Madison Area Real Estate News

Jacci & Rachael See/The See Team Receives 2021 Best of Middleton Award MIDDLETON November 6, 2021 -- Jacci & Rachael See/The See Team See Madison Realty has been selected for the 2021 Best of Middleton Award in the Real Estate Agents category by the Middleton Award Program. Each year, the Middleton Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Middleton area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2021 Middleton Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Middleton Award Program and data provided by third parties. About Middleton Awa...

RIS Media,  by Marcie Geffner, March 3, 2014 An FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Borrowers with FHA loans pay for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender from a loss if the borrower defaults on the loan. Because of that insurance, lenders can, and do, offer FHA loans at attractive interest rates and with less stringent and more flexible qualification requirements. 1. Less-than-perfect credit is ok: The FHA doesn't mandate a minimum credit score. Instead, each borrower's creditworthiness is considered in context. Some leeway is allowed. Lenders can, however, overlay their own requirements on top of the FHA's guidelines. Some lenders might require a minimum credit score. 2. Minimum down payment is 3.5 percent: That is a fraction of the percentage typically required on most other loans. 3. Closing costs may be covered: The FHA allows home sell...

RIS Media, Top Trends in Real Estate for 2014,  by Jeff Collins, January 11, 2014 Economists predict 2014 will see more buyers putting roofs over their heads, home prices are expected to stabilize, and homebuilding will be more frenetic. "The housing market has staged a spectacular recovery over the past year," Cal State Fullerton economists Anil Puri and Mira Farka wrote in their 2014 economic forecast. "More recent data, however, point to a softening of these trends." 1. More Inventory: You can expect to see more people putting their homes up for sale this year, as rising prices bring new equity to underwater homeowners. Other property owners also may take the opportunity to get their lives off hold and take advantage of higher home prices. "I'm hoping that, since interest rates are still low, it's a better opportunity not only to sell, but to rebuy," said homeowner Donald McCray. Another factor: New home construction is expected to incre...

RIS Media, Today's eNews,  October 15, 2013 Increasingly, homeowners around the nation are investing in their outdoor living space. Investing in outdoor living provides a good return on investment for most people, making it an ideal home improvement project. 1. Resale value  HGTV claims that homeowners recoup 65 – 90 percent just by adding a deck. Experts agree that investing in outdoor living space will add to the value of your home and a lot of the cost will come back to you when it is time to sell your home. 2. Personal enjoyment  Having a relaxing outdoor living space will create an environment where the family can relax together and enjoy each other's company. 3. Save money  Create the environment you are seeking in your own backyard, and save the gas and fees of taking your recreation elsewhere. 4. Entertaining opportunities  Having an ideal outdoor living space creates an oasis for entertaining. Whether hosting a holiday gathering, Friday night s'...

Statewide, year long sales were up almost 11% over last year and median prices increased 7.2% over last year.  ”Strong sales dominated 2013, which is remarkable given that this is compared to 2012, which was also a very good year for the housing market”, said Steve Lane, chairman of the WRA Board of Directors. Lane noted that housing sales were strong despite rising interest rates and prices. “Mortgage rates have increased a full percentage point since January, and median prices have grown consistently throughout the year,” Lane said.  While they have risen lately, rates remain affordable historically. Wisconsin Home Affordability index is currently at 227. This is a big decrease in affordability since an index of 274 seen last December. HOWEVER, to put things into perspective, the National Home Affordability index is 170. Regionally, here the real estate sales recap comparing 2013 to 2012: (Source WRA) Southeast Wisconsin/Metro Milwaukee real estate statistics ...

Identity theft is a growing crime in America and can do much damage to your credit as well as take much effort on your part to undo the damage. Here are some quick tips to follow to protect your identity: Always check your bills and bank statements for unauthorized charges Check your browser security settings and make sure they are not too low Be sure to have a virus protection program installed on your devices Opt-out of preapproved credit card offers by calling 888-567-8688 or visit www.optoutprescreen.com SHRED anything with personal financial info on it Never give out your personal information via phone or internet unless YOU initiated the contact Make your passwords strong – a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Home Inventory If disaster strikes, how can you recover your possessions through an insurance company? A home inventory is the answer. It can be anything from a spreadsheet with pictures or one made with an app.   It is suggested you go room by room to organize your i...

RIS Media, Today's eNews,  by Kathleen Lynn, October 12, 2013 After riding a swift updraft earlier this year, mortgage rates have steadied. But there's a good chance they'll resume their upward path. That's one of a number of things borrowers need to know now to get the best loan. 1. Do your homework a.  Check your credit report with the three credit reporting agencies. You can do it for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If there are any errors, correct them. Then do what you can to improve your credit rating by paying down your debt. b.  Avoid borrowing to buy a car or other big-ticket item in the months before you apply for a mortgage—and, for that matter, up to the date you finally close on your new home. c.  Then shop around among several lenders for the best rate. 2. Get preapproved Even before you start looking for a house, you should get preapproved for a mortgage. This will make you a stronger buyer, because sellers will know you have the financing in p...

Allow us to provide you with our professional services to help you move on, move up, move out and reach your real estate goals. Studies show that homes sold using a Realtor sell for a higher price. That and having the hassle, negotiation, marketing and legalities handled by your Realtor while you go about your business… well worth it. Less FSBOS, even with internet Real estate has changed dramatically since the internet came about, with much  property info available on sites such as firstweber.com.  Yet, studies also show that people are using Realtors more, not less.  The information on a house is now readily available and just the very tip of the iceberg in terms of a real estate transaction.  It is our job to interpret data and guide you through a complicated series of deadlines and events that lead to a home sale. First Weber is the Human Side of Real Estate. Your guide and trusted advisor. The See Team is the premiere real estate team in the g...

This chart shows that a very small percentage of Americans expect home prices to fall in the next 12 months. By a good margin, continued increases are expected. This is good news to everyone with a hand in real estate – even homebuyers. Why homebuyers? The buyer’s market is gone and they will pay more. Rising home values has long been an expectation of homowners – a given! The last few years took away some of that security. Rising home prices expected so widely should make a buyer feel secure in investing in real estate, even if it is at a higher price.  Rising values is what everyone wants in real estate. To Buy or Sell real estate in Wisconsin To sell your property in Wisconsin with excellent care contact The See Team. To buy a home, sit down and talk with The See Team to discuss your options and talk about Wisconsin buyer agency ( http://www.firstweber.com/ buying/buyer- agency.php ). Either way, First Weber can help. We are the Human Side of Real Estate. The See Team is the...