Home Improvement Community Day

I know that it can be a very frustrating prospect to think about listing your home. Especially if you have home improvement projects that need to be done before that listing can happen! So…before you call me to come out and list your home 🙂 maybe you should drop by the Avon Teachers Credit Union!  Why? Well let me tell you!

You can visit the Avon TCU on March 18th. There will be a variety of local home improvement vendors who may be able to help you with your projects. You can get those projects done and get your home on the market as soon as possible!

There will also be Free hot dogs and refreshments!

Where?Avon Teachers Credit Union

7607 E US Hwy 36
Avon, IN 46123

March 18th from 10:00 am – 6 pm

If you would like me to come out to take a look before you start your projects……let you know!  I can let you know if they are necessary before listing…if they matter to the listing price. So give me a call!  Chris Castetter 317 271-1700

What’s in a Credit Score Anyway?

In order to qualify for a mortgage, we need to let the professionals take a look at our credit and our credit score. Before they take a look…… shouldn’t we look at our own credit? Do you know what it takes to get your credit score where it needs to be in order to have a favorable outcome from that meeting with the lender?  You need to be aware of what your credit score is before the meeting.

From time to time most of us think about, if not worry about, our credit score. So…what is it, how important is it….and how can we get it to be the best that it can be?! Here are a few facts about credit scores and how to improve them.

What is a credit score?

A credit score or FICO is a numeric expression of a persons credit file, which represents the credit worthiness of that person. A credit score is primarily based on credit report information which is usually gathered from credit bureaus.  A score is usually between 300-800.  Higher=better!

How Important is your credit score?

Your credit score tells the lender the likelihood of your paying them back the money you want to borrow…so I would say that it is VERY important…to you and the lender.

What can you do to move those numbers UP?

First off if you have had any credit problems in the past you need to be prepared to discuss them openly and honestly with your mortgage professional.  Experienced professionals know that there can be reasons behind credit issues and are ready to listen and offer any help that may make the process easier…but they cannot help if they are not aware of the problems. Make sure to talk to your mortgage professional honestly about any credit issues you have had, even if you think they are not important, let them decide. It is much better to deal with the issues before going through all of the paper work.

If you have had credit issues but have been working on them and have had on time payments for a year or longer then your credit may be satisfactory. Do not think just because you have had issues that you cannot get qualified! Ask a professional.

Excess debt can be an issue for your credit score.  Some ways to help  get rid of that excess debt quickly is to make some hard choices! You may consider selling your second car and using the money to pay off debt…or you can lower your monthly entertainment budget, maybe even get rid of it altogether for a while, and with the extra money each month pay some bills twice. Make sure to never pay just the minimum on credit cards or any kind of revolving credit.  Hold a garage sale and again….proceeds go to bills. Not just the monthly payment…more. And pay as early as possible each month so as to avoid extra interest, most companies calculate interest on a daily basis so the earlier you pay the less interest you pay.

Make sure you are not late any month! You do not want any 30 days late on your credit report.This makes a difference in calculating your score. As does your debt compared to your earnings.  Your debt ratio needs to be in balance. Make sure what you have coming in is greater than what you have going out in bills.

**There are several places on the net where you can go to get a free copy of your credit report. A simple search in your favorite search engine will produce a few sites. Take your pick and see what your score is today! If there are any problems within your report that you disagree with, do not be shy about letting the Bureaus know about it. If you go to one of the main 3 bureaus sites you can fill out online disputes and have them take a look.  It is your credit history, if you do not protect it….who will?

Have more questions about credit scores or mortgages…please call Chris today! 317 271-1700

**SPOTLIGHT** Home

‎**SPOTLIGHT** home of the week 7680 Black Walnut. This 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home in Beechwood Farms is located in Avon Indiana. Over 3100 Sq. Ft to call home. If you would like a tour of this home or any other home listed, give Chris a call!  317 271-1700

***SPOTLIGHT***

Welcome to Beechwood Dr!

This 4 bedroom 3 bath home in Avon Indiana is located in the beautiful community of Prestwick Green!  Simply the best view in Hendricks County overlooking Prestwick Golf Course!! MUST SEE THIS ONE! Lush greens and beautiful trees create award-winning sights! Over 3000 Sq Ft in this home!  Interested in seeing this beautiful home? Call Chris 317 271-1700 today!

Avon, Indiana Real Estate

What sets Avon, Indiana real estate agent, Chris Castetter apart from 6,200 other realtors  in the  Indianapolis areas?

• Statistics from The National Association of Realtors report that the average real estate agent has a career span of two years.  Chris Castetter is going on 16 successful years of selling real estate in Avon, Indiana, Plainfield, Indiana and all of Hendricks County.
• The National Association of Realtors also reports that the average realtor across the country sells 12 homes per year.  Chris Castetter averages selling more that 40 homes per year in Avon, Indiana and surrounding areas.  Chris Castetter also ranks amongst the top 1%  of Realtors in Hendricks County Indiana based on closed sales volume!
• The National Realty Alliance recognizes Avon, Indiana Realtor, Chris Castetter among the top 15% of realtors in America based on closed sales volume!
• “I believe that real estate is a local business. I specialize in selling homes in a specific area, Hendricks County Indiana and West Marion County.  This allows me to truly be an expert in our market area.”  www.chriscastetter.com
• Below is a list of memberships and awards that Chris Castetter has earned over the years.  This is part of what has made him a successful sales leader in Avon, Plainfield, Indiana  and all of Hendricks County Indiana!

  – Talk To Tucker President’s Club – 2010
  – Talk To Tucker Executive Club – 1999-2010
  – National Realty Alliance Sales Leader Award – 2003-2010
  – Talk To Tucker Corporate Relocation Specialist.
  – Talk To Tucker  Residential Advisory Council 2003, 2007.
  – Member, The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors.
  – Member, The Indiana Association of Realtors.
  – Member, The National Association of Realtors.

If you are looking for a proven, successful real estate sales leader to sell your home and an agent with a great track record, then please contact Chris Castetter to discuss your goals.   www.chriscastetter.com

Use this section to write about your specific areas of expertise. Do you specialize in first time buyers – listing high end homes – etc. Are there specific market area’s that you specialize in? The more you write about your area’s of expertise the more knowledgeable you’ll sound to a potential buyer or seller.

Satisfied Past Clients…

Jeff & Krista Shields, Danville, Indiana

Tom & Linda Hawk, Avon, Indiana

Mark & Shelly Notter, Avon, Indiana

Don & Becky Moran, Avon, Indiana

Cindy L. Ware Coatesville, Indiana

Jim & Rena Hummel, Plainfield, Indiana

Todd & Corey Sprout, Avon, Indiana

Brett and Natalie Hamrick, Avon, Indiana

Tommy and Vicky Featheringill, Plainfield, Indiana

Larry & Stacey Caskey, Avon, Indiana

David & Angela Duncan, Plainfield, Indiana

Bob & Judy King, Avon, Indiana

Carol Turner, Plainfield, Indiana

Jack & Ericka Halstead, Plainfield, Indiana

Lisa Lewis, Avon, Indiana

Joe & Rachel Heinbaugh, Indianapolis, Indiana

Becky Brawner, Brownsburg, Indiana

Greg and Angie Cox, Marge Moore, Avon, Indiana

Paul and Debbie Brunzie, Avon, Indiana

Michele Ryan, Indianapolis, Indiana

Lynn and Rhonda Hagar, Plainfield, Indiana

Denny & Terri Batalis, Avon, Indiana

Michael & Karrie Beaumont, Avon, Indiana

Tim & Katie Colon, Brownsburg, Indiana

Larry & Dautie Craig, Brownsburg, Indiana

Matt & Rene Thomas, Plainfield, Indiana

Nathans & Olivia Thomas, Avon, Indiana

Jason & Tish VanCuren, Avon, Indiana

Chris & Amber Tincher, Avon, Indiana

Matt & Jenn Carroll, Brownsburg, Indiana

Mike & Becky McFarling, Plainfield, Indiana

Scott & Brandi Modesitt, Brownsburg, Indiana

http://www.chriscastetter.com

Home Buyers- Do YOU have your TOP 5 list?

Along with the excitement of buying a home, whether it is your first or fifth, can also come some confusion….unless you take the time to make yourself a top 5 list. Some professionals may even say that should be a top 3 list…thinking that 5 becomes too hard to fulfill.

So what is your top 5 list? This is a list of “must have items” that your new home should be equipped with. Beyond the obvious bedrooms,kitchen,bathroom and garage!  This can range from a fireplace to brick siding, the point is that if you do not have a top 5 list you can be looking at homes for a very long time and find that you cannot make a decision!  You Top 5 list needs to be the top 5 things that you are looking for in your next new home and you need to stick to that list! In the long run it will make your life easier and the life of your Realtor may just be a bit easier too!
You may not have thought about having a Top 5 list and you may not even know what your Top 5 list would include beyond the fact that you want 3 bedrooms!

An example of a Top 5 list would be as follows:

Specific school district

4 bedrooms or 3 and an office

Island in kitchen

large master bath with garden or jacuzzi tub and separate shower

At least 1/2 and acre lot

The above is just an example of a Top 5 List….your Top 5 List may be different, it could include sq. footage or the exact neighborhood or of course the price ( the price is usually a given based on your finances but it is your list!) ! Make it anyway you want it just make sure they are the 5 most important things you want in your next new home!

If after working with your Top 5 list for a couple of weeks you find that your next new home is still evading your grasp then you may want to make that a Top 3 list and pick your 3 most important “must have items”!

Have fun home shopping! And stick to your list! ( well you know…UNLESS you walk into that one particular home that when you walk through the door you feel ….ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Then by all means….TO HECK WITH THE LIST!!”  haha

Interested in buying a Home? Call Chris 317 271-1700

Would you like to know where your house stands in today’s market?

Considering putting your house on the market? Wondering what today’s market means to a home seller…in particular YOU? When was the last time you had a market analysis on your house?

Do you know what your home is worth and if not are you interested in getting a FREE market analysis before putting your home on the market?

Chris Castetter is a Top Real Estate agent with FC Tucker in Avon Indiana. he has been a Realtor in Hendricks County for over 16 years! He is a great source of Real Estate information and a professional you can count on.

If you are considering putting your home on the market and would like to get the process started, give Chris a call at 317 -271-1700