Baby It's Cold Outside - Indoor Play for kids in Indiana

This is a "re-publishing" of sorts of a list I put out in December of 2013.....

So - do you have youngsters at home with cabin fever and don't want to risk frost bite?
They have already grown tired of their Christmas presents...so now what?

Try out some of these Indoor Playgrounds in Indiana !
Here are some ideas to help spend some of that energy:

Greater Indianapolis Area:

Recreation Unlimited - located in Noblesville (North of Indy).  I highly recommend this place.  I took my 3 year old grandson who is ALL boy and can run you ragged.  He LOVED it.  He made friends, was totally occupied and busy for hours!  It's a huge indoor playground with a variety of sets, trampolines, basketball, Thomas the Train, etc.   They even have a party room for birthdays.  Weekdays are cheaper.  Weekends are pricier. There is an age limit of 8.
More details HERE

Indy Island - if you have guppies, this is a nice smaller venue indoor water park on the SE side of Indy. Very cheap and well guarded - so you can sit on the sidelines if desired. 
More details HERE

St Francis Play Area - Greenwood Park Mall - free!

That Fun Place - located in Greenfield (East of Indy) and there's a location in Greenwood (south of Indy). A very reasonably priced playground area for youngsters and areas with games/activities for older children also.  The kids playground entry is only $4.
More details HERE

The Tree House - Indoor playground at Plainfield Christian Church. Free admission. Tue & Thurs from 9-11 and 1-3.

Sky Zone- Fishers and Plainfield.  Indoor trampoline playgrounds.  All my grandkids got gift cards to this place one year. 
More details HERE for Plainfield and HERE for Fishers

Lafayette:

Tropicanoe Cove - located in Columbian Park. Great indoor water park
More details HERE

Columbus:

The Commons - a highly recommended indoor playground area with segmented areas for various ages.
Open from 7am - 9pm
More details HERE

Evansville:

Pop In Play - for the younger kids; a plethera of indoor inflatable play equipment
Open play time available Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon and Friday mid day.
Ages 1-12, $6
More details HERE

Take a book, kindle or take a nap while the little ones explore these Indoor Playgrounds in Indiana!

If you have some additional suggestions - please send them to me, and I will add!

#indoorplayground #indiana #kidsplay #inside #indianaplaypark

Governor Pence "State of the State" Address 2015

13 WTHR Indianapolis


#Indiana #Economy

Compare Indiana Hospitals

Compare Indiana Hospitals

Now there is a great website available to compare the cost and quality of hospitals in Indiana

www.MyCareInsight.org

The site was created by the Indiana Hospital Association to answer the question:
"Why is it so hard to know how much I will pay for good, affordable hospital care?"

You can search by zip code, region, even categories such as Mental Health, Lungs, Heat, etc.

It shows patient rating in comparison to other area hospitals.  There is a LOT of great information on this website!

Be informed!

Compare Indiana Hospitals

#Healthcare #Indiana #hospitals

New Laws for 2015 in Indiana

New Laws for 2015 in Indiana

Here's a highlight of some new legislation that goes into effect on January 1, 2015

1.  SCOOTERS - now MUST be registered.  You have to be at least 15 years old, register for plates and have a state ID.  The cost will be $10 and there will be a statewide speed limit of 35mph. They hope it will cut down on theft.

2.  SUSPENDED DRIVERS - Judges may determine if suspended drivers will be given special privileges to drive. The aim is to reduce the burden on the court system and create fair punishments.  The privileges must be in place for 6 months and there will be specific restrictions such as getting to work, medical care, child care. They hope it will cut back on driving without a license and insurance. Not all will be eligible and will have to carry judges order when driving.

3.  MARION COUNTY TAXES - You'll be paying a little more in taxes in exchange for more plice protection.  Public Safety incomet tax is going up 15%. It will cost the typical household earning $42K about $5.25 per month.

4.  INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ABORTIONS - this will no longer be automatically included on private plans.  It can be purchased as a separate rider.

5.  ADOPTION TAX CREDIT - Any new adoptions will be given a $1,000 per child tax credit.

6.  STATE TAX RATES - be sure to check with your employer that the new rate is being charged on your check.  There was a tax cut passed in 2013 and lowered the rate to 3.3%.  Some counties will not see a decrease because of increased in local income taxes.

7.  STATE TAX RETURN EXTENSION - extensions will now be 7 months instead of 4 months

8.  TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS - As long as no one is injured, drivers can exchange insurance and license info without having to call police.

9.  SCHOOL BUSES - no longer required to open doors at RR crossings

These are just a sampling of the laws you might actually notice!

New Laws for 2015 in Indiana
#law #indiana #countytax #mopeds #adoption #tax

Getting Ahead of the Game When Selling Your Home

Thinking about selling your home?  Are there some cosmetic "issues" you have put off that would improve curb appeal or interior updates?

Many times a seller doesn't want to spend the time or money on "cosmetics" and instead wants to offer an allowance or market it "as is",.... thinking "the buyer can buy it and pick their own paint, carpet, etc".

Here is something to consider from a financial aspect.  A buyer comes into your home and sees some very personalized paint colors or maybe the paint is just old and worn.  In their mind they are thinking that they will have to repaint the whole house and I GUARANTEE YOU that the $$$ they think it will cost will be almost double what it would actually have cost.  You could have painted for $4000.00, but the buyer will discount their offer by $10,000.00.  Easy math.  Same with carpeting, etc.  Your Realtor will be able to recommend reputable contractors that can do a great job for a reasonable cost.  It will get you better marketing pictures, a quicker offer and a higher price.

Something else you might consider, particularly if you have an older home or have lived in the home for 5+ years is to have pre-listing inspection.  Knowledge is power.  Once you have a buyer and a purchase agreement - they will do their own independent inspection - but why not avoid any potential surprises?  There is nothing worse than having everything come to a screeching halt during a sale because you have to get estimates and make some repairs to get to the closing table. Your Realtor can suggest reputable inspection companies and then go over the report and determine what items should be addressed.  You will have the power of knowing the ins and outs of your home and can market and sell with confidence knowing it will be smooth sailing to the closing table.

#sellingahome #pre-listinginspection #homemarketing #realestate

Celebrate Life!

Do You Have Rental Properties in Marion County? MUST READ!

Do You Have Rental Properties in Marion County?  MUST READ!

Beginning in 2015, a recently passed ordinance will require all landlords who rent property in Marion County to register with the City of Indianapolis. A new on-line registration site is now operational and landlords have until March 31, 2015 to register. Anyone that fails to register by March 31, 2015 could be subject to a fine. Make sure to share this information with your any of your clients that may have rental property. Click here for more information and a link to the registration site.

#Landlord #MarionCounty #RentalRegistration

IBJ 2015 Book of Lists! Indy Who is Who

IndianapolisBusinessJournal 2015 Book of Lists!  Indy Who is Who

Find out who the biggies are in the following areas:
Commercial Real Estate
Construction
Corporate
Education
Health Care
IT
Medical
Marketing
Not for Profit
Office Products
Professional Services
Residential Real Estate
Travel/Hospitality

Check out the link HERE to see the complete lists!

#IBJ #WhosWho

Mortgage Update - 3% down and USDA

Mortgage Update - 3% down and USDA

LOW DOWN PAYMENT

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will start backing mortgages with down payments of as little as 3% of purchase price in an effort to open up lending to low-income and first time home buyers.  These will be fixed rate loans for purchase and refinance.

There are some hurdles to get over in order to qualify:
1 - Must have private mortgage insurance
2 - Must have credit score of at least 620
3 - complete documentation of income, assets and job status
4 - must receive homeownership counseling

These will be available December 13th from Fannie Mae and March 23, 2015 from Freddie Mac

USDA UNDERWRITING CHANGES

1 -  At least one borrower whose income and assets are used for qualification must have at least 3 historical trade line payment references that have existed for at least 12 months to establish a credit reputation and validated credit score.
2 - Parameters to retain one additional residence has been defined
3 - Significant guidance on collection accounts
4 - Number of months remaining for installment debt is being revised from 6 months remaining to 10 months.
5 - Guidance added for student loan payments.
6 - Credit documents, including properties that are new constructions will have  a 120 day validity period.
7 - Appraisal validity period being reduced from 180 days to 120 days. Update policy revised to allow one 30 day extension.
8 - Properties with in-ground pools are eligible.
9 - Clarification for when minimal income producing activity is an eligible property type characteristic.
10 - Eliminates deductions for contributory value of functional farm service buildings.
11 - 30% site value requirement will no longer apply
12 - Flood Insurance requirements will be defined and align with NFIP.

As always - consult a professional, reputable Mortgage representative with questions, further detail and explanations.
We highly recommend:
RiverWood Financial Group
Mike Miller
317-558-7719
mmiller@riverwoodfg.com

#Mortgage Update - 3% down and #USDA

Indiana - A State that Works

#Indiana - A State that Works

#economy

Don't Forget to File Your Mortgage Exemptions!

If you purchased or refinanced this year - be sure to get your mortgage exemptions filed (if applicable).

Here's a great reminder with further instructions from First American Title.

If you are still unclear as to what you need to do - call us at 800-747-7797

Don't Forget to File Your Mortgage Exemptions!

#Indiana #MortgageExemption #Taxes

How FICO 9 might impact your Credit Score

How FICO 9 might impact your Credit Score - from RIS Media





#FICO  #CreditScore