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Connie Erickson's Blog

Connie Erickson

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Stupid Sellers? I think not!

by Connie Erickson
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Because I list an average of 79 to 134 Door County properties per year, many of my Door County real estate competitors tell sellers that the reason my property listings sell is because I under-price them.

Occasionally, when I'm on a listing appointment, I am fortunate to hear this objection verbalized by the potential client.  While there are several ways to deal with his statement, I have found that when I respond with, "Mr. Seller, I list an average of 79 - 134 Door County properties a year, and I have been the top Door County real estate salesperson, selling more real estate than anyone else in Door County each and every year for the past 25 plus years. So, I guess I just have stupid sellers!", there is a little nervous laughter in response and the potential client and I move forward.


 

Business As Usual For Lenders

by Connie Erickson
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NEW LENDER RULES WILL NOT CHANGE THE WAY LENDERS DO BUSINESS….According to my friend and Senior Mortgage Loan Officer for Johnson Bank, Laura Seefeldt, there is good news on the horizon pertaining to the long anticipated lending rule changes.  Mel Watt, the head of the FHFA has canceled the implementation of an increase in fees on loans delivered to Fannie & Freddie.  And, more importantly, the significant increase in delivery fees for credit score and buyer loan to value reports have been canceled.  This will help lenders comply with new limitations on fees charged to borrowers and keep rates close to their current level.

Laura also points out that there have been only marginal rate changes in the past four weeks.  For example, On December 13, the 30 year rate was 4.4% and on January 10, 2014 the 30 year rate was 4.5%.  The 7 year rate on December 13 was 3.875% and on January 10, 2014 it was 3.75%.

Overall, I feel this is good news and the Dodd-Frank conditions are not nearly as complicated and restrictive as I thought they would be.  According to Laura Seefeldt, “Johnson Bank has always made loans to borrowers with the "ability to repay" (ATR).  Business as usual for us :)”.


 

Candlelight Ski at Whitefish Dunes State Park

by Connie Erickson
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CANDLELIGHT SKI

Location: Whitefish Dunes State Park in Jacksonport

Dates: Jan 25 2014 

6:00 - 9:00 pm

There’s no better way to enjoy a Door County winter evening than a candlelight ski in Whitefish Dunes State Park.  Enjoy the company of great friends, refreshments around the fireplace, and fun!  You’ll have fun, even if we’re lacking snow….then there will be a candlelight hike!  Park sticker required.  DETAILS!

You Have 100% Control Of Pricing Your Door County Property!

by Connie Erickson

The most common mistake is the sellers decide to test the waters by pricing their properties too high at the beginning.  This is particularly true in a second home market where many sellers never really have to sell and most buyers never really have to buy.  After a while on the market, the sellers begin to reduce their property until it eventually gets to a price that sells the property.

The good buyers are the buyers who are there at the time the property initially hits the market.  Those buyers are motivated buyers and they are waiting for something new to be listed because they want to buy.  If they reject the price, their first impression has been made and they discount the property.  Most sellers think the buyer will return to the property after the price has been reduced.  But in actuality, the buyer rarely will ever consider that over priced property again.

You have 100% control of your price, and you have the opportunity to make the best decision at the beginning, not during the middle of your marketing time or towards the end.

Every home has three prices:   “Tax Assessment”, “Appraised Value”, and “True Market Value”.

1.    Tax Assessment:  May or may not have something to do with the value of your property.   While your property is assessed annually and is based on assessing formulas, in Door County, I have found that the properties from 2009 through today, in most cases, are overvalued, and sellers are paying way too much in property taxes.

2.      Appraised Value:  If the buyer is not financing the purchase and paying cash, and is not requested an appraisal, this is not an issue.  However, I've found most cash paying buyers want a current appraisal to make sure the value is there, and if there is financing involved, the lender will require one.  If an Offer is received with an appraisal contingency and your property does not appraise out, the buyer may walk away from the deal.  If the buyer elects not to walk away, but requests a new purchase price based on the appraised value, and you agree, you may be able to keep the deal together.  From a buye'rs point of view, this is never a win situation and creates a bad taste in everyone’s mouth regardless of whether the transaction closes or not.

3.     True Market Value:  The uniqueness of Door County, particularly in Northern Door, usually means that there are not two houses which are the same.  I cannot stress the importance of choosing and selecting a Seasoned REALTOR.  After 30 years in this business, there is not too much I haven’t seen, and I have learned over these years that Door County real estate pricing is an art.  There are many factors which aid an educated REALTOR to give the seller accurate advice on pricing their property at market value.  Even then, the time on market is usually long, and the longer one spends on the market, the less you will receive in the long run. 

You have 100 % control over your price.  A smart seller will begin at #3 "True Market Value!

 

Family Art Day in Fish Creek

by Connie Erickson
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FAMILY ART DAY

Location: Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek

Dates: Jan 18 2014 

9am-noon

A FREE FAMILY EVENT for families with children ages 3 to 17 at Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek.  Drop in any time for art making fun that correlates with the current exhibition's theme in the School's Guenzel Gallery.  DETAILS!

SNOWSHOE AT THE RIDGES SANCTUARY

by Connie Erickson
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NATURALIST GUIDED SNOWSHOE HIKES

Location: Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor

Dates:  Fridays and Saturdays in January
 

1:00 pm

Here’s a whole new way to enjoy The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor!  Snowshoe with a Ridges naturalist and learn the history of the ridges and the swales.  Some snowshoes are available.  DETAILS HERE!

POLAR BEAR SWIM IN JACKSONPORT

by Connie Erickson
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POLAR BEAR SWIM

Location: Lakeside Park in Jacksonport

Dates: Jan 1 2014

12:00 Noon

The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club invites you for a refreshing dip in the icy waters of Lake Michigan on New Year’s Day!  For 28 years the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club has been keeping the Door County tradition of taking the icy dip!  Become a polar bear or just come and spectate….it is a great time!  DETAILS!  

EGG HARBOR'S FROSY FEST

by Connie Erickson
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FROSTY FEST

Location: Downtown Egg Harbor

Dates: Jan 1 2014

1:00 pm

Celebrate the New Year Egg Harbor Style! You never know what you'll see in Egg Harbor’s New Year's Day Parade.  Come and enjoy live music, food vendors, shopping specials and snow sculptures…..AND IF YOU SEE BOB ERICKSON, WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  DETAILS!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN FISH CREEK

by Connie Erickson
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS


Location: Gibraltar Town Hall in Fish Creek
Dates: Dec 26 2013 - Dec 28 2013

4pm & 7pm on Dec. 28, 7pm on Dec. 26-27. Now in it’s 7th incarnation, Home for the Holidays with AFT will feature The Rhode Sisters. This feisty sister act will present an evening of songs and stories gathered from their own unique holiday scrapbook. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children. 920-854-6117.  DETAILS!

THE HAGEN FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN STURGEON BAY

by Connie Erickson
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THE HAGEN FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT


Location: Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay
Dates: Dec 20 2013

 



7:30pm. Join the Hagen Family as they celebrate the holidays at TAP. Tickets: $25 general admission, $10 students 12-24, $5 children 11 and under. 920-743-1760.  DETAILS!

Displaying blog entries 521-530 of 860

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Photo of Connie Erickson Real Estate
Connie Erickson
Door County Realty, Shorewest, REALTORS®
10580 Country Walk Dr., #12
Sister Bay WI 54234
920-868-3245

Integrity...Trust...Service...Excellence
These Are Connie Erickson's Core Values

RESULTS WITH INTEGRITY
and
The Best In Personal Service