Cars these days have a dazzling array of extra bells and whistles that really add nothing but zeros to the car's price tag. Following are a few expensive extras that most drivers could probably do without.  Automatic Stick Shift: Beyond adding $1,000 or more to the price, this useless feature allows the driver to "shift" gears without a clutch. The car, however, has an automatic engine and will shift on its own either way. Purely for show, this feature quickly loses its appeal.  Individual Climate Control: This expensive feature claims to allow the driver and passenger to control the temperature of his or her own "zone". But how much more effective is this feature than individually controlling the vents and windows?  Keyless Ignition: With this $300 to $500 feature, a driver can start ... 02/20/2008

Buyer1Considers purchasing a home2Selects a real estate agent3Determines needs and wants4Discusses financial issues5Views & researches target homes6Makes an offer to buySeller1Decides to sell property2Selects a real estate agent3Determines needs4Prepares home for marketing5Agent markets the home6Accepts, rejects or counters offer7Offer Accepted8Loan Application9Inspections10Title Search11Appraisal12Loan Approval13Closing Papers Signed14Documents Recorded15Funds Available To Seller16Seller Moves Out17Buyer Moves InYour Local Mortgage Services:David MennenMortgage Loan Consultant,OwnerTippecanoe Mortgage, Inc.1221 S. Creasy Lane, Suite JLafayette, IN 47905Direct: 765-448-3200Fax: 765-448-6398Email: dmennen@tippecanoemortgage.comWebsite: http://www.davidmennen.com/  Local Mortgage services... 02/20/2008

  Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call Registry, 150 million Americans have enjoyed far fewer unwanted sales calls over the last few years. It hasn't been perfect, but progress has clearly been made due to this important program.    But, just when you thought it was safe to eat dinner with your family, the telemarketers may be back in your life for good when your 5-year Do Not Call Registration expires in June 2008.   The good news is, you can always re-register for another five years, and continue to enjoy the peace and quiet. Simply call 1-888-382-1222 or visit http://www.donotcall.gov/ to register any or all of your home and cell phone numbers. Don't forget. Telemarketing companies are counting on millions of Americans to drop the ball. Don't be one of them.Your Loca... 02/19/2008

When it comes to real estate, foreclosures aren't the only big story in the news. Builders and sellers are reportedly offering huge savings and massive incentives in order to pull in buyers and compete in today's marketplace.  Business Week recently revealed that some big builders have been auctioning homes discounted by as much as 50% in selected markets, while other large builders have been providing up to $100,000 in savings and incentives. Many individual sellers are getting in on it, too, by offering incentives like special financing, plasma TVs, vacations, and even motorcycles, cars, and boats. But, be wary. While there are many sweet deals to be found in today's market, there are also scams, lemons, and unreliable builders, sellers, and industry professionals. Make sure that any ... 02/19/2008

  If you have followed the financial or political news at all this year you are aware that the housing market has been thrown into turmoil.  Lenders are going out of business right and left as well as credit is getting very tight and more difficult to obtain.  The good news is that the FHA fixed rate mortgage remains as the best loan product in the United States today.  Many of you may be familiar with FHA as you currently have an FHA mortgage.  For those of you who don't who may wish to refinance for any number of reasons such as shortening your term, reducing your interest rate or taking cash out of your home to pay for college, pay off debt or make home improvements - FHA is available to you too.The advantages of the FHA mortgage are great!The first feature that many of our clients h... 02/19/2008

  If you have followed the financial or political news at all this year you are aware that the housing market has been thrown into turmoil.  Lenders are going out of business right and left as well as credit is getting very tight and more difficult to obtain.  The good news is that the FHA fixed rate mortgage remains as the best loan product in the United States today.  Many of you may be familiar with FHA as you currently have an FHA mortgage.  For those of you who don't who may wish to refinance for any number of reasons such as shortening your term, reducing your interest rate or taking cash out of your home to pay for college, pay off debt or make home improvements - FHA is available to you too.The advantages of the FHA mortgage are great!The first feature that many of our clients h... 02/19/2008

Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group | Keller Williams Realty | 765-807-7121 4015 Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, IN Exceptional Ranch in Mint Condition - South Lafayette! 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $140,000 Year Built 1998 Sq Footage 1,577 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .23 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This exceptional home is in mint condition and is ready to move into! You are welcomed by a covered front porch leading into the generous foyer entry with hardwood flooring. The great room offers cathedral ceilings with lighted plant ledges and a gas log fireplace. There is a large kitchen with a breakfast bar and a dining area. The spacious master suite opens into the bathroom with a large soaking tub, walk-in closet, d... 02/17/2008

Search no More! When you List your home for sale with the Romanski Group your listing will now be found on Yahoo! Real Estate.  Thanks to a newly formed business relationship between Keller Williams Realty and Yahoo, your home will now be searchable on the popular search engine, increasing your exposure to more potential buyers. And....when you list your home with The Romanski Group, your listing will also be searchable on Trulia, Google, AOL, Cyberhomes and more. Distributing your listing on these search engine powerhouses fits in with our overall strategy to drive more buyers to see your home - and getting a SOLD sign quicker VisitContact The Romanski Group today at (765) 807-7121 or visit us online at www.RomanskiGroup.com! 02/17/2008

Taken from Trulia this graph shows the average listing prices for homes in Lafayette, Indiana.Get SOLD by calling The Romanski Group with Keller Williams Realty to sell your home!Visit us on our websites:  www.RomanskiGroup.com - www.FindMyNextLafayetteHome.comErin and Jim RomanskiKeller Williams Realty Lafayette(765)807-7121 - office(765)532-6148 - Erin Cell(765) 532-7476 - Jim Cellerin@romanskigroup.com - email 02/17/2008

▪ Building and Leading a Highly Productive Team ▪MREA: Team BuildingLimited Seating Available...RSVP by February 22nd to: topagentkw@aol.comIn a turbulent market, you and everyone on your team must be moreeffective. Leverage is the name of the game.February 27th, 1:00-4:00 pm (ET)Best Western Inn and Conference Center4343 St Rd 26 ELafayette, IN 47905Who will benefit from this course?Any agents who are serious about succeeding in real estate and taking their business to the next level.What's in it for you?· Who and when you should make your 1st hire· Hiring Buyer or Listing Specialists for your team· Communicating: motivating, inspiring and retaining team members· Learn to effectively train and leverage your team members· Effective accountability with your team· Compensation ModelsGuest... 02/17/2008

Open House Sunday, February 17th from 1-3 pm Erin Romanski and The Romanski Group | Keller Williams Realty | 765-807-7121 4015 Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, IN Exceptional Ranch in Mint Condition - South Lafayette! 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $140,000 Year Built 1998 Sq Footage 1,577 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .23 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This exceptional home is in mint condition and is ready to move into! You are welcomed by a covered front porch leading into the generous foyer entry with hardwood flooring. The great room offers cathedral ceilings with lighted plant ledges and a gas log fireplace. There is a large kitchen with a breakfast bar and a dining area. The spacious master suite opens into the bathroom... 02/14/2008

 There is an old adage that says if you can improve your interest rate by at least two percentage points, then it is a good time to refinance.  While that may work as a general rule of thumb, the truth is there are other reasons to refinance: Lower your interest rate Securing a lower interest rate is one of the top reasons for refinancing.  This can make a big difference in your monthly out-of-pocket costs for housing and save money on financing fees. Build Equity FasterIf you are in a position to make higher monthly payments due to an increase in salary or other good fortune, you may want to switch from a 30-year loan program into a 15 or 20-year loan structure.  This enables you to build equity faster and save a tremendous amount of money on financing fees.Change your loan program Man... 02/14/2008

 Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in America. Research suggests that some 100 million Americans currently suffer from some form of insomnia. Add to these numbers the fact that sleep disorders have been linked to serious health issues, including diabetes, and maybe it's time to take a closer look at our own sleeping patterns and see how we might improve.  Beyond eliminating the usual suspects - caffeine, alcohol, smoking, napping during the day, etc. - there are a number of things we can do to promote good sleeping habits. The following are easy, drug-free ways to finally get a good night's sleep.Your Bedroom is for Quiet TimeFor many people, the bedroom is more than just a place to sleep; it's a home office or a sort of entertainment center. They read, watch TV, pay bil... 02/13/2008

 On December 31, 2007, United Airlines' Mileage Plus program slashed its mileage-expiration policy from 3 years to just 18 months, continuing the recent trend begun by other major airlines, such as American Airlines and Delta. This means that going forward your miles will expire after only 18 months of inactivity. To make matters worse, this change is retroactive. This means that your miles may have already expired and you don't even know it!If you're looking for ways to keep your frequent flyer account active without actually having to fly anywhere, there are several easy ways customers can do this, according to United Airlines:  Use or sign-up for a Mileage Plus Visa credit or debit card. Purchase products or services from travel and retail partners. Use miles for merchandise, hotel s... 02/13/2008

You already know that your daily drive can make you aggravated, exasperated, and even potty-mouthed. But did you know it could make you smarter, too?A USC study found that drivers who cover an average of 12,000 miles a year will, over the course of three years, spend enough time in their cars to complete two full years of college.  That could make commuting the single most important educational tool we have. Think of it as the U of YC: the University of Your Car.You can purchase discounted new and used audio books online, and your local library branch has shelves of audio books that you can borrow for free.Here are a few course offerings to consider:Required courses.  Looking to refresh your memory regarding the causes of World War I? Or perhaps you want to listen to Harold Bloom read T... 02/13/2008

In late December 2007, Congress decided to freeze the expansion of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), an outdated tax law from 1969. While this was great news for some 25 million tax payers, the late date of this congressional action will reportedly create major delays in the processing of tax returns and, more importantly, refund checks.As you might expect, the IRS had already prepared its tax packages and computer programs to reflect the 2007 tax year by the time Congress made its decision. Because of this, the IRS has said that it cannot process certain AMT-related tax forms until February 11, 2008, which could result in an estimated 13.5 million refund delays. The forms are:8863, Education Credits 5695, Residential Energy Credits1040A's Schedule 2: Child and Dependent Care Expenses ... 02/13/2008

Welcome To Our New Indiana Mortgage Blog!!!We want to thank you for taking the time to visit our blog, where we plan to provide plenty of helpful information to assist you in purchasing your new home or refinancing your current mortgage.  We are Mortgage Brokers serving Greater Lafayette & West Lafayette, Indiana - Tippecanoe County, Purdue University and the rest of Indiana.We specialize in Helping Buyers Obtain a Mortgage Loan With Very Little Or NO Money Down With Attractive Interest Rates.  We offer our expertise to Move-up Buyers, First Time Home Buyers, Self Employed Buyers and Buyers who have had a Bankruptcy or other Credit Challenges.  We've helped Hundreds of individuals and families get into the home of their dreams and we would love the opportunity to do the same for you!You... 02/12/2008

Credit scores are calculated by all of the elements on your credit report. Some of the things that can effect your credit score in a negative way are:Late payments Delinquent payments Charge offs Collections Bankruptcy High balance to credit limits Multiple credit pulls Multiple names listed on your credit report Excessive amounts of credit Having loans with finance companies such as American General and Beneficial. Large number of open accounts.Most of these are common knowledge. So lets just hit on a few of the ones that are not so common knowledge.High Balance to Credit Limits: If you have a $1000 credit limit, and your balance is more than $500 it could effect you in a negative way. The reason behind this is if your balance is greater than 50% of your credit limit, you are viewed a... 02/12/2008

The BAGL Builder's Show & Expo in Lafayette, Indiana was a success!  Thank you to all of those who visited Scott Brown at our booth.  He had a wonderful time talking to people he knows & meeting new people from the Greater Lafayette Community.  This was our first time to exhibit at the show, and we really enjoyed the whole process.Are you thinking of building?  Visit www.tourmajestichomes.com for photos & virtual tours of Majestic Homes.  They offer standards that other builders consider upgrades:  ceramic tile, frieze carpeting, maple cabinetry, brushed nickel fixtures, all new kitchen appliances, and more!  Check out all of them at www.tourmajestichomes.com!    View Majestic Homes Photos & Virtual Tours:  http://www.tourmajestichomes.com/ I'd be happy to help you make your move!Erika ... 02/11/2008

Erika Fultz | Keller Williams Realty | (765)404-5855 4313 Stergen, Lafayette, IN Brand New Home with Upscale Features in Fiddlesticks - Lafayette, Indiana 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $174,900 Year Built 2007 Sq Footage 1,808 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .27 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Welcome to Your Dream Home. You'll love the upscale features throughout this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. Features Ceramic Tile Flooring, All New Appliances, Open Floor Plan, Grand Fireplace, Freize Carpeting, and Brushed Nickel Fixtures. Boasts a 1st Floor Master Suite with Double Vanity Sinks & Walk-In Closets. Enjoy the 1/4 Acre Tree-Lined Lot & 2 Car Attached Garage. Relax in Your New Retreat! Contact us today for your personal Tour ... 02/11/2008