Need some gift ideas that will bring your home into the twenty-first century? Here are a few of the latest gadgets that are guaranteed to thrill the receiver. These products will improve safety, energy efficiency, and overall quality of life, and are just plain fun.
A Watchdog Robot for $300 called "Spygee"; it's 18" tall and battery-operated. Keeps an eye on the home while you are away. From a web site you can direct the robot's movements and see what is going on in your home through it's digital eyes. It will snap still photos and records videos with sound which you can view and hear online. It sounds an alarm if anything comes into its line of sight and emails you a photo. You might be surprised to find out what goes on when you are away! Meccano at 800-77-NIKKO.
For about $200 you can put in an alarm sensor that will call you and tell you that your garage door is open, the pipes are nearly frozen, your power has been off for over an hour or if there is some unusual movement in your home plus a "bunch" more. It will text message or email you as well. Go to alarm.com
For under $700 there is a SmartSense Ventilation System that can be installed in your HVAC that will improve indoor air quality by automatically turning a network of fans on to boost fresh air. It removes pollutants and minimizes mold and mildew growth. Go to Broan-NuTone.
One of my favorites - Help in the Kitchen! No need to wait at the grill or oven to see if dinner is ready. A two-part thermometer beeps or speaks when your food is ready or almost ready. One part goes into the food and the other wireless part stays with you...it works up to 330 feet away. The Grill Right Wireless Talking BBQ/Oven Thermometer is just $60 from Oregon Scientific at 800-853-8883. OK for those who really know me this is a great gift for Shari since I don't really cook much.....still one of my favorites!
For a couple of great ideas check out the Weather-Sensitive Sprinkler System from Cyber-Rain or the Aura Wireless Lighting Controls from Lutron Electonics Co. And finally for you serious wine lovers...go to CellarTracker (314-667-5328) for the ultimate in Ultra-Organized Wine Cellars.
We have enjoyed winter-wonderland weather this past week; may you enjoy your weekend with loved ones and friends!
Life Is Good....Enjoy!
Gary Nathan and
Amanda Mavis
866-634-2884
nathan@cheqnet.net
www.woodlanddevrealty.com
www.haywardwaterfront.com
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
THANKS FOR THE EXPERIENCE!
One of the true joys of working in real estate is the opportunity to meet people and to help sellers and buyers reach their desired goal. The end result is always great but the journey is equally rewarding. Well, two of my friends from Hayward went the extra mile and provided me with a wonderful gift after a successful close on a real estate transaction. It has taken awhile for me to take advantage of this marvelous gift but yesterday Shari and I spent the night at the Rittenhouse Inn, a
B & B in Bayfield; many of you are probably familiar with it. No, we did not get to see innkeepers, Jerry and Mary Phillips, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the 117 year-old mansion and were treated to a sumptuous dinner and a relaxing evening by the fireplace in our room.
This escape for a day was a lifetime experience and a real value. For those of us who are fortunate enough to live full or part time in this great north woods we need to count our blessings. Real estate here is a real good value and can provide that great escape experience. Thanks H & D!
The fresh snow is refreshing and my friends tell me skiing is wonderful. Have a great weekend!
Life is Good….Enjoy!
Gary Nathan
B & B in Bayfield; many of you are probably familiar with it. No, we did not get to see innkeepers, Jerry and Mary Phillips, but we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the 117 year-old mansion and were treated to a sumptuous dinner and a relaxing evening by the fireplace in our room.
This escape for a day was a lifetime experience and a real value. For those of us who are fortunate enough to live full or part time in this great north woods we need to count our blessings. Real estate here is a real good value and can provide that great escape experience. Thanks H & D!
The fresh snow is refreshing and my friends tell me skiing is wonderful. Have a great weekend!
Life is Good….Enjoy!
Gary Nathan
Friday, November 30, 2007
Show Me
SHOW ME
If you have been in the habit of reading my blog you know that I am a pretty optimistic person when it comes to real estate…. and life in general. Some folks get a little annoyed because they don’t see the glass half full, half empty or may not think there is any water in the glass at all. So if you are one of those that say “show me” or “give me some proof” that there is anything to be positive about please read on.
Wisconsin home sales have outperformed most states through the last three quarters; our local markets, as I have said in the past, are less volatile than markets elsewhere in the country. We don’t get the big upswings nor do we suffer the big falls. Other regions of the country had declines in the median price of homes while Wisconsin homes actually increased about 2.4%. Since sales peaked in 2005 statewide median prices have continued to rise, an increase of about 7.5% since the first quarter of 2006 according to the Wisconsin Realtors Assn.
Sawyer County home sales for Quarter 3 of 2007 tallied 101 which is sixteen more than the same quarter last year; the median sales price rose from $165,000 to $180,000 in the same period. It’s also important to point out that median prices have grown 32.2% since we came out of the last recession in late 2001. Housing and real estate in general continues to be a solid investment. Keep the faith!
Yahoo…We are expecting 8 to 16 inches of snow over the weekend so strap on your snowshoes, oil and gas up the blower and snowmobile and get ready to RUMBLE. Have a great weekend everyone………….Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan
Amanda Mavis, personal assistant
If you have been in the habit of reading my blog you know that I am a pretty optimistic person when it comes to real estate…. and life in general. Some folks get a little annoyed because they don’t see the glass half full, half empty or may not think there is any water in the glass at all. So if you are one of those that say “show me” or “give me some proof” that there is anything to be positive about please read on.
Wisconsin home sales have outperformed most states through the last three quarters; our local markets, as I have said in the past, are less volatile than markets elsewhere in the country. We don’t get the big upswings nor do we suffer the big falls. Other regions of the country had declines in the median price of homes while Wisconsin homes actually increased about 2.4%. Since sales peaked in 2005 statewide median prices have continued to rise, an increase of about 7.5% since the first quarter of 2006 according to the Wisconsin Realtors Assn.
Sawyer County home sales for Quarter 3 of 2007 tallied 101 which is sixteen more than the same quarter last year; the median sales price rose from $165,000 to $180,000 in the same period. It’s also important to point out that median prices have grown 32.2% since we came out of the last recession in late 2001. Housing and real estate in general continues to be a solid investment. Keep the faith!
Yahoo…We are expecting 8 to 16 inches of snow over the weekend so strap on your snowshoes, oil and gas up the blower and snowmobile and get ready to RUMBLE. Have a great weekend everyone………….Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan
Amanda Mavis, personal assistant
Monday, November 19, 2007
Dire Predictions!
The media is really good at grabbing us with dire negative predictions whether it is in real estate, oil prices, stock market moves, the weather or what have you. Locally we are not immune to the trouble that faces others in the real estate market, or anything else for that matter, but we need to consider the following.
First and foremost who said life should always be easy and a big picnic….ok I just had to get the philosophical stuff out first. In the nearly 30 years that I have lived in this area the majority of the time, year in and year out, real estate sales have boomed, there has been steadily rising price appreciation on property, or at least value has held, and there has always been strong demand for our up-north escape lifestyle.
Not only do we have a great supply of real estate to choose from but we have more financial products available at our disposal today than we have had in history. So you might be saying that is why we have sub-prime mortgage problems, truth is approximately 1% of borrowers are affected by the sub-prime situation. Call any local lender and ask them if they are bullish on our local real estate market; tell them I put you up to it! Don’t expect any “dire predictions”.
Yuk, Mother Nature teased us with a little snow last week and yet I know we need it for winter tourism. Make it a great week; for the fun of it since I am going away over Thanksgiving why don’t you call Amanda and give her some good advice on how I might improve my BLOG. Be gentle! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone………
Life is Good….Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
First and foremost who said life should always be easy and a big picnic….ok I just had to get the philosophical stuff out first. In the nearly 30 years that I have lived in this area the majority of the time, year in and year out, real estate sales have boomed, there has been steadily rising price appreciation on property, or at least value has held, and there has always been strong demand for our up-north escape lifestyle.
Not only do we have a great supply of real estate to choose from but we have more financial products available at our disposal today than we have had in history. So you might be saying that is why we have sub-prime mortgage problems, truth is approximately 1% of borrowers are affected by the sub-prime situation. Call any local lender and ask them if they are bullish on our local real estate market; tell them I put you up to it! Don’t expect any “dire predictions”.
Yuk, Mother Nature teased us with a little snow last week and yet I know we need it for winter tourism. Make it a great week; for the fun of it since I am going away over Thanksgiving why don’t you call Amanda and give her some good advice on how I might improve my BLOG. Be gentle! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone………
Life is Good….Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
Thursday, November 08, 2007
CHRISTMAS ISN'T THAT CLOSE!!!!
CHRISTMAS ISN'T THAT CLOSE!!!!
Go Green??
My daughter came home from college and was telling how all the stores had Christmas decorations up the day after Halloween; I don’t mean to one-up her but I noticed the holiday shopping season in many stores got under way before the pumpkins were ready to pick. By the way, why was she in the stores and not in class???
Americans will spend about $4-5 billion this year; wow that is a lot of lead painted, or should I say tainted, toys. How about some Eco-friendly ideas? There are some local stores as well as some “green” web sites that you can consider this year. Try www.newdream.org/holiday/ which is a group that helps consumers choose “responsible” giving instead of just loading up on stuff. There are some pretty creative and inspirational gift ideas and a holiday help book.
I pick on tree huggers sometimes but there is a neat site at http://www.treehugger.com/ that you can find anything from shoes to compost toilets to lighting to creating renewable energy and pretty good discussions on food…my favorite sport.
If you need a dose of social justice, and we can all use some, try http://www.coopamerica.org/.
No happy holidays from me yet…..but do have a good time shopping!
Come up and see us but drive with caution; our own national holiday season, “The Great Deer Hunt”, has begun.
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
Go Green??
My daughter came home from college and was telling how all the stores had Christmas decorations up the day after Halloween; I don’t mean to one-up her but I noticed the holiday shopping season in many stores got under way before the pumpkins were ready to pick. By the way, why was she in the stores and not in class???
Americans will spend about $4-5 billion this year; wow that is a lot of lead painted, or should I say tainted, toys. How about some Eco-friendly ideas? There are some local stores as well as some “green” web sites that you can consider this year. Try www.newdream.org/holiday/ which is a group that helps consumers choose “responsible” giving instead of just loading up on stuff. There are some pretty creative and inspirational gift ideas and a holiday help book.
I pick on tree huggers sometimes but there is a neat site at http://www.treehugger.com/ that you can find anything from shoes to compost toilets to lighting to creating renewable energy and pretty good discussions on food…my favorite sport.
If you need a dose of social justice, and we can all use some, try http://www.coopamerica.org/.
No happy holidays from me yet…..but do have a good time shopping!
Come up and see us but drive with caution; our own national holiday season, “The Great Deer Hunt”, has begun.
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
Thursday, November 01, 2007
BEFORE YOU BUY A HOME
There is much help available today if you want to buy a home but you will want to consider the following.
First you need to determine how much home you can afford. So how do you do that? A good rule of thumb is that you can only afford to buy a home that is equal in price to approximately three times your gross annual income. So for guys like me who work on commission that can be a moving target!
Secondly and to be more exact you should consider these six factors: 1.) income; 2.) the amount of cash you have available for a down payment, closing costs, and the cash reserves required by your lender; 3.) credit history (your credit history smart guy not your lender); 4.) the type of mortgage; 5.) outstanding debt; 6.) current interest rates. I did pretty well on this list until number 5…ugh!
The long and short is that you should get pre-qualified or pre-approved with your personal lender for a home loan. They can help you find out how much home you can buy and in the end it makes you a more credible buyer. And the more credible you are the better you can negotiate.
We continue to be blessed as our drought conditions have been all but taken care of with the many inches of rain received in September and October. There isn’t a dry pair of shoes in my closet.
Have a great weekend and plan to come up and see us in beautiful Sawyer County!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary and Amanda
First you need to determine how much home you can afford. So how do you do that? A good rule of thumb is that you can only afford to buy a home that is equal in price to approximately three times your gross annual income. So for guys like me who work on commission that can be a moving target!
Secondly and to be more exact you should consider these six factors: 1.) income; 2.) the amount of cash you have available for a down payment, closing costs, and the cash reserves required by your lender; 3.) credit history (your credit history smart guy not your lender); 4.) the type of mortgage; 5.) outstanding debt; 6.) current interest rates. I did pretty well on this list until number 5…ugh!
The long and short is that you should get pre-qualified or pre-approved with your personal lender for a home loan. They can help you find out how much home you can buy and in the end it makes you a more credible buyer. And the more credible you are the better you can negotiate.
We continue to be blessed as our drought conditions have been all but taken care of with the many inches of rain received in September and October. There isn’t a dry pair of shoes in my closet.
Have a great weekend and plan to come up and see us in beautiful Sawyer County!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary and Amanda
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Near-Water Development
There is much discussion and concern as to the amount of development near lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands.
In addition, there are the issues of landowner rights, public rights and resource stewardship. Obviously there is an effect on both those who are developing their land and those whose land is affected by the development - not to mention the economic well-being of the community. The days of putting up your garage wherever you wish are gone; from my perspective that isn’t all bad given the adverse effect building might have on our natural resources.
Yours truly is for controls provided all landowners are treated the same and that the “arbitrary rulings” are taken out of the equation when it comes to development. When we have goals that seem to contradict each other, a scientific basis for assessing effects of development and effectiveness of mitigation measures helps ensure fair and constructive decision-making. Yet, I have heard some say we can't believe the scientists and engineers; now that's perplexing to me. Who can we rely upon if not the experts?
There is potential for adverse effects where ever and whenever we develop. The complexity of these issues underscores the need for sound engineered watershed plans rather than depending only upon the approaches of the past. With better understanding and implementation of such plans, both the critics and the proponents will be better able to protect our water resources for generations to come.
Make it a great weekend and Happy Halloween; I’m headed to North Dakota to visit family. If you’re traveling this weekend please drive safely!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
In addition, there are the issues of landowner rights, public rights and resource stewardship. Obviously there is an effect on both those who are developing their land and those whose land is affected by the development - not to mention the economic well-being of the community. The days of putting up your garage wherever you wish are gone; from my perspective that isn’t all bad given the adverse effect building might have on our natural resources.
Yours truly is for controls provided all landowners are treated the same and that the “arbitrary rulings” are taken out of the equation when it comes to development. When we have goals that seem to contradict each other, a scientific basis for assessing effects of development and effectiveness of mitigation measures helps ensure fair and constructive decision-making. Yet, I have heard some say we can't believe the scientists and engineers; now that's perplexing to me. Who can we rely upon if not the experts?
There is potential for adverse effects where ever and whenever we develop. The complexity of these issues underscores the need for sound engineered watershed plans rather than depending only upon the approaches of the past. With better understanding and implementation of such plans, both the critics and the proponents will be better able to protect our water resources for generations to come.
Make it a great weekend and Happy Halloween; I’m headed to North Dakota to visit family. If you’re traveling this weekend please drive safely!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Market Update
For the most part, except for building and home real estate sales, the market continues to chug along and real estate is just 5% of the overall economy. Despite the negative reports that we all receive there are many reasons why I continue to be optimistic about the reported “crisis” in the real estate market. In part because we have had another great year and the fourth quarter pipeline of business is very strong. I see this as a time of opportunity; you make money when you buy – not when you sell. That is, if you buy right it sets you up for profit when you sell. On top of that you get to enjoy the use of the property while you own it.
Why the continued optimism? Typically, home owners who are in the market for the long-term nearly always come out on top in building wealth. Mortgage rates are historically favorable, there is a wide selection of inventory and the worst in the credit crunch appears to be over. There are more jobs, incomes have increased and there is more wealth. Finally, and I have written this before, there is a pent-up buyer demand.
The HACC Wine Tasting is tonight! Good news, we have had a ton of rain in September and October so our lake and pond levels are really up compared to earlier this summer. We won’t have to put on that dock extension after all or worry about pulling our boats off the lift.
Have a great weekend; come on up and see us!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
Why the continued optimism? Typically, home owners who are in the market for the long-term nearly always come out on top in building wealth. Mortgage rates are historically favorable, there is a wide selection of inventory and the worst in the credit crunch appears to be over. There are more jobs, incomes have increased and there is more wealth. Finally, and I have written this before, there is a pent-up buyer demand.
The HACC Wine Tasting is tonight! Good news, we have had a ton of rain in September and October so our lake and pond levels are really up compared to earlier this summer. We won’t have to put on that dock extension after all or worry about pulling our boats off the lift.
Have a great weekend; come on up and see us!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary A. Nathan and Amanda Mavis
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Moratoriums
A growing number of communities have enacted moratoria on new development, more particularly on new land divisions and subdivisions. The stated purpose is typically to eliminate development pressures during those times that municipalities are in the process of doing land-use planning. Some towns apparently are using Smart Growth to prevent growth which could lead to some negative results. There have been challenges to the enactment of moratoria as to whether or not it is legal.
There is legitimate reason for moratoria, purposes such as insufficient sewer capacity or water supply but sometimes it appears moratoria is enacted out of fear that development is going to “happen in my back yard” and I just don’t like it.
A moratorium can have devastating impact on the housing market and the overall economy. New development helps fuel and create new opportunities for many jobs including land use planners, surveyors, architects, lenders, appraisers, lumber companies, carpenters, electricians, title companies….well you get the drift.
Not only can it cause a downturn in the local economy it can reduce land value and have an undetermined long-term effect.
The public health, safety and welfare must be considered and much thought and discussion must take place before municipalities consider moratoria on development. Keep in touch with your local Town Boards and the County as future plans unfold.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the fall colors!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary Nathan
There is legitimate reason for moratoria, purposes such as insufficient sewer capacity or water supply but sometimes it appears moratoria is enacted out of fear that development is going to “happen in my back yard” and I just don’t like it.
A moratorium can have devastating impact on the housing market and the overall economy. New development helps fuel and create new opportunities for many jobs including land use planners, surveyors, architects, lenders, appraisers, lumber companies, carpenters, electricians, title companies….well you get the drift.
Not only can it cause a downturn in the local economy it can reduce land value and have an undetermined long-term effect.
The public health, safety and welfare must be considered and much thought and discussion must take place before municipalities consider moratoria on development. Keep in touch with your local Town Boards and the County as future plans unfold.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the fall colors!
Life is Good, Enjoy!
Gary Nathan
Monday, October 08, 2007
Wilderness Lakes Class
Thought I should give you and update if you have not been following the Wilderness Lakes Class meetings in Sawyer County. There was a very large crowd that turned out for a Sawyer County Zoning public hearing last month, probably as a result of a Northland Area Builders Association (NABA) mailing to about 2500 land owners. NABA felt that Sawyer County did not properly notify the public of this newly proposed lake class since the newspaper notices did not include the list of lakes affected by the proposal. The NABA went on to say they were concerned because any change could greatly affect property owner rights as well as the value of the property.
The list of lakes affected was unveiled the morning of the hearing; at the time of the hearing only named lakes were scored. One Hundred Forty -Two (142) privately owned named lakes would become Wilderness Lakes. 141 of these lakes are currently Class 3 lakes requiring just less than 2 acres to build. One of the lakes, Island Lake, is currently a Class 1 lake. The Wilderness Class would require 5 acres to build, 300 feet of frontage (600 feet for multiple family dwellings), 700 feet of depth and side setback minimums of 60 feet for a total of 120 feet. The reclassification would roughly affect 78% of the lakes in Sawyer County.
There is certainly agreement to preserve the wilderness quality of the land surrounding the lake. The NABA disagrees with the proposal in its current form; they say that managing pollution through dilution does nothing to improve current levels of pollutants from failed septic systems, fertilizers and unmitigated shorelines. The also feel the proposal lacks the basis of protecting public health, safety or welfare and the burden of protecting the water is not distributed fairly amongst all property owners.
The NABA calls for the enforcement of current Zoning laws that are intended to protect the waters and shoreline and the use of Storm water Management Plans for new construction when impervious surface standards exceed 15% on properties within the watershed of a lake. Stay tuned!
Looks like we are at or near the peak for fall colors; Life if Good, Enjoy!
The list of lakes affected was unveiled the morning of the hearing; at the time of the hearing only named lakes were scored. One Hundred Forty -Two (142) privately owned named lakes would become Wilderness Lakes. 141 of these lakes are currently Class 3 lakes requiring just less than 2 acres to build. One of the lakes, Island Lake, is currently a Class 1 lake. The Wilderness Class would require 5 acres to build, 300 feet of frontage (600 feet for multiple family dwellings), 700 feet of depth and side setback minimums of 60 feet for a total of 120 feet. The reclassification would roughly affect 78% of the lakes in Sawyer County.
There is certainly agreement to preserve the wilderness quality of the land surrounding the lake. The NABA disagrees with the proposal in its current form; they say that managing pollution through dilution does nothing to improve current levels of pollutants from failed septic systems, fertilizers and unmitigated shorelines. The also feel the proposal lacks the basis of protecting public health, safety or welfare and the burden of protecting the water is not distributed fairly amongst all property owners.
The NABA calls for the enforcement of current Zoning laws that are intended to protect the waters and shoreline and the use of Storm water Management Plans for new construction when impervious surface standards exceed 15% on properties within the watershed of a lake. Stay tuned!
Looks like we are at or near the peak for fall colors; Life if Good, Enjoy!
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