February 22, 2010

Elkhorn Wisconsin – a profile of the tax credit

Posted to Stacey Schultz

The current figures indicate that there are a total of 3 closed sales, 2 pending sales, and another 6 homes with accepted offers! If all of them close as planned, the grand total will be 11! The average price point of all homes with accepted offers falls just under $200,000 which is the projected price point of folks using the tax credit. Last year the average homes sales price for the same time frame was $142,000 which makes a person feel that we also have a more confident buyer today.

Keep in mind that there is still time for you to take advantage of the first time buyer incentive at $8000 as well as the $6500 benefit for a move up buyer provided you have an accepted offer as of April 30th, 2010 and close by June 30th.

Feel free to connect about your individual needs and / or goals via my cell or email seven days a week.

Posted by: Stacey Schultz



February 20, 2010

Foreclosures – water under the bridge!

Posted to Stacey Schultz

Everybody knows somebody that has gotten into a pickle because of the economy these days, so it is not the shameful scarlet letter it once was. Bad things happen to good people, and it is just water under the bridge!

With that approach in mind, we do have some owners that are willing to consider some folks with less than stellar credit for lease with options and land contracts. You still have to show you are working, have money down, provide favorable references, and be able to demonstrate that you are worth taking a chance on with your overall credit history.

The first step is to talk to a lender. You will need to know how far away you are from being able to be a home owner down the road in order to negotiate realistic terms of a lease with option or land contract opportunity. The financial specialist you are consulting with should be able to council you on how to get your credit score into a more favorable range in the shortest period of time. Be aware – the path to reestablish credit requires going on a financial diet and sticking to it!

I am one of several agents within Keefe that specializes in lease with options and land contract opportunities in Walworth County. Feel free to call and chat, and together we can bridge the past into a brighter future.

Posted by: Stacey Schultz



February 19, 2010

Linn Township Wisconsin - 2009 Single Family Home Sales

Posted to Stacey Schultz

Looking back is a great way to predict what may happen in the future. This theory holds especially true in real estate because we are able to track periods of time, evaluate from one year to the next via data, and project the course for the next sales cycle.

The 2009 sales year was not typical all over the real estate world, but it was really off in Linn Township! There were only 23 closed single family sales compared to 46 closed transactions in 2008. A 50% drop is significant in any equation!

What does that mean to me as a Buyer? You can still find a well priced to bargain Sellers that have not sold due to a major drop in activity. Those Sellers are begging to listen to a reasonable offer.

What about the Seller? Be prepared! You need to have it staged, photographs in the best possible light on the internet, shoveled walks with plowed driveway, and priced for prospects to view your home. Remember 50% of the inventory that did not sell will most likely still be offered along with the new. Stand out from the crowd! I always have service providers that can assist your turn key aspirations.

Posted by: Stacey Schultz



February 18, 2010

Fontana Wisconsin - Condo Sales for 2010

Posted to Stacey Schultz

I know that nobody would normally get all excited about 4 closed condo sales for the first 48 days of a new year, but considering that we had only 1 closed condo sale for the entire first quarter of 2009 - I am quietly optimistic!

There are buyers that are not just looking, but making offers on some long standing listings as well as some “steals’. There are a few distressed sales in Fontana, but just because it says “short sale” or “foreclosure,” doesn’t mean that some of the other options aren’t great values. Your Buyer’s Agent can help you navigate to a smart buy with educating you on past prices and their past experience.

What if I am a Seller? There are currently 80 condo listings in our MLS as of today in a price range of $88,900 for an Abbey Condo-tel to $999,500 for a spectacular Abbey Ridge, so today’s seller needs to be perceived as a great buy - no matter the price point.

I work and live in Fontana, so I know the area. Please feel free to connect with me about the real estate market and how I can help you.

Posted by: Stacey Schultz