A Quick Note from Me
Last month was the busiest I have had in a while. With so many family events and local things happening it can become really easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a busy season and forget to focus on the things that matter most. Krystal and I are in the final stretch of enjoying life as we know it with just the two of us. I am excited for the future of our family, but I will miss some of the joys of this simpler phase of our lives.
This month Krystal and I get to host her parents who will be visiting us from South Texas for the first time in a few years and we are excited to share with them a glimpse of what life in Indy looks like.
A few things I am pumped about in June include, the Italian Street Fest in Fletcher Place, the Strawberry Festival downtown where I can get some amazing shortcake, and of course the World Cup!
Local Events by City of Shay
Things to Do This Month
Indianapolis Tenderloin Week, June 8–14
Indy's most beloved restaurants each put their own spin on the state’s most beloved dish, with $10–$12 specials all week long. Download the free app to map your route, check in at participating spots, and compete to be crowned the city's Biggest Tenderloin Lover.
Guggman Haus 7th Anniversary Celebration, June 13 — 11 AM- 10 PM
Guggman Haus marks seven years with a full day of beer releases (new and old favorites), live music, extended hours at the Coffee Haus (so you can try the birthday cake latte), plus family-friendly extras like a balloon artist, Lick Ice Cream, and airbrush tattoos. Raise a glass at the 7-year toast in the beer garden at 7 PM.
The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series at Newfields
Newfields' beloved outdoor movie tradition returns to celebrate its 50th year, pairing timeless classics and hidden gems with a short film, local DJs, and pre-show games each night. Bring a blanket and snacks, settle into the grass, and enjoy the show under the stars as the sun sets behind the Art & Nature Park - this makes for the perfect summer date night. Be sure to book tickets quickly as popular films sell out fast!
Italian Street Fest
Italian Street Festival returns to Holy Rosary Catholic Church on June 12–13 for one of Indianapolis’ most-loved summer traditions. Expect Italian food, wine, live music, and a lively neighborhood atmosphere in Fletcher Place, with free admission and free parking both nights. It’s a great local option if you want a classic Indy summer event with a lot of energy and history behind it.
Home Owner Tip
Check What’s Touching Your House
Take a walk around the outside of your house and check what’s starting to grow a little too close. Bushes, low tree limbs, vines, and even mulch beds can create problems faster than people think once summer heat and storms pick up. A little trimming and cleanup now can go a long way.
branches touching the roof or siding
bushes crowding windows or AC units
vines starting to climb where they shouldn’t
mulch piled too high against the house (replace with gravel if against wood)
For bonus points, make a list of things that annoy you, small things. Then take care of one thing each day and see all that you can knock off your to-do list this month!
Market Minute
Should You Buy a Home Now?
The bigger question is not whether housing is perfectly affordable in the U.S. right now. It is whether buying makes sense for your finances, your timeline, and your stage of life.
The chart below helps show the bigger picture. It tracks housing costs as a share of median income, with 30% marked as the general affordability threshold. When housing costs rise above that line, affordability gets stretched. Right now, the national number is sitting well above that threshold, around 41–42%, which shows why so many people feel the pressure.
That said, affordability is still personal. There are absolutely better buying windows than others, but the “perfect” ones are usually obvious only in hindsight. If homeownership is a goal for you, the better move is to understand your numbers, have a plan, and make a decision based on what you can comfortably afford, not on trying to time the market perfectly.
A good rule of thumb is still to aim for housing expenses at or below 30% of your income when possible. If you can do that and you are planning to stay put for several years, buying may still be a strong long-term move.
If you are buying a home to live in and plan to stay for at least five years, I still believe it can make a lot of sense to buy today. Let inflation build your equity rather than trying to time the market and miss out. If rates drop, prices will increase, so this isn’t necessarily something to wait for. That does not mean you should rush into a purchase before you are ready. But I also would not let broad headlines about affordability be the only reason you stay on the sidelines.
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
“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea - the Lord on high is mighty.”
Until next month,
Plant Roots. Build Community.