Mark Hilgenberg

So far I've had the opportunity to help two families from falling victim to foreclosure. One was a short sale and the other was helping the home owner understand the option of restructuring their mortgage loan. See, that's what this is all about, becomingthe publics real estate advocate, who they can go to for help. Help them sell and buy real estate, provide them with information and expertise on options available in the purchase or sale of real estate. In the case of foreclosure help, this is serious business and you better be well equipped with knowledge from all angles if you are going to help these people. In both cases sited above, the home owners credit was saved from near disaster and their families were able sleep a little better.

By all accounts and statistics it appears a huge percentage of Americans are headed to foreclosure. Some media experts (or so called experts) made a guess of 1 in 4 home owners are in trouble with their mortgages. There's real anxiety around us and real financial problems, maybe your sister, your uncle, maybe a friend, and even your neighbor is on the edge of facing foreclosure. Then there's all the scam artists ripping off these poor soles. For sure, things seems to be going to hell in a hand basket. But, there's hope. I recently became a Certified Distressed Property Expert and I can save nearly 9 out of 10 home owners from foreclosure. There's options available to any and all who want it. Expired listings can't sell because they owe more than the market will bare, for sale by owners try to sell on their own because they can't afford the selling expenses. Not one of these groups can sell their home, but there's hope. Through several options we can help these people avoid foreclosure, help these people sell their homes and everyone benefits while we get the economy moving again in the right direction. Most people, including well intentioned Realtors, don't fully understand the complexities and expertise needed to achieve loan modifications, forbearance agreements, short sales, etc. Anyone who has experienced a set back in their life or know of someone who has should investigate the possibilities available through expert leadership. For more information contact the Mark Hilgenberg Group at Coldwell Banker in Green Bay Wisconsin, 920-469-4696 or email Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com. More to follow...........

I was recently talking with some newbie parents about their plans for their child's college education since two of my children are currently enrolled in two separate universities. The discussion centered on the expense of sending a kid to college today and what that expense might be when their kids go to college. Well, let me tell you, it's expense to send two kids to school, let alone one. And with the way the world is going who knows what funds will be available when their kids reach college age. One area of expertise I have is real estate and if there's one thing I know how to do well it's make money on real estate as an investment, is what I told these newbie parents. You can't rely on CD's, the stock market or the lottery I said. But, you can buy real estate and utilize it as a vehicle to pay for your child's education. How, well, provided your children are young enough, you buy a small house, duplex, or multi-family, amortize the loan over 15-20 years, and when the child is is old enough to go to college, the real estate investment will have almost be paid off, plus, it will have appreciated significantly in value from wen you first purchased it. I know some people who bought these types of investments, one for each kid. And as I have said before, historically (what else do you have to go on but history) these values have increased in value while the debt has decreased. But, you have to be responsible about it-make a plan and follow that plan. This means, when things start going well you don't sell it or you don't borrow more money against it. You buy it, maintain it, and you pay the loan off within the initial desired time frame. Right now, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, there remains a healthy supply of these investments, from multi family to duplex type properties, and the market value of these is rock bottom right now. Although lenders scrutinize these more than owner occupied properties there remains a healthy supply of money available to lend on these. So, if you or someone you know is a newbie parent and wants their child to go to college, do them a favor and tell recommend to consider real estate as an investment in the child's future. Who knows, they might like it so much they build their own little nest egg along the way. For more information on investment real estate email Mark at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

According to all the sole called "experts" in real estate, mainly the media, the real estate market remains in a dive mode. Of course they love to paint a picture of dreaded news, that would be those good ol' media folks that so many of us have become to rely upon as the "experts". The truth is real estate is local in nature, meaning what happens in one market doesn't necessarily happen in another. Case in point, portions of Arizona, California, and Florida have grabbed the spotlight as areas of doom and gloom when portions of those areas are sailing along quite well. Same point, Wisconsin, or here in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the market remains a leader compared to others, yet some other markets in Wisconsin are coming along better than good ol' Green Bay, Wisconsin. Why? Variables dictate so much in the financial sectors like employment, demographics, recreations, etc. Green Bay has been a relatively conservative community so we haven't experienced the major peaks in market activity like areas of Arizona, California, and Florida. We are mainly made up of primary residences, blue color work force, and the Green Bay Packers of course (come on, you didn't think I would leave that smiget of information out did you), recreation and more. So there's been a gradual curve of expansion and contraction. And from my economics studies, this cycle is governed by those that law of "what goes up must come down". Yet, the degree of the cycle in Green Bay has not been as significant as the media suggests. Therefore, the true experts on the market remain to be the professional Realtors who practice real estate year in and year out. We know where the market stands at any given time, just ask. While the current figures indicate that the average price has declines approximately 11% over the same time last year, it doesn't break down the distortion created by the foreclosure market and short sales. Once the foreclosures and short sales have lessened, a true picture of the market will emerge. One interesting fact we are experiencing is less homes are coming on the market for sale. Again, this is the nature of the historic cycle of the market. While other parts of the country remain gloomy, the Green Bay real estate market fares better than the so called "experts" describe. And that's the local picture from your local real estate expert.

There is a change in the air. Can you feel it? What kind of change you ask-a change in the real estate market, a slight change in the markets natural adjustment of supply and demand. And, without government intervention I might add. Anyway, yesindeed, there is that feel, from an experts opinion, the real estate market is tweaking itself in trying to attain some balance. Looking closely at MLS statistics and hearing the publics plans and opinions gives credence to an effort of the markets natural desire of balance. Usually, at least in the midwest, the market doesn't sway to far to the left or right like you find in other highly volatile markets like California and Florida, just to name a few. The peaks and valleys in the midwest are relatively moderate. But the peak experienced in 2004-2006 were significant and so was the valley beginning in 2007. It was a sharp an unpleasant change. But, that's the markets natural flow-high peaks followed by deep valleys, sometimes abruptly sometimes slowly but it always happens one way or the other. So now a few of us are feeling a sway in the real estate markets momentum and that's a good sign for us all. Believe me, and the professional economists will agree, a balanced market is what we all hope for. This will bring some sunshine to this economic slump. So what happens when the market is balanced-prices are moderate, more positive, and good things begin to happen all around. There's less speculation and more stability, and that makes for less foreclosures and increased help needed advertising. See, everything takes on a new look, a new feel, a more positive outcome takes place. Now, I'm no Pollyanna, and this takes time for the momentum to get going, but the indicators are there. And while there will be some swings up and down as there usually is in a market adjustment, the slight nudge has occurred. By the way, history does repeat itself, at least in the real estate market. And in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Mark Hilgenberg Group, at Coldwell Banker, has witnessed this same thing in the early 1980's. I guess that's the beginning to a good silver anniversary. (25 yrs) With summer right around the corner the timing couldn't be better. While winter is in the distant there's plenty of time to get the momentum moving. Just keep moving forward.

If you are a 1st time home buyer and want to know about the benefits to home ownership, the home buyer tax incentive, or want to know how much home you qualify for you can reach Mark Hilgenberg at Coldwell Banker real estate 920-469-4696 or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

If you are a home buyer moving up to your next home and need information on: your existing home, your new home, or both, market plans, or, coordination from your existing home to your new home call Mark Hilgenberg at 920-469-4696, or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

If you plan is selling your home and moving out of the area, need a Good Realtor in your desired location, need a marketing plan on your home to capture the highest price, in the shortest period of time, with the least amount of inconveniences, then you should call Mark Hilgenberg at 920-469-4696 or email him at Mark@MarkHilgenberg.com.

Mark Hilgenberg is a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) and an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR).