Nina Klemm's (indyrealtyqueen) Blog

Senior Living for our Silver Citizens

Nina Klemm — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:48:41 -0700

Senior living, including the assisted variety, is a touchy topic that many of us are apprehensive to bring up or explore. Our senior citizens – whom I often refer to as “silver citizens” - often think they are perfectly fine living on their own. This may be a matter of younger family members doing their very best to act in the best interest of their elder loved ones, and having to take steps to intervene. Our elders may come to the conclusion that family members and friends don’t care or don’t have time to take care of them at this particularly vulnerable time in their lives. My father and I have been discussing this important subject of late. Additionally, I've worked with many clients in this challenging, fragile situation. I would like to outline some positive strategies to help when approaching our silver citizens and presenting the concept of senior living options. Ganging Up Only Makes Things Worse - Instead of bringing everyone together to have the discussion, sit down with them one-on-one and present the facts. Attacking only makes things worse and can feel like you're forcing them into something instead of entertaining the idea. Put Yourself in their Shoes - If you were in their situation, how would you like to be treated in this situation? Keep in mind, their mindset may be far different from yours, but this is something important to consider. Be Honest but not Blunt- Don't make things seem perfect. If your elder family member really needs special attention, don't come out and bluntly state you can or cannot provide that for them. I've seen too many cases where parents or loved-ones are pushed away by the thought or notion of senior/assisted living when it's really the best option for them. Give Them the Option- Instead of making the decision for them or compelling them to make the decision, take a more passive, gentler approach and give them options to consider. Discuss why you think they should consider assisted living or senior communities. It’s very important they understand they should choose what they believe is the best option. Prepare Materials - Before you meet, prepare a list of reasons why senior/assisted living could be beneficial and why it might be better than living in your own residence. Thoughtfully list the different avenues. Avoid Rushing and Urgency. You might send the wrong message if you promote a "we need to act now" scenario. Although you may feel stressed, taking things slowly will put them, as well as everyone involved, at ease. Do your best to be sure they feel relaxed when you bring up the topic of assisted living or a senior community. Finding your elder family members a senior/assisted living community is not about relieving you or your family of a burden. Ultimately, you want them to feel independent and not so weighed down by you, your life and activities. Take an honest approach, listen, consider and show them options without forcing them into a situation. The result should be a healthy dialogue in which your senior loved ones will listen to you, and you will listen to them. Only good things can result from such mutual love and respect. For those of you in this situation, I work with many senior/assisted living communities. Depending on your loved ones’ needs, the solution can be as simple as a townhome located in a small community, with the option of receiving additional services and support if and when needed. Our silver citizens deserve the very best we can offer. I am very pleased to have helped so many find lovely, comfortable homes. If you'd like to sit down for a no obligation consultation, I encourage you to call me @ 317-460-1692, or send me an email: Nina@NinaKlemm.com

The Woodlands Subdivision Profile

Nina Klemm — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:44:22 -0700

This week, I’d like to profile a lovely, timeless Carmel neighborhood called TheWoodlands. A well established subdivisionlocated in southeastern Carmel, just off 106th St. & Keystone Ave., The Woodlands is a family-friendly community, conveniently located to shops, restaurants, schools, daycare, churches, the post office, and many other vital destinations. Important Current Numbers to Consider when Evaluating The Woodlands: -18 active listings -8 SOLD in the past 6 months -Avg. # of Days on Market: 42 -Avg. price/sq.ft.: $110.00 -Max. price/sq.ft.: $240.00 -Avg. sale price/home: $226,750 -Max. sale price of a home was $287,500 People talk about how bleak the real estate market is, but with a 96.03% list to salesprice value within The Woodlands, I believe positive, profitable outcomes are realistic and proven. Houses are not only moving, but their values are being respected and preserved. This charming expansive neighborhood features bountiful, mature landscaping, as well as the lovely Lake Woodland. Lakeshore Drive, one of the most scenic residential routes in Carmel, winds through the center of the subdivision and even leads to and through the neighboring Woodland Springs subdivision. The nearby public elementary school, Forest Dale, boasts a fantastic faculty, cheerfulatmosphere, and excellent academic standards for student success. My sons, Jalen and Nikko, are thoroughly enjoying this fine school. I highly recommend Forest Dale’s Extended Stay Enrichment Program, an after-school elective offering, run by Ms. Valeska Simmons, Site Supervisor. When we’re all on hiatus from school during the summer, The Woodlands providesoutstanding, well-maintained recreational facilities including their impressive swimming pool, tennis courts, and accompanying clubhouse. There is a rich, almost legendary tradition of active swim team participation among kids and families in this neighborhood. Please give me a call if you’re interested in touring any of the homes currently on themarket in The Woodlands. If you are currently a homeowner in the area wishing to set up a listing consultation, I would also be happy to assist!

Welcome Home ;)

Nina Klemm — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:02:14 -0700

Welcome back home, wonderful readers! I’d like to begin by thanking all of you for following the new blog and responding so positively to these posts. I encourage you to e-mail, tweet, call, or mention to me in person any and all suggestions for daily topics. Whatever’s on your mind to assist you with the home buying/selling process, community info, helping you to enjoy the many benefits of home ownership, etc. – I am here to answer all your questions! In today’s blog entry, I’m featuring one of my property listings: 777 Greenford Trail, Carmel, Listed@ $319,900 If it’s a stylish, spacious, perfectly located condo you’re seeking, you have arrived.Just off 136th St. & Rangeline, within walking distance of Carmel High School and irresistibly close to Carmel’s Arts & DesignDistrict, this Drees built condominium exudes quality, sophistication AND a warm sense of home. Standing stately within the condo community of Village Green, this three story Georgian townhome features: Nearly 3000 sq.ft. 3Bedrooms Master Suite includes walk-in closet, window-wrapped sitting room glowing with natural light 4 Baths (2full/2half) Master Bath includes corner, multi-jet whirlpool tub Eat-in Kitchen, fully equipped with all stainless steel appliances, granitecountertops, granite center island, rich wood cabinetry Neutral Décor Finished basement Private, attached 2 car garage + guest parking Plus many more inviting features! Architectural features abound within this condo: Gorgeous views include the nearby Nature Preserve. Also within close proximity to the scenic Monon Trail. Please call or e-mail if this property is of interest to you. I’m so excited to list it, and would be happy to arrange for a showing and/or provide you with further information. And as always- take a peek at my virtual tour ;) – Virtual Tour

The Woodlands Subdivision: Carmel, Indiana

Nina Klemm — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:36:47 -0700

146th St. Construction Info & Updates

Nina Klemm — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:33:05 -0700

I was driving to a lunch/listing appointment at Tony Sacco’s Pizza in Clay Terrace when I realized my readers might appreciate some info about roadwork in progress in one of Carmel’s busiest areas. I had no problem entering or leaving Clay Terrace. Good start! When I got back to the office, my assistant and I gathered some important info for anyone wishing to smoothly transition from Point A to Point B anywhere between Western Way/Clay Terrace Boulevard AND Lowes Way/Greyhound Pass. 146th Street is being widened. Traffic Signals at Western Way and Lowes are synchronized, easing overall flow. Throughout construction, the bridge has been restricted to a single lane, in both directions, plus requisite turn lanes. Current bridge deck is being replaced and expanded to include 8 lanes, as well as a multi-use path. Important Traffic Restrictions to Note: Some lanes heading east will be closed; traffic will instead be steered to westbound lanes. Traffic moving in both directions at Clay Terrace Blvd. will continue to flow, although restricted to one lane in each direction. (West bound left turn lane into CTB, as well as an eastbound left turn lane at Greyhound Pass, are open.) The electronic message boards, located at the eastern and western ends of 146th St., are very helpful in keeping drivers updated and alerted. Important TrailRestrictions to Note The 146th St. Trail has been CLOSED. The pedestrian trail, if all runs smoothly, is scheduled to re-open in Dec. 2011. The Hagen-Burke Trail would be an advisable detour for pedestrians. There are signs at each end of the trail, posted to inform users of the closure and advised detour. 146th St. Bridge The bridge is projected to remain under construction until just before the commencement of the 2011 holiday season. Also, I want to mention the names of some of the neighborhoods/subdivisions in the area: Mulberry Farms, Spring Mill, Springmill Village, Village Farms, Rohrer Woods, Bridlewood, Hunters Creek South, Settlers Run, Oak Park, and Oak Manor. Patience, good neighbors! I have no doubt the temporary inconveniences will pay off in the long run. Our beautiful city of Carmel is world-renowned for its exemplary, extraordinary traffic flow! As I was leaving Clay Terrace after my business lunch, driving back to the office, I thought about all the blistering hot summer days and the impact these temperatures must be having on the road construction workers. I want to post a MEGA-THANK YOU to all of those amazing, hard-working, resilient individuals. You’re doing a great job and we do appreciate you! I would have stopped to tell the workers personally, but I didn’t want to interrupt traffic flow! Happy trails to one and all!

Divorce and Real Estate: How Divorce Hits "Home"

Nina Klemm — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:30:22 -0700

A not so upbeat topic for today’s blog post, but a subject which has inevitably touched all our lives – maybe directly, or through people we know, or both. It’s a bit surprising, but coinciding with the decline of housing prices, the national rate of divorce has followed a similar downward trend throughout the past several years. While news of dips in the housing market has dominated media coverage, I think we rarely read or hear about a parallel drop in the overall numbers of divorces. Clearly, recession-related economic factors have broadly affected all of us, but particularly those families facing tough decisions about whether or not to proceed with separation and/or divorce. It appears that these challenging economic factors have created new trends in how families grapple with the notion of divorce. As a realtor, and divorced mother, I often think about these life changing decisions some families must face, and how they will affect decisions related to the home. According to the National Marriage Project at University of Virginia, factors including the recession, completion of a college education/obtaining a degree, and weekly attendance of a religious institution to practice one’s faith all combine to help ensure a marriage remains intact. It’s frequently considered that crisis in a relationship can either divide and demolish OR bring everyone closer together. Financial stressors resulting from this recession have delivered devastating wallops to 1 in 5 marriages, according to data released by National Marriage Project researchers. In contrast – and to end on a more positive note – research also indicates that many couples have rallied to meet these financial challenges with a renewed resolve to persevere and make marriage work. The subject of divorce hits home, without a doubt. But please remember I am here to help in any way possible. As always, I promise to work hard on your behalf, enlisting the added assistance of the many invaluable resources and contacts I’ve come to know and trust. I will not only get the job done, but the smiles and good spirits we experience together along the way – through good times and not so good times – will carry us through.