Greenwood, IN

September 10, 2009 was a special day at our house. It was Louise Hoagland's birthday! (I won't say which birthday, she is my mother-in-law after all!) Our family gathered at one of our favorite spots in Indianapolis, Bella Vita, to celebrate! Yes, every now and then we venture out of Greenwood!

We had a great table outside on the patio overlooking Geist Marina. You never know what the weather will be like in Indiana, but we were fortunate -- it was a perfect!

The sun setting on the boats was a lovely view, but it was even more enjoyable as darkness fell, the live music began and the soft lights set a magical atmosphere! If you closed your eyes, it was almost Sanibel Island! (One of our favorite places to vacation when we leave Indiana!)

Later it was back to Louise's for Angel Food Cake and Strawberries. Thanks for baking the cake Ken! What a great way to celebrate another year in the life of a very special woman. Family, fun and food!

Happy Birthday Louise!

Deerwood, Greenwood - Announcing a $10,000 price reduction on 6456 Deerwood Court,

a 3,667 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story on 3/4 acre secluded cul-de-sac lot.

Now MLS® $290,000

Property information

Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009 10:29 AM by Tonda & Steve Hoagland, The Hoagland RE Consulting Group

Open House 6456 Deerwood Ct, Greenwood IN - Sunday Sept 20, 2009

Deerwood, Greenwood - You're invited to visit Steve at Sunday's Open House,

6456 Deerwood Court on September 20 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

If you're in the Greenwood area -- stop in and say "Hi"!

Property information

Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 10:05 AM by Tonda & Steve Hoagland - Hoagland RE Consulting Group

Can Anyone Be a Real Estate Consultant? (Part 1)

So I'm showing homes to a new client in Greenwood the other day and I had a few random thoughts. "What does this person think of me?" "Am I being of value to them?" "From her perspective - what is my job?...and am I doing it?"

Based upon what I had done so far it was pretty simple. Answer the telephone. Set up some showings. Meet her at the house. Bring along some information. Answer some questions. Doesn't sound like much does it? Is that what it takes to be a good realtor? Are those the skills that are necessary to be a real estate consultant? If so, this is an easy job! So why doesn't it feel easy?

Then it occurred to me. The client only sees the tip of the iceberg. What they don't see are the other skills that are necessary like:

• Marketing - eNewsletters, drip campaigns, blogs, branding, advertising, magazine articles, and effectively utilizing the reach and range of the internet
• Sales - being a consultant...the clients advocate, interpersonal skills, providing accurate advice on market values, offers and so much more
• Organization - being able to work without direction, client management, project management
• Technology - client database management, website creation, website content, online systems, email, advanced telephony, and all computer applications
• Photography - utilizing advanced equipment to capture the very best a property has to offer potential buyers
• Staging - advice and counsel on how best to showcase a clients property
• Financing - mortgage assistance, closing costs, property taxes, title insurance, warranties, FHA, VA, $8000 tax credits and so much more
• Legal - contracts, title, Indiana State laws, tax exemptions, closing documents, and HUD statements to name just a few
• Property - easements, surveys, dated/outdated/updated, constructions, parcels, plats, subdivisions, tenants rights...the list goes on and on
• Industry knowledge - inspections, appraisals, sellers disclosures, market trends, mold, termites, radon, foreclosures, short sales, sheriff sales
• Communication skills - Listening skills are primary on the list, but includes writing and verbal skills
• Team building - Assembling a network of experts to call upon routinely, like inspectors, lenders, movers, stagers, insurance, and others
• Knowledge of government programs - the $8000 first time homebuyer credit is an example
• Negotiating skills - developing and executing strategies for offers, counters, inspection responses, and dozens of other agreements
• Operational abilities - business planning, business management, expense management - the business of running a business

There really is a lot more to being in real estate than most people see. And the thing is....if I'm doing my job right my client will never notice how I skillfully and seamlessly weave all of those skills together and help them sell their home or find the home of their dreams. But at the end of the day when they turn to me and say "thanks for making this possible"....that's when my true reward is received.

Would you like to know more about each of these skill areas? Stay close as the Hoagland Group publishes an entire series of articles that will delve into each of these categories to uncover the true skills needed to be a vibrant and effective consultant in today's real estate market.

Selling Your First House? -- Here's the Scoop! (Part 3 - Title Insurance) -- So what is Title Insurance, why do you need it and how expensive is it?

The most important thing to know is that it protects your family, the buyer and the lender against any possible future questions over legal ownership of the property. Prior to all closings in Indiana, a title company will complete a title search to see if there are any known defects or liens against the title -- in other words, does the person selling the home really own the property and has anyone filed a lien against it for unpaid debt? (Like the county for unpaid taxes or a contractor who performed work on the property, but was never paid) If something arises from that search, it will need to be remedied prior to closing, but what if something surfaces after closing? Chicago Title, explains it this way:

How can there be title defect if the title has been searched and a loan policy issued?
Title insurance is issued after a careful examination of copies of the public records. But even the most thorough search cannot absolutely assure that no title hazards are present, despite the knowledge and experience of professional title examiners. In addition to matters shown by public records, other title problems may exist that cannot be disclosed in a search.

What title insurance protects against.
Here are just a few of the most common hidden risks that can cause loss of title or create an encumbrance on title:

• False impersonation of the true owner of the property
• Forged deeds, releases or wills
• Undisclosed or missing heirs
• Instruments executed under invalid or expired power of attorney
• Mistakes in recording legal documents
• Misinterpretations of wills
• Deeds by persons of unsound mind
• Deeds by minors
• Deeds by persons supposedly single, but in fact married
• Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income or gift taxes
• Fraud

If the property is being purchased using a mortgage loan, there will be two simultaneous policiies. The seller normally purchases a policy to protect the buyer, while the buyer purchases an additional policy to cover their lender. The rates are based on the sales price. In Indianapolis and surrounding areas, a policy purchased by the seller for the buyer might range from as little as $600 for a $100,000 property to $1,070 for a $500,000 sale. This should be part of the Estimated Net Proceeds document that any good agent will complete for you when listing your home.

For more information on Title Insurance, visit Chicago Title's website.

Other blogs in this series:

Here's the Scoop! (Part 1 - Real Estate Fees)

Here's the Scoop! (Part 2 - Indiana's Pro-rated Taxes)