Dan Gobis

After a year plus of brutal reporting on the demise of the Real Estate Industry, the news media has moved on to another whipping boy, the looming recession, and again, they are late in their reporting.

RECESSION HAS BEEN HERE SINCE MID-2007! Based on historical data used to measure whether we are in a recession, the official announcement comes nearly two quarters after the recession actually begins. Economists are a bit anal, for fear of being wrong.(That is a normal fear, for the rest of us, they just expect themselves to be above it.) More than 50% of economist's predictions are wrong, over 50% of the time. Not to mention most of the 'historical data' is based on pre-global economy data. We have been in a recession, we will come out of it by the end of 2008.

This inept, 'Johnny-come-lately' reporting, and the presidential campaign coverage has allowed the Real Estate industry to experience it's annual rite of spring, increased activity in sales! We thank the media for this reprieve.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Real Estate Market will bottom out in the next few months. We won't see a rebound, but prices will stop declining. It is a good time to buy in Southeastern Wisconsin!

Harbor in Winter. Reefpoint Marina & Harbor in Summer.

Winter in Racine is a true work of art. It is a wonderful time for sledders, skiers, tobogganers, snowmobilers, ice skaters, ice fisherman (and ice fisherwomen), building snowmen (and snowwomen), creating ice sculptures and snow anjels.

Our average snowfall per winter is 47.2 inches. This year, so far, we have received just over 80 inches of snow.

My listing in Green Ridge Condominiums, the snow is a foot higher than the roof of the vehicle. The west side of the same building has snow up to the second story.

My listing at 424 Island Ave., in summer and winter. Pretty, eh?

Average temperature in January is 14 degrees. Average temperature in July is 80 degrees.

Reefpoint Marina in January.

Winter in Racine always keeps us optimistic, the future will be warmer.

St. Patrick's Day Parade Downtown Racine March 15, 2008 starts at High Noon!

Lots of laddies and lassies all dressed in green, a leprechaun here and there. A bit of Irish Stew and green beer. Bagpipers, Celtic dance, floats, costumed characters, Drum and Bugle Corps and a Scottish Band in Kilts will all participate.

Live Music will be featured at several locations throughout the afternoon and evening. Stop in and visit your favorite local pub.

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY

Downtown Racine will be rolling along this year! Our 7th Annual Public Art Exhibit is underway. The canvas for this year's event is a 'Sphere', a 32" diameter fiberglass sphere mounted on a 24" x 32" base The theme for the event is determined through a contest, open to the public. Ideas are submitted to Downtown Racine Corporation (DRC) and judges determine determine the winning submission. This year the theme is "Sphere Madness."

The Spheres are sponsored by businesses and individuals. Artists submit their designs to DRC and are assigned to a sponsor if the sponsor doesn't have an artist. The Spheres are to be finished by the end of May when there will be a Preview Party to be held May 31 at Wingspread, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built Conference Center in Wind Point, a community on the northside of Racine.

After the Preview Party, the art pieces will be displayed at local shops, restaurants, and businesses throughout Downtown Racine. An auction, open to the public, will be held on September 6, at Memorial Hall in Downtown.

This is one of many exiting events held Downtown Racine on the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan.

Racine, Wisconsin is on the threshold of a major revival! This beautiful City on the southern shore of Lake Michigan was settled in 1834 by Capt. Gilbert Knapp. Incorporated as a Village in 1841, Racine's growth was nothing short of phenomenal.

J.I. Case brought his Threshing Machine Company to Racine in 1844, and soon the Village of Racine became world renown as the center of agricultural and farm related industries. Soon after, the Horlick Malted Milk Company, Johnson's Wax Company and a host of other world class manufacturers were located in Racine.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed and supervised the Johnson Wax Tower, Wingspread, and a number of private residences in Racine. Many historic buildings are recognized throughout Racine for their architectural significance.

As the manufacturing industry changed, Racine changed. Change has presented Racine with new opportunities, and over a billion dollars later, and another billion dollars in future opportunities on the horizon, Racine is truly a great place to live!!