SHORT AND TO THE POINT - - -At no time in the last 30 years I have been selling Door County real estate have I seen so many wonderful opportunities!  There are homes in Northern Door County and in Sturgeon Bay that are priced far, far below what it would cost to build a new home and far below what they would have cost four or five years ago.  Browse our web site, or call me for specific property information. I guaranty you will be pleasantly surprised.

What, if anything, have we learned from this economic recession?  Not everyone will answer that question the same.  Most of our elected government officials have apparently learned nothing, but thanks to taxpayers paying their salaries and health insurance cost, their lives are pretty much recession-proof.  They may have lost money on investments, but since we also provide them with nice pensions even their retirements are pretty safe.  Those are just the thoughts of a weary and disillusioned citizen.

But for most “average” Americans, the picture is not so rosy.  So what have we learned?  Perhaps saving is indeed a virtue?  Perhaps we should be more appreciative of what we have and especially of our families and friendships?  Perhaps we should reassess what constitutes “happiness” and adjust our values accordingly. 

Just this short blog for today.

I wonder how many zillions of blogs are starting out that way today? But, you know what — 2009 has been a really tough year for probably most Americans (not to mention people all over the world), so we really deserve a happier new year.  Everyone knows the real estate business took a big hit this year, but whenever I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself I think of people who lost their jobs entirely, people whose homes are under foreclosure, people who cannot afford health care, military people whose lives have been totally upended, people wondering how to pay their basic bills — the list goes on and on. 

Perhaps I sound a bit “Pollyanna-ish” (and why exactly is that a bad thing anyway?), but it truly does help to take time to recognize the good things in our lives, the things we can be greatful for.  If nothing else, it puts one in a better frame of mind and better able to tackle the challenges ahead with a positive outlook.

So here are a few pretty Door County images I hope will brighten your day.  Happy New Year!

 

 

This year, I’m making my Christmas gifts myself.  Baking cookies, knitting and crocheting scarves and hats, and making jewelry from glass beads I made myself are a few of my current projects.  This summer I took a lampworking (making glass beads) at the Clearing in Ellison Bay, so I’m making “wearable art”!  I love receiving gifts made just for me, and I hope my friends and family will feel the same! Yes, the economy does need the boost of holiday shopping, but don’t feel you’re not contributing to the national cause by making your gifts.  If that is a worry to you, clear your conscience because you are purchasing the materials for your hand-made gifts!

If you just can’t make gifts yourself, look around Door County for gifts made by local craftspersons and artisans.  Door County is filled with talented people making a multitude of items.  There are potters, painters, leather-crafters, jewelers, beaders, cooks making jams, jellies, and pickles, cheese makers, knitters, clothing makers, weavers, sculptors, and wood carvers to be found throughout Door County all offering wonderful one-of-a-kind creations.  By buying from them, you not only purchase a wonderful gift, but you also support these local people.  Believe me, it’s much more satisfying than dropping by your local Wal-Mart! 

So join me for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays—any time you are giving a gift—and make it yourself or buy directly from the person who made it!  Happy Holidays everyone!

The leaves have fallen, but there are lots of Door County apples available for making pies and applesauce! Those make delicious gifts!

Imagine . . .

Imagine one of the fine old summer homes on Cottage Row in Fish Creek from the early 1920’s and 1930’s with all the rich classic details — the bead-board and tongue-and-groove ceilings and walls, impressive stone fireplaces, beams spanning cathedral ceilings, and the rich, warm tones of wood floors.  Those homes defined a Door County “cottage” and a lavish, romantic, relaxed lifestyle for the wealthy of that generation that today captures our imagination.

Now imagine a brand-new home that totally captures that ambiance yet manages to completely integrate every modern convenience you want.  You can have that home!  It is waiting for you on the bluff in Fish Creek with entrancing views of the water and miles and miles of glorious Door County countryside. 

This home will speak to you.   Call us today for a showing, and listen to what it has to say.

The classic design replicates the early 20th century summer cottages built along the shore of Fish Creek and Ephraim.

Permanent, concrete dock

 There is a boathouse next to the dock for storing boat items.  The land is wooded with majestic, mature trees — your own private nature preserve!  Presently there is an old cottage on the property, not heated for winter use, but completely useable for spring, summer and fall.  It could be torn down to make way for a new home.  Also on the property is a log cabin built in 1885 (and re-built in 1940).  It is complete with kitchen and bathroom, so could be restored into a charming guest cottage.  For more information about this property go back to our home page and look under “property listings” - “homes” - “waterfront homes.”

Boathouse (thumbnail-click to enlarge)

View of Pilot Island Lighthouse (thumbnail-click to enlarge)

Serene water view (thumbnail-click to enlarge)

Every once in a while you come across a place that strikes a special chord — that fills you with a sense of peace and serenity and allows you to set aside your cares.  For me, at least, this is such a place.  This home is on 4.6 acres with 247′ of Lake Michigan shoreline in Baileys Harbor here in Door County.  The shore is made up of gorgeous, huge, flat shelf rock boulders jutting out into the lake.  It’s a shoreline made for strolling and exploring, discovering the myriad varieties of wildflowers, birds, and fossils inbedded in the rocks. 

 As the listing agent for this property, I found myself lingering along the shore taking photos and sitting on a rock listening to the waves break and the crys of the seagulls.  The sights and sounds and the sheer beauty of nature take over and clear your mind and cleanse your soul. 

The home is simple and what a lake house should be —  a place to relax, enjoy a warm fire, curl up with a good book, or gather with family and friends — a place memories are made. 

This bit of heaven on earth is for sale, and further information can be obtained by contacting me.

We’ve ironed out the glitch and now can add photos!  This first test photo is my driveway in Fish Creek just two weeks ago.  

IT’S THERE — THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL!  I can’t say that the Door County real estate market suffered the extreme collapse that we witnessed in other markets.  We all saw markets where property values plummeted 50% or more, sales came to a virtual standstill, and foreclosed homes could be found on almost every block.  We were lucky.  Values decreased, but 10% of value would be a worst case scenario.  Only a small percentage of the properties on the market are foreclosures.  The worst thing we experienced was a dramatic drop in the number of sales as compared to the peak years of 2004 - 2006.

But now, slowly but surely, sales are picking up.  What is selling?  Moderately priced non-shorefront homes are selling; and in northern Door County, the majority sold this year in the $100,000 to $300,000 price range.  Shore home sales were relatively few and not clustered in any price range. Condominium sales are slow, but resale condos in the $150,000 to $300,000 range are selling.  Vacant land sales were down dramatically this year, and almost all sale prices have been under $100,000.

If those price ranges seem low to you, they are; and it’s good news and bad news.  The good news is that contrary to popular opinion, there are moderately-priced vacation properties to be found in Door County.  If there ever was a time to buy Door County property, it is now!  The bad news is for sellers of the high-end properties that are just not moving.  But again, that is good news for buyers who can now find some pretty fabulous properties — especially homes — at great prices.  So, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  It just shines brighter for some segments of this market than for others.  And it is definitely shining brightly for buyers!

I live in Fish Creek.  My office is in Ephraim. My commute to work is ten miles.  One mile is on Juddville Road, a paved country road with no center-line.  Six miles are on County Road A which is a bit wider and does have a painted center-line. The last three miles are on State Highway 42, a two-lane highway that is also the main street in Ephraim. There are three stop signs on my way to work but no traffic lights because there are no traffic lights in northern Door County.  The drive takes about 15 minutes.

This morning . . .

On Juddville Road, a wild hen turkey, her chicks following obediently behind, crossed the road in front of me.  I stopped and waited for them.  Wild turkeys are a familiar sight in Door County, with large flocks frequently trekking through the fields.  They do fly, although clumsily, and only when alarmed.  My neighbor raises beautiful horses, and I pause to look at her two young colts. My Boston Terrier, Oscar, trembles with excitement at the sight of the horses.  Oscar goes to work with me every day.

On County Trunk A, I spied two sand hill cranes in a field. I’ve seen as many as twelve at one time and sometimes stop to listen to their curious call which is something like castanets.  I met seven cars on “A” this morning—(I counted because I planned to write this blog today.  I also passed two joggers and a lone bicyclist.

At the driving range at the Peninsula State Park golf course, I saw an elderly woman taking a picture of her husband (I assume), golf club in mid-air, recording for posterity their vacation.  It’s the height of the tourist season in Door County; so, as I drive through Ephraim (speed limit 25 mph), people are walking and jogging along side the highway (no sidewalks in Ephraim), some with their dogs, some with their morning coffee.  The outdoor tables at Leroy’s coffee house are full.  Boaters are already at the docks preparing for a day on the lake.  The highway runs right along the shore, so I always glance at the boats moored in the harbor (somewhat longingly, I admit).  At one of the docks, sailing instructors are preparing their young charges for a morning on the water. 

Past the docks, up the hill a bit, and I’m at my office.