Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsMLS #StatusAddressPriceBedBathsTypeSqFtOriginal PricePrice DiffNew1500716Active6  Merrill Crest Dr$199,900.00 21000New1109$199,900.00 $0.00 1501648Active5517  Tesla Terr$194,900.00 31000New1653$194,900.00 $0.00 A/O & Pending1489134Offer-Show6405  KEELSON DR$370,000.00 51110Misc. Change3422$415,000.00 ($45,000.00)1498138Pending10  Carillon Dr$329,900.00 41110Status to Pending2128$329,900.00 $0.00 Sold1490114Sold5725  ELDER PL$200,000.00 21010Status to Sold1393$229,900.00 ($29,900.00)1487005Sold6345  LANDFALL DR$300,000.00 42010Status to Sold2356$340,000.00 ($40,000.00)1486275Sold501  Isle Royal Dr$336,417.00 42020Status to Sold3137$359,900.00 ($23,483.00)1391403Sold417  Yosemite Tr$285,000.00 31110Status to Sold2200$... 11/19/2007

       19-Nov-07         Inventory  20072006%Change DowntownHouses28280% DowntownCondos220222-1% West Houses699832-16% West Condos9011036-13% EastHouses5825771% EastCondos452496-9% TotalHouses13091437-9% TotalCondos15731754-10% Grand Total 28823191-10%      Market Indicators           UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.25%6.00%4% Keller Williams Listings51141124% # of showings on KW Listings1261251% 3 week trend 138111  6 week trend 139103  % of listings with showings24.66%30.41%-19% Av Days on Market for KW Listings184   Closings mtd 108232-53% 11/19/2007

Weekly report for12-Nov-07         Inventory  20072006%Change DowntownHouses2829-3% DowntownCondos22018221% West Houses709878-19% West Condos9041010-10% EastHouses597604-1% EastCondos4564433% TotalHouses13341511-12% TotalCondos15801635-3% Grand Total 29143146-7%      Market Indicators           UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.38%6.13%4% Keller Williams Listings77541587% # of showings on KW Listings1559957% 3 week trend 133104  6 week trend 13495  % of listings with showings20.00%23.86%-16% Av Days on Market for KW Listings179 #DIV/0! Closings mtd 53232-77%   11/13/2007

I just found out about this great program that the City of Madison is offering to potential homeowners and/or landlords to help them buy AND owner occupy a home in the Bassett Neighborhood in downtown Madison. Basically, its an acquisition and rehabilitiation program to help people purchase in the Bassett Neighborhood with forgiveable loans.To be eligible borrowers must:1) Occupy the property as their principal residence for ten (10) years; and2) Investment a mininimum of 3% of the purchase price; and3) Provide the City with a copy of their first mortgage commitment; and4) May be the owner of a rental property that they wish to convert to their primary residence.  There are some condition for the property as well, but borrowers can purchase a property with up to 3 seperate dwelling unit... 11/07/2007

Thinking of buying or selling your home soon? If so, you'll be pleased to hear that homeowners and property owners in Wisconsin won a major victory when the proposal to double the real estate transfer tax - or "home tax" - was removed from the state budget in a compromise announced last week by Republican and Democratic legislative leaders and the governor.The real winners of this action will be Wisconsin's young couples, working families and senior citizens. On their behalf, REALTORS® argued forcefully that raising the tax on the sale of homes and other properties was the wrong thing to do and this was the wrong time to do it.More good news comes when homeowners should also be pleased with a separate provision in the compromise budget that limits annual property tax increases to 2 perc... 11/07/2007

Thinking of buying or selling your home soon? If so, you'll be pleased to hear that homeowners and property owners in Wisconsin won a major victory when the proposal to double the real estate transfer tax - or "home tax" - was removed from the state budget in a compromise announced last week by Republican and Democratic legislative leaders and the governor.The real winners of this action will be Wisconsin's young couples, working families and senior citizens. On their behalf, REALTORS® argued forcefully that raising the tax on the sale of homes and other properties was the wrong thing to do and this was the wrong time to do it.More good news comes when homeowners should also be pleased with a separate provision in the compromise budget that limits annual property tax increases to 2 perc... 11/07/2007

RISMEDIA, September 18, 2007–Understanding how to put the power of his company’s brand to work for him has been one of the keys to Ron Reed’s success in Madison, Wisconsin. Read how he puts public relations to work for him in his market and why that made him stand out to Realtor on the Rise editors this year. Ron Reed First Weber Group Madison, Wisconsin In real estate since: 2006 Slogan: “Everything I touch turns to sold.” Quick study: Reed was named member of the President’s Club Top 25 for January 2007, a monthly club of elite First Weber agents. Ron Reed was named semifinalist for the Real Estate Apprentice Foundation’s fifth season, winning grant funding and real estate products and other communication tools. “Ron distinctly understands the significance of a strong brand and contin... 10/23/2007

ALISO VIEJO, CA, February 28, 2006 – Any real estate professional will agree that $163,500 in education, mentoring, products and tools will propel any new agents career.  Over 1,700 new agents concurred with that premise and put in the time and effort to answer essay and background questions in order to get the gold.  “The Foundation offers some extraordinary free grants and the flow of new agents applying have not slowed despite recent shifts into a somewhat dawdling market,” said Dr. Martin Oliver, Deputy Executive Director at the Real Estate Apprentice Foundation.  Today, the Foundation announced the names of their Top 30 grant candidates drawn from a pool of 1,723 applicants for Season V (July-Dec 2006).  Now the group of thirty is competing for one grand prize of $70,000 (fast-trac... 10/23/2007

Many of us have the same issue, that is to save for a college fund.  What is the deal?  save $300 a month for 15 years and you have $3,600 per year.  or  54,000 plus returns on investment.  Say $80,000,I use a citi card with upromise which pays me $1 for every $100 spent into an account which I invest for a college fund.  www.upromise.com if you are interested.  max of $300 a year.  so this is not going to do anything but pay for books.  But is doesn't cost a penny, and you can have grand parents with a credit card contributing the the same fund. But there is a way so easy, that we over look it.   Just buy an income property on a 15 year mortgage and the savings plan is in place.   We all look for properties that cash flow, and in recent markets, locally, cash flow has not been good.  B... 10/21/2007

Real Estate, in Madison Wisconsin, like any place else.  There is a time to buy and a time to sell.  In general I would prefer not to be a seller at this time if I had a choice. There is a gaping exception.   When one is "moving up"  or buying a larger house than one currently lives.  It can be done very reasonably, even when a smaller home needs to be sold.           Why is this?  Well say one lives in a home that was $200,000 last year, and you would buy a home at $300,000, that is a 100,000 cost to buy up. But the market has changed.  Now you can get the same home for let's say 15% less.  you would be spending $300,000 less %45,000 or $255,000.However if you were to sell yours, you would have to expect a lower price as the buyer would not pay $200 now.    If the price of your home wa... 10/17/2007

Check out this wonderful Heritage Heights home.   Yes it looks small from the front, but it is surprisingly large once you get inside.   Hence, I took a picture of the sprawling multi level deck and the back view.  This is a wonderful place to hang out, especially as the home backs onto Green space,  which gives privacy and a feel of being in the trees.   A screened porch has a large hot tub. , Beautiful ceramic tile and 2 exits to separate patios.Of course the street view is not too shabby!Nor the street.  Fully tree lined:And about the inside, 2300 square feet, plus room for more in the basement.  Look at the bright living room.The owners have worked incredibly hard to make this a dream home, updates are everywhere.Then there is a hugely spacious kitchen, with beautiful cherry cabinet... 10/13/2007

I have known Heritage Heights ever since I came to Madison, 15 years ago.  I used to walk the neighborhood, door to door when I was getting started in Real Estate.  I still deliver magnets annually. Anyway, I have always enjoyed the people and the beauty of the neighborhood.  This Madison, Wisconsin neighborhood, lying on the city's far east side, between Cottage Grove and Milwaukee Streets, just West of the Interstate I90/94. There is a spacious and attractive park in the middle.  Great schools, Kennedy is acclaimed to be one of the most popular if not the best Elementary schools in Madison. Here is the East end of Heritage heights park.  Fall colors are a bit late this year, but I think they will be good,For information on the neighborhood, The official Heritage Height's neighborhood ... 10/13/2007

While the media may be portraying the housing market in Madison as all doom and gloom, statistics are showing something quite different. While existing home sales in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2007 are down from 2006, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association they are the 3rd highest on record. Median sale price on homes have also increased steadily over the past 10 years as well.  According to the National Association of Realtors, the 4th quarter of 2007 is projected to be the largest quarter for the year.  With interest rates dropping below 6.375%, they will help the softened market gain momentum. In the Westmoreland Neighborhood, the average days on market are some of the lowest for Madison. As for the Westmoreland Neighborhood, statistics are showing the following:  Residenti... 10/10/2007

Based on what you've heard in the media, you'd likely be surprised to hear that I am enjoying this market.  Yes, can you believe it? Why in a tough market am I not only being more successful than ever but enjoying it more too?Because I realized last year that in a new real estate market, we have to learn new tools.  I realized that there will always be people, who for one reason or the other need to move, and they will need my help. Also in this market, the competition goes away.  Unrepresented sellers, limited service and cut price agencies find it tougher as people want full representation.  Also the weaker practitioners drop out.  Either because they can not get the business, or if they do, they can not get to closing. So what is the difference? Why can some agents get the job done, ... 10/09/2007

I wanted to write about a rather unusual group, The International Professionals www.internationalprofessionals.org. It is a networking group for anyone with an affiliation for anything with a foreign flavor.  We are a group made up of ex-pats from a wide variety of countries and some good old American folks who feel a strong affinity with those of a different nationality.  We meet once a month for a happy hour, First Weds of the month. We check out a new venue each month. (details see the web site.) and also hold a lunch information session on relevant topics, one I attended was Green investing.  I have been a member for over a year, and I have met so many friends.  One of the things I enjoy is that it is a safe place to ask questions like, where are you from? When did you come to Madis... 10/08/2007

This is the buy of the month.  Now we have shiny new floors and a new bathroom. There is masses of space in this bargain priced home.  For a start, 1260 sq ft of house with 4 bedrooms, and a screened porch, 2 car garage and 2 car carport.  Also there is a secluded patio to the rear.  Yeah, the spacious kitchen could do with a new floor and countertop, but hey who doesn't want a project, and at this price??  PS if you don't want a project, let us do this work and offer high.   We have placed a Range Price of $147,000 to 155,000 ExplanationCheck out our free mapping search function.  more homes for saleHomes Marketed by Real Estate Guy, Madison Wisconsin, http://www.realestateguy.net/  Email realestateguy@kw.com   Real Estate Guy is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty, Crossroads 10/07/2007

Another very fine home by the Real Estate Guy.   Located on Madison's South West side, convenient to the whole of the travel to work metro area. This 3, almost 4 bedroom trilevel, boasts a huge kitchen dining area with soaring vaulted ceilings.  Just 12 years old, and 1800 plus square ft.  You will be able to enjoy city views from the top floor and a deck off the lower level family room.Check out our free mapping search function.  more homes for saleHomes Marketed by Real Estate Guy, Madison Wisconsin, http://www.realestateguy.net/  Email realestateguy@kw.com   Real Estate Guy is affiliated with Keller Williams Realty, Crossroads 10/07/2007

I always enjoy a visit to the one of the many farmers markets in the MAdison Area.  The main one on the Capital square is pretty busy and one can buy just about anything, however, my favorite, is the Westside Farmers Market.  This weekend we were blessed with perfect weather.It is easy to park, (yes I know, biking would be more "Madison", but I drive in my Hybrid Civic, from Verona)  The vendors are friendly and the market organises free coffee from a local free trade coffee shop and prize drawings.  Here is Amy, one of the market volunteers, helping out with an enquiry. Amy and her coworkers are key to the market's success.There is a great selection of vendors, from eggs, meat, vegetables, bakers, honey, flowers, sauces etc.  One of our favorites is the LMNO pies.  They make wonderful ... 10/07/2007

The Cherokee Park Neighborhood, statistics are showing the following for 3rd quarter compared with 2nd quarter and 1st quarters. As we move from the 1st to 3rd quarter, days on market decresed from 160 days to 54 days and average sales prices have moved up and down as well. Here are your statistics: Residential Homes SalesActive Listings: 4Average Asking Price: $326,650Average Price per Square Foot: $116List Price Range: $279,900 (high) to $379,900 (low) 3rd Quarter 2007 Sales: 3 SalesAverage List Price: $296,566Average Sold Price: $280,800Average List Price per Square Foot: $120Average Sold Price per Square Foot: $114Sold Price Range: $310,000 (high) to $257,500 (low)Average days on market: 54 2nd Quarter 2007 Sales: 5 SalesAverage List Price: $268,520Average Sold Price: $252,600Averag... 10/05/2007

Residential Homes SalesActive Listings: 81 home with accepted offersAverage Asking Price: $205,9872 Pending Sales September 2007 Sales: 0 SalesAverage List Price: Average Sold Price: Average days on market:  3rd Quarter 2007 Sales: 2 SalesAverage List Price: $209,950Average Sold Price: $209,500Average days on market: 37 CondominiumsActive Listings: 110 condos with accepted offersAverage Asking Price: $163,836 September 2007 Sales: 0 SalesAverage List Price: $Average Sold Price: $Average days on market:  3rd Quarter 2007 Sales: 3 SalesAverage List Price: $122,933Average Sold Price: $123,133Average days on market: 27 * Information obtained through the SCWMLS provided courtesy of Mindy Allen, Keller Williams Realty. 10/05/2007