Wisconsin Real Estate & Wisconsin Living presented by First Weber Group

Throughout Wisconsin, home sales are on the rise. February, 2012 was the eighth month of rising sales in Wisconsin, with a 15% increase over last February.  Home sale prices were very moderately down, just 1.7%. Sales started increasing last summer and thankfully, have continued their upward pace. The great spring weather helped. If you are a seller, do everything in your power to take advantage of buyer activity. If you are a buyer, you may have more competition.  Many areas of the country have seen a shift in the market. It will make its way to Wisconsin.

Each region in Wisconsin performed well in February, with Southeast Wisconsin leading the over 20% increase.

Sales by reqion: (source WRA)

Southeast Wisconsin (Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Waukesha and Walworth Counties)

Sales up 22.6%, median price down 4.1%

South Central Wisconsin (Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock and Sauk Counties)

Sales up 12.9%, no change in median price

Northeast Wisconsin (Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawno, Waupaca, Winnebago Counties)

Sales up 16.3%, median price up 1.3%

Central Wisconsin (Adams, Clark, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Portage, Waushara and Wood Counties)

Sales up 6.3%, median price down 2.5%

Northwoods, Wisconsin (Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Polk, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas and Washburn Counties)

Sales up 1.8%, median price down 5%

Another interesting trend is the number of new listings, the number of unsold homes on the market and the months supply of inventory are all down.  Combine this with a higher rate of sales and we should begin to see a more balanced market emerge.

For information on specific regions of Wisconsin, here is an update on South Central WI and on Metro Milwaukee real estate sales.

Thank you for reading the First Weber Wisconsin real estate & Wisconsin living blog.

To see Wisconsin real estate for sale, please see firstweber.com where you can also search Wisconsin sold property data to see what that house down the street sold for. In some areas, a free MyFirstWeber account may be needed to view sold data due to MLS rules.

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Our success is not possible without our clients customers and of course, our agents. We are proud to recognize the achievements of these agents in First Weber’s Northern/North Central Region in 2011.

While many awards were handed out, below are the top producers and service awards winners for 2011. More can be found at First Weber’s Sales & Awards page.

Bob & Cheryl Bushman are Sales Associates of the Year

Pam Larkin of First Weber’s Wausau office was awarded the Chairman’s Award of Recognition for outstanding service to First Weber Group and th local community in 2011.

President’s Club achievers were:  Bob & Cheryl Bushman, Ron Skagen & Christy Elliott, Victoria Schultz, Margie Zschernitz & Julie Simek-Heggebo Karen Harvey, Pam Larkin, Sue Hansen, Mike Spranger, Janna Hamann, Rick Mullen, The Bird Team, Diane Jahn, The Zoerb Team, Steve Lane and Heath Tappe.

Quality of Service Award winners (awarded based on client response) were Karen Harvey and Michelle Dins.

Tom Holster was named Rookie of the year.

More can be found at First Weber’s Sales & Awards page.

Our success is not possible without our clients, customers and hard working agents.  Here’s to an improved 2012!

To see additional photos, please visit  First Weber on Facebook.

Thank you for visiting the First Weber Wisconsin real estate & WIsconsin living blog to see our Northern region real estate award winners.  To search for a real estate agent in northern Wisconsin please do so at firstweber.com.

Wisconsin home sales in January of 2012 rose almost 11% above sales last January, with 2,862 home closings versus 2,584 closing last January. That is a very encouraging number since January is usually the slowest month of the year for closings.  While the number of Wisconsin home sales has risen, prices have declined 7% over the same time period.

Most regions in Wisconsin showed solid growth in home sales over the last year.

South Central WI: sales up 16.7% over last January, prices down 7.5%

Southeast Wisconsin/Metro Milwaukee: Sales up 10.1% over last January, prices down 7.6%

Northeast Wisconsin: Sales up 22% over last January, prices down 3.6%

Central WI: Sales down 6.7% and prices down 9.9%

Northern Wisconsin: Sales down 1.6% and prices down 22.7%

data source WRA

While there is a still a high inventory of homes for sale, that number is down as are the number of new listings.  If this trend continues, it will help to balance the market in terms of supply and demand.

When selling a home, the market determines the price.  Keeping a close eye on what homes like yours are selling for will enable you to position your property to be attractive to buyers.  In the current market, that may mean a lower price than you desire.  However, keep in mind if your goal is to move up to a bigger house, your money will go much further in that purchase.  Ask your real estate agent for frequent updates on the competition or keep an eye on it yourself with a free My First Weber account. With a My First Weber account you can track price changes, new listings in your area and also see market statistics in real time. You don’t need to be working with a First Weber agent to set up an account, either!  Go ahead and check out what you can do with a My First Weber account and contact First Weber for your real estate questions and concerns.  There’s a First Weber office near you.

Thank you for reading the  First Weber Wisconsin real estate & Wisconsin living blog.  To search for Wisconsin real estate for sale, please visit firstweber.com

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Real estate sales across Wisconsin have improved in 2011, with many regions showing increased sales over 2010.  Statewide sales rose .2% and median sale price fell 6.4% It was wonderful to see home sales in the second half of 2011 well over numbers during the same time in 2010… December sales were up 11% over last December. We’ll keep you posted on what we hope will be a continuing trend in 2012.

Wisconsin real estate sales growth by region

Southeast Wisconsin:  Sales up 3.4% over previous year with 18,386 homes sold in 2011. Median price down by 9% to $142,000.

South Central Wisconsin: Sales down 1.2% from last year with 10,195 homes sold in 2011. Median price down by 3.7% to $156,000.

Northeast Wisconsin: Sales up .1% over previous year with 9,019 homes sold in 2011. Median price down 5.5% to $118,100.

Central Wisconsin: Sales down 6.1% from  previous year with 3,160 homes sold in 2011. Median price down 6.3% to $106,000.

Northwoods Wisconsin: Sales up 2 .1% over previous year with 5,028 homes sold in 2011. Median price down 4.2% to $115,000.

Though new listings are down, meaning less homes for buyers to choose from, it remains a buyer’s market in Wisconsin.  Low prices and low mortgage rates has pushed affordability to high levels, great news for buyers who have good credit and are able to buy now.   See what’s available for sale in Wisconsin at firstweber.com.  Or, check out SOLD property data all across Wisconsin with First Weber’s Sold property search, available for free. A free account registration may be needed in some parts of Wisconsin due to MLS rules.

For more information about Wisconsin and Wisconsin real estate, please see the First Weber Wisconsin real estate & Wisconsin living blog.

data provided by the Wisconsin REALTORS Association.

Great companies attract great talent.  We’re happy to welcome new sales associates to our Wisconsin real estate sales team.

The Lake Country office welcomes Mike Dolan who previously worked with Realty Executives. Mike is an Accredited Buyer Rep (ABR), a Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN), and a Senior Specialist (SRES).

Todd Pierce, formerly with Veridian Homes, has made the move to First Weber’s West Towne office. Todd specializes in new construction sales.

  Tara Schneider is a new agent in the Middleton office.

  Steffanie Buckendahl is a new agent in the Tomah office

Vicky Grochola, Bart Jackson and Candace Walker all joined First Weber’s New Glarus office and came to us from Prudential Towne Square Realtors.

Jackie Heinen, Jennifer Binko and Shannon Menehan also joined the New Glarus office from Prudential Towne Square.

We’re happy to add these agents and have the ability to serve their clients and customers with their real estate needs.

Real estate careers

Real estate can be an exciting and challenging job and we’re always looking for good people. If you have ever considered a career in Wisconsin real estate sales, please see all First Weber has to offer to you at our career website.  You will need to obtain a Wisconsin real estate license and First Weber offers both online and classroom opportunities for you to choose what best suits your learning style.

For more information

While the websites gives a great overview, a personal interview with a Sales manager in your area will give you a feel for our corporate culture.  The agent is our customer and it is our job to help you succeed.  Check out our free real estate career seminars or request more information on a career in real estate.