THIS IS INDY.
Seasons Greetings
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The winter chill is here, football is in full swing, and Christmas gatherings are filling the calendar. In the busyness, it’s easy to get swept up and forget to slow down, reflect on the meaning of the season, and savor the moments that make it truly special. This year, Krystal and I are focused on being intentional with our traditions and creating memories that last. What are some new traditions you are planning for this year?
Monthly Events
What’s Happening in Indy?
CHRISTKINDLMARKT
A classic must visit event in Carmel. This market offers ice skating, delicious German food, drinks, and artisan shops. Dress warm, grab a hot cocoa, and don’t forget my personal favorite…the Kartoffelspieß (spiral potato on a stick).
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
So many great places to see lights, but here are a few of my favorites:
Winter Lights @ Newfields
Christmas @ the Zoo
Circle of Lights
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
With Indiana set to face off against Ohio State on 12/6, this will be a game Hoosiers will not want to miss. Get tickets to the game or catch all the Big Ten hype at the Fan Fest inside the Indy Convention Center on December 5–6.
SHOP LOCAL
Support a local coffee shop, tree farm, or gift shop this season. Give the gift of boosting your local economy and supporting your neighbors who own businesses. Aside from that, they often have really great stuff! Here are some of my favorites:
Sambol’s Tree Farm
Amelia’s Bakery
Howl + Hide
Tuggles
Good Neighbor
Market Minute
Strategic Window for Home Buyers
Mortgage rates reached their lowest this past week since October at 6.20% for a 30 year fixed. With rates continuing to drop and home prices entering their lowest point of the year, we’re stepping into one of the most strategic windows for anyone planning to buy, especially if your goal is homeownership in 2026. Lower prices now mean more affordability, more negotiating power, and a chance to get ahead of the spring rush.
There’s also growing conversation around potential shifts in monetary policy. Jerome Powell’s term as Federal Reserve Chair ends in May 2026, and there is speculation that President Trump may look to appoint a new chair aligned with his goal of lowering interest rates. If that happens and if the Fed moves toward additional rate cuts or quantitative easing, it could fuel further asset inflation, which historically pushes home values upward.
In short: buying earlier allows you to lock in today’s lower prices while also positioning yourself to benefit from future appreciation, making this an ideal moment to prepare for planting roots and building long-term wealth.
Roots Deal of December
SPACIOUS, INCOME-READY DUPLEX IN THE HEART OF MERIDIAN-PARK
$405,000
3015-3017 N Washington Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46205
This is the perfect house-hack setup in the heart of Meridian-Park. Each side is a spacious 3 bed, 1.5 bath unit with hardwoods, tons of natural light, fresh paint, and a super functional layout with all bedrooms upstairs. You get separate basements, properly split utilities, and private parking pads in a fenced yard. The best part? Unit 3017 is vacant and move-in ready, while the other side is leased at $1,400/month through 3/31/26—meaning you can live affordably while your tenant helps cover the mortgage. With solid curb appeal, a refreshed block, and quick access to Downtown, Broad Ripple, and Midtown, this is a clean, flexible, income-producing duplex ideal for a first-time buyer looking to plant roots and build equity fast.
Homeowner Tips
KEEP YOUR ROOTS STRONG
Here are my top homeowner tips for December:
Schedule a furnace tune-up and change that filter. This not only prolongs the life of your furnace, but helps ensure its operating efficiently.
Protect your pipes from freezing. Keep your thermostat at 65°F+ when traveling. Remove hoses and install spigot covers. Allow faucets to drip when temps get below 20°F and are not well insulated.
Check chimneys and fireplaces. It’s time to check those flues if you have a gas or wood fireplace and schedule a cleaning.
Stock up for winter storms. We don’t usually get our worst storms in December, so its good to use this as an opportunity to ensure you have shovels, salt, flashlights, portable chargers, and spare batteries for potential power outages.
Replace weather stripping and add insulation. This is a great way to reduce your energy bill. If you notice your furnace is working overtime, there may be a simple fix. Add peel and stick weather stripping to reduce your energy bill by sometimes 10-20%.
A Final Note
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I hope this season you carve out space to breathe, find hope to dream, and build the confidence to make 2026 your most intentional year yet.
Until next month,
Plant Roots. Build Community.