Current Market Statistics

May 7, 2012 - Hudson WI
New Listings +13.9%
Pending Sales + 41.2%
Overall Inventory - 28.4%
(total homes for sale)
Housing affordability + 9.5%

Current Interest Rate:
Conventional: 3.875%
FHA: 3.75%


Information current as of week ending 4/21/12

Wayne Johnson and Sons real estate team are your Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota specialists. Contact us today if you are interested in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Still water, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. We can’t wait to help you find your next home!

NOW IS THE TIME....

April 18, 2012 - Hudson WI
- Sales are up dramatically this year

- Buyer demand exceeds supply!

- Lowest interest rates in 40 years

- Lowest home inventory since 2003

- All time high home affordability index

Contact us today to discuss your options!


Please keep Wayne Johnson and Sons in mind for all of your Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota real estate needs. We specialize in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Stillwater, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to discuss selling your home or homes for sale in your area.

Is the Housing Market Actually Recovering?

March 28, 2012 - Hudson WI
Everyone wants to know if the housing market is truly showing signs of a recovery. There are conflicting headlines every day. One day, we hear sales are up. The next day it is reported that prices are down. Is the real estate market coming back? The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’.
There are two aspects that must be evaluated: house sales and house prices. They will not recover at the same time. Sales are already increasing rather nicely while prices will still soften in many markets through 2012.

Home Sales

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) issues a Pending Home Sales Report each month. We can see by the graph that sales have been increasing nicely over the last twelve months. Real estate professionals across the country are reporting that activity has increased compared to last year. The sales side of the recovery is starting to show great promise.

Home Prices

Many price indices have shown that national home prices are continuing to stumble. Even with demand increasing, we must look at where the supply of housing stock stands. Though ‘visible’ inventory (homes currently on the market) is shrinking, there is still a large overhang of ‘shadow’ inventory (foreclosures about to come to market as a result of the National Mortgage Settlement). This increase in inventory will outpace the increase in demand and thereby cause prices to continue to soften in many parts of the country.

Bottom Line

Housing is coming back. However, sales will come back before prices. We will not see prices appreciate until we work through the oversupply of homes on the market.

Information courtesy of KCW blog and NAR

Please keep Wayne Johnson and Sons in mind for all of your Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota real estate needs. We specialize in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Stillwater, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to discuss selling your home or homes for sale in your area.

Did you know??

October 10, 2011 - Hudson, WI
Wayne Johnson and Sons is the Preferred Agent of the USAA. If you or anyone you know are a member of the USAA please contact us today about what we can do to help you buy or sell a home.

Did you know???

August 17th, 2011 - Western WI
Did you know that we work all over the U.S?

We can help you or someone you know buy or sell a home in any state! Call us today if you, family, or friends are moving ANYWHERE in the country.

For Sale By Owner : Why going solo may not be going smart

August 3rd, 2011 - Hudson, WI
Those that choose to sell their own homes often hope to avoid the commission paid to real estate agents. While those familiar with the housing market and process of selling a home may enjoy a successful sale, plenty of inexperienced home sellers have encountered nothing but headaches. Besides limiting the number of potential buyers, the decision to sell by owner has cost many homeowners incredible amounts of time, energy and money. Before you make your own decision, you may want to assess the factors discussed here in relation to your own knowledge and resources.

One of the most critical aspects of selling a home – setting the right price – often requires extensive market research and analysis of the property itself. While it is possible to gain an understanding of broad market trends, homeowners often don't have enough time to analyze the nuances of their local housing market. On the other hand, real estate agents are immersed in such local trends on a daily basis. Over time, the best real estate agents will gain an incredible understanding of everything from the most popular neighborhoods and styles of homes to the types of amenities local buyers are looking for. When it comes time to set a sale price on your home, a real estate professional will be able to utilize this knowledge to determine the most accurate market value for your home.

While the pricing of a home can be a difficult process, the most challenging work begins when your home is officially for sale. Even if your home is in the most attractive location within the local market, you probably won't find many interested buyers without marketing your property. This process begins with listings in real estate databases, newspapers and periodicals. After the listing has been marketed in such publications, the home is made available to prospective buyers through open houses and private viewings.

When a real estate agent is involved in the marketing process, many additional opportunities often develop. Utilizing their industry connections and relationships, real estate agents are often able to find prospective buyers that might not have noticed your home otherwise. While your home is for sale, you can expect your agent to work full time trying to find the right buyer for your home. By comparison, very few homeowners trying to sell their own homes have nearly as much time to devote to the marketing process.

Whether you are selling your own home or working with an agent, there is still plenty of work to be done after a buyer has agreed to purchase your home. A real estate agent may be able to help you work through legal documents such as the Purchase and Sale Agreement. However, those that sell their own homes need to negotiate these documents themselves or hire an attorney for assistance. Unlike most home sellers, real estate agents have experience with the closing process that may help both parties complete the sale as efficiently as possible.

Before deciding how to sell your home, try to consider that there are many factors that influence the real estate market and can make selling your own home very challenging. Understanding the unique risks and difficulties you may face during the selling process will not only help you make an informed decision about hiring a real estate agent – it may help you sell your home.

Information Courtesy of Coldwell Banker.com

Please keep Wayne Johnson and Sons in mind for all of your Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota real estate needs. We specialize in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Stillwater, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. Contact us today to discuss selling your home or homes for sale in your area.

Tips for Buying a Home with a Family

June 29th, 2011 - Hudson, WI
For many people, finding a new home is more than a matter of personal taste and individual finance – it's a family affair. Buying a new home to accommodate a growing family is an exciting step in one’s life, but it can also be a balancing act.
Communication and planning are key to any successful home-buying experience. Moving to a new home while expecting a child or preparing for a family down the road makes anticipating your future needs all the more important. What may make a perfect starter home for a couple might not work as well when children come into the picture.

A recent survey released by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC found that 65 percent of homeowners who are also parents purchased their first home before becoming pregnant or within one year of their child’s birth. For those consumers who are in a similar position, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC offers the following five factors to consider when buying a home with family in mind:

Proximity to family.-- Nearly half of the homeowner respondents in a recent survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC reported that they live less than 10 minutes from extended family members, with 72 percent choosing to live within 30 minutes. Buying a home that is close to family members can provide support, help and guidance that can be a great benefit both emotionally and financially. With extended family nearby, families have the opportunity to spend more time together and even save money on occasion. The cost of babysitters and long distance travel to visit relatives can really add up!

Existing floor plan. --Each family has its own unique dynamic and should take its distinctive needs into consideration when exploring different floor plans. While having a master bedroom upstairs and the other rooms downstairs may work for some families, others may prefer to have all of the bedrooms on the same level.

Surrounding neighborhood. --The neighborhood looks different from the eyes of a parent. It’s wise to get an idea of what the neighborhood offers for children, such as local recreational centers, parks or playgrounds as well as the school system, before deciding on an area to live. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recommends home buyers utilize online tools such as Coldwell Banker On Location that can offer consumers a wealth of local market information.

Future lifestyle needs. --They say children grow up in the blink of an eye. Make sure the home you purchase leaves growing room and will still fit your family’s needs a few years down the road, especially if there are plans for more children.

Budget. --One of the most important things for all potential homeowners to consider is their personal budget. Growing a family and having children usually means a growing list of expenses as well. Estimate monthly expenses along with a mortgage payment to ensure all financial commitments can be reasonably met.


Information Courtesy of Coldwell Banker.com

Wayne Johnson and Sons real estate team are your Western Wisconsin and Eastern Minnesota specialists. Contact us today if you are interested in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Still water, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. We can’t wait to help you find your next home!

Reducing the stress of downsizing

June 5th, 2011 - Hudson, WI
For many homeowners whose children have grown up and moved away, it may be a good idea to buy a smaller home with fewer maintenance needs.

But the process of downsizing may sometimes be very stressful, since it can be easy for homeowners to become attached to a home and other possessions they may not have room for in their new place. However, there are a number of strategies to reduce that burden.

Start early in the process

One of the most important steps downsizing homeowners can take is to allow plenty of time for the move. It's generally not necessary to wait until they have closed on a new home to start packing.

Many people, according to the Wall Street Journal, become overwhelmed by waiting too long, and end up just throwing everything into boxes haphazardly. Allowing three to six weeks for packing before the current home goes on the market should be enough time to get everything sorted out.

Decide on large items first

To make homeowners feel better as they go about the packing and sorting process, it may be helpful to start by thinking about larger items, such as furniture. That way, as they move through the house, it will feel like they are making quicker progress.

By making decisions on those items first, people can also determine whether they need to buy any furniture for their new residence.

Move in circles

The Wall Street Journal also says it can be helpful for homeowners to move in concentric circles as they work to cut down on their possessions. In general, many objects which have emotional value are found near the center of the home, such as in the family room or kitchen, so it might be best to pack these items first.

After that, starting in the farthest reaches of the house should reveal items which aren't used as frequently, and which may no longer be as emotionally important as they once were. By moving in smaller circles throughout the house, homeowners can see what they may not actually need.

Involve others

It's also important for one member of the household not to attempt to take on the entire project themselves, the Wall Street Journal says. Not only is it a very large task for one person to do, one family member may not know how each of them feels about each particular item. What appears to be junk to one person may actually hold a great deal of sentimental value to another person.


Information Curtesy of Coldwell Banker.com

Western Wisconsin’s premier real estate team, Wayne Johnson and Sons real estate services, can help you find your next home in Hudson, River Falls, Somerset, New Richmond, Stillwater, Woodbury, and surrounding areas. Please contact us today to discuss buying, selling, or investing in real estate in your area.