Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
Month: February 2019
SOLD! My First Time Homebuyers Closed on This McCordsville, Indiana Home
The market is competitive when desiring a ranch on acreage like this one. This home came on the market at 7:00am and I called my Buyers right away. We were on site by 8:30am, before any one else, and swiftly put in an offer. Thank goodness we did! The listing agent told us there were at least 20 requests for showings immediately after our viewing.
If you know what you’re looking for, you need to act quickly, and if you’re unsure, I can help you narrow down your “must haves” so you too can take advantage of the opportunity to be the first in line for your dream home!
LISTING DESCRIPTION: Beautifully updated all brick ranch in beautiful country setting. This home features 3 bedrooms, roof, heating/ac , windows replaced in the past two years. Kitchen includes updated cabinets, countertops, all black appliances, breakfast nook, and pantry.
Neutral paint throughout with updated bathrooms and lighting. Big deck great for entertaining, and a 24×36′ polebarn offers additional storage/ workshop in addition to the 2 car attached garage.
Brick fireplace in the bonus living room area with access to the deck and partially fenced in back yard. Large looped circular driveway works great for having plenty of guests over. Minutes from major highway access, shopping, and restaurants.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
REVIEW! First Time Home Buyer
Highly likely to recommend
Shawna has been very accommodating and proactive on our behalf the past seven months while we shopped for our first home. From searching high and low for the perfect home, negotiating sale price, managing the inspection process, all the way through closing, Shawna has had our back through it all. I would definitely recommend her to any of my family and friends looking for a smooth experience in home buying.
Home is Where the Heart Is: Spending Valentine’s Day at Home
Valentine’s Day is recognized and celebrated by approximately 54 percent of Americans. According to the National Retail Federation U.S. Consumers will spend nearly 19.6 billion on Valentine’s Day ($143.56 per person) on gifts, candy, cards, an evening out, flowers and jewelry.
But what if one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to “go out” less and/or spend less in 2019? You can still recognize and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Loved Ones and Friends without breaking the bank.
Here are some ideas on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day at HOME with friends and loved ones:
If you’re in a relationship:
- Camp out on the living room floor. Set up the air mattress, roast marshmallows in the fireplace and have a picnic dinner on the floor. (If you have kids, they will love this). Incorporate a movie night together with Netflix or a Redbox rental.
- Make lists together: Write down your lifelong bucket list and think big, as if money were no option. Make a list of wants in your dream home and draw a blueprint of what it looks like. Write a gratitude list together.
If you’re single:
- Invite friends over to make dinner together. Choose a menu and purchase the ingredients ahead of time then have fun cooking and eating together. Afterwards, have a game night playing cards or board games.
- Turn your living room into the dance room. Move all the furniture out of the way, make a playlist and boogie down. Do you know someone with a Karaoke machine? Take turns singing your favorites or if not, what about a lip sync battle?
If you’re home with kids:
- Lay out an Ice Cream Bar for dessert after dinner. After each person makes their sundaes, top them off with red hearts, chocolate kisses, and valentine’s day inspired sprinkles.
- Make your own Cards or love notes for your family members. Have each family member write down something they love about each person participating and read them out loud.
Lastly, you could make the evening not about you at all. Make something to leave on a neighbor’s porch or choose somewhere you can volunteer in your community.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
7 Features that May Sell Your Home Faster
If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market this spring, you may be wondering how to make your home more attractive to prospective buyers.
The following are the most common features buyers want in a home.*
Laundry Room: While many homes have a nook in the hallway or withing a bathroom for a washer and dryer, most buyers (92%) of all ages want a separate laundry room with space for these appliances, plus room to sort and iron.
Exterior Lighting: 90% of buyers want a home with outdoor lighting, including spotlights, walkway lights and pendant lights. Not only does this lighting highlight your home’s curb appeal, it’s also a safety measure. For example, motion lights will turn on whenever they sense movement.
Energy-efficient windows and appliances: Energy Star-rated windows and appliances are a top choice of buyers – 90% prefer energy-saving appliances and 87% prefer energy-saving windows. Energy-efficient windows can reduce heating and cooling costs by 12%. Additionally, homeowners may save up to $40 a year on the their utility bills by including energy-efficient appliances in their homes.
Patio: More than 84% of buyers feel a patio is an important home feature. Many people entertain outside during the warmer months of the year and a patio allows them to do so without having to modify their home.
Hardwood Floors: For 82% of buyers, hardwood floors are a desirable selling point in a home. Hardwood floors tend to be more durable and easier to maintain than carpet. They also offer a timeless aesthetic to a home. Homeowners can add rugs to improve the warmth of a space or tie the room together.
Garage Storage Space: Storage is important to 81% of buyers, especially if they have growing families. Additional storage in the garage keeps the main living areas free of clutter and is more accessible than attic or basement spaces. Improvement options include installing pegboard on the wall for tools, improving the lighting and electrical circuits or adding cabinets.
Eat in Kitchen: Many buyers (80%) like the appeal of eating their meals in the kitchen, especially if they have children. Creating space in the kitchen for a small table and chairs may be as simple as removing a wall. You will want to make sure the wall is non-load-bearing, with limited repair work involved and without pipes or wires needing to be removed. If the wall contains any of these factors, your costs could increase dramatically.
If you would like references for qualified individuals to perform any of the tasks above, contact me at shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com. I have an extensive list of credible individuals/businesses that would be happy to work with you.
Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
F.C. Tucker Geist
The Tumbarello Group
*Source: Kiplinger
Open House February 3, 2019 – Fishers, Indiana
Indianapolis Area Homes for Sale 