The National Association of Realtors® today thanked the many members in the U.S. military on active duty for their services to America, and reminded them of special benefits for them in the recent extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit law. NAR was the main proponent in getting the homebuyer's tax credit extended into 2010 and expanded to include present homeowners. "NAR is the leading advocate for private property and homeownership issues, and firmly believes that those who are in service to their country should be full participants in the homebuyer tax credit law," said NAR President Charles McMillan, broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "These men and women are often hindered by hardships from full participation in the American Dream of... 11/25/2009

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit? First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight. To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Which Properties Are Eligible? The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops. How Much Is Avail... 11/25/2009

Marathon County, WI The statistics below provide information on the number of home sales and median sales price over a period of time.   Number of Home Sales   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Year End 1998 183 290 279 310 1062 1999 202 382 324 225 1133 2000 197 333 327 236 1093 2001 194 317 338 238 1087 2002 223 357 358 265 1203 2003 232 443 430 265 1370 2004 217 427 449 289 1382 2005 242 465 458 320 1485 2006 294 455 389 326 1464 2007 272 447 419 293 1431 2008 190 368 356 234 1148 2009 196 302 331     Median Price   Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Year End 1998 $93,500 $97,200 $97,800 $87,800 $94,300 1999 $88,100 $97,100 $96,800 $98,800 $96,000 2000 $100,300 $104,700 $112,500 $102,300 $106,000 2001 $104,000 $103,300 $105,000 $108,000 $105,000 2002 $108,000 $114,700 $114,700 $110,700 $112,500 2003 $115,400 $109,500 $118,700 $... 11/21/2009

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit Question: Existing homeowner credit: Must the new house cost more than the old house? Answer: No. Thus, for example, individuals who move from a high cost area to a lower cost area who meet all eligibility requirements will qualify for the $6500 credit. Question: I am an existing homeowner. On October 25, 2009, I signed a contract to purchase a new home. I have lived in my current home for more than 5 consecutive years and am within the new income limits. I will go to settlement on November 20. If President Obama has signed the bill by the time I go to settlement, will I qualify for the new $6500 tax credit? Answer: Yes. The existing homeowner credit goes into effect for purchases after the d... 11/07/2009

Harvest FestSaturday, October 10th 10:00am-2:00pm Visit the City Square for an autumn celebration for the entire family. Activities throughout the day include: a pumpkin patch, Wild Wausau petting zoo, scarecrow decorating, polka band, hay rides, food and craft vendors and more! Activities: Pumpkin Patch presented by Ministry Health Care Wild Wausau Petting Zoo Live music from 11:00am - 1:00pm Market Place Thursday Vendors Food Vendors Arts and Crafts Scarecrow decorating contest Live pumpkin carving demonstration 10/08/2009

Eloquent 2 bedroom house w/original wood trim, great archway with wood/glass enclosure at base for the precious show items. Nice area upstairs that can be remodeled for large 3 bedroom. Motivated seller - Priced for a quick sale! 09/27/2009

Harvest Fest Come join us for the harvest! Visit the City Square for an autumn celebration for the entire family. Activities throughout the day include: a pumpkin patch, Wild Wausau petting zoo, scarecrow decorating, polka band, hay rides, food and craft vendors and more! Activities: Pumpkin Patch presented by Ministry Health Care Wild Wausau Petting Zoo Live music from 11:00am - 1:00pm Market Place Thursday Vendors Food Vendors Arts and Crafts Scarecrow decorating contest 09/21/2009

I sold my home last year. Do I have to report the sale? Report the sale of your main home on your tax return only if you have a gain and at least part of it is taxable. Report any taxable gain on Federal Form 1040, Schedule D (PDF), Capital Gains and Losses and Wisconsin Schedule WD capital gains and losses. Note: Federal Form 2119, Sale of Your Home is obsolete beginning in 1998. I sold my principal residence this year. What form do I need to file? If you meet the ownership and use tests, you will generally only need to report the sale of your home if your gain is more than $250,000 ($500,000 if married filing a joint return). This means that during the 5-year period ending on the date of the sale, you must have: Owned the home for at least 2 years (the ownership test), and Lived in t... 09/21/2009

Bacteria Coliform bacteria are microorganisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals as well as in soil, on vegetation, and in surface water runoff. Finding coliform bacteria in a water supply is an indication that there is a potential for disease-producing organisms to be present also. Coliform bacteria washed into the ground by rain or melting snow are usually filtered out as water percolates through the soil. However, poorly-constructed or unsealed wells, fractured rock outcroppings, sinkholes, and quarries may provide a path for coliform bacteria to enter groundwater. Once in the groundwater, bacteria can easily pollute drinking water used by private well owners. Other bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause illness, can be in water containing coliform bacteria. D... 09/06/2009

Everything I read and hear in the news media tells me housing values have dropped over the past year so why hasn't my assessment dropped? In Wisconsin, we've been fortunate that our property values are weathering the market relativity well compared to many other areas of the country. While the news media portrays values as dropping, it speaks to an overall trend in some areas and doesn't take into account a specific neighborhood or specific properties. In actuality, some communities, and some neighborhoods, have seen values increase; many neighborhoods are experiencing fewer sales yet values remain relatively stable; and a few neighborhoods have experienced foreclosures and short sales that have driven market values lower. It's the latter neighborhoods that capture news media attention.... 08/23/2009

Wisconsin home sales and median prices both fell in the second quarter of 2009 relative to that same quarter in 2008 according to data just released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). But despite significant job losses in manufacturing and other sectors that have pushed the state unemployment rate to 9 percent in June, REALTORS® say the state housing market is actually showing signs of stabilization. The decline in home sales was 10.5 percent, which was higher than both the Midwest region, which fell 5.3 percent, and the nation, which was down just 2.9 percent, but it was well below the steep reductions in Wisconsin sales volume that we have seen over the last few quarters. Marathon county sold 66 less homes in 2009 compared to 2008  second quarter. 08/23/2009

Potential first-time home buyers who are wondering whether they should get into the market to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit shouldn't wait much longer. They may know that the federal tax credit is available for homes purchased from January until the end of November of this year, but they may not realize that they'll need to have a home purchase in the works long before the Dec. 1 deadline rolls around. That's because it typically can take six to eight weeks from the moment a buyer signs an offer letter to the time of a closing, when the buyer can move in to the new house (and claim that tax credit). Realistically, that means a buyer who is seeking the credit would want to sign a purchase-and-sale agreement by mid-October. That gives the prospective buyer time to arrange a home... 08/23/2009

Community Development Programs We are able to offer low interest loans for various types of situations, such as downpayment and rehabilitation programs for housing and commerical properties located in the City of Wausau.  Potential clients must meet income guidelines as published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  Income guidelines are as follows: Income Guidelines as of 3/20/09 One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight $37,400 $42,750 $48,100 $53,450 $57,750 $62,000 $66,300 $70,550   Downpayment Program The City of Wausau has funds are available for assistance with downpayment and closing costs related to purchasing a house within the City of Wausau.  Funds are provided on low-interest deferred installment loans on a first-come, first serve basis.  Community Devel... 08/23/2009

Become a Financial Detective When Investing in Real Estate: When comparing real estate investment purchases due diligence is of the utmost importance to your efforts.  Like any business or investment, owning real estate has risks.  You may accept higher or lower risk levels but you need to know the facts in order to weigh the rsik/reward opportunity.  How can you know if what you are about to invest  your hard earned money into is a good deal if you do not have all the facts?  To read more... If you are looking for investment properties please contact Ark Rhowmine at 715-297-1953 for assistance._____________________________________________________Ark Rhowmine | Commercial Real Estate Agent | BrokerGrubb & Ellis | PfefferlePO Box 865 | Wausau | WI | 54402-0865C: 715.297.1953 | F: 715.355... 08/14/2009

If you missed last weekend in Wausau, here are some photos of the competition on Wausau's Downtown Whitewater Course.  Mark it down as a place to be next year.  Lots of competitors, lots of spectators and lots of fun.  Come to Wausau, We like it here.   08/04/2009

This weekend August 1 and 2nd is Whitewater Weekend in downtown Wausau. The course is ready, the partcipants are here.  The action starts tomorrow with kayaking all weekend.  Come see the National competition in be 07/31/2009

Please take the time to watch this utube clip with an interview with Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Marketing"  Rebecca is a great speaker and will be the opening session speaker of the Wisconsin REALTORS Convention held at the Kalahari Resort in Wiscosin Dells September 9th through September 11th.  Visit www.wra.org to register.   Please watch the interview she is a great talent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyVKNaMqsCM   07/30/2009

The whole Brett Farve thing is crazy.  If you retire... stay retired.  I know Brett loves football but he needs to understand that the body will only take so much beating.  I for one am glad to here that he has realized ( at least for now) that he is no longer 25 years old and it's time to get on the tractor and go hunting.  Aaron Rogers will do well for the Packers, although I have to admitt that I was looking forward to hearing the crowd at Lambeau when Farve stepped on the field in purple. 07/29/2009

The Wisconsin Valley Fair is coming to Wausau next week August 4 through the 9th.  Featured performers include,  Flyleaf on Tuesday, Keith Anderson on Wednesday, Alice Cooper, Thursday, Kelly Pickler on Friday,  Blue Oyster Cult on Saturday and a Demo Derby Sunday.  Come see the exhibits and enjoy the great surroudings in Wausau's Marathon Park.  This fair is one of the State's Largest and most exciting summer events  Visit http://www.wisconsinvalleyfair.com/default.asp See you at the Fair 07/29/2009

Beautiful, sloping wooded lot of 2.05 acres and small stream on north edge. Great building site. Land is on dead-end road w/3 houses. Priced right 07/19/2009