Gorgeous 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Custom Home in Woodfield Park

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The exquisite features of the beautiful home extend from the dramatic angles in its exterior to the 9-foot ceilings and premium finishes inside. Luxurious and opulent, this house is brimming with high-end style and elegance.  A two story foyer with an open staircase, double-story den with built-ins, recreation and work out rooms and a dream kitchen are just some of the characteristics of this amazing home!  This must-see property with every last detail thought of includes custom closets and a beautiful deck plus its very own putting green.  Watch the video tour of this custom Tudor-style home today.

How to Influence a Lower Homeowner’s Insurance Premium

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Unless you live in a very volatile area, chances are your homeowner’s insurance premiums are fairly standard. But one thing that many people do not realize is that they can actually have an impact on the amount they are charged for insurance.

There are several factors involved in a homeowner’s insurance premium calculation and if you play your cards right you may be able to end up with sizable savings. Homes that are located in areas that exhibit frequent and volatile storms or acts of nature on a regular basis – such as earthquake zones, hurricane prone areas and tornado belts will obviously see larger premiums. And seasonal weather changes like hail or windstorms will also have an impact on the rate you will pay for insurance on your property. But for the most part, there are ways to save on insurance.  Here are four factors that you can control that will help you to save money.

Cut Down Those Claims

The single biggest impact you can have on your insurance premium rates is the number of claims you file. This is largely applicable to those claims you have control over. Acts of nature will impact your rates less than deliberate or reckless occurrences such as a fire that occurs during a cookout. Be mindful of the number of claims you file and it will keep your insurance premiums down.

Spruce Up Your Credit

Like with everything else, insurance companies also want to know that you are responsible in handling your finances – in fact they rate homeowners (and others) with an insurance score that is similar to a credit score. An insurance score takes into consideration your credit, claims history, property location and value. It is essential to get and keep good credit. Paying bills on time, avoiding late payments and demonstrating solid financial responsibility translates to lower premiums because insurance companies know they can count on you.

Choose Location Wisely

One factor that many people do not realize is how close the property is to the local fire department. The further away from a fire department the home is located the higher your insurance premium will be. In fact, your insurance premium can go as high as 50% to 60% higher than if you lived closer. The reason is the added risk of total loss since it would take them that much longer to get to your location.

Go For Higher Deductibles

At one point, deductibles for homeowner’s insurance were lower than they typically are today. Where they were once only $250 or $500 per claim, deductibles for most policies are now $1,000 with some people opting for even higher amounts – as much as $5,000. There are two reasons for the higher deductibles; not only do they serve as a deterrent from smaller claims but also homeowners receive a break on their premium.
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If you would like more information about how you can positively impact the cost of your homeowner’s insurance – or for any other property and real estate related inquiries, please contact us today!

Greater Milwaukee Area Real Estate Market Update – First Quarter 2012

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The recent headline that blared across the newspaper reading “Home sales up 25%” brings home some GREAT news for all of us!  While the headline refers to the entire state, we thought we would take a look at our local numbers to share even more good news:

Single Family Homes Up in the Local Metro Milwaukee Market

We are reporting a 22% increase in home sales in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the same time last year. This is a great sign as it shows increased consumer confidence and a shift in trends toward a seller-centric market. Last year 1,880 single family homes were sold versus this year’s 2,405. Homing in on the Roth Team, our sales this year shot up a very respectable 27% from last year with 78 homes sold in the first quarter of 2012 versus 57 homes sold at the same time in 2011.

Prices Bottoming Out

As we have been reporting for some time now, it is a phenomenal time to buy a home. Not only because prices are lower than they have been in a long time but also because we are still seeing record-setting low interest rates across the board!  Qualified buyers are getting rates as low as 3.7% in some markets, making the cost of their mortgage very affordable – regardless of the price of their home. Prices are currently 3.1% percent lower from last year and considering that they are comparable to 2004 levels, the price dip is a steep 15 to 25% from back then.

Fewer Homes Available Causes Shift in Market

Not all is lost for sellers in the current marketplace. In fact, since there are fewer homes on the market this year versus last the shrinking inventory is causing a shift toward a seller-centric market. At the end of the first quarter of this year we reported 9,090 single-family homes on the market as compared to 10,709 in 2011. This represents a 16% reduction in inventory making it an optimal time for sellers to obtain top dollar for their homes. To add to the lesser competition, sellers are also seeing multiple offers and are able to achieve at or near list price on their homes.
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If you would like to review your options – whether buying or selling – we invite you to meet with us so we can answer any questions, help you determine what buyers might pay for your home or help find your next dream home!