Sunday, April 1, 2018

House Hunters: Indiana Edition

Back for a 2nd iteration, this time not as House Hunters International in Eindhoven, Netherlands (House Hunters International blog post from 2014), but House Hunters: Indiana Edition. Take a guess from the following choice of 3 properties, which we ranked as our top 3 options to purchase in south Indianapolis.

Needs:
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Open kitchen
  • Fenced yard
Wants:
  • Gas stove with true exhaust hood to outside 
  • ~30 minute commute north to downtown Indy for Jackie's work & roughly 45 minute commute south to Cummins in Columbus for Joe's work
  • Basement
  • 3 car garage
  • Nice neighborhood with sidewalks & access to a playground  
  • Hardwood floors on main level

House #1: Investment Potential
Stats:
  • 4 bedroom
  • 2.5 bath
  • 3689 SF (2437 SF without basement)
  • Built 2006
  • .31 acres
Exterior: Brick at garage & vinyl siding
Front covered porch
Entry foyer
Living Room
Dining Room
Kitchen with gas stove


Great Room with gas fireplace

Laundry Room
Half bath
Master Bedroom with his and hers walk-in closets


Master Bath

Bathroom
Bedroom
Unfinished Basement pre-plumbed for full bath
Fenced Backyard



Pros:
  • Neighborhood sidewalks, pool & playground
  • Fenced 
  • Gas stove
  • Unfinished plumbed basement gives ability to finish as desired 
  • Lowest price
  • Located on a cul-da-sac
  • 2 car plus sized garage
Cons:
  • Stress of multiple upgrades to construct & manage with 2 toddlers & baby #3 coming the first week of August if not sooner
  • Possibility of overpricing the neighborhood with desired upgrades
  • Newly carpeted but lowered quality and located in dining room, living room & great room
  • Kitchen counter needs upgrade from laminate
  • Elementary school rated a 6 vs 7 or 8 at other homes (B will enter Kindergarten in 2020 in Indiana because the age 5 cutoff is Aug 1)

House #2: Move-in Ready
Stats:
  • 4 bedroom
  • 3.5 bath
  • 3818 SF (2564 SF without basement)
  • Built 2009
  • .25 acres
Exterior: Brick on front, vinyl siding on sides & back 

Entry foyer
Living Room / Playroom


Great Room with fireplace & surround sound


Kitchen with solid surface counters, 42" maple cabinets & stainless steel appliances



Dining Room


Entry foyer from stairs
Master Bedroom

Master Bath with whirlpool tub & walk-in closet


Bedroom 2 (Paw Patrol decor)

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bathroom
Finished Basement 




Basement full Bath
Fenced Backyard

 Aerials




Pros:
  • Engineered hardwood floors throughout main floor
  • Neighborhood pool, playground & basketball court 
  • Fenced
  • 2 car garage with additional space in back & high built-in storage shelves
Cons:
  • Running gas line to new stove would require cutting into finished basement ceiling some
  • Unable to install kitchen exhaust hood over range due to its central location in the home not near an exterior wall
  • Need to replace carpets on stairs, hallway & 4 bedrooms
  • Bathrooms could use upgrades
  • Corian kitchen counters may be dated by time of resale 
House #3: Large Brick Mansion
Stats:
  • 5 bedroom
  • 2.5 bath
  • 5830 SF ( SF without basement)
  • Built 2005
  • .36 acres
Exterior: Brick with some upper composite wood siding/fiber cement board
Office
Dining Room
Great Room with gas log fireplace

Kitchen with large island
Loft Playroom

Bedroom 2 (pink)
Bedroom 3 (yellow & gray)
Bedroom 4 (blue baseball)
Master Bedroom with hardwood floors & his and hers walk-in closets
Master Bath 
Great Room from upstairs
Unfinished Basement pre-plumbed for full bath
Fenced Backyard


Pros:
  • Located near more retail & restaurant options in developed suburban town
  • Fenced
  • 3 car garage
  • 5 bedrooms plus loft (playroom)
  • Office space not tucked away in small basement corner
  • Hardwood floors throughout main level
  • Higher end finishes, mouldings, architectural details
  • Huge, lots of space
  • Unfinished plumbed basement with ability to finish as desired & easily not overprice the neighborhood
  • Daycare options closer to home & in route of commute for both parents
  • Walk-in pantry
Cons:
  • Pricey, most expensive by almost 6 digits
  • Railroad tracks in backyard & close to road crossing where they are required to blow their horn
  • Backyard slopes toward home making it soggy & hard to play outdoors with less grassy area
  • No neighborhood pool or playground (but lower HOA fees) but there is an elementary school 1 mile away & nearby gym membership opportunities
  • Furthest from the interstate but only adds 5 minutes to our commutes due to other highway options
  • Only 2 full baths, but plumbed for 3rd in basement
  • Both full baths upstairs have corian counter sinks with stain/wear damage & need to be replaced
  • Kids bath is Jack & Jill with doors into 2 bedrooms which creates high potential for fights with young toddlers
  • Need to replace carpets in 3 bedrooms, loft playroom & 2 staircases

So which did we choose? It was a tough decision. Our top choice would change depending on which hour you spoke to us.
  1. House #1: Investment Potential
  2. House #2: Move-in Ready
  3. House #3: Large Brick Mansion