2011 Informational Goals

As we approach the start of a new year, we will be sharing information about Homes for Sale in Columbus, Indiana and  Bartholomew County as well as New Construction.  We will also be sharing information on Tipton Lakes and newer areas in Tipton Lakes - including Horizon West.   We will be sharing information about the lakes in South Central Indiana including Grandview Lake and Harrison Lake as well as other Residential areas – Park Forest, Park Forest North, Sycamore Bend and many others.

We are inviting guest authors including our residential agents and businesses with whom we work to give you different view points on issues influencing residential real estate and other subjects of interest relating to real estate.

So, we hope you will visit our website often and leave your comments and questions as well.  We would like to be your real estate company when you want to Buy or Sell, of course, but we also want to be your source for information as you consider all aspects of  real estate.

Real Estate in Columbus Indiana – # SOLD

# Sold – 1985 – 2010      As we frequently consider the average price of homes sold, we must also look at the number of homes sold.  This chart represents the Homes Sold in Columbus and Bartholomew Indiana for the period 2010 Year-to-Date 12/19/10.   It is apparent that 2010 sales were slightly improved over 2009, but still significantly reduced from 2008 when the economic slowdown in real estate began in this region.

The period including years 2004 – 2007 showed greater strength in the real estate market as the number of sales peaked in 2005 and 2006 with sales in excess of 1,000 homes during both of these years.

Although the change from 2009 to 2010 was a positive increase, these numbers only serve to remind us that there is certainly room for improvement in number sold.

This remains, however, an outstanding time to purchase real estate!

Real Estate Values in Columbus Indiana

Average Price of Homes  – 1985-2010  – There has been a lot of speculation about the effect of the economy on real estate values during the past two years.  Although the economic downturn hit real estate in South Central Indiana a little later than in many other parts of the country, this area has not been spared from participation in this unfortunate event.

While we have endured this situation for two years, hitting our local real estate market in the third quarter of 2008, we have directed our studies to many parts of this dilema and wanted to share the average price information we have collected.  While we realize a study of median price could be more meaningful or at least equally as meaningful, our historical data collected through the years was focused on annual averages.   Although the average price in Bartholomew County has dropped, this change is not as dramatic as one might have imagined.

Home Sales in Columbus Indiana in 2010

During the 1st half of 2010, home sales in Columbus Indiana increased as a result of the Tax Credit Incentive.    During the 2nd half of 2010, however, homes for sale in Columbus increased as the number of homes selling slowed drastically.  While there have been periods during the last six months where it appeared that sales were increasing as we experienced a temporary surge in activity, the overall trend has not indicated a recovery.

We continue to believe that Columbus may fare slightly better than the rest of the Midwest Region as the promise of available jobs appears to be increasing.

Single Family Home Sales by Price

 

Regional Sales by Price

Existing Single Family Homes
September 2010
             
% Change in Sales from 1 Year Ago
Region $0-100K $100-250K $250-500K $500-750K $750K-1M $1M+
Northeast -15.1% -21.5% -15.6% -11.6% -2.4% 1.0%
Midwest -15.2% -33.5% -15.1% -14.0% -16.5% 2.4%
South -3.0% -24.2% -11.6% -12.1% 13.4% 7.2%
West -9.7% -20.1% -18.3% -21.0% -5.7% -2.5%
U.S. -9.5% -24.9% -15.3% -15.8% -2.0% 0.4%
             
             
Sales Distribution
Region $0-100K $100-250K $250-500K $500-750K $750-1M $1M+
U.S. 23.9% 43.9% 23.0% 5.9% 1.7% 1.7%
             
             

The Very Charming City of North Vernon

Located a short distance from Columbus, SE on Highway 7 in Jennings County – a county adjacent to Bartholomew County,  is the very charming community of North Vernon, Indiana.    Our words cannot express the beauty and character of this area so we thought you could view North Vernon through these pictures.  We are grateful to Nora Noblitt, a Residential Agent with Century 21 Breeden Realtors, who is the photographer for all of these lovely photographs

Buying a House – To Occupy or To Rent?

 

Everyone acknowledges this is a great time to Buy a Home!  Supply and demand, not to mention the very favorable interest rates, are certainly very positive factors in home buying and price considerations.   All signs point to  Buying Now!     In Bartholomew County, all of the buying signs are in place that make this a very appropriate time to get started with the process.

Now the options in buying a house , however, are greater than ever.  For what was once the natural  choice for most clients of buying a house to occupy as primary residence has now become an option.   Another option is buying a house to rent. 

Why acquiring rentals is a better option more recently has to do with the economy and how mortgage underwriting requirements have changed for buyers.     Because the credit score and down payment requirements have become more difficult, some homebuyers who might have preferred purchasing a home must now be content with renting.   While the same mortgage underwriting requirements make it difficult for mortgages on non-owner occupied houses, loans are still being made and the market for rental properties has definitely increased.

 

Homes for Sale Compared to Homes Sold by Price Range

A calculation we use to supply Home Sellers with current information on the Residential Real Estate Market in Columbus Indiana is Absorption Rate Pricing.  Our idea is that if a certain number of homes sold during 10 months of this year were comparied to the active  Homes Now for Sale, a  conclusion might be drawn with regard to the Real Estate Market “absorbing” the supply of active listings in a given price range.

Of course, we realize that this is certainly an imperfect summary of the market that is affected by seasonal changes in the market, i.e. Thanksgiving and Christmas slow downs, not to mention the influence of more new homes on the market as well as homes being taken off of the market.   However, this estimate gives some indication of supply and demand as the market is evaluated.

Buying a Home in Columbus Indiana

 

As the very low interest rates are considered, buying a home in Columbus, Indiana from Century 21 Breeden Realtors seems like a good idea.  However, as some economic factors are considered  as Cummins and LHP have announced their plans to increase their work force considerably, buying a home in Columbus sounds like a GREAT idea.  Then, remembering that Columbus has once again been selected by several prominent groups as an excellent place to live, you could say buying real estate in Columbus is a REALLY GREAT, GREAT IDEA!!

Last month, Columbus was selected as the 10th best small city in the country to raise a family by Forbes.com.   Some of the criteria used for the selection process included  graduation rates, median household incomes, homeownership rates, etc.  Of course, Columbus has been recognized for its architecturte for many years and through many awards.  Most important of all the awards for architecture is likely the fact that Columbus is priviledged and honored to be a destination for many wishing to appreciate and photograph Columbus’ magnificent architecture.

As recently as March, 2010 the Chicago Tribune’s Alfred Borcover said, “In the heart of the so-called Rust Belt likes an extraordinary example of what vision and open-mindedness did for a central Indiana industrial town set amid farm fields . . . Columbus, however, is a town that lifts yours spirits.”

  

10 Reasons to Buy a Home NOW!

Watch this video from the Wall Street Journal on the 10 Reasons to Buy a Home.

The Beauty of Autumn Colors in Columbus, Indiana

 

Despite a very dry summer with drought-like conditions, Indiana continues to show her beautiful, majestic landscape with gorgeous skies and splendid colors.  We are so blessed to enjoy the quality of life and the glorious setting offered in Indiana.

A Great Time to Buy A Lake Home

These are just a few of the Lake Homes or Lake-Access Homes now available in Brown and Bartholomew Counties.

South Central Indiana has been blessed with an abundance of lakes!

Because water is calming, peaceful and fun, the idea of living on a lake is extremely appealing and not always available in most areas of this great country.    This might be a good time to consider the unbelievable appeal of year-around lake living.  No matter what the temperature or weather conditions, the water is always enchanting and interesting – beautiful to view and wonderful to use for recreation.

We would be happy to acquaint you with lake living – available in many price ranges in Brown County, Bartholomew County, Johnson County, Jackson County, Jennings County and Decatur County – to name a few.

Buy NEW Homes in Columbus Indiana

It is a Great Time to Buy a New Home in Columbus Indiana.  In fact, it is just a great time to buy any home in Columbus Indiana! 

These are just a few pictures of some of the New Homes now available in Bartholomew County – located in the South Central part of Indiana.  With unbelievable interest rates – SEE BELOW – waiting to buy doesn’t seems like a good idea!    No matter what your price range or your size desired, we can find something that may have great appeal for you and fit your requirements.

Powered by IN Interest Rates

Friends and Clients enjoy “Pumpkin Day”

Pictures from our annual Celebration of Pumpkin Day!  

Please visit our “Pumpkin Day” link at the top of this page to see more of these pictures.  If you double-click any picture, you will see an enlargement.  You can also have any picture e-mailed to you OR we’d be happy to print your picture as well. 

Magnificent Architecture in a Captivating City – Columbus Indiana

Summer weekend in Columbus

We all enjoyed a beautiful weekend in August when ArtFest was held on the streets of downtown, Columbus, Indiana.  Washington Street because the showplace for the white tents housing artists displaying their artwork.   As visitors admired the talent on display, opportunities for refreshments were available at sidwalk cafes and street vendors.  A good time was had by all.

Just at the end of the downtown district, adjacent to the Breeden Building (home of Century 21 Breeden Realtors), a Farmers Market was held.  This is a weekly event, every Saturday morning, when wonderful home-grown produce is offered for sale along with home-baked pastries, candy, crafts and plants.

All reminescent of life small-time life, these events are totally pleasant and very popular with the people of Bartholomew County and surrounding areas.  Many other events are held during the year including Ethnic Expo on the 2nd weekend every October, Neighborfest held at various times during the year and various street fairs.

Life in this area is fine and the Quality of Life excellent!