Hamilton County and Indy area is a great place to call home

There is a lot to love about the Indianapolis area. One of the things I enjoy about being a Realtor is that we don’t just show houses – we show off our communities. When a buyer is relocating from outside of the Indianapolis area, they may know which side of town they want to live on, but they often don’t know if they want to be in Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel and Westfield, etc.

As a former journalist, I also like to keep up with the news on what’s going on, so I love telling people what makes each of our communities unique. I also enjoyed hearing what city representatives have to say about what’s happening in our area at the annual Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors event Sell Our Cities.

Want to Buy a Home? 8 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score Before You Apply

IIf buying a home is somewhere in your future—even if it's a year or two away—one of the smartest things you can do now is pay attention to your credit.

Your credit score doesn't just affect whether you can qualify for a mortgage. It can affect your interest rate, mortgage insurance and ultimately how much home you can comfortably afford.

And here's something many buyers don't realize: the credit score you see on a free credit app may not be the same score a mortgage lender sees.

Home buying tips, Real EstateLaura MusallAugust 24, 2026credit score, real estate, realtor, top realtor

5 Things to Know Before You Build

If you're thinking about building a home, you're probably imagining the fun parts.

Walking through model homes. Picking out your floor plan. Choosing cabinets, flooring, and paint colors. You’re dreaming of having enough space for the kids, a home office, and maybe even that covered patio you've always wanted.

It's exciting.

But before you get caught up in all the design decisions, there are a few things you should know that can save you a lot of money, stress, and regret later.

I've represented several families and helped them navigate the home-building process throughout the Indianapolis area, including Hamilton County and Boone County. I see the same mistakes happen over and over. The good news is they're almost always avoidable.

Fall fun in and around Indy

Looking for fall fun? Check out this list of festivals, haunted houses, apple picking and more all around the metro Indy area.

Where to see fireworks in the Indianapolis area

The skies will light up all over central Indiana on July 4th. See where you can see fireworks in Indianapolis and the northern suburbs.

IndyStar column by Laura Musall: Interest rates are up; waiting to move may not be best for your wallet

When interest rates started to climb a year ago, some buyers said they were going to wait out the market, thinking prices were going to plummet. That didn’t happen. Prices are up, and we still have a supply issue.

Here’s what’s happening in the market now:

· Home sales are down this year compared to the same time in 2022. Sales are down about 12% in Carmel; 18.5% in Fishers and 12% in Washington Township on Indy’s northside.

· Average home prices are up, about 5% in both Washington Township and Fishers and 2.5% in Carmel. Average home prices increased in the double digits from 2021 to 2022.

· Homes are still selling. In fact, the average sales price is about 99% of the list price; it was 100% a year ago.

· Buyers are out there, but there aren’t enough houses to meet demand in lots of areas of metro Indianapolis. Now is a good time to sell a house.

But is it a great time to buy a house? Yes!

Real EstateLaura MusallNovember 17, 2023Home Building, Interest rates, Mortgage, Home selling, realtor, Indianapolois realtor

Laura's Insights