CnnMoney.com and Fortune Small Business have rated the top 100 places in the country to "Live and Launch" a business. Two cities in Wisconsin made the list and they are...........................
#46 Madison, Wisconsin
#71 Brookfield, Wisconsin
Not bad! More businesses equal higher tax base and potentialy lower property taxes. And being on lists like these, of which there are many variations, adds the the attractiveness of our Wisconsin Communities.
As posted a while back on this blog, Milwaukee was listed as a top place to live by AARP if you are over 50 and Middleton, Wisconsin was voted #1 place to live by Money Magazine in July of 2007.
Every state has it's share of bad news in the national press, which includes Wisconsin, so it is kind of nice to get a pat on the back everyonce in a while!
According to the Wall Street Journal online and the National Association of REALTORS, existing home sales rose for the first time in seven months during the month of February 2008.
That is great news and hopefully a continued trend. There are so many good buys out there and buyers waiting in the wings. Move now before prices rise. Talk to a good lender or a REALTOR today.
Tuesday, April 1. 2008
Staging your vacant lot
Most real estate agents and sellers understand the benefits of staging a home when it’s on the market. Vacant lots are really no different than homes, but very few agents ever coach sellers on how important it is to have a vacant lot ready for sale. Land typically does not get shown the way a home does. A buyer will grab a bunch of MLS sheets and then go on a road trip without their agent, expecting to find all the lots on their list. Imagine their frustration when they can’t find half of the lots and the other half just have a sign on a tree that may or may not actually be on the lot.
These are the things that should be done before the sign goes up.
Have a current survey of the property
Clearly mark all corners. If the lot is large, have a surveyor blaze the lines so a buyer can walk the entire perimeter of the lot.
Clean up the lot. Remove any debris, dead trees, etc. Land is like a home, it should not be a mess when you put it on the market.
If the lot is heavily wooded, clear out a trail or path so you can walk from end to end without needing a machete
Know what utilities are available and where they are located. Never assume that just because the property is on a town road that power and phone run to the lot
Have a current soil test done (if the property is not serviced by municipal sewer) One of the first questions a buyer will ask is “does this property perc?”
Know what kind of road the lot is on. Is it a town or county road, or is it a private easement road that has to be maintained by the owners.
Get information on zoning and recorded restrictions and covenants.
If the lot is on a lake or river make sure that there is a path leading to the water.
Complete a Real Estate Condition report. Disclosures on vacant land are just as important as disclosures on homes. Buyers want to know if there are wetlands on the property, if the property is in MFL, etc
(submitted by Sandy Ebben, First Weber Group)
Tuesday, April 1. 2008
Northwoods Wisconsin Residential home sales
January 1, 2008-March 31, 2008.
Area/Type | # Sales | Average Sales Price | % of List price | Days on Market |
Rhinelander/Off water | 30 | $97,147 | 92.2% | 165 |
Rhinelander/Waterfront | 8 | $304,250 | 93.4% | 205 |
Eagle River/Off water | 19 | $119,042 | 89.0% | 170 |
Eagle River/Waterfront | 12 | $371,075 | 92.0% | 187 |
Minocqua/Off water | 23 | $148,133 | 92.3% | 173 |
Minocqua/Waterfront | 17 | $468,448 | 94.9% | 143 |
Source: Greater Northwoods MLS
Please let us know if you have any specific questions about real estate in Wisconsin Northwoods.
