Racine, WI

Real Estate is local. The overall Real Estate market in the United States affects all local markets. Local markets will reach the bottom of their specific market(s) at different times. Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, and a few other states that have not, generally speaking anyway, been victims of predatory lending to the degree other states, such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, ..., have had predatory lending as the norm, rather than the exception, willrecover sooner than the states that were suseptible to predatory lending.

Real Estate is local. I am an expert in my market, Racine County, Wisconsin. We have experienced declines in property values, depending on municipality, ranging from 7% to 18%, annually since 2006.

The number of closed transaction in Racine County for 1st quarter 2009 vs. 1st quarter 2008 the decline ranges from 28% to 48% depending on the municipality. Are we close to the 'bottom' of our market? Depending on what Washington does, how the automakers deal with their challenges, how consumer confidence does, how the credit markets recover, how the greedy lenders and Wall Street react by making good borrowers pay for the lenders, and risky borrowers, past indiscretions, and how unemployment is managed, ...

According to the most recent study done for the PMI industry, the Racine, Milwaukee Metropolitan Statistical Area, (MSA), is rated at minimal risk, less than a 5% of probable decline in property value over the next 12 months, as compared to other areas that may face declines of 20%-40% over the next 12 months.

Is the bottom near? I think so!

It seems like everytime I go through Racine all I can do is think about Pizza; this place has some of the best! Racine sits picturesqely on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Racine was a business right off the bat, and Industry thrives today. Racine has it's share of major companies that contribute, or have contributed, to this magnificent City, including J. I. Case (heavy equipment), and S.C. Johnson (cleaning and chemical products). In 1887, malted milk was invented by Englishman William Horlick in Racine, and Horlicks is still enjoyed Worldwide. The garbage disposal was invented in 1927 by architectJohn Hammes of Racine. He founded the company InSinkErator in Racine, which still produces millions of garbage disposers a year. In addition, Racine is the home of Johnson Wax, with its headquarters designed in 1936 by Frank Lloyd Wright, which Wright also designed the Wingspread Conference Center, as well as two homes in Racine.

I love Kringles and this place is the place to get them. Racine is the largest North American settlement of Danes outside of Greenland. Racine is particularly known for its Danish pastries, especially kringle.

In Racine County there are many all year-round with festivals, music, historical events, and more! Racine's Festival Park, one of the Midwest's premier festival and event venues located along the shore of Lake Michigan, hosts events nearly every weekend from late spring through fall. From the music of Harbor Fest and a variety of ethnic festivals, and don't forget the ChocolateFest in Burlington.

Some links for Racine are below as follows:

S.C. Johnson and Son Administration Building and Research Tower - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Some more links for Racine when visiting and more:

http:Racine County Visitor & Convention Bureau
Downtown Racine Corporation
Racine, WI in Wikipedia
Racine History
Racine History Page
Wisconsin Historical Society: Racine
Spirit of Racine Triathlon
Johnson Wax Building

Do you need a specific property? Call me, or email me; I will find it.

Let's roll up our sleeves, get a game plan, and make your dreams come true! It is time to buy that home.

Call now and you can have a complete Buyers or Sellers package and Work Kit for free!

www.naymz.com tom@tombraatz.com tombraatz@remax.net www.activerain.com/tommybraatz www.LinkedIn.com www.ecademy.com www.tombraatz.com www.buyingvip.com 262-377-1459 www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com www.xceligent.com www.perfectnetworker.com www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com www.myhomevaluesource.com and more.

We want to be your Realtor, and I look forward to seeing you at your closing

http://podcasts.odiogo.com/toms-southeastern-wisconsin-blog/podcasts-xml.php

A hassle-free transaction? They happen when you use experienced professionals, knowledgeable about the locality in which you are planning to purchase a home. Fortunately in Racine, Wisconsin we have many experienced professionals in the Real Estate Industy.

Racine based lenders have less than 5% of the foreclosures listed in Racine County. The majority of properties in foreclosure in Racine belong to out of state lenders who were unfamiliar with the Racine area real estate market. If you are purchasing a home in Racine County there a many quality, experienced lenders to choose from. If you need recommendations, feel free to contact me.

Racine based Home Inspectors are familiar with local conditions and building practices. An experienced, quality Home Inspector will know and understand local influences that may or may not be of concern, without creating unnecessary stress for you. Again, feel free to contact me for recommendations.

REALTOR? Need a professional, experienced, honest and ethical REALTOR? If you need a recommendation, feel free to contact me. http://www.dangobis.com/

After a year plus of brutal reporting on the demise of the Real Estate Industry, the news media has moved on to another whipping boy, the looming recession, and again, they are late in their reporting.

RECESSION HAS BEEN HERE SINCE MID-2007! Based on historical data used to measure whether we are in a recession, the official announcement comes nearly two quarters after the recession actually begins. Economists are a bit anal, for fear of being wrong.(That is a normal fear, for the rest of us, they just expect themselves to be above it.) More than 50% of economist's predictions are wrong, over 50% of the time. Not to mention most of the 'historical data' is based on pre-global economy data. We have been in a recession, we will come out of it by the end of 2008.

This inept, 'Johnny-come-lately' reporting, and the presidential campaign coverage has allowed the Real Estate industry to experience it's annual rite of spring, increased activity in sales! We thank the media for this reprieve.

The Southeastern Wisconsin Real Estate Market will bottom out in the next few months. We won't see a rebound, but prices will stop declining. It is a good time to buy in Southeastern Wisconsin!

Harbor in Winter. Reefpoint Marina & Harbor in Summer.

Winter in Racine is a true work of art. It is a wonderful time for sledders, skiers, tobogganers, snowmobilers, ice skaters, ice fisherman (and ice fisherwomen), building snowmen (and snowwomen), creating ice sculptures and snow anjels.

Our average snowfall per winter is 47.2 inches. This year, so far, we have received just over 80 inches of snow.

My listing in Green Ridge Condominiums, the snow is a foot higher than the roof of the vehicle. The west side of the same building has snow up to the second story.

My listing at 424 Island Ave., in summer and winter. Pretty, eh?

Average temperature in January is 14 degrees. Average temperature in July is 80 degrees.

Reefpoint Marina in January.

Winter in Racine always keeps us optimistic, the future will be warmer.