About Vilas County, WI

Happy 2009!

We’re eager to begin a new year, and a new marketing season for our properties.

In 2009, we will attend the Milwaukee Sports Show, and roll out several new lake-specific web sites, all designed to bring more traffic and buyers to our listed properties.

We’ll continue to optimize our Team web site, and add new links to already successful referral sites, Chambers of Commerce, industry forums and blogs, and social networks. This will generate more views and enthusiasm for our client’s properties, and great exposure for us.

Our firm will publish new “Hot Sheets” which feature newer listings, and distribute those to our Buyer’s Guide pick-up points located throughout the Northwoods. These will augment our full-color “Northwoods Lifestyle” magazine, which is printed three times per year.

Particular categories of our listings will benefit from paid internet ad space on successful web sites like www.lakehouse.com, www.bizbuysell.com, www.loopnet, www.costar.com, www.realtor.com, www.zillow.com, www.trulia.ocm, and several others. For some properties, we will obtain and market a domain name and unique web site for just that offering!

It’s no secret that 2008 was a challenging year for real estate sales, not only nationwide, but certainly in our area. Those who did sell their property in this past year were among very few that were able to accomplish this. Financing, inventory, the economy, the election, jobs, and many other factors contributed to a tough market. Here are the 2008 statistics for Vilas and Oneida Counties:

Vilas Oneida

Waterfront Home sales,

Units: 2008 / 2007 103/225 138/190 Average price: -5.3%

Vilas Oneida

Off-water Home sales,

Units: 2008 / 2007 129/169 261/311 Average price: -14%

Lots and Acreage

Units: 2008 / 2007 167/254 192/374 Average price: +6.6%

Northern Wisconsin MLS figures, effective 1/2/2009

Values have held nicely given the loss of market demand!

The Northwoods has had a slower recovery than the rest of the state, due in part to the nature of our customers; they must use discretionary or “extra” funds to make recreational purchases. Some areas of Wisconsin are seeing a faster turn-around in the market, but these places are largely areas of primary homes. Our time is coming!

In 2009, we look for lowering mortgage rates, stabilizing economic trends, a more positive attitude among the recreational property buyers, and a strong inventory to appeal to our customers.

We will continue to implement new marketing tools and work with proven techniques to maximize results for our clients. Team Rondello is in it “for the long haul” and is prepared to go the distance to bring positive results.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Please visit our web site at any time:

www.TeamRondello.com

As we enter the last 10 days of 2008, our thoughts turn to the holidays, our clients and customers, our family and friends. This has been a year of re-learning the value of relationships, the start of healing our national economy, re-structuring our political system, and focusing on those blessings and gifts that truly matter most. I think we’re learning again that’s it’s not about THINGS, it’s about PEOPLE. May the simple joy of the season bring you relaxation, peace, and introspect.

Mid-to-late December traffic has been typically light; we have written two offers in as many weeks and taken two new listings. Consumers viewed our listings on line often, with a peak the week of November 30^th thru December 6^th. We have several good buyers poised to get into the game in 2009, and with anticipated lower mortgage rates and excellent inventory, “2009 should be fine” …

We’re adding additional web presence and enhancements to all our listings in 2009 for greater exposure, and launching several new web sites to generate more traffic for our clients.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Team Rondello!

Pete Rondello, Sr. Jim Kleifgen Emily Butkus

WWW.VACATIONLANDPROPERTY.COM

Trout Lake Retreat..rare opportunity to aquire one of Northern Wisconsin's most sought after lake. This four thousand plus acre lot offers over three acres of privacy and two hundred feet of sugar sand swimming frontage. Property currently is being run as a resort and has been a resort for over fifty years. Property has four cabins one being a duplex, fireplace, woodburner, pier and much more. Would make an excellent family or executive retreat or you can remove existing buildings and build your dream home as this is priced to move at $1,450,000.00

NEIL PLUISTER 715-367-7270 NEIL@VACATIONLANDPROPERTY.COM

The story behind the story. The Wisconsin REALTORS Association just published their monthly numbers showing the number of sales and average sales price by county. It does not look very good for the Northwoods. Vilas County sales are off by 47%. Oneida County is not far behind -39%. The average home sale price is off from $175,000 to $113,300 or -35.3%. In Oneida County, the average home sales price actually rose from $112,000 to $120,000 or 7%.

On this chart, we track the average selling price of homes on and off water in Vilas and Oneida Counties. The real story is the lack of buyers. We do not have a shortage of money to lend. Banks are ready, willing and able to lend. We do not have a great number of foreclosures here in the Northwoods. That has helped keep values up. The big issue is what happens when the economy heads south. Discretionary spending takes a big hit. 80% of our waterfront homes here in the Northwoods are second homes. At this time, we have very few buyers looking for second homes.

While the numbers appear to be ominous, the reality of the situation is that values have not changed much. The volume of sales is way down and this is the root of our real estate problems here in the Northwoods.

WWW.VACATIONLANDPROPERTY.COM

Brandy Lake Condo...beautifully well maintained two bedroom, two-bath condo with a main floor entrance. This property has been meticulously maintained and well layed out as well. Huge master bedroom with master bath whirlpool. Second bedroom is just as large and has a bath as well. Large kitchen with oak cabinets and plenty of cabinet space. Dining room is huge and flows into the living room that offers a gas fireplace for those cool evenings. Community club house with hot tub, picnic, area, fitness center and sugar sand swimming frontage on a quiet lake. Only $240,000.00

NEIL PLUISTER (715) 367-7270 NEIL@VACATIONLANDPROPERTY.COM