What does Ian DeFelice do that other Indianapolis realtors don't?

Ian works only with first-time buyers. He starts every relationship with a plan, not a listing search. The first meeting is a 30-minute coffee, free, with no obligation. Most buyers spend 60 to 120 days in the planning phase before they look at a single home.

How long does it take to buy a first home in Indianapolis?

Plan on 30 to 45 days from accepted offer to closing keys. The planning phase before that can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on credit, savings, and how clear your needs vs. wants picture is.

Do I need 20 percent down to buy my first home?

No. Most first-time buyers Ian works with put 3 to 5 percent down on a conventional loan, or use FHA at 3.5 percent. The bigger conversation is monthly comfort, not the down-payment headline number.

What neighborhoods do you serve?

The Indianapolis metro with a north-side preference: Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, and Zionsville in Hamilton County, plus Broad Ripple, SoBro, Meridian-Kessler, and Fountain Square in Marion County.

Is the readiness assessment really free?

Yes. About 25 short questions, around 2-3 minutes to finish, no email required to see your score. You can opt in at the end if you want a personalized roadmap by email.

Indianapolis · First-Home Realtor

Your first home, with a real plan.

I help renters in Indianapolis create a clear plan so they can buy their first home.

Start your plan

Two minutes. No email needed yet.

How it works

Assessment. Plan. Buy.

From assessment to keys, here's roughly how 16 weeks looks.

Step 01
Take the assessment
About 25 questions, 2-3 minutes to finish. You'll see exactly where your savings, timing, and knowledge actually sit.
Take step one
Step 02
Build a plan
Coffee meeting, pre-approval with a lender who treats first-timers like humans, and the needs-vs-wants conversation that saves weeks later.
See how it works
Step 03
Buy with confidence
Touring, offers, inspection, closing. The pace fits you, not the calendar.
Let's talk

For First Time Buyers

A path designed by a realtor who was once in your shoes.

Five years ago I was the renter pretending I followed when someone explained escrow. I read my pre-approval letter eight times trying to figure out what DTI meant. I made every avoidable mistake.

The Blueprint is what I wish I'd had. A real plan. No pressure to swing fast on the wrong house. A guide who actually remembers being on your side of the table.

Specialty
First-time buyers
Brokerage
Roots Realty · @properties
Where
Indianapolis metro

Read my full story

“He pushed patience and for us to be on the same page so we were confident with our decision.”

Miles Tracy · See review →

Here's what the path actually looks like.

Brandon & Rebecca

Avoided rushing into the wrong home and purchased one that truly fit their future.

Brandon and Rebecca first reached out to me on Instagram nearly a year before they actually bought their home. At the time, they were nervous about overpaying or making a move before they were financially ready, so instead of rushing into showings, we focused on building a clear plan around their budget, timeline, and long-term goals while they finished out their lease and saved more intentionally. Even after losing out on one home, they stayed patient and trusted the process—which gave them the confidence to move quickly when the right opportunity finally came along. They ended up purchasing a home on the Northside with multiple living spaces and a fenced backyard that was perfect for starting their family and hosting friends and small groups. Because they had clarity on their numbers beforehand, they were able to make a strong decision without second guessing themselves or overextending financially.

Grant & Katie

Purchased a walkable downtown home with rental income that helps offset their monthly payment.

Grant and Katie were referred to me by a past client while they were renting downtown and planning to buy later in the year once their lease ended in October. After sitting down for a buyer consultation, they realized they were already financially ready—they just needed clarity on what they were looking for and confidence in their numbers. We toured a few homes that didn’t quite fit, but when the right property hit the market in March, we moved quickly and submitted a strong offer before a full weekend of showings could happen. The home checked every box for their lifestyle: walkability to their favorite Indianapolis spots, space to grow into, and even a carriage house they now rent out to help offset their mortgage. Instead of waiting for a “perfect” timeline, they were able to recognize and confidently act on the right opportunity when it appeared.

Lyndon & Joelle

Purchased an affordable starter home with long-term upside and room to build equity over time.

Lyndon and Joelle came into the process with a tight budget and a very specific goal: find a home they could afford that was still livable immediately, but had room for them to slowly make it their own over time. They were flexible on location, but needed guidance on where they could realistically find value—especially with an April 30th lease deadline quickly approaching. After reviewing their numbers with my mortgage partner Brooke and narrowing down what mattered most to them in a neighborhood, we focused on homes with strong fundamentals rather than perfect finishes. We eventually found a property that many buyers would have overlooked because of the cosmetic work it needed, but the home had great bones and long-term potential. Since moving in, they’ve taken on projects year by year and have significantly increased both the value of the home and their pride in ownership.

Free · 2 minutes

Are you ready to buy your first home?

About 25 short questions on your savings, timeline, and goals. You'll get a personal readiness score and a clear next step. No pressure, no spam.

Questions

2–3

Minutes

100%

Free

Start your plan

Question 06· Financial readiness

Have you saved enough for a down payment and closing costs?

Sample question. Most buyers finish all 25 in about 2-3 minutes.