Indianapolis Private Well Water Testing Laboratories

Many Indiana residents should question the safety of their drinking water.  If you are supplied water from a public water system, it is regularly tested under Indiana State EPA Safe Drinking Water Act.  However, if you are one of the many Hoosiers whose water comes from a private well, your are responsible for testing and maintaining water quality.
Recommended annual tests include nitrate and coliform bacteria.  Water should be tested for lead if your house was built before 1985 and if young children are present.  Please refer to the Publication "Testing Home Water Supplies", WQ-4 For Publication click here.

You may send your test for water quality to:

1. Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)
2. Sending it to a commercial lab
3. Buying a home test kit or
4. Participate in screening programs offered by groups

The Indiana State Department of Health offers tests for bacteria, flouride, sodium, nitrate, and nitrite.  To receive a test kit for any of these ($8 each) send a copy of the "Water Test Kit Order" found at Water Test Kit Order Form. For other tests, visit your county Health Department.  Some health Departments do testing locally for a modest fee.  In general, fees are less than $20 for coliform bacteria or nitrate test.  Additional tests are as titled "additional."  Testing pesticides or volatile organic carbon can cost hundreds of dollars.
To help you find a lab, this publication lists Indiana labs currently certified by the ISDH.  Certification expires, so check with the lab about their certification status.  You may also call ISDH to get a current list of certified labs 317.233.8074 or visit this website.  When you contact the lab, confirm that they test water samples from a private well. Most do, but some don't.
The laboratory will usually mail back the sample results wihtin several days or weeks.  Results will include the concentration of the contaminant and whether it exceeds a drinking water quality standard.  The EPA's Hotline (1-800/426-4791) answers questions related to water testing, treatment, health concerns, and other topics related to drinking water. The Indiana Department of Environmenta Management Ground Water Section (317.240.6216) can provide information on what to do if suspect contamination of your ground water.

References:
Jane Frankenberger, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and David Nauth, Indiana Department of Health

Indiana-Indianapolis Property Taxes Certified Property Tax Representative

Name: David Orton
Certification: Level II Indiana Assessor-Appraiser
Phone: 317-412-1572
Email: dorton@callcarpenter.com
Website: http://hdavidorton.callcarpenter.com/

Many of my buyers have rejected looking at a property simply because the property taxes were too high.  A major obstacle for real estate agents representing non-owner occupied homes or over-assessed homes accross Indiana. 

Consider two homes with similar characteristics, quality, and workmanship.  Subject property number one has exemptions.  Subject property number two has no exemptions.  If a buyer's concern is monthly payment, which of the two properties will likely get the offer?

Real Estate Agents/Certified tax representatives, such as myself, help sellers strategize to give optimal results when being placed in the current competitive real estate market.  Here are some tips on appealing your property tax assessment:

You will receive notice of your property's value in one of two ways: the county assessor may send you a notice of assessment, known as a Form 11. Otherwise, the assessed value of your property can be found with your tax bill. This document is known as the TS-1 tax comparison statement.
If you feel your assessment does not reflect the market value-in-use of your property, you may appeal your assessment. To file an appeal, you must contact your local assessor in writing within 45 days of receiving the Form 11 notice or tax bill, whichever was sent earlier. (The DLGF provides a form for this purpose known as a Form 130. Otherwise, a simple letter stating your intent to appeal is sufficient.) Indiana law does not require taxpayers to submit an appraisal in order to appeal an assessment.  As your tax rep, I may file on your behalf.  The rules regarding assessment can be complicated, if not cumbersome to read.  This is where you will need a tax representative to help.  Call me for a consultation.

What does it cost for the consultation?
-Nothing. If I can't win your case, I will be of no value to you.

Real Estate Corruption-Real Estate Agents-Crooks-Truth-in-Lending Disclosure Statement

Federal TRUTH-IN-LENDING Disclosure Statement shows the following terms dated 11/30/2005:
Annual Percentage Rate: 10.943%
Finance Charge:  $181,721.14
Amount Financed: $58,800.42
Total of Payments: $240,521.56

No. of Payments:                                  Amount of Payments:                      When Payments are Due:
24                                                                       $478.70                                                01/01/06
6                                                                         $550.06                                                01/01/08
329                                                                     $559.69                                                07/01/08
1                                                                    $41,594.39                                                12/01/35

Scenario:
Suspect realtor #2 sells my hispanic client a house listed at $29,000 for $65,000 and reports to MIBOR that house sold for $26,000.  The above terms of the loan are described for this particular transaction.  Transaction closes on 11/2005.

Suspect realtor solicits my client by offering $1,500 to use personal information to fund the sale on another home on x road.  My client refuses.

01/2006 Client receives notices of late payments for house on x road which she has no knowledge of owning.  Client files fraudulent report with sheriff's office.  x bank investigates fraudulent acitivity and determines in her favor.

Same realtor sells the house on x road to x client for $80,000.  House list price was $69,000 and Realtor reports to MIBOR that house sold for $60,000.

I will be sure these guys are brought to justice.