Irvington Homes, Deb Kent, Realtor. Gallery of Homes Real Estate

05/31/2025

Athena is now live! Click this link to see all the pics and read up on this beauty.

Check this property on 5133 E Michigan St, Indianapolis

05/27/2025

As a Realtor, it breaks my heart when a client is ready to buy a home—they're financially stable, emotionally prepared—but they can’t qualify for a loan. Why? Because their partner or spouse quietly wrecked their credit score.

Maybe they opened credit cards in their name without telling them. Maybe they drained joint accounts, missed payments, or racked up debt on shared cards. However it happens, the end result is the same: the victim is left with ruined credit, emotional scars, and often no idea how to fix it.

This isn’t just a financial problem. It’s a form of domestic abuse, and it’s more common than you realize.

Debt abuse happens when one partner uses money or credit to control, manipulate, or harm the other. This might include:
*Opening credit cards or loans in your name without permission
*Running up shared debts and refusing to pay
*Forcing you to co-sign loans or take financial risks
*Hiding accounts or assets
*Ruining your credit as a form of punishment or sabotage

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, 99% of domestic abuse cases involve financial abuse in some form. It’s one of the biggest reasons survivors stay trapped—they simply don’t have the credit or resources to leave.

So, what are your options if it's happening to you?
1. Check your credit reports at all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). You can get a free report from each once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com.
2. Dispute fraudulent or unauthorized accounts. It takes time, but it can be done.
3. Freeze your credit if necessary, so no one (including a current or former partner) can open new accounts in your name.
4. Reach out to a housing counselor or financial abuse advocate. Many nonprofit organizations can help you repair your credit and regain control.

We never expect things to go south. But the truth is, not all relationships last, and even good people can make bad choices. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
*Keep at least one credit card in your name only and pay it off monthly.
*Check your credit reports every 6–12 months, just to be safe.
**Avoid co-signing unless absolutely necessary.
If you're merging finances, talk openly about money values and boundaries.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are a some local and national links and resources that may help:
The Julian Center: Offers comprehensive services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and counseling. Visit their website or call (317) 941-2200.

Beacon of Hope Crisis Center: Provides crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Learn more here or call their crisis line at (317) 731-6140.

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV): A statewide alliance of domestic violence programs providing resources and support. Find more information or call (317) 917-3685.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service: Offers free credit counseling and debt management plans to help individuals regain financial stability. Located at 615 North Alabama Street, Room 134, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Visit their website or call (317) 266-1300.

InCreditable Advisors: Provides professional credit repair and consulting services to help rebuild your credit. Learn more or call (317) 202-1297.

https://nnedv.org – National Network to End Domestic Violence
https://annualcreditreport.com – Free credit reports
https://creditbuildersalliance.org – Rebuilding credit after hardship
https://consumerfinance.gov – CFPB resources on financial protection

If you’ve been impacted by debt abuse and still dream of owning a home, please don’t give up. It might take some time, but you can rebuild. Just make sure you’re working with a Realtor who understands the emotional and financial toll—and has the patience and know-how to guide you through it.
I'm here if you need a resource, a plan, or just someone who gets it.
❤️
—Deb Kent
Realtor. Advocate. Human being.

02/21/2025

So many open houses, so little time! This is just a sampling of the over 600 open houses this weekend. These are all on the east side-ish.

Check 24 properties on Mibor

01/09/2025

About our sister 'hood to the east:
Calling my fellow data nerds! I took a lil dip into Little Flower's 2024 market trends and for a dopamine boost I compared last year to 2020. I've included pics of the most and least expensive homes to sell in each year, plus a photo of one of my many hardworking assistants.

This is long, so grab your adderall and read on:

Spoiler alert: it’s been quite the ride, with some noticeable jumps and a few quirks along the way.

Closed Prices:
In 2024, home prices in Little Flower reached new heights. The highest closed sale topped out at $299,900, while the lowest closed at $60,000. With an average of $163,851 and a median of $167,500, you can see there’s a bit more range between the extremes compared to the previous year. The high-end prices really climbed, though the lower end didn’t shift quite as dramatically.

Fast forward to 2023, and things were still pretty solid. The highest sale was $220,000, and the lowest was $69,900. The average sale price was a little lower at $161,208, and the median was $176,000, which was actually higher than the 2024 median. So, while 2024 definitely saw some soaring high prices, 2023 had a solid number at the mid-range.

The takeaway here? 2024 saw a wider range of prices, with homes at the top end going for significantly more, while the bottom end stayed about the same.

Beds and Baths:
Now, let’s talk about space. In 2024, there was a bit more room to spread out. Bedrooms ranged from 1 to 5, with an average of 3 and a median of 2. Bathrooms were pretty standard, ranging from 1 to 3 full baths (with 1 half bath here and there), and on average, homes had 1.5 bathrooms.

Compare that to 2023, and the range was a bit smaller. Bedrooms spanned from 2 to 4, with an average and median of 2. Bathrooms were pretty much the same across the board, usually 1 full and 1 half.

So what’s the scoop? 2024 brought a bit more breathing room. Homes had a few more bedrooms and bathrooms on average, giving buyers a little more to work with, whether you’re looking for a starter home or something with a bit more elbow room.

Days on Market:
When it comes to how fast homes are moving, there’s been a slight shift. In 2024, homes spent an average of 26 days on the market, though the median time was still 9 days—so they’re selling quickly, but not quite as fast as in 2023, where homes spent an average of 22 days on the market, with the same 9-day median.

This slight increase in time on the market in 2024 could point to a market that’s just a touch slower. Before I forget, here's everything currently on sale in Little Flower: https://mibor-portal.connectmls.com/shared-link/indianapolis-residential-single-family-4014-10th-plus-18-more/7e2ba510-e644-47c2-ada3-c466caf8e4e4

The Bottom Line:
So, what does all this mean? 2024 was a a year of expansion—with higher high-end prices, more space in terms of bedrooms and bathrooms, and just a tiny bit more time for buyers to think before pulling the trigger. But don’t get too comfortable: we're entering the February spring market so expect things to ramp up next month.

Since that data produced a bit of a nothing burger, I followed up with a four-year comparison. Looking at Little Flower home sales between 2020 and 2024, it’s easy to see sturdy growth. Have a look:

Closed Prices:
2024: As mentioned, Little Flower homes sold for between $60,000 and $299,900, with an average close price of $163,851 and a median of $167,500.
In 2020, closed prices ranged from $22,000 to $260,000, with an average close price of $126,893 and a median of $141,000.
The Growth: The average close price in 2024 is $36,958 higher than in 2020! And the median price jumped by $26,500.

Days on Market:
2024: The average was 26 days, with a median of 9 days.
2020: The average was 33 days, with a median of 17 days.
The Growth: Homes are selling faster in 2024, with a decrease of 7 days on average. The neighborhood is definitely more competitive, meaning if you’re not quick, you might miss out!

Final Thoughts:
There’s no denying the growth in Little Flower in only four years. From a $36K jump in average prices to an increase in price per square foot and faster sales, the neighborhood is blooming (pun intended. Sorry about that).
All this info provided by your East side real estate nerd, me, Deb Kent, Gallery of Homes (official sponsor of YAY!) Text me anytime if you want to talk about selling your home or buying. January is a great time to prepare for the Feb market. 317-225-2253. If I'm awake, I'm available.

01/09/2025

Alright, time for another quick dive into more real estate geekery! You know a neighborhood is heating up when even the houses on the busiest streets—the ones house-hunters usually save for ‘Plan Z’—start climbing in value. Today, I'm zooming in on two such Irvington streets: Emerson and South Arlington. How have sales changed in the last four years? (Warning: This is deep-track stuff. Hang in there, my fellow ADD readers!) I'm including photos of an Emerson ave house I sold in a most delightful way, plus a pic of another not-so-hardworking, coffee-stealing assistant.

South Arlington Avenue has seen quite the transformation in just a few years. Once considered a busy thoroughfare with some undervalued properties, it’s starting to show signs of gaining traction as part of Irvington’s growing popularity. Let’s dive into the details and see how this street is evolving.

Property Prices: A Rising Tide (Mostly)
Back in 2020, home prices on South Arlington were all over the place. The lowest sale was $56,616 (211 S Arlington Ave), and the highest sale hit $219,500 (207 S Arlington Ave), quite a spread! Most properties were hovering below $165,000, with only one breaking the $200K mark.

Fast forward to the present, and the pricing has leveled out a bit—but in a good way for sellers, not the happiest news for buyers:
The lowest recorded sale is $182,000 (415 S Arlington Ave), and the highest is $208,000 (306 S Arlington Ave). While the new high doesn’t surpass the peak from 2020, the lowest sale has jumped significantly, and there’s much less variability overall.
Takeaway: While the big $220K outlier from 2020 hasn’t been matched, the general trend shows more consistency and higher baseline prices. Homes that once sold for less than $100K are probably a distant memory on South Arlington. (Here's everything for sale right now: https://mibor-portal.connectmls.com/shared-link/indianapolis-residential-single-family-384-arlington-plus-2-more/0ba21f08-1ed7-4fe5-978f-eaf3200e8339

Signs of Popularity: What’s Changing?
1. Fewer Dirt-Cheap Deals: The days of snapping up a house on South Arlington for under $100K are gone. Even the lower-end homes are now pushing $180K, signaling that the area is gaining value.
2. Compact Living: While there were larger homes in the past, recent sales lean toward smaller properties with efficient layouts and finished basements.
3. Higher Price Per Square Foot: Buyers are willing to pay a premium for smaller, well-kept homes—perhaps reflecting the desirability of the area as a whole.
4. Market Activity: More homes are selling in the $180K–$210K range, showing a tighter, more predictable market.

Onto Emerson Avenue!
When I was hired to sell a beautiful American Foursquare on S Emerson for $372K I knew I faced a challenge. Would we find someone willing to overlook the location in favor of a gorgeous converted double on an oversized fully-fenced lot? Staging and photography would be critical (I even managed to convince them to stage their coop with real live chickens). We were under contract in five days and sold at a very respectable $365K.
Emerson Ave Sales
Over the past few years, Emerson Avenue in Irvington has seen some pretty impressive changes when it comes to home sales. Traditionally, busy streets like Emerson have been seen as trickier spots to sell. But recent trends are proving that even on a bustling street, things are looking up, and the numbers definitely reflect that shift.

Back in 2020, homes along Emerson Avenue were much more affordable. For instance, 375 S Emerson Ave, with over 2,700 square feet, sold for just $70,000! 705 N Emerson Ave also went for around $90,000, despite sitting on the market for almost 45 days. At the time, the area wasn’t exactly a hot spot for homebuyers, and the prices reflected that.

But fast forward to 2024, and the story is a lot different. Homes on Emerson are now consistently priced higher. In fact, the list prices range from $179,000 all the way to nearly $373,000 (my aforementioned listing).

A big part of this shift is the rise in price per square foot. In 2020, homes were selling for as little as $25.85 per square foot. By 2024, that number has jumped to $212 per square foot, with an average of $154.53 across the board. Homes are also selling faster—while properties in 2020 often took over a month to sell, in 2024, many are gone in just a matter of days. For example, 901 N Emerson Ave closed just three days after listing.

So, even if it was once considered a tough place to sell, Emerson Avenue is now proving that it’s a great spot to find value—and that’s a big win for anyone watching the neighborhood’s growth.
Here's everything currently for sale on Emerson Avenue. Slim pickins! https://mibor-portal.connectmls.com/shared-link/indianapolis-residential-single-family-526-emerson-plus-2-more/301cefa7-c65e-47ba-9249-605b6efd3859

This bit of real estate nerdery is brought to you by me, Deb Kent, Realtor, Gallery of Homes: Official sponsors of YAY! Want to talk about real estate? Text me anytime! 317-225-2253. (Pro tip: January is a great month to think about selling. Our spring usually starts ramping up in Feb. And if you're a buyer, now is a great time to shop. Some antsy sellers are stuck in the deep freeze of a winter market and may be ready for serious price negotiation.)