Note, Email, Phone, Face to Face or Text?

I think handwritten notes are cool! I like writing them and I love receiving them. I received a handwritten note in the mail from the waiter that we had at Sullivan's. Did you read that? The waiter from Sullivan's sent me a handwritten note- my first thought is what a great idea! I will for sure ask for him the next time I go to Sullivan's. I still am not sure how he got my address.


So here are my rules- Caroline's rules- for types of communication. Your rules might be different but I think it is a good idea to have rules. I think it is a good idea to have rules for everything.


1) Handwritten notes are always good. They are good if you send them even if time has passed- sometimes I think better. You should ALWAYS write a handwritten note when someone has given you their time (especially in a business setting), when someone has given you gift or when someone has done special you feel like is special. There is never a bad time for a handwritten note.


2) Use the type of communication with a client- or anyone for that matter- that they prefer. I have client's that prefer email, phone, text, fax - I try to use the communication that THEY prefer to receive. If someone contacts you contact them back in the same manor. If they email you- email them back. If they call you- do NOT email them. I send texts to my step son because I typically receive a response- if I call him many times he does not call me back. He prefers texts.

3) When you are meeting with someone face to face or via a conference call do NOT talk on the phone, return emails or texts when you are with that person. The entire time! Turn your phone off or on mute. I think this sounds pretty simple- you go to the movie and you turn your phone off but it seems like people do it all the time. I met someone recently for a coffee and she spoke on the phone with someone else for the first 10 minutes of our time together. It seemed weird to me.

4) Have one phone number- this can be a hard one but I think more and more people are moving towards this. Specifically when you are a client based situation, they should not have to call two or three numbers to find you. Have one number that follows you everywhere. Make it easy for people to reach you.

That's it- those are my rules. What are your communication rules? They don't have to mirror mine but think about how you are communicating with clients, potential client, friends and family. Make sure you are respecting their form of communication.

Depend on your Realtor

I liked this article for many reasons but I think it really emphasises the reason(s) why you should find an agent that can be your life long real estate consultant when you are selling, buying or simply researching real estate. This speaks specifically to why to find a good buyer's agent especially in this fantastic buyer's market that we are in currently.

Do you know someone that needs an agent to represent them on the buying side of a residential real estate transaction? If so, drop us a line ccinamon@curryteamindy.com with their contact information and we will give them a call.

Depend on your Realtor By Julie Young - The Indianapolis Star


In this buyer's market, working with a Realtor will help you as a home buyer navigate through the myriad of homes on the market. These agents are available to listen to your needs and find the listings best suited to your particular price point (and criteria).


With 85 percent of the home-buying starting online, it makes sense that chief among the services agents offer is up to the minute mobile searches that send alerts right to your your email or cell phone.


Agents help their clients establish home-buying plans that outline what they want in a home, what they reasonably can afford and timetable for when they can expect to move in. Buyers count on their Realtors to act as advocates for them just as sellers agents act as advocates for their interests. Realtors make sure that all pre qualification forms are completed, contracts are in order and an inspection has been preformed before attending closing.


While agents and buyers don't have a formal agreement in the same way in the same that agents and sellers have an exclusivity agreement (in this market), sticking with one Realtor you feel comfortable with will maximize your home buying experience and give you the best shot at real estate sucess.

October Market Watch by Jim Litten-President of F.C. Tucker

I highlighted the points that I think are most important. 1) If you are in a rental situation or are moving from another market and do NOT have a home to sell. The time is now to purchase a home in greater Indianapolis! 2) Lenders are still lending money everyday! Call us if you have questions about the real estate market- we are here to help!

Decreasing home inventory still indicative of buyers’ market

INDIANAPOLIS – October housing statistics point to continued opportunities for buyers to take advantage of lower housing prices across Central Indiana, while a decrease in available inventory reduces competition among sellers, according to pended sales statistics compiled by F.C. Tucker Company.

“Contrary to perception, mortgage money is widely available and rates are quite good. Combined with a steady demand for housing, we are seeing the number of homes for sale in Central Indiana continue to drop,” said Donna Kreps, Executive Vice President of Tucker's Residential Real Estate Services Division. “Home buyers are still experiencing unprecedented opportunities throughout Central Indiana.”

Available homes for sale dropped 12.7 percent in October with 17,746 homes on the market, 2,582 fewer homes than in October 2007. Marion County experienced the greatest decrease in inventory at 18.5 percent.

Central Indiana homes are holding their value better than other real estate markets. The average year-to-date sales price for a home in the nine-county area was $145,779, 5.2 percent less than what was reported in October 2007. In comparison, the latest data from the National Association of REALTORS® reported the national average year-to-date sales price was 9 percent lower than the same period last year, as of September 2008.

Of the nine counties, Hancock County was the only one to experience an increase in homes sold in October, with a 23.8 percent increase in sales compared to the same time last year.

The average number of days on the market is 93 days, a 6.9 percent increase comparing year-to-date figures from 2007 and 2008. Hamilton County boasts the shortest amount of time – 83 days – for homes on the market through October 2008.