Franklin, WI

With low home prices and ultra-low interest rates, the housing market is offering perhaps the
best deals of this generation.

Since the housing boom of 2006, home prices have fallen about 31 percent. Also, mortgage rates
have been hovering at record lows for the past few weeks (4 percent range or even lower on 30-
year fixed-rate mortgages).

It’s hard to see the possibility of losing on a home purchase right now with these mortgage rates.
Prices may go lower, but not by much.

Here is a good scenario that shows that waiting to buy is probably not a good idea. Buying a
$300,000 home with a 4 percent mortgage rate and a 20 percent down payment would mean
a $1,145 monthly payment. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently predicted that home
prices may fall another 3.5 percent by mid-2012 but mortgage rates will increase by a half-point.
So for that same loan under that scenario, a home would sell for $289,000 while the monthly
mortgage payment would be $1,171… only a $26 difference.

So…for those who can qualify for a mortgage, playing the waiting game won't result in much of
an advantage. The Dale Marciniak Team can discuss your personal situation and best strategy
for getting a great deal right now!

Trick or Treat Hours and Safety

Here are just a sampling of neighboring communities and their Trick or Treat Hours:

Franklin – Sunday Oct 30th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Oak Creek – Sunday Oct 30th 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

West Allis – Sunday Oct 30th 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Greenfield – Sunday Oct 30th 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Greendale – Sunday Oct 30th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Here are a few safety tips can protect children who plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of
tampering.

Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to
motorists.

•For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that
will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Also, it’s a good idea for children to carry flashlights.

•Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.

•Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.

•Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might
obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large
enough to allow full vision.

Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible
child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather
than walk in the street

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have
outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

St.Martin's Fair...it is a tradition, the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and Labor Day and the first Monday of the month. Today the fair is open 8am to 9pm and you never know what you will find to buy, eat, pet, wear, listen to, smell, plant....be entertained by....there really IS something for everyone. We are approaching the "weather permitting" season....here are the remaining dates this year:

This link will show you a list of actual sold prices and other statistics for homes in Franklin. Conatct me for actual prices in your neighborhood.

http://www.ez1realty.net/briefcase/44274_1124201042442PM55080.pdf

Just got an email the other day from an out-of-town client regarding new construction homes that he
hd seen on the internet. Scenario goes like this. He looked at a very popular website…Trulia.com. He
saw some new construction homes in Waukesha priced in the $180’s. This also happens to be what he
is preapproved for. When I looked at the square footages of these homes, I found this too good to be
true. The builder had about 5 homes listed with pictures and price per square foot (approximately $100
per sq ft) which seemed to be in line with what we are familiar with. The problem was that these prices
are just for the home. Well, what are you going to build it on? I called the builder just to make sure that
I was correct. Yes indeed. These prices were just for the home. Lots ran about $80,000 - $90,000 with
lot improvements adding another $48,000 (this was a lot where a septic system was needed).

Not really deceitful because the builder is just pricing the house, however nowhere in this ad did I see
any mention that the lot was not included. I proceeded to explain this to my buyer and he has now
totally given up on the idea of building something new.

Please be aware of hidden costs when you are building. Along with the cost of the lot and lot
improvements, different communities charge impact fees. When you actually get to the fun part
about picking out your colors and upgrading items such as countertops etc, you can actually see where
this $180,000 price tag that you saw on the internet now has an increased price tag of approximately
$310,000 plus money for whatever upgrades that you would like.

So in essence, the advertising is just misleading and you as a consumer should not be mislead but be
guided by someone who is familiar in all areas of the real estate market! We can help. All you need to
do is ask. If we don’t have the answers, we will find them!

The Dale Marciniak Team