real estate: How not to invest in real estate - 12/16/06 09:07 AM
This is how not to invest in real estate.  Unfortunately, I was the selling agent on these properties.  
 
Client moved here from Las Vegas, sold his house there and decided to purchase a few investment propeties, as well as live in one side and rent out the other side of a duplex.

 
In a period of two months, he purchased 3 seperate duplexes through my company.  He hired a property manager, who wasn't doing her job.  He found out that empty apartments cost money, and that tenants do damage sometimes, that also costs money.  
 
He now moved back to Vegas and has … (3 comments)

real estate: The good stuff in real estate! - 12/11/06 02:00 PM
Had a great thing happen today thought I would share with all, these are the deals that make us smile and keep coming back for more.
 
Another agent I have worked with on deals in the past called me up on Friday morning and said she had a client that has decided her area of town is not where she wants to buy. Said client wants to buy in my area and whether I would like to help?  Sure!  Meet with client on Friday afternoon, spend about 3 hours showing her condo's and a few homes.  She wanted to think over the … (1 comments)

real estate: If you don't ask, you will never know! - 11/22/06 05:10 PM
I have learned over the past 10 years in real estate, that sometimes you get suprised by asking a seller for a concession that you swear is never going to go through only to end up being accepted.  I just had this happen to a client of mine today.  Duplex was originally priced at 120k, dropped down to 95k.  Before we could make an offer, it dropped to 89.5k.  We offered 85k, he came back at 86.5k.  We had inspection done, needed some repairs done.  We asked for another 15k off price.  I figured there was no way he would accept … (3 comments)

real estate: new homes for rent - 11/21/06 11:39 AM
The Crager-Bartels team has 2 brand new homes available for rent, as well as an older charming 1960's style home for rent.
One home is available for rent in Noblesville, the other two are in the Avon, IN area. All will be between 1350 and 2000 sq.ft. in size.   Prices will range from $1,050/month to $1,395/month.
 
Check out what we have for rent excluding these three(photos and information coming soon) at the following website:  Indianapolis Homes For Rent
 

(1 comments)

real estate: Speaking of training materials - 11/16/06 04:18 AM
Craig Proctor:  is it worth going to his annual gathering, or is it every 3-4 months in different states?
 
I have one of the successwebsite and love it, it has really generated a lot of business.  I havn't take any of his other "training" yet though.  I thought about purchasing his product online for $400-500 and seeing what that has without actually going to the more expensive live version.
 Anyone have comments?
 
 
(0 comments)

real estate: out of state California investors - 11/11/06 01:21 PM
Wow, what an interesting day . I met via a blog online, an individual looking to invest in the Greensburg area.   A new Honda plan is opening in a year or so and is going to transform this small country town into a fast growing city.  2,000 new jobs created just at the plant alone, and who knows how many additional jobs will be created by this influx.
 
So he flew into town a few days ago, we met with him and showed him commercial properties available in the area.  
 
The internet is an amazing thing!  I don't remember what cold calling … (2 comments)

real estate: new video blog post of a brand new home we have for rent - 11/10/06 02:07 AM
This is at 1003 New Dawn Place in Avon, IN
 
Looking for that special place to live in a brand new community with great schools? Then check out this stunning, new two story home in the highly sought after Sunchase Edition. Vaulted ceilings, all appliances included and this means a washer/dryer! 4 large size bedrooms, master suite features a his and hers closets and a vaulted ceiling. The perfect home for enertaining guests with the large-open floor plan that flows from the kitchen to dining room area to living room. Call Shelia at 317-201-7747 now for your private showing!
Take a look … (2 comments)

real estate: some new photos of the Anson development in Zionsville. - 11/08/06 09:50 AM
I thought I would share with you some new photos I have taken of the Zionsville Anson development.  I keep thinking any day there is going to actually be some buildings being built, but it has yet to happen.  Mostly just prep work going on at this moment.
 

 

 

 

 

 
For additional videos and pictures of the Anson development, check out blog.ansonindiana.biz 
(0 comments)

real estate: real estate investing in Indianapolis - 11/07/06 01:28 PM
It's heating up in Indianapolis.
 
I have a couple of people flying out from California to meet with me this weekend.  Just found out a client of ours from out of state is buying another brand new home for my property manager to manage.
 
Another investor from California found my website a few days ago.  They are calling me tomorrow to speak to me about homes and investments in the Indianapolis area.
 
Life is good! 
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real estate: proper representation? - 11/04/06 05:50 AM
My wife just got involved with real estate sales the past few months.  She has heard me complain for years about how 80% of agents don't know what is going on:)
 
She now just got a first taste of what I am talking about.  A listing agent has a fuduciary responsibility to their client, and one of those responsibilities is to try to obtain the highest price for a listing.  Theresa is working with a client on a home purchase.  She submitted an offer on a 110k home, offering 105k.  The listing agent called her and let her know that his clients … (3 comments)

real estate: wow, may have another 100 homes to manage! - 11/01/06 12:44 PM
I was reading somewhere on activerain about an individual that was bringing in 300k a year just managing property.
 
I somewhat just fell into managing property, I hired someone full time to manage my investments, since I just don't have time any longer.  In the menatime, to bring in extra income for her, we have started managing property for out of state investors buying new homes in the Indianapolis and surrounding area.
 
We just got a referral for an individual that is closing on 100 brand new homes in the Indianapolis area...An investor from California.  We may be managing these as well.
 
Wow, 100 … (0 comments)

real estate: interesting idea - 11/01/06 07:08 AM
Okay, I thing buyers and sellers feel allianted already, but look at what I just read in the newest edition of Indiana REALTOR.
 
"10 Safety tips for showing properties".  Here is one of them.
 
"instead of meeting new clients at the property, ask them to stop by your office and complete a Prospect Identification Form.  Gather  information on each, including their car's make and license number, a copy of their driver's license and references".How many of your clients will want to give you all this information, someone you just met???    … (3 comments)

real estate: non communication from selling agent - 10/31/06 06:42 AM
I have wrote about something similar to this in the past....other agents that have never got down the idea of what communication is in business.  In other professioanl industry would this be tolerated!
 
Here is my most recent example:
 
Found a bank owned home for a client of mine, we had financing lined up, inspection went fine, appraisal went fine.  We had date scheduled for closing 3 weeks ago. Two days before closing I find out the listing agent never had the title work ordered!  So that pushed us back a few days. We schedule closing again, come to find out, the Sheriff's … (0 comments)

real estate: home prices relative to market rents? - 10/30/06 10:11 AM
This topic was brought up on another forum I read on real estate.  I have a property management arm of my company, who also manages my personal rentals for me.  Here in Indianapolis, we have had stagnant growth for the past 5 years, while we watch everywhere else explode with price appreciations.
 
Here in Indianapolis, my property manager can rent out a 3 bedroom 2 bath 1,600 sq.ft. BRAND NEW home for about $1,050-$1,295/month.  Purchase price for a home like this is about $135k.  So we have about a 10% cap rate here in Indianapolis.
 
What is rent's vs. value in other areas … (0 comments)

real estate: 4 bedroom 2 bath Brand New House for rent in Avon - - Almost 2,000 sq.ft - 10/22/06 06:08 AM
 Looking for that special place to live in a brand new community with great schools?  Then check out this stunning, new two story home in the highly sought after Sunchase Edition.  Vaulted ceilings, all appliances included and this means a washer/dryer!  4 large size bedrooms, master suite features a his and hers closets and a vaulted ceiling.  The perfect home for enertaining guests with the large-open floor plan that flows from the kitchen to dining room area to living room.Call Shelia now at 317-201-7747 or via email for your private showing!
$1350/month plus deposit. 
 
 
 

 
Additional photos available here: 
http://pictures.zionsvillehomesonline.com/thumbnails.php?album=58
(0 comments)

real estate: It's a small world....and hopefully a listing from it! - 10/20/06 08:40 AM
Almost a year ago someone had filled out a CMA request on my website.  I had dropped this off in person, sent them follow up postcards, emails, etc. 
 
My wife(who just got her license 3-4 weeks ago) was in our subdivision at a garage sale. She started talking with the owners, and found out they weren't the owners, but were renting.  They told Theresa that they had a home to sell a few miles away, and had moved into this rental because they needed more space.  They have to be in Florida in 2 weeks and need to get their home … (0 comments)

real estate: putting my money where my mouth is. - 10/19/06 04:18 AM
So we see all this rehab shows on TV now, including Flip This House, etc..
 
How did my rehab flip turn out??  I am very happy with how it turned out.
Purchase for 82k, put 35k into property, sold for 152k =  35k profit.  Not bad on a 82k purchase price.  We paid no commission, as the buyer is an out of state investor.  We are now managing the property for him as well.(actually my property manager is doing the work, not me:)
 
 
 
Looking to purchase a home in the Indianapolis area?   We help buyers and sellers with Indianapolis real estate, Plainfield real estate, … (0 comments)

real estate: Something very frustrating! - 10/17/06 10:26 AM
Ever since my first day of college back in 1994, it has been known by anyone in business that email is considered an acceptable form of professional contact, preferred even over the phone.
Then why don’t real estate agents and brokers also do this? I do not know, but I am guessing it’s just a lack of education. To get into real estate, you don’t even need a high school diploma, people hear it’s easy to make money, so they jump right in, but don’t have any type of professional training or background on marketing, email, professional contacts, etc.
I … (3 comments)

real estate: Anson development taking off near Zionsville - 10/15/06 02:41 AM
<!-- by site admin -->The huge Duke Anson development has really been taking off the past 3-4 weeks near I65N and 334(Zzionsville exit).
 
The first anchor store is supposed to be completed by end of fall.  It looks like this will be a reality.  Serious earth moving and a few temporarily roads have been put in place.  
 
I will post some photos of the development in the next few days.
 
(0 comments)

real estate: Marketing homes on the internet - 10/15/06 02:35 AM
What are some good sites that people use reguarly to post their listings for free on the internet?
 
Here is a few I use:
 
www.postlets.com
www.craigslist.org
www.rentalindy.com (local to Indianapolis)
 
Of course my websites.     
(2 comments)

 
Craig Bartels (The Indy Realty Shop)

Craig Bartels

Indianapolis, IN

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The Indy Realty Shop

Office: (317) 660-1304

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This blog will discuss real estate in general as well as information on the market in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding areas. Information for buyers, sellers, and real estate investors. Buyer and seller reports, tips and tricks to get your home sold fast and for top dollar. Information for buyers to find the home they want for the price they want.


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