First Weber Group REALTORS®: Wisconsin Real Estate

The real estate market in most of the counties in Metro Milwaukee is becoming more balanced.  The third quarter stat report from the Metro Milwaukee MLS ranks counties from a 1 (buyer's market) to a 5 (seller's market).   We're happy to report that Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, Ozaukee County, and Washington County are ranked as 3, indicating balanced.  Racine County was ranked as 2, showing a slight lean to the buyer's market side.  The "days on market" for all these counties went down slightly, meaning it took less time to sell.

Third quarter, 2009 sales in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Racine and Washington Counties were all up over second quarter, 2008 as shown below:

The Homebuyer tax credit was extended and expanded to include current homeowners.  This should have an additional boost on sales. When you're ready to search for a new home, please do so at firstweber.com

Huge news on the Wisconsin real estate front about how the new extended and expanded home buyer tax credit can help out homebuyers and sellers!

One of the most important inclusions in the new tax credit is that it also includes existing homeowners. Up to $6500 is available. As usual, "certain restrictions apply". See more at firstweber.com and nar.com  This credit is good on contracts written up to April 30, 2010. There is then additional time to close. See details in the link above.

The $8000 credit for first time home buyers is being extended until April 30, 2009.  Thank goodness, because the previous deadline to close was November 30, 2009.  The new credit is good on contracts written up until April 30, 2010.  Again, restrictions apply so read the facts at firstweber.com and other links you'll find there. 

In my opinion, this is fantastic news for Wisconsin home sellers and home buyers, and certainly Wisconsin Realtors as well.  If you have questions, please contact us, send a comment or ask a question. 

If you just can't wait to start searching for a home, here's a link to our search page!.  There are almost 80,000 searchable at firstweber.com - five Multiple Listing Services across the state. If you want Wisconsin real estate, firstweber.com is an excellent place to get it.  Contact us when you feel you are ready to proceed and we'll walk you through the whole process.

First Weber welcomes ten experienced agents from First Realty, GMAC! 

We are thrilled to have these quality agents

on the First Weber team!

Welcome:

Carla Corriveau, Brookfield office 

Darlene Guernsey,  Metro West office

Kathy Mitchell,  Brookfield office

Joan Pray, Brookfield office

Michael Sadowski, Brookfield office

Laurie Schubert, Waukesha office

Judi Stier,  Brookfield office

Dan Weber, Brookfield office

Jennifer Talsky-Wielgosh, Brookfield office

Kathy Witt, Lake Country office

(Names are listed to match the order of the pictures)

We look forward to working with these outstanding agents and their clients and customers!

 

Where Did My Lake Go?

If you 've been to Northern Wisconsin recently you’ve probably noticed that many of our lakes have shrunk in size. This is  not the result of global warming, just the lack of rain and snow in the last 5 years.  This is all part of a natural cycle that can be charted back to the 1890’s.  The last time we experienced a serious drought in Northern Wisconsin was between 1987 and 1990.  

Droughts affect every lake differently. Lakes, such as Thompson and Crescent Lakes have inlets and their water levels do not fluctuate much .  Seepage lakes, like Lake Mildred get their water from the water table. If there is not enough rain the lake level will drop as the water table drops.  Flowages, such as Nokomis fluctuate even more than seepage lakes because the dams that control the water level are opened to supply more water to the river downstream.    

Lower water levels means more exposed lake bed.  The DNR recommends that property owners leave this exposed area alone.  Removing branches and vegetation will affect the fishery when the water level returns.  Before you purchase lake property do your research.  Contact an experienced realtor or the DNR for information on lake depth, water quality and fishery. 

Thanks to Sandy Ebben, First Weber Rhinelander for this informative article.

Called Wisconsin Neighborhood Advantage, this new program offered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has 2 goals: to help buyers get into homes and to help stabilize urban neighborhoods.  For the details on the program, please visit the Wisconsin Neighborhod Advantage web page.   The web page says loans are avilable on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, be sure to check it out today.

Thanks to the WRA Newswire Weekly for providing notice of the program.

It feels good to share good news about First Weber people who make a mark for themselves by doing more than expected. Sometimes that is real estate related, sometimes not. Some people try to make a difference and stop for one reason or another, and some people keep going because it is part of who they are.

This is not a press release - it is about a person. A person who happens to be with First Weber Group and who was recently recognized for Distinguished Service to the Wisconsin REALTORS Association at the 2009 WRA Annual Convention.

His name is Ron Zahrt. (The one front and center wearing orange in the picture) Ron has been in real estate for 29 years +.  He is President and owner/partner with First Weber Group Northern Wisconsin LLC, and sells/manages in the Wausau area. He's got a litany of credentials, which I will list press release style, after injecting my opinion Ron is that the kind of guy you would like to have as your neighbor.

OK, here's the list of some of what Ron Zahrt has done to get this award: serving as Past President of the Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service, multiple terms on the Board of Directors of the Central Wisconsin Board of REALTORS and positions on numerous WRA committees.  He is a member of the Wausau Early Bird Rotary Club and Employers in Support of the Guard and Reserves; he has been a United Way Volunteer of the Year in Marathon County, Wisconsin; and Ron is also a cancer survivor who represents Congressional District 7 in the American Cancer Society's Action Council.

There are a few points, I guess.  One, congratulations to Ron. Two, real estate is sold by people, to people and is really all about connecting to people through actions, which Ron does. And three, First Weber Group is happy to have him on our team, making us a better company.

Three Cheers for Ron!

First Weber Group expands into Oshkosh,Wisconsin real estate market in a big way!  We welcome Coldwell Banker Schwab, the largest real estate firm in Oshkosh with dominant market share and 40 agents to our Wisconsin real estate team.  Dennis and Gail Schwab have been in real estate for over 30 years and have the kind of reputation any company would be happy to welcome - we certainly look for that when expansion opportunities come along.    This was a real good match for both companies.

Seems the news is spreading in Oshkosh quickly!  We've already seen newspaper articles in the local paper and tweets by the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce among others. Amazing how news travels on twitter!  You can follow First Weber on twitter here.

Coldwell Banker Schwab had an interest in providing good technology for buyers and sellers.  First Weber provides just  that with our Front Runner multi-media marketing for every listing, (great video here, if you have not seen it already) and our numerous inhouse technology systems that provides anything from market share reports to websites to advertising and mailing materials.

Signs are being changed over, the website is being worked on, the many listings will be moved over, the many agents added to our rosters, technology systems and the like.  Soon the Front Runner smart signs with texting, multi-media and call capture plus all the other Front Runner features will be available on Schwabs property listings.   We are striving for a hassle-free transition to welcome our new Oshkosh connection in the best way possible. 

Now, all that transition is not complete yet by any means - the cat got out of the bag a little early.  But it is full speed ahead in getting First Weber's newest office running at full First Weber capacity.  WELCOME, we're thrilled!

If there's anyone in Oshkosh  - seller, agent or resident -who has a question about First Weber Group - read our blog, make a comment, ask a question!

WRA: Wisconsin Housing Market May Be Stabilizing The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA) reports that the state’s residential real estate market is showing signs of stabilization. The WRA recorded a 10.5 percent decline in statewide home sales during the second quarter, which was well below the steep reductions in Wisconsin sales volume that have been reported over the previous few quarters. WRA Chairman Michael Mulleady comments, “Overall, the reduction in existing home sales of 10.5 percent, comparing the second quarter of 2009 with the second quarter of 2008, was much more moderate than we experienced earlier in the recession where the average decline has been much steeper. . . . This is the first indication that we may be getting ready to turn the corner on real estate in the state.” WRA President William Malkasian added that the new federal tax credit for first-time home buyers has definitely enticed more purchases of so-called “starter homes,” a trend that brought down the state median price. Read the whole article at Milwaukee Business Journal (WI) (08/12/09)  As posted in the REALTOR Newswire

First Weber's mobile website is now live.  Give it a test drive and let us know how you like it or if you have any suggestions to make it even better! 

There's 85,000 properties to chose from.  And you can find them all on your smart phone at m.firstweber.com

We look forward to your feedback.

Two good pieces of economic news in one article - and one involving housing. We will take it! Thanks to msnbc.com for the article.  Everyone can use some positive news.

Do you have a positive story to share? Sell your house? Decide now's the time to buy real estate in Wisconsin? Please post a comment or a question below.

Thanks for visiting the First Weber blog and have a positive day.

As buyers take advantage of the tax credit.  Home Sales posted the largest monthly gain in 10 years, the AP reports at msnbc.com

Start NOW if you are a first time buyer to take advantage of the tax credit.  It takes time to find a home you want to buy and when you do, there's paperwork, inspections, financing....  Find your perfect property at firstweber.com and let us know when you are ready to take the step - just don't wait too long!

First Weber Group of Southeastern Wisconsin had their annual golf outing August 17 and raised over $1900 for the First Weber Foundation in their "Fun Day for the Foundation" event.  Approximately 90 of 110 golfers purchased wristbands that allowed them to participate in contests on the course. Money from the wristband sales goes to the First Weber Foundation which supports  Wisconsin housing related charities and other charities supported by First Weber agents through a matching funds program. 

Thank you to all who participated in the event!  What looked to be a very stormy day turned out beautifully. 

Here are a few pictures of the event:

Selling Wristbands for the Fun Day for the Foundation