Selecting Your Neighborhood Want a fabulous house or good neighborhood?
Houses can be adapted to meet your needs, but neighborhoods take years to change. And there is no guarantee they will change for the better.
Choosing the right neighborhood is arguably the most important decision you will make, and the whole family needs to be involved in the discussion. Have each member list neighborhood characteristics that are important to him or her. How important is... • Living on a quiet street?
• Being close to shops and public transportation?
• Having access to quality schools?
• The diversity of neighborhood demographics? Start by focusing on the characteristics you like best about your old neighborhood. Once you have formed a picture of an ideal neighborhood, you can begin to research your options.  Visit the town hall
Find out how the city government works: the tax rate, utility services, trash collection times and methods, and services the town provides. Read the local newspapers to learn about the major issues. Contact the board of education
Ask the hard questions: • What is the high school graduation rate?
• What percentage of high school graduates go to college?
• How do students perform on SATs or other standardized tests?
• What extracurricular activities are offered?
• What counseling services are available to help your child make the transition to a new school? Go for a walk
Drive through the neighborhood, and then walk through it. • Do you like the way it looks?
• Does it feel safe?
• Is it noisy?
• Is there a lot of traffic? Try to find out if there is interaction among neighbors, such as crime watches, block parties, or a neighborhood association. Once you have found a great neighborhood that fits your family's needs, all you have to do is find the house of your dreams with your REALTOR®. Request our Free Indianpolis, Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, Brownsburg and Avon Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Indianpolis, Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, Brownsburg and Avon, Indiana area. Don't move here without it! Remember: we'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and we will send it right out... It's our job to know EVERYTHING about Indianpolis, Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield, Fishers, Geist, Noblesville, Brownsburg and Avon! Ask us any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and we promise to get back to you quickly...
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Financing Your Home >When Interest Rates Rise
Many people fall out of the home buying market when interest rates start to go up. This is often a mistake. Many of the best mortgages deals become available when lenders are competing for new business and sellers are competing within a smaller buyer pool. You just have to know how to keep the costs down in order to counter the higher interest rates.
One of the best tricks is the buy-down. In a buy-down, a fee is paid at the closing to get a lower interest rate. In a soft market, an anxious seller may be lured into to paying all or part of the buy-down. Another approach is to get the seller to pay some of closing costs, thus lowering the amount of cash a buyer needs to close. Frequently the seller's costs can be used as a write-off by the buyer. Always consult with your tax advisor if you are considering such an arrangement.
If the market is softening due to rising or higher rates, the price itself becomes an area where a buyer may be able to save a lot of money on a house through skillful negotiating. Lower prices mean lower loan amounts, so don't be discouraged by higher rates--use them to your advantage.
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| Q |
According to Feng Shui, the art of home placement, what five elements are needed in a harmonious environment?
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| A |
Wood, fire, earth, metal and water must be balanced to create a happy, prosperous home. |
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