Dare to Dream in Northwest Indiana

Originally posted 2009-08-28 14:59:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Northwest invites citizens of Indiana to dare to dream by attending a “friendly conversation” meeting with leaderships of several communities.

The meetings will be held on:

• August 18 at the Library Conference Center of the Indiana University Northwest from 8 am to 10am
• September 17 at Purdue Academic Learning Center in Crown Point from 8am to 10am
• September 29 at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond from 8am to 10am

Bring any and all questions, comments, and suggestions to the meetings because the objective of these meetings is to “promote communication, cooperation, and collaboration among leadership to improve the quality of life for all citizens.”

To reserve your seat for the event call LaShung Willis at 219 980 7704.

Lack of Property Taxes Tops News in Northwest Indiana

Originally posted 2008-12-27 09:35:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Times has an article named, Lake Commissioners Pledge Veto for Food, Beverage Tax.   According to this article the Lake County Commissioners plan to veto the increase in tax on food and beverage.  Alot of the commissioners state that they do not want to go back on their word of “no new taxes”.  The idea of a commissioner trying to be true to campaign pledges is refreshing in an of itself.    One of the commissioner believes that the local government still has not done enough to cut the fat.  I, too, believe that not enough fat has been cut in government. 

One area that needs fat cutting is township assessors. There are over a 1000 township assessors and that is more than California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida.  Now, if you have not noticed Indiana is in some cases half the size of the states mention.  The reduction in township assessors not only save money, but it also is proposed to create fair property tax assessment.

The cutting of assessors is only one area that needs trimming.  Other areas that may need review is the amount of items that is on the property taxes.  The amount of taxes paid need to re-appropriated and it will take all of us to determine the best mode of action to get that done fairly.

Outraged Over Property Taxes

Originally posted 2009-03-23 09:20:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Why isn’t the Indiana property tax assessment making front page news?  I am sure it is making front page news with all the citizens of Porter County who on March 27 is going to have to pay higher property taxes.

I am appalled that the local paper has given little attention to the plight of Porter County’s property tax over-assessment.

Is it that the County Assessor John Scott does not see a problem with the higher taxes?

The assessor simply said, “let the appeal process determine if the taxes are too high.”

Why is it that the Local Government Finance Office care more about the citizens outrage over property taxes than the assessor?

Even local real estate brokers have had increase calls from outraged citizens about recent market values.  

Business owners believe that property taxes have went up 100 percent. 

Do not let yourself be taxed out of your home or business without a fight.  The assessor is not going to fight for you.  You can file an appeal.  You have until April 13 to file that appeal.  Visit www.in.gov/dlgf to get the forms needed to file that appeal.

I have include some helpful video to help with the process, as well.  See the links below:

Good Indication That You Need to File a Property Tax Appeal

Property Tax Appeal Review Video 1 of Section 1

Evaluation of Property Tax Appeal Findings

Indiana Property Tax Appeal (Part 2)

Indiana Property Tax Appeal

What is Assessed Value and How Does it Influenced My Property Taxes

Lack of Property Taxes Tops News in Northwest Indiana

Seniors Deadline Quickly Approaching

Buyer Have the Advantage in This Market and Northwest Indiana is No Expection

Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Whatever a buyer is looking for is available in today’s market. In Northwest Indiana there has been an increase in sales from May to June. In May 2009, there was 363 homes sold. In June 2009, there were 408 homes sold for a 12.4 percent increase in home sales.

Porter County, on the other hand, experienced a more dramatic increase with 45 percent. In May 2009, there was 111 homes sold in Porter County. In June 2009, the county had an increase in home sales to 161.

What do we attritube these home sales increase to? The Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors and several Realtors including myself attritube the increase in sales to the tax credit and lower than ever home prices. Investors and first time home buyers alike are able to find just what they are looking for whether it is a fixer upper or a move in ready home.

It is highly recommended that buyers move now because interest rate will not stay low forever.

The current fix rate for a 30 year loan is 5.14 percent down from the previous week’s rate of 5.20 percent. One year ago, though, the rate for a 30 year fixed rate loan was 6.26 percent.

It is equally important to note that the median sales price, over the same one year period is down by 11.8 percent. Even though sales are up the median sales prices are not up.

The decrease in median sales is a blow to sellers, but iti is a good thinkg for buyers. Only time will increase value of homes. There may not be a great increase in equity as seen in the recent past, but equity and values will rebound. You will just have to keep your home longer before you realize an increase in value.

Learn about the Buying Process (Video Series)

Originally posted 2009-01-20 19:11:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Learn about the buying process through the purchase agrement.

If you are looking to purchase a home, email snorbrown@yahoo.com to get your free list of home for sale in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.

It’s Crazy That A Train Can Service Chicagoland for 100 Years and No One Notice

Have you ridden the South Shore Line lately?  If you have did you know that the South Shore Line is 101 years old?

The train service started in 1908.  It like most businessess had a bumpy ride down through the years; however, it managed to hold on and continue to increase in popularity for both work and pleasure rides.

The South Shore line has eighteen stops between downtown Chicago and South Bend, Indiana.  Surprisely enough, it does all this on an electrical rail system since its beginning.

The South Shore has had many owners down through the years, and also filed bankruptcy twice.  Yet, it still prevailed as the premier rail system that many of us enjoy today. 

If you are in Chicagoland make sure you ride our premier rail line, South Shore, to see the sites of Chicago and Northwest Indiana.