Bailout Locally

Greetings from the North Woods!

The bailout has been talked about and written about a great deal but how does it affect us locally? While we have not suffered as many foreclosures or a real estate bubble that has burst, we have certainly been affected. From my perspective, the biggest issue facing all of us as buyers, sellers, realtors, etc. is the tight mortgage and credit markets. How quickly and "effectively" the bailout plan is implemented will have a big effect on buyers securing the credit they need in order to purchase the real estate we have to sell.

Locally, our financial institutions are very solid and actively making loans to qualified buyers. However the overall market meltdown and economic slowdown has triggered tighter lending policies. Gone, for the most part, are the days of zero to low down payments.

There are postives in all of this! Current lending policies cause people to only borrow according to affordability. Financial institutions have implemented plans to help keep people in their homes and forestall foreclosures. People are also having to budget and plan better. Sellers are more realistic in pricing and buyers are better at due diligence. Overall, I believe it can bring a new energy to the market. It is usually in the toughest circumstances that we learn the best lessons.

Additionally, I remain optimistic because the phone has kept ringing and deals are coming together. Traditionally November usually marks the beginning of the slowest period in real estate. Fortunately, that gives us time to reload and get ready for Valentines Day when the real estate market begins another busy season. The last time I checked, they weren't making more real estate - especially lakeshore!

Have a wonderful weekend and come on up and see us soon...Life is a Gift...Live It!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev. & Realty
15617 Railroad St.
Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040
nathan@cheqnet.net
www.garynathan.com
www.haywardwaterfront.com

Rise & Shine!

Growing up on the farm in North Dakota was a good thing; the hard work kept me off the streets and taught me many good lessons about living. It would bug the heck out of me when my dad would call up the stairs of our small two-story farm home at 4:30 or 5:00 am and say “get up the day is a-wastin” or “rise and shine”. I wanted to yell back “I’ll rise but don’t expect me to shine." That would have been a seriously dumb thing to do!

There were many tough times, like six foot snow banks to crawl over just to get to the barn to milk cows, hail that shredded crops or putting up hay in 100 degree heat. Sometimes there wasn’t much money but dad and my mom just kept working.

People would say “what are you going to do”? My dad’s answer typically was “I’m going to get up, put my pants on and go to work." Dad didn’t always know what the results would be but he worked through the tough times.

Times are pretty tough in our economy and in real estate. Personally, I’m not complaining about the real estate business but I know it has been very hard for many people and I do feel for them. I don’t have all the answers but I am an optimist and my mantra continues to be “rise and shine”, put my pants on and go to work.

It’s Saturday morning…..have a wonderful weekend…..I’m going to work!

Life is a Gift…Live It!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev. & Realty
15617 Railroad Street
Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040
nathan@cheqnet.net
www.garynathan.com
www.haywardwaterfront.com

Bailout

Greetings from sunny and warm Hayward!

Many people ask what kind of an affect the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act will have going forward as it relates to real estate. It certainly will affect buyers and sellers and overall consumer confidence; freeing up cash and credit is critical as well as working through more of the mortgage mess.

For the most part, I don’t see any immediate results; this is the kind of plan that will take several months before we see results but I believe the outcome will be positive. Add to the soft real estate market, the election and the financial crisis around the globe and one can feel like a deer in head lights.

The upside is that U.S. home sales were up last month, though median price was down and U.S. inventory of homes moved much lower. In addition, home mortgage rates are in great shape and local banks in particular are eager to loan to credit-worthy buyers. Locally we still have a good inventory of homes which is good for buyers.

Amidst all this turmoil folks still are shopping for that “up north retreat” and the opportunity to build family memories. Personally, I believe the real estate debacle got us here and will lead us out again as has been the case historically. The U.S. is not shrinking, nor are we in Sawyer County, so housing will continue to be a need for primary home owners as well as a “want” when it comes to secondary home owners.

If we can weather what went on in 2008, I am confident we can deal with the bailout plan and make 2009 another success.

Come on up and enjoy our beautiful north woods, fresh air and lakes…Life is a Gift…..Live It!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev. & Realty
15617 Railroad Street
Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040
nathan@garynathan.com
http://www.garynathan.com/

Stork Report

While all the world is in a tizzy over the economy and our nation is stumbling through stock market mania, a nasty election process, job lay-offs and more.....I have some very uplifting news.

Amanda, my personal associate, and her husband, Jeremy are the proud new parents of "Macie Lynn" who was born into this world on Wednesday at 11:55 am. She is healthy and is 6 lbs. 6 oz. and has dark hair and eyes. Fortunately, she is beautiful like her mother and has her father's quiet disposition. Yes, Macie's parents are proud and so are we!

So in light of all the bad stuff that is going on, we give thanks to the Lord for all that is good and especially for family and friends.

Despite the doom and gloom we continue to answer the phones, show and sell properties and are thankful we live in Hayward, WI. This kind of economic turmoil tends to favor real estate investment so we are hopeful, remain optimistic and look forward to the challenges in 2009.

Normally, I close with Life Is Good....Enjoy....but I think it is time to coin a new phrase....Life is a Gift...Live It!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev. & Realty
15617 Railroad St.
Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040
nathan@garynathan.com
http://www.garynathan.com/

Current Sales Statistics!

Greetings!

It's a beautiful, sunny and crisp morning in northern Wisconsin and the colors are terrific; we had a pretty hard frost in town last night.

Several folks have asked how things are going in our market so Chris (my colleague in the office) provided some quick “lake home” statistics.

- Sawyer County has had 122 lake home sales (condos and single family) over the past 12 months (10/2/07 – 10/2/08).

- The average sale price was $336,884 (93% of list price).

- The previous 12 months (10/2/06 – 10/2/07) we had 151 sales with an average sale price of $328,262 (94% of list).

- The number of units sold is down 19% and the average price is up 2.6% although the % of sale price/list price went down by a point.

This information is according to the local Multiple Listing Service so it provides pretty good data for properties that are listed on the MLS. Of course, there are sales occurring that aren't. The positive side of me sees this news from the perspective that average price and sale price to list price is holding pretty steady. In spite of all the bad news, this has been a very good year for many of us!

This weekend is Cranberry Festival in Stone Lake and Apple Fest in Bayfield so come on up and enjoy the fall colors and fun.

Life is Good…..Enjoy!

Gary A. Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Developments & Realty
15617 Railroad Street, Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040 Cell
715-634-2110 Office
715-634-2884 Fax
nathan@cheqnet.net
www.garynathan.com
www.haywardwaterfront.com

I WANT TO SELL MY REAL ESTATE NOW!!

Times are tough but real estate is still selling; yes there are buyers out there but they are much pickier and somewhat spooked with what is going on in the housing market.

What do you need to do to help sell your property? I have some tips that may help you achieve success sooner than later.

1. Be realistic and price your property right the first time, this is a challenging market period! Sure we all want to get top dollar and not leave any money on the table but not selling early into the process means higher holding costs including real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, interest and upkeep. From my experience I recommend that you secure both a market analysis from your realtor and an independent third-party appraisal. Price the property no higher than 5% above the top value or no higher than 10% above the two blended values. Listen to the experts.

2. The first Offer is typically the best; work with that Buyer to get the deal done and don’t take too much time in replying to the Offer. Keep it simple and don’t muddy the waters with little details like who gets the microwave, the bench in the front hall or who pays what for the safe water test. Personal property pettiness often kills deals, don’t lose track of the BIG PICTURE.

3. Stage the property right from the get go; clean up your property whether it is a vacant lot or your million-dollar-home. Get rid of the clutter inside and out and update even if it means trashing your velvet curtains and changing the orange countertop to granite. I have always believed it takes spending some money to make money and getting your real estate ready is no different than running a business. Paint the front door, trade out the vinyl for tile or wood flooring and please get rid of the PETS….well at least during the showing! Clean it up, Spiff it up and give it that “Pottery Barn Look”.

4. Understand Buyers; most don’t want a project. SEE THE PARAGRAPH ABOVE. Most Buyers want to walk in, throw a log on the fire and put their feet up. Believe me there are not a lot of do-it-yourselfers out there and they expect your house to look like the “HGTV” finished house not “This Old House” project. Take away all the negatives you can; if a Buyer likes what he or she sees it will cut down on the negotiating.

There are no guarantees but I can tell you that if you don’t pay attention to the above you had best put yourself in “patient” mode and be ready to adjust your price down as your property gets stale from market exposure.

This weekend we are expecting 2500 riders in the Chequamegon Fat Tire Race. Next Saturday is the Birkie Trail Run and Trek (we are a sponsor) and don’t forget about Fall Fest next weekend as well! Plus the Hayward Library Fall Century Bike Tour is on Sunday, the 21st.

Life is Good….Enjoy!
Gary Nathan
Woodland Dev. Realty

Information Overload? We're here to help!

Buyers and Sellers of real estate certainly have great opportunities and advantages in buying and selling real estate as compared to just a few years ago. The amount of information via the Internet on homes and other properties is plentiful, in fact seemingly infinite. The information is free and easy to access but searching through all of it can be pretty time consuming.

My work is much easier from the perspective of instant access but the amount of information is "overload". Buyers tend to agree that sifting through all the property data available on the Web can be quite daunting. Despite all the properties and information available there is much that you can't know or find out when surfing the sites. For example, you rarely know what the neighborhood is like, or the house on either side or you, or the "real" elevation of the lake lot. And how about the condition of the lakebed at the shoreline, mucky, sandy or what; until you take your shoes off and get your toes wet you really don't know. And "those realtors" are really good at taking just the "right angle" when it comes to pictures.

The Web is wonderful but until you actually walk on the property and see it, all the data in the world usually does not do a property justice. That's why real estate is such fun because we get the opportunity to help buyers find out "the real details" in their search for properties. In the future there will be more technology that will enable consumers to access even more data. Perhaps virtual tours will become "virtual experiences" and you will actually be able to feel the sand between your toes; now that would be progress!

So, happy wandering on the web. If you'd like some direction in your search, give us a call & we'll help you in any way we can!

This weekend is the Chippewa Flowage Musky Hunt and next weekend is the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival so come on up and enjoy.

The weather today is sunny, dry, warm and wonderful.....Life is Good.....Enjoy!

Gary A. Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Developments & Realty
15617 Railroad Street, Hayward, WI 54843
715-699-4040
Cell715-634-2110
FAX 715-634-2884
nathan@cheqnet.net
http://www.garynathan.com/
http://www.haywardwaterfront.com/
http://www.haywardwaterfront.com/

Foreclosures & Ribs!

My work in real estate has been a real joy. For the most part, the sale of each property results in happy sellers and buyers; a win-win scenario!

But more recently I have had the difficult task of helping some homeowners through near foreclosure of their homes. These are not folks who were buying on spec to churn prperty or making poor decisions. For various reasons, they found themselves in a predicament none of us would choose to be in. It was a mind-expanding experience for me and I consider it a privilege to have been involved, albeit not what any of us would wish for.

Luckily we were able to work through the issues and avoid the loss of their homes. Working with owners whose loan is delinquent and facing foreclosure and whose loan service is nowhere to be found is daunting. Those involved easily feel helpless and hopeless.

But there is help through a coalition called HOPE NOW ALLIANCE. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has partnered with 19 housing counseling agency locations along with lenders, investors, trade associations and others to help track down the loan servicer and explore options for the homeowner forcing foreclosure to hopefully find a solution.

If you know someone that needs help, please encourage them to contact their local non-profit counseling agency at: http://www.wisconsinforeclosureresource.com/cc.asp

On a more positive note: Don't forget that this weekend is the Rib & Brew Fest in Hayward. The weather forecast is: "another Chamber of Commerce weekend"! Come on up and see us!

Life Is Good...Enjoy!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev & Realty
Hayward, WI
715-699- 4040

nathan@cheqnet.net
http://www.garynathan.com
http://www.haywardwaterfront.com

Lake Turnover?

Not long ago someone asked me about Lake Turnover and quite honestly I did not have a good scientific answer for them. However there was a very good article in our Grindstone Lake Association newsletter which explains this affect in language that even I can understand. I have taken the liberty to paraphrase some of what was written.

Essentially “Turnover” is the term used to describe the mixing of the contents of the entire lake.
Reminds me of my stomach after dinner last night! Not long after ice-out, in early spring, winds create the wave action needed for considerable turbulence all the way to the bottom of the lake. At that time of year the water temperature and the water density is fairly uniform throughout the lake making it easier for the mixing to happen.

As springtime progresses and the spring winds decrease, (well, most of the time!) the sun’s radiation eventually causes the surface water of the lake to become significantly warmer (and less dense) as compared to the deeper water. The point where the temperature difference between the warmer and colder water is greatest is called the “thermocline”. Now there’s a word to put into your everyday vocabulary!

In many lakes, the thermocline is between 10 to 20 feet below the surface of the lake. Because of the density difference between cold and warm water, the thermocline acts like a barrier to prevent further mixing of the lake’s water.

As we approach fall the surface water cools to the point where its temperature and density once again is similar to the waters below resulting in the same mixing process that occurred in the spring. And yes we are beginning to see signs of fall and cooling, sunsets are much earlier!

Water is most dense at around 39 degrees Fahrenheit; because of this the lake water in the winter is actually warmer at the bottom of the lake as compared to the water immediately below the surface of the ice which is just above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially the warmer water of the lake shifts to the bottom in the winter and to the top in the summer. And there you have it!

Local News: Don’t forget that the Seeley Lions Club is hosting the Pre-Fat off road bicycle race this weekend and Rib and Brew Fest is next weekend. Come up and take in the fun!

Life is good….Enjoy!

Gary Nathan
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev & Realty
Hayward, WI
715-699-4040
nathan@cheqnet.net
http://www.garynathan.com/
http://www.haywardwaterfront.com/

Market Timing

RISMedia, a real estate news source, recently reported that at the top of the most frequently asked questions list is, “How will we know when the market has bottomed out and we should buy a home”? We have experienced that question many times and I concur it is on the front of most buyer brain lobes. Buyers want to buy right at the bottom; who wouldn’t?

The answer does not appear to be all that difficult and I agree with the report in that there are two major factors that one should consider and watch. When you see an increase in listed sales and sold prices and a decline in inventory you can be reasonably sure we have hit bottom, right?

Nationally it appears we have started to see a decline in listing volume; it is however much more difficult to gauge the sold price data. Sale prices will be affected by some of the discounted foreclosure sales; hence lower average prices.

Locally we have been far less affected by foreclosures but inventory remains high compared to three years ago. Buyers still have, in my opinion, a great deal of opportunity because of listed volume and interest rates that continue to be historically low. That all could change if rates increase and inventories shrink.

Personally I was never any good at stock market timing, too many variables! Timing the real estate market isn’t that easy. It's made up of more than inventories, sales prices and sales volume. The overall economy and other factors such as buyer confidence, location, population growth, job growth and more, has an affect on the real estate market. Oh, and don’t forget about the fact that this is an election year. What’s your opinion; I’d like to hear from you?

On the home front - we've had just outstanding summer weather. Each morning when I leave the lake to go to work I wonder why? Go back to the beginning of the above paragraph….I never was good at market timing, hence I work. Thank God I am able!

Life is Good…..Enjoy!

Gary Nathan
cell 715.699.4040
Amanda Mavis
Woodland Dev. & Realty
Hayward, WI 54843
nathan@garynathan.com
www.garynathan.com
www.haywardwaterfront.com