All morning I have tried to post a blog and everytime I get started, something pulls my attention away from Active Rain. Part of it is the cats, of course, who meow and yammer for attention since my husband is out of town for a few days. They usually demand attention equally from both of us, but now it all falls into my lap, and let's face it, I've got other things to do than play with the cats all day. Like sell real estate. And play Ingress. And take my car in for an oil change and get the guy at Midtown Auto Works to sign up for Ingress. And let's not forget looking at the temperature forecast from the Marriott in Racine, Wisconsin, where my husband is staying for a family funeral. You can see it in my personal blog today, and you will NOT believe your eyes. You might wonder where di... 01/16/2015

Real Estate is local. The overall Real Estate market in the United States affects all local markets. Local markets will reach the bottom of their specific market(s) at different times. Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming, and a few other states that have not, generally speaking anyway, been victims of predatory lending to the degree other states, such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, ..., have had predatory lending as the norm, rather than the exception, willrecover sooner than the states that were suseptible to predatory lending. Real Estate is local. I am an expert in my market, Racine County, Wisconsin. We have experienced declines in property values, depending on municipality, ranging from 7% to 18%, annually since 2006. The number of closed transaction in Racine County for 1st qua... 04/09/2009

It seems like everytime I go through Racine all I can do is think about Pizza; this place has some of the best! Racine sits picturesqely on the shore of Lake Michigan. Racine was a business right off the bat, and Industry thrives today. Racine has it's share of major companies that contribute, or have contributed, to this magnificent City, including J. I. Case (heavy equipment), and S.C. Johnson (cleaning and chemical products). In 1887, malted milk was invented by Englishman William Horlick in Racine, and Horlicks is still enjoyed Worldwide. The garbage disposal was invented in 1927 by architectJohn Hammes of Racine. He founded the company InSinkErator in Racine, which still produces millions of garbage disposers a year. In addition, Racine is the home of Johnson Wax, with its headquar... 12/03/2008

A hassle-free transaction? They happen when you use experienced professionals, knowledgeable about the locality in which you are planning to purchase a home. Fortunately in Racine, Wisconsin we have many experienced professionals in the Real Estate Industy.Racine based lenders have less than 5% of the foreclosures listed in Racine County. The majority of properties in foreclosure in Racine belong to out of state lenders who were unfamiliar with the Racine area real estate market. If you are purchasing a home in Racine County there a many quality, experienced lenders to choose from. If you need recommendations, feel free to contact me.Racine based Home Inspectors are familiar with local conditions and building practices. An experienced, quality Home Inspector will know and understand loc... 03/09/2008

After a year plus of brutal reporting on the demise of the Real Estate Industry, the news media has moved on to another whipping boy, the looming recession, and again, they are late in their reporting. RECESSION HAS BEEN HERE SINCE MID-2007! Based on historical data used to measure whether we are in a recession, the official announcement comes nearly two quarters after the recession actually begins. Economists are a bit anal, for fear of being wrong.(That is a normal fear, for the rest of us, they just expect themselves to be above it.) More than 50% of economist's predictions are wrong, over 50% of the time. Not to mention most of the 'historical data' is based on pre-global economy data. We have been in a recession, we will come out of it by the end of 2008.This inept, 'Johnny-come-la... 03/07/2008

Harbor in Winter.                                                              Reefpoint Marina & Harbor in Summer.Winter in Racine is a true work of art. It is a wonderful time for sledders, skiers, tobogganers, snowmobilers, ice skaters, ice fisherman (and ice fisherwomen), building snowmen (and snowwomen), creating ice sculptures and snow anjels. Our average snowfall per winter is 47.2 inches. This year, so far, we have received just over 80 inches of snow.My listing in Green Ridge Condominiums, the snow is a foot higher than the roof of the vehicle. The west side of the same building has snow up to the second story. My listing at 424 Island Ave., in summer and winter. Pretty, eh?Average temperature in January is 14 degrees. Average temperature in July is 80 degrees.Reefpoint Marina ... 03/02/2008

St. Patrick's Day Parade Downtown Racine March 15, 2008 starts at High Noon!Lots of laddies and lassies all dressed in green, a leprechaun here and there. A bit of Irish Stew and green beer. Bagpipers, Celtic dance, floats, costumed characters, Drum and Bugle Corps and a Scottish Band in Kilts will all participate.Live Music will be featured at several locations throughout the afternoon and evening. Stop in and visit your favorite local pub.HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY 03/02/2008

Downtown Racine will be rolling along this year! Our 7th Annual Public Art Exhibit is underway. The canvas for this year's event is a 'Sphere', a 32" diameter fiberglass sphere mounted on a 24" x 32" base  The theme for the event is determined through a contest, open to the public. Ideas are submitted to Downtown Racine Corporation (DRC) and judges determine determine the winning submission. This year the theme is "Sphere Madness."The Spheres are sponsored by businesses and individuals. Artists submit their designs to DRC and are assigned to a sponsor if the sponsor doesn't have an artist. The Spheres are to be finished by the end of May when there will be a Preview Party to be held May 31 at Wingspread, a Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built Conference Center in Wind Point, a communit... 03/02/2008

Racine, Wisconsin is on the threshold of a major revival! This beautiful City on the southern shore of Lake Michigan was settled in 1834 by Capt. Gilbert Knapp. Incorporated as a Village in 1841, Racine's growth was nothing short of phenomenal.J.I. Case brought his Threshing Machine Company to Racine in 1844, and soon the Village of Racine became world renown as the center of agricultural and farm related industries. Soon after, the Horlick Malted Milk Company, Johnson's Wax Company and a host of other world class manufacturers were located in Racine.Frank Lloyd Wright designed and supervised the Johnson Wax Tower, Wingspread, and a number of private residences in Racine. Many historic buildings are recognized throughout Racine for their architectural significance.As the manufacturing i... 02/24/2008

Sellers, Now is not the Time to Fish for a Sale in Racine Wisconsin. The Real Estate Market is still active in Racine, for those that accept the Market values as they are today, and the prices homes are selling for are very encouraging. But it is not time to fish for a buyer.To position your home to be the next one sold in your market you need to price it competitively and aggressively. Replace or repair any issues you have been putting off. Be competitive within your market, if Sellers are paying closing costs, be ready to pay closing costs. Offer a Home Warranty, it will give a Buyer a sense of security.Listen to the Real Estate Professional you hire to sell your home, and you will achieve your goal of selling your home.   02/24/2008

The first 55 days of the Racine Real Estate Market as compared to the previous four years statistics indicates continued market adjustment. The number of sold properties, the average sales price, and variance of List Price to Sold Price have been in decline since July of 2006. Days on market has increased since 2004.THESE STATISTICS ARE FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SOLD EAST OF I-94 FROM JAN.1,2008-FEB.24,2008YEAR                  #  SOLD      AVG. SOLD PRICE         DAYS ON MARKET       VARIANCE LIST TO SOLD PRICE2004                        131               $135,027                             55                                         3%2005                        135               $147,493                             60                                        2%2006                       ... 02/24/2008

Racine County's contribution to the freedom of slaves through the Underground Railroad is being recognized by an exhibit opening this weekend at Racine County Heritage Museum.In the mid-1800's Racine County was a 'station' of the Underground Railroad. From the west end of Racine County, Burlington, to the lakefront of the City of Racine, many slaves sought their escape through Racine County to Canada.The Racine Harbor on Lake Michigan was one of the most active harbors during this period of western expansion. Racine offered a route to Canada for oppressed people seeking freedom. Two of the more well known conductors on the Underground Railroad were A.P. Dutton, a local businessman and Maximillian Heck a citizen of Racine.The exhibit features artifacts, photographs, interactive activitie... 02/17/2008

The 2007 year-end analysis of existing home sales as reported by the WISCONSIN REALTORS ASSOCIATION was released on February 14,2008. Sales of existing homes dropped 10.8% in Wisconsin, compared to a 13% drop overall nationally.In Racine County, existing home sales dropped 10.9%, while the median sales price actually increased 4.5%. In 2006 there were 2,449 home sales in Racine County, in 2007 there were 2,182 home sales, as reported by the Wisconsin Realtors Association.In Racine County, the median home price increased 4.5%, from $155,000 in 2006, to $162,000 in 2007, as reported by the Wisconsin Realtors Association.As WRA President William Malkasian said, "It's a mistake to look at Wisconsin's housing market through the lens of national indicators." While sales fell in 2007, median s... 02/17/2008

Only a couple weeks ago I submitted a post of our Library on the shores of Lake Michigan. A nice, quiet, serene location in a world class location.Well that quiet, serene location has changed considerably today. The  Barak Obama Express just blew into town for a Town Meeting at Racine's Memorial Hall.The locational tie-in.I went Downtown after lunch today anticipating a bit different look for the Lake Ave. setting. It was different!CNN, Univision, Chicago, Milwaukee, television were all setting up. This was about 4 hours before the doors were to open and 5 1/2 hours before Obama was to arrive. The line to get into Memorial Hall was over a quarter mile long. I had a ticket to attend, one of 1500 issued, my daughter called and told me about the line to get in. I drove Downtown immediately... 02/13/2008

December 2005  149 SOLD    AVERAGE SALES PRICE $193,255December 2006   138 SOLD   AVERAGE SALES PRICE $193,291December 2007     99 SOLD   AVERAGE SALES PRICE  $190,462 January 2005   110 SOLD   AVERAGE SALES PRICE  $173,757January 2006    99   SOLD  AVERAGE SALES PRICE  $178,540January 2007    110 SOLD  AVERAGE SALES PRICE  $163,164January 2008     81  SOLD  AVERAGE SALES PRICE  $177,817As reported by Metro Multiple Listing Service   02/10/2008

We have information on the Racine Public Library posted to Racine Localism on my website, www.dangobis.comA beautiful state of the art facility located in a World Class location on the shores of Lake Michigan.         Only one block away is the Library built in 1904 with funds from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.Today we introduce the BOOKMOBILE! Racine's Mobile Library, BRINGING IT TO THE PEOPLE!The BOOKMOBILE is parked at various locations throughout the Racine area, making accessibility to Library materials available to people that may not otherwise be able to go Downtown. Special requests for publications or other material may be made in advance.For more information contact the library at www.racinelib.lib.wi.us or call 262-636-9217 02/10/2008

First Time Home Buyers! Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) has low interest loans available. A great variety of programs are offered throughout the state, targeting First Time Homebuyers.The Partnership Neighborhood Initiative is only offered in Beloit, Madison, Milwaukee, and RACINE! This program is offered for a limited time in Zip Codes 53402, 53403, 53404, and 53405. Program features include: 1) A low interest rate, 1/4% below the normal WHEDA Rate (Currently 5.45%), 2) Minimal cash, only $500.00 is necessary at closing, 3) Payment protection in case of job loss, for up to 6 months in case you involuntarily lose your job, 4) Mandatory Home Buyer Counseling and Education, designed to help First Time Buyers be successful as Homeowners.This is a really excepti... 02/10/2008

Dr. Lauren Salton Clark Memorial Fountain was dedicated on July 25, 2003. Dr. Clark died on February 1, 2003 in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Dr. Clark was born in Ames, Iowa, but considered Racine her hometown. She graduated from Horlick High School in 1979, received her B.S. from UW-Madison in 1983, and received her Doctorate in Medicine fro UW-Madison in 1987.She began her Military career as a Medical Doctor in 1987. She specialized as an Undersea Medical Officer, a Naval Flight Surgeon, and a Diving Medical Officer.In 1996 she was selected by NASA for Astronaut Training.On her only mission, a 16 day flight dedicated as a Research and Science Mission, Dr. Clark was part of a crew that performed 80 experiments. As Dr. Clark orbited over Racine she joyfully noted she was able to... 02/03/2008

#1  Commit to the Sale  What is motivating you to consider selling your home? There are a lot of buyers looking for homes. They read newspaper articles, research the Real Estate Market online, watch television reports, receive advice from their parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, lender, friends, financial advisor, doctor, dentist, lawyer... and the list goes on. If you decide you want to sell your home, you must commit to preparing your home, and yourself, to enter the Real Estate Market.#2 Prepare Your Plan Timing is a key ingredient to a successful transition from your current home to your next home. Life changes, whether you are a growing family in need of more room, or a senior looking to downsize, or dozens of situations in between, an experienced REALTOR can help.#3 Consult an Expe... 02/02/2008

 Reefpoint Marina on the western shore of Lake Michigan in Racine, Wisconsin has a little bit different look in January. (Still very beautiful)                                                                                                         It still has quite a few customers.  The 2008 season is near, we hope!                     Reefpoint Marina operated by Skipper Bud'sReefpoint Marina #2 Christopher Columbus CausewayRacine, WI 53403Phone:  262-633-7171Fax:  262-633-7923Contact Us: Call or Click HereMap/Directions: Click Here Floating docks Fuel and sanitary pump-out Spotless showers & restrooms Controlled parking lots Uniformed night watch Beautiful park setting adjacent to historic downtown district Full Mechanical Service On-Site Fish cleaning station Full service winter sto... 01/27/2008