James Hartley
James Hartley covers home and property for CityDesk. His reporting is practical and homeowner-first: clear cost expectations, what to ask before hiring a contractor, and how to tell necessary work from an upsell. He writes about home improvement and repair the way it actually plays out — not the way a sales brochure describes it.
CityDesk reporting is produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors.
What Indianapolis HOA Rules Can Actually Enforce and How to Fight Back
Special assessments, violation notices, and rule changes are landing in mailboxes across Carmel, Fishers, and Castleton right now. Here's what IC 32-25.5 actually says, what boards routinely get wr…
What Indianapolis Home Inspectors Actually Find in Older Homes and What It Costs to Fix
Indiana doesn't license home inspectors. Most competing national guides use national averages. Here's what actually fails in Marion County's pre-1960 housing stock — and what local contractors char…
What Indianapolis Airbnb Hosts Need to Know About the Short-Term Rental Ordinance Right Now
The post-2024 ordinance framework changed specific requirements. Here is what current city code requires, step by step.
How the Marion County Property Tax Sale Works in 2026
Whether you're behind on taxes or looking to buy, here's what the county's PDF doesn't explain.
What Indianapolis Foundation Cracks in July Actually Mean and When to Worry
Marion County's clay soils are shrinking right now. Here's how to read what you're seeing, why July is peak season for this problem, and why the order in which you make phone calls will determine h…
How to Find a Legitimate Licensed Contractor in Indianapolis After Storm Damage
Indiana doesn't license most roofers and siders. Which means the verification work falls on you. Here's the step-by-step.
What You Need to Know to Get a Deck or Fence Permit in Indianapolis
If you're planning to build a deck or fence this summer, start the permit process now. Don't wait until the week your contractor shows up with lumber. The Department of Business and Neighborhood Se…
How the Marion County Property Tax Late Payment Penalty Works
The penalty clock starts the day after you're due, and it compounds fast. Here's what Indianapolis homeowners need to know about due dates, dollar consequences, and how to ask for relief.
What to Know Before Buying a Home in Irvington Indianapolis
Editor's note: Median sale price and price-per-square-foot figures reflect MIBOR/MLS data available at time of writing and should be verified against current listings before any purchase decision. …
A Renter's Guide to Tenant Rights in Indianapolis in 2026
What Indianapolis renters actually have the right to do — and what Indiana law won't give them
What Indianapolis Homeowners Are Actually Paying for HVAC Replacement in 2026
If you've spent any time searching for HVAC replacement costs online, you've probably landed on a page claiming the "national average" is somewhere between $5,000 and $12,000. Usually sourced from …
What Is a French Drain and Does Your Indianapolis Yard Actually Need One
Flat lots, heavy clay soil, and wet springs make Marion County a reliably active market for drainage contractors. Here's how to tell if you actually need one — and what it will cost.
How to Appeal Your Marion County Property Tax Assessment Before the Deadline
A step-by-step guide to filing a Marion County property tax appeal, with the right forms, the real timeline, and what to do first if you live in Fountain Square, Bates-Hendricks, or anywhere else t…
How Indianapolis Became America's Second-Largest Air Cargo Hub
Scannell Properties, the Indianapolis-based industrial developer, has continued its spec warehouse activity north of Whitestown along the I-65 corridor, building product without signed tenants. Tha…
What a Home Inspection Costs in Indianapolis and What You're Actually Paying For
From base fees in Meridian-Kessler to sewer scopes in Irvington, here's what Marion County buyers need to budget before closing.
What Indianapolis Home Buyers Actually Need to Know Before Scheduling an Inspection
Home inspections feel routine until you're the one holding a 47-page report on a 1928 bungalow in Irvington trying to figure out what's urgent, what's negotiable, and what the inspector wasn't even…
What Indianapolis Neighborhoods Are Seeing the Most New Commercial Development
Announcements are easy. Permits are harder to fake. Here's where construction is actually moving in 2026 — and where the Southside and Eastside fit into the picture.
What the Indiana Homestead Exemption Is and How to Apply in Marion County
All figures, deadlines, contact details, and portal URLs cited in this article require independent verification against current DLGF guidance and the Marion County Assessor's office before reliance…
How Indianapolis Property Taxes Are Calculated and Why Your Bill May Have Gone Up
If you own a home in Marion County and opened your spring 2026 property tax bill to find a number several hundred dollars higher than last year, you're not alone. And you're not wrong to be confuse…
How to Spot and Avoid Storm-Chaser Roofing Contractors in Indianapolis
Every summer, out-of-state crews follow hailstorms into Marion County. Here's exactly how to vet who's knocking on your door before you hand over your insurance claim.
How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost in Indianapolis
Central Indiana's clay soil drives specific failure patterns in Indy homes. Here's what contractors are quoting — and when you need a structural engineer before you spend a dime.
What Happens to Your Indianapolis Home Purchase If the Inspection Turns Up Big Problems
Under Indiana law, a troubling inspection report gives you real options. But only if you know the deadlines, the paperwork, and what Marion County sellers will and won't budge on.
