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Enjoy the fall colors while you shop for your NW Wisconsin lake home or cabin

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Right now is a great time to find your new home, cabin, or recreational property in Northwestern Wisconsin.  Summer is over and autumn leaves are turning their brilliant yellow and red hues.  A smart strategy is to get serious about your search right now.

Beautiful fall colors in NW Wisconsin

Beautiful fall colors in NW Wisconsin

Fall leaves

Fall leaves

Here’s why:  If you’re planning to wait until spring before beginning or resuming your search, remember that a lot of other buyers are doing the same.  Sellers are very aware of this, and some have resigned themselves to not seeing much more activity until April. But once April arrives, they’ll be confident that more buyers will turn up in the months to follow. Home prices might even start a little higher and they’ll be less willing to negotiate on price.

Instead, if you find the place you’re looking for now and put in an offer, you’ll be in an excellent negotiating position.  Many sellers are eager to sell now so they can move on; your negotiating power is even better.  Some sellers will be glad to no longer be carrying those costs through the winter.

While interest rates are still very low, there is no guarantee they will remain at these levels. That’s one more reason to buy now.

This time of year, even Mother Nature is making it easier to find your new home, cabin, or recreational property.  The leaves are falling, and suddenly it’s literally much easier to see what’s out there.  Not only is this a wonderful time of year to enjoy the colors, lake homes and the lakes tend to be more visible.

But if you’re curious about properties you’ve seen online, I’d be glad to help you get a closer look.  To see my listings, go to www.JeanHedren.com.  You can search by county, community and even by the specific lake name. (I’ll also be glad to show you any properties in Northwestern Wisconsin.)  You can also check out my YouTube listing videos – Edina Realty Northwest Wisconsin Homes

There’s no better time than right now to find your new home, cabin, or recreational property in Northwestern Wisconsin.  The leaves are turning, our inventory of available properties is still good, and now is an excellent time to come take a look around.

Take your NW Wisconsin property search while enjoying the fall colors. Download my free NW Wisconsin property search app at www.JeanHedren.com. 

Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, NW Wisconsin. Douglas, Bayfield, Washburn, Sawyer County real estate. Gordon, Wascott, Minong, Solon Springs, Barnes, Hayward, Spooner real estate, and other NW Wisconsin communities.

Why buy hunting land in NW Wisconsin?

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It’s true.  There’s a lot of public land up here in Northwestern Wisconsin.  We have state forests, county forests, and lots of paper company land that’s open to hunting.  But the problem, of course, with hunting on public land is that it’s PUBLIC land.  You could end up having a lot of company out there.

We get inquiries about hunting land all year round.  It seems like a lot of them, however, come during the late summer and early fall.  We then get another wave of calls immediately after deer season.  Typically, they’re from someone who’s had a frustrating experience hunting on public land.  Or, sometimes people already own land as part of a partnership or group arrangement.  For one reason or another, they’ve decided it’s time to move on.

Some hunters might choose to spend their money on guided hunts out west, or somewhere in Canada or Alaska.  They hunt somewhere different every year.  I’ve heard it can be a great experience; if that’s for you, then great.  But when you get back, all that’s left is the experience.

Some people see hunting land as a good long-term investment.  If you do, keep in mind that it’s a long-term investment.

But the best reason of all to own hunting land up north is to enjoy a different kind of experience.  Owning and belonging are part of that—being able to improve the land and do whatever you want with it.  I’ve talked with some hunters who seem to enjoy planting and maintaining their food plots as much as they enjoy the actual hunting.  And if you own enough land, it may improve your odds.  Maybe you’ll see more deer, or larger deer with larger antlers.

Most of all, however, owning your own hunting land is all about having a quiet, undisturbed hunting experience.  It’s guaranteed, and you can count on it.

That sort of experience is, as they say in the Visa ads….  Priceless.

Visit www.JeanHedren.com for hunting land parcels now available in NW Wisconsin.

Homes and cabins on the Eau Claire Chain of Lakes, Gordon and Barnes Wisconsin

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The Eau Claire chain includes Lower, Middle, and Upper Eau Claire, plus a few smaller lakes of 80-200 acres that are accessible by smaller boats at most water levels.  These include Bony, Pickerel, Robinson, Birch, Schunenberg, Smith, and Sweet.  From Lower Eau Claire, the Eau Claire River flows westward, passing just south of Eau Claire Acres.  Farther downstream, it joins the Saint Croix at Gordon.

The lakes in the Eau Claire chain tend to be deeper and clearer than most lakes in the area.  (Eau Claire, as you may have guessed, is French for “Clear Water.”)  In them, you’ll find muskies, walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappies, bluegills, and perch.  Here are some vital statistics for the three largest lakes:

·      Lower Eau Claire: 802 acres, 7.78 miles of shoreline, maximum depth 41’, 56% greater than 20’ deep, and 4% less than 3’ deep.

·      Middle Eau Claire: 902 acres, 11 miles of shoreline, maximum depth 66’, 40% greater than 20’ deep, and 12% less than 3’ deep.

·      Upper Eau Claire: 992 acres, 9.93 miles of shoreline, maximum depth 92’, 50% greater than 20’ deep, and 4% less than 3’ deep.

More About the Area

Located in the heart of a recreational paradise.  In addition to the Eau Claire river and chain of lakes, you’ll be close to dozens of other lakes and streams that are great for fishing, boating, paddling, and waterfowling.  You’re just minutes from the Brule, the Namekagon, and the Saint Croix Wild and Scenic Riverway.

Nearby, you’ll find trails for ATVing, snowmobiling, biking, hiking, and skiing.  The area is great for both road and mountain biking, and is home to events like the American Birkebeiner and Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival.  You’ll be surrounded by vast areas of public and paper company land that’s open to hunting, hiking, birding, and other recreation.

You can shop for essentials in nearby Barnes, Gordon, or Solon Springs; it’s not much farther to Cable, Hayward, Drummond, or Ashland.  It’s about an hour to Superior or Duluth, and about 2 ½ hours to the Twin Cities.

Looking for a lake home or cabin on one of the Eau Claire Lakes?  Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, Eau Claire Lakes homes.

Click on the button in the right hand column to subscribe to my NW Wisconsin Homes blog for information about the beautiful lakes and recreation area of NW Wisconsin.

Beachfront luxury on one of NW Wisconsin’s deepest, clearest lakes. 8526 E Baker Rd, Gordon, WI

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Stunning luxury Whitefish Lake home for sale: 8526 E Baker Rd, Gordon, WI.

New price: $989,000

Beachfront luxury on one of NW Wisconsin’s deepest, clearest lakes – Whitefish Lake

Luxury 6 BR, 3.5 BA home on Whitefish Lake, Wascott WI

Luxury 6 BR, 3.5 BA home on Whitefish Lake, Wascott WI

365' level sandy beach waterfront

365′ level sandy beach waterfront

The Details

  • Custom designed home with approx. 4000 sq. ft. of living space
  • 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
  • 21.64 private acres
  • 365’ level, sandy beach frontage. Level lot from house to beach.
  • Attached 3-car heated garage with extra storage
  • Large deck with hot tub
  • Lighted walkway to lake and beach
  • Natural landscaping
  • Large wood burning fireplace
  • Natural woodwork throughout
  • Central air
  • High-efficiency LP gas furnace, in-floor heating
  • Laundry on both levels
  • Security system
  • 28 x 26’ great room with floor to ceiling, lake facing windows
  • Skylight windows and ceiling fans
  • Sliding glass doors walk-out to deck
  • 16 x 14’ dining area offers plenty of room for entertaining in style
  • 17 x 13’ gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances
  • Granite countertops, cherry cabinetry, and large island
  • Breakfast bar
  • Two unique 23 x 15 6-sided suites with panoramic views of the lake plus 4 additional bedrooms
  • Walk-in closets.
  • Sunny 3-season, screened porch

About Whitefish (Bardon) Lake

Compared to most other lakes in northwestern Wisconsin, 832-acre Whitefish (Bardon) Lake is different in two ways. First, although a number of fine homes have been built on the lake, special shoreland zoning ordinances have done much to preserve the lake’s natural and scenic beauty. From your home at the head of Whitefish Lake, you’ll be able to look southward across a huge expanse of water whose shore appears largely uninhabited. The lake is wild enough, in fact, so that eagles and loons are spotted frequently. Second, the lake is deep, cold, and clear. According to the DNR, it has a maximum depth of 102′ and a mean depth of 30′. Over 60% of the lake is deeper than 20′, and less than 4% is less than 3′ deep. Secchi disk readings average 22 to 23′. The littoral bottom is over 95% sand; most of the remainder is rock rubble. The lake boasts an unusual two-story fishery, with warm-water species in shallow areas and trout in the depths. In recent years, the lake has yielded a number of trophy-class pike, walleye, largemouth, smallmouth, and trout (both brown and rainbow). The lake also contains bluegills, rock bass, perch, white suckers, and creek chubs. Conveniently located. Spooner, Hayward, and Superior are all within 40 minutes. It’s an easy 45-minute commute to Duluth, and it’s just 2.5 hours to Eau Claire or the Twin Cities. You’ll find small public airfields at Solon Springs, Hayward, Spooner, Shell Lake, and Superior.

Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, your luxury property expert in NW Wisconsin. www.JeanHedren.com 

4 reasons why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed

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Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #4

There are many reasons why selling FSBO is a difficult task to pull off. In reason #1, I discuss the wrong listing price. Reason #2 is lack of online exposure. Reason #3 buyers want your commission savings.

#4 – Buyer qualifications and showing the home

One important detail that for sale by owners may forget is that buyers can view a home at just about any time of day or day of the week. A buyer will likely lose patience if the seller cannot accommodate their schedule. The seller will need to find the time to let a buyer have access to the home which can be a challenge if the seller is working full time. It’s difficult to sell if the buyer can’t get in and see it. A Realtor’s job can make that part of the selling process easy.

Sellers also need to be aware of how to qualify potential buyers. If the buyer cannot get financing, there is no point in showing the home. A Realtor’s job is to make sure a buyer has the ability to purchase. Most buyers looking at homes today are pre-approved.

Sellers may not be aware of the closing costs associated with the selling side and procedures to bring a sale to the closing table. A Realtor will have the experience to handle the closing procedures, and to smooth out any bumps during the final closing procedures.

If you are thinking of selling your home, I will be happy to provide a free, no obligation comparative market analysis for your local area.

Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #3

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Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #3

There are many reasons why selling FSBO is a difficult task to pull off. In reason #1, I discuss the wrong listing price. Reason #2 is lack of online exposure.

#3 – Buyers want your commission savings

One very important consideration that most people who try to sell on their own don’t realize is that buyers understand you are not paying a Realtor to sell the home. These buyers tend to be bargain hunters and since the seller is not paying a commission will feel justified in offering less for the home.

Lots of for sale by owners end up receiving low ball offers. Even if the home is priced right, the seller can end up with a lower number on the bottom line.

If you are thinking of selling your home, I will be happy to provide a free, no obligation comparative market analysis for your local area.

Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, NW Wisconsin.
www.JeanHedren.com

Take a break from the polar vortex at the Minneapolis Lake Home and Cabin Show this weekend.

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Take a break from the polar vortex at the Minneapolis Lake Home and Cabin Show, February 7-9, 2014.

Minneapolis Convention Center

Stop by the NW Wisconsin booth to learn more about the spectacular lakes and recreation country in NW Wisconsin. Say hello to Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, representing the lakes areas of Douglas County, Bayfield County, Washburn County, and Sawyer County, will be at the booth February 7 and 8.

NW Wisconsin lakes and recreation country

NW Wisconsin lakes and recreation country

Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #2

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Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #2

There are many reasons why selling FSBO is a difficult talk to pull off. In reason #1, I discuss the wrong listing price.

#2 – Lack of online exposure

Many for sale by owners only put up a handmade “for sale by owner” sign in the front lawn and expect that to do the job.

Others think that including their listing in one of the for sale by owner online sites like Isoldmyhome.com, forsalebyowner.com, or buyowner.com is going to bring lots of buyers.

Unfortunately that’s not the case. The for sale by owner real estate websites do not generate much buyer traffic in comparison to the sites that web savvy Realtors use to market listings.

Google a local search with real estate keywords a buyer would typically use as an online search, and you’ll see the results. Using my local town as an example, a buyer would use keywords like Gordon Wisconsin homes for sale or Gordon WI real estate. The top search results are sites that show listings by Realtors and Real Estate agents individual websites. You can check out your own town or city.

A web savvy Realtor will also use social media to market a home. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+,, blogs, and other media help drive traffic to a listing. For sale by owners generally do not have the expertise to market with social media.

If you are thinking of selling your home, I would be happy to provide a free, no obligation comparative market analysis for your local area. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, NW Wisconsin www.JeanHedren.com

Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #1

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Why selling your home on your own generally doesn’t succeed – reason #1

I am a Realtor. I sell real estate. I can certainly understand a home seller’s reasons for wanting to save a commission expense. We all like to save money especially in these challenging economic times.

While commission rates are negotiable, in NW Wisconsin you are likely to pay 6-7% commission on the sale of your property. On a $200,000 home a 6% commission is $12,000. That’s a chunk of change.

Selling a for sale by owner (FSBO) is not a simple task and that is why most home owners hire a Realtor to get the job done. Nationally the success rate of a FSBO is very low. More than 80% of all FSBOs end up hiring a Realtor after unsuccessfully trying to sell on their own.

There are many reasons why selling For Sale by Owner (FSBO) is a difficult task to pull off.

#1 – The wrong listing price

Whether selling FSBO or with a Realtor, pricing is the first and most critical factor. If your home is not priced correctly you are not likely to sell in a challenging real estate market. More than 75% of marketing a home is about the price. Overpricing a home makes it almost impossible to sell.

Choosing the right price involves thorough research of similar properties that have recently sold in the local area and using the data to correctly set the selling price. The data may not be easy to find in more rural geographic areas.

Sometimes owners may have made recent improvements to their home, and therefore feel justified in setting a higher price. Unfortunately, most home improvement projects do not have a high return. Even improvements like replacing a roof or a septic system will not have much of a payback on the investment.

If you are thinking of selling your home, I would be happy to provide a free, no obligation comparative market analysis for your local area. Jean Hedren, Edina Realty, NW Wisconsin.

Just sold: 80 acres private hunting land – bunk house, trails, stands, creek. Lost Lake Rd, Wascott, WI

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Just sold: 80 acres private hunting land – bunk house, trails, stands, creek. Lost Lake Rd, Wascott, WI 

Sold price: $105,000

Outstanding private hunting land with creek, trails, ridgelines, clearings, and deer stands. Several potential building sites with easy access and great views. Includes 3-season bunkhouse wired for generator. Mix of terrain and trees, including white pine, red pine, jack, aspen, oak, and tamarack. Ready to hunt with multiple stands and clearings. A network of driveable trails. Cranberry Creek runs through. A hidden gem with approx 60-65 acres between Lost Lake and Crystal Lake Rd. Must see.

Looking for your own private hunting land? Start your search at www.JeanHedren.com