Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate: Wisconsin: Grafton

Todd Pruett, a resident of West Bend, Wisconsin, learned in August 2009 that he has a blood disorder called MDS, which is a precursor to leukemia. His bone marriow cannot produce healthy blood cells, and as a result, he needs a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.

A Marrow Donor Registration drive will be held Friday, February 5, 3:00pm-6:00pm and Saturday, February 6, 11:00am-3:00pm, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1044 S. Silverbrook Drive in West Bend.

You can get more information by contacting:

Chaplain Vince Marolla 262-323-6189

Todd Coleman 866-702-HOPE (4673)

todd.coleman@bcw.edu

You can also visit Todd's website at doit4pruett.com

Thank you for your consideration.

Seems like there's been an awful lot of heavy sighs the past few days with the cooler temps and strong winds that have found their way to southeastern Wisconsin.

Yes, it is officially Autumn, and while that means the lazy hazy days of Summer 2009 are behind us, it also means the colorful paintings of fall are all around us.

So in the busyness of everyday life, be sure to take some time to slooooow down and look around you. From your back yard, to neighborhood parks, to Holy Hill, soak in and marvel at the reds, oranges, and yellows that cover our trees. This beauty only hangs around (literally) for a few short weeks. Don't let another autumn pass you by without taking notice.

Want to know where the colors are at their peak? Check out this web site: Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Enjoy..........

Like everyone else, I can't believe we're already at the end of the first week of August! And yet in the midst of summer activities -- baseball games, biking, parties, festivals, fairs, cookouts -- I've seen my real estate sales hold pretty steady over July. You can see from the graphs below, that the same can be said about Ozaukee and Washington counties, as well.

Overall inventory is still plentiful, and interest rates continue to stay below 6%. This is still a great time to buy a house or condo, especially for first-time buyers who qualify for the $8000 credit. Remember, though, that you must close by November 30, 2009.

Opportunity is knocking...are you going to answer the door?

OK...so you wouldn't know it looking out the window today, but we're just three days from one of the most family fun days of the year -- the 4th of July.

And if you're looking for a great time, stop at Grafton's Holidaze celebration on Friday, July 3.

The day begins at 3:00 pm, when Lime Kiln Park (2020 Green Bay Road) opens. Bingo, food and refreshments will be available and music by Don Burhop will be provided 3:30-5:30.

From 4:30-8:30 pm the kids can enjoy inflatable attractions and games, which are sponsored by the Rose Harms American Legion family.

A parade featuring the UW Marching Band begins at 5:30. Thanks for the Heart of Grafton Family Restaurant for sponsoring this.

After the parade watch the UW Marching Band perform in the park at 6:00.

There will be a Rock Band Video Contest, sponsored by Best Buy, from 6:30-8:00 and Loose Change will be providing entertainment from 8:30-dusk.

A great fireworks display will begin at dusk, and this year's show is sponsored by Harris Bank and the Grafton Area Jaycees. Following the fireworks, Loose Change will continue entertaining us until 11:00 pm.

So enjoy the day we celebrate our independence by stopping by for part or all of the day's events!

It's that time again -- Strawberry Festival in Cedarburg Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28.

This two-day family event offers something for everyone. 

Some of the delicious treats include strawberry shortcake, strawberry brat, strawberry pie and crepes, strawberry slush, strawberry schaum torte, chocolate covered strawberries and strawberry ice cream.

Don't forget the Strawberry Pancake Breakfast Sunday morning, 8:00-11:00 am.

There will also be endless arts and crafts available for purchase along Washington avenue as well as behind the Cultural Center. Also included in the festivities is the 9th Annual Plein Air Painting Competition, June 18-25, with an exhibit and sale June 27 and 28 at the Cedarburg Cultural Center.

Music can be heard throughout the grounds including top forty, bluegrass, and rock and roll.

Daily pony rides are available for the kids, as well as a petting zoo, bouncers, a paintable mural, kites, and tattoos.

And of course there will be the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Ozaukee County's Berry Big 5K Run/Walk on Saturday at 9:00 am.

For more information about this fun-filled weekend, visit the Strawberry Festival web site.

While Memorial Day signifies the beginning of summer for most of us, it is a day meant to remember those who have fought and given their lives to provide us with the freedom we enjoy every day. Take some time this Monday, May 25, to say "thank you."

PORT WASHINGTON -- Parade begins at 10:30 am. The parade starts at the corner of Wisconsin and Grand Avenue and proceeds through downtown to Veterans Memorial Park. Events following the parade include an address by keynote speaker, Joe  Dean, president of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight; presentation of the Badger Boys and Girls representatives, and representatives from the Army thanking the public for their support of our troops and veterans. Music will be provided by the Port Washington High School band.

SAUKVILLE -- A prayer service will be held at 8:00 am at Saukville Union Cemetery. The parade begins at 9:00 am and will go north on Main Street to Veterans Park on Green Bay Avenue. Following the parade there will be placing of a wreath at the Veterans Memorial, the firing of a rifle volley, and the playing taps. An open house and light lunch will be offered at the Legion clubhouse, which is located at 601 W. Dekora Street.

GRAFTON -- Grafton's festivities begin with a parade at 10:00 am, beginning at the Legion hall, 1540 13th Avenue. A program at Veterans Memorial Park will follow, honoring soldiers and recognizing local students. Lunch and beverages will be available after the program at the Legion hall.

FREDONIA -- Fredonia's parade begins at 9:00 am at Firemen's Park on South Milwaukee Street. Joe Demler, a Fredonia native and World War II veteran, will be among the speakers following the parade. The keynote speaker will be Bob Piaro, founder of the Veterans Assistance Foundation. Also featured in the events will be veterans color guard, Ozaukee High School band, and youth groups.

BELGIUM -- A Mass at St. Mary's Church in Lake Church will be celebrated at 8:00 am and will include the reading of the names of veterans whoare buried in local cemeteries. The village's parade will begin at 10:30 am, ending at Community Park. The Master of Ceremonies will be Joe Sopko, Post Commander of Belgium American Legion Memorial Post 412. A memorial plaque will also be unveiled. The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School Band will perform, and food and beverages will be available.

Alas! The grass is green and even needs to be cut! The daffodils are in full bloom. The temperatures are on the rise. People are coming out and enjoying the new life we call spring. And it seems like the real estate market in Ozaukee and Washington counties is continuing to come back to life, as well.

The number of single family homes that sold in Ozaukee County rose from 39 in March to 45 in April. In Washington county, that number rose from 52 to 69.

During the month of April, Ozaukee county didn't see the sale of any two-family dwellings, but Washington county increased by one over March.

Condominiums continue to sell, as well, with the number of sold units remaining steady in both Ozaukee and Washington counties with 10 and 22, respectively. 

SUMMARY OF SALES IN OZAUKEE AND WASHINGTON COUNTY JANUARY - APRIL 2009

The tables below illustrate the number of units currently on the market and with the status of "pending." (The status "pending" means the property has an accepted offer and all contingencies have been removed.)

Interest rates continue to hover around the 5% mark, and the $8000 credit is still available to first-time homebuyers. So if you've been thinking about jumping into the real estate market, this may be the time to spring into action!

Looking for even more incentive to buy a home??

Wisconsin Mortgage has recently introduced The Rate Relief program, which offers advantages for both buyers and sellers. With this program, the seller agrees to pay 3% of the purchase price toward a financing package offered by Wisconsin Mortgage.

How can this program benefit a buyer?

• It provides a permanent interest rate buydown.
• Your monthly mortgage payment is reduced considerably by obtaining a below-market interest rate.
• With this lower interest rate, you could qualify for a larger home.
• If cash savings are a hindrance, this program creates more opportunity for you. 
• You may qualify for a larger home as a result of the preferred financing.
• The program creates an opportunity for you if cash reserves are an obstacle.

How can this program benefit a seller?

• Preferred mortgage rate financing will distinguish your home from others on the market.
• With a higher level of interest from buyers, home showings will grow, as well.
• Your pool of qualified buyers grows due to lower interest rates.

Visit Wisconsin Mortgage's web site for more information and an illustration of how much money you can save over time.

 (Wisconsin Mortgage is owned by Shorewest Realtors.)