Talkin Waukesha Real Estate Weblog

For the past several years, on Christmas Eve, you can watch 24 hours of “The Christmas Story”. You know the show – the kid wants a Red Rider BB Gun so bad he can’t think of anything else and the response is “No- you’ll shoot your eye out!” One of the highlights of that show are their neighbors…. The Bumpus Family.

Several years ago, I’m pretty sure, they moved in next door to me. I would guess you’ve met them. They’re the family with 3 or 4 large dogs (apparently one for each child?), he has a drinking disorder and she has a food obsession, he swears, she screams, only one of them is employed (maybe) at any given time and their kids are never supervised or attended to. The outside of the home usually has toys spilling onto the sidewalk, their lawn gets cut only when it gets long enough for their children to get lost in the weeds, there are typically stray Frisbees or half inflated balls in the bushes, 2 or 3 dead cars in the driveway and a partially disassembled Little Tykes Playhouse or rusty swingset (with no swings and a broken slide) somewhere on the lot. You’ve probably never been inside the home, but based on the ripped shades, the mini blinds dangling from only one end and the single light bulb in lieu of a light fixture – one can only imagine.

What can be done about the Bumpuses? Actually, there are ordinances that are intended to protect you. The Zoning Code Book says “the regulations and restrictions set forth herein are enacted for the purpose of promoting public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare; to conserve and protect property, property values, to secure the most appropriate use of land…” For example…. did you know:

- Each dwelling is only allowed 2 dogs and/or 2 cats and there are regulations about how to dispose of their waste?

- Those inoperable or junk cars can only sit on your property for 72 hours

- Any piles of other junk can only accumulate for 72 hours

- Cars have to be parked on improved surfaces (not on the grass or mud!)

- Buildings are to be kept in good repair…including paint!

- There are all sorts of codes that address, smell, noise, permits, fences, etc.

You can check out the codes for yourself: http://www.ci.waukesha.wi.us/Code_Book/index.html

These codes are not a sacred doctrine that require theological interpretation and they don’t require a degree in engineering. They are public record… for the public.

What if these zoning codes are being violated? Help is just a phone call (262-524-3530) or an email message away! (http://www.ci.waukesha.wi.us/Forms/serviceissue/serviceIssueSetup.do ) The City doesn’t necessarily patrol the streets looking for violations, but they are pretty good about responding to complaints. The Weed Commissioner probably won’t come and cut the grass (but I think they DO shovel). They likely will not euthanize someone’s pet, but they will remind the violating citizen that we ALL have to follow the same rules and regulations….. even famous people like the Bumpuses.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had the ability to go to your employer and dictate your income based on the bills you owe?  If you have committed to pay out $4,000 per month, then you simply tell your employer I need to make $25.00 per hour to meet my monthly obligations.  Wouldn’t it be nice if the only way your employer could rebut the pay scale would be to file a formal appeal and go before a committee…. a government selected committee?

Guess what?  That’s what our City (Town) fathers have done with our  property taxes.  They determine how much they need and they assess our properties to fill in their budget.  If you don’t like it, you CAN appeal, but they still don’t have to make any adjustments; it’s up to them.

Know what else?  Their numbers are not very accurate.  In the last 60 days, for example, 50 homes sold in the City of Waukesha.  Only FOUR sold for at or above what the City is citing they were worth.  The average sale price is only 83% of the City’s Fair Market Value. (The Town is even further off at an average 76% of Fair Market Value).

What does that mean to you?  If the City says your home is worth $200,000 (that’s what they base your taxes on), you pay $3939 in taxes.  In reality, the value of your home is only $166,000 (what it would sell for), then your taxes would be $3,269.   Hmmmm…. that’s $670 for each over-assessed household (which looks like 92% of all the homes in the City).

When this majority of properties are valued this far off, who is holding the City accountable?

You dream about it for months, maybe years. You know the timing has to be perfect. Not just any one will do. It has to be the right One at the right Time. This is one area you are not willing to compromise. Then in one magical moment it happens. You take a small step and suddenly you’re careening down a path of joy, fear, excitement, anticipation, uncertainty, pride. You will never be the same. You have arrived. You bought a house! (C’mon, this IS a real estate blog).

Who can forget the call from the Realtor, “they’ve accepted your offer!” and the hoots of joy that follow? Those words change your life. You’ve just given up a small piece of freedom in exchange for a bigger piece of the American Dream. You now own some of the dirt that makes up this Country. You are a homeowner. You have cast off your carefree days and have made a commitment far greater than anything previous. You are establishing roots – the one ingredient needed for anything to grow strong and solid.

In this troubled real estate economy, there is one tender little rose that’s waiting to be discovered. This is probably the best climate for first time home buyers that we’ve seen in twenty years! If someone has steady income and reasonable credit, here are a few of the perks that the media doesn’t talk about:

- The federal government issued a stimulus package last summer that gives every first time home buyer a $7,500 tax rebate. (Offer good thru June 30, 2009)

- Interest rates are at historic lows and who knows…may drop more!

- Inventory is at an all time high.

- More homes for sale under $150,000 than we’ve seen in a decade.

- Seller’s motivation is high.

- Real Estate ALWAYS appreciates in the long run

- You can BUY for the same or LESS than what you pay for rent

- If you click on the Real Estate Link (left)– you will have the(almost)  undivided attention of an expert Realtor to walk you through the process!

If you already own a home, then you have an obligation to tell someone who doesn’t own one, what they’re missing. This is too good to keep under wraps. Go ahead …do it again – live vicariously!

Dictionary.com defines Bail Out as: A) to relieve or assist in an emergency situation, especially a financial crisis…. Or …. B) to give up on or abandon something, as to evade a responsibility.

So what is the real estate industry really facing now? Is the “bail out” help from the federal government trickling down to help troubled homeowners? Or, are homeowners opting for (B)? Seems like two sides of the same coin, but what is the real story?

I looked at the local newspaper today and scanned the last four pages. Sad: 84 properties in Waukesha County going on the auction block this month. That number is staggering, but here’s one that will really make you “gulp”…. That represents almost $27,000,000 in real estate. And folks – that’s only ONE month in ONE county in Wisconsin! I did this exercise about eight months ago thinking we were peaking in the foreclosed homes. Then it was only $17 Million.

~ So for those numbers people here is some hypothetical math: $27 Million x 12 months x 72 Counties in Wisconsin x 50 States… that’s One Trillion, One Hundred Sixty Six Billion, Four Hundred Million Dollars ($1,166,400,000,000.) of potentially bank owned real estate in one year on a national level ~

Will the federal bail out really made any kind of difference? Especially if the total allocation is being carved up and dolled out to other needy industries.

It seems that if the Option (A) bail out makes little to no impact on our troubled housing market, that leaves no choice but Option (B).

There is a third definition listed: (C) make a parachute and jump!

When I was younger and trying to determine what I wanted to be when I grew up (something I still ask myself from time to time), I remember my dad telling me there are three basic needs that people will always have:  food, clothing and shelter.

I wonder if years down the road, we’ll look back at this time in history as “The Great Fate of 2008″.  It’s anyone’s guess right now if we’ll look back and be thankful we dodged a bullet, or still feel the sting of being hit by one!  Either way, we’ll survive.  There is a slowly fading generation that’s close enough to guide us through whatever happens next.

Maybe we’ll start to eat differently.  We’ll teach our children how to cook from scratch and make healthier choices.  Maybe patched blue jeans (for real) will become a fashion statement.  Perhaps we’ll be able to accommodate a modest wardrobe that can actually be contained in one dresser and a closet, instead of a walk-in dressing room!  Maybe consumers will insist on quality rather than planned obsolescence.

What about housing?? Everyone reading this has a place you call home.  How are YOU affected by the Great Fate of 2008?  After serving the real estate industry for 25 years, I’ve come to realize people want to talk about real estate because everyone who lays their head on a pillow at night is affected by it.

So – let’s start Talkin Waukesha Real Estate.  Let’s chat about how your investments in real estate are faring.  Let’s look at those in higher and lower end housing.  Let’s see what the government is doing (or not doing) to uphold and protect one of our basic needs.  Let’s see who the movers and shakers are out there – those who want to make a difference.

Check in weekly.  Hear from expert “guest” contributors.  Let me know what’s on your mind.  Let’s hear you Talkin Waukesha Real Estate.