For 35 years, Dan Steiner has been a dedicated builder to various communities and continues to assist hopeful home owners with his own business, Steiner Homes. Marketing on the Internet has helped Steiner get in touch with many families looking for a place to call home. ValpoLife.com assists in helping him increase traffic to his home site.
By putting the pricings of his houses online and possible hidden costs (preparing soil, taking dirt out, etc.), prospective buyers can receive a valid price range and further appreciate the Steiner family’s hard work.
“We don’t build cookie cutter houses; instead, we build very creative and fun houses that are unique and different. The quality, energy efficient status, and look of our homes really draw buyers in,” Steiner said. “Wide trims, headers over the doors and windows, columns, and arches are just a few additions we do to really set us apart from other builders as well.”
Steiner Homes is truly a family oriented and a family run business. Steiner’s son, Adam, handles all of the design work for houses, including the 40 plans found online at http://www.steinerhomesltd.com/. Molly, Steiner’s daughter, helps with marketing strategies and his wife, Valerie, balances the finances of their company. In the summer, Steiner also welcomes his son-in-law to work with him.
“In the last four years, we have grown so much. Northwest Indiana has been very kind to us; Lake County, Porter County, and La Porte County have been our primary building areas. We build in every subdivision where other various builders can also construct houses,” Steiner said.
Outside of his family run business, Steiner is also very involved with Valparaiso’s Calvary Church. Steiner’s fellowship started about 12 years ago with his family. He and Lionel Young, the senior pastor of Calvary Church, often go on business trips together and support Kids Alive orphanages all around the world.
“Kenya is our church’s mission site through Kids Alive. There are three to four orphanages and Calvary has taken on the responsibility to support one of those shelters. The Kids Alive International home base is in Valparaiso and Al Lackey does such a wonderful job keeping all of us in touch,” Steiner said. “For me to go overseas is life changing; I love seeing all the good we can do for children who are in desperate need of so many things.”
Seeing how happy and thankful the children are really helps Steiner appreciate life that much more. After fifteen to twenty trips around the world with Calvary Church, he wouldn’t trade anything for those life-changing experiences. The fellowship is planning on sending pastors to Africa to train those who would like to spread the Word of the Lord to others.
“Calvary Church encourages me to walk with the Lord and try my hardest to do the right thing for others and myself. I love to praise the Lord and I am always thankful for what I have; I’m so blessed and it’s always a goal of mine to remind myself of His blessings each week,” Steiner said.
The Valparaiso community challenges Steiner to do more and at the same time, do better. When the Steiner family is not designing homes, they are volunteering their time for various causes and charities. Dan Steiner is definitely one of the strongest helping hands around.
“If you’ve been blessed, then you need to be willing to give and bless others. Wherever there is a need or opportunity, we try to help for the better. I think that is how we should all live our lives. Jesus said, ‘If you take care of a widow, then you’ve taken care of me.’ You then understand what life is about: taking care of others and supporting them in any way you can,” Steiner said in closing.