About Columbia County, WI

This is a great home located in Cambria Wisconsin in Columbia it is listed for only $22,500 with an appraisal of $78,300 by Columbia Count in 2009. It has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath with an attached garage. It needs some work but will make a great home when finished. Cambria is a wonderful little town with lots of history located in Columbia County

I could hear the booming voice and the surprised reactions from 4 cars away, "Welcome to Taco Bell. My name's Fluffy. How can I help you tonight?" This unconventional and unexpected greeting coming from the microphone was causing quite a stir with the Friday night crowd. Fluffy was clearly cracking people up and the excitement he caused was palpable. We'd come to the Taco Bell at 321 State Highway 13 after a long day at Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. After miles of walking, blistering sun, $3 waters, $5 slices of pizza and at times less than stellar service, theatrics from a drive through clerk was a refreshing surprise.

As we got closer to ordering the peals of laughter following Fluffy's missive could almost be scripted. "Hey Fluffy!!!" No, Fluffy was not his real name, just a nickname he'd pricked up somewhere along the line. Yes, he was serious, Fluffy. Fluffy's delivery was enthusiastic and playful. Fluffy was having fun and we were all invited to join in. In a world where many in the fast food industry barely even say "hello'" Fluffy's welcoming entreatment created an infectious energy that could be felt from afar.

All the way through the line, which was long, Fluffy could be heard hamming it up with the residents and tourists motoring their way through the drive-up window that night. I was thinking during this time how great it was of Fluffy to do this for everybody. In a town of long lines, high prices, bumper to bumper traffic and, at times, grumpy, demanding kids, tempers can get a tad frayed. Add to that a super long drive up line at almost 10pm and people can get a bit short.

Fluffy took it all in stride however. Fluffy reminded us that we could laugh and take it easy. It was OK. We;d get our food. We'd be fine. As I got to the window and was again greeted energetically and enthusiastically by Fluffy I asked him how his night was going. "Fantastic. I'm having a great time. Life's good." How often do you hear that from someone working a fast food window. I learned some things there that night, First, one person's attitude can have a phenomenal effect on so many, and second, people spend a lot of money at Taco Bell!

As we waited for our food and Fluffy took more orders I couldn't help thinking of the title of this blog. "What the world needs is more Fluffy." If we all had this much excitement and enthusiasm for what we did and we communicated the same, how much more could we accomplish? When you meet someone like Fluffy you can realize how simple and how rarefied singularity can be. I mean I must have gone through a dozen or more drive throughs on our trip and Fluffy is the only attendant's name who I can remember.

So, are you like Fluffy? Do people remember you, days, weeks, years later because of some individual or unique quality you display or possess? Are do they forget you as if you are just another cashier in a drive through restaurant in anytown USA? Whether they do or don't I think is up to you.

If you happen to be in the Dells, stop by and see Fluffy. You'll be the better for it.

It seems like the real estate market is in a pivotal state right now. In the Dells area we had a very active December, a slow January and we have seen some pick up in the market in February. Year to date 18 properties sold in this area compared to 14 sales last year. There are 14 accepted offers in process indicating that March sales should be above last year's number. These numbers show year to year growth, but at a snails pace.

What is most concerning are the 700 properties currently on the market for sale. At the current rate of sales it would take many years for all of these properties to sell, just too much inventory. The breakdown of the listed properties is 200 single family (many are mfg homes which are tough to sell) 150 condo's and 330 lots/acreage properties.

For buyers these are great numbers. Combine the high inventory with low mortgage interest rates and the income tax credits being offered, this is a great time to buy.

For existing home owners who plan to upgrade their primary residence, this is also a great time to buy. Expect to sell your existing home for less, but you will also be buying your larger home for less. The numbers work out in your favor and you may also be eligible for the $6,500 income tax credit if you have lived in your existing home 5 out of the past 8 years.

For sellers, it is time to be serious about selling. Don't put your property on the market unless you want to sell. Be prepared to sell for less than you think your property is worth. In this market, to list your property for sale over market value means it will just sit there and clog up the unsold inventory.

My market is the Wisconsin Dells area and a popular local paper is the Wisconsin Dells Events. On Saturday, January 3^rd the front page article was titled "Housing not selling like it used to". There was a large picture on the front page associated with the article of a house with a For Sale sign from my office. It was not my sign but it was one of my associates. She was not interviewed for the article. Instead the reporter chose to interview 3 other Agents. The jist of the article was that the market was in bad shape. One of the agents interviewed made a statement that 2008 has been the worst year for him in his 35 years of selling.

I just do not know what benefit statements like this have. All statistics show that 2008 was a down year, but not the worst year. The agent whose listing appeared in the article was less than pleased. The house was only on the market for 30 days and she has had good buyer interest, the listing is definitely not representative of a down housing market.

We are attempting to counter this negative article. An agent in town wrote a letter to the editor giving some local statistics that show the market is down but not in crisis. I interviewed with the reporter this week and provided her statistics from our MLS that show property values actually increased in 2008 over 2007. The number of properties sold is down about 35%, but values are holding. My opinion is that this is a great market for buyers. Inventories are up giving the buyer some great selections, values are holding giving the buyer security that their investment will be a good one and mortgage rates are really low.

I think that all REALTOR's need to be very careful of what they say to the press. These articles have an effect on buyer and seller decisions. If we are going to give opinions about the housing market make sure that the statistics support the opinion.