A Quick Note from Me
March flew by, but it felt like the start of a more exciting stretch of the year. My soccer team won our indoor league championship, which was great for my competitive spirit, but the bigger win is the community I get to be part of each week.
Krystal spent this past weekend in Texas with her family while she’s still on spring break, and while I would’ve loved to join, it gave me a chance to knock out some things around the house. That meant hauling yard waste to Southside Landfill, which reminded me again how badly I need a pickup truck. I also swapped out a couple of faucets like the novice plumber I am.
Safe to say, I’m settling into homeownership nicely.
Local Events by City of Shay
Things to Do This Month
NCAA 2026 Final Four Indianapolis (April 4-6)
In every other state, it’s just basketball… but in Indianapolis we know how to celebrate the Final Four! Even if you aren’t a sports fan there will be something for everyone this weekend - free concerts at American Legion from Megan Moroney, Post Malone and more, art pop ups all over the city with local artists, dribbling events for kids and so much more. See all the action at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the men’s Final Four.
Urban Apples Book Fair (April 19th, 12-4 PM)
Enjoy apple cider slushies while you browse books to add to your TBR at the Urban Apples Cidery book fair in Westfield! Local bookstore Turn the Page will bring the books and vendors will also be selling book-related goodies so you can grab all you need for spring and summer reading. After you check out the book fair, stop by the newly opened Westfield Collective for more eats and entertainment.
A Taste of Tuttles (Saturday, April 18th, 10 AM-2 PM)
Farm to table experiences are becoming more and more sought after and Tuttle’s has the perfect way for you to try their local, homegrown products in one place. Head to the orchard to sample all kinds of goodies from meats to breads to savory spreads. Celebrate the start of spring with their greenhouse opening and support local farmers while sipping on a homemade watermelon slushy.
Indy Film Fest (April 22-26)
Indy Film Fest returns this April for five days of independent film in Indianapolis.The festival brings together movie lovers, filmmakers, and creatives for screenings, shared experiences, and a chance to engage with stories from a wide range of voices and perspectives. It is a great opportunity to discover new films, support independent artists, and be part of a local event that continues to grow Indy’s creative community. Not to mention it’s at the very cool locally owned Kan-Kan Cinema and Bar!
Story of the Month
A Home That Held Part of My Story
One of the wildest things from this past month came through real estate.
A friend of mine and fellow agent on my team reached out about helping relist a home he and his friend owned after trying to sell it last year. Pretty straightforward on the surface. But as we got further into the process and listed the home a few weeks ago I was chatting with my Dad about it and I found out the home had once been owned by my great great grandfather, and that my grandpa had actually grown up there.
Out of all the homes in Indy, somehow I ended up working on one that already held a piece of my own family story.
Story mentioning my great-aunt Charmaine on the left
Moments like that are a reminder that homes are never just houses. They hold history, memory, and the stories of the people who came before us. And every now and then, one finds a way to bring part of your own story back to you.
Last week we were able to do some more good for the local community as we took action in cleaning up the streets of Broad Ripple. We took on the cool rainy morning in stride and were pleasantly surprised to see how well the community is doing at keeping their streets clean. Nonetheless we had a great time cleaning up a lot of the trash we could find.
I ask you to please consider doing us. And if not this time, on 07/07/2026 we are gathering 777 volunteers in one big citywide cleaning initiative.
Homeownership Tip
Know Where Your Yard Waste is Going…Before You Start A Spring Project
This may not be the most exciting homeowner lesson, but it is a real one. Spring has a way of turning a “quick cleanup” into a full-blown pile of branches, weeds, old mulch, and random debris you forgot was living behind the garage. Before you know it, you’re borrowing your brother-in-law’s pickup, hauling hundreds of pounds of dirt, and praying the place you show up to doesn’t turn you away.
Knowing ahead of time where your yard waste is actually going can save you a lot of time, mess, and frustration once the cleanup starts piling up. I learned that firsthand this month, and Southside Landfill ended up being a great option.
Market Minute
Winning in Today’s Market Without Overpaying
A lot of buyers are still trying to figure out how to compete in today’s market without feeling like they have to throw money around just to win. Price matters, but a lot of times what really separates one offer from another is how the financing is structured and how confident the seller feels that the buyer can actually close.
A few ways buyers are getting more strategic right now:
negotiating seller credits to help with closing costs or buy down the rate
using temporary or permanent rate buydowns to improve monthly affordability
structuring financing in a way that keeps more cash on hand while still staying competitive
working with a lender who communicates well with the listing side and helps reinforce the strength of the offer
getting fully reviewed upfront so the approval feels solid from day one
In a lot of cases, it is not just about offering more. It is about putting together a deal that makes sense financially and gives the seller confidence from start to finish.
Next Step
Planning to Buy a Home, but Don’t Know Where to Start?
If you’re thinking about buying a home, but aren’t sure what the first move should be, don’t guess. The Home Buyer Readiness Quiz at the bottom of this email will help you understand where you stand.
Whether you’re ready now or just starting to think ahead, you’ll walk away with a clearer game plan and fewer unknowns.
Biblical Wisdom
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3
Until next month,
Plant Roots. Build Community.