Northwest Indiana Mortgage - Steve Dalton

Two topics caught my interest today - one actually related to real estate and wonderfully summed up on this article

NAR struggle to over social media followed on social media

My opinion has been widely quoted here on AR for years, NAR has lost it's way and in attempting to monopolize information they have missed the seismic changes in the business community that will affect them in the long term.  Google has no need to restrict do they?  NAR is on the wrong side of innovation and consumers. 

I also summed up another article on innovation and technology and it's impact on the job market with: 

Technology Saturday – Investing your innovation gains

One key question that i end up asking is:  Have you planned for IT and digital communications in 2012?

I can still remember when I first sat down at a computer in the early 80's and tried my hand at some basic calculations ... do you remember your first computer experience.  I marvel still today though at how quickly the tools we use and call computers have changed.  It's down right dramatic!

Our team at Golden Technologies in Indiana, Chicago and Naples Florida is challenged with the task of staying not only current, but on behalf of our customers staying ahead of that change curve.   Seemingly everyday the world of website design changes yet again with new tools, techniques, and concepts. 

Some recent innovations worth checking out:

Computers and Networks – What’s Your Goal?

Optimizing Your Blog for Visitors and Search Engines

Managing Your Online Reputation with Google Alerts

We didn't need any of those tools back in 1985 did we?  But today they are only a small selection of the required skills and strategies to have an effective online/inbound marketing plan. 

No community is complete without clean water. M.E. Simpson Company has been working with local communities  around the country since 1979 to run utility testing in order to aid clients with all of their water distribution and wastewater collection needs.

M.E. Simpson provides a number of online services that local goverments have access to. Their professional services cover everything from Large Meter Evaluation, Testing and Report to Valve Location, Exercising an Documentation.

They have teamed up with BSI Online to provide backflow testing and management services to their local customers as well. With M.E. Simpsons outstanding level of water quality testing, local communities are able to control the quality of water entering into the homes of all local residents.

M.E. Simpson prides themselves in their Polcon® Products that they have developed for all of their clients to use to maximize their peak performance in water distribution and wastewater collection. There are currently four Polcon® products available:

- The Polcon® Sentry Recorder
- The Polcon® Pacer
- The Polcon® Pitot Rod
- The Polcon® Pipe Caliper

Each product is designed, developed and used by M.E. Simpson at all of their locations around the country.

I am writing a new series at our Green Pointe Homes blog entitled:

How to build a new home in Northwest Indiana

Check it out and let us know if you have additional comments or questions.

As an aside - for those that are wondering and thinking about building a home.  The past two years have been difficult in construction, ver difficult.  That means that pricing for construction is also a bit lower than it was in the big days of 2004.  As inventories on existing homes level off, interest rates are hovering around 5.5% for now, and values begin to increase ... there may never be a time like now for building your new home.

Do we need to talk?  If so, call me today.

I have refrained from very much political posting on Active Rain this year, but this post was the highest commented and trafficked post on my Northwest Indiana Politics site since the 2008 election:

What's up with Ron Paul?

Kevin Tracy points out in his article today that Ron Paul, of all the Representatives in the United States, alone voted against supporting Haiti:

The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution “expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Haiti” by a vote of 411 to 1. That 1, of course, is the biggest fathead in the Republican Party, Representative Ron Paul. Big surprise.

I’m not entirely sure if Ron Paul is representing himself and his conspiracy theory nutjobs around the country or the Texans in his district who voted Republican, but either way the man is a really horrible joke. We used to laugh at Ron Paul, but now we just feel sorry for the Republicans who have to deal with him as their Representative in the House.

I know we have some members of the former Ron Paul organization here on our site, at least two of our writers and quite a few readers. Why in the world would Ron Paul be against expressing condolences? I'm confused and would love to hear from RLC or Ron Paul or patriots on this one.

Had to change up the title format, eventually my ADD kicked in!

After many weeks of writing I finally get the chance to showcase my own good friend Dave Woodson, of the famous Mad Mortgage Machine.  Now first the rundown on Dave's vast digital domain:

• DaveWoodson on twitter
• DaveWoodson blog, featuring internet marketing and social media
  
• Mad Mortgage Machine - for some reason he is funny, at the same time giving a ton of mortgage advice to consumers and real estate professionals alike
  

From Dave's own Sierra Pacific Mortgage (Residential Mortgage Group) website and blog:

As the Indiana FHA Expert, I specialize in the first time home buyer all across Indiana originating home loans for Sierra Pacific Mortgage.  Consumers apply here for your Northwest Indiana Mortgage.

My team and I specialize in:

• FHA Loans
• New Home Purchase
• VA and USDA (rural development loans)
• Cash-Out/Debt Consolidation Refinances
• Home Equity Management
• Bad Credit (Yes, there are still options)
  

I am really not all that mad.  I am just taking you out of the Maddening process that many so-called Loan Officers put you through.  I strive for complete transparency, laying all of my cards out on the table.  I am open and honest, perhaps to a fault.

If you have any questions just toss up a comment, or shoot me a quick email or even call me @ (219)872-8000.

I am Dave Woodson and I am the Mad Mortgage Machine

The rest of the series:

People worth following in the region Part VI

People worth meeting in Northwest Indiana V

People worth meeting in NW Indiana IV

People worth meeting in NW Indiana III

People worth meeting in Northwest Indiana II

2010 People worth meeting in Northwest Indiana I

First a smattering of posts from my new favorite legal blogger in Northwest Indiana -

Surprising Victory for Illinois Medical Malpractice Victims

Drunk Driver Causes Mishawaka Officer's Death, MADD Proposes Solution

Judicial Technology and Automation Committee Makes Progress Toward Statewide Odyssey Case Management System

Have you noticed how few attorneys take the time to blog, to even communicate with their clients?  Well I have and I was pleased to find this legal team that was contradicting the trend.

Northwest Indiana Lawyer - An Internet resource intended to educate practitioners as well as laypeople, creating awareness of the rights and compensation to which Northwest Indiana residents may be entitled. 

Sounds kinda legalese doesn't it?  Well one thing that occurs to me is that attorneys could actually get sued, by other attorneys of course, if they gave legal advice on their blogs.  What a crazy world we live in, where a professional in any career would have to be careful giving free advice because if consumed by the wrong and naive citizen they could turn around and sue.  Wow. 

• So let's shoot straight, if you want some legal assistance and you're currently in Northwest Indiana ... I can recommend this office of attorneys.   I'm actually a client myself. 
  
• If you are looking for legal assistance in the areas of real estate law, collections disputes, credit repair, loan modifications, or defense ... check out the company that I believe is Northwest Indiana's preeminent lawyer blog.
• If you are interested in suing someone for some made up dispute, an ambulance chaser, a scammer ... call someone else. 

Chesterton Mortgage Reader Question

I try to respond to questions that are sent in by email and in the comments here quickly, and in some cases i keep the questions to write posts that may apply to more consumers.

Today Mortgage Question submitted by a Chesterton Indiana home shopper -

Question: I have been watching rates bounce up and down near 5% for the last six months, and whenever I talk to my REALTOR they suggest home prices are at the bottom ... so it's a no brainer that things can't get any cheaper. But ... does this automatically mean I should buy? Are there other considerations before we run out and make an offer on a home?

Answer: You have summed up the market situation quite well, there is no better time to buy a home than now. And you are correct as well that there are unique considerations for each individual buyer. Some leading indicators:

• Do you feel your job or jobs are stable going forward? I would be remiss to suggest to someone who is worried they may have a period of unemployment ahead go out a buy a home.
• If you are renting, this is an easier bit of advice since your rent can only go up and you are getting "ZERO" benefit on taxes ... but if you own your home the possible resale of your home becomes a much bigger issue. Have you consulted a real estate professional about the possibility and viability of selling your home for a solid value? They know the villages and communities, they should know if your home is poised to sell or may take some time.

Beyond these two biggies, I can tell you that this is a terrific time to buy a home. I could even suggest, at the risk of sounding partially crazy after the 2007 implosion of the market, that this could be the single best time EVER to build a new home. Trust me, I know home building.

Let's talk!

Northwest Indiana audio engineer

Josh Walker is a producer and audio engineer, now I won't force you all to watch a video of my own meager attempts to record vocals in studio years ago ... but he is the real thing.  My attempts in the studio, for the record, were based on radio commercials and jingles for my own home builder clients.  So this is actually germaine.   Josh's key services:

• Northwest Indiana music producer

• Northwest Indiana recording studio

• Northwest Indiana audio consultant

• Freelance recording engineer
  

So what's the point for you?  Here are some ideas to implement this type of service:

• A radio commercial that you record and can use on air but can also put on your website for visitors
• A jingle that goes along with your brand you've established
• Produce a CD of your favorite kind of music, unique to you and your office team

Just some ideas, but remember what someone hears may have more impact, much much more, than anything they read. 

Other Testimonials:

From Northwest Indiana Commercial Construction:

If you are looking for a freelance recording engineer to help you make your first recording, Josh is also available for those services.  Since Josh is looking to expand into becoming one of northwest Indiana’s elite music producers, he has set up his own recording studio in Northwest Indiana for you to utilize.  Having that kind of access to a state-of-the-art studio will help any band become more successful!

From Northwest Indiana Web Development

If you have a chance you should try to meet up with him at any of our local networking events because he is a great person to get to know for his wealth of knowledge that is all over the place.  But really if you are looking for some in Northwest Indiana that is a music producer you can’t go wrong with Josh.

Last word on Social Media and being a music producer in Indiana

If you or your organization is interested in finding out more about ways you can implement social media, I am available for one-on-one consulting as well as live presentations to your group or event.  Contact me to find out how we can work together to get you to the next level.

In the mean time, if you’re already on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, connect with me by using the “Follow Me widget” on the right sidebar.