July 2011 Real Estate Update

Northern Wisconsin Real Estate Update   -   Vilas & Oneida Counties

July 5^th, 2011                                                  by Pete Rondello

2011 sales for June are now published in the Greater Northwoods MLS. Here’s how the last month’s activity breaks down:

                                  Oneida County                        Vilas County

Total home sales:               44                                           26

On water sales:                  16                                           15

Sales under $100K:            16                                            9

Vacant lot sales:                 12                                           13

Lots sold on water:               4                                             2

Commercial sales:               2                                              1

Homes for sale:                  952                                          905

Lots for sale:                       825                                         871

Pricing for homes sold in Oneida County ranged from 12,500 at the low end to a maximum sale price of $921,000.00. The Vilas County range was $27,500 to $900,000.00. Many home sales in each county were below $100,000.00 – with Oneida at 16 units, and Vilas at 9.

Of the 25 vacant lots sold total, there were just 6 waterfront lots going to closing.

All business / commercial sales were at $120K or below. Two bars sold last month, and one vacant commercial land site.

The comparison to last year? Vilas County had 39 home sales and 12 lot sales. Oneida County closed 56 homes and 14 lots.

Volume on vacant lots appears to be in step with 2010, with total home units off -26% this year for June. This may be due to closings that were part of the 1^st time home buyer stimulus program of 2010.

Chapter Two - Chef Rene's

After a delightful meal at Chef Rene's Back Bay Cove earlier this winter, Elizabeth and I decided to return for another "Date Night". Reservations were made, and we arrived on a sunny Saturday evening; about 1/2 hour early, so we could enjoy a cocktail at the bar before we took our seat for dinner.

The view to Shishebogama Lake was excellent, and the later daylight hours made us feel as if we'd made it through another long dark winter.

We got our table on the porch, back in the corner (my favorite!) and, as we did last time, asked the server to see if Rene would choose our dinners.

This done, we relaxed to enjoy wild mudrooms in a puff pastry cup, and Ahi tuna with a creme soy sauce and fresh vegetable slaw. Amazing!

Fresh baguette bread and entrees of Veal chop with roast vegetable en brochette came next, while I was delighted with a New York strip steak au poivre in a burgundy sauce with black truffles, and baby red potatoes twice baked with Swiss cheese.

In a partial food coma after this experience, I thought that, at a nearby table, I had heard someone mention my father's name! Could it be? I really wasn't eavesdropping - but now, I sure was...and, yes, there was mention of Cuban cigars...and duck a l'orange, and...yes, she DID say Jack Rondello, I was sure of it.

"Either I am going to make an ass of myself, or these people knew my father", I said to Elizabeth, as I strolled over to their table.

I had seen their faces as we'd entered the porch area, and, somewhere, had "recognized" them, and smiled as we moved past their group. Now, I was in front of them.

"Did you mention Jack Rondello"? I asked the woman seated closest to the window. "Why yes! We were talking about Jack. Did you know him?" "I am his son, Peter Rondello", I offered. "I heard you mention his name along with Cuban cigars, so I thought you MUST be speaking of my father!".

(At Eagle Water's Resort, circa 1960. Jack is 4th from left)

Turns out the 4-some at the table had been in partnership with Rene's parents at Persian Paradise in Eagle River some 30+ years ago, and knew my dad from several outings.

They invited us to complete the evening at their table, which we did, and shared even more stories of Jack, his wonderful duck, delightful Napoleons, the past, and travels to many parts of the world, including Italy.

We now have each others contact info, and my guess is ... the stories will continue.

I just knew that Chef Rene's was a great place to eat. Now, I have a broader sense of why.

Click on the link in the first sentence above to see another picture of Jack Rondello.

March 2011 Vilas / Oneida Real Estate Report

              

MLS data through March 30^th, 2011shows a “mixed bag” of results, with Vilas County having stronger market growth than Oneida this past month.

Single family residence sales in March were up by 46% in Vilas County to 19 units, while Oneida County showed a -12% decline with 21 units. This is due in large part to the “First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit” that was a part of the market last year. Oneida County, more of a primary housing area, with Rhinelander leading the way, had most of the single family home sales in 2010, and most of those were below $100,000.00. This year, 9 of the 21 sales were also below $100,000 and all in the Rhinelander area. Highest sale price in this county was $250,000.00 for March. Vilas County’s highest sale was $495,000.00 and was a Pete Rondello sale!

Vacant lots were soft compared to 2010, with Vilas showing 2 sales – both under $110K, and Oneida with 9 lots sold – 7 under $100K. Both counties had 10 sales of vacant land each last year.

Commercial sales continued to limp along, with 1 sale in Oneida County of a 9-plex apartment building at $500K, and three in Vilas County, all below $275K.

There are 780 single family homes available for sale in Oneida County, and 710 in Vilas County as of this report.

About Living Through a "Recession"

* My car gets twice the fuel economy of my pre - 2007 ride.
* We have cut our electricity usage by almost 30%; though the bill is the same.
* I'll let someone else buy me lunch these days and won't fight for the bill like I used to.
* I received my 1st tax refund since I was 16 years old.
* We've gotten far fewer credit card solicitations in the mail than we did back in 2005.
* My vegetable garden is now more than just a hobby.
* A "trip out of town" means I'm probably going to get some groceries in the next county.
* I'm clipping coupons and using internet savings to stretch my dollars.
* We are focused on our relationships, and not our stuff.
* Our spiritual lives have been enriched, as we know that God is with us, no matter what.
* We have learned to accept gifts, rather than always needing to be the givers.
* A night out happens every 3 months or so, instead of twice a week, and now it's a real treasure.
* Sitting on the sofa by the fire with my wife costs nothing and means everything.
* I really do pray for my family and friends all the time, and I know they do the same for me.
* We post our menu for the week, and share the cooking chores.
* We know exactly what's in the freezer, and we eat everything we buy.
* Making the mortgage payment is a monthly celebration.
* Our friends come to share at our table and bring us music, smiles, and many hugs in return.
* I scan the firewood pile to make sure we have enough to heat our place for the winter. "Money in the Bank"
* We get to shop at the resale stores for clothing and can afford a whole wardrobe.
* A day spent with a child needs no program, just the time together to be wonderful.
* Riding my bike through the woods only costs my time and it gets more precious each year.
* We really do care what is going on all over the world and how we are all affected and connected.
* We think about the places we've gone, and treasure each memory.
* We are so glad we traveled when we were younger and could afford it instead of putting it off.
* Our teeth get good brushing and flossing as we want a cavity-free checkup each year.
* We respect the cost of health care as we seem to need more of it each year.

* Living in the moment is not just a dream ... it is possible now when the future is not as clear.

The Passing of Lainey Taylor

Yesterday, I was reading some Facebook posts...and one really caught my attention. It was sent from Monches Mill House.

Last week, Elaine Taylor passed away. She and her late husband, Harvey, owned and operated Monches Mill House since the 1970's.

The original building was the living quarters for the miller and his family who operated the grist mill that overlooked Monches Pond, and derived its power from the river that flows from this serene body of water. The  wooden mill building was destroyed by fire years ago, but the mill HOUSE is built of concrete and stone, and still survives.

"Lainey" as we called her and as she was known, ran a Tea Room on the main level of the house, which was a section that was added to the original structure some time ago by the same builder of Fox and Hounds restaurant in Hubertus, WI, off Holy Hill Road.
The other portions of the mill house included four bedrooms and two bathrooms on the main and upper levels, and these were rented as "bed and breakfast" offerings  - and it was there that Elizabeth and I first met the Taylors.

In fact, August 18th, 2000, I proposed to Elizabeth on the back porch overlooking Monches Pond on a moonlit, starry night, with a chorus of crickets, frogs, and waterfalls as the backdrop.

Our home enjoys an outdoor garden shower, modeled after one that we first used together that weekend at Monches Mill House.

Over ten years, we have stopped and made Monches Mill House one of our preferred getaway locations. Lainey would like me to say here that it was indeed our favorite place, as she and high school chum Connie Squier, also a very dear friend, seemed intent on competing for our business and friendship, in a very good-natured way.

At one point, when we wanted to stay, Elaine said "Well, I will be in Morocco at that time, so the Mill House will be closed." We persuaded her to allow us to come anyway, and take care of ourselves, which she did, and Beth and I had a wonderful time with the entire property at our disposal. Lord and Lady of the manor!

There are too many memories to list here, but I just thank God for the many relaxing hours and adventures spent with the Mill House as our hub of activity.

God Bless Elaine's adventurous and warm spirit.

Our favorite bedroom, "The Blue Room", on the 2nd floor.

Retro jade green bath with wicker toilet seat

Our "Proposal Weekend" in August, 2000.

Jam on toast in the Tea Room at Monches Mill House, when Beth and I had the place to ourselves.

Our quaint Paris Bistro table overlooking the gardens and lush lawn at Monches Mill House. Breakfast for 2 is served, and, OH THAT COFFEE!!!

Just Listed! Wisconsin River Log-Sided Chalet Home

Click to see the custom web site for this property

Who might you know that would enjoy a place like this? Thanks!

Spangs Pub - Revisited

 

I was 14 when I first started to go to Spang's Pub in St. Germain.

I had a job as "1st Packer" at Bonson's Shop-Rite in Eagle River. That was another name for "bag boy". The going rate at the time for 1st Packer was $1.35 per hour.

There was a 16 year old who also worked at Bonson's. His name was Robin Laak, and he owned a green 1967 Dodge Polara sedan.

Saturday nights after we were done at Bonson's, we'd all pile in the Dodge (seat belts? No way) and Robin would tune in 890 AM WLS Chicago, and we'd catch some Edgar Winter Group or Elton John as we drove down STH 70 to Spang's Pub for pizza.

Spang's was really quite the dream for this 1st Packer. The "benches" that surrounded the wooden tables were former church pews. The walls were brick, laid up with extra mortar that oozed from each joint. Stained glass colors added ambiance with the low, romantic lighting, and. if we were in luck, we'd grab a table on the upper level near the gas log fireplace.

We'd get a tray of RC Colas served in frosted mugs, and then, order up some pizzas. Cheese, sausage and mushroom for me, thank-you. Sure, you can put that on my half. I'll eat it all. In later days, the Reid family created "The Milwaukee Favorite" which had those ingredients, plus diced onions. It was, and still is, my all-time favorite.

It's going on 40 years on Spang's memories, and now, I work with Ed Reid, #1 son of the original Spang and Rosie Reid team; both are still alive...though the restaurant is no longer owned by them.

I'm hoping Eddie will have dinner with me at Spang's soon.

Oh, the '67 Dodge Polara? I bought that as my 1st high school car for $200.00 from Robin.