Where Have All the Houses Gone??

Sold Home For Sale Sign in Front of New HouseOzaukee county homes and Washington county homes continue to sell at a faster pace than we’ve seen in the past few years. It’s a new normal we’re having to adjust to.

I recently picked up a few new buyers, none of which are looking for an overly unique property. Finding their ideal home has proven to be quite the challenge. What they are looking for just isn’t out there. It’s left me scratching my head, wondering how soon “the” house will show itself in the system.

Last night I ran a search for one of these buyers. They are looking for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch home in four different communities. In their price point, only seven homes came up, and one of those has an accepted offer.

Searching for another buyer, who is looking for an older home with the character and charm we don’t typically see in newer construction, I found no homes that met their criteria. Not even close. And this is in a community that typically has several to choose from.

So what’s going on? Where have all the houses gone?

The Ozaukee county real estate market and Washington county real estate market are making a comeback. You’ve heard it before — interest rates are still below 4%, and buyers are feeling more confident, resulting in more homes being sold, an increase in prices in some areas, and fewer days on the market.

For sellers who have been toying with the idea of selling, this may be the time. The buyers are out there. For buyers who have been thinking about buying, be ready to move quickly and be prepared to make your best offer out of the gate.

This faster-paced market is an adjustment for everyone — sellers, buyers, and agents alike.

Kids Riding for Kids Event to Support the MACC Fund

kids riding for kids

Join us on Saturday, May 18, at Stepping Stones Children’s Center in Belgium, Wisconsin for “Kids Riding for Kids and help out the MACC fund.

This one-day event is planned for 9:00 am – 2:00 pm and will include a bike/tricycle ride for children up to age 12, Touch-A-Truck, children’s entertainment (including a bouncy house and Mr. Pickles), and a cornhole tournament for the adults. Food will also be available.

Children wishing to participate in the bike ride are asked to collect pledges from family and friends. All donations from the ride, as well as proceeds collected throughout the day, will be given directly to the MACC fund to help fight childhood cancer and other blood disorders.

The pledge form for the bike ride and the registration form for the cornhole tournament, as well as additional information, can be found at ride.steppingstoneschildren.com.

Where to live in Wisconsin

Where to live in WisconsinBest place to live in Wisconsin

Wisconsin, located in the north the central United States or the Midwest/Great Lakes region is known as “America’s Dairyland” and home to manufacturing companies, tourism, and to over 5 ½ million residents. Wisconsin’s largest city is Milwaukee followed by Madison and several cities throughout the southern part of the state. Wisconsin is bordered by Lake Michigan to the Southeast and Lake superior to the North.

While I can’t speak for the entire state of Michigan I can tell you about our little slice of heaven located on Lake Michigan’s North Shore. Between Sheboygan and Milwaukee on the shoreline of Lake Michigan are several smaller communities and homes at dotted along Interstate 43. This is considered Wisconsin’s North Shore area and consists of about 10 different towns and communities in and around Washington and Ozaukee County.

Rolling hills of Northshore WisconsinThis region of Wisconsin have a low population density with beautiful fields, ranches and farms scattered throughout the County. Harrington Beach State Park is located towards north Ozaukee County and is a picture-perfect Park complete with campground, walking trails, picnic areas, birdwatching, cross-country skiing in the wintertime and Quarry Lake, right up against the shores.

There are several homes and real estate properties all up and down Wisconsin’s North Shore and I know I’m biased, but I feel it’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire state. We don’t have the hustle and bustle, noise and pollution of downtown cities but the green grass and feels of freshly plowed plots of land ready for planting. Seen from above, our land is dotted with the most gorgeous tapestry of browns and greens, golds and tans anywhere in the state. With the crystal blue waters lapping our images, this to me is one of the best places to live in Wisconsin.

Call me if you’re interested in learning more about this amazing part of the country or would like some information on homes, real estate, properties, farms or land in Ozaukee and Washington County.

 

How a 6-1/2 Year Old Negotiates the Purchase of a House

Yesterday a call came through on my phone that looked like it was from my brother. When I answered I heard, “Hi, Auntie Peggy.” It was my 6-1/2 year old nephew.

“Well, hi, Nathan. How are you?”

“Good. We are driving around and we saw a house with a sign in front that has your name on it.”

surprise4“Yeah…I’m trying to sell that house. Do you want to buy it?”

“Sure! We could buy it.” (I can hear my brother laughing in the background.) “How much is it?”

“One hundred fifty eight thousand dollars.”

“What?!? A hundred fifty eight thousand dollars!?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t have that much money.” (Slight pause.) “Would you take five or ten dollars because that I can handle.”

Wonder if my seller would consider this deal. Maybe I should get it in writing.

Washington County Real Estate Report for First Quarter 2013

With the first quarter of 2013 already behind us, these graphs give a summary of how things are going in the Washington County real estate market.

The number of single-family homes that sold in March is up considerably over February (83 units in March, 60 units in February) and pretty steady with March of 2012 (86).

 

Units Sold Washington

The average selling price is up just a bit over February ($214, 534 vs. $219,149).

Average Sale Price Washington

The average days on market saw an increase over February, up to 167 from 136. As of the date of publication, the average days on market for homes that are “pending” (meaning all contingencies have been removed), is at 137. If that number holds through the month, we’ll be back on track to getting homes sold more quickly.

Average DOM Washington

Data provided by Multiple Listing Service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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