Peggy Wester Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate

Grafton's Christmas Parade: Saturday, November 29, 11:00 a.m. Route: Starts at 6th Avenue and Washington Avenue (Hwy 60), proceeds east then south on Wisconsin Avenue and ends at Little Ceasar's Pizza. There will be a community Christmas party later that day at the Mequon Country Club beginning with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 377-1650

Belgium's Christmas Parade: Sunday, November 30, 5:00 p.m. Route: Starts at Spring Street/S. Lar-Ann St; goes to Main Street and then west on Main to Community Park. The Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School Marching Band, Chamber Singers, various floats and Santa will be in the parade. After the parade, there will be complimentary chili and hot chocolate (donated by Belgium Subway and Belgium Hardware & Beverage), a bonfire (weather permitting) and kids can visit with Santa. All of this takes place at Community Park.

West Bend's Christmas Parade: Sunday, November 30, 5:00 p.m. Route: Begins at Regner Park, continues south on Main Street, east on Cedar Street, continues south on Main Street and ends on the west side of Oak Street.

Unlike the uneasy stock market, housing has experienced a correction in its market over the last 2 1/2 years. It no longer appears to be on a downward slide, but is now starting to even out. In fact, there is a huge demand for housing right now, particularly with first time buyers wishing to cash in on the great deals out there. Interest rates went down again last week (30-year fixed rate loans went from 6.5% to 6.24% and 15-year loan rates went from 6.14% to 5.9%), encouraging investors to jump in the market. Last week alone, new mortgage applications increased 12%, FHA loan applications were up by 15.3% and conventional loan applications were up 6.5%. Pending home sales across the country went up for the second straight month this year, ending 1.6% higher in September 2008 than in September 2007. Don't expect the housing market to recover overnight. Instead, the market is more like the turtle...slow and steady wins the race. Over the next two years, housing numbers may not soar, but they are expected to steadily increase. For more information on the Ozaukee and Washington County real estate market, please contact me.

Despite the doom and gloom of the stock market lately, there is some good news in the real estate market. As of last week, 30-year fixed rate loans are down to an average of 6.8% and 15-year loans are at 6.05%. The Conference Board's Bell Weather Index of Leading Indicators pointing to the economic direction of the country in the near future actually jumped upward after a five month decline. The index measures 10 key metrics related to the growth or decline of the economy. Some economists are predicting a recession (two straight quarters of negative growth), but the leading indicators index suggests that it is more likely that there will be a slow, minimal economic growth in the immediate future. While this isn't great news, it does show that the grim reaper isn't quite knocking at the economy's door. It's time for people to be more optimistic about the United States' future.

There is also talk in Congress of a new economic stimulus package in the near future. Included in this plan is a larger, non-repayable federal tax credit for homebuyers. This credit could be as high as $10,000-$12,000 and is open to anyone who purchases a home in the coming year, not just first time homebuyers. This credit will also be non-repayable. Currently, first time homebuyers are allowed up to a $7500 credit when they purchase a home, but this credit has to be repaid to the government over time or when the home is sold. This basically amounts to an interest-free loan instead of a "credit" and turned many people off of utilizing it. The thought behind the larger, non-repayable credit is that it will spark more interest in purchasing homes, pouring more money into the real estate market and stimulating the economy. Ask your Realtor about these new programs and how they may help you.

There are several cities in Ozaukee County that are holding fun Halloween events during the next week. Take a Gothic History Tour of Cedarburg at 7pm on October 24th, 6:30pm on October 26th or 7 & 9pm on October 31st. Each 90-minute tour starts at the Cedarburg Cultural Center and includes stories and scenes of murder, death and mystery in the Cedarburg history from the 1900s-1920s. For more info, please call 375-3676.

On Saturday, October 25th, enjoy a Halloween Candlelight Hike from 6-9pm with the entire family. Hikers get to walk through a trail lit by tiki torches, travel along a haunted trail, peer at the night sky at the Pluncket Observatory and end at the Welcome Center with food and a bonfire. Come dressed up for the costume party at 7pm and pumpkin carving contest at 8pm. For more info, call 285-3015.

St Mary's Catholic Church in Port Washington will be holding a smorgasbord dinner from 11am-3pm on Sunday, October 26th. Have fun playing Bingo from 11:30am-2:30pm. The church will also host a book sale, craft sales, silent auction and raffle. Kids are invited to dress in costume. For more info, please call 284-5771.

The Grafton Senior Center will be hosting a Halloween costume party on October 29th at 4pm. Festivities include a homemade lasagna dinner, costume contest, live music and door prizes. For more info, please call 375-5310.

On Tuesday, October 21st, the Ozaukee County Administation Center will be hosting Prepare to Care, a program to help both individuals and families create plans for the future care of either themselves or their loved ones. This program will be held from 6:30-8pm at 121 W Main Street in Port Washington and is open to everyone. To register for this great program, simply call the University of Wisconsin Extension at 284-8288.

Remember, if you are not registered to vote and live in Wisconsin, you need to register yourself no later than 10 days preceeding the election (on November 4th) to be able to vote. That means, you must register to vote no later than October 15th to be eligible to vote in the presidential election this year. No matter what your political feelings are, make sure you get out there and VOTE!