portage: Steve, what are you doing? - 01/22/13 08:57 PM
Often heard at events like last night's Northwest Indiana tweetup is the question:  Steve, what are you doing?  Or some variation of that same question.   So a longer answer here for posterity sake.
Like many home builders in 2007/08 our company was wracked with banking problems, as our mortgage companies evaporated and vendors started to dissapear.  We made the decision to shut down our company, one that built in excess of 200 homes over 7 years.  Looking back that was the best decision, but now we want to build again.
In the interim I have returned to my consulting roots, working … (0 comments)

portage: Porter County Indiana - Active Rain Real Estate Experts - 11/26/09 11:47 PM
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portage: Northwest Indiana Real Estate Recovery - 09/08/09 01:10 AM
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 … (2 comments)

portage: Northwest Indiana cities and towns roundup - 12/01/08 03:46 AM
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 … (1 comments)

portage: Porter County Indiana Elections - 05/15/07 12:30 AM
Effects of Local Elections
I was asked today by a customer, "Steve what affect will the elections tomorrow have on real estate and home building."My thoughts, summarized of course. First I think that the current state of anti-growth in Porter County is beginning to reach it's natural end. Our commissioners have shown little energy or strength to combat this obviously failed policy. If we stop growing, we stop creating jobs. We need the jobs.In Portage I think that Dave Highlands untimely death portends a classic power struggle in the Democratic Party, with the winner facing some unknown Republican in November. I … (1 comments)

portage: Neighborhood Synergy - Shadowood Portage Indiana - 04/03/07 01:46 AM
This is the second in my series on new home neighorhoods in Northwest Indiana called Neighborhood Synergy.
See Eagle Ridge Valparaiso for first in the series.  For in-depth data on Portage and Home Builders in Porter County or Northwest Indiana go to Synergy Thoughts.
Synergy Homes is pretty excited about Shadowood in Portage Indiana.  First, Portage is the largest and fastest growing city in Porter County.  See All About Portage in a previous post.  Portage is right in the middle of some major improvements and possibly the creation of a downtown from scratch!
This link will take you to google's hybrid streets and satellite … (5 comments)

portage: All about Portage Indiana from Wikipedia - 01/22/07 01:41 PM
Portage, Indiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (used by permission)  
Portage (IPA: [ˈpɔɹ.tɪdʒ]) is a city in Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 36,789 at the 2005 census. It is the largest city in Porter County, Indiana, and third largest in Northwest Indiana behind Hammond and Gary.
Geography
Portage is located at 41°34′55″N, 87°11′12″W (41.581850, -87.186553)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 71.0 km² (27.4 mi²). 65.9 km² (25.5 mi²) of it is land and 5.1 km² (2.0 mi²) of it (7.18%) is water.
Homes along Airport Rd. in Portage, Indiana Demographics
As of the censusGR2 … (10 comments)

portage: Northwest Indiana Home Builder - Diary of a Mad Home Builder - 01/11/07 03:05 PM
Diary of a Mad Home BuilderOrThe Perils of Do-It-Yourself Home Building
Written by A. William Carson (former Executive Director of the Indiana Builders Association) and published as a public service by the Indiana Builders Association, the following "Diary of a Mad Home Builder" is a dramatized example of how Murphy's Law can and too often does come into play in do-it-yourself home building.
April 1 (Fool's Day) - My banker was very friendly. Said he wished I would get a builder because I didn't know what I was doing. Best rate I could get was four points above prime because I was too … (4 comments)

portage: Porter County Indiana Home Builders - 01/10/07 07:19 AM
As the President-elect of the Porter County Builders Association I have the opportunity to see a glimpse of what's going on countywide.   I got an email late last week asking for my interpretations of the market for new homes here locally.  This is a reprint of the response I sent.
I believe that 2007 will be a very solid home building year for Porter County.   I know that I'm expected to say that, but I can honestly report my projections.   I was also honest in 2005 in my feeling that new homes would decline, I did not expect 25%, that was a … (6 comments)