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Saturday, February 27. 2010
It depends on the buyer, really. There are certainly many existing Wisconsin homes for sale at great prices now. There are also good deals on new construction. Typically, it will cost more to purchase and customize a new home, says this Wisconsin State Journal article in which First Weber agent Charlie Wills is quoted. If you are OK with doing a little redecorating or remodeling (in some cases) to customize a home to your needs, then existing homes can be a good choice. If you want to be involved in all the many selections that go into a new home, then new construction may be for you. Obviously, new homes are new and that fact appeals to some buyers. Existing homes often offer mature landscaping, established neighborhoods which can also be appealing. There are advantages to both. Which type of home do you prefer more? People are pretty passionate about this preference and we'd like to hear your thoughts. (If you are reading this via an email or RSS feed, click the headline of this post to go to the First Weber blog and leave a comment.)
Friday, February 26. 2010
Yes, real estate values have struggled the last few years. But as a long term investment, it has been pretty solid. Here's a little chart with a BIG message.  Read more commentary on owning the American dream here. Thanks for the excellent, simple, very telling graphic, KCM crew. Now does that make you want to buy some Wisconsin real estate or what? What do you think?
Friday, February 26. 2010
 Home affordability is at a record high -- more buyers can afford to buy. That is the good news of this real estate market. Other good pieces of news are that interest rates remain low, there are tax credit opportunities (Remember, this is not just for first time buyers. Must have Accepted offer by April 30) and even a Job Loss Protection program offered through First Weber.
Are you thinking about buying Wisconsin property but are still hesitant? Have you looked at Wisconsin real estate for sale recently? What do you think of the prices? image courtesy of kcmblog In the words of Steve Harney, author of the Keeping Current Matter's blog with a really good article on this affordability issue "This is the best time to buy a home. Don’t wait for the Tax Credit to end and interest rates to climb. Find the house you want and buy it." You can search about 80,000 properties across Wisconsin at firstweber.com. It really is a good place to start, if we do say so ourselves. If you receive this blog via email, please click on the post headline to go to the blog and comment. Thanks for reading and thank you for your comments.
Continue reading "Home affordability at all time high. Are you going to move?"
Thursday, February 25. 2010
IRS clarifies what's needed to claim tax creditFirst Weber certainly cannot give you tax advice. However, we can share links to information which may help our customers and clients. If you will be claiming the tax credit because of a home purchase, see this article from realtrends.com Good luck. There are less than 70 days to get an Accepted offer and take advantage of the tax credit. First Weber can help you buy or sell Wisconsin real estate and we're ready when you are.
Tuesday, February 23. 2010
Single Family Home sales for the Wausau WI Area Single family home sales as reported by the Central Wisconsin MLS for the Wausau area were up more than 5% over the prior year. The chart shows the break down by price of homes sold in the first month of the year and the current inventory of homes for sale in the area. This increase, while small, is showing the fact that housing is rebounding in Central Wisconsin. There is are great supply of homes on the market in the area, interest rates are very low and prices are at a low point. This is a great time to be in the market. Remember the Stimulus package for housing expires as of April 30th of this year (must have an accepted offer by then). Now is the time to buy. Call your First Weber Office for details.
If you would like to search Wausau, Wisconsin real estate now, click here Much Thanks To Ron Zahrt for providing the data. 2010_Residential_Sales_Jan.pdf
Tuesday, February 23. 2010
Nothing about taxes is easy, and deciding how to fill out your return is no exception. Should you hire a tax preparer or do it yourself? Go with one of the free online options or stick with the old-fashioned paper forms? If you’re like approximately 80% of tax filers, you’ll turn to tax software or a tax preparer. But that doesn’t mean the end result will be error-free.When the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sent secret shoppers to 19 storefront tax preparers, each and every one goofed up something. More mistakes were found in returns prepared by so-called tax experts than by individuals, the 2006 GAO report found.The obvious solution is to simplify the tax code, but the IRS can’t change tax law; that’s up to Congress. So instead the IRS is focusing on the oversight of tax preparers. Currently, anyone can prepare tax returns for money without registering with the IRS, but the agency recently announced that in future tax seasons, all paid tax preparers will be required to register. Competency testing and 15 hours of annual education will also become a matter of course, although certified public accountants, attorneys and enrolled agents will be excluded because they already abide by similar standards to keep the letters behind their name. RISMEDIA, January 27, 2010—(MCT)— Ah... beloved tax time. Who has their taxes done already? This year's taxes may be more complicated this year (in a really great way) for home buyers if they have taken advantage of the home buyer tax credit. Make sure you talk you a tax professional or consult irs.gov for details on this credit. On another note since the article mentions what we in real estate call Continuing Education. Did you know Realtors in Wisconsin must spend 3 full days in a classroom every two years to keep up on contracts? To be honest, no one likes it very much because Realtors are social people who'd rather be talking with people than sitting in a classroom. It is, however, a professional obligation and something we do to provide the service you all expect. Best of luck to all with your taxes. Less than 70 days left to get an accepted offer and take advantage of the tax credit
Wednesday, February 17. 2010
Excellent Dane Country Real Estate statistics. Sales up 21% in January 2010. View article at the Wisconsin State Journal here. There are a few stories in it about buyers, their thoughts and why they are taking the leap into homeownership now. If you see yourself in the position to make your move and buy property in Wisconsin, First Weber's website is a comprehensive source for Wisconsin property. We'd be honored to help you find a new house and walk you through the process. There are 72 days left (as of today) to get an accepted offer and receive the home buyer tax credit!
Tuesday, February 16. 2010
It's not Arbor Day, but plant a tree! Why? A recent report shows that front yard trees can add almost $9,000 to the value of homes and reduce the time on market by almost two days. Trees ad major curb appeal and are inexpensive to add to your yard. They shade our home, saving in cooling costs and they can be very beautiful. Many subdivisions in Waukesha have tree lined streets - trees planted by the city. I happen to live on one of those streets and while I never attached a dollar value to the trees, they give the area a certain feel that made me want to buy the house. Now, I believe these trees are Ash. And the Emerald Ash Borer has me a little worried. Please do not transport firewood! The loss of these trees would certainly affect the home values in this neighborhood. Our homes are our sanctuary and certainly an investment. During these changing times, it is important to remember that real estate is a long term investment. Buy your home to make a home, not a quick profit. While such profits did occur for numerous years, the tables have turned a bit. Real estate has been an outstanding long term investment. Make the return a little better and try planting a tree. Thanks for reading the First Weber blog. If you need help with real estate, that is what First Weber is here for. Please connect with us. Source RIS Media
Tuesday, February 16. 2010
 Your First Weber agent has probably already told you the best way to improve a home's appearance is to paint, de-clutter, stage the home and add curb appeal outside. Those tips are inexpensive and very important steps to creating a home welcoming to potential buyers. (You did them, right?)
Sometimes you will want to go a little further and improve your home by remodeling. Will that money be well-spent? Will that $5,000 or $20,000n increase your home's value by that much, too? The 2009 Remodeling Costs versus Value report states that some of the smallest exterior remodels are the most profitable at resales. Good news!
Eight of the top ten projects in terms of recouping costs were exterior projects costing less than $14,000. Doors, siding, decks all recouped about 80% of their cost. Other improvements that did well were some vinyl windows and foam backed vinyl siding replacements. The number one improvement was a steel door replacement which brought 128% of costs. What is more welcoming and also indictative of your home than your front door? This is one thing on the to do list at my house. The least profitable remodels in terms of resale were home offices and sunrooms. For some reason, some areas of the country had higher returns than others. Wisconsin was a region with a lower percentage of return. Darn. There was a lot of information here, but one more point made by the RIS media article that inspired this post is that REALTORS have a good handle on what improvements will make a difference and are hot with buyers. Ask a First Weber REALTOR for some advice on home improvments if your goal is to turn around and sell. We're here to help you sell or buy real estate in Wisconsin! Thanks for reading.
Thursday, February 11. 2010
The following is from metromilwaukee.org and spiritofmilwaukee via an email: For those of us living and working in the Milwaukee region it comes as no surprise that Chicagoans are starting to take notice of General Mitchell International Airport. Underscoring that fact is the following February 10th story from USA Today: Milwaukee airport wants to be considered Chicago's third one.
The story is filled with a number of interesting and important quotes such as "Mitchell has emerged as one of the USA's fastest-growing airports..." Midwest Airlines' Jim Reichart states that the upscale business travelers from northern Illinois recognize that traveling out of Milwaukee "is really just as easy as going to O’Hare."
Kit Mueller, a technology consultant who lives in Chicago's Loop, admits that "I've become somewhat the evangelist of late" with respect to flying out of Milwaukee.
I thought this would be of interest to those thinking of Relocating to the Milwaukee area. Milwaukee is a "Great Place on a Great Lake. I wish they still used that slogan!
Wednesday, February 10. 2010
January, 2010 Metro Milwaukee MLS statistics are in and they look are looking good! 2.4 % more residential units were sold in January 2010 than were sold in January 2009 across the MLS system 13.7% more residential units were sold in Waukesha County in January 2010 than in January 2009. 65.2% more residential untis were sold in Ozaukee County in January 2010 than in January 2009. 10.3% more residential units were sold in Washington County in January 2010 than in January 2009. 31.1% more residential more units were sold in Racine County in January 2010 than in January 2009. 12.5% more residential units were sold in Walworth County in January 2010 than in January 2009. The only sales statistic to fall was in Milwaukee County. 6.4% less units were sold this January than were sold in January 2009. Overall, this is an excellent start to the year in terms of the Milwaukee area real estate market. Please don't forget about the tax credits available to first time home buyers and homeowners who have lived in their current home for 5 of the last 8 years (other criteria may apply as well). Please let us know if you have any questions about your market area or the home buying and selling process. Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, February 9. 2010
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. The Lake Country office of First Weber is involved with Homes for Our Troops to provide a home for SPC Jason Schulz. The office is also collecting used cell phones for CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS. This organization sends the used phones to RECellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone - enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. If you'd like to show your support for our brave service people who risk their lives to keep us safe, you may drop off your old phone at First Weber's Lake Country Office located at 2750 Golf Road, Delafield, by February 15 to the attention of Roxanne Platz. Thanks to Roxanne for heading up this worthy cause.
Tuesday, February 9. 2010
As of today, there are 80 days left to get an accepted offer on a new house (first time or move up.) There's money on the table in terms of tax credits. Read more here at firstweber.com and here at Realtor.org. Accepted offer by April 30, 2010. Close by June 30th. You must QUALIFY for the credit and the links above talk about that. Ask your First Weber realtor or attend a seminar. You might as well take a look at what Wisconsin real estate is available right now. Hope we can help you!
Thursday, February 4. 2010
Wisconsin Rapids Office Builds Snow Sculpture for FundraiserThe Wisconsin Rapids office participated in the 5th Annual Snow Sculpture on Saturday, a First Weber Group Foundation-sponsored event benefiting the South Wood County Humane Society. Real estate snow-artists Keith Wilkes, Nate Weidman, Sherrie Hahn, Mike Spranger, Dawn Spranger and Brian Slinkman joined forces to build one of 15 sculptures in the event. Keith Wilkes organized this activity for the Rapids office, as he is involved with the Humane Society. Looks like it was fun! I've seen ice scultpures before but never a block of snow that big. Some snow sculpture participants probably struggled with "what should I carve?" The gang here sculpted what they know - houses. Good job to the Wisconsin Rapids office and the First Weber Foundation. This goes to show you can certainly have fun while doing a good deed.
Thursday, February 4. 2010
Virtually no home value in Wisconsin has been immune to the economic downturn, or as I more light-heartedly heard it called, "global bummer." However, the worst may be over and if you have been reading the First Weber blog for a while we have been reporting many solid months of Wisconsin real estate sales in recent months. Despite that good news, the potential for future foreclosures as referenced in this Real Trends article hints we are not in the clear yet. Good news, bad news. There's lots of hope and Wisconsin real estate expertise are at your fingertips....If you would like information on home values in your area, we have the Realtors to help in just about any Wisconsin city or town you live in. Just ask us!
Tuesday, February 2. 2010
There are several homebuyer tax credit workshops scheduled in the Milwaukee area. If you'd like to learn how to buy a home while there is stilll time to take advantage of this opportunity, you'll need to understand the credit. We are here to help with that. Attend a seminar or ask us a question! View seminar list on firstweber.com and email an RSVP. OR see below: - Thursday, February 4, 7:00 p.m. First Weber Group Brookfield Office 17345 W. Bluemound Rd.
Contact Sheila Mikulich 262-782-3110 Contact Sheila Mikulich 262-782-3110
- Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m. Great Midwest Bank 15900 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield
Contact Kristine Nadolny 414-534-3045
- Sunday, March 7 , 2:00 p.m. Complete Mortgage N64 W24678 Main Street, Sussex
Contact Bill Siok or Rebecca Mattano 262-646-6800 There's also information here at firstweber.com and here from the National Association of Realtors on the tax credit. If a seminar is convenient for you and you're curious, please stop by. Reservations are requested.
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