Just Listed!

Diamond Lake Cottage and Homesite

360 ft of frontage & 1.4 acres

Southwest exposure, perfect beach and fantastic view are the hallmarks of this property on Diamond Lake. A charming cottage is situated literally at the water's edge and makes a unique retreat with simple accomodations directing your focus on the amazing surroundings. The one room cabin is suitable for 3-season use, is heated by a wood stove and serviced by a privy. The property provides 360 ft of wooded lakefront, 1.4 acres and offers an exceptional site for a new home while retaining the cottage for occasional use.

Multiple List #808519 - Offered at $350,000

Scott McKinney - (715) 798-3445 - scott@mckinneyrealty.net

Cold Days, Hot Deals

Sounds like an ad for used cars, I know, but it is true. Daytime highs haven’t been out of teens lately, -17F this morning and gas prices have been falling like the temps. On the real estate front, some savvy buyers are taking advantage of the historically low interest rates and finding good deals in this soft market. Currently 30 year fixed rates are in the mid 5’s making homes more affordable than they have been for several years. Inventories are still high (but shrinking) and sellers have been negotiating a bit more as one might expect. Recently the average selling price has been 90% of asking.

The chambers of commerce in Hayward and Cable are both offering holiday cash with incentives to purchase locally. With the diverse retail opportunities and local artisans in the area, there is little reason to leave town to do your shopping. In this slower economy it is all that much more important to support your local merchant.

Finally a little Holiday parade recap: if you were brave enough to hit the streets of Cable last Saturday evening you were rewarded with a fun little parade and may have witnessed my first and last singing performance outside of the shower. We did win best music but I attribute that to my mother’s voice and a general lack of competition. Fortunately, the real musicians were on hand at the Rivers Eatery where the Namekagon String Band entertained a full house including many young families in a wonderful smoke-free atmosphere.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors. Ice fishing has been good and there is plenty of ice for skating. Skiers and snowmobilers still need a bit more snow. Bring it on!

Good Times in Cable

If you’re wondering what to do now that the 9-day Wisconsin holiday known as deer season is over, be sure to check out the Holiday Lighted Parade in downtown Cable this Saturday night, December 6th. For those of you that have yet to experience the parade, it is worth the trip. The route is mercifully brief, barely 2 blocks long and usually features between 15 and 20 original entries complete with lights, music, costume and good humor. Following the parade is a gathering at the Community Center for chili, cookies and pictures with Santa; donations benefiting the Forest Lodge Public Library.

This is Norman Rockwell stuff folks and one of the many great reasons to live and play in our part of the world. Whether you are here full-time, part-time or still hoping, it is the community spirit that makes our area so vibrant.

Although economic news that grips our country has had an impact on the local housing market, the quality of life we enjoy and a desire to reside in our neck of the woods has softened the blow. Declines in price have been minimal when compared to the rest of the nation. Community banks are making responsible loans and are largely unaffected by the sub-prime mortgage crisis making all the headlines. Mortgage rates are excellent and the federal government is offering a $7,500 Homebuyer Tax Credit so don’t be afraid to pursue your real estate dreams.

Comprehensive Planning - Get Involved

We’ve heard a lot about change recently and as we all know the world is constantly changing. For many years southern Bayfield County has been a resort area with families renting a cottage for a week’s vacation and we naturally built an economy around that sort of activity. Now many of those same families are purchasing homes for either weekend use or retirement and our local economy has changed accordingly. Change has come to the farming and timber industry in the area also.

All of this change puts different pressures on our community and its resources. To better understand and manage that change, Bayfield County recently began the process of completing a new comprehensive plan. This plan will serve as a roadmap for policy makers for the next decade and forward incorporating nine key elements ranging from economic development to land use.

The success of the plan, and our community, will depend upon the involvement of the public. All property owners in Bayfield County, not just residents, will receive a survey (look for yours soon if you haven’t already received it). Please take the time to complete and return it. Get involved in the monthly meetings over the course of the next year. Topics will include hot button issues such as trails, subdivision control and much more.

Let your voice be heard. Join your neighbors at an Open House to discuss Comprehensive Plan issues hosted by Bayfield County Tuesday, December 16, 2008 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.

More information and regular updates are available at: http://www.sehinc.com/online/bayfieldco/index.htm