Thanksgiving - We have overcome

No pun intended, Happy Thanksgiving. In this time of economic worry, I felt it important this morning to remember that we have overcome many obstacles along the way in our nation's history and we will overcome these as well. Now, before we take ourselves too serious, we've also been blessed by God and it's high time we take those blessings serious. No soapbox today though.

Thanks for our families, for our churches, for our communities. Thanks for the ability to speak freely and gather in whatever groups we choose. Thanks for our government leaders, although we may have voted different, their responsibilities are great and warrant our support. Thanks for Northwest Indiana, the Southshore of beaches and mills of jobs.

As we gather with friends and family today, remember those who are not as fortunate as you ... there are homeless in NW Indiana, there are hungry, there are families still suffering from the floods a few months ago, there are families unemployed or worried about being unemployed soon. Pause a moment, how can you help?

clipped from mjperry.blogspot.com FDIC Special: Buy a Toaster and Get a Free Bank

Well, actually two groups should be excited today:

1. If you've been sitting on the sidelines for the last two years, waiting until the media tells you it's time to buy a home, don't hold your breath. By the time the media says so, it will be past the best buying chance. Let me be the first to say it ... Buy now! Prices have leveled off, rates are under 6%, and sellers are still willing to help you with closing costs. Don't wait around and miss the bottom.
2. If you're even close to considering a refinance, missed the last two drops below 6%, then this is the week to get your new loan rate locked. Call today while we can still get these rates.

First Financial Trust Mortgage ... 219-762-7200

From Marketwatch:

Freddie Mac: Mortgage rates decline again

clipped from www.marketwatch.com Weekly U.S. jobless claims jump to 542,000 Initial claims hit highest since July 1992; continuing claims touch 4 million Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose by 27,000 to stand at 542,000 in the week ended Nov. 15, the Labor Department reported. The number was much higher than the 503,000 that had been expected by economists.

$417,000 in Porter County for a single family home
$417,000 in Lake County for a single family home
$417,000 in LaPorte County for a single family home

This is good news, in some parts of the country with declining home values these loan limits were reduced this week for 2009 FHA loans. This means even less people will be able to access FHA loans.

FHA is the most solid lending source right now. If you are looking to purchase or refinance you may very well need an FHA loan. FHA loans are guaranteed by the government but are not owned by the government, this is a popular misconception. The loans are pooled into bonds, the very bonds that were the hype of many financial sector stories this fall, and sold into the securities markets. You can get a loan, trust me, but we should talk soon so we can iron out any issues prior to you making an offer on a house.

With the election out of the way, I'm hoping that we can all get back to what we do best.

The real estate markets in NW Indiana are poised for a recovery, but what we all need most are home buyers. The media was successful in scaring everyone into renting or staying on the sidelines ... If you are a renter, this is a pretty awesome time to buy a home.

Feel free to email or call today if you'd like to discuss your options for buying your first home.