Is What's Outside As Important As The Inside?

Is What's Outside As Important As The Inside?

When it comes to buying a house, most people focus first on what's going on inside the house. The size of the kitchen, the number of bedrooms, closets, storage, etc., are all top concerns. But, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, access to outdoor recreation is nearly as important to most home buyers. 

Respondents listed benefits such as better health, an appreciation of nature, and a greater sense of community among the reasons they believed it was important to be close to outdoor features. And it wasn't a small number, either. There were large majorities that said outdoor recreation was either very or somewhat important to them. In fact, 56 percent of participants said it was very important and an additional 30 percent said it was somewhat important. 

Not surprisingly, there was a slight difference depending on where respondents lived. For example, in the West, 65 percent of those surveyed said outdoor recreation was very important to them, while just 51 percent felt the same way in the Midwest. Still, it's clearly something to think about when searching for a home to buy – whether you're buying a home by the water or just looking for something close to a neighborhood park. 

A Few Benefits Of Owning A Home In Retirement

A Few Benefits Of Owning A Home In Retirement

In recent years, there's been an increasing number of older Americans who rent rather than own their own home. But is renting really a better choice for retirees looking to reduce costs and obligations? 

Well, not necessarily. While it's true that homeownership brings with it ongoing expenses like routine maintenance and property taxes that continue even after you've paid off your mortgage, renting can't offer some of the benefits that homeownership alone provides. For example, equity. Once you've built up equity in your home, you can take out a line of credit and borrow money from your home's value. Obviously, this can be a good option for older homeowners on a fixed income. Also, provided you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your house payment isn't subject to the ups-and-downs of the market the way rent can be. As a renter, you're at the mercy of your landlord. After all, they own the house or building you're living in and can set the price to their liking. 

Like anything, there are pros and cons to owning a home during retirement. However, homeownership provides a valuable asset that can be advantageous for retired homeowners in a position to benefit from it.

Staging Tricks To Help Sell Your Home

Staging Tricks To Help Sell Your Home

Getting ready to list your house for sale? Putting some effort into staging it well can impact how quickly it moves off the market. The tenets of staging are pretty basic: declutter, depersonalize and deep clean. But there are some little-known tactics that experts swear by. Here are a few home staging tips to help you prepare: Draw eyes to a room's best attribute, whether that's a beautiful fireplace or a window with a great view, by strategically placing a decorative accent like a vase or large plant nearby. Clean out and organize closets, cabinets and pantries, leaving more space than you normally might. This can give potential buyers the impression that your home has storage to spare. Want to make a room seem larger? Remove rugs to give the appearance of unbroken floor space. Add fluffy white towels to your bathrooms. The neutral hue implies cleanliness and can give the room a spa-like feel. Turn on interior lights during an open house, even if it's daytime. If your home is outfitted with compact fluorescent bulbs, be sure they have enough time to warm up to full capacity before the event begins. Widen the walking area around major pieces of furniture, such as beds and sofas. A few extra inches can make all the difference. Leaving a room unstaged and free of furniture can encourage buyers to imagine how they could use your space. By being thoughtful with your staging efforts, you can help potential buyers see themselves living a happy life in your home, and that may be all it takes to seal the deal.

2016 Home Sales Data On Windigo Lake

2016 Home Sales Data On Windigo Lake

We are pleased to provide you with the 2016 results for residential sales on Windigo Lake. This information includes data we secured from properties listed on the Northwest Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS); it does not take into account sales that may have occurred directly between parties.

Our analysis indicates that there were 5 unit sales in 2016 on Windigo Lake compared to 3 sales in 2015. The average days on market were 83 versus 508 in 2015 while the average sales price in 2016 was $426,700 as compared to $280,000 in 2015. In a review of sales price verses list price, the average sales price ended up at approximately 94.7% of list price. Compared to the Sawyer County real estate estimated fair market value (EFMV) the average sales price for the subject properties finished approximately 4% above the EFMV.

We have also compiled the same sales information for other area lakes. Should you wish to secure additional information on any sales or other real estate information, please feel free to contact our office and a member of our dedicated team of real estate experts will gladly help you. If you are interested in having us complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property, just call our office and we will do so at no cost or obligation.

What Home Buyers Want Most This Spring

What Home Buyers Want Most This Spring

Home buyers, through the years, tend to value the same things. It makes sense. Though styles may vary and specific preferences may change, at the end of the day, we all want the same things out of our homes. 

Generally speaking, it all comes down to storage, space, and a sense of security. This year is no different. For example, a newly released survey of hopeful spring home buyers found that privacy was the top goal cited when asked what they valued most. Privacy even beat out family needs, which came in a close second. As for storage and space, garages and backyards were also near the top of the priorities list for most buyers. Demographically, younger buyers were more likely to want a large yard, while garages were particularly popular with buyers over the age of 55. 

Either way, it's clear that this year's house hunters have common needs. There is one need, however, that buyers share more than any other. When asked which room was most important to them, 80 percent of respondents named the kitchen. For obvious reasons, the kitchen is consistently ranked high atop buyers' wish lists. After all, no matter how young or old a buyer is, they need to eat – which is why a good kitchen is always a draw for home shoppers.

2016 Home Sales Data On Whitefish Lake

2016 Home Sales Data On Whitefish Lake

We are pleased to provide you with the 2016 results for residential sales on Whitefish Lake. This information includes data we secured from properties listed on the Northwest Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS); it does not take into account sales that may have occurred directly between parties.

Our analysis indicates that there were 12 unit sales in 2016 on Whitefish Lake compared to 7 sales in 2015. The average days on market were 267 versus 182 in 2015 while the average sales price in 2016 was $431,200 as compared to $417,786 in 2015. In a review of sales price verses list price, the average sales price ended up at approximately 95% of list price. Compared to the Sawyer County real estate estimated fair market value (EFMV) the average sales price for the subject properties finished approximately 7% above the EFMV.

We have also compiled the same sales information for other area lakes. Should you wish to secure additional information on any sales or other real estate information, please feel free tocontact our office and a member of our dedicated team of real estate experts will gladly help you. If you are interested in having us complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property, just call our office and we will do so at no cost or obligation.

Respectfully,

Gary A. Nathan
Broker

2016 Home Sales Data On Stone & Little Stone Lakes

2016 Home Sales Data On Stone & Little Stone Lakes

We are pleased to provide you with the 2016 results for residential sales on Stone and Little Stone lakes. This information includes data we secured from properties listed on the Northwest Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS); it does not take into account sales that may have occurred directly between parties.

The report provides helpful information with respect to the list and sales price, the size of lot, front feet, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage of the home, year built, days on market (DOM), etc.

Our analysis indicates that there were 2 unit sales in 2016 on the two lakes compared to 2 sales in 2015. The average days on market were 432 versus 349 in 2015 while the average sales price in 2016 was $265,000 as compared to $179,950 in 2015. In a review of sales price verses list price, the average sales price ended up at approximately 94% of list price. Compared to the Sawyer County real estate estimated fair market value (EFMV) the average sales price for the subject properties finished approximately 22% above the EFMV.

We have also compiled the same sales information for other area lakes. Should you wish to secure additional information on any sales or other real estate information, please feel free to contact our office and a member of our dedicated team of real estate experts will gladly help you. If you are interested in having us complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property, just call our office and we will do so at no cost or obligation.

Respectfully,

Gary A. Nathan
Broker

Hopeful Outlook Forecasts A Spring Bump

Hopeful Outlook Forecasts A Spring Bump

The real estate market is constantly evolving. What is true one day may not be the next. For example, this past winter many forecasts for the upcoming spring season predicted buyers might be scared off by rising interest rates and a lack of homes for sale. However, now that spring has arrived, mortgage rates have come down a bit and the housing market has been among the strongest sectors of the economy. 

For example, Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research Group's latest housing forecast notes both a stronger-than-usual February and the prospects for a good spring. “February fared better than other hard economic indicators partly due to the warm winter weather, and the ESR group expects that a seasonal uptick in listings going into the spring selling season will help alleviate extremely tight inventory,” the group's latest release reads.

In other words, despite higher rates and low inventory, the housing market performed well in February and trends going forward indicate conditions may be even more favorable now. As more homeowners put their homes up for sale, buyers will find improving conditions for a spring home search. 

2016 Home Sales Data on Spider Lake

2016 Home Sales Data on Spider Lake

We are pleased to provide you with the 2016 results for residential sales on the Spider Lake

chain of lakes. This information includes data we secured from properties listed on the Northwest Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS); it does not take into account sales that may have occurred directly between parties.

The report provides helpful information with respect to the list and sales price, the size of lot, front feet, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage of the home, year built, days on market (DOM), etc.

Our analysis indicates that there were 6 unit sales in 2016 on the Spider Lake chain compared to 11 sales in 2015. The average days on market were 89 versus 192 in 2015 while the average sales price in 2016 was $320,500 as compared to $230,000 in 2015. In a review of sales price verses list price, the average sales price ended up at approximately 93% of list price. Compared to the Sawyer County real estate estimated fair market value (EFMV) the average sales price for the subject properties finished approximately 27% above the EFMV.

We have also compiled the same sales information for other area lakes. Should you wish to secure additional information on any sales or other real estate information, please feel free to contact our office and a member of our dedicated team of real estate experts will gladly help you. If you are interested in having us complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property, just call our office and we will do so at no cost or obligation.

Respectfully,

Gary A. Nathan

Broker

2016 Home Sales Data On Sand Lake

2016 Home Sales Data On Sand Lake

We are pleased to provide you with the 2016 results for residential sales on the Sand Lake. This information includes data we secured from properties listed on the Northwest Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service (MLS); it does not take into account sales that may have occurred directly between parties. 

The report provides helpful information with respect to the list and sales price, the size of lot, front feet, bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage of the home, year built, days on market (DOM), etc.

Our analysis indicates that there were 5 unit sales in 2016 on Sand Lake compared to 5 sales in 2015. The average days on market were 141 versus 197 in 2015 while the average sales price in 2016 was $215,800 as compared to $351,400 in 2015. In a review of sales price verses list price, the average sales price ended up at approximately 93% of list price. Compared to the Sawyer County real estate estimated fair market value (EFMV) the average sales price for the subject properties finished approximately 6.5% above the EFMV.

We have also compiled the same sales information for other area lakes. Should you wish to secure additional information on any sales or other real estate information, please feel free to contact our office and a member of our dedicated team of real estate experts will gladly help you. If you are interested in having us complete a comparative market analysis (CMA) for your property, just call our office and we will do so at no cost or obligation. 

Respectfully,

Gary A. Nathan

Broker