Fox Cities Real Estate

Home Price Changes by State

2012-02-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

Home Price Changes by State

Where Are Rents Headed?

2012-02-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

Where Are Rents Headed?

States with the Highest Loan Balances

2012-02-03T06:11:00.000-08:00

Not surprised but glad we are in the gray and not the blue!

States with the Highest Loan Balances

Who’s the Quarterback?

2012-02-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

Who’s the Quarterback?

I love it but wish I was cheering on the Packers!

What Does Warren Buffet Think About Buying A Home?

2012-01-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

What Does Warren Buffet Think About Buying A Home?

What do you think?

Why Deals Die

2012-01-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

Why Deals Die

Real Estate 2012: Many Positive Outlooks

2012-01-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

Real Estate 2012: Many Positive Outlooks

A Really Powerful Real Estate Question

2012-01-16T06:20:00.000-08:00

What a great story and the way things should be done!

A Really Powerful Real Estate Question

People Are Buying Homes AND GETTING MORTGAGES!

2012-01-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

I love positive news!

People Are Buying Homes AND GETTING MORTGAGES!

Comparing Real Estate To Other Investments

2012-01-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

Comparing Real Estate To Other Investments

Shadow inventory

2011-12-16T06:31:00.001-08:00

Thanks Steve Harney for this great information!

http://www.kcmblog.com/2011/12/16/shadow-inventory-by-state/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingCurrentMatters+%28The+KCM+Blog%29

The Need for a true real estate professional!

2011-12-14T06:20:00.001-08:00

I agree with this!

http://www.kcmblog.com/2011/12/14/the-need-for-a-true-real-estate-professional/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+KeepingCurrentMatters+%28The+KCM+Blog%29

Home Sales Increase Across the Country

2011-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Great news!

Home Sales Increase Across the Country

Why You Need an Expert – Part II

2011-11-22T06:43:00.000-08:00

Why You Need an Expert – Part II

Prices: Where They Have Been and Where They Are Headed

2011-11-18T06:09:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder about pricing?

Prices: Where They Have Been and Where They Are Headed

Is There a 3.8% Tax on Homes in the Health Bill?

2011-11-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

Is There a 3.8% Tax on Homes in the Health Bill?

Since this has resurfaced again...

Homeownership: Reports of Its Death are Exaggerated

2011-11-07T06:27:00.000-08:00

The majority agree :)

Homeownership: Reports of Its Death are Exaggerated

Real Estate as a Longer Term Investment

2011-11-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

Real Estate as a Longer Term Investment

Why Do You Want to Buy a Home?

2011-10-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Why Do You Want to Buy a Home?

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

2011-10-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

Wall Street Journal & Forbes: It’s Time to Buy A Home

2011-10-17T06:20:00.000-07:00

Wall Street Journal & Forbes: It’s Time to Buy A Home

This Time We Are Sounding the Alarms

2011-10-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

This Time We Are Sounding the Alarms

Did You Actually Save Money By Waiting to Buy?

2011-10-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

Did You Actually Save Money By Waiting to Buy?

Tips To Present a Stronger Mortgage Application

2011-10-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Great tips for those buying a home!

Tips To Present a Stronger Mortgage Application

Picking the Right Agent is Crucial

2011-10-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

Picking the Right Agent is Crucial

I agree!

13,780 Homes Sold Yesterday

2011-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

13,780 Homes Sold Yesterday

Windows of Opportunity Beginning to Close for Sellers

2011-09-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

Windows of Opportunity Beginning to Close for Sellers

We have seen some increased foreclosures...

5 Great Reasons to Sell Your House Today

2011-09-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

5 Great Reasons to Sell Your House Today

I can tell you personally, #5 is one of the most important, that is how I felt when we sold our home this summer!

Discounted Competition Is About to Enter the Market

2011-08-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Discounted Competition Is About to Enter the Market

Delinquency Rates Dropping Dramatically

2011-08-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Delinquency Rates Dropping Dramatically

Do What He Did, Not What He Said

2011-08-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

Do What He Did, Not What He Said

Amazing :)

Why You Need a Good Negotiator in Today’s Market

2011-07-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Why You Need a Good Negotiator in Today’s Market

Thank God I Didn’t Buy Gold at $400 an Ounce

2011-07-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Thank God I Didn’t Buy Gold at $400 an Ounce

20% Down Payment: The Impact

2011-07-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

20% Down Payment: The Impact

Harmful Effects from Changing the Listing Price?

2011-07-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Harmful Effects from Changing the Listing Price?

Why Do People Actually Buy a Home?

2011-07-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Why Do People Actually Buy a Home?

Selling Your House? Waiting May Not Make Sense

2011-07-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

Selling Your House? Waiting May Not Make Sense

House Prices Through 2015

2011-06-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

House Prices Through 2015

Does Your Lender WANT To Say “Yes!”?

2011-06-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Does Your Lender WANT To Say “Yes!”?

I hope the answer is yes...

The Evolving Role of Video in Real Estate

2011-06-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

The Evolving Role of Video in Real Estate

National Housing Survey: What America Thinks

2011-05-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

National Housing Survey: What America Thinks

Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

2011-05-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

Homeownership: Building Family Wealth

2011-05-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Homeownership: Building Family Wealth

5 Reasons You Should Consider Selling Now

2011-05-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

5 Reasons You Should Consider Selling Now

Now is the time!

Renting: Truly a Better Option?

2011-04-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Renting: Truly a Better Option?

5 Reasons To Hurry Up And Get Your FHA Mortgage

2011-04-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

5 Reasons To Hurry Up And Get Your FHA Mortgage

Survey: A Home Is Still the Best Long Term Investment

2011-04-15T06:54:00.000-07:00

Survey: A Home Is Still the Best Long Term Investment

Why the Wealthy Are Buying

2011-04-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

Why the Wealthy Are Buying

Pricing Is ALWAYS Local … Most of the Time

2011-04-11T06:22:00.000-07:00

Pricing Is ALWAYS Local … Most of the Time

QRM: Is the Pendulum Swinging Back Too Hard?

2011-04-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

QRM: Is the Pendulum Swinging Back Too Hard?

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

2011-04-01T06:05:00.000-07:00

Don’t Believe Everything You Read AGREE!

Real Estate: GOLDen Opportunity of This Decade

2011-03-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

Real Estate: GOLDen Opportunity of This Decade

The 4 Stages Of Wealth Building As A Homeowner

2011-03-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

The 4 Stages Of Wealth Building As A Homeowner

What great advice!

Distressed Sales: State by State

2011-03-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

Distressed Sales: State by State

Interesting map...

We Think We’re Going to Believe Grandpa

2011-03-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

We Think We’re Going to Believe Grandpa

I don't like thowing money in the trash, do you?

Did Modification Programs Work?

2011-03-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

Did Modification Programs Work?

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Buyers?

2011-03-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Buyers?

Killing An Elephant With A Bazooka

2011-03-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Killing An Elephant With A Bazooka

The other unfortunate people that will be affected is the low mortgage consumer. If a loan officer is paid based on the size of the mortgage, the small consumer is not going to get the attention they need. What a shame!

The Impact Foreclosures Have on House Prices

2011-03-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

The Impact Foreclosures Have on House Prices

What Homeownership Truly Means

2011-03-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

What Homeownership Truly Means

This is why real estate is soooooo coool!!!

How to Hit Your Own Home Run In Business

2011-03-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

How to Hit Your Own Home Run In Business

Awesome article!

If Prices Are Falling, Why Are the Rich Buying?

2011-03-14T06:34:00.000-07:00

If Prices Are Falling, Why Are the Rich Buying?

Will I Get More Money If I Wait?

2011-03-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

Will I Get More Money If I Wait?

Hire a Smart Duck

2011-03-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

Hire a Smart Duck

Honesty Is the Best Policy

2011-03-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

Honesty Is the Best Policy

It Takes A TEAM

2011-03-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

It Takes A TEAM

For Buyers:The Financial Opportunity of a Lifetime?

2011-03-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

For Buyers:The Financial Opportunity of a Lifetime?

If Your Goal Is to Buy Low, Buy Now!

2011-03-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

If Your Goal Is to Buy Low, Buy Now!

I agree!

What It Takes To Be A Mortgage Expert

2011-02-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

I hope you have one of these people on speed dial!

What It Takes To Be A Mortgage Expert

10 Reasons People Decide to Buy a Home

2011-02-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

10 Reasons People Decide to Buy a Home

Real Estate: Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

2011-02-21T06:39:00.000-08:00

Real Estate: Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

We are starting to see the signs here in the Fox Valley. It is nice to see the number of calls to our Customer Service Department increase. It is nice to hear about showings taken place. It is nice to hear people attending open houses.

What are you seeing?

Foreclosures: The Eye of the Storm

2011-02-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

Foreclosures: The Eye of the Storm

I think he is right.

Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine - January 2011 Issue - Tech Hottips

2011-02-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine - January 2011 Issue - Tech Hottips

Some really great tech tips!

Selling Your House? 5 Reasons To Do It NOW!

2011-02-15T06:15:00.000-08:00

Selling Your House? 5 Reasons To Do It NOW!

“Own Thy Own Home”

2011-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

“Own Thy Own Home”

Uncertainty in Economy vs. Opportunity in Real Estate

2011-02-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

This is what Steve Harney had to say today...

Uncertainty in Economy vs. Opportunity in Real Estate

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 04:00 AM PST

There are many people sitting on the sidelines right now afraid to pull the trigger on a real estate purchase. Some are first time buyers; some are thinking of moving up to the home of their dreams; others are looking to purchase a vacation home or perhaps a future retirement home. Fear has prevented them from moving forward. Though their concern is understandable, we must never allow fear to ultimately determine who we are nor what we do. We must live our lifes.

The fear causing so many to hesitate comes from three areas:

1. The lackluster economy

2. The unemployment numbers

3. Real estate’s performance in the recent past

Should they stop us from moving forward with our dreams and aspirations.

The Economy

Actually, the economy is doing much better. The news is more positive every day. Consumer Affairs said this:

The U.S. Federal Reserve, which has administered life support to the economy over the last two years, says it’s seeing some promising signs of life.

In its “Beige Book,” containing reports from the twelve Federal Reserve Districts, the central bank finds “moderate expansion” of economic activity at the end of the year.

It said conditions were improving in the Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Richmond Districts. Activity increased modestly to moderately in the Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Dallas Districts.

The economy of the Minneapolis District “continued its moderate recovery,” while that of the San Francisco District “firmed further”.

This is most easily seen in the increase in the Dow which has shown a 20.9% in increase in the last twelve months.

Unemployment

Though still too high, the unemployment numbers are getting better. The recent drop from 9.8% to 9% is proof that things are, if nothing else, at least stabilizing. Though the job losses have been deep, they have leveled off. We can see this in the graph below from Calculated Risk:

The greatest fear was created by the uncertainty by many that their job could be in jeopardy; that they could be next to join the ranks of the unemployed. As the economy grows, any increase in unemployment seems unlikely. That should remove most of this fear.

Real Estate’s Performance

There is no question that real estate has had a difficult last five years. However, real estate was never meant to be a great ‘short term’ investment. It has, on the other hand, always been a good ‘long term’ investment. Let’s compare real estate to the returns in the stock market since January 1, 2000.

In the long term, real estate has always been a safe investment.

Bottom Line

We should make sure that the financial uncertainty of the present does not prevent us from taking advantage of the opportunities available in the real estate market currently.

Donald Trump probably put it best last week when he said:

“I’m pretty sure this is a great time to go out and buy a house. And if you do, in 10 years you’re going to look back and say, ‘You know, I‘m glad I listened to Donald Trump’.”

Attention All KCM Subcribers:

The slide comparing real estate to the stock market along with an additional 20+ slides will be on-line by Friday. They are all part of the Buyers’ Conversational Manual in KCM’s February Edition. If you haven’t yet, download the slides for your Listing Conversation Manual available in the January Edition which is already online.

Not yet a subscriber? Click here.

Like Comparing Apples to Oranges

2011-02-04T07:25:00.000-08:00

Like Comparing Apples to Oranges

What Exactly Is Shadow Inventory?

2011-02-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

What Exactly Is Shadow Inventory?

This Is a Job for Superman, Not Clark Kent

2011-02-01T06:17:00.000-08:00

This Is a Job for Superman, Not Clark Kent

How true! I can't remember any easy deals lately, have you had one?

Does It Make Sense To Buy a Home?

2011-01-31T06:16:00.000-08:00

Does It Make Sense To Buy a Home?

Where Are Housing Prices Headed?

2011-01-28T06:14:00.000-08:00

Where Are Housing Prices Headed?

What do you think?

What The Crystal Ball Says About Rates

2011-01-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

What The Crystal Ball Says About Rates

Does Health Care Bill Contain 3.8% Home Sales Tax?

2011-01-26T07:38:00.000-08:00

Does Health Care Bill Contain 3.8% Home Sales Tax?

Here is a good explanation of the tax.

The Real American Idol – HOMEOWNERSHIP!

2011-01-25T06:32:00.000-08:00

The Real American Idol – HOMEOWNERSHIP!

Distressed Inventory to Step Out of the Shadows

2011-01-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

Distressed Inventory to Step Out of the Shadows

Is the Housing Market Starting to Come Back?

2011-01-22T11:03:00.000-08:00

Is the Housing Market Starting to Come Back?

I think so, what do you think?

Buy or Rent? Play Chess, Not Checkers

2011-01-17T06:11:00.000-08:00

Buy or Rent? Play Chess, Not Checkers

What do you think?

Oswald Acted Alone and We Did Land on the Moon

2011-01-12T13:42:00.000-08:00

Oswald Acted Alone and We Did Land on the Moon

What do you think?

Are Short Sales the BIG Solution?

2011-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

Are Short Sales the BIG Solution?

What do you think?

Would You Hire a Fat Personal Trainer?

2011-01-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

I know what I would do, what would you do?

Would You Hire a Fat Personal Trainer?

3 Questions You Must Answer Before Buying a Home

2011-01-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

Everyone should read this!

3 Questions You Must Answer Before Buying a Home

Forget the boom!

2011-01-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.matthewferrara.com/rssfeed/forget_the_boom/

Questions You SHOULD Be Asking Your Lender

2010-12-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

Questions You SHOULD Be Asking Your Lender

2011: The Year a House Again Becomes a Home

2010-12-29T06:27:00.000-08:00

2011: The Year a House Again Becomes a Home

I am so lucky!

2010-12-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

I have to tell you as a manager of a real estate office, I hear a lot of things. Some bad and some good. Since no one wants to hear the bad, let's focus on the great things!

Here is what some of our customer and clients said.

"Kai was enthusiastic and encouraging at all times. After each showing she called and game me feedback."

"Dawn and Kim always kept in contact with us which is very important to us."
"Amy was patient, professional and informative."

"Shawn did an excellent job! He went out of his way to meet our needs."

"Erica put a lot of time and (very much beyond) effort to sell our home."

WOW!! Great job!! It makes me happy to work with such great agents!

Thank you!

Remember… Pigs Get Slaughtered

2010-12-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

Remember… Pigs Get Slaughtered

5 Reasons You Should Sell Today (UPDATED)

2010-12-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

5 Reasons You Should Sell Today (UPDATED)

November Home Sales Fall as Prices Hold Steady

2010-12-20T10:28:00.001-08:00

http://www.wra.org/online_pubs/press_releases/2010/monthly_reports/december_2010.html

Are Homes Actually UNDERVALUED?

2010-12-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

Are Homes Actually UNDERVALUED?

The facts about Mortgage Interest Deduction

2010-12-13T09:47:00.000-08:00

Commentary: Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Tax Deduction Facts

December 7, 2010

By Danielle Hale, Research Economist
In recent weeks, many proposals, suggesting a variety of changes to the tax system, have been discussed. The estimates below are for the complete elimination of these two tax benefits at current marginal tax rates, one of the most extreme possible changes.
Mortgage Interest Deduction Facts:
• 51 million—or 68 percent—of the approximately 75 million owner-occupied houses in the United States in 2009 had a mortgage.
• 38.5 million taxpayers claimed a deduction for mortgage interest, deducting a total of $470 billion, in 2008.
• The average taxpayer claiming the MID deducted $12,200 from taxable income in 2008.
• Therefore, the average taxpayer saved $3,050 in taxes by claiming the mortgage interest deduction¹ .
• The total tax savings from the MID in the United States in 2008 was $117 billion.
Real Estate Tax Deductions Facts:
• 42 million taxpayers in the United States claimed a deduction for real estate taxes in 2008, deducting a total of $172 billion.
• The average taxpayer claiming the real estate tax deduction subtracted $4,090 from taxable income in 2008.
• Therefore the average taxpayer saved $1,020 in taxes as a result of the real estate tax deduction² .
• The total savings from the real estate tax deduction in the United States in 2008 was $43 billion.
Eliminating Deductions: Losses for Home Owners and the Nation
If the mortgage interest and real estate tax deductions were eliminated, the loss would not be a one-year event; homeowners lose out on these potential savings each and every year. The present value³ of these lost savings could total $3.2 trillion. The value of all owner-occupied real estate in the United States in 2009 was $19.3 trillion⁴ . If the lost tax savings are fully capitalized into the price of houses, the average decline in value in the United States would be 17 percent. From the individual perspective, the median priced home in the United States in the third quarter 2010 was $177,800. A decline in value of 17 percent, as projected, would mean a loss in home value of $29,500 for the typical home owner.
These estimates, because they are based on a complete elimination of these deductions, can be viewed as a high-end estimate. Other changes will result in smaller losses to home owners. Additionally, national results are computed by looking at national averages. A very different picture can result when looking at the state level depending on the characteristics of the housing market, tax payers, and homeowners. For state information, contact data@realtors.org.
¹Marginal rates range from 10 to 35 percent. A 25 percent rate was used to calculate the tax savings.
²Ibid.
³Present value calculation assumes 5 percent discount rate and 1000 year time horizon.
⁴As measured by the American Community Survey. The Federal Reserve Flow of Funds for 2009 estimated the market value of household real estate to be $17 trillion which would raise the estimate of the decline in value to 19 percent.
This is one in a series of commentaries by the Research staff of the National Association of REALTORS®.