Beverly Fast Sinclair CRS, GRI

Indiana seems to be the place to live the past couple of years. Looking back in 2008, Fishers, IN was named by CNN as a top city and ranked tenth against other cities across the country. Bon Appetit, a top food magazine, rated top sandwich joints and voted Indianapolis' own Goose the Market as having the best. To round out a good year for Indiana residents, Forbes chose Hamilton County as "The Best Place to Raise a Family" in the nation. Two thousand and nine has been an even better year than 2008 for Indiana residents. So far half way through the year CNN released "Top Places to Live" with Brownsburg at thirty-third and St. John at forty-eighth. Family Circle magazine placed Noblesville in the top ten for places for families. It seem that CNN has a fond love for Indiana cities; in their "Top 25 Where Homes Are Affordable" five were in Indiana. New Have at number 2, Brownsburg at 7, Noblesville at 10, Plainfield at 24, and Merriville at twenty-fifth. CNN also gave Hamilton County 111th as "Places Where the Jobs Are," stating it is the Beverly Hills of Indiana. Noblesville has previously received the following honrs: In 2006, named 10th best city in the United States in the book Best Places to Raise Your Family; in 2007, ranked by Businessweek.com as one of the country's top 25 most affordable suburbs; in 2007, ranked in the top 100 of Forbes Magazine's list of America's fastest growing suburbs; in 2008, named the 2008 Indiana Community of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce; and in 2008, named one of only ten communities in Indiana to be designated a Preserve America community by former First Lady Laura Bush.

It seems like everywhere I turn I see a yard sale sign. In this economy many are looking for a way to get rid of the things they don't really need while making a little money. Here are some steps to you hold the most successful yard sale possible.

Advertise: buy a small ad in a newspaper and other appropriate websites, post flyers around town and ask local shops to let you leave a small pile of flyers near their cash register. In your flyers include: time, date, and address. If possible advertise a rain date incase of inclimate weather.

Spread the word: beginning a couple of days before the sale post signs on nearby streets to remind your neighbors when and where it is being held.

Organize: set out everything you want sold into categories the night before so its ready for the next day. Also this will help guarantee you have enough tables, if necessary borrow some from friends and family.

Set a price: to prevent chaos during the sale, mark every item with your desired price. Use birght-colored tags so your customers can quickly tell how much it cost.

Sell as much as possible: remember the more you sell the less you have to pack and move. Be willing to accept lower offers than you ask, just remember they don't want to pay more than they have to.

Consider donating unsold items: you don' want it since you just tried to sell it. Why not let someone who needs/wants it have it. Donate it at a local shelter, charity or Goodwill. Why not help out a good cause?

I know one of my favorite summer activities is going to the local farmers market. Here is a list of some located around Central Indiana and when they are. Please tell us who your favorite vendor is or where your favorite farmers market is. If you ever happen to be in Palm Desert, CA there is a great one on the weekend that is huge and on the College of the Desert campus.

Carmel Farmers Market

1 Civic Square

Carmel, IN 46032

Contact: Ron Carter

(317) 710-0162
http://www.carmelfarmersmarket.com
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL

June-October

Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

WIC Coupons

Cicero Farmers Market
On Peru Street between Buckeye and Spring Streets
Cicero, IN 46034
Contact: Carl Harvey
(317) 984-5732
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
June-September
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

38th and Meridian Farmers Market

3808 N. Meridian Street

Indianapolis, IN 46208

Contact: Robin Jackson

E-mail: rjackson@numcindy.org
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL

May-October

Thursday, 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

WIC Coupons/Food Stamps

Broad Ripple Farmers Market
East Parking Lot of the
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46220
Contact: Brad Hopper
(317) 251-2782
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
May-October
Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
WIC Coupons

Farmers Market at the Barn
At the Barn
1201 E. 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Contact: Angie Foreman
(317) 920-3621
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
June-October
Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-12 noon
WIC Coupons

The Original Farmers Market at the Indianapolis City Market
East Plaza
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Contact: Stevi Stoesz
(317) 634-9266
E-mail: Stevistoesz@iquest.net
http://www.indianapoliscitymarket.com
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL

June-October
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
WIC Coupons

Kokomo Farmers Market

Corner of Sycamore
and Union Streets
Kokomo, IN 46901
Contact: Kokomo Downtown Association
(765) 454-7926
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
June-October
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
WIC Coupons

Noblesville Farmers Market
Riverview Hospital
Noblesville, IN 46060
Contact: Pam Brattain
(317) 776-0205
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
May-October
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12 noon
WIC Coupons

Pendleton Farmers Market
Depot Park
Pendleton, IN 46064
Contact: Buddy Huntzinger
(765) 778-3762
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
June-October
Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Zionsville Farmers Market
Zionsville, IN 46077
Contact: Lee Ann Shiller
(800) 268-0711
E-mail: zfmarket@aol.com
OPEN-AIR/SEASONAL
June-October
Saturday, 7:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Mixed economic reports hold mortgage rates flat: Freddie Mac economist

The 30 year fixed rate mortgage averaged 5.42% for the week of June 18, slightly up for last week at 5.38%, but down from a year ago at 6.45%. The 15 year fixed rate mortgage is down also from last year from 6.04% to 4.87%. The adjustable rate mortgage averaged 5.99% last year and was at 4.93% last week.

To get these rates most companies require payment of an average 0.7 point. A point is 1% of the mortgage amount, charged as prepaid interest.

Economic reports have helped hold mortgage rates steady this past week. Existing home sales rose for the second consecutive month in May, according to the National Association of Realtors. Unsold home inventory lessened when compared to a year ago which is also a positive sign. The number of existing homes for sale was 15.3% below that a year ago. Distressed properties accounted for only 1/3 of existing home sales in May.

Fourth of July is a great way to bring your family together. It is also the perfect holiday to do cheap since no one is expecting any gifts. There are lots of way to celebrate Independence Day without breaking the bank. Here are some ways to have a fabulous 4th of July cheaply.

Take in a fireworks show. Many cities have grand fireworks shows often put on by the fire department. Noblesville's takes place at the high school.

Make a craft. You can easily make a fun and maybe messy patriotic craft.

Eat a festive snack. A snack can easily take on a festive look. Top any cake, cookies, or cupcakes with whip cream, strawberries, and blueberries. Take a healthy approach by making yogurt parfait with vanilla yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries.

Play some games. This time of year is perfect for a water balloon fight. You could also save up empty milk cartons and cut off the top then splash water at each other.

Dress up. Many stores offer patriotic apparel cheap. Look at Old Navy or Walmart for cheap t's.

Watch a parade. Many towns also offer parades for those arround. Noblesville's parade will run down Logan Street and start at 5pm on Saturday.