Door County Real Estate Information

4.25 for 15 years, and 4.9 for 30 years.  Yikes.  If you can buy you should. 

You probably know in your heart if you are ready for that first home, or a vacation home--either emotionally or financially.  But, if you have any question financially, talk to a good mortgage lender.  They will help you confirm what you probably already know.

The other benefit will be that when you are ready to buy, you'll have a preapproval all set to go.  Let me share a little story with you.

A couple of weeks ago a nice young couple was referred to me on a Saturday morning, they wanted to look at a home in Sturgeon Bay that just went on the market.  I was in town so we looked that very afternoon.  They loved the house, wanted to make an offer right away. 

This particular seller, the home was a foreclosure and bank owned, required a letter of preapproval to accompany the offer.  My young couple didn't have a letter so on Monday they went to their banker.  The letter of preapproval takes several days, and in the meantime the little house went under contract with a buyer who had their letter of preapproval.  We presented an offer, but without the letter of preapproval it was not considered.

When a bank is the seller, they don't wait for the next offer--they take the offer that is there and acceptable.  Most sellers won't wait for another offer, they'll take the bird-in-the-hand.  In cases like these, great homes at fantastic prices, the early bird gets the worm!

So, talk to your banker.  Ask them to have a letter of preapproval ready for you.  Then, when the right home comes along for you,  you'll be ready and you'll be the early bird!

It's official!!!!!!!!!! At 7:49 AM, Good Morning America announced the White Gull Inn as Best Breakfast in America. 

You definetly need to add White Gull Inn's Cherry-Stuffed French Toast to your Door County Bucket List.  If you are on Facebook, I just set up a Door County Bucket List page last week--search Door County Bucket List, click "Like" and follow me there for all the best things to do in Door County this summer.  If you are not on Facebook--sign up--it's easy, all you need is an email address and a password you create!

Have a great Sunday! 

Door County's favorite breakfast could soon be America's favorite breakfast.  Good Morning America Weekend's search for the Best Breakfast in America brought them to Fish Creek to try the White Gull Inn's Cherry Stuffed French Toast. 

On Tuesday, May 4th, Marysol Castro, Good Morning America orrespondent was in Fish Creek at the White Gull Inn tasting and cooking the signature breakfast dish that features locally grown Door County cherries and maple syrup.

The next step is to watch Good Morning America on Saturday, May 15th and vote online.  Door County and the White Gull will see stiff competition from restaurants in Houston Texas, Asheville North Carolina, and Portsmouth New Hampshire.  The winner will be chosen based on the vote of the public and the vote of the judges--each accounting for 50%. 

Some patience will be required--results of the vote will not be known to the general public until Sunday:(

Here are the particulars:

The episode will be televised nationwide on the progam this Saturday, May 15 at 7:00 a.m. Central Standard Time.

Immediately after the show airs on Saturday, May 15 the voting begins.

Log on to http://abcnews.go.com/gma and look for a link that says, “VOTE FOR THE BEST BREAKFAST“. 

You can only vote once.  The viewer votes will count for 50%.  The other 50% will be determined by the show's four anchors who will taste the creations.  

At around 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time) Good Morning America will inform the nominees of the outcome. 

Good Morning America will travel to the winning restaurant in time to feature it live on Sunday, May 16th.   

Watch the White Gull’s Website and their Facebook Fan Page on Saturday evening, Andy Coulson will post the results as soon as he hears. 

For sure you'll have to add this to your Door County Bucket List! 

Last winter's heavy wet snow in Door County (you remember it) did a lot of damage to the trees around our yard.  That beautiful blue spruce went down with the storm and there are a lot of branches to clean up all over this spring.  In honor of my lost tree and as a reminder to all my young nieces and nephews...

Advice From a Tree

• Stand tall, strong and proud
• Remember your roots because they run deep
• You have lots of natural beauty, be happy with it
• Go out on a limb, or in honor of all the baseball players--you can't steal second if you keep your feet on first
• Hydrate--drink lots of water
• Along with remembering your roots, put down roots
• Enjoy life, enjoy the ride, enjoy the view because it only happens once

“How is the market up there in Door County” or “What is your market doing?” are frequently asked questions of Realtors.

If you are a buyer, your Realtor might simply answer that the market is great, that it’s a great time to buy.  Or they might say that as a buyer you have great opportunity because there are lots of properties on the market, interest rates are low and sellers are motivated. 

To the seller the answer may be that it’s a great time to sell because of the favorable interest rates for buyers.

Any of those answers are generalities, and usually the buyer or seller asking the question already has a preexisting belief and interprets the answer to the question to support that belief.

If you are motivated to sell, or buy, then you should learn about the reality of the market.  A good Realtor should be prepared to educate you on, the reality of the current market in their own area.  Your Realtor can provide MLS statistics that include average list prices, sale prices and length of time on market.  These can be valuable in helping you establish or justifying the price you will pay for a property or the price you will offer your property to the market at.   

The answer, “sellers are motivated”, may be interpreted by buyers that most properties are at fire-sale prices.  “Low interest rates and the incentives for buyers” may be interpreted by sellers as easy money for buyers.  We’ve seen offers fail for the lack of a counter from the seller because the buyer’s offer was just too low.  We’ve seen offers fail to come together because the seller perceived a higher value for their property than the buyers were willing to pay, or more importantly, than the reality of the market would bear.

The serious buyers and sellers who are counseled by a good Realtor see their deals go together and consummate with closing.  The buyers and sellers took their time to learn about the true market values from their Realtor and used their knowledge to move forward.

Sellers would of course always like to get more money, and buyers of course always want to pay less.  The important thing is to understand the market, understand the statistics and make the deal—because no one wins when there is no sale.

So, “How is the market”, or “What is the market doing”?  The reality is that the “market” is the price point at which sales are being made—closed.  The “market” is not over-priced properties—because those properties are simply for sale and on the sidelines.  The “market” is not listings under-valued by buyers—those buyers are on the sidelines.

Getting the deal and being a winner in the Door County real estate market means that your Realtor has taken the time to inform you on the “market conditions” at any given time.  If you are a seller, you price your property “to” the market.  If you are a buyer, make your offer “at” the market.  In a scenario such as this, both parties will have achieved their goals and can move forward with the next phase of their life.  Everyone else is not in the market; they are on the market and on the sidelines.

If you are looking to buy or sell, call me and let's get IN the market.

"Do you remember when", will most often begin a story of fond memories and good times.  Today, on Earth Day 2010 I drove through Jacksonport and up County V and I remembered a not so good, "do you remember when".

In Jacksonport and every other community in Door County, some 30 years ago, there were dumps.  Places where people took their garbage, tin cans, glass bottles, oil, paint, expired medicine, and just about anything else one didn't want in their house or around their property.  The items were thrown in a big hole and covered up--a landfill.  Sometimes before covering things up they would burn the heaps of trash creating huge billowing clouds of black smoke, of course causing everyone to get into their cars and drive to see what was on fire. 

The dumps were the first consignment shops--if the dump tender found a good chair, lamp. baby crib or other useful item he'd set it off to the side and some other towns person would happily take the treasure along for use in their home.

Fortunately, all those little town dumps were closed and we all subscribed to a trash service that hauls the garbage to one designated landfill.  Then came the first wave of recycling, we all kept our aluminum cans and the kids would take them to the Golden Goat and cash them in for spending money.  Recycling went a step further and we started to sort our trash, aluminum, plastic and glass and clean paper into separate recycling bins.  And now the county host hazardous material disposal days where one can take those cans of paint and expired medicine to have it properly disposed of so there is no damage to humans or environment.  There isn't a household that does have some sort of recycling system.

Earth Day reminds me to be more diligent in my recycling efforts--use an alumunium water bottle instead of five different plastic ones every day, print less and keep more digital files, turn off the lights, turn down the heat and sometimes even hang my sheets on the clothes line.  

I hope you found something fun to do on earth day--I went to Sevastopol School and watched some of the student activities, what a fun time.  For more fun, watch this little video clip--fun stuff for the kids and fun facts for adults. 

In today’s tumultuous economy there are foreclosure properties to be found in just about every community across the United States, even in Door County.  Foreclosure properties can present a unique opportunity for home buyers and investors who are looking to score a bargain. 

My years as a real estate transaction closer and as a real estate sales consultant helping people buy and sell property have shown me that when it comes to a foreclosure property, it may not quite be the bargain expected.  Before entering the maze of the foreclosure market here are some important facts you should know:

• If the property is in foreclosure it is likely that the homeowner’s circumstances left that homeowner financially strapped and unable to perform routine maintenance on the home.  In some cases the homeowner going through foreclosure is additionally resentful and deliberate damage may be caused to the property. 
• Proper inspections and assessment of the property condition is a must. 
• A property in foreclosure or that has been foreclosed upon may have been vacant for an extended period of time.  Watch for conditions caused by dampness such as mold.
• Contact a Door County real estate professional—like me—who is connected in the community and can provide you information about Door County homes in pre-foreclosure.  These are homes that have been scheduled for foreclosure but have not yet gone to Sheriff’s sale at the Door County Justice Center.  These homes need to be sold quickly for the owners to avoid foreclosure and its impact on their credit.  The new HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives) might make the process for acquisition of these properties more manageable.
• http://www.hud.gov/ offers special programs for teachers, law enforcement offers and others.  The site also provides information on how to buy properties acquired by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development that have been foreclosed on.
• The purchase of a Door County bank owned property might be slightly less detailed and time consuming, but many of the same cautions apply.
• If you plan to buy a property at Door County Sheriff's sale, do your research on outstanding liens and property conditions.  My best advice is to engage a title company or attorney to provide you with all the information so you know exactly what liens, easements, encroachments and restrictions the property is subject to--conditions that become your responsibility if you acquire it.

If you are buying a Door County foreclosure or bank-owned property, be ready to do some research and practice patience.  While buying a foreclosure property takes time and patience, the results can sometimes be well worth your time and effort.

For more information, please contact me by email or via phone at 920-823-2219.  And if you know anyone who might be interested in exploring Door County properties that might in foreclosure or are bank owned, please forward this link to them.

This may not be you, but chances are you know someone who is struggling with their mortgage payment.  Perhaps they've received notice of foreclosure on their property, or maybe they've missed a single payment.  They very likely feel like they have no alternatives--they think that the lender foreclosing on the property is the only option they have.

That's not been true, and now more than ever there are alternatives in the form of short-sales, mortgage modification, or deed in lieu of foreclosure.

Please take a moment and pass this information along to someone you might know who is having trouble making their mortgage payment.  Below I've posted  two great videos by the National Association of Realtors that explain the programs and a link to the Making Home Affordable website.

Again, the information may not apply to you, but please get it into the hands of someone who might be troubling with their payment because there are alternatives to foreclosure--a foreclosure has a severe, long-lasting affect on a person's credit rating;  a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure will have a negative affect, but the affect will be less severe and last for a shorter period of time.

I would really like to talk with that person to see if we can help them.  If they choose not to speak with  me, please encourage them to speak with a Realtor, preferably a Realtor who has the Certified Distressed Properties Expert designation, or who has the experience and resources to work through short sales.  Please, encourage them to look at all the options--don't give up!  I am working quite successfully now with two individuals and two banks--I think we'll be able to help one keep their home and help the other sell the property under a short sale and avoid the terrible emotional, and financial, pain of foreclosure.

If you have questions for you, or somone you know, please call me at 920-493-5472--your inquiry will be held in complete confidence and it might just start someone you know on the road to recovery.

The links are here, to view them just click or you may need to paste them to your Internet browser.  I am absolutely passionate about getting this word out to people it can help--so please help me spread the news.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS VIDEO ON THE HAFA PROGRAM:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1465406675?bctid=75779465001

Your Graceful Exit
Watch a video to learn more about the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program.

About Making Home Affordable Program Website

Well, she's not my dog but I thought it was pretty cute!!

March has indeed come in like a lamb.  Two beautiful days with more sunshine and warm weather predicted for the weekend.  If you are in the county be sure to take in the Jacksonport Easter Egg Hunt at Lakeside Park--10:00 a.m. on Saturday.  

A couple of reminders for you--if you or someone you know is wanting to get in on the $8,000 first time home buyer's credit or the $6,500 move up buyer's credit we have 29 days to get you under contract.  So, contact me right away if you are in a position to buy.

Agree or not, there are new guidelines in place that deal with troubled mortgages, so if you know someone in that position please put me in touch with them.  Everything from principle balance forgiveness, new loan modification standards and agreed-upon short sale amounts are there to help.  The inquiry will be held in complete confidence.  And if you are in another state--I can refer you to someone who has training as a Certified and Distressed Properties Expert (CDPE) and will care as much as I do. The important thing is to contact me right away--if we have enough time there will be a way to help avoid foreclosure and get on the path to financial and emotional recovery. 

If you are in the buying mode I am putting together a "Tour of the Door" with a recap of Door County vacant land, homes, condominium homes and pricing.   I am going to include a number of Door County auction properties too.  Often people think the best deals are in the area of bank owned homes and foreclosure properties--there are some absolutely fantastic auction properties available that I've never paid a lot of attention to, but I've got to tell you if they are in your area of interest these are some of the very best buys around.  I'll send the tour next week.

In the meantime, if you are in Door County this weekend and have real estate questions or happen upon property that you think is of interest--please call me at 920-493-5472.

Blessings to you this Easter. 

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
 -- Winston Churchill

I recently finished reading the book, the Go-Giver.  It's a short little book, in about two hours at a Sunday afternoon open house I finished it.  I read, or listen to books on CD, at every possible moment and I must say it's been a long time since I found a book so thought-provoking with regard to my Door County real estate business life--or my personal life--and so inspiring.

The book, the Go-Giver, is about people so generous they happily help others, even those who may be their competitors.  Well, in the last week I was helped professionally by two very generous people--two true go-givers. 

One is in my company, I was struggling with a problem and he took almost an hour to help me work through it.  Real estate is a competitive business and I truly find my new company, Micoley & Company, filled with fellow associates who are so giving and open to seeing each other succeed.  Simply refreshing. 

Then, I dropped a note to a Realtor in Texas after implenting a letter into my business that she uses in one of her business systems.  I received a very warm reply and felt that this was someone I would surely want to meet.  Today, I received her complete system.  I am awed, grateful and inspired.  The Realtor does not know me, but her generous spirit caused her to reach out and help a stranger who is a thousand miles away.  Her kindness to me, a fellow Realtor, and her desire to see me succeed will surely have me remembering her anytime I hear of someone with a real estate need in her city.

You know how when you buy a car you all of a sudden see "your" car all over the road and all around you?  I've discovered that there are go-givers all around me--in Door County and even a thousand miles away in Texas.  I only need to open my heart and mind for them to enter, and by doing so I hope that I will become a generous go-giver in my real estate business, in my community and with my friends and family.

The Go-Giver isn't just a business book, so if you've not read it I encourage you to check it out at your library.  You won't be disappointed.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
 -- Winston Churchill

Have a fantastic weekend!  It's cold here in Door County but the sun has been shining and my strawberry plants are stretching to peek out from under their blanket of straw, so I just know warm weather is on its way!