Julie Sells Dreams in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwood's

I love this challenge and what it means not only in my life BUT my business and my world overall!

When I looked up the definition of trust the one I found that felt the most accurate and on target for me was the following:

Confident expectation of something: hope.

This is a solid reflection on my faith, my family and my business. I have hope.  In the current world we live in I think this is the one thing many people have lost sight of and the one thing that many people do not have. It is also the one thing that I try to give every buyer and every seller in my life because if I can get them to trust me I can give them hope.

As REALTORS we see everyday the lack of hope in so many peoples eyes.. 

• That Seller you are soliciting after having been on the market since 2005 who fears they will NEVER get the home sold so they can move on with their lives.  They want a signs of hope that yes they will sell and no they will not have to feel run over again by yet another agent.
• That Buyer that is sooo afraid they will miss the opportunity to cash in on this market, while fearing they will over pay. They want hope that they will buy in a savvy fashion and they will not see another 20% drop after their purchase.

And then for me the hope that I will be able to make my customer/clients feel good about their decisions in this market so they can sleep with ease at night and trust that they are doing the right thing. I still feel that home ownership is the bedrock of our society and when people start to feel that hope again and that it is an attainable goal for them they will begin to trust our economy. 

Love this topic and love this contest!

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here

                    The chart below shows Historic Mortgage Rates and Historic recessions and it is a great example of why we should be buying real estate in today's market.    

I said before that these are extraordinary times. This chart shows the bellweather since 1970 and there are several points I would like to make.  

• First I wish to show here is how low the rate is relative to history!  It is under 4% at present!  Why aren’t people buying!  The chart also shows that technically we are not in a recession (gray areas).  The Federal Reserve Economic Data of St. Louis provided the chart and surely they know if we are in a recession or not.

• Second-   It shows the recession of 2008-2009 and the post 9-11 reccession.  It shows the mortgage rate peaks of 1982 that were over 17%.  Those were tough times to be selling real estate.  It also shows the oil embargo induced recession of 1974.

Considering that mortgage money is available and is at historic lows and that there are many motivated sellers out there right now, why are there not more buyers?  Many people are out of work or are underemployed and in no position to be buyers.  However, there are many who are economically sound and who could be making huge potential investment gains by buying real estate at this time.  I truly believe that many buyers are convinced by the never ending negative press that real estate is horrible and why would anyone ever consider purchasing real estate at this time.  Traditional news channels have not been kind to real estate or any type of investment to speak of.  They badger the government because we are running out of Medicare yet offer no real long term investment plan for the average citizen.  This chart and the current state of the real estate market – in my opinion – offer’s a fantastic investment plan: purchase real estate for rental purposes and diversify your portfolio.  Any good account can tell you the tax advantages and any good REALTOR can get you set up on a search for rental potentials.

If you tire with renting then simply follow the other old rule:  buy low and sell high.  There is no simpler axiom and one that holds true no matter what sort of economy we are in.  

Real estate has always recovered.  It is not a matter of if.  It is a matter of when.  So, the truth about the market is, that it is the absolute ideal time to be a buyer.  I think the more positive people can be about real estate, the better off we all will be. As always – call me with ANY questions, check out my website at www.eagleriverhomefinder.com, my blogsite at www.juliesellswisconsin.com and feel free to pass this on!

Real es             The chart below shows Historic Mortgage Rates and Historic recessions and it is a great example of why we should be buying real estate in today's market.    

This Northern WI custom log lake home located near Eagle River WI has the feeling of Colorado Ski Lodge! It is a must see for the discrimiating Buyer!

Lac Vieux Desert Dream!  This unique property is truly in a league of it’s own. It is reminiscent of a Colorado ski Lodge and offers both the charm and warmth of that setting coupled with ease of use and privacy. This is a must see property for the discriminating Buyer. The 900 foot winding drive leads you into this spacious full post and beam log construction home that is filled with so many unique building features that you will be delighted for years to come.

• The  custom log home's great room has the most stunning soaring ceiling that I have ever seen with sky lights and a fireplace that encompassed not only the great room but also the master suite and the exterior deck.  
• Meant for entertaining some of its’ unique features include a split bedroom floor plan w/stunning lakeside master that has a huge walk in closet, fantastic block glass shower, and a claw foot bath tub. 

• It also offers lake views and a deck entry way.  The great room not only boasts vaulted ceilings but it is meant to be used as you can tell by it’s designer kitchen.  It has a JennAire 6 top range, a double oven, Bosch appliances, a butcher block island and granite counter tops long enough to accommodate a seating of 8. Truly meant for entertaining this home is set up for ease of use with its dining area, pantry and copper topped bar right in the heart of all of the action.

• This level of the home also offers you a screened in porch, a second bedroom and bath and a stunning wall of windows that leads right out to your lake side deck which covers the length of this sprawling home. 
• The upper level has an additional 2 bedrooms (one being about 23 feet long that accommodates 6 custom log beds)) and another bath. 

• The lower level, which is almost compleletly finished, offers another 2 bedrooms a fantastic workout room wired with surround sound and a large luxurious bathroom with mosaic inserts and a full stone shower.  The walk out is stunning and again the lake views spill over into the home. 

• There are also 2 storage places tucked downstairs and an entry into the garage from the lower level for your ease of use. This property also offers a delightful guest /in-law suite with it’s own private entrance. It offers 1 bedroom and 1 bath,  it’s own natural gas stove,  full laundry facilities, a full kitchen and it’s own deck.

• The grounds here are stunning and the lot offers a perfect beach, stunning sunsets, over 4 acres of privacy and a level slope to fantastic Lac Vieux Desert.  This lake offers OVER 4200 acres of boating pleasure and it straddled the Wisconsin/Michigan border and is known for excellent fishing! 
• Add to all of this a 3 car attached oversized heated garage with built ins and a snowmobile door and this is truly an amazing property that you have to see to appreciate. 
• This unique estate has been loved and maintained by this family for years and it has truly been their getaway for all 4 seasons of recreation: from boating in the summer to snowmobiling in the winter. They have slept OVER 20 people at a time in this home quite comfortably and it has been the gathering place for making a tremendous amount of memories.  It is ready for new owners and new memories so come and take a look and see what is waiting for you on Lac Vieux Desert!  

Again - This Northern WI Custom Log Lake Home near Eagle River, WI!   is a wonderful property that truly must be seen to be believed!  Please visit www.LacVieuxDesertDream.com for more information about this property.

Copyright©by Julie Paez, All Rights Reserved, " Northern WI Cusstom Log Lake Home near Eagle River, WI "

Real Estate in Northern Wisconsin is starting to pick up!  More specifically my area of Vilas and Oneida counties as well as the surrounding Eagle River area!!!  Blame it on the media, blame it on the stock market or blame it on the new commander in chief... I don't care who takes credit I am just glad to see offers getting put down in writing!  Over the last 30 days we have seen approximately 45 offers get accepted in my area of Vilas and Oneida counties compared to 10 the month before. The better news is that our supply is coming down and buyers are starting to believe the bottom is NOW!!

I still, personally, have buyers unwilling to believe that this is true but as they continue to miss out on housing opportunities I know their ideas will change.  Until these properties close we have no way of knowing what our average value is but from my personal experience, while the buyers are writing offers lower than normal they are not necessarily get accepted at discounted prices.. Northern Wisconsin is correcting their pricing.

As the snow melts we generally see a pick up of activity but seldom a buzz like this.  We generally see our true summer kick off start in June, rather than in May, but as local experts educate sellers as to the market conditions and how to price their homes for sale we are seeing the results.  Allot of the homes "popping" are in that 100k to 300k range but there were a couple of exceptions and those exceptions this early in the season are welcomed.  This is especially true because the higher end market is what we completely lacked through the last selling season in Vilas counties real estate market. 

Things to remember in this market for buyers: 

• Ask for Buyers agency, no DEMAND it.. Now that the market is starting to move you want to be abreast of recent homes sold comparable to what you are looking at to help you determine value.
• Keep in contact with your REALTOR and when they say to come and look at a property before its gone.. simply listen...
• Remember, when you see a value out there the chances are that all the other buyers out there in cyber-space do as well so move on the property and don't hesitate.
• Pre-Approval.. Talk to your banker so when you are ready you have NOTHING holding you back and a letter from a bank can make your offer far stronger than your competitions!

For more information on buyers agency check out this recent blog by clicking here

So, it is with optimism that I write today because Real Estate in Northern Wisconsin is starting to pick up and I am willing to give credit to anyone wanting it!  In my humble opinion it is the agents on the forefront continuing to educate sellers as to how to make their home stand out in this market price wise that are making the true difference and as we all know with a decrease in supply our demand should increase as well. So, buyers, jump off that fence and into the Northern Wisconsin real estate market before it is too late!

Copyright©by Julie Paez, All Rights Reserved, Real Estate in Northern Wisconsin is starting to pick up!!

What determines real estate values in Eagle River Wisconsin???It is not the job of a REALTOR to tell you what your home is worth because, quite honestly, it is worth many different things to many different people.  The appraiser will put their market value on it, the assessor will put a tax value on it, the insurance company will place a replacement value on it and the prospective buyer will put a purchase value or and you will place sentimental value on it. 

The difficult job of the REALTOR is to determine what that value will be in the current market based on the current conditions, the competition, and the potential value to a prospective buyer. The best price obtainable in any market can only be determined by thoroughly watching the market and analyzing the competition. In the final analysis, the market dictates value, based on current conditions, the current supply of buyers and the current competition. In Eagle River Wisconsin this is most certainly true!

The key thing to remember, as a seller, is that buyer's are back to comparison shopping.  We are no longer in a seller's market where buyers were scrambling to grab properties as they hit the market.  We are in a buyer's market now and buyers are, again, looking at multiple homes at a time before making a decision. Many even writing offers on multiple homes because price is their biggest motivation to the purchase process and they are not committing them selves to one home because they want to be able to negotiate without having sentimental attachments.

All of this means that, basically, the best obtainable price for your home will be determined by the market, not the REALTOR, or the appraiser or the assessor.  The buyer will shop based on amenities and features of the home and it is unlikely that your home will sell for more than could be paid for another home with similar features and amenities. You may, in fact, end up helping your competition sell if your agent does not properly position you against the competition.

So, pricing is the key in this market and what determines real estate values in Eagle River Wisconsinis not the agent, the appraiser, or the assessor ...it is the buyer and what they are willing to pay.  So, you want to make certain that your home finds a niche where it sparks interest and showings so valuable time on the market is not lost with your home over priced. 

For additional information on what can affect your market value in Eagle River Wisconsin just click here.

Copyright©by Julie Paez, All Rights Reserved, What determines real estate values in Eagle River, WI ???

Buying real estate in Eagle River, WI is going to require a full service  agent  who is working for you, getting you new listings and price reductions  as soon as they hit the market.  It is no longer the time for doom and gloom it is the time for watch, be patient and be ready!! In Northern Wisconsin,where I sell real estate, most sellers are starting to realize that if they want to sell they are going to have to be somewhat flexible with their pricing.  Buyers are also starting to see that when something is priced at market value they better spring and do so quickly or the property will simply be gone.  Eagle River, WI IS selling real estate it is just not business as usual...

According to MLS numbers in my marketplace in Eagle River, WI ( the counties of Vilas and Oneida) we have sold 13 waterfront properties since the first of the year.  Those properties that sold were to in the 100-400,000 dollar range. From my experience with this set of buyers I know that they are ready to buy, have financing in order and know exactly what they are looking for.  The key for these buyers is service and aaccessibility.  They want to know what is hitting the market when it is hitting the market and they don't want to have to wait for information b/c they might lose a buying opportunity. 

While it is true that both volume and sale price are down it is not what you would expect.  Our average sale price is down about 8% but we are seeing list to sale ratios up to about 91%.  The reason for this increase is that Seller's are starting to move their homes into market value range and when they do the buyers come quickly and with high offers. This alone is the reason to be prepared and be working with a professional in the area you want to buy in. In Eagle River, Wisconsin's real estate market  it can mean the difference between getting that dream vacation home and not!

There are several things your REALTOR should be going over with you prior to even setting up a property search:

• How ready are you? Do you have financing in order? If the property you decide is a foreclosure whether or not you have a pre-approval letter could make the difference between you getting the property or someone else.
• Are you ready to write a good offer when your property comes available?  Trying to low ball an already discounted property will surely waste precious time when you could be locking that property in for what you already know is a good and fair value.
• Know exactly what you want so you don't have to waste time shopping around when your ideal properyt does come up. This will eliminate you second guessing yourself. A good REALTOR will have no problem getting your feet wet in their marketplace.
• Let your agent know how and when to reach you if something does become available and you are perhaps at an alternate workplace or home office. If they can't reach you they can't let you know what's happening.
• Lastly, work with a REALTOR you trust and , I recommend, just one! Find someone who you believe is getting you accurate information in a timely manner and someone who talks to you about Buyers Agency and the agency relationship.  This is so important because when someone tells you to make a good offer or that another offer has come in on a property you are considering ... you really want to believe them and this can be crucial in your decision making process. So, interview, ask questions of them  like you would with any other professional and ask for testimonials. A good agent should be able to provide everything you need to start building that trusting relationship.

So, when you are thinking about buying real estate in Eagle River, WI. look for a full service agent it will make the difference, especially in today's Buyer's market.

For information on all Eagle River, and Northern Wisconsin listings and foreclosures go to this local resource.

Copyright©by Julie Paez, All Rights Reserved, When buying real estate in Eagle River, WI look for a full service agent, it will make the difference. 

This Northern Wisconsin property on pristine Anvil Lake in Eagle River, WI is a retreat all in itself! Located off of Military Rd. and  just 10 minutes from Eagle River, WIthis home will start to pull you in from the moment you turn onto its paved driveway.  The winding blacktop drive leads you to this lovely cedar sided 2000 stick built sanctuary. This home sits on 6.3 acres of wooded land and offers you 230 feet of pristine sand shoreline on one of the most sought after lakes tucked away in the Nicolet National Forest, Anvil Lake. The family that currently resides here love the outdoors and they describe this home on Anil Lake as their Four Season Gateway to activity.  It is a wonderful custom masterpiece that has over 5000 sq. feet of living space, 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a finished lower level walkout and so much more....

The great room offers you a wall of windows that practically pulls the lake into the living room and if you are an entertainer the 3 season porch, over-sized covered deck and den all spill off of this amazing space. The master is also located on the main level as well as the custom kitchen w/ walk-in pantry, mud room, and laundry room.  There is also a cozy double sided fireplace for those cool evenings and a rotating TV stand so whether in the den or great room you will have access!  This space is an amazing place to watch sunrises spill over the level lawn as you prepare your activities for the day.

The upstairs offers 4 bedrooms and a full bath as well as a private reading nook for those rainy days when you can't be outside.  The lower level offers 2 sets of patio doors and truly is an access point for lakefront living.. The current owners use this space as a game/rec room but this space is plumbed in for a wet bar and with the amount of room available here you can really create your own vision. There is also an additional bedroom, work out room  and full bath as well as another set of laundry hook ups on this level as well.

There are so many amenities here that you must see this property to appreciate it! Not only do you have loads of room in the home but you also have a 3 car attached garage as well as a 22x30 out building with its own 200 amp service so you have a place to store all of your North wood's toys. From quiet sports like snowshoeing and cross country skiing to snowmobiling and water skiing this could be the ideal location for you and your family.  The lake itself offers 380 acres of sand bottom crystal clear waters and with National Forest lands right down the street you don't have to go far for hiking and bike trails. This Wisconsin property for sale on pristine Anvil Lake in Eagle River truly is your gateway to four seasons of North wood's recreation!

For additional information on this property check out www.AnvilLakeRetreat.com  or for information on other properties in beautiful Eagle River, WI check out this resource.

Copyright©by Julie Paez, All Rights Reserved, Wisconsin property fo sale on pristine Anvil Lake in Eagle River, WI

Amazing Historic Home for sale in Downtown Eagle River, Wisconsin has just been reduced in price to $140,000!! This charming home has so much of it's original character that you will be delighted by all the details restored in this home. It has original hardwood flooring, built in nooks and crannies, french door entryways, an enclosed front porch and an upstairs nursery to name a few.  

The kitchen is so light and airy that even on a cloudy day light will filter in as you sip coffe and look out at your private fenced in back yard to watch the wildlife or childernen at play...  The retro style kitchen also offers loads of storage space for a "true cook". It is light, bright and so welcoming that you will know instantly why this is certain to be the heart of this amazing historic home.

This unique offering has 4 bedrooms, 2 and 1/4 baths, a front entryway, a beautiful brick fireplace, a three season room upstairs with a small balcony, a  full basement, seperate dining room, large yard and so much more.  Recently a new hot water heater has been installed as well as piping and/or fixtures in several of the bathrooms. 

This is a great opportunity to get on a quiet tree lined street with one of the most well known homes in Eagle River, Wisconsin!  Be in the center of it all and within walking distance to everything!!  This would be the perfect opportunity for a first time home buyer, use the $8,000.00 credit towards a garage!! Seller financing is also available!! For additional information on this parcel or to view all Northern Wisconsin Real Estate visit this online resource....

This listing brought to you by Julie Paez and Coldwell Banker Mulleady REALTORS.