Also, if you've not talked to a lender you may want to do so over the next few days as WHEDA funds are once again available.  WHEDA has not had money available to make home loans for over a year now, but they are taking applications for 100%, low interest, fixed rate loans. You can start that process even before we begin looking at homes--so please find the time to talk to a lender soon and you'll be a step ahead of most other applicants.

If it sounds like I am putting some pressure on you, I guess I am.  But only for your benefit.  If you or someone you know is in the market to purchase a Door County home now, the WHEDA funds combined with the tax credits and competitive prices for homes are once-in-a-generation opportunities.

If now is not the right time then of course I would not pressure you and will be happy to keep you informed, provide expert advice and earn your confidence so that when the time is right, I am the Realtor you choose to help you with your very important purchase.

Door County has been somewhat shielded from the number of home foreclosures experienced in many areas of the country.

But--we are not immune to the heartache and stress of foreclosure. Many individuals and families are facing the loss of their home and just don't know what to do. I am here to tell you that there are options.

As a CDPE, Certified Distressed Property Expert, I have the training and expertise to assist home owners to find ways to financially adjust their payments so they can stay in their home. If that isn't possible, there are other options--a short sale is an alternative to foreclosure that will be far less devastating to credit than foreclosure.

If you know someone who is troubling with their mortgage payment, please, put them in touch with me immediately. Don’t Let Time Run Out. Whether it's someone in your family, a friend, or you, it is extremely important to be proactive as soon as you feel that a financial crisis on the horizon.

My commitment to you is that together we'll make every effort possible to avoid foreclosure and the devastating impact it has on your credit, your family and your life.

The earlier we talk, the better opportunity I have to consult and work toward a resolution. So please, call me today at 920-823-2219 or email me at Lisa@HomeInDoorCounty.com--your inquiry will be held in the utmost confidence.

This just in from Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA):

Our first interest rates for the WHEDA Fannie Mae Advantage are now posted on WHEDA.com! A 5 3/4% rate for a mortgage with 100% loan-to-value, no loan level price adjustment and no mortgage insurance requirement.

Call me today, or click on this link to search all the Door County real estate listings right here--choose the "Search the MLS" tab!

If you are a first time home buyer and you combine the opportunity for a WHEDA loan with the first time home buyer's credit of $8,000, well, it's a once-in-a- generation chance. 

Even if you do not qualify for the first time home buyer's credit, the WHEDA loan is a fantastic opportunity.  

I've posted the general guidelines below as well as a link to the WHEDA home page.  If you have even a remote interest, or you know someone who might be in the market for a home loan, please touch base with me and I'll refer you to a reliable, reputable lender who will help you apply.  It's important to apply early.

And if you want to get in under the $8,000 first time home buyer's credit it's important that we begin your search, or step up the pace of your search, now.  You need to be under contract by April 30th.

Remember, contact me for lender info and to schedule your home viewing appointments.

WHEDA Home Loan Highlights:

WHEDA announced today that they will begin to take application packages from lenders for their new Fannie Mae Advantage program on March 1.  

*     100% LTV

*     Low cost, 30-year fixed interest rate

*     $1,000 minimum borrower contribution into the loan transaction

*     No private mortgage insurance requirement keeps monthly payments low

*     Higher limits enable more borrowers to qualify ($66,000 Income in Door and Brown County for 1-2 person household and $75,900 for 3+ person household) 

*     $235,000 purchase price limit in Door and Brown County

*     Home buyer counseling will be required

*     Credit score requirements of 660 to 680 depending on loan-to-value

WHEDA
Search for Door County homes NOW

Low interest rates have been gracing the Door County real estate market for the past year.  Yesterday I listened to a webinar from the National Association of Realtors titled, "Feast or Famine, the 2010-2011 Economic Forecast" and the message there was that the current level of interest rates won't last through this year.   While it does not seem that mortgage rates are going to skyrocket out of sight, it is doubtful that they will decrease and the general sentiment among economists is that rates will steadily begin to rise.

Motivated sellers and the current tax credits add to create a fantastic market for buyers.

For many of us in certain areas of the country the ecomony does not seem that it is strengthening, but in other areas it is becoming stronger; as the ecomony strenghthens in Door County it will equal less chance for discounted mortgage rates--and home prices.  If you want to refinance or purchase real estate, now might be the best time to do so.

Sellers, the reason you shouldn’t sell your Door County, Wisconsin real estate right now is clear, you are not going to get top dollar.  However, if you have to sell you need to make your home as competitive as possible.  Your home not only needs to be priced right it needs to look its best.  It is not the best time to pour money into your home to fix it up but it is a good time to make it look its best.  Paint it if you can, stage it, clean and organize, and make it eye catching.  Most importantly, price your real estate better than  the neighbor’s house and you will be more likely to catch a buyer.

If you are behind in your mortgage payments or nearing foreclosure don't give up--contact me--if we price your home competitively we may be able to accomplish a short sale, which will be far less detrimental to your credit and life than foreclosure.  Click here to view my website on avoiding foreclosure in Door County. 

So, sellers, if you can hold out you might fare better in the long run, if you  cannot and must sell now then contact me today and we'll get your property on the market while buyers can take advantage of low interest rates and the current tax credits.

And if you are a buyer, all of these things mean BUY IF YOU CAN! And contact me today to get started on your search.

I attended the general sessions with speakers who were sometimes engaging and interesting, and who sometimes I thought would never end.  I attended breakout sessions on communication, raising educational standards, passing a referendum, tax levy credits—my head is spinning but the time was definitely well spent and will help me better serve the students in the Sevastopol School District.

Friday’s keynote speaker was Richard Picciotto, author of Last Man Down, was a New York City Fire Chief on 9/11. I recall being glued to the television for the week after 9/11.  I’ve watched,  I am sure, every movie and documentary about the day.  Chief Picciotto’s firsthand account of what it was like to be inside the North Tower of the World Trade Center, knowing that the 100 stories above were crashing down upon him, and then thinking he would die but finding his way to daylight was harrowing, riveting and reminded me of that day in which no movie ever has, and I am so happy I stayed for this final session.

The Chief was there to recount his story but to send us a message.  He spoke of how our country came together in the days and months after 9/11 and how we knew that the enemy was those who destroyed the WTC towers and whose mission is to destroy America.  He reminded us that we need to come together now for a several  reasons: 1) Whether we agree or disagree with the United States’ military presence in other countries we owe our thanks and support to those who serve; 2) To make America strong in every way, morally to financially, we must forget Republican and Democrat and come together to tell our elected representatives what we expect and what we’ll accept; and 3) To think about our priorities, what’s really important in our lives—as he did in the eight seconds it took for the North Tower to crash down around him.

So, I am better informed to continue my work on the school board.  I am motivated to get involved and learn all I can about those officials I’ll be voting for this year.  I am reminded of how fortunate I am to live where I do with my family and friends close by.  And, I am energized to provide excellent service and advice  to my real estate customers and clients.  I’ve received the treasure of time and intend to make use of every moment...I hope you will too.

THE TREASURE OF TIME

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.

It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.

What would you do?

Draw out every cent, everyday, of course!

Each of us has such a bank.  It's name is TIME.

Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever you have failed to invest wisely.

It carries over no balance.

It allows no overdraft.

Each day it opens a new account for you.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.

There is no going back.  There is no drawing against "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits.

Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!

The clock is running.  Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed one grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a pre-mature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer with kids to feed.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment you have!  And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one.

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is your gift.

That's why it's call the treasure!

--Unknown Author

Information gathered from the Door County Multiple Listing Service indicates that as of December 31, 2009 the total MLS dollar volume was down approximately 25% from 2008, and the total number of units sold was down about 12% from 2008.  Yes, 2009 was a struggle for Realtors, and sellers with their property on the market, but our dollar volume of units sold ends up being pretty close to 2003, and that was a record year at the time for which we were all thankful.

Today’s interest rates in the 5% range is a trend that cannot be expected to continue.  As real estate markets stabilize and the economy gets better (and they will!), interest rates will undoubtedly rise.  Home prices may drop in certain areas of the country, but they will not drop much more and I do not expect them to drop further in Door County.  Areas that are less affected by foreclosures and short sales will likely level out faster than other areas because of the lack of distressed sales—Door County is one of those areas where foreclosures and short sales are fewer.  A rise in interest rates may require sellers to bring their prices down to sell, but the days of 20% and 30% decreases are very likely not to continue.

What does this mean for you as a buyer?  Today, eleven days into the new year we have great inventory, great prices, sometimes very motivated sellers, tax credits for first-time home buyers and move-up buyers; combine these factors with historically low interest rates and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity for you to buy at the lowest prices we’ve seen in many years, lock in a low interest rate and receive a credit for buying.

If your personal circumstances allow you to consider a home—whether it a first-time home or a vacation home—contact me today so that we can begin your search right away and take advantage of the great prices and low interest rates.  If that home is a wish and a goal, that’s OK too; I’ll start to send you property updates so that when the time is right for you we can hit the ground running.

For a national perspective, CNN Money provides an interesting analysis on real estate conditions and a forecast for 2010.

To close I want to share the 13 Rules to Enable You To Do Your Best Each Day.  We all get lots of messages like this, especially around the New Year, these 13 Rules seemed especially appropriate for me and I hope you’ll find something that will help you make the very best of every day in 2010!

13 Rules to Enable You To Do Your Best Each Day

1. Wake up early.  The early bird does not get the worm.  The early bird makes the money. Work while others sleep.

2. Love what you do. If you don’t love it, leave it and find work doing something you love.  Life is too short to spend it doing something you “hate”.

3. Be a life-long student. How many books did you read last year? Make time to take new courses, take classes at your local college or master a new skill. Remember that you earn based upon what you learn.

4. Convert anger to resolve. Anger is the biggest waste of energy on the planet. Don’t let other people or things control your mind and your actions.  It blocks your positive and creative thoughts.

5. Convert barrier to breakthrough. You may know it as objection. Or even rejection.  Stick at it until you win, and you will gain personal, mental dominance.

6. Take every “no” as “not yet.” You don’t hear with your ears. It is an opportunity for you to learn, to hear with your mind. The way you accept other’s words will determine your fate. Gain an attitude of positive acceptance.

7. Be grateful.  Make a list of things you are grateful for and why.  For example, I am grateful for my spouse, children, parents, for my good health because . . . Tell the most important people in your life why you are grateful for them.  Add to this list daily.

8. Read for thirty minutes every morning.  Reading provides the opportunity for quiet insight. Your best chance for success is reading.  Learn to earn.  Read to succeed.

9. Write for thirty minutes every morning.  What should you write about?  Anything you want! Begin to keep a journal.  Put your thoughts and ideas in writing.

10. Call people you love — and tell them you love them. Love is not motivation.  Love is inspiration.  To be your best, you must go beyond motivation — to inspiration.

11. Tell yourself you’re the best. “I am the greatest of all time.”  Muhammad Ali said that thousands of times.  Millions of people agree he was the greatest of all time.  He began that journey by telling himself that he was the best.  So can you, and believing so will help you do your best for others.

12. Practice random acts of kindness.  Do something each day for someone you don’t know without any recognition for doing so.

13. Find something to be happy about each day.  Life is a gift, live it to the fullest each day, enjoy it, celebrate it.  Treasure today because tomorrow may never come.

As we near the end of 2009 I am still busy listing property and counseling with buyers and I must say, for me, 2009 was an amazing year.  In a year that many say has been the worse they can remember with regard to real estate activity, I feel that mine was not so bad.  I attribute my first-year success to you, my clients and customers.  Your loyalty fuels the engine, and your feedback gives me direction.

Life is about so much more than business, however.  So I am reminded of those things that truly  matter, including family and friends.  Carry out your last minute holiday preparations with joy, and then enjoy those precious days between Christmas and the New Year when things seem to slow a bit and we have a chance to pause, appreciate the season and rekindle family ties and friendships.

Lakeside Park in Jacksonport posts a sign that says, "Please, No Dogs Allowed".  The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club has a lighted display and these three bear look just like skiing dogs, so they make a perfect ...Door County Style photo op!

Warm wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

I went outside to see what was going on and found lots of sticks and branches among the about six inches of wet, heavy snow.  The wind is strong even near our house which is surrounded by woods.  I walked a little further out and found all the trees covered in the wet heavy snow.  We have a plantation of Spruce and Pine trees that are all bending over very low from the snow.

One of the Blue Spruce trees along the edge broke in half--very sad because those are such beautiful trees.  So, if guess I'll be making myself some Blue Spruce Christmas wreaths!

Here are some photos--welcome winter!!

These trees were planted about 25 years ago

The Blue Spruce I found broken is as tall
as those that surround it--but look how
far the part still standing is bent

My favorite Blue Spruce broken.  I'll be
making Christmas wreaths from it once
the snow clears.

I hope this little tree makes it.  Actually
it is about 14 feet tall but just has never
grown very well.  I call it Bruce the Spruce
because when Bob planted it there his dad,
Bruce, told him it wouldn't grow.  Bob was
young then and didn't take advice very well!!

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 is posted below.  Certain things in Lincoln's proclamation speak to my heart of some of the challenges in our country today.  When I reflect on all that's wrong and all that's right, I am especially motivated to live with a happy and grateful heart for the ability to be a wife, mom, grandmom, daughter, sister, friend, helper, service professional.

My wish for you is that your heart is filled with the same happiness, that your year has been filled with the warmth of caring, the joy of friendship, the love of family and friends, and happy memories that will linger long after the day is over.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863

  The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.

  In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

  No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

  It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility [sic], and union.

  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

  Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A. D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

Illinois drivers--you are not turkeys in our house, but thanks for allowing us to have a little fun at your expense!  Happy turkey day to everyone!

If you would like the full article just email me and I'll send it right off to you.

Door County has received lots of, "Best Of", recognitions:

A Best Wisconsin Romantic Getaway Destination by Corporate Report Wisconsin Magazine;

A Best Family Vacation Destination in Wisconsin by Corporate Report Wisconsin Magazine;

A Best Small Town Getaway in the Midwest by Midwest Living Magazine;

A Beach Buddy by the National Resources Defense Council;

Top Six Places in America to View Fall Foliage From a Boat by National Marine Manufacturer's Association;

Best Weekend Getaway, Best Place to Watch a Sunset and Best Place to Find a Unique Gift by Midwest Living Magazine;

Best Beaches in the Midwest by Family Fun Magazine;

Best Place in the Midwest to View Fall Foliage by the NBC Today Show;

Money Magazine declared Door County to be One of the Top Ten Vacation Destinations in North America;

Best Romantic Getaway for Two, Place in the Midwest We'd Most Like to Visit, Best Undiscovered Vacation Spot by Midwest Living Magazine; and

now, finally, Best Place to Retire!

1) Make sure you have treats in the house for the Tick-or-Treaters.  I always have to run out at the last minute to get mine.  Tomorrow I'll be way ahead of schedule--I'll pick them up in the morning;

1) Change your clocks when you go to bed.  We "fall back" tomorrow.  The official time change is at 2:00 a.m.--I know I won't be up then!; and

2) Change the batteries in your smoke alarms.  It seems that those batteries should last forever, but our fire departments remind us every year to change them when we change our clocks.  There isn't another insurance policy you can buy for a few bucks and a couple of minutes time.

Oh, one more little thing you might want to remind yourself of, the Packers-Vikings game. The word Viking is Scandinavian for "pirate," an appropriate description of our former hero gone astray.

I checked out predictions on three sites and all favor the Packers-yeah.  The Bleacher Report has a concise little history of the rivalry, which brought me up to speed!  I don't usually stop what I am doing to watch an entire football game, but on Sunday I'll be glued to the TV from about noon on to watch all the commentary, all the predictions and to watch as the Packers and their fans celebrate a wild victory over Minnesota.

Happy Halloween!

My first memories of Ruthie are when I was a young girl and my mom took me to Ruthie's to get a perm (for those who don't know, they used to perm kids hair!).  The perm solution was strong, but Ruthie worked briskly to get it over for me as quickly as possible.  My next most vivid memory of Ruthie is years later (which now seem like overnight) when I was old enough to patronize the bar as a customer.  Ruth was there at night, tending her bar and keeping an eye on us, because in those days you only had to be 18 to be out at the bar without your folks.  We we lucky to have her watchful eye over us! 

Ruthie had the knack to talk with young and old, happy and sad.  She didn't sugar coat things, she was very direct, but she was never harsh.

Ruth always seemed happy at her little bar.  Her husband died very young leaving her with two young daughters to raise, but she wasn't angry and she accepted each day as God gave it to her.

Since Ruthie left her home and bar a couple of years ago her picture held a prominent place over the cash register.  She was a little lady with LOTS of friends.  Her funeral is on Thursday and I am sure it will be filled with people and their memories of Ruthie. 

My memories of Ruthie had me recall a favorite quote, "A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water".  I don't know that Ruthie was ever in hot water, but she was one of the strongest people I remember. 

What does Ruthie have to do with real estate?  Absolutely nothing.

You've got a few days left to experience the great fall color in Door County.  Lots of leaves still on the trees, the sun is out...so come on up.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125520769923778297.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

I won't be begining any home improvement projects this winter, but running an energy-efficient home this winter doesn't necessarily entail buying expensive solar panels or wind generators. Neither does it mean you have to wear your outdoor clothes inside to stop you shivering!  Consider these:

Laundry: Wait until you have a full load of laundry and run the machine on cold. Detergents are available to clean clothes at low temperatures. 

Dishes: Wait until the dishwasher is full before turning it on. If you have the time, use the air dry or no-heat dry settings so the dishes dry without using electricity.

Windows: In the winter during the day, open the blinds on south-facing windows to allow the sun to warm your home then close them in the evening to increase insulation. (In the summer, you can do the opposite to keep your home cool.)  

Computers and TVs: Turn off your appliances when you are not using them. Even when they're in standby mode they are still using electricity -- it's estimated 5% of household energy use is from appliances leaking away electricity. So turn them off at the wall.

Showers: While a long, hot shower is nice and relaxing, you can save a lot of money taking shorter showers and by installing energy-efficient showerheads that give you a good shower while reducing water use.  

Space heaters: Surprisingly, space heaters are a lot cheaper than a central heating system. And don't forget to turn them off when you're out. Installing a programmable thermostat will also keep your heating bill low

Furnace filter: Change the filter at the start of every season and then every month or two after because a dirty filter makes the furnace work harder and be less efficient.

Floors and drafts: If you've got hardwood floors, put down some rugs, particularly if you have wood floors above a cold basement. Make sure also that you've installed insulation such as weather-stripping at the bottom of doors.

Today, Door County got a boost, compliments of the NBC Today Show who named us a best place to view fall color.

Click on this link to watch the Today Show clip about fall in Door County.  Travel about half way down the page and look for "NBC Today Show".  Pretty cool.

Water rushing over the rocks at Cave Point County Park...Door County's own rock concert.

This week is different.  The message throughout the newsletter is, waiting to purchase or refinance will likely mean a higher interest rate.

Yes, I know, we've been telling you for months that mortgage interest rates are going to rise; it is going to happen and this newsletter explains the liklihood in plain language that even I can understand!!

So, if you are in a position to buy now you are at your greatest advantage--probably the lowest prices we'll see, low interest rates and motivated sellers.

If you love graphs and economic indicators, you'll love this newsletter.  If you just want a home in Door County then search my site and I'll be here to help you every step of the way.