This Lake Geneva real estate blog is to bring to your attention properties around the Lakes area that are true opportunities. This particular blog is regarding a true steal.. First some history. These condos were built approximately 4 years ago and the first and now only building consists of 8 condos. Of the finished condos three are ranch plans with walk-out lower levels and one is a second floor ranch. There are four that are at the drywall stage. The entire development ran into hard times and never prospered. Now, a silent investor has not only taken back the project he has taken care of the project and is selling the 8 homes and that is it. The wooded area will remain surrounding this one building, nestled on a hill set off of Hwy H in the Edgewood Hills neighborhood just outside the town of Lake Geneva.

Onto the condos themselves! 2600-4300 square feet, 2 car attached garages, interior courtyard area and the finishes! Bosch appliances, granite counters, outstanding custom woodworking, wood flooring, Toto toilets, and kitchens that have been masterfully laid out. This includes built in spice racks, cutting boards, storage, pantries in some, custom cabinetry, elegant moldings, wood flooring, patios and more. While each condo is different the list may include, a theatre room, wet bar, cigar/wine room, walk-out patios, and at least 3 bedrooms along with 2.5 baths. The four condos that are finished are being sold completely furnished and I am talking FURNISHED. Decorator details to the max. One even has a piano. TV's are the norm. Dishes, glassware, pictures, candles, towels and so forth. These were the models for the development and it shows. The woodworking finishes will take your breath away, especially in the second floor ranch. Worried about the stairs? It includes a private elevator..... Original pricing was 750K on up and these are now listed for sale at 449,500-469,500 fully furnished. If you don't make an appointment with me to see these fabulous homes you will be missing an opportunity to find your real DEAL in Lake Geneva.

Virtual tours can be found here. 1800 LaSalle Street, Lake Geneva.

This is the year I am working with a lot of Buyer's and as I am showing lake homes or lake access homes I keep realizing that no one has any idea why the value is what it is. Look folks you cannot get on the Lake for 250,000. Please add a 2 in front of the $250,000 and that is more like it. So the next level is Assocations with Lake rights and Lake access. Private communities that were developed amongst homeowners. Why? Because even 100 years ago not everyone could afford to be on the lake front so friends, neighbors, investors set up assocations to give varying degrees of lake rights. Every association around Geneva Lake is different based on size, location, the amount of lake frontage, boat slips, piers, buoys. You get the picture. So, what do I think is a real deal with Lake access? A cute cottage, on a wooded lot with a huge deck and hot tub in the Knollwood Assocation. Just where is Knollwood? It is located between Williams Bay and downtown Lake Geneva and in the municipality of the town of Linn. Why is this a deal? Becuase it is 2 bedrooms, with a small loft, 2 full baths, a fireplace and privacy. Drive and park down at the beautiful Knollwood lakefront, swim, play, walk, jog, read. Come back to house and open up the hot tub, pour a glass of wine and sit out on the deck, grill, watch the sun go down and then climb into the hot tub. Get the picture? This is the perfect year round weekend get away place. This cottage has price adjusted and it is a DEAL.

Click here to view the Knollwood Cottage Home.

Keefe Real Esate is the primary player in Walworth County with the market share being up to 47%. The likelihood of a property being marketed and sold by a Keefe Agent is high but I do show other property and this is one of them. If you want more information regarding Association living on Geneva Lake you can contact me at mcanfield@keeferealestate.com. Check back for a STEAL around Lake Geneva.

RISMEDIA, July 30, 2010--The economy is stabilizing. Home prices are holding. It's not just as good a time as ever to buy a house. It's one of the best times ever.

1. Low mortgage rates serve as an equity shock absorber. When buyers borrow at today's record-low rates, they start building equity as soon as they close. That means they have a little give to absorb a few ups and downs as the still-recovering housing market gains traction.
2. Houses are in move-in condition. Homeowners have continued to spend on maintenance and repair, according to the Harvard Joint Center n Housing. Homeowners who have been holding back kept their houses in good shape while they waited. As those houses enter the market, they are in marked contrast to tattered foreclosures.
3. Terrific houses are coming on the market. Foreclosures are finally starting to clear the system – and this is just the opportunity that owners of many desirable properties have been waiting for.
4. Appraisal regulations are finally aligned with market realities. Fannie Mae has adjusted its appraisal guidelines...again. Now that appraisers have more flexibility to set values that reflect the current market, today's deals will make it over the finish line.
5. Plenty of programs. Homes are more affordable than they have been for years, but communities have stuck by "workforce housing" programs that encourage middle-class families to buy houses. Buyers who qualify can get a big boost by combining one of these programs with today's low mortgage rates.

Taking all of the above into account here are a few more. There is only so much lake front to share. Why would you say " thnk we are going to wait until next year?". I can guarantee you that next year prices will be higher, interest rates will be higher and more importantly, ' why would you want to miss out on another 360 days of not being at Lake Geneva?

July 3-East Troy Community Band's Patriotic Concert, 7:30 p.m. on the square, East Troy. Free and open to the public.
---Concert at the Lakefront with Stockwood, 7 p.m. at Flat Iron Park, Lake Geneva.

July 3-6-Fourth of July Celebration, throughout Whitewater, with carnival, live music, games, food

July 4-"Let Freedom Ring" Fourth of July Parade, fireworks and activities, Delavan
---Fontana's fireworks at dusk
---Fourth of July fireworks, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva
---Independence Day Celebration, Delavan
---Fourth of July Celebration, Sharon, with live music, parade, food
---Holton-Elkhorn Band Concert, 7:30 p.m. at the historic bandshell in Sunset Park, Elkhorn.

July 5-Music in the Park with Sam Baker at 6 p.m. at Reid Park, Fontana.

On the west end of beautiful Lake Geneva is the resort community of Fontana, Wisconsin. In the mid 90's several citizens banded together as a volunteer group to begin the task of redeveloping parts of Fontana. It is a daunting task when you consider Hwy 67 which cuts through the community, the beach front and bath house, the now developed Fen, the public park and play area, the parking area for the community and fisherman, along with signage, lighting, pedestrian cross ways, lanscaping and infrastructure. I could get into the TIF district and other financing tools but this blog is about the next phase of the lake front. The newly proposed building which I absolutely love. The shell design alone is inspiring and will come to referendum in September of this year.

As with many lakes that were developed long ago it is astonishing to see how many public places did not allow access to the lake or even fully utilize the vistas available. Case in point? How many restaurants are actually on Lake Geneva where you can sit, drink and watch the waves? The Waterfront Bar at the Abbey will get you the closest on the marina, the Grandview on Buttons Bay will give you lake vistas but other than that? Limited. This new plan will look gorgeous when viewing the building from the lake and will add to the view from South Shore Drive.

Fontana has been moving forward with their streetscape, the new parking area, the playground area, bath and beach house, and the lighting along with the boulevard development on Hwy 67. Having been one of the original volunteers I am especially interested in this building and the continued progress of Fontana. Congratulations on this new move!

Click on this link for more information: http://lakefrontbuilding.com/

Sold Properties for the communities of Lake Geneva, Geneva, Fontana, Linn and Williams Bay equaled 29 for the period of May 14 through June 14, 2010. Average list price was $632,234 with the Average sold price being $580,753. Sale to list price percentage is % 91.86. The median list price was $265,000 with the median sale price being $250,000.

With the summer season here and the weather cooperating you may be wondering what you can purchase for under 300K? One of the great assocation communities on Lake Geneva is Abbey Springs. Condominium and single family homes but for this shopping purpose I am going to attach a link for those properties under 300K. Lake Access, indoor and outdoor pools, play area on the lake along with restaurants facilities, in and out boat service on Lake Geneva and other amenities.

Click here for a list of Abbey Spring properties that are for sale or under contract and going to close.

You can also view all of the Abbey Spring properties on my website and a community description. Showings can be arranged for any property by contacting me via email or phone.

The Lake Geneva area and parts of Walworth County has seen an uptick in the sales of homes, especially those homes that have water front on their property. Prices vary based on the lake but the following link will give you a breakdown on location, price, size of the home and lake locations.

Click here to receive a list of SOLD water front/lake front properties around the Lake Geneva area in Walworth County.

Keeping abreast of the lake front sales activity in the Lake Geneva area will place you in the best position when writing the offer with me on your vacation or second home property. I can deliver stats on buying and selling in the Lake Geneva area to your desk or coffee table daily, weekly or monthly. All you have to do is contact me with your email and search parameters. Easy, informative and solid information at your fingertips.

Great little video on why to Twitter and Facebook to help people with relocation.