The Indianapolis housing market was hot in 2024, but Zillow expects it to catch fire in 2025.

Why it matters: Zillow's annual ranking forecasts the most competitive housing markets for buyers. Markets at the top of the list are largely "starved for housing inventory," the real estate platform shares with Axios.

• These regions tend to be relatively affordable with strong job and wage growth.

The big picture: On the 2025 list, Indianapolis comes in as the hottest metro in the Midwest and No. 2 overall, an improvement from an already impressive No. 4 spot in 2024.

Zoom in: Zillow says the ranking can be attributed to Indy's strong home price forecast for this year, which is expected to be greater than the appreciation it experienced in 2024.

• Among the top five hottest markets of 2025, only Indianapolis has a rising outlook for home value appreciation, increasing from 2.8% annual appreciation in 2024 to 3.4% in 2025.
• The projected typical home value in Indianapolis is $223,261, compared to the U.S. average of $357,469, per Zillow.

What they're saying: "Indianapolis is relatively affordable when compared to nearby Chicago metro," Zillow senior economist Orphe Divounguy told Axios. "Strong employment (and) income growth has helped to support housing demand. Strong housing demand combined with a lack of housing inventory keeps competition for homes elevated."

The bottom line: Affordability and inventory are the name of the game, keeping Indy near the top of the list for another year.

Go deeper

It's the first full week of the legislative session and lawmakers are wasting no time.

The big picture: Priority bills dealing with property taxes, health care costs and the state's two-year budget aren't on any agendas yet, but plenty of other issues are getting hearings.

Here are the bills we're watching this week:

🛞 Shutting down "spinning"

For the second year in a row, lawmakers are trying to crack down on "spinning."

How it works: Senate Bill 13 would outlaw spinning your car in a circle, also known as doing doughnuts, a practice that's become part of the illegal street takeovers plaguing IMPD.

🤑 Budget requests

The budget bill hasn't been filed yet, but higher education institutions and state agencies are making requests to the House Ways and Means Committee this week.

• These requests, scheduled for 10 am Tuesday and 9 am Wednesday, will inform later versions of the state's two-year spending plan.

🧑‍🍼 Parental rights

A bill that would require parental permission for children under age 16 to create social media accounts will be up for amendments at 1:30pm Wednesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Catch up quick: Senate Bill 11 had its initial hearing last week, making it one of the first bills to move.

• The committee also heard a "parental rights" bill that would give parents an avenue to sue governmental entities, including schools, that direct, advise or coerce children to withhold information from their parents.

Keep reading

🏐 The Indy Ignite won their first match in franchise history Saturday by beating the Orlando Valkyries 3-1 in four sets. (CBS4)

👮‍♂️ Delphi police chief Nate LaMar resigned after being accused of lying under oat during a bench trial. (WLFI)

🤝 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana is seeking mentors for 1,000 kids in Marion, Hamilton and Johnson counties. (WISH)

☀️ A $4 million solar farm project is slated to start construction this summer in Hancock County. (Greenfield Daily Reporter)

🎸 Phish's next live LP will feature the performances of "Simple" and "Blaze On" from the band's August 2021 show at Ruoff Music Center. (Fox59)

Gov. Eric Holcomb is passing the torch to Gov.-elect Mike Braun, who was elected in November to succeed the two-term Republican.

The big picture: Today's inauguration, set for 11am at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, begins a third decade of Republican rule in the state.

• Holcomb told Axios he intends to stay in central Indiana but plans to spend some time with his wife, Janet, before beginning his next professional chapter.

Zoom in: Before leaving office, we asked Holcomb about his best day ever in the Circle City.

​​🍳 Breakfast: A four egg omelet at home with Janet and their dog, and "getting on the same page for the day."

• The Holcombs lost their beloved miniature schnauzer, Henry, in late 2023. They welcomed a new puppy of the same breed, Oliver, a couple of months ago.

🍦 Lunch: The Cone Palace in Kokomo for corndogs.

⚾ Afternoon activity: Take in a baseball game at Victory Field or a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium, followed by a second game.

🍱 Dinner: Loading his tray with "everything" at MCL, the cafeteria-style restaurant born in Sheridan 75 years ago.

• "It's like Norm in 'Cheers' when I go into MCL," Holcomb said. "I know everybody, including a lot of the people that are eating there."

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👋 Arika here!

Interested in giving Veganuary a try? I've got just the place for you.

Where to go: 10th Street Diner.

• The beloved vegan restaurant on the near eastside serves up diner-style classics with plant-based ingredients.

What to order: It's hard to go wrong, but the "beef and cheddar" melt is perfect comfort food and a great place to start for the plant-curious.

• Thinly shaved seitan slices are covered with a cheese-like sauce and jalapeño chimichurri and piled onto a pillowy soft brioche bun.
• Yes, but: I'd go for a side of fries, rather than the mac and cheese next time. While the elbow noodles are tender, the flavor is a little too different from the traditional version of the dish to scratch that itch.

Cost: $12 for the sandwich and $3 for the mac and cheese.

Pro tip: If the melt isn't on the specials menu when you visit, the buffalo seitan wings are also a solid choice.

If you go: 3301 E. 10th St.

• Open 11am to 8pm Sunday-Friday and 10am to 3pm Saturday.