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Diane Brooks

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Lessons Learned for Home Buyers

07-01-10
Diane Brooks
Wow! The last two months have taught me some important lessons for today's home buyers. First, lending guidelines have tightened significantly. * Be aware that lenders can recheck your credit just a few days prior to closing. Don't make any major purchases prior to closing--cars, boats, furniture or even decor for your home. Also be sure in the excitement of moving that you don't fail to pay all bills on time. One late payment can affect your credit score and make you ineligible for your mortgage. *One of my closings was brought to a screeching halt one day before closing when the buyers learned that a new requirement stipulated that they have 6 months of home payments in reserve if they had not sold their existing home. Even though these buyers qualified easily to buy their new home without first selling their existing home, they did not have the necessary reserve. (Few people would!) The money for the reserve could be from a retirement account or from a relative. The necessary reserve is lowered to 2 months if the buyers have 30% equity in their existing home. *Loans are taking longer to complete. We now need to build in more time in the event there is a delay in the closing date. *Both sellers and buyers need to be aware that appraisers are not only being tougher on determining home value, but are also calling for more repairs. An appraiser commented to me that it is rare when a home does not have any repair issues raised during the appraisal. These changes are frustrating, yes, but we will have to adjust and plan to prepare as fully as we can. I expect the pendulum will move back from this very restrictive environment to a point that is more balanced. For now we will all have to learn to operate within this new reality. Have you experienced hurdles that might apply to others? Feel free to share them here. Thanks!
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Exploring Indiana! Part 10

08-22-08
Diane Brooks


For our final installment of Exploring Indiana! we will offer suggestions for Amusement Parks, the big daddy of family fun!
You don't have to visit Disney World to get a world-class amusement park experience. Check out these great Indiana amusement parks:


Indiana Beach On Lake Schafer, 5224 E. Indiana Beach Road, Monticello http://www.indianabeach.com/


Holiday World and Splashin' Safari 452 East Christmas Blvd, Santa Claus http://www.holidayworld.com/


Atlantis Water Park 515 Marriott Drive, Clarksville
http://www.atlantiswaterpark.net/


Caribbean Cove Indoor Water Park Holiday Inn North at the Pyramids 3850 DePauw Boulevard, Indianapolis http://www.caribbeancovewaterpark.com/


Splash Down Dunes 150 East US Highway 20, Porter http://www.splashdowndunes.com/

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Exploring Indiana! Part 9

08-20-08
Diane Brooks


Everybody loves sports and Indiana has its share of great sporting teams and attractions. Here's a sampling to try with your family:

Indianapolis Colts
The 2007 Super Bowl Champs are opening this season in their new home at Lucas Oil Stadium. Season opener at home against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 7.
http://www.colts.com/


Indianapolis Pacers
Check out Indy's NBA team at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers first home game is Nov. 1, 2008 against the Boston Celtics.
http://www.pacers.com/


Indianapolis Fever
Indy is also represented in the WNBA. The Fever play Connecticut at home on Aug. 28.
www.wnba.com/fever


Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Home of the world-famous Indy 500 IRL race, the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Nascar race and new this year, the Indianapolis GP motorcycle racing.
http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/


Indianapolis Indians
An affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Indianapolis Indians triple A baseball team make their home at Victory Field in downtown Indy.
http://www.indyindians.com/

Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Located in New Castle, a short drive from Indy, the Hall of Fame celebrates Indiana and basketball's long relationship and tradition.

http://www.hoopshall.com/index1.htm

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Hamilton Tops List of Best Places to Raise a Family

07-09-08
Diane Brooks


If you are currently a resident of Hamilton County, you already know that Hamilton County and its towns and cities are great places to raise a family, live and work.


Well, Forbes Magazine agrees! It recently released its list of top places to raise a family in the U.S. and our very own Hamilton County Indiana tops that list.


Some of the criteria used included cost of living, reasonable home prices, short commute times, graduation rate, standardized scores, per-capita income, air quality and crime rate.


To read the full article and see the other top finishers, check out http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/27/schools-places-family-forbeslife-cz_zg_0630realestate.html?partner=email.

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Popular Indianapolis-Area Day Spas

06-13-08
Diane Brooks


Maybe you're looking to really get away from it all this summer. Consider treating yourself to a day at one of many popular Indianapolis-area day spas!

Studio 135 Salon & Day Spa 1259 N. State Road 135, Greenwood http://www.studio135salonanddayspa.com/

Spa at The Villa 1456 N. Delaware Street, Indy http://www.thevillainn.com/

Spa & Salon at Lumiere Du Corps Resort 6100 S. 275 E, Lebanon http://www.lumiere-spa.com/

Studio 2000 Salon & Day Spa 55 Monument Circle, Indy http://www.studio2000spa.com/

Escape Day Spa 9747 Fall Creek Road, Indy http://www.escapedayspa.com/

La Beaute Spa du Jour 3940 W. 96th Street, Indy http://www.labeautespa.com/

Villaggio Day Spa 11501 Geist Pavillion Drive, Fishers http://www.villaggiodayspa.com/

Woodhouse Day Spa 2182 E. 116th Street, Carmel http://www.carmel.woodhousespas.com/

David & Mary 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd, Carmel http://www.davidandmary.com/

Sundance Salon Spa 47 S. Elm Street, Zionsville http://www.sundancesalonspa.com/

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