Northwest Indiana Mortgage - Steve Dalton

Local real estate office teams with community organization - Porter County

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:43:52 -0600

Century 21 Alliance - Keep it in our Community

A great real estate office teams with one of my favorite local community groups, can't go wrong. Great work!

Jeanne Sommer/Century 21 Alliance Group donate to 'Keep it in our Community' program:

Jeanne Sommer of Century 21 Alliance Group presented two checks to Jennifer Peek and the Porter-Starke Services Foundation through Century 21's "Keep It inOur Community Program." Both donations are a percentage of Sommer's commission on real estate transactions conducted by Porter-Starke Services employees.

Lisa Lemmons, a day treatment specialist, purchased a Chesterton home brokered by Sommer. As an employee of Porter-Starke Services, Lemmons was able to take advantage of savings on closing costs and other perks offered by Century 21 Alliance Group. The partnership between Porter-Starke Services and Century 21 Alliance has shown a marked increase over the past few months.

'The Foundation has already received over $1700 through the Keep It in the Community Program,' Peek said. 'We are thankful for the ongoing support that Jeanne and the Century 21 Alliance Group has provided us and the programs that we serve.'

Porter-Starke Services is a not-for-profit community mental health center headquartered in Valparaiso, with offices in Knox and Portage. The Porter-Starke Services Foundation supports mental wellness initiatives throughout the community. More information about the Porter-Starke Services Foundation can be found atwww.porterstarke.org/foundation.

The Century 21 Alliance Group can be reached at (219) 476-4507. Further information about the 'Keep It In Our Community' program can be found at www.keepitinourcommunity.com.

Other posts of interest to Northwest Indiana residents:

PCBA and green building movement

Announcement - Joining Sierra Pacific Mortgage

Irene Tron - FC Tucker NW Indiana

Northwest Indiana Mortgage Announcement December 1st

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:16:43 -0600

This is a reprint from my outside mortgage blog, but thought I'd post here too for those that are more active in the rain.

Announcement - Joining Sierra Pacific Mortgage

On December 1, 2009 I officially start as Senior Mortgage Banker for Northwest Indiana with Sierra Pacific Mortgage (local Indiana affiliate Residential Mortgage Group).

Many of you know I have been providing assistance to small businesses in Northwest Indiana, especially those affiliated with mortgage lending and home building. Let's be honest if you've read this blog more than once you know that I am passionate about home ownership.

First time new home buyers
FHA loans and VA loans
Helping homebuyers fix credit blemishes through honest credit repair
Helping REALTORs use online tools to find customers and to sell homes quickly
and, helping home builders engage consumers

I will still be doing all those things, but now will be able to originate and work directly with consumers, home buyers, homeowners, and real estate professionals. I'm sure it will take a week or so to get all the details nailed down, but for now feel free to email me or call (219 465 8352) if you're ready to get started.

Porter County Indiana - Active Rain Real Estate Experts

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:47:04 -0600

Featured Real Estate Agent:
Jeff & Grace Safrin, Broker / Owners, Northwest Indiana (F.C.Tucker 1st Team Real Estate)
Score: 216780
Valparaiso

Broker / Owners, F.C. Tucker 1st Team Real Estate Northwest Indiana. Full Time, Full Service REALTORS since 1999 Serving Lake, Porter, La Porte, & Starke Counties. Life Member Presidents Club

Featured Loan Officer:
Dave Woodson (Dave Woodson)
Score: 154204
Chesterton

Dave is a Real Estate & Mortgage Marketing Consultant.

All profile types Real Estate Agents Real Estate Brokerages Loan Officers Mortgage Companies Inspectors Appraisers Title Companies Escrow Companies Builder-Contractors Real Estate Trainers Virtual Assistants Account Execs Real Estate - Others Mortgage Processors Insurance Broker or Agents Home Stagers Real Estate Attorneys Real Estate Medias Real Estate Auctioneers Notaries Commercial Real Estate Agents Environmental Services Commercial Lenders Business Brokers Property Managers Real Estate Sales People Architectural Designs Financial Planners

Irene Tron (FC Tucker 1st Team Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 143594
Valparaiso
Making real estate enjoyable in Northwest Indiana as a full-time REALTOR. Living in Valparaiso, IN puts me in the ideal location for my business which covers Porter, Lake, and LaPorte Counties.

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) - Senior Mortgage Banker
Score: 90166
Valparaiso
Mortgage Lender and Economic Development consultant. We want you to get a great home and live in a great community.

Kimberly Wester - Home Stager
Score: 73806
Valparaiso
Kim is a professional Stager in Northwest Indiana, serving both Porter and Lake Counties. Increase the salability of your listings with my staging services. Visit my website for more information.

James K Barath, CMPS - Northwest Indiana Mortgage Planner - Benchmark Mortgage (HUD Approved Lender: 219-926-1600) - Loan Officer
Score: 43944
Chesterton
Northwest Indiana Mortgage Planner Facilitating the American Dream through Responsible Mortgage Lending since 1999. Want to Know More? Contact Me!

Ronda Myers-Waters (Willems Realtors, Principal Broker) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 31463
Chesterton
I love to help people find the real estate that meets their needs. I will not pressure into buying something that you do not want or may be more than you want to spend.

Christine McDaniel (McColly Real Estate ) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 27451
Valparaiso
Christine McDaniel Realtor® and real estate agent McColly Real Estate, Valparaiso, Porter Co., Indiana

Joseph Wiszowaty, INAMB Director (Mortgage Professional Grp) - Mortgage Company
Score: 16607
Valparaiso
MORTGAGE PROFESSIONAL GROUP, INC. is the largest mortgage company in Porter County *Mortgage Planning* Specializing in FHA/VA/USDA, Conventional, Construction lending and equity loans www.mpgloans.com

Scott Swinford (Mortgage Professional Group, Inc.) - Loan Officer
Score: 12140
Hebron
In this chaotic mortgage lending environment, you need someone who is on top of the issues. Good credit, bad credit or no credit, we have a program to help you achieve the dream of owning a home.

Jess Tron (FC Tucker 1st Team Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 12027
Chesterton

Jane McMullan (Century 21 Pace Estates) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 9885
Valparaiso
Realtor, Broker Associate serving Valparaiso, Chesterton, Merrillville, LaPorte and the Greater Northwest Indiana area with Century 21 Pace Estates.

Benchmark Mortgage: The Barath Group - Mortgage Company
Score: 7743
Chesterton
We Offer: Mortgage Planning; Conventional Loans; FHA/VA Loans; MyCommunityMortgage; Flexible 97 & 100 Loans; Home Ownership Accelerator; Alt-A & Jumbo Loans; Interest Only Loans; and Commercial Loans

Linda Zyla (Century 21 Alliance Group) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 5243
Valparaiso
Full time Real Estate Sales Professional with over 14 years of experience.

Matt Evans (Keller Williams Realty) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 5077
Valparaiso
Broker Associate, REALTOR®, Keller Williams Northwest Indiana & Northern Colorado. A top performer & producer. Experienced, proven, & professional. Residential, Commercial, & Investment Properties.

Maryann Maki (Keller Williams Realty Leaders) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 4577
Valparaiso
I am your Indiana Realtor. I list and sell residential single & multi-family property, equine property, investment & commercial property. I'M YOUR ONE STOP SHOP!

Valerie Rosenblum (Century 21 Pace Estates) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 4082
Valparaiso
I am a full time realtor servicing all of northwest Indiana. In my spare time I have been raising, breeding and showing champion boxer dogs. I have the following designations: e-PRO and GRI

Adam Steiner (Steiner Homes LTD.) - Builder-Contractor
Score: 3420
Valparaiso
Steiner Homes LTD. is a custom new home builder in Northwest Indiana. We have built homes in Lake, Porter and La Porte Counties, in Crown Point, St. John, Hammond, Dyer, Gary, Valparaiso, and more.

Jean Stevenson (Lawn Leaders Inc) - Builder-Contractor
Score: 3411
Valparaiso
We are a landscaping company based in NW Indiana. Our mission is to drive growth through innovated services and products that fill unmet needs and improve the lives of our customers.

Arthur Craig (McColly Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 3214
Chesterton
Welcome to your source for local real estate. Whether you're buying or selling a home, hire someone like me, who wants to earn your business. I invite you to contact me as I'd be happy to assist!

Sherri Van Noort (Home Advantage Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 3166
Valparaiso
Valparaiso Indiana Real Estate Northwest Indiana's 1st Full Service,Discount Real Estate Office. Serving: Valparaiso,Crown Point,Chesterton,Munster,Portage,Dyer,Griffith,Indiana Dunes and Shorewood.

Katie Kinney (The DiToro/Lahey Team) - Real Estate - Other
Score: 2974
Valparaiso

Jeff Blade (McColly Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2533
Valparaiso
Helping buyers and sellers throughout Northwest Indiana. Single-family and condominium/townhome sales are my specialty. I am a full-time agent working overtime for you. Don't hesitate to call!

Heather Harrigan (Prudential Executive Group) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2424
Valparaiso
Combining my marketing expertise, financial acumen, negotiating skills and personal intergrity to make buying & selling real estate a success.

Arthur J. Craig III - Appraiser
Score: 2377
Porter
Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser FHA Approved Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute

Michael Demkowicz (McColly Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2331
Valparaiso
Resident of Porter County for over 20 Years.

Willems Realtors, Teresa Tylisz (Willems Realtors) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2273
Valparaiso
Former closing officer w/ title background. I know all the numbers. If you hate surprises, I offer: FREE analysis of the bottom line for sellers and FREE total out of pocket cost analysis for buyers.

Pete LaSalle (Realty Executives Premier) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2242
Valparaiso

Bart Vickrey (Bart Vickrey & Co Real Estate) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2141
Valparaiso
Full service real estate brokerage specializing in move-up buyers, relocation, first time home buyers, investors, new homes, and home sellers.

Ruth Norlington (McColly) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2080
Valparaiso
I am Anxious to help buyers and sellers with the most important transaction of their lives--their home! "Working with me will prove to be a moving experience!"

Kathy Sipple (My Social Media Coach) - Real Estate Agent
Score: 2049
Valparaiso
Big ideas at affordable prices. Formerly an active agent. Now offering social media marketing help for other agents.

Jim Drader - Loan Officer
Score: 2048
Valparaiso

Tax Credit - Breaking News for NW Indiana homebuyers

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:55:18 -0500

Will tax credit be extending and expanded?

I ran into two real estate professionals this morning (from Team Tezak) , and inevitably our conversation moved to the state of the real estate industry in northwest indiana. The comment though that jumped out at me was "I just heard the tax credit is going to be extended."

Well, not having heard that bit of news I posted on twitter asking for updates and links.

The three most sent links were: Senate Likely to extend tax credits for homebuyers, This just in Senators extend and Senators agree to extend homebuyer tax credits.

No, it's not law yet, still to be voted by the Senate and then the House and must be signed into law by the President. Looks like an extension until the end of June 2010 for closings, End of April for purchase agreements of the $8,000 and a new credit of $6,500 for people who buy a home and have owned their home for more than 5 years.

In my estimation, all good thoughts, if this credit costs the country $10 Billion it will probably create more jobs than the entire ill-fated and ill-advised stimulus bill and continue to build on the real estate value momentum we're already seeing in NW Indiana.

Northwest Indiana Insurance Quotes

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:20:55 -0500

It seems like every day we are working to get that really great interest rate for a customer, only to find that they are paying way too much on their homeowners insurance. I'm working with a new website called Northwest Indiana Insurance Quotes, which will work to get our customers and thousands more in the region better rates and save them money.

If you are a homebuyer or homeowner looking to finance your home, check out this handy site and let them do the legwork to help you lower your rates.

If you are a Northwest Indiana Real Estate Professional, you may find this a very handy resource as well.

A service of Daltonsbriefs, the one stop platform for Northwest Indiana Real Estate, Mortgages, Refinances, Insurance, and Home building.

Northwest Indiana Real Estate Recovery

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:10:22 -0500

More recovery news in NW Indiana real estate

For the first time in quite a while a new housing project will go to the Porter County Commissioners for review. Grand Oaks will feature upwards of 400 homes and lots of green space. This will also be a test of Commissioner Bob Harpers supposed focus on green-friendly development.

In outside the region news, economist professor Mark Perry features an analysis of the Twin Cities Real Estate market and possible recovery already in motion.

For in-depth analysis of Northwest Indiana Politics ... or FHA Mortgages in Indiana.

Our team is excited about the Real Estate recovery in Northwest Indiana, real estate professionals and mortgage lenders are reporting good statistics every week. Call us today for a pre-qualification as you head out to look for your home. 219-762-7200

Vacation in Steamboat Springs Colorado

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:17:37 -0500

I write on this blog about Northwest Indiana Real Estate and Mortgages, that's my own personal industry and profession. But today a quick set of links to a friend and associate with an opportunity in Colorado.

Often the first thought of a vacation in Colorado immediately brings up skiing, and for sure that's a great option at this Steamboat Springs Vacation Condominium. But as I can attest from having visited Jackson Hole Wyoming a few summers back, a su

mmer vacation to the Rockies is totally awesome too.

You really have to head to the Imagine Steamboat website, sign up for updates, and get summer special

pricing. Call or email today for a quick quote on a vacation I think you'll remember forever.

Twitter members in Northwest Indiana worth following

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:23:09 -0500

The first list, and obviously some will find it controversial, of Top Twitter members in Northwest Indiana.

My biggest complaint is the almost non-existence of Realtors on the list. I'll be frank, some of you live in communities with real estate professionals who really work social media hard. So far, northwest indiana has a bunch of real estate professionals that may have signed up for a site, but don't use them and don't engage.

Jeff and Grace Safrin are the exception to this of course, they get it. A few mortgage people get it, but all in all our industry too is under-represented by actual social types ... and more often than not people who joined because someone told them they needed a profile.

One perfect example, is that in the Top Ten Active Rain members in Porter County, only three are RE agents. Now what in the world does that tell you? Sorry to be negative, but it's time for real estate professionals to step it up in the Region.

Home values - leveling off for best time to buy - NOW!

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:07:24 -0500

Help - I need to know if I should buy now?

Let's be honest, this was a real question submitted by a reader, but they knew my thoughts on the matter. YES, there has never been a better time to purchase a home in Northwest Indiana. Real estate values have completed a small correction over the last two years, and are actually leveled or even increasing in some areas.

I wrote that post a couple hours ago on my personal outside blog, Northwest Indiana Mortgages and Real Estate, and now the Case Schiller Home Price Index is released substantiating the same:

Report shows home prices in metro markets were down 18.1% last year, which was a reduction in the slide of values, and an indicator of recovery and leveling off. GOOD NEWS!

Love to have you join as a "fan" of our Facebook Page too: Northwest Indiana Mortgages on Facebook.

An update on Northwest Indiana

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:21:00 -0500

A few years back I was a lot more active here on Active Rain, working with some great real estate professionals and learning every step of the way. Thanks to all of you who have been true friends. I am spending most of my time on mortgage lending these days, although still building a home once in a while. Here is a list of links to my mortgage sites, most still in fledling stage but I'd like to do your loan.

Northwest Indiana Mortgages

For those looking for our website, please check it out First Financial Trust Mortgage.

For home mortgage loans in Indiana we focus on FHA mortgages and first time buyers.

As always call at 219-762-7200

Twitter Politicians from Indiana

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:06:40 -0600

During the last campaign cycle Indiana politicians were seen to be using a little bit of social media, a blog here and there, and I think a few of them even played around with twitter. Over the last month I've noticed that a few more have migrated to twitter, so I went on a hunt this morning for twitter profiles for politicians. If you have more that I've missed, please submit in comments and I'll update.

Governor Mitch Daniels

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman

Secretary of State Todd Rokita

Attorney General Greg Zoeller

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett

US Representative Mike Pence

US Representative Dan Burton actually two Dan Burton - not sure which is official one

US Senator Richard Lugar

US Senator Evan Bayh - can't verify authenticity yet, and hasn't been updated since August

Indianapolis Mayor Ballard - mostly third person, probably staffer

State Representative Jackie Walorski

Mayor of Valparaiso Jon Costas

Fort Wayne City Councilman Mitch Harper

Whitley County County Councilman Jim Banks

Judge Michael Kramer in Noble County

Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold

I'll do a separate post on party officials on twitter, yes both parties.

Alright Indiana tweeps, I'm sure I am missing some, or maybe this post will get some of the existing political crop to at least hold their own names so squatters don't grab them.

Many politicians start out assigning their social media work to a staffer, and although this may work on facebook and blogs, twitter really demands a little bit of personality. Staffer generated tweets are pretty quickly dismissed as broadcast media and not worth engaging. A word of recommendation, if you are an elected official at any level in Indiana and see the potential to engage your constituents on twitter, do so yourself. Even one personal tweet a day and you'll be amazed the following.

You may think you're busy, but last I checked Newt Gingrich and Karl Rove are both personally tweeting from their blackberries, you aren't more busy than they are.

#indiana Politicians joining twitter

1-16 Northwest Indiana news and views

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:13:54 -0600

Worth reading - NW Indiana Today

Like many of our readers, I try to skim through the Times and the Post each morning online, and then my google reader feeds for NW Indiana ... recently I've added a few more bloggers and the #NWIndiana twitter stream just to keep my eyes open for interesting news. See NW Indiana bloggers if you want to add some great new sites.

Here's what I found today, I'll keep comments to a minimum so you can read quickly:

School Closings due to extreme cold weather - one editorial suggesting the schools are waiting too long to let people know, we all knew it would be 2 below this morning and Valpo Schools waited till 5 a.m. to decide. Kudos to Portage and Chesterton for calling it early.

Rep. Soliday says McDermott plan won't fly, Little Cal River Commission needs total overhaul
National Geographic BioBlitz in National Lakeshore Dunes this spring
Portage extracts $60,000 in fines from company for soapy discharges
I-49 and Vale Park interchange to get assisted living facility in Valpo
Valparaiso Redevelopment has less money to improve pathways
Where are regional joint purchasing programs? Evansville leads the way, not NW Indiana

WOW ... Porter County Auditor pounds John Scott and Lefever for poor work environment and lack of full disclosure on software

Hammond Soldier's body arrives in Gary
Jerry Davich recounts story that reminds us to check on our neighbors
Homes of snowbirds burgalized

Local Blogger Kevin Tracy says scientists think there may be life on Mars
Jerry Davich waiting for enviro-wackos to complain that birds were mistreated in airplane crash yesterday
Local socialist and apparently racist CJ happy about new grocery
Christopher Hedges warns of possible problems ahead for Mexican government
Dave Woodson reprints popular email from boss
How much does the Westchester Library cost taxpayers?
Brad from NW Indiana Pundit takes a contrarian position on county government reform, asking why give so much power to so few?
Mad Mortgage Machine predicts 4.5% rates soon, time to buy and refi NOW
Buzz takes a hard shot at Roosevelt Allen Jr, Lake County Commissioner
Do we really need to tax mobile homes every year?
Obama isn't looking like CHANGE so far
Mark Keisling sees a trick afoot in Lake County with new tax proposal

Sorry if the whole list is too busy to read, leave links to great news and posts related to NW Indiana in the comments section too. We welcome the extra input.

Indiana Politics - Who's the greatest of them all

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:26:04 -0600

Indiana Power Rankings

#TCOT Howey Power 50 ridiculed

I'll be the first to admit I was a bit ticked when I tried to read the ranking and found that I needed a subscription, just seemed "old world" paradigm to me. I've tried to interact with Howey a couple times, but he seems to favor a few of you guys in Indy over hyper local reporting from the Region. When we posted a series of three articles on the Gary Distressed Unit Board filing, with a writer in the room posting live, he seemed to find the Indy Star reporting 24 hours later better.

Oh well, I don't think they picked up the lead when the residents against the bailout for Gary met the firefighters in the hallway with "we'll back you guys if you help us take down Rudy."

Now, what the scoop on this article by Advance Indiana and peppering Howey with ridicule for his Power 50 list? I'm sure there's a back story, love to hear it. How about a Hoosier Access poll on most influential people in Indiana Josh? My nominations: Mitch Daniels, Pat Bauer, Pete Visclosky, Mike Pence, G'wood Mayor Henderson for huge annex grab, Chair of Distressed Unit Board Kitchel, CEO of Mittal Steel, Todd Rokita (where's he going next?) ... Just thinking out loud.

Northwest Indiana - blogs worth reading daily

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:04:48 -0600

Recap First NW Indiana Blogger Meetup

First let me say thanks to those that attended, I think we had 15 total and next time we'll easily see 20 plus if the weather if a bit better. To those that attended, please feel free to comment liberally on ideas and thoughts on where we can collaborate.

Our evening's hosts Golden Technologies - terrific team of IT and software consultants from Valparaiso were magnanimous in extending hospitality ... thanks again!

In attendance:

Aaron Simac from NWI Reviews and On Home Comfort
Dave Woodson from Mad Mortgage Machine and Dave Woodson.com
Brad Enslen from NWI Pundit
Kevin Tracy from KTracy.com
Chris Sloan from Ink Spot Printer
Chris Buckley a contributor to Porter County Politics
Chris Hedges from Christopher Hedges
Dan O'Day from NWI Connect and Prayeramedic and Tyranny Watch and 390days
and yours truly with way too many blogs to list here but my first one was Daltonsbriefs
we were missing at least 8 others that couldn't make it last night, so the next meeting really should be great!

A great time to fellowship and get to know each other, if you missed this one, please try to make the next one, which we'll probably try to get set in March. Some things we decided to work on in the future in no particular order:

For those that use google reader, it's awful fun to connect using the gmail chat feature and then whenever we "share" a post all our chat friends can see those shares. My gmail is stevesynergy (at) gmail (dot) com ... feel free to request chatting so we can all get connected inside of reader. Obviously if you use a reader, subscribe to all the other NW Indiana blogs
Many of us have attempted to compile lists of Northwest Indiana bloggers, I'll update my list here and we all agreed to attempt to stay updated and add new bloggers to our lists for blogrolls links. More important though than blog rolls, which don't score super high with google ... is actual text links in blog posts. When possible link to fellow region bloggers.
I have the list of email addresses and am pondering a google group, I know it's old school bulletin board, but would allow us to communicate ideas for collaboration. Let me know if you like this idea.
There was a lot of talk about twitter and other social media platforms. If you decide to use twitter and are posting about NW Indiana, highly recommend using the #nwindiana hashtag and then Twitter Search ... a good place to check daily for region posts and conversations.

If I've missed stuff, leave in comments and I'll raise up as updates to this post.

Related Posts:
A Shoutout to Golden Technologies
First NWI Blogger Meetup Was A Success
Northwest Indiana Bloggers Meet

If you've posted a recap and links back to Golden, let me know and I'll add to the related posts list here.

Northwest Indiana Blogger Meetup

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:58:27 -0600

NWI Indiana Blogger Meetup

This Thursday at 6 pm. at Golden Technologies 2402 Beech St. Valpo
No sales pitches, just a chance to meet everyone

Please come ... and also help us promote it. (use #nwindiana hashtag if using twitter)

I know that there are a bunch of real estate bloggers in NW Indiana, a lot more than when I used to be real involved here on AR, please join us if you can make it.

Not so common predictions for 2009

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:33:13 -0600

Call me a contrarian, but here's my gut for the New Year

Housing recovery has already started, and will become big story in 2009. Home building will remain sluggish while inventories slowly drop.
Stock market rally in first quarter to 12,000 Dow ... with big stories dominated by mergers and acquisitions
Even though Federal Government gave out cash to GM and Chrysler, both will file bankruptcy in 2nd quarter, with GM being purchased by Ford and Chrysler by Toyota. This will break the union contracts and allow steel, textiles, and other union dominated industries to begin re-organizing labor contracts.
Mortgage rates will hang at 5% till end of March, with refinance boom helping dodge Alt-A reset crisis, but then start going up as "economic recovery" news causes inflation to become more certain
Oil will go back up to $80 by June 2009, the dollar will strengthen though. The US will lead the global recovery thus the dollar strength. Oil demand issues will recover traction thus the oil strength.
Conservative groups will continue rapid growth - #TCOT, #dontgo, #rebuild, and collaborative projects will push to hyperlocal since local races in 2009 and 2010 are more important than national ... ie. local state house control of re-districting in Indiana
Obama will be tied in knots, one the one side his radical left support, on the other the great middle of America that only heard "change" ... he will accomplish very little in 2009 and 2010 ... which frankly will be good for America
Governments all over the country will actually have to cut budgets, and cut deeply. This will be the first time in decades that budgets actually get cut. Some politicians will lose in 2010 merely because they couldn't deliver pork for the first time.
Hyper local blogger collaboration will hurt traffic to individual bloggers, with a rush to get added to collaborative projects. Monetization will only work in collaborative aggregates, with traffic and advertising connections. See circa 2006 model Northwest Indiana bloggers, old news. I better move or I'm dead in the water too.
Massive unemployment will actually be good for the economy, with consulting and home based contractors niche growing substantially. Companies will hire the work they actually need and leave the extras to the side as unecessary overhead. The fast and connected will not only survive but grow, the lazy and entitled will be left far far behind.

What are your predictions for 2009? Disagree with me, cool comment or email me, the engagement is more important than the prophesy.

Housing Myth Number One #TCOT

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:35:26 -0600

Myth - A nation of renters

Some of you know I'm working on a book project, A Conservative on the 2009 Housing Recovery, and today specifically the second chapter which details commonly held myths about housing. Here's a bit of Myth Number One - would appreciate any feedback positive or negative.

Chapter Two- 10 Myths about housing

Myth One - It would be better for more families to rent their homes

This is a catagorical insult to the American ideal. We may as well suggest that Americans would be better off if only landowners voted, or if the government controlled all health care, or any other list of nonsensical mental excursions that end up in socialism or worse. The AMERICAN DREAM has been and must continue to be that a family can own their own home. For a few transitory households renting may make some sense at times and in certain seasons. But for the most part every family should have the opportunity to purchase a home. President Bush announced goals of attaining record levels of homeownership in excess of 78% of all households, these were great goals and his leadership should not be faulted merely because housing values have slid. It's a good idea to save for retirement, and just because many IRA's and 401K's have reduced in value due to stock values, this does not mean people should stop saving for retirement.

I hesitate to say this so strongly for fear that do-gooders will then suggest that the government needs to step in to make ownership happen by legislation or regulation. No, no, and a thousands times NO! Families want to buy a home, they want to live out the American Dream of ownership and wealth creation. They don't need the government to tell them to do it or manipulate the markets to make it happen. Builders want to build for first time buyers, and one of their largest obstacles is the government in the form of impact fees and zoning that combats affordable housing. Lenders want to provide mortgages for first time buyers, and help them fix their credit if need be, once again government gets mostly in the way. We cannot legislate the American Dream, isn't that the whole point of our 230 year experiment? The American Dream exists where familes and individuals make decisions for themselves. Government needs to stay out of the way, so they can decide for themselves.

Almost every family I have met over my last 20 years in this industry would be better off owning a home than renting. First, our tax system favors home ownership in that all mortgage interest can be deducted, rent cannot. Second, every payment made in a normal 30 year mortgage helps that family accumulate a little more equity and thus household wealth. Third, the self-confidence and pride instilled in a family when they own their own home is patently American in its ideals and culture. We want to have our own place, a place that is ours and no one else's. Sure there were many families that I met that couldn't quite afford a home yet, or had some credit issues that we needed to work to clean up, or needed totally different jobs to make it all work. But in every case where a family wanted to do the work, to be disciplined to save some money, pick up a second job, contact creditors and work things out, homeownership was possible.

When we fall for the liberal tact of "some just aren't smart enough or astute enough" to own a home, we start down a slippery slope of "us and them" that is not American. There are many families that cannot afford a $500,000 home, but they may well be able to purchase a $65,000 home after six months of saving for down payment and cleaning up credit problems.

One last comment, to my conservative friends reading along, who think I'm being hypocritical using tax law as a reason to buy a home. I will agree that for the most part tax laws should be simplified and flattened. If during this process one day the mortgage interest deduction is eliminated, while taxes are actually reduced and flattened, I will be supportive. I understand that favoring one consumption decision over another is still government manipulation and intervention. Today though, the tax laws do strongly favor purchasing a home over renting, and if we merely eliminate the tax benefit for some environmental or culture correctness that suggests that more people should rent, I won't back it.

Social Media for Conservatives

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:41:51 -0600

I wrote this for my local political blog, at the request of a reader, I realize many of you here on Active Rain are already active on social media ... but just in case there's still someone not using twitter.

10 day plan - Social Media for Conservatives

I was asked yesterday if I had an outline or plan for a politically active person wanting to get involved in social media? Now, first let me say that the second I write this plan down it will of course get skewered by those that know a lot more than I. I'll try to source the really great socially actives in my posts. So, from today December 27th, 2008 till January 5th 2009 I will write one post per day.

Follow along if you like - The steps will be as easy as I can explain with links to places for lots more details if my method of "esplaining" isn't all that great.

Day One - Social Media for Conservatives (allow 20 minutes)

1. Join Twitter - Go to twitter homepage and sign up. My recommendation would be to use your own name or a nickname you use often. You may have to try a couple different names, if yours is common and already in use. I would not suggest doing the AOL thing and doing your name followed by a number. Too generic and impersonal. You'll need an email address, I think they limit each email to one twitter profile ... of course we all have multiple email addresses and yes some of us also have multiple twitter profiles.

2. Once you're signed up, and this really only takes a matter of minutes. Click my profile Daltonsbriefs and press "follow" ... it would be great if you would go to the bottom of this post and in the comments section tell me you followed and leave your profile name too. Frankly, I have over 2,600 followers and I don't always follow back right away. Sorry.

3. Go to Top Conservatives on Twitter and choose "Get Added" just enter your profile name, remember that profiles have no blanks (perhaps an underscore if you used but no blanks) and email and whether you desire to have a mentor assigned to you.

4. Go to Search.Twitter (#TCOT) this is the live stream of all posts on twitter that feature the hashtag #TCOT so that we can follow along. You'll see big names like Michelle Malkin, Drudge Report, Instapundit, and thousands of little bloggers and activists as well. The fun really starts when the elected officials, like Bill Frist and members of Congress, start posting and engaging.

Watch as long as you want, it will keep updating and you'll merely have to choose "refresh" to see the new ones as they flow in. When you see a tweet that you want to respond to ... now we're going to dive in.

Press "reply" under the tweet that you liked, disliked or want to comment on. Your twitter homepage will come up, you now have 140 character to say anything you want. Because you hit "reply" you'll see the original person's profile with an @ in front of it. That creates a reply to that person ... but everyone can still read it!

Hit "update" when done with your comment or reply. Now, you need to follow some people so they'll follow you. Go to Follow-TCOT and follow this person. It's a listing mechanism to make following easier. I think they have to follow you back to make it real easy, so we'll just follow today and come back in Stage Two tomorrow.

5. Lastly here are your first 15 people to follow: As you go to each link choose follow and then come back for the next link. Obviously multiple tabs in your internet explorer is going to help make this quick work. Follow all 15, anything they post will appear on your timeline on your profile, the rest of the #TCOT posts you'll have to watch on the search.twitter site. Anytime you see a post on search.twitter that engages you, follow that person too. You'll get followed back by most and the goal is to pick up 100 followers in the next week!

More tomorrow, check back in, leave comments below especially if what I said doesnt work or doesn't make sense. Thanks

Wanted - Housing RE.covery

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:26:11 -0600

Need Input - 2009 Housing Recovery #TCOT

As is currently posted on Top Conservatives on Twitter I am researching for a book based on a Conservatives' views on a Housing Recovery next year. Since I'm a blogger and social media activist, it would only seem right that I ask my readers for input and ideas.

This is an open thread, which I'll also post on my personal blog, for ideas and debate. We may disagree, that's ok, at least we're willing to think and try some things. I am predicting that there won't be an Economic Recovery in 2009 unless housing recovers. The question is, how?

Fire Away!

As always, for those that prefer Twitter my profile: Daltonsbriefs

Northwest Indiana hosts Carnival of RE next week

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:28:22 -0600

Carnival of Real Estate here on Monday

For the second time I am proud to host and edit the Carnival of Real Estate here on this site. Submissions need to be sent in by Sunday so I can read and choose the top real estate posts for the week.

From the Carnival Site:

The carnival will make its next appearance on Monday, December 22nd at Northwest Indiana Mortgages. Please submit your best post by Sunday December 21st, to be considered. Are you a real estate blogger and would you like to host a future edition or take a more active role in administration of the CoRE? If so, get instructions on how to do so here. Please check the complete FAQ list if you have other questions as to how to participate.

I won't tip my hand quite yet on theme and method of choosing, but let's just say yesterday on a radio talk show I announced my opinion that the Housing Recovery of 2009 started three months ago in September ...

For those that use Twitter ... I'm going to run an ongoing question for the next couple days: What is the best way to guarantee a HUGE Housing Recovery in 2009? Love to get your input

Twitter: daltonsbriefs

Active Rain - blast from twitter past - looking ahead

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:35:21 -0600

My first 10 twitter friends

My main twitter profile Daltonsbriefs, is now followed by approximately 2100 people, I'm hoping to hit 3,000 sometime in January. Last night though, I went back to look at who were my first 10 twitter friends. I'm listing them here.

Most of them, as you'll note, were from the real estate world and were very early adopters on Active Rain, where I first met them all. At 2100 followers I'm way down the list, when matched up against these guys. I guess I can say I'm proud to be part of this group, even though many of them have long since passed me and moved on to speaking at conventions and team blogs.

ResPres / Jeff Turner
Ines / Ines Hegedus-Garcia
pchaney / Paul Chaney
AndyKaufman / Andy Kaufman
jburslem / Joel Burslem
trulia / Rudy Bachraty
SeattleCondo / Ben Kakimoto
pkitano / pat kitano
TBoard / Teresa Boardman
JonWashburn / Jonathan Washburn

I created a reason, a legitimate non spam reason, to reach out to each of them tonite just to say hi. Oh by the way, there were two others on this list, and they have been removed. When I look at my follows list, I remove those that really don't interest me, or have never really engaged with me. Interestingly enough, neither were RE.net professionals anyway.

To all my real estate industry twitter and Active Rain friends - Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and 2009 will be a whole lot better!

Blatant Self-promotion: Follow me on twitter

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:34:02 -0600

No beating around the bush here, I'm on a bit of a campaign to surpass 2,000 followers on Twitter and would appreciate any adds today.

My Twitter Profile - Daltonsbriefs

For those that follow issues political, of course I do, you may find the list Top Conservatives on Twitter to be quite interesting ... with some great writers worth following. As you can see, I'm falling a bit behind since I'm at the 2,000 following ceiling and can't even follow the whole list. I'm hoping that if I pass the 2,000 followers level then the Twitter gods will let me follow more people.

I'll post this to twitter group and political groups, those most likely to follow. Thanks

Northwest Indiana cities and towns roundup

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:46:33 -0600

There's no doubt I love politics, but one key reason I do is because political debate can create better government and thus better communities for our families. I'm proud of Northwest Indiana and want to tell stories about great things going on in our communities. If you want to hear more, contact me, I'm always glad to tell our stories.

Political News in Northwest Indiana

With the election over, much of the angry talk is gone for the next year, and we can focus on positive good government debate and interaction here. It's been a while since I've done a general rundown of political news in the Region, if I've missed some stories, put in comments below and we'll graduate good ones to full posts this week.

From Merrillville Howard Fink promoted at Town of Merrillville

A hearty congratulations to my good friend, Howard Fink, with the announcement of his promotion at the Town of Merrillville to Town Administrator. It looks like he'll have the opportunity to move to full Town Manager in the future depending on the budget and the council's opinions of his work.

From Valparaiso - Valpo parks looking for pathway upgrades

Another good friend, Chuck Lehman has presented a proposal for reviewing the pathways thru Valparaiso. Even with budgets being tight, and property taxes capped by law, Valparaiso continues to invest in parks and recreation.

From Portage - Marquette Plan rewarded for excellence

"Accepting the award on behalf of the project sponsors was Mayor Olga Velazquez of the City of Portage, a board member of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission." I believe that this park and the Valpo busline into Chicago are the first visible effects on Porter County of the $3.5 million a year they send to the RDA.

From Cool story about the East Chicago Sewage Treatment Plant

You read that right.

East Chicago's sewage treatment plant works so well that salmon spawn in it's tanks!

People think that the environment is getting worse, but stories like this just go to show that, little by little, it is really a lot better than it used to be, all thanks to technology.

From Crown Point - The race for who will get new plant

"Mayor David Uran is noncommittal about the possibility of the county seat as a location for the future home of a Northwest Indiana garbage-to-ethanol plant.

Uran said he had the opportunity to see firsthand what the Lake County Solid Waste Management District would be voting on, and as a voting member, he wanted to take the opportunity to do so.

Uran called the plant "impressive" and "odorless."

The world watches as #Mumbai mourns

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:36:40 -0600

Mumbai and the WAR on TERROR

I'll be the first to admit, as I have when discussing Kosovo or DR Congo here on this site, that I really don't get the whole Paki-Indian historical conflict. But that sure doesn't mean it's not real.

As the terror crisis in Mumbai unfolded over the last 48 hours there were quick comments to attempt to tie Pakistan to these attacks. So far, I think this is totally unfounded. There's surely a possibility that Al Queda or other groups inside Pakistan could have taken part ... with other rumors suggesting Russia, China, Iran, or Somali terrorists. Time for a deep breath, and let the intelligence professionals sort things out.

First, the situation is not even over yet. Go to live search on twitter for minute by minute updates, some from people standing outside one of the hotels.
Second, we know from our own experience that terror is not necessarily a country and can be entirely borderless. It's time to return to George W. Bush's philosphy, if you work with us great, if you work against us then we will assume you are harboring terrorists and will take steps to pre-emptively protect the free world.
Third, we know that Israel has the capability to knock out Iran's nuclear capability, this may be the right time to make that happen and get rid of one massive potential problem.

I know that some of you will disagree, great, give me your best shot.

A bailout for builders?

Steve Dalton - Northwest Indiana Mortgages (Sierra Pacific Mortgage) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:47:45 -0600

Got to agree with Mark, no bailout for autos or home building, at least in the since of giving them money.

Via Mark MacKenzie:

I have not pulled any punches in expressing my discontent with how Washington has mishandled this economic crisis; how they have been slow to identify that there is indeed a problem, how they have been slow to respond to the problem, and how they have been ineffective and impotent in their response to it.

And so with that as a background, I need to express my concern about the builders who are now asking for a $250 billion bailout, according to CNBC.

Look, I agree that home builders, just as the Detroit automakers, have a significant "GDP" associated with them. They employ a lot of people and purchase a lot of materials. The home building process permeates through a lot of different industries; REALTORS, mortgage brokers, title companies, home warranty companies, inspectors, appraisers, etc. In fact, you could argue that even municipalities benefit from the construction of new homes because it provides them with a new property tax source.

A lot of good things happen when new homes are built. But I don't think that a lot of those in Washington recognize this because it is a splintered industry and because there are not any unions involved. The home builder industry doesn't have the Big 3, they don't have the UAW. In other words, they don't have the lobbying power that Detroit does. And for the record, I am against a Detroit bailout as well and would prefer to see a bankruptcy reorganization that would allow the Big 3 to renegotiate union labor contracts.

Now, with all of this being said, and with all of the benefits that the home builder industry can provide to the economy, we would be reckless to "bailout" this industry because it will only exacerbate the problem.

As I have been saying, mostly to myself, for nearly a year, in order to solve this housing and economic crisis, we need to sell the excess supply of housing; the approximately 1.7 million too many homes that are on the market. The same homes that are causing excessive downward pressure on home values which is ultimately leading to foreclosures.

Until this excess supply of homes is sold, this housing market simply can not recover. That is a fact. So any new stimulus or bailout that the government proposes that does not address this systemic problem with the housing market, will be ineffective in bringing our country economic and housing stability.

History has shown that in the absence of a stable housing market, the economy itself will be unstable.

So, rather than spend another $250 billion to bailout builders that would allow them to continue to construct new homes and add more housing inventory to the already underwater housing market, what the government needs to do is to provide a new fiscal policy that would stimulate new demand for Americans to invest in real estate.

In fact, you could argue, if the government is going to give the builders any money, it should be to have the builders STOP building.

When you drill down through all of these foreclosure and price decline headlines, what it comes down to is supply and demand. How effective Washington is in managing this supply and demand relationship for housing will tell us how quickly we can get the housing market and economy back on track.