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Ian DeFelice

First-home story

Lyndon & Joelle

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

  • Came in with a tight budget and an April lease deadline.
  • Focused on homes with strong fundamentals over perfect finishes.
  • Found a property other buyers overlooked — and have been adding value year by year.
Lyndon & Joelle — first home

The full story

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.

More first-home stories

Real plans. Real buyers.

Tyler & Gabby

Tyler & Gabby

Purchased a brand new home with peace of mind, room to grow, and long-term value potential.

  • Wanted to stay on the north side, but tight first-time-buyer budget and a lease ending soon.
  • Nervous about older-home inspections — pivoted to new construction in Whitestown.
  • Under contract on a brand new home within a month, building equity from day one.
Read their story
TJ & Elizabeth

TJ & Elizabeth

Purchased a long-term family home in Broad Ripple that fit both their lifestyle and future goals.

  • Entering a new season after having their first child — looking for a 7-10 year home.
  • Loved Broad Ripple but needed yard, garage, home office, and a basement.
  • Found a home within a month that checked every box, including the basement.
Read their story
Brandon & Rebecca

Brandon & Rebecca

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

  • Reached out almost a year before they were ready to buy.
  • Built a plan around budget, timeline, and long-term goals while they finished their lease.
  • Found a Northside home with space to grow and confidence in the decision.
Read their story

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