent years, to absolute record levels in some parts of the country.

According to U.S. Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, in Florida for example, home prices increased 95.3% in the last five years! Indiana's home values during the same period increased 16.5%. Indianapolis has been hit more severely by the crisis, partially because of high rate of foreclosures.

Indiana has the nations highest foreclosure rates, a trend that has also struck Bartholomew County. This year, 229 foreclosures have been filed, but in 2006 it was 307. So there is another improvement over the past. And an increased number of foreclosures typically means/leads to lower average home sale prices, which is what we see in the market today, nationally. But locally appraiser Timothy Scheidt has said he is seeing the opposite here in Columbus."We have had appreciation in values in spite of the foreclosure activity."

Some of the Local real estate agents I've spoken with believe the local market's strength can be attributed to such factors as the attractiveness of the community to homebuyers, and low interest rates. They also credit the local mortgage companies, lenders, appraisers, and Realtors with providing good service to buyers and sellers.

Which all leads back to the basics "If you Price Your Home Correctly, and its in good condition, it will sell". I just recently sold a home that had been listed on the market before, with another agent for over six months, and through another Broker. But I proposed to the seller's a very unique and "Out of the Box",marketing strategy and suggested a realistic price that was optimal for the home to sell, It Did 11 Days Later! What more can I say?

What's your opinion?

Disclaimer:

If your home is currently listed, or you are currently working with a Realtor, This is Not meant as a solicitation. The World Wide Web is open to anyone, it is your choice to visit this blog.

Martin Dorgan Coldwell Banker South Central Realty 1015 Third Street Columbus Indiana, 47201 Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122 Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com.

Take a few minutes go to http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com and read over some of my seller's tips and suggestions. Disclaimer: If your home is currently listed, or you are currently working with a Realtor, This is Not meant as a solicitation. The World Wide Web is open to anyone, it is your choice to visit this blog. Martin Dorgan Coldwell Banker South Central Realty 1015 Third Street Columbus Indiana, 47201 Office: 812-378-3331 ext.122 Website: http://www.columbusareahomesforsale.com