Vince's Northwoods Notes

A more viable solution for the mortgage crisis?

Vince Hoehn — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:58:00 GMT

Big problems seem to require big solutions. When the housing bubble burst and millions of homeowners fell into default and foreclosure, Wall Street and the big banks were subjected to great financial distress due to the over- and miss-use of mortgage-backed...(read more)

Seven crazy local laws and HOA rules

Vince Hoehn — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:26:00 GMT

I like to believe that reasonable people can have differences of opinion and still get along, but sometimes I despair. The following content is courtesy of the NAR and worth sharing for its entertainment value alone. Regarding Home Owners Associations,...(read more)

Another record set, but for how long?

Vince Hoehn — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:17:00 GMT

According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for 30 year fixed rate mortgages fell in November to another new low -- 3.99%. See monthly average rates back to 1971 at the Freddie Mac website . Remember the days of 18% back in 1981?...(read more)

365 days and counting

Vince Hoehn — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:32:00 GMT

The Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, one year from today. According to various theories we can expect everything ranging from another day like today to the end of the world. If your own personal hunch leans to some sort of apocalypse, or you...(read more)

Apparently it was worse than we realized, and it seemed bad enough.

Vince Hoehn — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:30:00 GMT

Today a organization that I belong to, the National Organization of REALTORS (NAR), had to do a little back-pedaling on home sale statistics as reported for the last four years. The NAR has been criticized at times for being too much of a housing market...(read more)

Shall we pity the big banks?

Vince Hoehn — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:16:00 GMT

The problems of the big banks are not problems that I lose any sleep over -- if it was up to me, I would look for a way to break them up, not make things easier for these "too big to fail" behemoths. Such is the sorry state of affairs that even...(read more)

Manitowish Waters, cranberries, and controversy -- Part V

Vince Hoehn — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:01:00 GMT

I have been holding off on writing about this topic lately as, quite honestly, sometimes I don't quite know what to make of all of it. As I am member of the town Planning Commission, one might naturally think that I would have access to information...(read more)

Manitowish Waters remains a favorite destination -- anecdotal evidence.

Vince Hoehn — Fri, 20 May 2011 21:35:00 GMT

Had an interesting and uplifting conversation with a gentleman yesterday. He had stopped into the office to inquire about the actual sale price of a property that hold sold recently, and our conversation proceeded into all directions from there. The part...(read more)

Sale of 324 Point O Pines, Manitowish Waters

Vince Hoehn — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:07:00 GMT

Today the sale of my listing of 324 Point O' Pines, right here in Manitowish Waters, closed. Sale price was 100% of list, or $329,900. I believe that it is the first listing of a Manitowish chain property to sell this year, which means so far the...(read more)

2011 local and Vilas County fishing tournament schedule

Vince Hoehn — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:56:00 GMT

By no means is this a comprehensive list as I don't have access to a comprehensive list myself, but you may find this useful. Countywide: Vilas County Musky Marathon May 28-Nov. 30 Open to all for any legal muskie caught and released or kept from...(read more)

Significant price reductions on Hewitt Lake lots

Vince Hoehn — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:28:00 GMT

Lots 31 and 32 Hewitt Lake have just been significantly reduced in price -- to $114,000 for Lot 31 and to $99,000 for Lot 32. Both are gorgeous lots with 300 feet of lake frontage each, and are well worth the money. I have featured the lots in one of...(read more)

Looking for an affordable deal? This property is priced to sell!

Vince Hoehn — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:47:00 GMT

Gorgeous water views!

MLS® #118141 $28,900 - New reduced price!

Winchester, Vilas County - Beautiful lake views give this residential parcel real value. This slightly elevated off-water lot is ideally situated to provide soul-satisfyingly peaceful views of deep, clear water Adelade Lake to the south, and Helen Lake to the east. Located at the intersection of Old O and Adelaide Rd, this parcel provides convenient access to Adelade Lake as public access to Adelade Lake is directly across Adelaide Road with over 400 feet of sand and gravel shoreline. (The right-of-way of Adelaide Road runs to the shoreline.) Terrific four season location with convenient access to ski hills, snowmobile trails, neighboring communities, and dozens of area lakes. As an added bonus, the DNR lands encompassing Lake Rose and Lake Mary (3 acres and 67 feet deep!) are only several hundred feet away. The view, the location, lake access, off-water taxes, priced to sell - you have to check this out!

Property information

Link to You Tube video of 324 Point O Pines

Vince Hoehn — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:51:00 GMT

Last Saturday afternoon, after the sun finally came out again, I went back to my new listing and attempted to shoot some video that I hopefully would be able to stitch together into some type of virtual tour that, the results of which, wouldn't reflect...(read more)

New Manitowish chain listing

Vince Hoehn — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 20:08:00 GMT

Take a look at this solid 3 bedroom cottage on Spider Lake. At $329,900 it is priced below tax roll assessed and fair market values. Its great location at the confluence of Spider and Stone Lakes positions it centrally on a 10 lake, 2 river chain with...(read more)

13% of all US homes are vacant?

Vince Hoehn — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:31:00 GMT

The headline a few days ago was that 13% of US homes are vacant, up from 12.1% in 2007 (from the US Census Bureau. Wisconsin is at 13.1%, up from 10.2% in 2000.) Excel spreadsheet with data on all 50 states What made it a headline is the concern that...(read more)