Flag Protocol

The American flag is obviously a symbol of our country but it has come to remind us of every man and woman who has fought for the freedom that we enjoy. The emotions that are stirred by images of our flag can run from happiness to sadness to trust and everything in between.

Most of us learned American flag etiquette or the Flag Code when we were young but occasionally, it is a good idea to review the guidelines so that the flag is treated with the respect it deserves.

• The U.S. flag should not be flown at night unless a light is shown on it.
• The U.S. flag should not be flown upside down except as a distress signal.
• The flag should never touch the ground.
• A U.S. flag should be displayed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff in mourning.
• When displaying multiple flags of a state, community or society on the same flagpole, the U.S. flag must always be on top.
• When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right. No flag should be higher or larger than the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
• When the U.S. flag is flown with those of other countries, each flag should be the same size and must be on separate poles of the same height. Ideally, the flags should be raised and lowered simultaneously.

More information on flag etiquette can be found at the Veterans of Foreign Wars website.

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer you don't want in your home but because it is colorless and odorless; you may not even be aware the deadly condition exists. The Center for Disease Control says more than 400 people in the U.S. die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning and over 10,000 require medical treatment each year.

Unmaintained furnaces, water heaters and appliances can produce the deadly gas. In addition, other sources could be leaking chimneys, unvented kerosene or gas space heaters or exhaust from cars or trucks operating in an attached garage.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests the following to reduce exposure in the home:

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to the outdoors over gas stoves
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use
• Do not idle car inside garage
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems annually

Headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and feelings of weakness or fatigue are a few of the most common symptoms. Lower levels of exposure to carbon monoxide may be mistaken for the flu.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be on every level of a home and especially, in sleeping areas. The alarms can be purchased for as little as $25 and plugged into the wall like a night light.

Regardless of the government requirements, no one would want to put their family, guests or themselves at risk for something so deadly.

The Central Indiana Spring real estate market is in full gear and it is a competitive, frustrating market, especially for buyers!  Homes that are in good condition and priced competitively are selling, often within 24 hours with multiple offers.  I have buyers that contacted me on Easter Sunday who wanted to look at a home that had just gone on the market the night before.  I called Centralized Showing and found that the sellers had placed a showing block for all day Easter Sunday. 1^st showings on the home would be at 8 am. Monday morning.  Unfortunately, my clients couldn’t see it on Monday due to work schedules, so we set up a showing for Tuesday at noon.  The property pended Monday night with multiple offers. This was the 3rd time we tried to see a home and it was sold before we could get in the door.

The other side of this is that if you have a property that has been on the market for a week or two, buyers think there is something wrong with it!  Maybe it was pended & for some reason the sale fell through or it just has a unique floor plan, there seems to be a mindset that it is flawed.  Also, properties that are overpriced or in need of work, even if it is just paint, will take longer to sell. Most buyers want move-in ready. 

If you have been frustrated by not finding what you desire in a home, maybe it’s time to take a step back and ask yourself if there are items you would be okay with taking care of yourself, if you could get the home for the right price.  Go back and look at some of the homes that have been on the market for a month or so, there may be a candidate that would fit your needs with a little paint or carpet.

At any point, in your search, please know we are here for you, to answer questions, show you homes and make the process as easy as possible.

Thanks to a little warmer weather we were able to get out for a nice 21 mile ride last Saturday.  One of the things  I love about covering the area by bike is you get a much more up close and personal view of homes, neighborhoods, parks etc. than you do by car. The push in recent years by Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville, Fishers and Indianapolis to create great trails connecting them to each other gives us the opportunity to see all the new things going on, up close and personal.

Riding along the Monon in Carmel, the amount of construction is amazing!  It  is being widened from Main Street to City Center to accommodate the large number of people who take advantage of the trail.  The new Sun King Distillery is taking shape and is supposed to be open this Spring.  Anthony's Chophouse is well underway.

Many of you may know that I purchased a new ebike last May from Pedego Bikes in Carmel.  I LOVE this bike!  It has what they call, pedal assist, which while you pedal, it makes it easier.  You don't have to worry about hills and head winds any longer, you can simply ride for fun like when you were a kid!  Pedego rents them too, so you should check them out if you haven't already.

Isn't it pretty!!  If you would like to know more about the trails in the area, David is very knowledgeable .  I know many people consider the walk-ability and trails when considering a move to a new area, so if you have questions , don't hesitate to reach out!

Five Simple Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for Sale

Here are the five keys to concentrate on:

•   De-clutter. Have trash bags and boxes handy.   Start cleaning out closets, storage areas, garage etc.  Sort it, discard it, donate it and if it’s something you want to keep but don’t need right away, pack it in one of those boxes.  Label the boxes neatly and store them.   When you put things back in the closet use all the same type of hangers, they don’t have to be expensive ones, just all the same.  Organize your closet by like items, i.e. pants, shirts, dresses, suits. Face them all the same direction and section by color. You’ll be surprised at how attractive it will look, like the difference between shopping at Goodwill or Macys.
  
  
• Clean everything.  Baseboards, light fixtures, including the bulbs, dust the fan blades, the vents, blinds & windows. Don’t forget your cabinets, refrigerator, & oven.  Even wipe out the inside of your washer and dryer, (I had a buyer get very grossed out by what looked like mold around the inside lid of a washer!)
  
  
•  Touch up paint inside your home and out, and re-caulk if needed.   Trim bushes, rake the yard, pick up debris. Sweep your porch and get rid of cobwebs.
  
  
• Gather all of your appliance manuals & maintenance records.  Make a list of improvements you’ve done to the home, & when.
  
  
• Finally, go through the house and take digital pictures, upload them and take a critical look. Does it look appealing?  When you look at pictures, you will usually see things you normally walk right by…maybe it looks crowded, something is crooked or really doesn’t belong.

These “simple” steps will add value to your home while costing you nothing but your time & elbow grease, a worthwhile trade! 

Receive the Latest Local Market Stats

Curious about local real estate? So are we! Every month we review trends in our real estate market and consider the number of homes on the market in each price tier, the amount of time particular homes have been listed for sale, specific neighborhood trends, the median price and square footage of each home sold and so much more. We’d love to invite you to do the same!

Get Local Market Reports Sent Directly to You

You can sign up here to receive your own market report, delivered as often as you like! It contains current information on pending, active and just sold properties so you can see actual homes in your neighborhood. You can review your area on a larger scale, as well, by refining your search to include properties across the city or county. As you notice price and size trends, please contact us for clarification or to have any questions answered.

We can definitely fill you in on details that are not listed on the report and help you determine the best home for you. If you are wondering if now is the time to sell, please try out our INSTANT home value tool. You’ll get an estimate on the value of your property in today’s market. Either way, we hope to hear from you soon as you get to know our neighborhoods and local real estate market better.