First Weber Group REALTORS®: Wisconsin Real Estate

From the Wisconsin Department of Revenue report:

Wisconsin's housing market is expected to weather the currentmarket better than the rest of the country. Home prices in Wisconsin decreased 0.5% in the second quarter of 2008 when compared to the first quarter of 2008. But, home prices still are increasing year by year. For example, Wisconsin home prices rose 1% in the second quarter of 2008 versus the second quarter of 2007. Meanwhile, national home prices in that same time period dropped 1.7%.

Wisconsin does have a higher rate of subprime mortgages in foreclosure (14.1%) versus a national average of 10.7%.  Howewer, Wisconsin also has less sub prime mortgages in general. 

Wisconsin ranked 28th in the nation for foreclosures, with one out of 408 Wisconsin households in foreclosure.  Nationwide, the statistic is one out of every 171 households.

Ever wonder what the median home sale price in Wisconsin is?  In the second quarter of 2008, it was $162,200.  That is down 3% from the second quarter of 2007, but not down nearly as much as nationaide. Nationwide, during that same period of time, the median home sale price declined 7.6%

For buyers, there is no better time to buy.  The pricing situation is very favorable. There is money for loans, and while standards are higher there, that is a good thing. 

For sellers, homes will sell at the right price.  The market sets the price. Work with your agent on any offer you get. Their job is to negotiate offers to a close.  Work with them to make that happen!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been in the news a bit lately - and it has been good news.  Last week we wrote about being featured in Hemisphere Magazine, this week, Milwaukee was featured in the New York Times Travel section!

The author, Maura Casey, praised modern day Milwaukee for it's famous art museum, parks, revitalized riverfront and riverwalk and sophisticated shopping. She also picked the things she thinks you should do when spending 36 hours in Milwaukee.  Here is the link to the whole article. 

Interesting list. Would you add anything to the list?

I would add - see a Brewer game at Miller Park.

If you are thinking of relocating to the Milwaukee area, this article is a nice read. Working with a First Weber Relocation Specialist would get you a personal tour of our many neighborhoods!

From The Spirit of Milwaukee-

Beginning today, October 1, passengers on all United Airlines flights across the world will get a great opportunity to become much more familiar with the Milwaukee region -- the "modern metropolis" on the shores of Lake Michigan.  

Hemispheres, United Airlines' award-winning in-flight magazine, is featuring a 36 page spread on Milwaukee during the entire month of October. The Insight: Milwaukee feature combines traditional travel-related information with a comprehensive look at some of the economic influencers and industry sectors that shape the business landscapes and lifestyles in the region.  Milwaukee will be featured on all United and United Express flights in October and online for the following year at www.hemispheresmagazine.com.

Story captions include: Ja, Milwaukee, Its accent is German, but this city speaks the world’s languages; Water, Water Everywhere, Lake Michigan and three rivers offer business opportunities and a place to play; Riding High, Milwaukee is rapidly diversifying from its traditional manufacturing base; Pick Your Passion, Indoor or outdoor, classical or the next big thing: you’ll find plenty to do here.

Hemispheres is seen monthly by more than 6 million business and leisure passengers traveling to over 210 destinations in 26 countries.  Insight: Milwaukee positions the seven county region on a national and global scale as one of the best places to visit, live, work and prosper.

The good news is that you can read the entire spread on Milwaukee before you jump on that United Airlines flight by clicking here to get to the Hemispheres magazine.  
VERY IMPORTANT -- When you click on the link you will be redirected to the Table of Contents page for the magazine.  Click on the "Tabl e of Contents" tab on the bottom left-hand side of the page.  You will then see at the bottom of the page three buttons.  Click on the "Next" button and on the bottom left-hand side you will see the link to "Insight Milwaukee."   

Yes, it is a little clumsy to read online!  You can also view pdfs of the stories at Hemisphere Magazine.

Thank you for a great article!  Always liked that slogan "A great place on a great lake"... wish they would bring it back.