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

Scott Brown | Keller Williams Realty | (765)714-1971 1419 S 14th, Lafayette, IN Prominent Neighborhood Location 4 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $186,900 Year Built 1937 Sq Footage 3,000 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .38 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION This gorgeous home is located in one of Lafayette's great neighborhoods sitting on a Lovely lot surrounded by mature trees and great outdoor spaces. One of the most notable features of the home is the covered pergola walkway extending the length of the yard from the home to the garage. An expansive groomed yard and large patio areas make great areas for children or entertaining. The home has Large open living space with enough room for large family gatherings, or a pool table,... 02/11/2008

Erika Fultz | Keller Williams Realty | (765)404-5855 5122 Heritage, Lafayette, IN Stand-Out Neighborhood Offers You This Sprawling Ranch on an Expanxive 1/3 Acre Lot 3 Bdrm Single Family House offered at $147,900 Year Built 1994 Sq Footage 1,790 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .03 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Lovely Ranch Home in High Demand Brookfield Heights Neighborhood. Offers Community Park, with Shelters, Tennis Courts, Playgroung, and Basketball Courts. Great Location, East Lafayette Close to Shopping, Dining, and the New Hospitals. Neighborhood Website: www.BrookfieldHeights.org Fantastic Curb Appeal with Professional Landscaping & Beautiful Brick Front. Enter to a Foyer Entry Boasting Ceramic Tile Flooring. Features 3 B... 02/11/2008

In the 1960s, Fair Isaac Corporation started working on a system lenders could use to evaluate the likelihood of receiving repayment on loans. Prior to that, it was really a matter of trusting an individual to be a "man of his word," so to speak. Fair Isaac sought to take human error out of the equation with a reliable system that could determine whether or not consumers were truly worthy of credit, and thus FICO was born. This evolved to become the standard for lenders by the 1980s.Credit scoring has an enormous impact on a borrower's ability to purchase a home. It can mean the difference between getting a good interest rate and the home of their dreams, or whether they even qualify at all. For this reason, it is important to understand the credit scoring process, and know what your cr... 02/10/2008

 There are five factors that comprise the credit score. These are listed below in order of importance. Consider these five factors when trying to improve your credit score. PAYMENT HISTORY - 35% IMPACT: Paying debt on time and in full has the greatest positive impact on your credit score. Late payments, judgments, collections and charge-offs all have a negative impact. missing a high payment will have a more severe impact than missing a low payment, and delinquencies that have occurred in the last two years carry more weight than older items.  OUTSTANDING CREDIT BALANCES - 30% IMPACT: This factor marks the ratio between the outstanding balance and available credit. Ideally, you should make and effort to keep balances as close to zero as possible, and at least 50% below the available cre... 02/10/2008

In a mortgage lender's eyes, a good credit score translates into lower interest rates for home-shopping borrowers.  The higher your score is, the less risk you are, and the more likely it is you will pay off your debt.  For this reason, borrowers with lower scores usually end up paying higher interest rate loans.If this is you, don't panic.  Here are a few guidelines on what you can do to adjust your score and receive a favorable review from the underwriter:Should I pay off all past due balances and charge-offs?This is usually a good idea, but you only need to worry about the past due balances and charge-offs that have occurred in the last two years.  Items more than two years old have little effect on your current credit score.  In fact, if you pay off delinquent items over two years o... 02/10/2008