As promised in earlier posts, here is an update on the Ice Boating Community, in Wisconsin. Youth Ice-Boating just held the North Americans in Michigan. Despite less than stellar wind and overall conditions, some local Milwaukee and Madison area youth participated and finished with “hardware”. With the recent thaw and then “deep freeze”, we are right back in prime ice-boating conditions in Southeastern Wisconsin. Check out this site to see interesting articles on recent and upcoming events in the area. There are some fabulous action shots also! Have fun, and dress warm!
January 29, 2010 at 03:42 PM · Posted under Karen Trepton
High speed rail could connect Milwaukee to Madison with stops in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown as early as 2013 due to a federal grant that was awarded this week. The much debated project, would utilize $810 million dollars in federal grant money. Proponents cite job creation, as well as convenience for Wisconsin residents. Opposition is leery of cost. Completion is still subject to legislative approval. To read more, click here.
January 20, 2010 at 02:42 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The Real Estate market is changing fast. Recently the NAR (National Association of Realtors) developed a program that educates agents to become advocates for sellers who find themselves in very difficult waters with their current mortgage, i.e. short sales and foreclosures. A short sale is when a homeowner sells their property for less than the current mortgage balance. The “shortage” is often but not always absorbed by the bank. Because of the growing problem with foreclosures, this option is providing a way out for distressed homeowners and banks who find themselves with a growing inventory of bad mortgages.
The NAR developed the “Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification” (SFR), which I was happy to learn more about. Recently I passed the exam and received the SFR certification. I also completed the REO Trans Network training and exams and am now certified to assist with REO inventory (Real Estate Owned) that the banks have assumed. As a leader at Shorewest I believe that continuing education is paramount in addition to assisting clients in this very difficult economy.
If you have further questions about the market give me a call at the office, toll free 1-888-HEY GLEN
January 15, 2010 at 02:27 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Wisconsin has generally fared better than the rest of the country due to our more conservative roots when it comes to wild spending and reckless mortgages. However according to a recent report by Realty Trac, Wisconsin has had a bumpier road than what we would expect. Nevada, Arizona & Florida are the top three states with the biggest issue in the foreclosure arena. Our neighbor to the south, Illinois comes in at #9 on the list of states with severe problems and the cheesehead state ranks #19! I was surprised by this factoid. According to the report over 35,000 properties received filings for foreclosure in 2009. That is up 78% over 2008 and 190% over 2007. For the savvy buyer today who buys real estate, the stories around the water cooler in five years will be, “I wish I would have bought in 2010, what was I thinking?” Interest rates are still very low and the inventory is perfect!
January 14, 2010 at 01:48 PM · Posted under Karen Trepton
Yesterday, I posted an article about the remaining days available to receive the home buyer and seller tax credits. this link also outlines how mortgage interest rates will affect the housing market, after the tax credits expire. The information comes from another blog that I follow, “Keeping Current Matters”, written by Steve Harney, a respected real estate analyst. The information is timely, and relevant for today’s real estate climate. Remember…as of today, there are 107 house shopping days left! Contact me or your Shorewest agent today, to see how we can assist you with your house shopping needs!
January 13, 2010 at 08:57 AM · Posted under Karen Trepton
It’s Jan 13th and there’s 108 shopping days left! Left for what, you may ask? If you have been reading this blog, you should be aware that there is a deadline for the home buying tax credits. To receive further information on this, and our Seller Forum that will take place on January 20th, please contact me.
Below is a video featuring Becky Brand with Shorewest Realtors, inviting you to a free, no obligation seminar for anyone thinking about selling a home this year. Becky reveals what information will be covered in the Free Seller’s Seminar on January 20th, 2010 at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, including some statistics and expert information.
To RSVP for the seminar, email or call me at 414.975.9659 or contact Becky Brand at bbrand@shorewest.com.
The Oconomowoc City Beach ice rink is up and running! For a fun afternoon, come over for some skating on Lac Labelle. Finish the event with dinner at one of the local restaurants. Winter fun!
January 06, 2010 at 12:23 PM · Posted under Karen Trepton
The holiday season may be over, but in real estate, we are focused more than ever on the remaining “shopping days” of the “retail home hunting season!” What I mean by that is, the number of days that are left before the various incentives to assist buyers and sellers expire.This chart outlines the terms of the credits, and if ever there was a slight, and I mean slight, window of opportunity for a seller’s market, it will be between January and April of this year. April is the deadline for offers to be accepted, in order to receive the tax credits.
Sellers who price their homes aggressively and utilize the various tools that Shorewest has to offer, can propel their sale to the closing table. Shadow foreclosure inventory is expected to increase throughout the year, as are mortgage interest rates. The effect of these issues will be increased depreciation in home values, as well as a softening of buying power. If mortgage rates increase by one percent, a corresponding price reduction of 10% must occur, in order to maintain the same monthly payment in principal and interest on a new home.
This is not all doom and gloom, however. Education is the key. As a Certified Relocation Specialist, and Certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, it is my duty to educate my buyers and sellers on how to maneuver through these critical months, in order to maximize their buying and selling power.
To find out more about these tax credits and where your goals fit into this ever changing real estate market, consult your tax advisor and give me a call.
January 05, 2010 at 04:19 PM · Posted under Karen Trepton
Youth Basketball is in full swing in Southeastern Wisconsin. This Saturday, January 9th, Oconomowoc hosts the OYB Cooney Classic Tournament. There will be 40 teams participating and 60 games being played throughout the day. Teams participating are coming from all over Southeast Wisconsin. All games will be played at the Oconomowoc High School Field House, located at the south end of the building. Admission is $2 for adults, students and seniors. Children under 5 are free. Half of all the admission fees collected will benefit “Coaches vs. Cancer,” in addition to all of the proceeds from additional donations to this cause.
Teams playing are from Oconomowoc, Wisco, Brookfield East and Central, Watertown, Waukesha West, Cedarburg, Arrowhead, Pewaukee, Mukwonago Gold and Waukesha North.
If you love basketball, and would like to see the “up and coming youth talent” in our area, visit the OHS field house and watch some great youth basketball! Games start at 8am and will run through the late afternoon.
The ski season for youth racers in Wisconsin is up and running. WJR kicked off the season with its first race, Saturday, January 2nd, at Ausblick in Sussex. The cold weather did not deter the smiles and eager faces of the many local youth who showed up to test their mettle against their peers.
Earlier in the week, the Lakers Ski Team, which trains at Devil’s Head, held a “Christmas Camp” to prepare for the new season. Ski training met holiday giving as the skiers, in conjunction with the staff at Devil’s Head, held a ski race event that joined toy donation with ski racing, called “Toys for Turns”. Skiers were able to run a timed race course, in exchange for a toy donation for needy kids. Check out this video link of some of the kids who were there to train and run the course over the week. For more information on WJR, Lakers , or Devil’s Head Ski Racing, check out their websites. There’s still time to join a team, or just come out and watch a race. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Straight from the News Hub desk is this quick video on the housing market. Now is the time to consider buying your home IF you can afford it. Real Estate has always been a very good long term investment. If you are contemplating buying a home now is the perfect time, interest rates are low and the supply is vast. Check the video out for yourself and decide if it is best for you.
conditions, some local Milwaukee and Madison area youth participated and finished with “hardware”. With the recent thaw and then “deep freeze”, we are right back in prime ice-boating conditions in Southeastern Wisconsin. Check out this site to see interesting articles on recent and upcoming events in the area. There are some fabulous action shots also! Have fun, and dress warm!
Karen Trepton
I was happy to learn more about. Recently I passed the exam and received the SFR certification. I also completed the REO Trans Network training and exams and am now certified to assist with REO inventory (Real Estate Owned) that the banks have assumed. As a leader at Shorewest I believe that continuing education is paramount in addition to assisting clients in this very difficult economy. 
Glenn Hanon
