Wisconsin

Mortgage Independence

07-03-09

Brenda Carus

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Office: (608) 329-2175

Mobile: (608) 214-5796

In the spirit of Independence Day, I present How to Declare Mortgage Independence.

No, I'm not suggesting anything shady here. This isn't like how to stop paying taxes. This is how to plan ahead so that down the road you can be one of the people who own their American Dream outright, no mortgage, nothing owed to the bank.

The key here is planning ahead. This is a crucial thing to do when buying any home.

Don't let yourself get house poor. Talk with the bank first and know your buying power. Then, decide if you want your house payment to be the maximum that it can be or if you want something lower. If you buy a house at a price that is under your maximum, you will be more able to cope with emergencies, save for luxuries or pay extra on your mortgage.

Go for the shortest term mortgage you can afford. A 30 year mortgage is pretty standard, but in the long term, it costs you thousands upon thousands more in interest than a 15 year mortgage. With a 30 year mortgage, many also feel like paying it off will be impossible. I mean really, 30 years to own my house? Most of us scoff and feel like that will never happen. However, a 15 year mortgage, now that is something different. Hey, just 15 years ago, I was graduating college. That is a time period that feels more doable to many people.

Pay extra on that mortgage when you are able. If you already have an adequate savings, direct a little extra towards your mortgage. If you paid attention to buying under your ability, you are more likely to be in this position as the years go by. Surprise money? Instead of spending all of it on a vacation or treating yourself, take at least a portion and put it towards your mortgage.

Plan to stay put. Houses are not like cars. You cannot trade them in every 3-5 years for something newer. Well, you can, but you'll end up losing money in most markets. The early part of this decade, when people were selling after 3-5 years and making large amounts of money on their homes, was an anomaly when you look at history. When you look at homes, plan for your long term needs. How many kids do you think you'll have in 5-7 years? Plan for enough bedrooms. Are you getting older with retirement on the horizon? Look for things than can accommodate reduce mobility just in case. Think long term, not just "Oh, we'll sell in a couple of years and get what we need then." If you can stay in a home for the better part of a decade or more, you will reap bigger benefits when you do sell.

Surprised to see a realtor giving some of this advice? I don't make my living at the expense of others. I am a partner in the home buying process for my buyers, not the cheesy steroetyped realtor who looks out for herself.

If you wait for enough years in order to have your home appreciate significantly and have a significant chunk of your mortgage paid off when you do sell, you can buy a more expensive home without having to increase your mortgage expenses. You and I can celebrate together when we sell your first house and I help you find the second one. We'll have an easier time selling your first house because you will have accumlated enough equity to have room to negotiate comfortably.

You can declare mortgage independence, but only by planning ahead.

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Market Report - Vilas and Oneida Counites 7-3-09

07-03-09

Jim Mulleady

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Office: (800) 282-1774

Mobile: (715) 617-8581
Secondary: (715) 479-1774

The red line is the units sold and is the most significant value. Unit sales in June 2008 were 123, in 2007, they were 186 and in 2006 they were 207. In 2009, June unit sales of homes in Vilas and Oneida Counties were a disappointing 79 units. We are selling 38% of the homes that we were in 2006 and 64% of what we were in 2008.

This is normally our prime selling season. Our inventory is excellent and there are terrific values out there. There simply are not many buyers.

We were more optimistic about the second half of 2009 but I'm afraid that our expectations were set too high. Other areas of the country are rebounding but there is a definite downward trend here right now. If you are a Seller that is not good news as further discounting will be necessary. If you are a Buyer, this is excellent news as terrific buys are out there and more will be coming.

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Funny Friday's

07-03-09

Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties

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Office: (262) 567-2455

Mobile: (414) 254-6647
Secondary: (262) 650-9318

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

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kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com www.kristinjohnston.com www.ecademy.com www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.xing.com corporate website , and more.

And, as always, if you need real estate assistance in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, or anywhere in SE Wisconsin, please don't hesitate to contact me, Kristin Johnston , at kjohnston@remax.net . Please make sure to visit my personal website as well at http://www.kristinjohnston.com and find everything from online markets , Buyer and Seller information, property searches , testimonials , calculators , my blog and more.

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Waukesha County Realtor. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home! Contact me today!

Contact Kristin Johnston, Remax Realty Center, Realtor, Waukesha, WI (Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties and All Of SE Wisconsin!).

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Muskego Real Estate Market Update for June 2009

07-03-09

Keith Manson

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Office: (414) 543-7800

Mobile: (414) 254-7313
Secondary: (414) 858-0407

There were 21 sales during June 2009 with an average sales price on $247,152 with an average list to sales price of 96.26%. In addition, during June 2009 there were 21 accepted offer with future closing dates.

During June 2009 there were 2 less sales compared to June 2008 and the listing increased by 4 new listings compared to June 2008.

There are currently 260 listed properties with an average list price $323,170 that have been on the market 122 days.

The sales activity in June 2009 was all over the board; the lowest sale was at $109,500, median price was $195,00 and the highest price was $599,000.

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Brookfield Real Estate Market update for June 2009

07-03-09

Keith Manson

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Office: (414) 543-7800

Mobile: (414) 254-7313
Secondary: (414) 858-0407

There were 57 sales during June 2009 with an average sales price $321,513 and a 94.89% list to sale price. In addition, there were 44 accepted offers with future closing dates.

During June 2009 there were 2 more sales when compared to June 2008. The listings also increased during June 2009 compared to June 2008. The number of new listings added in June 2009 was 15 more than in June 2008.

Currently there are 543 properties listed with an average list price of $371,437 and have been on the market 149 days.

Most sales during June 2009 have been in the $225,000 $300,000 range.

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