Viroqua Wisconsin

Types of New Construction Loans

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:43:19 -0500

With warmer weather the thoughts of building a new home is certainly on the minds of some buyers. Here are a few loan programs that may give you some insight into which works best for you.

Via Frank & Sharon Alters, CDPE-Short Sales Jacksonville-Orange Park-Fleming Island (Watson Realty ):

TYPES OF NEW CONSTRUCTION LOANS

Building a new home can be a very exciting experience. Knowing the right questions to ask and what to expect can help remove some of the uncertainty about whether to move forward with new construction.

What types of loans are available for new construction?

There are two general categories: Construction Perm Loans and End Loans

CONSTRUCTION PERM LOANS

Construction Perm Loans are a type of loan where the Buyer first buys the lot from the Builder, then begins the building process. The Buyer is carrying the cost of building the house, and monthly payments begin immediately, increasing each time the Builder draws money from the bank, until the last draw when the loan is converted to a permanent loan at the fully amortized payment for the term of the loan.

Prior to the lot purchase, the plans for the house are decided, and an appraisal is done to determine the value of the home when built, to arrive at a final loan figure. There is generally room for overages in the loan amount.

The number of draws and the work that must be completed with each draw is noted on a Schedule given by the bank. The bank should send an inspector to verify that the work has been completed before the draw is given. The Buyer should sign off on each draw, along with the bank representative.

Types of Construction Perm Loans

Conventional financing is the only type of loan for construction perm. Expect a 20% down payment plus closing costs.

Who uses Construction Perm Loans?

Custom homes and homes built on the buyer's own lot are usually construction perm loans.

Pros and Cons of Construction Perm Loans

Pros ~ The Buyer actually owns the land and the house as it is built. They have more control in the building process and are free to ask the builder to make changes, since they are paying for everything. The house costs the buyer less because the builder is not paying to carry the house during the building process.

Cons ~ There have been instances when builders have taken draws and not finished the work. If subcontractors have not been paid, they file liens against the house that the owner is responsible for, even though the builder received the money.

END LOANS

End loans are a type of loan where the Buyer's loan takes effect at the end of the building process, when the closing takes place and the Buyer moves in. Most new construction loans are end loans.

Types of End Loans

End loans can be FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional. Expect a deposit of $5000 or more to begin construction on a new home, even if it will be refunded later in the case of VA or USDA financing. An experienced new home sales Realtor® can help you negotiate the deposit, especially if there are special circumstances.

Who uses End Loans?

Most Production Builders in new home communities use End Loans. They realize that the Buyer is more comfortable with this type of loan and they have more control over the building process.

Builders typically have relationships with preferred lenders, or their own in-house lenders. There will be special incentives to use their lender. TIP: Buyers can let builder's lender know they are getting quotes from other lenders to keep them competitive.

Pros and Cons of End Loans

Pros ~ The Buyer has more choice for loans. FHA and VA loans are end loans. USDA is also an end loan that qualifies in some circumstances. The Buyer has no responsibility for the house until it is finished.

Cons ~ The Builder owns the house and therefore has control over the house during the building process. The Buyer has limited or no input regarding changes in construction. In some instances, the Builder can void the contract with the Buyer and return their deposit monies if the Buyer is making demands the Builder does not want to meet.

If you are considering building a new home, we strongly recommend having an experienced new home sales Realtor® by your side during the process. They know the situations when builders will negotiate and can help you get the best deal on your brand new dream home.

Click here for our Series on Buying a New Home in Jacksonville Florida.

To reach us, call or text us at 904-673-2308 or e-mail - sharon@teamalters.com

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Not so Ordinary Homes

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:11:54 -0600

Have you ever noticed that in real estate, listings frequently tend to run in streaks? The streak is not the numbers of listings an agent gets. It is more about the type of listings that come in at the same time. Once you list a property that is out of the ordinary, or one which runs more toward the bizarre or different; it's funny how you often get a lot more of them right away. Unexpectedly and all of a sudden you're the neighborhood expert on Dome Homes, Atypical A-Frames, and Yurts.

Right now I'm on an Earth-home Extravaganza for the second time in my career. To date, I have sold at least 5 earth homes, a few Dome homes, and lots and lots of other homes too unusual to classify. What sets them apart? Most of these not so ordinary homes, in my opinion, have one thing it common. It's the original home owners. They typically seem to be super creative, have a strong need to be different and were usually willing to use a lot of found and recycled materials. I have discovered these so called "off the wall dream homes" are fascinating, funky and fun to work on. During the hippie 70's "groovy things" were built into those earth homes, such as meditation rooms or towers, time capsules holding little treasures and truth windows so you could peak into the interiors of the walls and see how they were constructed. Both the earth homes pictured here were sold by me a few years ago. The one below I fondly named the Eco Prairie Castle and I took that photo from a top a hillside across the Valley. The one above has a solar envelop on the front of it. Pre*dating the green home movement of today both of these homes were built in the mid 70's.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Another New Listing in Viroqua

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:45:36 -0600

Each Room is Packed with Pizzazz... in this appealing two story country home. What you will discover is a well-built home which has been updated and renovated from the new foundation to the roof! Be prepared for a nice surprise!

The Interior: The heart of this home is in the spacious eat-in kitchen which has lots of cabinetry and plenty of countertop for anyone who loves to cook. There are striking hickory-wood floors and attractive wainscoting adorns the lower part of the walls adding interest and detail to the room. Adjacent is a main floor laundry also boasting lots of built-ins and ceramic flooring. In the generous sized living room is a pellet stove that warms the entire house, all windows in the entire home are double-hung windows. They tilt in for convenient cleaning and are six over six size panels in style, not only are they energy saving, they look wonderful, too. Off the living area is a small first floor bedroom used as a home office. The second floor features a roomy master and 2 smaller twin bedrooms. All have lots of closets and access to the open landing space at the top of the stairway.

The Acreage If you need storage and want some critters this is a perfect close to town location, but still very much the country. The small barn has three 9x9 box stalls for horses or ponies, a grain room, electric inside and outdoor lighting for the adjoining corral. There is a small Chicken coop shed which is divided with rooms for the pet goats. Accessed from the circular driveway is plenty of parking for up to 4 cars, as there are 2 separate detached garages. The 2 acre parcel has a full boundary survey. This home is located only 2.5 miles north of Viroqua on a paved road.

Additional items included are: the outdoor play-set, the range, refrigerator, washer & Dryer, a freezer and the pellet stove. This entire house has been newly reconstructed and refurbished in the last 5-6 years, NEW WALKOUT BASEMENT, NEW SIDING, ROOF, & WINDOWS, FURNACE, HOTWATER HEATER, WELL, SEPTIC SYSTEM, name it it's been replaced or new!

E6791A County Road Y
Viroqua, WI 54665-7216

Asking $187,900

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Another New Listing in Viroqua" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

New Viroqua Listing: 1103 Schroeder Ave

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:24:44 -0600

Doing it up Grand! No compromises! No Shortcuts! This fantastic contemporary Earth toned Brick home maintains its warm curb appeal even in the snowy winter months...

Interior: As you enter the home you will be greeted by a spacious & handsome entry foyer which is nicely trimmed out with custom woodwork and ceramic flooring. Straight forward is the expansive Great Room which has an impressive vaulted tray ceiling and a bumped-out exterior wall of curved half-round windows. Thus adding drama and imparting interest to the shape of the living-room; plus it opens up the view. On one wall is a gas fireplace and a framed gallery wall is across on the other. This room redefines a great room; bring your grand piano! Also convenient to the entryway is a home office accessed by French doors. It has oak flooring, a vaulted ceiling as well, plus there is a large window overlooking the front courtyard. The floor plan of this home is a split bedroom design. This home features one level living with the master suite on one side, and kitchen, dining, and one bedroom and full bath on the other. The third bedroom is in use as the office. The striking oak cabinet Kitchen has Corian Solid Surface countertops with a molded sink, a breakfast bar and a dining area with French Doors leading to a backyard deck. The first floor master bedroom suite feautres a spacious sitting area with private patio access. The master bath and dressing area will remind you of an inviting upscale spa with whirlpool tub & separate shower stall. Down the hallway is access to the laundry room, stairway to the finished basement and the 2-car attached garage.

The Location: As you gaze out the rear windows of this home you will experience the wonderful view of the outdoor living spaces. These includes 2 private decks, a large level yard, a view of the Viroqua Hills Golf Club and driving range, and easy cart ride over to the club house. If you want an open floor plan with a great flow and lots of space, this is the home for you. Asking Price: $299,000

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " New Viroqua Listing: 1103 Schroeder Ave" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Second Opinions are Valuable...Pass this Along Please

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:57:28 -0600

Here is a blog posted by my Friend Sally Hanson, take the guess work out of what to do and get a second opinion.

Don't find yourself thinking OMG, what should I do.

Via Sally & David Hanson WI Realtors Res.\Comm\Short Sale\CDPE\ABR\e-Pro (Keller Williams 414-525-0563):

A very good friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She religiously had mammograms every year and it was caught in the very earliest stage. She went to the breast surgeon "everyone" went to....and was told that a mastectomy was her only remedy. Early stage....mastectomy...hmmmm. She decided to get a second opinion. Her little voice spoke loudly...the once drastic mastectomy that was recommended by the first surgeon....was not the recommendation of two other surgeons...they both recommended a much less invasive lumpectomy...less drastic, faster recovery....greater breast conservation...more peace of mind and less discomfort for my friend. Every woman, every year should have a mammagram...early detection is vital to a cure.

Upon further research...and documented by several physicians....the midwest has an abnormally high number of mastectomies performed when compared to the rest of the country. If you know anyone with a breast cancer diagnosis...encourage them to get a second opinion. While conservation may not be possible for every woman, each woman owes it themselves to learn all they can about their condition....and the possible cures available.

Viroqua New Listing: Log Home

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:45:14 -0600

Rustic and whimsical; this cozy, unpretentious cabin home boasts wide open living spaces, just perfect for relaxing and kicking back with family and friends. Situated on 4 surveyed acres, the property has established gardens and fruit trees, pastureland, a horse corral and walking trails to explore.

The Interior: As you come into the great room the first impression is huge, as in huge room. There is a natural division between the living area and the open kitchen area. Newer cabinetry, appliances and a sunny picture window are the focal point and heart of the home. An island counter helps to break up the space between the 2 open rooms. There is also an existing 8-10 inch metal flue hookup for a woodstove, none is currently installed. Directly behind the great room are 2 spacious bedrooms. One outfitted with double bunk-beds for guests and the other is a master. The master is located closer to the bath & laundry area.

The Exterior & Location: A traditional small red dairy barn complements this little picture post card country retreat. It is just the right size and in good condition for anyone desiring a good outbuilding. Install some horse stalls, use the space as a workshop, or raise some livestock and start a small scale organic farmstead. It is sure to be a useful outbuilding. There is a metal newer roof on the log home; the barn also has a metal roof. Nearby the property are several notable trout streams, such as Tainter Creek, Hornby Hollow and The Bad Axe River. The property is located approximately 7 miles more or less from Viroqua.

The home is being offered furnished and complete with many essentials. S8488 Stump Ridge Road Viroqua, WI 54665 Asking: $135,900

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Viroqua New Listing: Log Home " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Two Saturday Open Houses in Viroqua 2/6/2010

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:16:01 -0600

FIRST OPEN HOUSE

Saturday
February 6 from 1:30 -3:00pm

208 S Circle Dr
Viroqua, WI 54665

PRICE REDUCED! $119,000

Residence: Here's the buy you have been waiting for in a Viroqua Home. If you are looking move in ready and no work required, this is it. It's informal, carefree and comfortable. At the front door you come into an over-sized living room complete with an attractive gas fireplace. Beyond the living area is a huge eat-in Kitchen with newer cabinetry, tons of counter-top space and almost new appliances that are included. Off to the side of the large kitchen is a formal dining room and it features French doors leading out to the deck and backyard. There are 2 good-sized bedrooms with a hall bath in-between.

The Location: The location is on a quiet and wooded street with minimal traffic. This little Viroqua Gem of a home sits on a corner lot, has newer vinyl siding and newer roof. A one-car garage is attached to the home by a breezeway. This is an impeccably maintained home, just perfect for those who are looking for carefree living

SECOND OPEN HOUSE

Saturday February 6 from 3:00 - 4:30pm

212 N. Circle Drive
Viroqua, WI 54665

Asking: $124,500

Solid Decision, Solid House: You'll be delighted when you come to see this well cared for Cape Cod. Your first impressions will be great starting right at the front door. All rooms on the main level have been freshly painted; there is new flooring in the kitchen and the bath. The spacious living room has light oak hardwood floors, woodwork and a large sunny picture window. Two bedrooms are found on the main floor, both with roomy generous closets; one is being used currently as a dining room. The bath has new fixtures and an attractive new vanity. The Kitchen has ample cabinetry with plenty of room for a table.

The master bedroom is located on the second level. This area of the home has been completely & uniquely remodeled. It now features 2 corner closets, a handy new half bath also on the corner of the room. There is a small sitting area located at the top of the stairway landing, which totals up to extra privacy on this level of the home.

And... if this is not enough the lower level is the real surprise! Definitely a "Ten!" There is a cozy, comfy family room with a snack nook for the mini-frig, microwave and handy shelves for the supplies and glassware. It's very cute. There are 3 other rooms, which include the office, a guest room and the laundry area. Come rate this marvelous home yourself! We think you will be pleased you did.

Make one of these homes your home ~ Just in time for Valentines Day!

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Two Saturday Open Houses 2/6/2010 " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Is it time to reduce your Price?

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:49:04 -0600

New Price, Reduced Price, or Just Reduced Price; how every you want to say it the price on this listed property just went down. That is good news for any buyers out there looking for this type of property. Every buyer wants to pay less. As a Realtor, I know that a Reduced price also helps renew interest in a listing that may have been suffering from too few showings. It is always a part of the job to continue monitoring and adjusting the price after listing, espeically if the home is not getting any offers. This particular home has had far to few showing. We now have a $10,000 reduction on this 22 acres farmette, now priced at $219,000.

From my experience, I would have to say one of the most difficult times in the listing process, for both the Sellers and the Realtor, is when it is obvious that the original price needs to come down. It can be a reality check; it sometimes is also very difficult to get concent and an agreement from the Seller.

Even so, I would say sellers do understand that pricing in a declining market is now one of the most difficult thing to do. It is smart to pre-plan for the "what if the price is not right". Timing is often everything, meaning the time between price reduction and the expiration date can be important for the business relationship. If the reduction comes to late, near the end of the listing agreement, there are few showings and not offers; a seller may be more reluctant to reduce. I am not often surprised when this happens that the Seller may starts to think maybe another agent is the better answer. It is not the the price. If the listing is lost, more often than not, the next agent usually benefits from the efforts of the first agents inability to get that price right.

My advise, talk with the Seller often about the price, discuss the facts such as your marketing and what efforts are being used to generate leads. Such as your advertisement, online presence, the photos of the property, locations of signage and if you are getting and giving feedback from other agents and the buyers. Even in a Buyers Market homes are selling, I do all I can, to make my listings stand out from the rest. Lastly, let the owner know, it is possible that when we sell this wonderful rural home, they will also be buying another home, and that one will cost less too!

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Is it time to reduce your Price? " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Open House Sunday 1/17/2010

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 08:04:58 -0600

E5412 Eagle Drive Viroqua, WI 54665 From Noon until 1:30 pm

OPEN CONCEPT RANCH LOCATED EAGLE RIDGE ESTATES NEXT TO VIROQUA HILLS GOLF COURSE. THIS HOME FEATURES HARWOOD FLOORS IN THE GREAT ROOM, MASTER SUITE WITH BATH AND WALK-IN CLOSET, LOTS OF WINDOWS FOR SUNSHINE & GREAT VIEWS. tHE UNFINISHED BASEMENT HAS HIGH CEILINGS, IT'S ROUGHED IN FOR A BATH, FULL WINDOWS AND WALK OUT MAKE IT A SPACE WITH LOTS OF POSSIBILITIES. SIDE LOAD THREE CAR GARAGE.

New Price:$229000

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Open House Sunday 1/17/2010 " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Kickapoo River Frontage on 50 acres

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:44:34 -0600

50 Wooded Acres M/L with 150 ft m/l of Kickapoo River frontage. Hunt, fish, hike, or just relax! Here's your chance to own a piece of Vernon County's beautiful wilderness, totally secluded, but only 2 miles off the main highway. This mostly wooded land has been thoughtfully preserved by it's current owners, with 48 acres in Managed Forest Law, and a 2 acre building site with driveway that has already had a perc test done!

The Setting: A high ridge runs from the northwest corner of the property to the building site, turns east-south-east at that point, spanning the property to its eastern border and also branching toward the southern boundary. A logging road surrounds the southern two-thirds of the high ridges, affording easy vehicular and hiking access to stunning panoramic views of the Kickapoo River Valley, to the property's dramatically diverse topography, and, in the spring, to acres of rare and beautiful wild flowers.

The forested ridgeline north of the building site is easy to hike and includes several mature and shapely oaks. In 2004, the eastern quarter of property was selectively logged to cull aging hardwoods and encourage healthy growth of younger oaks and maples.

The best panoramic views are available from a narrow "hogback," reminiscent of the Appalachians, and located adjacent to the eastern edge of the building site. Access from the west requires a modest climb, or one can hike along its southern side, past a natural cave, and up a more friendly slope. In places, the drop-off on the north side of the hogback is best called a cliff, which eventually, after crossing the logging road, transitions into a natural meadow that boasts deer trails that are perfect for hiking throughout the northern third of the property.

The main wild flower area, encompassing two minor ridges running north and south, is to the right, and, among others, includes spring beauties, Dutchman's britches, bloodroot, trillium, wild ginger, and hepatica. Beyond that is a sugar maple grove suitable for the tapping and production of maple syrup. Overall, the property encourages a roomy feeling of privacy and a dramatic sense of multi-faceted, natural wilderness.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " New Listing: Kickapoo River Frontage on 50 acres " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

New Listing: 61917 Badger Ridge Rd Ferryville, WI

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:32:10 -0600

Close your Eyes and imagine the most beautiful view, then add some... This comfy log home was custom designed for snug and cozy living. The view, however, was created by Mother Nature and it is sure to inspire anyone to own this home.

The Residence: This log home is a Hiawatha Log home from Michigan. Constructed with select Norway Red Pine logs in the Tongue & Grove style. Each log has been kiln-dried for unsurpassed dimensional stability and milled for a smooth, uniform look. As you enter the home, what you see first is the eye-catching stone corner fireplace. Neutral toned ceramic tile flooring and an extra wide open staircase highlight the living space. At the other end of the living room is the dining area which has French Doors leading out to the covered 8x32 foot deck. The kitchen features Hickory cabinets and the appliances are included. Completing the main floor is a full bath and main level bedroom. Up the steps is the location of the Master suite. It has a second gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, huge walk-in closet and spa bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower. The lower level is finished off with a family room, guest sleeping room, storage area and walkout access to the backyard...and what a backyard it tis!

The Land: Painstakingly groomed, this 6.463 acres actually consists of 3 separate lots. Each lot is individually surveyed and titled giving this distintive property plenty of gardening room, amazing views of the Mississippi River below and additional privacy. That is exactly what one would expect when buying a retreat styled home like this one. From the vantage point of the rear deck you can watch the eagles soar by. You can also see the white tailed deer & wild turkey browse and occasionally catch a glimps of a River paddle-wheel Boat crewing by on its way downstream.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " New Listing: 61917 Badger Ridge Rd Ferryville, WI " the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Westby, New Listing

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:14:02 -0600

410 Melby St
Westby, WI 54667-1018

Timeless charm with a wonderful blend of traditional and contemporary style can be found in this remarkable limestone faced tri-level home. It is located on a quiet tree lined street in Westby.

The open foyer flows nicely to the living room where a variety of first class touches will be noticed, including the striking & skillfully carved oak mantel on the wood burning fireplace. It is certain to draw your immediate attention. The open floor plan creates an atmosphere of gracious informality for living and entertaining, which we believe fill meet your approval. There is also plenty of space for dining, both between the formal area adjoing the living room & in the generous sized kitchen. You'll find the comfy family room, also just off the living room, it's the spot to gather around with family & friends. The upper level of this three bedroom residence offers up privacy and quiet spaces, all having original hardwood floors in each room. The oversized master will easily accomodate king sized furniture and is found just a few steps up on the third level. With more than 1900 square feet of living area, this one-of-a-kind home is filled with unique character and rustic elegance and is certain to please the discriminating buyer.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Westby, New Listing" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

Good Morning Viroqua... Who is tired of snow?

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:16:11 -0600

From Weather bug the report is: Today Snow. Areas of blowing snow in the afternoon. Brisk. Snow accumulation of 2 to 3 inches. Storm total snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches. Nearly steady temperatures near 15. North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 10 below to 15 below zero in the afternoon. The photo was taken looking out my Kitchen Window.

As of 8:30 we have another 2.8 inches on the ground and it is still coming for today and the rest of tomorrow.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Good Morning Viroqua... Who is tired of snow?" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.

How To Get Rid Of Ice Dams

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:38:22 -0600

Now here is some timely home inspection information that can help many home owners. I have had some of the same issues with my office building and last year we had the attic spaces re-insulated but still have just a little problem remaining with an ice dam over the office door. I also purchased a roof rake, it remains in the basement not used, and needs assembly. Might be a good to-do project for this weekend!

Via Minneapolis Home Inspections - Reuben Saltzman (Structure Tech Home Inspections):

Last year at about this time I wrote a blog about ice dams, covering what needs to be done to prevent ice dams from happening, both on the inside and outside of the house. This year I'll discuss a bunch of different ways to get rid of ice dams. The methods involve axes, ice picks, pantyhose, salt, and heat cables.

Axe

The most obvious way to get rid of ice dams would be to just take a blunt instrument and hack away at the ice dams. I tried an axe.

Pros: Fast results - I hacked through several feet of six-inch thick ice dams in a matter of minutes.

Cons: Unsafe and cumbersome. I had a set up a ladder on the icy ground and swing an axe while standing on a ladder. The ice also really flew in my face - I should have been wearing goggles! I was only able to remove the ice down to the gutter, and only able to get close to the surface of the roof without risking damage to the shingles.

Verdict: This is a high risk, but fast and effective way of getting rid of a lot of ice, but leaves the job incomplete.

Ice Pick

Sounds like a natural choice, doesn't it? I actually used my awl, but close enough.

Pros: Very fast results, very little effort. It's as though this tool was made for picking at ice. Oh, wait... Still, I was genuinely surprised at how fast and accurate this method was.

Cons: Unsafe. Again, I was jabbing at ice dams while standing on a ladder, which was sitting on the icy ground. I also had to be very careful to not damage the roof.

Verdict: This is definitely my method of choice. Nothing else worked nearly as well.

Roof Tablets

Yes, this is a product designed specifically for preventing damage from ice dams. Contrary to the name on the container, the product doesn't actually melt your roof (whew). The instructions say to toss the tablets on to your roof and they'll melt through the ice dams, allowing for "water to drain safely".

I tried tossing the tablets on the roof like the instructions said to do, but it didn't work out very well. I consider my tablet tossing skills to be above average, but I still couldn't get the tablets to end up in a good location - they all just slid together in one place. If I didn't get a ladder out to take pictures, I never would have known that the tablets didn't end up in a good spot.

Just to give the roof melt tablets the best possible chance for success, I hand-placed them on the ice dam and I used about four times as much as the directions called for.

By day two, I had some pretty dramatic results - the tablets had melted all the way through the ice dam. btw - for anyone in a southern climate that might be reading this blog, that white stuff on the ice is snow, from a very light snowfall the night before.

By the third day, not much change. There were definite holes in the ice dam, and some channels had formed for water to drain through, but the majority of the ice was still there.

Pros: If you had perfect aim and tablets didn't move after you tossed them on to the roof, this would be very safe.

Cons: The tablets don't stay where they land, which negates the whole safety thing - I still had to set up a ladder on the icy ground and move the tablets around myself. This method was also pretty ineffective - it created a bunch of holes in the ice dam, but so what? Most of the ice dam was still there in the end.

Verdict: This might be a nice way to get down to the roof surface, and it would be nice to follow up with an ice pick after a day or two, but the tablets alone aren't great. Sure, it's safe... but so is sitting inside a warm house. Neither gets the job done.

Salt Filled Pantyhose

This is a simple, straight-forward approach. Take off your pantyhose, fill 'em up with ice melt (calcium chloride or something similar), and toss 'em on your roof. The idea is that the salt will leak through the pantyhose and eventually melt the ice dams away to nothing. This is supposed to work better than just putting salt directly on the roof, because salt applied directly to the roof will just melt a bunch of tiny holes, much the same way the tablets melted large holes.

By day two, there were several tiny holes in the ice dam. Whoop-de-doo. Salt alone would have done this.

By day three, the pantyhose had started to melt in to the ice dam, and had completely melted down to the roof. The part that hadn't melted down to the roof basically had a hard, crusty layer of salt(?) formed on the bottom of the pantyhose, and nothing else was happening. I picked up the pantyhose, broke up all the chunks of stuck together salt, and placed it back down.

On day four, I tried moving the pantyhose again to loosen up the stuck together chunks of salt, and the pantyhose ripped apart, leaving a big mess of salt on the roof. Yuck.

Pros: This is pretty safe.

Cons: Took way too long and didn't do much. Waste of time. I wonder if I can return the pantyhose to Walgreens?

Verdict: Better than nothing.

Heat Cables

For the record, heat cables aren't supposed to be placed directly on ice dams, but some people might try it anyway. My friend did this at a house he owns in Saint Louis Park... so I took pictures. These photos all show the heat cables after about one day.

Note the creative way of keeping the cables from touching each other. Pretty cool, huh?

Pros: Gets the job done, and will prevent the formation of ice dams throughout the rest of the year.

Cons: Heat cables aren't made for this, and I'm sure the manufacturer would tell you that this poses some type of safety hazard. Stringing up the cable was also very unsafe. It's a good thing my friend owns a jet pack.

Verdict: Don't do this.

Summary

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. My favorite method was definitely the ice pick, but this was also very unsafe, and there's a good chance that the roof surface could get damaged this way. I'd rather not have to deal with ice dams at all.

After a good snowfall, rake the snow off your roof. This definitely takes the least amount of effort and it's safe. I've been asked whether a roof rake will damage the roof, and the answer is definitely no. A good roof rake will have little wheels at the bottom of the rake , which prevents the bottom of the rake from even touching the surface of the roof. Rake away.

RELATED POST: How To Prevent Ice Dams

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections - Email - Minneapolis Home Inspections

Market Watch December 2009 (Year end)

Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Hill Country) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:51:05 -0600

For the last month of 2009 the asking price on new Vernon County Listings were higher than past months. Prices went from a lowest listing in December of $129,900 to a highest asking price on a $750,000 farm listing with almost 200 acres of land. In all price ranges there are only 111 MLS listings across Vernon County to choose from. What do you get for the money?

At the lower end of new listing, this Viroqua Residiental homes Remarks are: BEAUTIFUL CONTEMPORARY HOME WITH UPDATES! YOU'LL LOVE THE SOARING TWO STORY GREAT ROOM WITH WOOD CEILING, OPEN CONCEPT DESIGN, NEWLY ORGANIC TILED BATHS AND KITCHEN, ROOMY PANTRY, AMPLE STORAGE, LARGE BEDROOMS, MAIN FLOOR LAUNDRY ROOM, NEW WINDOWS, NEW FIXTURES, NEW DOORS, NEWER ROOF, FRESH PAINT INSIDE AND OUT AND MORE. ENJOY THE LARGE YARD ON A SECLUDED CUL-DE-SAC. MOVE IN READY!

Over on the higher end of Vernon County property for sale,is a country farm that has lots of acreage and is nearby the Mississippi River. The Agent's remarks are: 196 ACRES SITUATED ON TOP OF THE WORLD WATCH THE EAGLES, DEER & TURKEY FROM YOUR RIDGE TOP FARM APPROX 62 ACRES ARE TILLABLE WITH BALANCE IN PASTURE & WOODS 52 STANCHION BARN, SEVERAL POLE SHEDS. 4 BR FARM HOUSE IN NEED OF SOME REPAIR. TILLABLE LAND HAS BEEN LEASED AND A SURVEY HAS BEEN DONE. SOME HARDWOOD FLOORS.

Sold MLS Listing for the Month of September totaled only 9 sales. The price range was from a $46,000 for a 3 bedroom, 1 Bath residiental home in Viroqua, which took only 2 days to sell. The high sale was in Rural Chaseburg and was a newer built ranch home selling for $223,000 in 177 days.

There are currently only 111 active MLS Single Family listing available all across Vernon County. If you are looking for a home in Viroqua or in Vernon County and want to take look at any listings just give Mary a Call. I can show you all the available listings.

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin

call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999

About the author:

Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Market Watch December 2009 (Year end)" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.