RCII Announces $100,000 in Community Investments

Below is today's announcement about the 11 investments the REALTOR Community Investment Initiative made this week. Bruce was on the committee that decided where this year's investment would be made.

Ten organizations around central Indiana will begin the New Year with new funding for their community and economic development projects thanks to the REALTOR® Community Investment Initiative (RCII).

A group of MIBOR members reviewed more than $750,000 in funding proposals from area organizations and selected 10 projects to receive a total of $100,000.

This latest announcement is the third in RCII’s short but impactful history. Since Nov. 2006, the program has directed $260,000 to organizations working on the front line of economic development and community improvement efforts in central Indiana. The 2008 recipients represent a diverse group of community partners spanning six counties and investments will be used for projects ranging from supporting the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, a 7.5 mile urban greenway trail connecting the major arts, cultural, heritage, sports and entertainment venues in downtown Indianapolis, to updating the Brown County zoning ordinance, land use plan and zoning maps.

Bill Henderson, executive director of Montgomery County Economic Development, said his organization’s $11,000 RCII fund was earmarked for an economic development feasibility study for a newly formed regional sewer district in the county.

“This adds the final piece to our infrastructure development for our Nucor Road site,” he explained. “We can now get the data we need to complete planning for business locations, growth, and for commercial and residential growth on that side of Montgomery County. We've been partners with REALTORS® in economic development for years, so this was a natural extension of our collaboration.”

In addition, other recipients of the 2008 RCII investments include:

Hamilton County Alliance, which received $4,000 for its Hamilton County Life Science Company Inventory

Shelby County Development Corporation, which was granted $5,000 for its campaign, “Shelby County – the Next Best Place to Invest”

Indy-east Asset Development, which received $15,000 for its Near Eastside Welcome Center

Greater Lebanon Community Vision Committee, granted $5,000 for its Community Vision Project facilitation

Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick, which was granted $10,000 for its Indianapolis Cultural Trail: Monon Trail Connection

Great Indy Neighborhoods project which received $24,200 in support of community and neighborhood building in Indianapolis

Irvington Development Organization, which was granted $10,000 to improve the Irvington Streetscape

Brown County Area Plan Commission, which received $10,000 for its Planning for Brown County’s Future project

The IPS Renewal Team, which was awarded $5,800 for its Indianapolis Community Development project, which presents accurate information about IPS programs from a parent perspective

Click here to learn more about RCII including a complete list of past recipients.

Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Indianapolis Music Video

At the 5th session of the Real Estate Academy of Leadership (REAL) held Thursday, December 12th, Mr. Bob Schultz, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association presented a new promotional video featuring Hoosier Jon McLaughlin and Jon's new song "For You From Me"

Take a look! We Central Indiana REALTORS have a great product to sell!

Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Western Division of MIBOR Gala

The annual Western Division of MIBOR Holiday Party was held this evening at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. Justine was sworn in as the 2008 Co-Chair of the Western Division. The other officers for 2008 are Chairman Jeff Risley, Jodi O'Neill Secretary, and Lori Kaiser Treasurer.

Cheryl Davis was awarded Affiliate of the Year by last year's winner Jodi O'Neill. Debbie Palmer was presented with the REALTOR of the Year award. The Community Service Award was presented by 2007 Division Chair Rey Riojas to Wall & Associates REALTORS. Vince Wall accepted the award on behalf of Wall & Associates.


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

REALTOR Foundation Awards Two More Grants

On Tuesday, December 11th the REALTOR Foundation presented checks to 2 more of its 2008 Grant Recipients.

$7,500 was presented to Coburn Place Safe Haven. Coburn Place provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to women and children who are homeless because of leaving abusive situations. Click here to go to the Coburn Place Safe Haven Web site.

A grant of $5,000 was presented to Partners in Housing. Partners in Housing operates 432 units of affordable permanent supportive housing throughout Marion County. Click here to go to the Partners in Housing Development Corporation Web site.

A picture of the check presentation at Coburn Place is above showing Bruce presenting the check to Elizbeth Gibson, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Coburn Place. Also pictured are Lianne Somerville-Executive Director of Coburn Place, Mary Jane Sorbera-Director of Development and Marketing of Coburn Place, Connie Dixon-Board Member of the REALTOR Foundation, and Jeffrey Whiting, Member of the Board of Coburn Place.


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Hendricks, Hamilton lead in area 'best buy' schools

Hamilton and Hendricks counties lead the region with five high schools making the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Best Buys list by offering the highest levels of academic achievement for the lowest amount of tax dollars.

The Indiana Chamber developed a total school performance index for each school. This index, called the school’s quality index, was then compared to each school’s total expenditures per pupil to determine “best buy” schools and to each school’s at-risk student/poverty rate, as measured by participation in the federal free/reduced lunch program, to determine “honor roll” schools. All data used in the Best Buys report was collected from Indiana Department of Education databases.

The ISTEP Test results for the entire state can be searched at ISTEP+ InfoCenter.

All Hendricks County schools can be searched from HERE

Click Here for a direct link to the Brownsburg Community School Corporation's ISTEP results.





Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Speedway Redevelopment Project Continues

The Speedway Redevelopment project moves into its next phase with last week’s selection of local developer Mansur Real Estate Services, Inc. The project – known as The Speed Zone – includes the re-routing of 16th Street, the extension of Holt Road north to 30th Street, the vacation of Georgetown Road from 16th Street to 25th Street, the revitalization of Speedway’s main street, and the creation of dozens of new sites for retail, hotel, industrial and manufacturing facilities, many related to the racing industry. Initial work on 16th Street is expected to begin in mid 2008.

The Speed Zone Statement of Belief:

For nearly a century, the proudly independent town of Speedway has been a great place to live and raise a family. We intend to keep it that way. The Speedway Town Council has appointed the Speedway Redevelopment Commission (SRC) to insure our growth into this new millennium.

The SRC is charged with addressing the problem of blighted industrial areas as we move the town toward an effective redevelopment. We will build upon our close identification with racing as we encourage growth in businesses related to motor sports technology.

We have been an industrial community with good roads, good schools and a good attitude. This is still true but times are changing rapidly and we will do more than just keep up. The Town Council has given the SRC an enthusiastic go-ahead. We believe in Speedway , we live here and want a community our children will want to live in. We will make these things happen.

More information about the project can be found at The Speed Zone's website RedevelopSpeedway.com



Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Indianapolis Again Named Most Affordable Market

On Nov. 27, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released its third quarter 2007 findings naming Indianapolis the most affordable major market for the ninth consecutive time. Meanwhile, nationwide housing affordability rose on a year-over-year basis but was down slightly for the quarter due to higher mortgage rates.

According to the index, 87.5 percent of homes sold in Indianapolis in the third quarter were affordable to families earning the area's median household income of $63,800. One smaller metro market (fewer than 500,000 people) outranked all others in terms of housing affordability during the third quarter. This was Kokomo, Indiana, where 90.5 percent of all homes sold in the period were affordable to families earning that area's median household income of $59,700. Click here for more detail.



Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

REAL Session: Government Affairs and the Economic Future

Bruce is the Moderator of this year's MIBOR Real Estate Academy of Leadership(REAL).

The November session of the Real Estate Academy of Leadership focused on two hot topics: economics and government.

The morning started off with a quick overview of the MIBOR Government Affairs Department. The class then headed off to the Governor’s Mansion to meet with local government officials. The panel of speakers at the mansion included Indianapolis City/County Council members Jacquie Nytes and Mary Moriarity Adams; Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman; and Martinsville Mayor Phil Dekard. Since it was the day after the election, there was a lot to discuss!

After a short tour of the Governor’s Mansion it was time to head to the Rathskellar for lunch and a lesson in Economic Development. Experts Nancy Smith, REALTOR® member of MIBOR and member of the MIBOR Economic Development Council and Jason Hester, director of Central Indiana Regional Office of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation were joined by Jeb Conrad, executive director of Indianapolis Economic Development and Dan Theobald, executive director of the Shelby County Development Corporation.

Next, Terry Sweeney, Vice President of Real Estate Development at Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. took the group on an extended bus tour of Indianapolis with a focus on the areas of greatest development in commercial and residential growth.

Then it was off to the statehouse for a tour and meeting with Senator James Merritt and IAR Government Affairs staff. This meeting included conversations around a study on property tax reform.

December will find the class at the Indiana State Museum learning about the cultural, environmental and safety issues that impact our communities. Click here to view pictures from November’s session.




Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Now's The Time

News accounts of the housing market are bombarding everyone, so MIBOR’s new advertising campaign launched on Monday, Nov. 19 to cut through the clutter. The Now’s the Time for You campaign is geared to highlight the opportunities of this housing market for buyers and sellers. The campaign messages are simple:

* Current home inventory translates into tremendous options for buyers
* Since housing prices have remained stable, buyers are able to get more home for their dollar and the value of that property will likely increase as the market strengthens
* Mortgage rates are low and traditional mortgage money is plentiful
* With confusing market news swirling, consumers must rely on the expertise of a REALTOR®

The campaign Web site – www.NowsTheTimeForYou.com – includes information for consumers and REALTORS. Radio and cable television advertising begins Nov. 19 and runs for two weeks. Radio and cable take a hiatus during December – the heaviest advertising month of the year – and return in January. Online ads in the Indianapolis Star remain constant through December. Click here to visit the site and see the full media schedule of the campaign. To listen to the radio ad, click here and to view the TV spot, click here.


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Fortune Predicts Good Housing News

A Nov. 7 Fortune Magazine article lists Indianapolis as one of only seven cities to see home values increase in the next five years. The magazine studied the correlation between property values and rent rates, typically a reliable guide to the value of homes. Indianapolis was one of more than 50 cities studied. Click here to view the article.

So don't wait too long to make that move-up home purchase or perhaps look at some investment opportunities!


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Holiday Greetings

Warmest Wishes This Holiday Season!

This time of year always makes us stop and think about what is important in life. It forces us to stop and count our blessings. It gives us pause to think about the world as we'd like it to be. And it gives us the opportunity to send greetings of hope and joy.


We can make this world a better place. This Holiday Season, we look to all of our friends and family for inspiration to do more.


And from our family to yours, we wish you Happy Holidays.

Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

REALTOR® Foundation to Present 2 Grants Today

This afternoon the REALTOR® Foundation will be presenting grants to two organization in Morgan County.

A $5,000 grant will be presented to Desert Rose. Desert Rose gives women in central Indiana a safe, protected retreat from abuse for them and their children, coupled with resources and guidance to help them rebuild their lives free from domestic violence. Click here to go to the Desert Rose Web site.

The Wellspring Center will be awarded a grant of $2,500. Community Service Center of Morgan County (Wellspring Center) provides family and individual transitional housing for residents of Morgan County. Click here to go to the Wellspring Center Web site.

Founded in 1984 by the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS®, the REALTOR® Foundation provides REALTORS® the opportunity to make a difference by supporting the people, projects and services that shape the quality of their community.

The REALTOR® Foundation is committed to fighting the serious problem of homelessness in central Indiana. Its vision is simple: "To transition central Indiana individuals from homelessness or inadequate or unsafe housing to permanent solutions that will positively change their lives."

Since its founding, the REALTOR® Foundation has awarded grants that have helped central Indiana strengthen its communities. With an increase in the number of homeless people, the Foundation dedicates increased support to organizations that provide services to the victims of homelessness.

The REALTOR® Foundation is proud to continue its commitment to the fight against homelessness by increasing our grant allocation to a total of $80,000 for the 2008 grant cycle. This amount is the largest one-year allocation of grants yet. The grants are awarded to area charities that supply housing for victims of unforeseen circumstances. Click here to learn more about the most recent grant recipients.


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

REALTOR® Community Investment Initiative

This morning Bruce will be joining with 8 other REALTORS® from Central Indiana to determine the recipients of this years REALTOR® Community Investment Initiative (RCII). The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® will be awarding a total of $100,000 to area organizations that support and sustain community and economic development projects and who work for the betterment of the region and its citizens.

Below is the RCII Mission Statement:


The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® (MIBOR) REALTOR Community Investment Initiative is vitally interested in the future of the communities where REALTORS® do business. As an organization, we want those communities to be a great place for families to live and visit. Communities with prosperous businesses, convenient services and amenities, and a healthy environment ultimately translates into a higher standard of living.

For more information about RCII visit www.mibor.com/rcii


Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com

Get Real Indiana

Hi, and welcome to the first real post on our new blog. Since it is the first "real" post we want to let you know about a relatively new website: GetRealIndiana.net. The site is focused on the current property tax crisis in Indiana and is maintained by the Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR). Bruce is a Regional Vice President of the IAR and along with the rest of the REALTORS® in Indiana has keen interest in the debate that has begun in earnest this week in the Indiana Legislature.

Below is a a recap about the GetRealIndiana.net website and the reason for the campaign:

With more than 20,000 members, the Indiana Association of REALTORS® (IAR) is one of the largest trade organizations in the state. Size, however, is not the only thing that makes IAR so influential. IAR also advocates for its members’ clients – all Indiana property owners – and the high quality of life they want and all Hoosiers deserve.

Thus the reason IAR has launched the “Get Real” public advocacy campaign. The status quo is no longer an option when it comes to property taxes. Hoosier homeowners are hurting. Foreclosure rates remain unacceptably high, and home prices in Indiana remain stagnant or are falling. The largest source of most Hoosiers’ wealth, their home, is threatened. Businesses that are considering investments in the state are also unsure where we are headed. Neither our housing markets nor our economic development efforts can tolerate the uncertainty caused by our archaic property tax system.

So, it’s time to “Get Real”. That’s the REALTOR® rallying cry.
GetRealIndiana.net

Bruce & Justine Bright
THE BRIGHT Side of Real Estate
Our Website: www.BrightSideTeam.com
Home Search Site: www.IndyHomeSearcher.com