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Entries tagged as Wisconsin real estate
Thursday, April 3. 2008
Lake Mildred  Lake Mildred is one of the Northern Wisconsin’s gems. Located between Rhinelander and Lake Tomahawk, this clear, deep lake was recently described as “outstanding” by a DNR biologist because of its clarity. Long and meandering, Lake Mildred is 190 acres in size with depths of 45 feet or more. There are 4 state owned islands on the lake and a small channel leading to Clear Lake, an adjoining 30 acre lake. Fish species include large and small mouth bass, bluegills, northern, muskies, and walleye. Both year round and seasonal residents enjoy Lake Mildred.
First Weber currently has 2 homes listed for sale on Lake Mildred. They can be found at (MLS 81905 and 71469)
Wednesday, April 2. 2008
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!
Tuesday, April 1. 2008
Staging your vacant lot Most real estate agents and sellers understand the benefits of staging a home when it’s on the market. Vacant lots are really no different than homes, but very few agents ever coach sellers on how important it is to have a vacant lot ready for sale. Land typically does not get shown the way a home does. A buyer will grab a bunch of MLS sheets and then go on a road trip without their agent, expecting to find all the lots on their list. Imagine their frustration when they can’t find half of the lots and the other half just have a sign on a tree that may or may not actually be on the lot. These are the things that should be done before the sign goes up. Have a current survey of the property Clearly mark all corners. If the lot is large, have a surveyor blaze the lines so a buyer can walk the entire perimeter of the lot. Clean up the lot. Remove any debris, dead trees, etc. Land is like a home, it should not be a mess when you put it on the market. If the lot is heavily wooded, clear out a trail or path so you can walk from end to end without needing a machete Know what utilities are available and where they are located. Never assume that just because the property is on a town road that power and phone run to the lot Have a current soil test done (if the property is not serviced by municipal sewer) One of the first questions a buyer will ask is “does this property perc?” Know what kind of road the lot is on. Is it a town or county road, or is it a private easement road that has to be maintained by the owners. Get information on zoning and recorded restrictions and covenants. If the lot is on a lake or river make sure that there is a path leading to the water. Complete a Real Estate Condition report. Disclosures on vacant land are just as important as disclosures on homes. Buyers want to know if there are wetlands on the property, if the property is in MFL, etc
(submitted by Sandy Ebben, First Weber Group)
Friday, March 7. 2008
[John Deininger, of the REALTORS Association of South Central Wisconsin) The January, 2008 statistics are now available, and should surprise no one. In a winter of record snowfalls, where we could reach nearly three times the “average” snowfall; and icy roads, where just venturing out is an adventure; one might assume that numbers would be down. The idea of purchasing a home when you can’t look at the roof, (since it’s covered with a foot of snow); or admiring the landscape, (since it’s covered with two feet of snow), can be a real challenge. Unless there is a strong motivation or need to move, most people are holding on until Mother Nature cooperates a little more. Historically, January sales drop from December amounts. Dane County residential sales over the last two years showed drops of 21% and 26% from the prior month, and when you compare those results with the 38% drop this year, you can see how the weather has affected the market. When you look at the entire reporting area for the South Central Wisconsin MLS, the residential market looks very balanced. During January, there were 86 reported sales of properties under $100,000; there were 99 reported sales of properties between $100,000 and $139,999; there were 103 reported sales of properties between $140,000 and $179,000; there were 100 reported sales of properties between $180,000 and $249,000; and 100 reported sales over $250,000. Although the market has slowed, there is activity at all price points. As anticipated, new listings have increased after the first of the year, with some areas doubling the number of new listings boarded in December. While the high inventories create a challenge for sellers, the market remains very attractive for buyers. First time buyers need confidence in the market, and to understand the opportunities that currently exist. People are used to and accept stock market fluctuations that can vary widely, but simply aren’t used to a housing market that does anything but boom. The goal is to educate the public, that although housing is cyclical, they are purchasing a tangible asset that provides shelter and tax advantages. Any investment advisor will tell you not to try to “time” the market, and the same holds true for real estate. The time to buy is now.
Wednesday, January 30. 2008
According to Realty Trac, The US Foreclosure activity is up 75% in 2007. This is a scary number and a scary way to use the statistic. A different way of relaying the same story is that 1.033% of the nations' households is experiencing foreclosure. 1%. Makes you think a little differently, doesn't it. While the increase in foreclosures is not a pretty story and a very real problem, looking at the numbers a different way can do away with much of the sensationalism, doom and gloom reporting you see everyday. We need more positive news. Foreclosure is affecting a very small percentage of the population. While it is true there has been a 75% increase, looking at the big picture provides a better perspective. | Rank | State | Total properties with filing | % of total homes | | 1 | Nevada | 34,417 | 3.376 | | 2 | Florida | 165,291 | 2.002 | | 3 | Michigan | 87,210 | 1.947 | | 4 | California | 249,513 | 1.921 | | 5 | Colorado | 39,403 | 1.919 | | 6 | Ohio | 89,979 | 1.797 | | 7 | Georgia | 59,057 | 1.566 | | 8 | Arizona | 38,568 | 1.516 | | 9 | Illinois | 64,310 | 1.25 | | 10 | Indiana | 27,980 | 1.02 | | | | | | 21 | WISCONSIN | 12,133 | .486, LESS than 1% |
Wisconsin is faring considerably better than the nation and many of our midwest neighbors. A really interesting statistic is that Utah, one of the few states that has seen a decrease in foreclosures, still has a higher foreclosure rate than Wisconsin's at .852% of households.
Thursday, January 17. 2008
 Year end 2007 Metro Milwaukee MLS stats are in. We'll do a few counties at a time. Not better than 2006, but not as bad as the news reports! There are ways to look at the positive side - such as 2007 is one of the top 10 years in Wisconsin real estate history in terms of the number of homes sold. Can you believe that? It is true, homes are still selling.
Look at these stats comparing 2003 and 2007 year end stats. Interesting... Kenosha County 2003: Homes sold 7. Ave sales price $326,486 Ave Days on Market 136 Kenosha County 2007: Homes sold 12. Ave sales price $445,750 Ave Days on Market 101 Ozaukee County 2003: Homes sold 1277. Ave sales price $183,390 Ave Days on market 92 Ozaukee County 2007: Homes sold 1127. Ave sales price $310,535 Ave Days on market 103 Just wanted to share some postive real estate news... you'll note average sales prices increased nicely since 2003! Have a question? We can get you an answer. Thanks for reading - First Weber Group Realtors.
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