homes (60)

Seller Must Dos --Before Listing

1. Clean, clean, clean. Be sure to clean every nook and cranny in the house.2. Pay attention to smells. Sellers should not smoke in the House or exits duringthe listing period. If pets are allowed in the home, refresh the home daily withair freshener - like Glade.3. Clear out the clutter in the closets, in the bookcases, on the tables, in walkways, on counters, orlaying on furniture. Your goal is to make the house neat and attractive.4. Boost the curb appeal - by trimming bushes, shrubs, pulling weeds, cutting grass, andedging around driveways and islands.5. Freshen up the decor with a new coat of paint in a neutral color and update curtains and bedding.6. Remove bulky couches or arrange furniture to make home look spacious and inviting.7. Last -remember to repair or replace broken lighting or fixtures so buyers feel the houseis well maintained.
Read more…

Why San Jose Condos Make Good Rental Properties

4359199473?profile=original


I am frequently asked by San Jose real estate investors, both veteran and new, what is best for San Jose rental investments, multi- family homes, single family homes, or condos.

 

My first answer has been the same for decades: “Are you most concerned with appreciation or cash flow?”

 

The answer to this question depends on a variety of individual goals. What has changed over the years is what is best for cash flow.

 

Historically San Jose rental property appreciation has been best in this order:

 

  1.      Single family home
  2.      Condo
  3.      Multi family home

 

Historically San Jose rental property cash flow has been best in this order

 

  1.      Multi family home
  2.      Condo
  3.      Single family home

 

This long held wisdom that a multi- family home is the best San Jose rental for cash flow is being disrupted by the latest market forces. Right now, CAP rates are better on newer condos than older multi- family homes, and are much easier to take care of.

 

The CAP rate on a San Jose rental property is a measure of cash flow. To figure it out you take the income minus expenses (assuming no loan) and see what percentage of the price of the property the expenses are. 4% is on the high end of what you can expect in this market, and many investments are in the 2% range for single family homes and 3% for multi family homes.

 

Let’s take a sale of a duplex in Japan town as an example of a San Jose multi- family sale in 2016.

 

Sales price was $1,000,000

 

Expenses including property tax, utilities, garbage, repairs, insurance total $15,200

 

Income is $43,200

 

Cash flow:  $43,200-15,200 is $28,000

 

Cap rate is the what percentage of $1,000,000 is 28000 or 2.8%

 

At this time duplexes are not covered by rent control, but that may happen in the future,

 

This duplex, like many of the homes in downtown San Jose, is very old. This one was built in 1930. While charming, they need a lot of repair and in many years repairs will be over $2000 a year which was this years estimate.

 

Now take that same $1,000,000 and apply it to two studio condos in a beautiful downtown San Jose building called Axis. I have a client who does own 2 studio condos at Axis that are rentals so these are real numbers.

 

Market value: $500,000 each $1,000,000 for both

 

Expenses including HOA, HO6 insurance, property tax and repairs is $24,000 for both

 

Income: $

 

Cash Flow: 57200- $24,000 = $33,200

 

Cap rate: 3.3%

 

In this case this new building needed very few repairs, there will never be rent control per California state law, and the HOA covers most of the insurance, water and garbage, and the repairs of the common area.

Here is another example of a clients cash flow at The Brickyard, a less expensive building than Axis San Jose, but a great downtown San Jose rental with the best HOA management company I have ever experieinced.

 

2 condos worth $370,000 each or $740,000

Expenses including property tax, HOA, HO6 insurance, repairs $19,400

Income: $48000

Cash flow: 3.9 % 

Things to watch out for as the building ages is making sure there is enough in the building reserve fund to cover expenses as the building ages.

 

When the reserves are healthy the future looks brighter for the condos because:

 

  1.      There is no fear of rent control
  2.      There will be no needed foundation repairs, earthquake upgrades, termite issues etc for the individual San Jose rental investor to deal with in the future as the building is new and the HOA covers these issues.

 

Of course every case of San Jose rental properties is different, but if you are thinking about buying a San Jose rental property a condo can be a great investment for cash flow, not just appreciation.

If you have any questions about buying a rental property in San Jose please feel free to contact me.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

Specializing in Probate and Trust Sales

650-619-9285

marcy@marcymoyer.com

www.marcymoyer.com

Read more…

Homes for Heroes

Homes for Heroes in Wisconsin!

Homes for Heroes is a national program dedicated to providing extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services to our community each and every day, when they buy or sell a home.

HeroesInWisconsin.com_-300x222.jpg?width=300Who Qualifies?
-Active Military
-Veterans
-Teachers
-Healthcare Workers
-Firefighters
-Law Enforcement
-Clergy

What are the savings?
Savings will depend on the sales price of the home. As an example, a $300,000 house would receive over $3,000 in credits and discounts from all the participating affiliates and vendors involved.

What does it cost me?
Nothing because it's FREE. There is no cost to you. All costs are covered by your local participating vendors.

Can I buy any home and in any area?
Yes. This is not a government program with limitations or restrictions. This is the private sector giving back simply as our way to say Thank You for all that you do every day.

Are there any other benefits or savings after my transaction is done?
Yes. Through the "Friends of Heroes" Network participating vendors will offer discounts on various other services such as moving, storage, pest, lawn care, plumbing, electrical, cleaning and remodeling to name a few.

Are there a lot of extra applications, forms or some future obligation?
None. The Homes for Heroes Promise is:
-No hidden fees 
-No red tape 
-No catch

How do I find out more?

HeroesInWisconsin.com

Read more…

4359186064?profile=original

Hello,


This is really going to be good for home or condo sellers. Please contact me to get started and for more information.

Three reasons why to sell this spring.

Many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are three of those reasons.

1. Demand is about to skyrocket

Most people realize that the housing market is hottest from April through June. The most serious buyers are well aware of this and, for that reason, come out in early spring in order to beat the heavy competition. We also have a pent-up demand as many buyers pushed off their home search this winter because of extreme weather. Sellers in markets where seasonal weather is never an issue must realize that buyers relocating to their region will increase dramatically this spring as these purchasers finally decide to escape the freezing temperatures of the winters in the north.

These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!

2. There Is Less Competition - For Now

Housing supply always grows from the spring through the early summer. Also, there has been a growing desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners have seen a return to positive equity as prices increased over the last eighteen months. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.

The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all the other potential sellers in your market put their homes up for sale.

3. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by approximately 4% this year and 8% by the end of 2016. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate at about 4.5% right now. Freddie Mac projects rates to be 5.1% by this time next year and 5.7% by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Moving up to a new home will be less expensive this spring than later this year or next year.

Stop by or contact us:

Mukilteo Executive Offices

8490 Mukilteo Speedway Suite 107

Mukilteo, WA 98275


Gerhard Swiderski  (Real Estate Designated Broker/Founder)
Phone: (206) 261-2440  FAX: 425-939-0820
GPlus-Realty
Residential, Commercial, Relocation, Lots and Land, Investment Properties, REO, Short Sales, First Time Home Buyers and Luxury Homes.

I would greatly appreciate your referrals and recommendations to your friends, family, and business colleagues; they are a substantial part of my successful business services.
Our Video

 

Read more…

4359187514?profile=originalDSNews ran an article this morning with results from a recent survey revealing over half of the country still believes we are in a housing crisis.

Although it is true that some areas in the country are still struggling to put the crisis behind them, markets from Florida to California and everywhere in between are experiencing a robust recovery and many submarkets have been realizing year-over-year double digit appreciation since 2012.

So why do some people still think the housing market is underperforming?
3 Reasons—Uninformed. Underinformed. Misinformed.

The reality is, real estate data is at least 3-6 months old by the time the mainstream media gets their hands on it before reporting it back to the public. Keep in mind, the sale of a home and it's selling price is recorded after the transaction closes. The time lapse between contract and closing averages 90-120 days.

Also real estate statistics are released on a month-end/end-of-quarter and year-end basis. If you're not paying close attention you could be a year behind on your outlook of the housing market. I suspect this is why more than two and five adults believe the housing market today continues to be a serious problem.

Example: A house that sells on Jan 1 and closes on April 1 doesn't show up in the data mix until the end of May when the month end reports are released. Worse yet, it won't count as a statistic in the quarterly analysis until the end of July. This is especially problematic in a fast moving market.

By the time the general public get's in the loop it's old news. Armed with old information when selling your home or buying a new one can be dangerous and could cost you thousands of dollars.

How can you get reliable and up-to-date information?

To start you can visit the County Records/Tax Assessor website in the area to search sale prices, closing dates and property details. You can also check out Trulia, Zillow and Realtor.com to browse through homes for sale and obtain information on closed homes. These sources will give you a general idea of what homes have been selling for and the current asking prices in a given market.

Your best source for real estate trends has always been a good local agent. Most real estate agents are more than willing to share their knowledge. They are the experts and can easily provide you with a current market analysis summarizing for sale, sold and pending activity in the area.

Everything about the real estate industry is time sensitive, the old saying "no news is good news" doesn't apply.

Keeping your ion REAL ESTATE.
Michael Humphries, designated broker for Compass Roads Realty, Inc. and real estate author covers local and national real estate news, industry trends and market analytics. Read more of his work here.

follow Michael: 4359187458?profile=original

Search for thousands of homes in South Florida with direct access to the MLS.

http://compassroadsrealty.com/

Read more…

ion REAL ESTATE | by Michael Humphries | Compass Roads Realty, Inc

 

4359187347?profile=originalA Short Sale is defined as any sale of real estate that generates proceeds that are less than the amount owed on the property. A real estate short sale occurs when the lender and borrower decide that selling the property and absorbing a moderate loss is preferable to having the borrower default on the loan. It is therefore an alternative to foreclosure. Lenders try to recoup as much money from the sale as possible because they must also pay settlement fees, including agent commissions, at closing.

 

 

 

Who Can Do a Short Sale?

There are two basic qualifiers for a short sale. While these two qualifiers do not cover every conceivable type of short sale, they are pretty standard for about 90% of the short sales. They are:

  • Zero or Negative Equity
  • Seller Hardship

With a few exceptions, if you've got those two qualifiers going for you, you are likely to get a short sale approval. There are a few banks who will not do a short sale under normal circumstances. Most banks aggressively pursue short sales and want to approve them. There are nearly twenty thousand short sales currently For Sale in South Florida.

Who Pays the Commission?

In a traditional sale, where the transaction results in net proceeds to the homeowner, agent commissions are the responsibility of the seller. In rare markets, a buyer may also pay agent commissions. In a short sale, the commission technically remains the responsibility of the seller, but the lender covers it with part of the sale proceeds. Because short sales are designed for financially-distressed homeowners, sellers seldom can afford to contribute money to close the deal. The lender effectively plays the role of seller in decision-making and bearing the expenses of selling.

Are There Any Cost to the Seller?

In addition to the commission, the lender typically also pays for all closing costs, including title insurance, taxes and document stamps. Other than being responsible for past due utility payments, the seller usually pays $0 at closing. The federal government has streamlined the short sale process for more than 100 lenders participating in its Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program, or HAFA. The lender can pay up to 6 percent of the sale price in agent commissions on a HAFA short sale transaction. In general, lenders base the maximum commission fee allowed in a short sale on what is "reasonable and customary" for the market

Do You Need to Use A Realtor?

Most lenders require that the sellers hire a real estate agent to represent them in a short sale. Although in some states a seller may initiate a short sale request directly with his lender and even market the home and receive an offer on his own, it is likely that at least one agent will be involved -- either representing the buyer, the seller or both. A short sale is one of the most complex sales in today's market and requires a tremendous amount of time and experience to successfully close the deal. There have been over 21,000 short sales completed by realtors over the past 6 months within Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Michael Humphries, designated broker for Compass Roads Realty, Inc. and real estate author covers local and national real estate news, industry trends and market analytics. Read more of his work here.

follow Michael: 4359187458?profile=original

Search for thousands of homes in South Florida with direct access to the MLS.

http://compassroadsrealty.com/

Read more…

4359187050?profile=original

It's true, when you think about getting a mortgage for that condo or getting an offer put together for that speed boat on credit, we are upset when the credit company or the mortgage lender turns us down. This is all despite the fact that we have a good salary, a steady job and always pay off our credit card bills on time.

 

It's a fact that millions of Americans have absolutely no idea how their credit score is calculated. There have been at least four surveys that have taken place in America that ask us what it is we think affects our credit score. In some of the surveys, well over 20 questions have been posed. But while the majority of us know that mortgage lenders and those dishing out credit cards definitely use them to check on us if we submit an application – there are huge gaps in the knowledge surrounding the other factors that could directly help or hinder our credit score.

4359187183?profile=original 

Generic Scoring

 

Less than half of all Americans are aware of the three key points where lenders and banks use generic scores. This is where you find your score start to go down just for applying for another credit card, making an application for a mortgage or applying to buy that Harley Davidson Fat Bob on credit. It does not matter if your creditors approved those mortgages, credit card applications or a chance for you to cruise down Route 66 on credit or not – your credit score will be affected by the application process alone.

 

If there is a risk that you may not be able to pay off that loan, then your credit score will be affected; not a lot of Americans knew that. This could be due to something as simple as being in a job that has some form of instability associated to its industry. But Americans can do something to improve their credit rating and paying all your bills, loans and credit cards on time does go a long way to help.

 

Many young Americans seem to be less savvy when it comes to understanding what pushes our credit score up or down, particularly the age group between 18 and 32. There are however several online websites that mimic the factors that determine our credit score and it would be prudent to those of us that do not know how our credit score is defined, to pay attentions to it.

 

Keep your eyes on that credit score and do your research before applying for a loan, credit card or mortgage.

Follow our Blog at PamsVAS for the latest Real Estate Industry news

Read more…

It's the economy ...........

     It's been a while since I've updated this beautiful lake area, mostly because the market has been so uneven & spotty that there has been no really clear picture of what direction is prevalent right now. The area overall is such a mix of property types and market segments that what is pushing one segment may have absolutely no influence in another. The gated golf communities on Lake Oconee do drive the area but the downside of that is when they don't do well, the entire area suffers. Construction here tanked a few years back as the luxury market went down the tubes. There were so many jobs that were construction & building trades related that the trickle down effect of unemployment, foreclosures, tighter finance requirements, ARM resets and overall panic sent waves of distress through the entire market & forced some major employers out of business or onto life support. 

     Now, as is happening all over the country in luxury properties, the top of the line market segment is back in the saddle. The wealthy that did well during and after the recession have snapped up stunning properties at a discount and breathed some life back into the construction and building trades for the high end projects. The mid ranges still suffer though. It is easier to sell a 2 million plus property than something for $750k. Finance is still tight & cash is king. Spec homes are an anomaly & there is virtually no construction in the FTB or move-up market segments. With unemployment still ranging from 8.6 to 11% in the lake area, those market segments are unlikely to change. 

     This recovery is different from many economic downturns as there have been few times when distress was so closely associated with the real estate market. In the past, as things improved economically, demand for housing also went up and many business's prospered directly from that. The resulting dependency on good employment numbers to tweak demand has made location, location, location and even more vital indicator in todays' market. The buyers are where the jobs are and no amount of investor purchases can fuel the market the same way.

Read more…

4359186298?profile=original

You may have heard the term "HUD home" from time to time and wondered what these properties actually were. HUD homes are properties that have been repossessed following the original owners failing to keep up with mortgage payments. A series of foreclosure proceedings takes place and the home once possessed, goes on to become a HUD home. This is because the property is now managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The HUD (Housing and Urban Development Department) becomes the rightful owner following foreclosure and will then seek to sell off the property to a new buyer in order to recover the costs. If you are a member of the public and want to bid on a HUD home you would need a realtor to place a bid for you and the real estate agent must be registered to bid on a HUD home (they will instantly be able to tell you whether they are registered or not).

HUD homes are often located in an area where revitalization is taking place. These are urban areas which may have had a high crime rate or poor development in the past and are now becoming areas where the local government and state housing departments are taking action to improve the area. Good Neighbours – Every District Needs Good Neighbors.

4359186317?profile=original

One of the programs to help improve an area which is undergoing revitalization is to buy a HUD home and become part of the Good Neighbour Next Door Scheme. This is where police officers, nurses, teachers, key health personnel, fire fighters, emergency services personnel and doctors can buy a HUD home and bring the level of the neighbourhood up. The incentive is the hefty discount on offer to key personnel buying into a HUD home. Those that have key personnel skills receive a 50 percent discount on the HUD home they buy providing they have lived there for a minimum period of three years. (HERE is more information and a Q&A for this program).
To call a home a "HUD home" is a bit of a misnomer in some respects. The HUD (Housing and Urban Development Department) is not actually a lender or owner but in fact an administrator/agency that serves as an appointee in selling the home on following foreclosure.
The original mortgage used to purchase a home, which would now be classed as a HUD home, would have been insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
For more information on available HUD homes in your area, CONTACT us to put you in touch with the right registered Realtor.
Read more…

Welcome-to-Wisconsin-300x225.jpg?width=300The Wisconsin housing statistics are in for January of 2014. Here is an excerpt from what the Wisconsin Realtors® Association (WRA) had to say:

The harsh winter took a toll on January home sales in Wisconsin, according to the most recent analysis of housing market activity released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). Existing home sales were down 6.8 percent relative to January 2013, but median prices rose 3.2 percent to $126,900 over that same time frame.

Home sales cooled along with the weather in January,” said Steve Lane, chairman of the WRA board of directors. “REALTORS® know that buyers and sellers don’t like closing on homes during winter months, preferring instead to move when the weather improves,” Lane said. “This winter has been anything but typical, with brutally cold weather and plenty of snow contributing to the decline in January sales,” Lane said.

Below are the number of Home Sales and Median House Prices for the state of Wisconsin, Rock County, and Dane County. These stats include Janesville and Madison. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions pertaining to these figures. As you probably have heard, home sales & prices have been increasing over the past few years. This month however home sales number decreased, but take a look at the price increase! The price rebound in our region is certainly still under way. Rock County was up 11% year over year in January!

Thinking of purchasing a home before prices or rates rise any further?! I'd be happy to show you any homes currently listed for sale. Feel free to visit Rock County, WI Home Listings to search for current properties listed in Rock County or visit Dane County, WI Home Listings for homes in Dane County.

Now might be the right time to sell your Wisconsin home! If you would like some insight into how much your home is currently worth, I would be happy to provide you with a free comparative market analysis. This is a report that gives a close estimate to what your home might sell for in your current local Wisconsin real estate market. Click below:

What's My Wisconsin Home Worth?

Has your home value fallen below what you currently owe? A short sale may be right for your situation. Visit our page on Wisconsin Short Sales for more information.

Housing Statistics for the State of Wisconsin:

January 2014
Home Sales: 3,325
Median Home Price: $126,000

January 2013
Home Sales: 3,520
Median Home Price: $123,000

Housing Statistics for Dane County, WI:

January 2014
Home Sales: 282
Median Home Price: $200,000

January 2013
Home Sales: 320
Median Home Price: $194,750

Housing Statistics for Rock County, WI:

January 2014
Home Sales: 99
Median Home Price: $99,900

January 2013
Home Sales: 111
Median Home Price: $90,000

View my report from last month. Wisconsin December 2013 Housing Statistics

Read more…

Welcome-to-Wisconsin

The Wisconsin housing statistics are in for December of 2013. Here is an excerpt from what the Wisconsin Realtors® Association (WRA) had to say:

2013 was a robust year for Wisconsin’s housing market, with both sales and prices increasing by solid margins, according to the year-end housing report released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). Existing home sales were up 10.8 percent compared to 2012, and median prices increased 7.2 percent to $143,000 over that same time frame.

Strong sales dominated 2013, which is remarkable given that this is compared to 2012, which was also a very good year for the housing market,” said Steve Lane, chairman of the WRA board of directors. According to Lane, existing home sales were up in every region of the state in 2013 relative to the previous year.

Lane noted housing sales were strong despite raising interest rates and prices. “Mortgage rates have increased a full percentage point since January, and median prices have grown consistently throughout the year,” Lane said. “Yet the entire state posted genuine gains in 2013, a trend we hope and believe will continue into the new year,” Lane said.

Below are the number of Home Sales and Median House Prices for the state of Wisconsin, Rock County, and Dane County. These stats include Janesville and Madison. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions pertaining to these figures. As you probably have heard, home sales & prices have been increasing over the past few years. Take a look at Dane & Rock County! Marked improvements in price and sales volume, a great sign.

Thinking of purchasing a home before prices or rates rise any further?! I'd be happy to show you any homes currently listed for sale. Feel free to visit Janesville, WI MLS Listings to search for current properties listed in the Janesville area or visit Madison, WI MLS Listings for MLS Listings in the Madison area.

Now might be the right time to sell your Wisconsin home! If you would like some insight into how much your home is currently worth, I would be happy to provide you with a free comparative market analysis. This is a report that gives a close estimate to what your home might sell for in your current local Wisconsin real estate market. Click below:

What's My Wisconsin Home Worth?

Has your home value fallen below what you currently owe? A short sale may be right for your situation. Visit our page on Wisconsin Short Sales for more information.

Housing Statistics for the State of Wisconsin:

December 2013
Home Sales: 4,620
Median Home Price: $143,250

December 2012
Home Sales: 4,343
Median Home Price: $133,900

Housing Statistics for Dane County, WI:

December 2013
Home Sales: 440
Median Home Price: $210,671

December 2012
Home Sales: 411
Median Home Price: $200,000

Housing Statistics for Rock County, WI:

December 2013
Home Sales: 139
Median Home Price: $108,000

December 2012
Home Sales: 113
Median Home Price: $95,000

View my report from last month. Wisconsin November 2013 Housing Statistics

Read more…

Welcome-to-Wisconsin

The Wisconsin housing statistics are in for November of 2013. Here is an excerpt from what the Wisconsin Realtors® Association (WRA) had to say:

Wisconsin home sales fell 6 percent in November 2013 when compared to November 2012, although total sales for the year remain ahead of 2012. Comparing the first 11 months, home sales were up 11.1 percent in 2013 over 2012. Prices were also higher in November, rising 4.7 percent above the same month last year, to a statewide median of $136,000.

Over the last two months, the housing market has definitely cooled from the red-hot pace that characterized the first three quarters of 2013.” said Steve Lane, chairman of the WRA board of directors. “This was bound to happen since the base of comparison is 2012, and that was a very strong year for home sales.” he said.

Lane pointed to markedly higher mortgage rates, steady upward movement in prices over the last year and a half, and heightened uncertainty of federal fiscal and health care policies as potential factors for the cool down..

Below are the number of Home Sales and Median House Prices for the state of Wisconsin, Rock County, and Dane County. These stats include Janesville and Madison. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions pertaining to these figures. As you probably have heard, home sales & prices have been increasing over the past few years. Both Dane and Rock counties are showing marked improvements in the number of homes sold and the price at which they are being sold at. Although the numbers cooled in November statewide, Dane and Rock County have been outperforming!

Thinking of purchasing a home before prices or rates rise any further?! I'd be happy to show you any homes currently listed for sale. Feel free to visit Janesville, WI Homes for Sale to search for current properties listed in the Janesville area or visit Madison, WI Home Listings for Sale for MLS Listings in the Madison area.

Now might be the right time to sell your home! If you would like some insight into how much your home is currently worth, I would be happy to provide you with a free comparative market analysis. This is a report that gives a close estimate to what your home might sell for in your current local Wisconsin real estate market. Click below:

What's My Wisconsin Home Worth?

Has your home value fallen below what you currently owe? A short sale may be right for your situation. Visit our page on Wisconsin Short Sales for more information.

Housing Statistics for the State of Wisconsin:

November 2013
Home Sales: 4,770
Median Home Price: $136,000

November 2012
Home Sales: 5,020
Median Home Price: $129,950

Housing Statistics for Dane County, WI:

November 2013
Home Sales: 419
Median Home Price: $208,500

November 2012
Home Sales: 415
Median Home Price: $198,000

Housing Statistics for Rock County, WI:

November 2013
Home Sales: 144
Median Home Price: $108,750

November 2012
Home Sales: 141
Median Home Price: $87,000

View my report from last month. Wisconsin October 2013 Housing Statistics

Read more…

Welcome-to-Wisconsin.jpg?width=300The Wisconsin housing statistics are in for October of 2013. Here is an excerpt from what the Wisconsin Realtors® Association (WRA) had to say:

Wisconsin’s red-hot real estate market cooled in October, with sales of existing homes nearly identical to October of last year, according to the most recent housing report issued by the Wisconsin Realtors® Association. October sales were just 0.1 percent lower than last October, representing the first time since July of 2011 that monthly sales did not increase over the previous year. The median sales price however continued to rise, increasing 5.6 percent to $142,500 in October relative to October 2012. On a year-to-date basis, median prices increased 7.5 percent compared to the first 10 months of 2012.

While somewhat surprising, these numbers are not totally unexpected,” said Steve Lane, chairman of the WRA board of directors. “We are comparing sales between two very strong years and two very healthy markets,” he said.

Sales softened in all regions of the state. The strongest regional growth was in the South central region, where sales were up 3.9 percent.

Below are the number of Home Sales and Median House Prices for the state of Wisconsin, Rock County, and Dane County. These stats include Janesville and Madison. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions pertaining to these figures. As you probably have heard, home sales & prices have been increasing over the past few years. Both Dane and Rock counties are showing marked improvements in the number of homes sold and the price at which they are being sold at. As you can see, Rock County was exceptionally strong in October for both the number of homes sold as well as the price at which they sold.

I'd be happy to show you any homes currently listed for sale. Feel free to visit Janesville, WI Home Listings for Sale to search for current properties listed in the Janesville area or visit Madison, WI Homes for Sale for MLS Listings in the Madison area.

If you would like some insight into how much your home is currently worth, I would be happy to provide you with a free comparative market analysis. This is a report that gives a close estimate to what your home might sell for in your current local Wisconsin real estate market. Click below:

What's My Wisconsin Home Worth?

Has your home value fallen below what you currently owe? A short sale may be right for your situation. Visit the following page on Wisconsin Short Sales.

Housing Statistics for the State of Wisconsin:

October 2013
Home Sales: 5,711
Median Home Price: $142,000

October 2012
Home Sales: 5,652
Median Home Price: $135,000

Housing Statistics for Dane County, WI:

October 2013
Home Sales: 513
Median Home Price: $218,000

October 2012
Home Sales: 493
Median Home Price: $198,878

Housing Statistics for Rock County, WI:

October 2013
Home Sales: 168
Median Home Price: $109,000

October 2012
Home Sales: 147
Median Home Price: $85,000

View my report from last month. Wisconsin September 2013 Housing Statistics

Read more…

Milton Wisconsin Home Sold

Lake-Lot-in-Edgerton-WI.jpg?width=300Just Sold! 1303 E Koshkonong Dr, Milton Wisconsin 53534

We are happy to announce a recent home closing in Milton, Wisconsin. Although, this bank owned home may be a tear down, the lot and location really were ideal. Being just steps away from Lake Koshkonong made this REO property a super buy, listed at just $34,650. Congratulations to our Rock Realty buyer, Keith! We can't wait to see what you do with this great lake lot in Milton!

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in Wisconsin, our home buyer specialists would be happy to assist you. Give Rock Realty a call at 877-774-7625. We are a full service real estate brokerage.

 Madison Wisconsin MLS ListingsMadison, WI Homes for Sale

OTHER ARTICLES

Read more…

Just Sold! 1817 Anhalt Dr, Madison Wisconsin 53704

We are happy to announce a sale for another Madison Wisconsin Rock Realty home seller!

This home was the perfect little tri-level on Madison's East Side. The buyers got a great price on this bank accepted short sale. Congratulations to the buyers and our sellers on this successful Madison short sale transaction!

If you are thinking of selling or buying a home in Wisconsin, our home buyer specialists would be happy to assist you. Give Rock Realty a call at 877-774-7625. We are a full service real estate brokerage.

 Search Madison Wisconsin MLS Listings

OTHER ARTICLES

Read more…

We would like to introduce you to our home buyer specialist, Eric Engels, Realtor® | Real Estate Agent serving the Janesville, Wisconsin area!

Eric-Engels-240x300.jpg?width=240"Hello Rock County! I am very happy to have joined the Rock Realty team. I have been a resident of Janesville for over 13 years. I lived in the Quad Cites before that living in both Illinois and Iowa. In 2006 I had the chance to move back to the Quad Cites, I thought about it for about 2 seconds, but Wisconsin is the best place to live I couldn't leave. I am a big fan of the Midwest way of living! I am very excited to meet some of the great people in Rock County, and to help them in there home buying and selling needs."

"At Rock Realty we use the newest and most innovative technology to help us in our advertising and researching needs. Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions you may have. Again I look forward to meeting the great people of Rock County."

Thanks

Eric Engels

Visit my site to search for Janesville, WI Real Estate Listings:

www.JanesvilleListings.com
(Homes for sale in 53545, 53546 and 53548 and the rest of Dane & Rock County)

Read more…
Commercial-Rentals-In-Wisconsin-300x216.jpg?width=300
photo credit: contemplative imaging via photopin cc

How to Pick Profitable Rental Properties

(Investment Properties: Part 4 of 5)

From looking at various homes to actually making a profit, investing in rental properties takes many steps. A person that is new to the process may feel a bit overwhelmed. In order to reduce risk and increase your chances of making positive cash flow with real estate, here are some tips on picking a home.

Good School Zone

A good school zone will always attract families. Many families will be able to purchase homes in the area but some will have to rent a while in order to get their finances in order. These are the types of people who will stay in a home for 2 or 3 years and be potential good tenants. Focus on schools that have high standardized test scores and achieve well in the areas of math and science.

Avoid High Crime Areas

This may seem obvious, but it needs to be pointed out. Homes in areas that are subject to more than average rates of crime will be tough to rent out. Furthermore, the crime rate will drop the rental rate. This can cause a breakeven or even net loss on the monthly cash flow.

Demographic of Neighborhood

Each neighborhood will have its own miniature set of demographics. A community next to a college or university will likely be made up of homes rented almost exclusively to students. An older neighborhood with higher priced homes will likely have couples that are middle aged and higher. Study the neighborhood carefully to make sure there is an available market of tenants that fit the demographic.

Employment Opportunities

Another factor that can heavily influence the profitability of a rental property is the number of available jobs in the nearby area. A new factory, expanding hospital or growing university are places that will add on more people and need them for full time work. Many times people will obtain a job first and then start looking for nearby homes to rent. Sometimes these people can be short term renters but it is possible to find someone that locks in a home for 2 or 3 years.

Check for Vacancies and Homes for Sale

For a new subdivision that is under construction it is common to see multiple signs indicating new homes for sale. However, for an established neighborhood, a high number of for sale signs is a kiss of death. This typically indicates that the area is on the decline. An even worse condition is the presence of several vacant homes. These are homes that have been abandoned for various reasons. Steer clear of these areas in your own best interest.

Be on the Lookout for Problems from Mother Nature

Some areas are more prone to natural problems than others. Issues like flooding, mud slides and tornadoes seem to be attracted to certain areas. The insurance for properties in these areas can be quite high and chip away at the monthly cash flow for the property.

Finding a good property based on these guidelines does not automatically mean that your home will be a cash cow. However, it should increase your chance for success in a very lucrative type of investment.

Investment/Rental Properties (5 Part Series)

Read more…

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

"Mike Collins was easy to talk to and very good at explaining in detail all aspects of the short sale of the property. With a lot of patience, he walked me through the process of a short sale. He was understanding of my plight and very sympathetic.


Mike was a pleasure to work with and he is a man of his word.
Thank you, Mike, and best of luck to you."

Tom D. (Oxford, WI)
Rock Realty Seller Client

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

Thanks for the compliments, and Congratulations on your closing Tom!

Read more…

We would like to introduce you to our home buyer specialist, Bethany Alexander, Realtor® serving the Oregon, Wisconsin area!

Dane County WI Real Estate
"I am excited to be a part of the Rock Realty team to help expand their services throughout Dane County. I am originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, but have lived in Oregon Wisconsin for the past 20+ years. As a long-time resident of Oregon and an Oregon High School graduate I have an in depth understanding of the area which will assist me in helping you to select a home location that best suites your family’s needs."
"As a Rock Realty real estate agent, I use the latest tools available to help advertise, broadening the range of qualified buyers for your property. It is my top priority to educate and help guide you through the exciting and sometimes stressful process of buying or selling a home. I truly care about my clients and their needs and will work hard for you to ensure that your experience with buying or selling a home is as simple and stress free as possible. If you are looking for a Realtor® to put your individual needs first, look no further, call me today to discuss what I can do to help you with your real estate needs."
If you are looking to buy or sell anywhere in Dane County, I'd love to help!
Bethany Alexander
Real Estate Agent/Realtor®
608-212-4101 (cell)
Bethany@RockRealtyWI.com
Search the MLS via my site:
www.SweetHomeWI.com

 

 
Read more…

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

"This was a great effort from Mike Collins. He did a super super job with the selling of our home in Wisconsin. I could not ask for more from him as he kept me well informed of things going on and we are 1200 miles apart. He did more than a 110 percent job on everything. Even removing snow and whatever it took to have our home ready to show. Again, THANKS Mike for everything. Great Job!!!!!!"

Phyllis Pearson (Rock River, WY)
Rock Realty Seller Client

Rock Realty Client Testimonials

Thanks for the compliments, and Congratulations on your closing Phyllis!

Read more…