Homes for Sale: Average List Price and Sales Price in Madison, Wisconsin

Information from SCWMLS (South-Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service). Averages calculated from homes sold between September 28, 2009 and December 28, 2009.

Upcoming residential development in Verona, WI

Here is a rundown of the residential developments that are currently in the City of Verona’s pipeline, in order from “most complete” to “earliest in the process.”

Hawthorne Hills (between Whalen Road and the US 18/151 bypass) and Westridge Estates (between North Nine Mound Road and Northern Lights Road) each still have a limited number of single-family home sites available. They also have some higher-density housing yet to be built.

South of the US 18/151 bypass, Scenic Ridge (west of Locust Drive) and Cathedral Point (east of Locust Drive) are both platted and have completed streets and utilities in their early phases. Each subdivision has home sites currently available, along with a large quantity planned for eventual construction.

Cross Point is located adjacent to Epic, to the west of North Nine Mound Road and along Northern Lights Road. This subdivision is platted and graded but has not yet moved forward on utilities and streets. It is presumed that the developer is holding off for economic reasons.

The northern portion of the former Zingg Farm, the next chunk of land north of Kettle Creek, is in the process of being annexed in to the City of Verona. This is a 66-acre area that appears to be a continuation of the existing neighborhood surrounding Country View Elementary School, proposed to provide 117 additional single-family lots.

The Southwest Neighborhood, a 246 acre area along Hwy 69 to the south of the US 18/151 bypass, is tied up in a lengthy process of being added to our Urban Service Area. Only 79 acres of the area will be developable, and a smaller portion of this will include residential development. It is a particularly sensitive area due to adjacency to both the Badger Mill Creek and Sugar River.

Farthest on the horizon is the Midthun land, which includes the four 40-acre quarter-quarter sections between Stony Ridge Circle and the gravel pits along North Nine Mound road. It also includes one 40-acre quarter-quarter section to the east of Windswept Way. (It does not include two quarter-quarter sections along CTH PD closest to the CTH M intersection.) Out of Midthun’s 200 gross acres, about 134 net acres of residential development is anticipated.

The preliminary concept put forth by Midthun’s developer includes small-scale commercial/retail closest to CTH M and CTH PD, blending through high and mid-density residential development toward the south and west. Finally, the southwest portion includes “estate” lots to help diversify the City’s housing stock with “higher-end” single-family housing. This land will face unique challenges for storm water management due to its “closed kettle” geography.


(Article from Hometown Hawk, a blog by Jeremy Charles)

This Is What Happens When It Snows In Wisconsin

Jeremy Charles for Alder in City of Verona, District 4

Excerpt from http://www.jeremycharles.us/:

"My family and I are residents of the Hawthorne Hills neighborhood, near Glacier Edge Elementary school. Since high school, the majority of my hobbies have consisted of community service. In recent years, I have added to my long history of volunteer work by serving the City of Verona. My service to the City has been highly rewarding because I make a direct, positive impact on the community in which I live. Additionally, I have enjoyed the people that I have been serving with. I view the role of Alder as the best and most logical way that I can continue to serve my community."


Article from the Verona Press:

Charles announces candidacy

After three years, Verona might finally have another contested local election.

Plan Commissioner Jeremy Charles has announced he will run for the District 4 aldermanic seat currently held by Ken Harwood. Harwood's term ends in April.

Nomination papers can't be circulated until Dec. 1, but Charles, who has been following Verona politics closely and attending meetings regularly for about three years, was ready to go last week with a news release. The 33-year-old Charles is an employee of Epic and a resident of the Hawthorne Hills neighborhood on the city's southeast side.

"I'm not a politician," Charles said in his release. "My family loves living in Verona, and I sincerely care about promoting the best long-term interests of our City. Becoming an alder is simply the best way that I can serve my community."

After about a year of attending Common Council, Plan Commission and Finance committee meetings regularly, Charles joined the Comprehensive Plan Committee in late 2007. He also has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and joined the Plan Commission - a common stepping stone to the council - in 2008.

Harwood, a Realtor who joined the Common Council in 2006 and earned another two-year term in 2008, said last week he intended to run again as long as he remains a resident of Verona.


Click Here to Visit Jeremy Charles' Campaign Site



Click Here to Visit
Jeremy Charles'
Facebook Page




Click Here to Visit Jeremy Charles' Blog

Contact Jeremy Charles by email or phone-
E-mail: jeremy@jeremycharles.us
Phone: 608-848-0633

Obama Ups Pressure on Banks to Help Homeowners

Loan servicers must detail plans to assist borrowers long-term. Laggards could face penalties and sanctions.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Struggling to stem the swelling foreclosure tide, the Obama administration announced new steps Monday to pressure banks to help homeowners long term.

The administration said it will require top loan servicers to report their plan to reach a decision on each loan for which they have all the needed documentation. Also, these servicers must explain to Treasury how they will communicate the decision to borrowers.

Servicers will also be required to report the status of each modification. Those failing to meet their obligations could face penalties and sanctions.

To help borrowers through the process, the administration is providing more information on the documents they need to submit to be considered for a permanent modification. Federal, state and local officials will increase outreach to delinquent homeowners.

The administration's move is its latest attempt to jumpstart its $75 billion loan modification plan, which many fear will fall far short of its goal to help up to 4 million delinquent homeowners.

A growing number of borrowers are complaining that they are stuck in trial modifications. Some 650,000 homeowners are currently in this preliminary phase, but only a small fraction have received permanent assistance.

About 375,000 people should receive long-term relief by year end, said Treasury officials in their first estimate of how many permanent modifications would be made this year. The administration is set to release its first report on the conversions in coming weeks.

Under the president's plan, delinquent borrowers are put into trial modifications for several months to make sure they can handle the new payments and to give them time to submit their financial paperwork.

Borrowers that qualify for long-term modifications can keep making the lower payments for five years. At that point, the interest rate will be set at the rate at the time of the adjustment, currently about 5%.

Loan servicers, however, say they are having trouble getting the necessary documents from borrowers, while homeowners maintain that their financial institutions are repeatedly losing the paperwork.

And once homeowners send in their forms, servicers may find these borrowers don't have enough income or have too much equity or savings to qualify. It also may be more profitable for the bank to foreclose on the home than to modify the mortgage.

(Article from Money.CNN.com)

Slap Chop Remix

Well, I think it's funny. Watch this, and be prepared to have this song stuck in your head.

"You're gonna be in a great mood all day, cuz you're gonna be slappin your troubles away with the Slap Chop."

Christmas Tree Farms near Madison, Wisconsin

• Summers Christmas Tree Farm
  4610 Rocky Dell Rd., Middleton, WI 53562
  (608) 831-4414
  http://www.summerschristmastreefarm.com/
  Pine, Spruce, and Fir Christmas Trees, wreaths, garland, boughs, Christmas gift shop
  Map
  
  
• Paoli Tree Farm
  6445 Sun Valley Parkway, Belleville, WI 53508
  (608) 424-3936
  Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Norway Spruce, and White Spruce Christmas Trees, Pre-cut or cut-your-own
  Map
  
  
• Hann's Christmas Farm
  848 Tipperary Rd., Oregon, WI 53575
  (608) 835-5464
  http://www.hannschristmasfarm.com/
  Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and Scotch Pine Christmas Trees, Pre-cut and cut-your-own, Christmas Decorations, Lights, Ornaments, Wreaths, Tree Skirts, Tree Bags, Fresh Holly and Mistletoe
  Map
  
  
• Paul's Tree Farm
  16239 W. Beloit Newark Rd., Brodhead, WI
  (608) 897-2569
  http://www.paulstreefarm.com/
  Scotch Pine, White Pine, Norway Pine, White Spruce, Norway Spruce, Blue Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Balsam Fir, Concolor Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, Large Spruce up to 14 ft. Christmas Trees, Pre-cut or cut-your-own, Christmas Ornaments, Handmade Scarves, Wreaths, Snacks,
  Map
  
  
• The Tree Farm
  8454 Highway 19, Cross Plains, WI
  (608) 798-2286
  http://www.thetreefarm.net/
  White Pines, Scotch Pines, Norway Pines, Spruce, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, and Douglas Fir Christmas Trees, Cut-your-own
  Map
  
  
• The Bruce Company Garden Center
  2830 Parmenter Street, Middleton, WI 53562
  (608) 836-7041
  http://www.brucecompany.com/
  Map
  
  
• Jensen Trees
  7507 Valley View Road, Verona, WI 53593
  (608)239-3722
  Map
  
  
• Tree City
  5501 W. Beltline Highway, Madison, WI 53711
  (715) 533-0241
  www.tree-city.net/treecity.htm
  Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, White Pine, and Scotch Pine Christmas Trees, Pre-cut
  Map
  
  
• CaPaul's Country Place Christmas Tree Farm
  5895 River Road, Waunakee, WI 53597
  (608) 849-4276
  http://www.capaulschristmastreefarm.com/
  Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and Scotch Pine Christmas Trees, Cut-your-own, Apple Cider, Christmas Ornaments, Wreaths, Garland
  Map
  
  
• Ridgetop Trees
  8498 County Highway PD, Mount Horeb, WI 53572
  (608) 437-8810 or (608) 692-1297
  http://www.madison-christmas-trees.com/
  White Pine, Scotch Pine, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Black Hills Spruce Christmas Trees, Cut-your-own
  Map
  
  
• Christmas Treeland
  E10861 Terrytown Road, Baraboo, WI 53913
  (608) 356-3307
  www.christmastreeland.com/locationcontactinfo.html
  Balsam Fir, Spruce, Scotch Pine, Norway Pine, White Pine, and Fraser Fir Christmas Trees, Cut-your-own, Wreaths, Holiday Crafts including Stained Glass Decorations, Garland, Hot Apple Cider
  Map
  
  
• Green Thumb Farms Inc.
  S9891 US Hwy 12, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
  1-800-222-2538
  http://www.gtfarms.com/
  Map
  
  
• Miller's Christmas Trees
  N3763 Otsego Road, Rio, WI 53960
  (920)992-3221
  http://www.treerex.com/
  Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Red Pine, Blue Spruce, White Spruce, and Serbian Spruce Christmas Trees, Pre-cut and cut-your-own Trees, Wreaths, Gifts and Crafts, Stocking Stuffers, Hot Apple Cider, Candy Canes
  Map
  
  
• Smokey Hollow Farm
  N3056 Smokey Hollow Road, Poynette, WI 53955
  (608) 635-2046
  http://www.smokeyhollowfarm.com/
  Fraser Fir, and Balsam Fir Christmas Trees, Pre-cut, Gift Baskets, Ornaments, Potpourri, Holiday Candles,
  Map
  
  
• Swan Lake Tree Farm
  W6892 Breneman Road, Pardeeville, WI 53954
  (608) 429-3176
  www.gorsetr.com/Swan_lake/Swan_lake.html
  Colorado Blue Spruce and White Spruce Christmas Trees, Pre-cut or cut-your own trees
  Map
  
  
• The Paint Farm
  W6958 King Road, Poynette, WI 53955
  (608) 635-8037
  Fraser Fir Christmas Trees, Cut-your-own trees, Wreaths, Mistletoe, Specialty Shaped Wreaths, Garland, Tree Stands, and Tree Bags
  Map
  
  
• Winterberry Christmas Trees
  N8220 Smith Road, Brooklyn, WI 53521
  (608) 455-2040
  Pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Boughs
  Map