Housing experts say it you are thinking about buying that dream house with a white picket fence, you should act now.
Rob Rybarczyk, broker/owner at Coldwell Banker says the market has finally picked up after struggling for about four years, and that houses in all price ranges are selling.
"We are seeing it across a broad range of price ranges," he says. "It was just at the lower end for a long time...now we're selling in all price ranges and doing very well on the upper end homes too." He adds that many homes on the market in Wausau are getting multiple offers.
The winter months tend to be a time when the housing market lags, but this year was different. According to the Wisconsin Realtors' Association, 85 houses sold in Marathon County in December 2012 -- that's an increase from 69 in December 2011. Total house numbers are also up. 1,249 homes sold in 2012 in Marathon County -- that's up from 1,060 in 2011.
Low interest rates are another reason why many people are looking to buy now. Many rates are in the three percent range for a 30 year fixed rate and in the two percent range for a 15 year fixed rate.
However, an easy sell is not the case for everyone. Jenny Hangartner says her Antigo home has been on the market for four months and has had only two views. She says it's had extensive renovations but eventually they may have to drop the price if they don't receive an offer.
The number of homes sold in Langlade County increased about 90 from 2011 to 2012.
