Should I refinance my mortgage?

Well, the refinance boom is upon us again isn't it? So let me suggest some facts and some methods for making this all important decision:

• Rates did dip below 6% again this week, putting mortgage interest rates down at five year lows. If you have not refinanced in the last five years, you may gain by doing so now. I'd like to offer some advice on obtaining this Northwest Indiana Mortage.
• In Northwest Indiana at least real estate values didn't really go down, they leveled off, during the 2007 housing slow down. Sure, there are a ton of homes on the market, and this high level of inventory has made normal days on market balloon. Again this is a strong reason to refinance, gain a lower payment and interest rate, and wait for the inventory bubble to be consumed.
• So the decision is really, should you wait and buy a home in the next couple months, or refinance and keep all your options open? I say refinance, get that lower rate, then as the market starts to pick up on early March, re-assess your options for purchasing if that's truly your goal. In short, do both.
• Need cash out of the refinance? Great do it, mortgage interest is basically the only tax deduction left. Take the cash pay off a car loan, or credit cards at higher interest rates. Get your financial house in order using your home as the vehicle.
• I really like First Federal Trust Mortgage here in Porter County Indiana. James Snyder and his team of mortgage professionals are on fire right now, they must have missed the memo about the market slowdown. Here's the contact info: First Federal Trust Mortgage James Snyder 1605 Adler Circle Suite F Portage, IN 46368,
• Phone: 219-762-7200 Email: james@firstfederaltrust.com

If you are interested in running the numbers, or trying to decide between refinancing and buying a home ... email me at steve (at) greenptdev (dot) com. I will direct you to James and his team if that's the best call for your situation. If you are wanting a realtor or home builder, I can give you some guidance there as well.

Week One - Dalton Briefs Ranking of NWI Bloggers

I've been trying for the last couple weeks to come up with a way to rank Northwest Indiana bloggers, but frankly it's going to end up subjective no matter what. For this first week I'm only going to rank the real estate bloggers, since I know most of them. In future weeks, I'll try to add other bloggers, but I'm still looking for them. Note: I'm going to have to add them all day, so it may take until Monday nite to get them all loaded.

Northwest Indiana Top Ten Real Estate Bloggers

Jeff and Grace Safrin of F.C. Tucker Jeff and Grace Safrin Blog


Ranked third in Porter County for Active Rain bloggers. A perenial contender for "northwest indiana real estate" google page one ranks, currently at fourth and the highest ranking personal site behind GNIAR and Realtor.com and McColly.com Corporate site. Here's an example of their blogging work: LET ME TAKE YOU THERE - Crown Point, Indiana - A Place where you can Go - and Call HOME :)


Jana Caudill of Keller Williams Jana Caudill Blog



Jana is ranked third in Lake County for Active Rain. Again she, like the Safrins, ranks consistently high on google for northwest indiana real estate. Her numbers for real estate production are huge too! Here's an example of her blogging: 3 Bedroom Tri-Level for Sale in Crown Point






Chuck Dellorto from McColly the largest real estate company in Northwest Indiana. Chuck Dellorto Blog.

Chuck ranks first in Lake County for Active Rain bloggers. His posts are very strong for consumers wanting solid information about the market. Chuck's been watching new construction too, here's a great real time post about our largest home builder in this market: New Construction Specials - Ready to Move in Homes

Suzanne Willems from Willems Realtors, probably the most blog focused real estate office that I've noticed so far. Suzanne Willems Blog.

Suzanne ranks second in Lake County for Active Rain bloggers, and has posted consistently and heavily for the last six months. Here's an example of her listing specific posts: 1504 Farmdale Dr, Schererville, INDIANA 46375