Central Indiana residential real estate market saw modest price increases and a slight overall decrease in inventory in October

October’s central Indiana residential real estate market experienced a slight inventory decrease and a modest year-to-date home sale price increase. However, compared to last October, the average home sale price in central Indiana decreased 8.5 percent, according to F.C. Tucker Company, part of the Howard Hanna family of companies. Specifically:

Available housing inventory decreased 0.8 percent compared to October 2022.
Compared to October 2022, the average home sale price for the 16-county central Indiana region decreased – down 8.5 percent to $295,305. The year-to-date home sale price increased slightly, up 5.7 percent.

Selling your home? Know what you must disclose (hint: ghosts are death are included included)

Indianapolis Star column by Laura Musall

When serial Herbert Baumeister’s home was listed for sale in Westfield, there was no mention that human remains were found on the property, or that investigators suspect Baumeister killed at least 25 people and buried them on the northside property in the 1990s.

The property has been listed for sale several times over the past decade, and each touted the 18 acres of wooded, rolling grounds, the five-car detached garage, horse stables and an indoor pool. There’s no mention that one man escaped from inside that pool, telling investigators Baumeister tried to kill him there.

According to Indiana real estate laws, the owner of the estate isn’t required to disclose the history of the property.

Replace cabinet hardware, no bathroom carpet!

Most buyers – regardless of age – don’t want to do a bunch of updates after buying a house. They’d rather you update the flooring than offer them a credit for new floors. They don’t want to go shopping for appliances, and they definitely do not want to remove wallpaper. They are willing to pay more for a home where they can move in and begin enjoying their new digs. Here are tips that will help you increase the value of your home. Plus, making updates also can bring you additional joy at home.

I’m ending my love affair with gray, all 50-plus shades of it

You know what things are gray? Prisons, concrete, mice, Grandpa’s Buick, skies on a rainy day. Yet, somehow gray has been the most popular interior paint color for the last decade, and like so many others, I painted nearly every wall in my house a shade of gray.

I’m not sure how this gray obsession began, and even when I asked some experts, no one knew for sure. Someone mentioned the home-flipping reality TV duo Chip and Joanna. Someone else pointed a finger at the Kardashians. I don’t know who gets the credit for it, but it’s time we rethink our use of gray. We’ve overdone it.

Homes sales decline, inventory still low, average prices up in Hamilton County

Home sale price increases slowed and available housing inventory decreased, as the central Indiana residential real estate market continued to see increased activity in June. According to F.C. Tucker Company, part of the Howard Hanna family of companies, in June 2023, central Indiana housing inventory decreased 5.7 percent, compared to June 2022. Pended home sales decreased 20.7 percent, and year-to-date home sale prices increased 5.3 percent.

Talking everything real estate on The Indy Real Estate Gurus podcast

Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold with Mortgage Advisors interviews Realtor Laura Musall on the podcast, Indy Real Estate Gurus. Learn about Laura, what’s it’s like being a realtor, the local market and more.

Interest rates aren't always most important part of buying a house

Let’s not freak out as interest rates increase. We’d all love rates to go back to the rates of 2021, but just because that’s not happening, doesn’t mean you should put buying a house on hold. Check out my column in the Indy Star about putting mortgage interest rates in perspective.

Laura MusallMarch 18, 2023Interest rates, Indy Star, Real estate, Realtor, Indianapolis, FC Tucker

One-story home in Fishers for sale

Three-bedroom ranch is for sale in Fishers in popular Sunblest, which is near downtown Fishers, the Nickel Plate Trail, YMCA and more.

Laura MusallMarch 8, 2023Laura Musall Homes home for sale, Fishers, Realtor, Real estate, Hamilton County

Indianapolis area real estate stats from January 2023

Here’s a snapshot of real estate in central Indiana through the end of January 2023. Average sales prices are up, inventory is up, although the percentage of sales is down. If you’d like to talk about the market, let’s chat!

Laura MusallFebruary 23, 2023Laura Musall Homes/FC TuckerReal estate, Realtor, Indianapolis, Hamilton County