A few of the specifics:

*Available for First Time Home Buyers or
Buyers who haven’t owned a home in the last three years

You will need three years tax returns to verify there were no homeowner tax deductions taken in the time period.

Income Guidelines:

* $63,800. for 1–2 person household
* $73,370. for 3 or more person household
* All family income counts regardless of whose name is on the loan

Loan can be FHA or Conventional

The current interest rate can be reduced by 1/8% to 5.125% when the buyer takes an online course about home ownership.

The program can be used with or without downpayment assistance. Down payment assistance is capped at $3500.00 and is subject to repayment when the home is sold or the loan refinanced.

The interest rate program mentioned in Paula's blog is The First Home Program and is offered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Association. They even offer 24/7 interest rate information at (888) 227-4452 . IHCDA also offers special programs for teachers, fire fighters, law enforcement and state and municipal workers. Visit http://ihcda.in.gov/homebuyers.aspx for more details.

- Posted by Mary Catharine Grau, Director of Marketing, Estridge and HOMExperience

I had the pleasure of touring the St. Margaret's Guild's  

Daily Tours
Saturday, April 26, 2008, through Sunday, May 11, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Sunday - CLOSED MONDAYS 
 Tickets:  $15 at the door       $12 at Marsh Supermarkets

A spring tradition in Indianapolis, the 47th annual

Saturday, April 26, 2008, through Sunday, May 11, 2008
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday through Sunday - CLOSED MONDAYS
Tickets:  $15 at the door      
$12 at Marsh Supermarkets


http://www.showhouseindy.com/home.html

Tip #1: Get inspired. Go tour model homes in new developments. They will show you great examples of tastefully (but sparsely) furnished homes that anyone could live in. There may be "personality"—but no person.

Tip #2: Make your home anonymous. You want buyers to view your home as their future home. When a potential homebuyer sees your family photos hanging on the wall, it may momentarily shatter their illusions about living in the house themselves. Put away personal items, such as family photos, sports trophies, collectible items, knick-knacks, and souvenirs.

Tip #3: Rethink and rearrange your furniture. Rooms easily become overcrowded. If you had planned on discarding any furnishings before moving, do it before your home goes on the market. If you simply have too much furniture, move it to the basement, garage or put it in storage. This will free up the room and make it seem more spacious and airy—an appealing selling point. Well-placed furnishings can also open up a room. Avoid lining furniture along all four walls. Instead, try placing a piece or two on an angle. In the living areas, include an area for cozy conversation or an out-of-the-way corner for reading.

Tip #4: De-clutter. Since you want potential buyers to be noticing the house and not your belongings, this is the perfect time for significant collections such as knick-knacks, trophies, and books to be boxed up for the move. Also, clear small appliances, little jars, bottles, and any clutter off kitchen and bath countertops to create a feeling of spaciousness in a room.

Tip #5: Use aromatic appeal. Just as certain smells can trigger memories in a person, the scent of your home can leave a lasting impression on a potential buyer. For this reason, avoid cooking strong-smelling foods such as fish, liver, garlic, onions, or anything fried or spicy before showing your home. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air. Baking a frozen loaf of bread, cookies, or pie can create an inviting fragrance. And though you never want to over-perfume your home, you may want to light a candle as a quick and aromatic remedy. Stay away from sharp floral scents and stick with a vanilla or cinnamon fragrance.

Tip #6: Put your home in the best light. If heavy drapes, curtains or blinds block appealing views, leave them open. Natural light makes a room seem bright and cheery. For evening showings, turn on all possible lights for a warm glow. (Read another tip on how to make the most of your windows.)

Tip #7: Don’t neglect details, like linens. Stained, dingy towels are a no-no for an open house. In the kitchen and bath, consider setting out guest towels and soaps. Inevitably, a visitor or two will need to use your facilities during the showing. Throw rugs and carpets should also be in good condition—and if they are not completely necessary, they should be removed altogether. Never place a rug over carpeting. Tattered or worn bedspreads should be removed, and beds should always be made.

Tip #8: Bring the outdoors in. In spring and summer, potted plants or a lush hanging planter are appealing and can add a lot of impact. If your house is going on the market early in the season, consider purchasing mature plants rather than starting from scratch. A home’s interior can benefit from flowers and greenery, as well. A simple vase and bouquet can brighten up any room of the home.

Tip #9: Pay attention to appliances. This is especially important if appliances are built-in, or being sold with the home. Ovens, stovetops, and range fans should be well cleaned and grease-free. If drip pans have burnt-on grease and are unsalvageable, they should be replaced with new ones. Clean out the refrigerator fan grate, which can collect a lot of dust. It is easy to remove and may be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Tip #10: De-emphasize pets. Not every potential buyer will be an animal lover. If you have pets, keep cages, dishes, and litter boxes clean at all times. Pet hair should be frequently vacuumed. Dog droppings should be scooped up from the front lawn and disposed of. And always cage or kennel pets when your house is being shown.

The tips below are modified from http://tinaabraham.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/eight-tips-for-choosing-a-realtor/ and are helpful in choosing a realtor to sell your home, as well as help you find the perfect new home for you and your family.

Meet the Designer
Saturday April 19
1pm to 4pm
at HOMExperience by Estridge

This weekend at HOMExperience, we are hosting a WINE + DESIGN open house to give everyone the opportunity to meet our talented Senior Designer, Tom Korecki. Tom has decorated over 80 Estridge model homes throughout Estridge communities, as well as personal residences. He uses his vast experience with design to help customers complete their homes with furnishings that matches their style and taste.
Learn more about Tom

We'll have onsite cooking demonstrations as well as delicious desserts and sparkling wine for everyone to enjoy!

Call 317.669.8600 for questions or directions to HOMExperience in Clay Terrace.

The closing for your new home is a very exciting time! After watching your home take shape from your homesite to the home of your dreams, the closing is the last step before you can call your dream home your very own. In order for you to get the keys to your new home sooner, below are some tips for a smooth closing that we've learned over our years as an Indiana home builder.

Here are several tips to prepare for a smooth closing:

I received an email newsletter from Richmond American Homes that included the following article I want to share. If you are interested in building a new home, the following article has great tips for items to watch as you tour model homes of Indiana home builders as well. If you are looking into new construction and resale homes, these tips are truly helpful as you walk through any home and imagine living there.


Here are 6 specific items to keep your eyes on when walking through the model home

Quality. Model homes showcase the best a builder offers. Look for signs of how much care goes into structural features and energy-efficiencies. Open doors and cabinets. Check out wall structure and notice whether or not the corners are rounded. Ask about insulation, wiring, heating and air conditioning.

Flow & Livability. Look for a floorplan that will work for your lifestyle. Think about how your furniture will fit and how well the living spaces flow from one room into the next. Some floorplans can make everyday tasks easier, and it’s often the smallest details that make a difference. Is there a place to put your shoes? A coat closet? A conveniently located laundry room? All these factors can go a long way toward improving your quality of life in a home. (When you visit an Estridge model home, take home a large size floorplan and a furniture template. You can use the scaled furniture cut-outs to imagine exactly how you would arrange your furniture with the home design.)

Décor. Have you ever noticed that some homes have a “wow” factor, right from the moment you walk inside? Whether it’s a fabulous color scheme or an eye-catching use of fabrics and textures, a well-designed model home can make a striking impression. The good news? You can use that wow factor to your advantage. If you’re selling a home, it’s a perfect chance to pick up professional, creative concepts for staging, all without paying a dime! And if you’re not selling a house, what better place to get ideas on how to decorate your brand new home than in a beautiful model designed by experts? (Looking for tips on getting your home ready to sell? Visit the E-Lifestyle area on Estridge.com for monthly tips.)

Storage. It’s something many people forget to look for until they move in. Check out the size of closets, garage and basement options, and other storage areas. From high school memorabilia to fine china and your ice-cream maker, be sure there’s plenty of space to put all your stuff!

Kitchen. The kitchen is typically the most popular room in the home. Pay special attention to cabinets, pantries, lighting and countertop space. If you enjoy entertaining, is there room for guests to mingle? If you’re a chef, you may be more interested in a food preparation island, a double oven and a spacious pantry. Think about the design features you need today, as well as those you’ll want in the future.

Details, Details. From the overall cleanliness of the model to the scent that greets you when you walk inside (Estridge model homes will smell like freshly baked cookies, make sure to grab one or two after you walk through the home), small details can offer hints at how much pride a builder takes in their work. Sales and maintenance teams who take the time to ensure that a model’s light bulbs are working and the shutters are dusted are people who take pride in their product. This is a good indication they’ll pay attention to small details when it comes to your home too.


- Posted by Mary Catharine Grau, Director of Marketing, Estridge and HOMExperience

This is the first post to Your Estridge HomeSite blog and we are looking forward to begin sharing the resources within Estridge. Your HomeSite is a collaboration of many people at Estridge. We'll be sharing input and asking for your thoughts from all different areas within Estridge - product design, interior design, our HomeLife team, new home consultants, financing and many more. Email marketing@estridge.net with suggestions for topics you want to read about or any other comments on Your Estridge HomeSite.

Estridge is a local home builder in Carmel, Indiana. We've beening serving the greater Indianapolis area since 1967 and are located in Clay Terrace in Carmel. Our corporate offices are in Clay Terrace, as is HOMExperience, our Design Studio and decor and furnishings store. We've built over 7,000 homes in the greater indy area and are currently serving homeowners in eleven neighborhoods in Avon, Brownsburg, Carmel, Fishers, Franklin Township, Westfield and Zionsville.

Check out our website to learn more about Estridge and check back at Your Estridge HomeSite for great information on building homes, moving into homes and living in them.