We all tend to post the really great things about our communities.  This week, here in Valparaiso Indiana, we got shocking news that a first grade teacher was arrested during school and removed due to drunkeness.Shocked, sad, angry ... all normal emotions.Valpo 1st grade teacher drunk, arrested at school I want to post this to localism though because I think a bigger point was made.  The school dealt very quickly and decisively with a terrible situation.  They didn't cover it up.  They didn't appeal to a union to "protect" the teacher.  They had her arrested immediately.I want to suggest that many schools would have delayed, hid the details, or even covered up the whole story.  I am proud to live and work and raise my kids in a community where a school system acts and leads. 10/11/2007

Real Estate is a service oriented business. Whether you are a Realtor, Mortgage broker, Stager, or otherwise, there is a certain amount of personal service that goes into the job - no matter how far removed you are from the clients themselves.  I truly feel that the most successful in this field gain fulfillment from the serving of others and those who do it foe purely selfish reasons are doomed for failure. In a business such as this, trust is paramount to a successful career and trust often begins with some level of personal connection - even if it is just a word of mouth referral.So, it only seems logical that we would seek ways to market ourselves that would do more than just serve our need for business, but also serves the interests of others and says "I care about what you care ab... 09/10/2007

Valparaiso Indiana - Single Family HomesResidential          2- Bedrooms         3 Bedrooms         4 Bedrooms         5+ Bedrooms         All Bedrooms        Active    #Units3114415236363     Average List Price$149,332$245,485$343,354$601,831$313,595     Average Market Time76868914492     Average Square Feet11511875261538982324         All Off Market    #Units113433381         Pending    #Units61110128     Average List Price$123,933$147,355$280,680$799,000$213,225     Average Market Time11390914694     Average Square Feet11671529243647501891         Sold    #Units52323253     Dollar Value$472,360$4,568,701$5,995,650$1,085,000$12,121,711     Average List Price$99,120$204,265$269,583$534,950$235,170     Average Sold Price$94,472$198,639$260,680$542,500$228,712     Average Market Time1036... 09/04/2007

              Welcome To Shorewood Forest...          A Year Round Recreational Community  an Hour From Chicago, IL  Located in Valparaiso, INWhich is part of Porter County.  The Private Lake Louise, measuring 240 acres is at theHeart of the Community & offers residents opportunityfor water sports & recreation, not to mention boating& fishing ...(catch & release -Bass, crappie, blue gill, &   catfish)!                                                      Our community offers a variety of things to do besides Nature Trails and Walking paths .....Neighborhood Playgrounds, Basketball Courts, Ball Field, &Tennis Courts as well !  A CLUBHOUSE  (available for rent to members )  in ground swimming pools, private beach, picnic areas and Boat Docks (available for rent for those residents who do ... 09/04/2007

Yes that's right the name Valparaiso translates to Vale Of Paradise !       With Interesting Historical meaning to the name, Valparaiso is located in Porter County,  Northwest Indiana, about 50 minutes from Chicago's Loop ! But For Popcorn Lovers around the country....VALPARAISO, IN was once Home Sweet Home of the late famous  Orville Redenbacher and     the town's population will grow with visitors fromall over  who will be in town to attend the annualPOPCORN FESTIVAL !!!                         Roads around the town square  will be filled with arts, & crafts booths, food, music, & lots of people not to mention a PARADE and Races also!The hand painted artistic benches on every corner will be resting spots for those with tired feetor those who just got stung by the bumble bees that also... 09/01/2007

Valparaiso, Indiana -- Single Family Homes  Residential          2- Bedrooms         3 Bedrooms         4 Bedrooms         5+ Bedrooms         All Bedrooms        Active    #Units2914115337360     Average List Price$144,507$246,069$337,115$586,263$311,546     Average Market Time85807813085     Average Square Feet11761838257638212302         All Off Market    #Units82923363         Pending    #Units185115     Average List Price$79,900$208,000$295,960$210,000$228,913     Average Market Time18312075103108     Average Square Feet7282027282317822190         Sold    #Units72118248     Dollar Value$993,400$3,333,375$5,269,200$839,000$10,434,975     Average List Price$145,729$162,847$300,844$430,450$223,250     Average Sold Price$141,914$158,732$292,733$419,500$217,395     Average Market Time63... 08/15/2007

I can't tell you how tired I am of negative chatter about our industry.   I won't even repeat it all here. Purchasing a home, new or existing, is one of the most American and liberating things a family or couple or single person can ever do.  Hands down it goes without debate that an "ownership' society is more free, safer, healthier, more financially viable, and innovative.  Some things we all know:Home values have gone up for over 200 years.  I understand the "correction" types are all excited about short sales and sticking it to the mortgage companies and banks.  But let's be frank, real estate is not the stock exchange.  Real people buying real homes will result in upward values.Creative and Innovative mortgage finance is one of America's greatest contributions to society.  Every ot... 08/01/2007

Population1-mi.3-mi.5-mi.2006 Male Population5,49417,86524,4122006 Female Population5,88419,27525,699% 2006 Male Population48.29%48.10%48.72%% 2006 Female Population51.71%51.90%51.28%2006 Total Adult Population9,61129,56839,2862006 Total Daytime Population12,98637,89045,8092006 Total Daytime Work Population7,84319,69922,2732006 Median Age Total Population2737382006 Median Age Adult Population3344452006 Age 0-56352,3143,1952006 Age 6-136903,3554,8732006 Age 14-174431,9032,7582006 Age 18-201,5742,5643,0702006 Age 21-241,8353,3443,8292006 Age 25-299672,4272,9902006 Age 30-345651,7092,2552006 Age 35-394771,7912,5552006 Age 40-446592,7023,9202006 Age 45-495952,8904,1882006 Age 50-546332,8094,0072006 Age 55-595352,4673,6472006 Age 60-644571,8862,6332006 Age 65-693011,3451,7962006 Age 70-74236... 07/10/2007

Valparaiso, Indiana - Residential   ACTIVES & PENDING  (SOLDS JUNE 2007)   Residential          2- Bedrooms         3 Bedrooms         4 Bedrooms         5+ Bedrooms         All Bedrooms        Active    #Units3213814336349     Average List Price$148,534$237,167$328,759$562,062$300,083     Average Market Time88859012792     Average Square Feet11821839258137562281         All Off Market    #Units1144464105         Pending    #Units71415238     Average List Price$125,886$152,636$344,527$641,900$249,205     Average Market Time62479433283     Average Square Feet10941702270336872090         Sold    #Units43031267     Dollar Value$510,501$5,096,977$9,086,902$595,000$15,289,380     Average List Price$130,200$175,182$298,728$331,750$234,333     Average Sold Price$127,625$169,899$293,126$297,500... 07/08/2007

Imagine your listing is a can of corn.  Buyers are coming down the aisle (the MLS) looking for this product.  They know they want corn, but aren't sure what kind to buy.  So how will they decide?First, they will look at the packaging (curb appeal).  If that pleases them, they will look at the price. If it does not break their budget they will decide to pick it up and inspect further (schedule a showing).But what happens if they pick it up and it is dented?  They will put it back and move on to the next can.  And so will every potential buyer after that until it has been pushed to the back of the shelf to languish away, unsellable.What makes your listing a dented can? Lots of things:1. Outdated decor and fixtures - the closer a can is to its expiration date the harder it is to sell.2. Di... 06/22/2007

Are you a pround parent of a Valparaiso University Student? Why not build some equity over the next four years via student housing in the form of a condo, large house, small apartment building. Lots of ways to get creative here. Let us know your price range and how close to the campus should the Real Estate investment be located. Contact us for Available Valpo University Area Real Estate Listings.info@CommercialAffiliates.com 04/24/2007

Hud homes are the result of  FHA loan defaults. These foreclosed homes are sold by the Hud Department of the Government. These homes are sold by online bids. Owner Occupant Buyers bid first. If no bids are acceptable from Owner Occupants by a certain deadline, the bidding is opened to Investors. Email us... if you would like to find out about available Hud Homes in Lake, Porter, Laporte, Jasper and Newton Counties of Northwest Indiana.info@CommercialAffiliates.com 04/19/2007

Many investors look for a certain Cap Rates for Investment Properties. Cap Rates vary across the Country and even across town. This very basic measure of investment property value should be understood from Day One, if you are buying or selling investment property. Contact Commercial Affiliates for information on Cap Rates in Northwest Indiana.info@CommercialAffiliates.com 04/17/2007

If your looking for a business for sale in Northwest Indiana, email Commercial Affiliates info@commercialaffiliates.comAll types of business are for sale at any given moment. Taverns, Bars and Restaurants are available at many different prices and areas. Lots of professional and service businesses are for sale due to retirement or relocation. Sometimes they are public, such as listed on the MLS and Loopnet. A lot of times they are not public and are only known by people in the know or in the field such as Commercial Real Estate Brokers and Business Brokers. We are both Business and Commercial Real Estate Brokers. Feel free to call and talk business. Call Commercial Affiliates at 219-730-8275. 04/15/2007

Are you looking to buy or lease space for your business?We know the Northwest Indiana Commercial Market. Lake, Porter and Laporte Counties are all submarkets within the trade area of Northern Indiana. Market Research involves many factors to consider such as demographics, accessibility, traffic counts and direct competition. After an initial consultation, we help select the best location by using a rating system to rate available commercial property based on certain factors and features of each property. The decision to buy, lease or build is determined by what each individual business owner deems best. We are available for consultation on financial analysis of commercial real estate investments. Call Commercial Affiliates at 219-730-8275 04/15/2007

Valparaiso High School serves the City of Valpariso Indiana.  Home of the Vikings. The city is experiencing a residential and commercial real estate boom. This picture and much more information can be found at their website. http://www.valpo.k12.in.us/vhs/index.phpResearch Valparaiso High School test scores and other Indiana Schools test scores at the Indiana Department of Education.http://www.regionreview.com/Information Courtesy of http://www.willemsrealtors.com/  04/08/2007

Valparaiso Indiana is located in Porter County. This Northwest Indiana Community is vibrant with new residential and commercial real estate developments. Old homes and new homes abound in all price ranges.Valparaiso University is highly regarded nationally. Valparaiso Public Schools enjoys a solid reputation for academic test scores.The old fashioned Courthouse Square and surrounding downtown area reminds one of a charming bygone era. Quaint boutiques and cafes fill the historic buildings.If you would like more in depth local knowledge please contact us.Feel free to search for Valparaiso homes for sale on Northwest Indiana's Multiple Listing Service through our main site. http://www.willemsrealtors.com/ 03/29/2007

BANTA SENIOR CITIZENS  CENTER IN VALPARAISOThe Banta Center in Valpo is a great place for Senior Citizens.  They have all kinds of activities for Seniors. Bus trips, exercise classes, bingo etc. It is a good place for my own Grandmother to meet people with the same interests that she has. She moved out to Porter County about three years ago and all of her friends she has known for most of her life are in Lake County.  She has taken Tai Chi classes and enjoyed some of the other activities that are offered. 03/26/2007

Today I start my new series, Neighborhood Synergy, with an eye on neighborhoods that are interesting for new home buyers.  In Northwest Indiana they are approximately 400 new home developments, could take me a while to focus on each one individually ... but it's worth a try.Eagle Ridge was developed in 2005 by Strathmore Developments.  This community features 112 homesites and my current estimate is that about 80 of those homesites are sold.  Homes in Eagle Ridge, includiing the Synergy Homes model at the main entrance, range from $200,000 to $300,000.  One customer told me that they had to drive "very slow to watch for all the bikes and big-wheels on Saturday."  i love a terrific family neighborhood!Google Map DirectionsThere are actually quite a few specs available currently for quick... 03/26/2007

NW Indiana Mortgage provides financing for GOOD, BAD OR NO CREDIT.  We will structure your loan to best fit your needs, while giving you different options of programs available.  Why shop your own loan out, when we will do it for you with one credit pull to as many lenders as we need to. 03/21/2007