Wisconsin Real Estate Blog - Wisconsin real estate news

Housing Crisis is over

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:13:31 +0000

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal online "The Housing Crisis is over"

Written by Cyril Moulle-Berteaux, the article states despite the gloomy headlines in traditional media, April 2008 was the likely the bottom of the U.S housing market. Reaching the bottom doesn't mean by next year we will be seeing double digit increases in prices, but at least things will no longer be getting worse.

Well, that is something. We'll take it! But of course it is not that simple.

Mr. Moulle-Berteaux, a managing partner with Traxis Partners LP which is a hegde fund firm in New York also stated "We are of course experiencing a housing bust, with serious consequences that are still unfolding. The odds are the reverberations will lead to subtend growth for a couple of years. Nonetheless, housing led us into this credit crisis and this recession. It is likely to lead us out. And that process is underway right now."

Why to sell & buy Wisconsin real estate now

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:17:51 +0000

Interesting article about why to sell now.

Some sellers don't want to sell now because they fear the price of their home may have fallen in recent years (after it also rose a whole bunch in previous years, making it more valuable than when they bought it, in most cases.) While the sales price of their current home may not be run up to 2005 levels, the price of homes available for purchase is also lower. Making moving up to a bigger, better home more affordable.

What you may lose in a sales price you can gain in a purchase price

Think about it! The time may be right for you.

National Power Broker reports puts First Weber Group on top in Wisconsin!

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:20:42 +0000

Click here for Reprint2007PowerBroker.pdf

Blogs aren't for advertising or blatant promotion. BUT, every once in a while it is OK to do a shameless plug......... we hope you don't mind.

The 2007 Power Broker report is put out by RIS Media, the leading source of residential real estate industry news and information.

First Weber Group is ranked as #20 nationwide in units and #32 nationwide in sales volume among independent brokers!

We're the top ranked independent broker in the state of Wisconsin!

A nice pat on the back for just doing what we do, and doing it so well we ranked 20 out of 700 independent brokers ranked nationwide.

Best Buyer's Market in 40 Years?

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:44:47 +0000

Spring market news compliments of WQOW 18

"The president of the Northwest Wisconsin Realtors Association, Dave Dresel, says low interest rates and a wide selection of houses will make this summer the best buyer's market in the last 40 years. Local realtors say prices in the Chippewa Valley are stable, which makes it a good time to buy."

Wisconsin waterfront owners... get the most accurate pier information

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:48:05 +0000

See the Wisconsin DNR site for a very good article on Wisconsin pier legislation, including pdf pier planners, how to get a permit and to see if any thing has changed that affect you. Thankfully, most piers are exempt from permits or state review and many larger piers have been grandfathered under new legislation. But the article gives good tips for those who may be planning new projects and what is entailed.

Oh, that picture sure looks nice. If you don't own waterfront property in Wisconsin but would like to watch sunsets like this one, please contact us.

How much is lake frontage in Wisconsin selling for? Find out here.

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:24:19 +0000

By Sandy Ebben, Vice President, Rhinelander office

Real estate agents are often asked what the 'going rate' for water frontage is. The answer is ‘it depends’.

There are many variables in determining the value of a lake lot. The first is the lake itself. There are lakes in the Northern Wisconsin that command premium prices and lakes that don’t. Trout Lake and Lake Tomahawk are premium lakes. Mud Lake is not.

Features of the lake that determine value are:

Lake Size and Depth. A 3000 acre lake appeals to more buyers than a 20 acre lake. Larger lakes are better recreational lakes than smaller lakes. The depth of the lake will also affect recreation on the lake. A shallow lake may have very few fish in it and can be very weedy and less appealing than a deep lake.

Lakes on a Chain. The more lakes you can get to the higher the price.

Lake Clarity Lakes in Northern Wisconsin range from crystal clear to dark brown. Clear water lakes are more popular for swimming and boating. Darker lakes tend to have better fishing.

How developed is the lake. A lake with a home or cottage ever 100 feet is not as appealing as a lake that has a lot of wild, undeveloped shoreline, especially if its State Forest lands.

The second consideration in pricing water frontage is the physical features of the land. The slope of the lot to the water is an important feature. If the description says "ideal for an exposed basement" you can expect to climb some stairs to get to the beach. "Fisherman’s frontage" means you aren't going to be swimming off your shoreline.’Southern exposure' means you will have the sun on your shoreline most of the day. A lot on the south end of the lake has 'northern exposure' and will be in the shade most of the time.

So the answer to the question is that lake frontage sells for between $100 and $6,000 a foot in the Northwood’s. A one acre lot with 217 feet of frontage on Trout Lake (a 117’ deep, 3916 acre lake in Boulder Junction) sold for $1,350,000 in 2005. A lot on Fickle Lake (a 26’ deep 10 acre lake in Price County) sold for $21,000 in January 2007. .

So next time you go shopping for lake property tell your agent that you want “a large wooded lot with southern exposure, sandy beach, gradual slope to the water, next to State land on a clear water lake that is over 500 acres and part of a chain"--and your price range is under $100,000. Then let me know what you find.

Buy NOW! Milwaukee/Waukesha Wisconsin "Minimal Risk" for price decline per report

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:38:23 +0000

PMI Mortgage Insurance Company recently published a report called United States Market Risk Index. In it, the 50 largest metro areas (MSAs) across the country are given a US Market Risk Index score which predicts the probability that house prices will be lower in 2 years than they are at the time of the report. The worst markets, including Las Vegas and Phoenix, have a Risk rank of 1, or High. Their PMI US Market Risk indexes (percentage of probability that prices would be lower two years from now) were 91.9% and 84.0% respectively

Milwaukee/Waukesha/West Allis Metropolitain Statistical area (the only statistical area in Wisconsin tracked in this report) received a risk rank score of 5 = Minimal risk.

The PMI US Market Risk Index for this area was just 1.5%. In other words, according to this report, there is less than 2% chance for price declines in Milwaukee/Waukesha/West Allis MSA the next 2 years.

That's the best news I have heard in a long time and hopefully the last piece of the puzzle for any buyer wondering if buying real estate in Wisconsin is a good idea. To move ahead, please contact First Weber Group, we sell real estate all over Wisconsin and can help.

Wisconsin real estate doing well compared to other states

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:20:21 +0000

Wisconsin home sales have been outperforming most states. "While home sales in Wisconsin have certainly slowed when compared to the record levels of 2005, our local markets are far less volitile than housing markets elsewhere in the country", said WRA Chairman Michael Spranger. Spranger, a VP with First Weber Group, also said "We're not in the same kind of trouble you read about in other markets around the country. The fundamental elements of a stable real estate market remain strong in Wisconsin."

A softer market offers credit-worthy first time buyers and opportunity to get into homes that might otherwise be out of reach. It won't last forever. Buy smart now.

Signs of improvement

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:01:56 +0000

REAL TRENDS February issue of the PULSE publication stated that 67% of survey respondants ( approximately 750 real estate industry leaders from all 50 states) said that they strongly agree or somewhat agree that their local market has seen improvement. Only 14% disagreed or strongly disagreed with seeing signs of improvement.

Comments show an increase in activity including increasing buyer inquiries, increasing open house traffic and relocation.

This could be a fantastically busy spring. Contact us if you have been watching the market and want to make a move now.

Wisconsin lake property owners... good news about piers!

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:33:38 +0000

Straight from the Wisconsin REALTORS Asssoiation press release is some excellent news for Wisconsin lake property owners..............

This issue has been on the table for a long time and a bill was finally signed

yesterday.

April 1, 2008 Contact: Tom Larson
IMMEDIATE RELEASE (608) 212-0066

REALTORS Praise New Pier Protection Law

Group Credits Governor and Bipartisan Legislative Leaders

Madison -- Wisconsin waterfront property owners can rejoice after new legislation to protect existing piers was signed into law today, according to the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA).

Assembly Bill 297 establishes grandfathering standards for existing piers and will provide permanent protection from future regulations to approximately 99% of the existing piers. The new law exempts from new regulations (or "grandfathers") all piers up to 8-feet wide and loading platforms or "decks" (located at the end of the pier) that are 200 square feet or less. The law also grandfathers decks between 200 and 300 square feet, as long as they are no wider than 10 feet.

"This new law is very important to waterfront property owners and will provide certainty as to which piers are legal, and which are not," said Mike Spranger, WRA Chairman. Spranger also thanked Governor Doyle and legislative leaders of both political parties for passage of the bill saying, "The new law strikes a good balance between the rights of property owners and the rights of the public to use and enjoy our waterways."

Assembly Bill 297 was the work product of a broad coalition of key stakeholders including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the Wisconsin Builders Association, and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes. It passed both houses in the legislature with unanimous support.

While some existing piers will not be grandfathered, the law makes the process easier and more equitable for obtaining the necessary permits to keep these piers in place. "This new permitting process recognizes that many of these piers have been in place for decades and it would be unfair to make waterfront property owners rip them out," said Bill Malkasian, President, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association.

While a pier adds monetary value to waterfront property because it provides access to the water for boating and recreation, there can also be a significant emotional attachment for some property owners. "A pier is the place where many families have spent countless hours swimming, fishing and spending time together," said Spranger. "Piers are emblematic of summer-time fun in Wisconsin."

And here's hoping that summer will really arrive one day so we can use those piers!

Wisconsin Lakes - what's the difference?

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:49:31 +0000

The beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin hosts thousands of lakes for which we are lucky to be able to enjoy. Lakes are created several different ways and have some different characteristics because of that. If you want to learn more about the types of lakes that can be found in Wisconsin, click here for an article from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

which 2 Wisconsin cities made the Top 100 places to "Live & Launch" list?

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:59:49 +0000

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!

Home sales rise

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:51:57 +0000

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.

Bob Weber receives Easter Seal award

nospam@example.com (First Weber Group Realtors) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:30:54 +0000

Bob Weber, president of First Weber Group Realtors, has been involved in Easter Seals for the past 19 years. That dedication is very impressive. This year he was surprised with an award for "Outstanding Fundraising" from the Easter Seals organization. Congratulations! We are proud of you.

Bob Weber and committee members Lisa Mohar and Pam Birschbach

As a company, we created The First Weber Foundation to help support Wisconsin charities. Hundreds of agents across Wisconsin donate time and money to causes of their choosing or causes chosen by the First Weber Foundation Board of Directors, of which Bob is also a member of. Together we have made significant contributions to Wisconsin charities.

Yes, we are a large company - one made up of thousands of individuals each with their own talents, relationships, friends, interests etc. Real estate, when it all boils down, is all about people helping people.

We could not succeed if we did not have people who care. May we help you?