How To Sell Your Home

Selling your home in today's market is tough. The facts speak very loud. I will be sharing a number of reasons over the next few weeks why Sue Stark and First Weber Group just makes sense. For today's post;

This is why you want to use Sue Stark and First Weber

It’s Simple: Now Is the Time to Buy a Home

Thinking of buying a home. Here is an article you should read.

It’s Simple: Now Is the Time to Buy a Home

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Renters Spending 5% More Than Home Owners

If you are currently renting and thinking you are saving money you may want to read this article. With rates this low and inventories still high now is the best time to start that home search. There are loan programs available for low down payments. Give me a call anytime for information.

Renters Spending 5% More Than Home Owners

Is Your Home Winter-Proof?

The temperatures are dropping and you know what is coming if you lived in Wisconsin. Here is a good list of things to take care of now while there is still time.

Is You Home Winter-Proof?

Underwater Refinance Program Expanded

If you wanted to refinance right now due to the low rates but your property has lost some value this might be of some interest to you. If you have questions feel free to contact me anytime at 608-354-8107.

Underwater Refinance Program Expanded

Do You Qualify for 100% Federal VA Loan?

Here is a great website to get all your questions answered on the Federal VA loan program. When you are ready to start searching for that perfect home give me a call anytime

Federal VA Loan Program Information Site

First Weber the #1 Leader in Real Estate - Check the facts

As we move into the last quarter of 2011 I am reflecting on the many success's this year. Amazingly as I talk to people there are some of you out there that do not realize that First Weber Group is the leader in Real Estate production for South Central WI. Not being one to not share the love I thought I would share this graph supplied with data from the South Central WI MLS as a picture is worth a 1000 words.

Questions, contact me anytime I would love to connect with you.

January - December 2010 sales data (annualized data is available by March of the preceding year)

Wishing you could purchase a home now and participate in the currently low rates but struggling with a down-payment? Were you aware that Dane County, The City of Madison and the Wisconsin Realtors Association all have down payment assistance programs. You may qualify. Contact me today for details at 608-354-8107 or email me at starks@firstweber.com

Sellers: Letting Go

Often when my clients are putting their house up for sale the thought of leaving a familiar neighborhood and neighbors can be unsettling. Instead focus on your new beginnings. This is a great article that outlines just that

Sellers: Letting Go.

My Madison Wisconsin Best Buy of the Week

Every week I will scour the MLS for “My Madison Wisconsin Best Buy of the Week”

This week it is all about Location Location Location! This lovely updated Old World Two Story on Kendall, just a 10 minutes walk to the UW is my featured "Best Buy of the Week". This three bedroom charmer with new windows and a private lot is sure to capture your attention at only $285,000 CLICK HERE for more information

Will Spring Bring a Triple Dip?

The unimaginable is now a possibility. According to the latest forecast by one of the nation\'s leading housing data providers, by the end of the first quarter next year, the nation\'s average home prices could sink below the lowest levels reached earlier this last year, when prices set a new record low.

via Will Spring Bring a Triple Dip?

Renters Outspend Owners on Housing

Renters now spend five percent more of their household budgets on housing costs than do homeowners, and the difference is growing as rents rise.

via Renters Outspend Owners on Housing.

Lure to Foreign Buyers: Buy a Home, Get a Visa?

If you are an International Investor check this out Lure to Foreign Buyers: Buy a Home, Get a Visa?.

The Million Dollar Question These Days . . . . Rent vs Buy

Are you currently renting but hoping to buy one day . . . . this arcticle on Rent vs Buy may be of some interest. Read more

House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring

Disclaimer: This blog covers the national housing market as a whole. Please check with a local real estate professional to discover how the following information will impact your region. – The KCM Crew Many sellers want to wait until the

via House Prices: Where They Will Be in the Spring.

Madison Real Estate Newsletter "Real Estate Tracks" October Edition

Check out my latest "Real Estate Tracks" newsletter

2011 September Home Sales Report - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

2011 September Home Sales Report - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association.

Monthly Payments for Home Buyers Not Much Different than 30 Years Ago

With today's low interest rates the average mortgage payment is not much more than it was 30 years ago.

Check this article out, I think you will be very surprised!

Payments for Home Buyers.

My Madison Real Estate Resource October Housing Report

Here is an early release of my October Real Estate Report for all my website and social media followers. #madison #real estate #bestbuy #livinginmadison #suestark Enjoy!

October Newsletter

My Madison Real Estate Resource October 2011 Newsletter

[caption id="attachment_559" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="Tips for Selling Your Home Before the End of the Year"][/caption]

My Madison Real Estate Resource October 2011 Newsletter

13,780 homes sold yesterday in this country. 13,780 homes will selltoday.

Click Here to check out October's Report. If you are at all thinking about putting your

home on the market contact Sue Stark at 608-354-8107 or starks@firstweber.com

My Madison Wisconsin Area Best Buy of the Week

This week we are visiting the lovely community of Oregon just a very short drive just south of the Hwy 12/18.

Oregon is a village in Dane County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,514 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a suburb of Madison. The village is located mostly within the Town of Oregon.

In 2011, Oregon was voted as one of the Top 100 'Best Places to Live' by CNN Money.

Visit My Best Buy of the Week in Oregon, WI

2nd Qtr 2011 Madison Area Market Report

The National Association of Realtors "NAR" Research produces a series of Local Market Reports (LMRs) which provide insights into the fundamentals and direction of the nation's largest metropolitan housing markets. Each report evaluates a number of factors affecting home prices, including:

• The health of the local job market


• Foreclosure rates


• Housing inventory


• Debt-to-income and mortgage-servicing-costs-to-income ratios

Some Notes on Data Usage

NAR Research uses a variety of data sources in preparing the LMRs.

• Housing Price and Sales Statistics - The National Association of REALTORS®


• Labor statistics - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Establishment and Household Surveys)


• Housing Permits Data - U.S. Census Bureau


• Foreclosure Data - Mortgage Bankers' Association of America (MBAA)


• State Economic Index - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Click Here to view the report

Housing Affordability

Housing affordability will be at its highest in a generation this year.

The affordability index is comprised of median home prices, median family income, and the prevailing mortgage rate. An index of 100 implies that a median income family has just enough income to buy a median priced home. An index of 120 implies that a median income family has 20 percent more income than is necessary to buy a median priced home. The index reached an all-time high (since the data creation in 1970) of 174 in 2010. This year, it looks to surpass 180. The rising affordability is a combination of lower home prices, record low mortgage rates, and a slight rise in family income.





In short, there hasn’t been a better home buying opportunity in 40 years.

However, not all people have the necessary confidence to make a major expenditure like a home purchase in an uncertain economic environment. More importantly, the underwriting standards are overly stringent. Those who are currently able to get conforming mortgages have an average credit score of 760. Under normal underwriting standards (and not the lax underwriting of the bubble years), credit scores would be closer to 720 on conforming mortgages. For FHA mortgages, today’s borrowers have an average credit score of 700, compared to historic FHA borrowers who had an average credit score of 660. If the underwriting standards were just to return to normal then there could be an additional 15 to 20 percent increase in home buying activity.

Banks have plentiful cash reserves but are unwilling to lend. They are blaming the regulators, saying extra cash holding is needed in case of another catastrophic economic event and because the banks are uncertain about future regulatory rules. Under these circumstances any additional attempts by the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates via another third round of Quantitative Easing (QE3) and printing more money would be inconsequential to the housing market. All the while, printing money could pose higher inflation risks in the not-too-distant future. Simply getting the excess cash holdings held by the banks out to the borrowers will be the true, natural stimulus for the economy.