The number of foreclosures completed in 2011 fell 24 percent to 830,000 from 1.1 million in 2010. Data released by CoreLogic shows that, not only were foreclosures down year-over-year, but they also dropped 8.4 percent in December. Mark Fleming, CoreLogic’s chief economist, said the inventory of foreclosed properties has begun to shrink and the pace at which properties are entering foreclosure is slowing. At the end of 2011, 3.4 percent of all homes were in the foreclosure inventory. And though the rate at which foreclosures are completed has been slowed, in part, due to judicial and regulatory constraints, a declining number of foreclosures is key to a healthy housing market. http://www.theanswerisclear.com/MLO/rmagee/ Thanks,   02/09/2012

Looking to buy your first home in 2012? Well, you picked a great time to do so as house prices are low and so are interest rates! Here are some tips for you before buying a house: Credit score - your credit score plays a vitale role in getting a mortgage. Know what your score is, what's on your credit report, etc. Anything over 740 is excellent, over 680 good, but you'll need a least a 640 score or better to obtain financing. I can pull a credit report for you and help you with this. Know what you'll need to get pre-qualified - lenders will need income documents, pay stubs, bank statements to know where down payment monies are coming from. Have your last two year's W2, two most recent pay stubs, and most recent bank statement (all pages) with you to bring in. With those documents I can ... 02/09/2012

My name is Ryan Magee and I am a Mortgage Consultant with Clearwater Mortgage. Licensed in WI and MN, I have been originating mortgages since 2004 and truly enjoy what I do. My goal is to simplify the process of buying a home or refinancing an existing mortgage and make it a positive experience for you. I have extensive knowledge of all of the programs available including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and more. I will work with you to determine which program is best for your situation and also meets your short and long term goals. I do business the way it should be done; with honesty, integrity, and pressure free. Operating this way I’ve been able to develop a high volume of repeat business and referrals. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business and help you with your mor... 02/06/2012

Freddie Mac recently released their fourth-quarter refinance analysis and it shows that 85 percent of homeowners who refinanced their mortgages during the fourth quarter of 2011 maintained or reduced their principal balance by paying-in additional money at the closing table. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s vice president and chief economist, said savvy homeowners are taking advantage of some of the lowest fixed-rates in more than 60 years to lock in interest savings. According to Nothaft, the typical borrower who refinanced during the fourth quarter reduced their interest rate by approximately 1.4 percentage points. During the fourth quarter, 37 percent of homeowners who refinanced their mortgage maintained about the same loan amount and 49 percent reduced their principal balance. The perc... 02/06/2012

Troy Burne Relocation - Durham Executive Group               John and Becky Durham (Durham Executive Group) live in Troy Burne, Hudson Wisconsin and are luxury home real estate experts in the development. Both John and Becky are Accredited Relocation Specialists meaning that we are qualified for helping you sell your home, and/or assisting you in purchasing your home. As an Accredited Relocation Specialist it means that regardless of your Relocation Company (SIRVA, Prudential, etc.) you can select the real estate agent of choice to represent you. All too often your company, or a Relocation Company will simply provide you two real estate agent names and many transferee’s get confused and believe they cannot work with a different agent without losing their relocation benefits.   Relocatin... 02/03/2012

http://www.thumbtack.com/wi/hudson/realtors/property-management   Residential Property Management Services:       Platinum Package:   Create professional marketing ads tailored to the property and advertising medium. Professional marketing includes: Sign, flyers, company website, free and paid rental websites (which includes the most visited real estate websites in the nation), MLS, participating Broker websites, and networking... Field calls from prospective tenants and schedule showings of your property. Meet prospective tenants for showings throughout the week and weekends. Collect tenant application, verify identity, income, perform credit & background checks, and rental history so you can make an informed decision. Complete all lease documents, disclosures, compliance forms, fair h... 01/17/2012

Awesome Event in Hudson, WI Radio Daze Production at The Phipps Center For The Arts January 20th - 29th visit www.thephipps.org for more information Drawn from scripts of actual radio programs from the '30s and '40s, Radio Daze will be presented in readers' theater format in the Black Box Theater. General Admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and youth. Fridays, January 20 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.Saturdays, January 21 & 28 at 7:30 p.m.Sundays, January 22 & 29 at 2:00 p.m. 01/06/2012

  ~Everyone is Welcome~ Holiday Open House and Food Drive Thursday, December 1st  4:00 - 7:00 PM Sponsored by Keller Williams Integrity Realty 2424 Monetary Blvd., Hudson, WI 54016 Pictures with Santa, Hot Apple Cider, Holiday Music, Popcorn and Bake Goods Sale   Please bring your non-perishable food items...All donations will be distributed to the local food shelves in Hudson, River Falls and New Richmond.   Hope to see you there! From all of us at Ferguson and Howard Team Your Hudson, WI Real Estate Specialists! * Baked Goods Sale   Bring your non-perishable food items will be collected. All food donations will be distributed to the local foods shelves in Hudson, River Falls and New Richmond.   11/29/2011

John & Becky Durham Throw A Troy Burne Packer/Viking Game Party      The Durham Executive Group (John & Becky Durham) have always been Packer fans but with our daughter now being a Minnesota Viking Cheerleader we have to at least partially dress the part at Viking home games to show her our support. Well, at least mom (Becky) did while wearing a MVC Mom's shirt given to her from her Viking Cheerleader daughter.         Invitations were sent out to many Troy Burne households for attendance at John & Becky Durham's home this evening to watch the Packer/Viking game. We continue to be amazed with the wonderful people of Troy Burne and their acceptance and friendliness towards new families such as ours. We will always share that Troy Burne is an absolute amazing place to 'Live, Work, and Pla... 11/14/2011

Troy Burne WI Halloween Party - Durham Executive Group     Join us in celebrating the Halloween holiday on Friday, October 28 at 7:00 pm hosted by John and Becky Durham.  This will be a couples night, all cook, with a golf theme for food and costumes!  Think fun, crazy and not “your usual” golf attire for the costumes- famous golfers, movie golfers (Caddy Shack), golf props, anything goes! Golf food could be any food you associate with golfing or you can play on golf words to create your unique dish (“Birdie” wings, Peanut “Putter” cookies, “Club” house sandwiches, Donut “holes”…. )  We will supply the par “tee” punch!    The Master's Jacket          11/09/2011

Moving to Hudson Wisconsin - Durham Executive Group     Recently our family moved to Hudson Wisconsin and we found we have rediscovered our love for the outdoors after having lived in the Twin Cities for the previous 23-years. As realtors our home search focused on specific home criteria with most of them etched in stone on what it would take us to move, but never once did we truly factor in the amazing country side views, the relaxing scenery of a farm, the abundant wild life, the daily view of the stunningly beautiful Saint Croix river as we cross over it to go into the Twin Cities, the crystal clear view of the evening sky and stars, or the spectacular sunsets every evening.  In short, we have fallen in love with living in Troy Burne and the Hudson Wisconsin area. Once there we obser... 11/09/2011

Looks like a Fun Night for a Great Cause! Fashion Fusion Tuesday, October 25 - 7:00 PM Elan presents Fashion Fusion Tickets can be purchased for $10 at Elan 218 Locust Street in Hudson, WI 54016 (proceeds go to Pink for Life When: Tuesday, October 25th Where: Phipps Center for the Arts  Time: Style show begins at 7:00 pm Event is sponsored by: Elan, Dilly Dally in the Alley, The Nova and Marnie Marie Photography! 10/21/2011

HUDSON, WI Garage Sale this Friday and Saturday! Thursday, September 22 and Friday, September 238:00AM -- 6:00PM 521 & 517 McCutcheon RoadHudson, WI 54016 Custom Oak Entertainment Unit, Curio Cabinet, Wrought Iron Glass 5 Shelf Unit and other furniture.Scrapbooking, Stampin Up! rubber stamps and supplies. Snowbabies collectables, crystal pieces, children's clothing, furniture, toys, and puzzles. Household items, bedding, office supplies, picture frames, books, complete collection of cabin room décor and much more! 09/19/2011

  Hudson's Lion's Garage Sale is starting on Friday the 9th and going through until Saturday the 10th. It is a great way to buy and sell items within your community. This is the 10th year of this community garage sale. If you see a sign in someone's yard that looks like the one above, then they are registered with the Lion's Garage Sale. All locations will be listed in the Star Observer, otherwise you can purchase them for $1.00 at other various locations, like a gas station. There are at least 75 garage sales this year so plan your day to garage hop! HAPPY GARAGE-SALE-ING! If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.realestatewimn.com/ 09/06/2011

  HUDSON LIBRARY   The library: a place that is overlooked despite all that it has to offer. The library is truly a great place to spend your time. Hudson Library offers a variety of books, magazines, newspapers, videos, DVDs, recorded books, children's story time, and even wireless internet acces. If you are looking to purchase a book, stop at the library first, and save the $15 and rent it from the library. Take the kids there during the afternoon, let them read some wonderful children's books in the spectacular storytime area, while you search for the next best dieting book. Start taking advantage of your local Hudson library.     If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.realestatewimn.com/ 09/01/2011

Convenient one-stop shop to get your New York style sandwiches or Chicago dogs. Kaladi's  2.0 offers casual eatery including ribs, burgers, homemade soups and gelato. This isn't the place to get all dressed up for on the weekend to go out. This is a place to go if you want some good back and just want to sit back and relax. As owner & head chef Jaysen Jones says, "We’re going to cook great food for a good price, and give people what they want to eat." Kaladi's 2.0 features a full coffee bar with free access to WiFi as well. Kaladi's 2.0 is located at 3250 Heiser StreetHudson, WI 54016   If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.realestatewimn.com/ 08/31/2011

    If you're looking for something to do on this rather gloomy day, I have an idea. Head on down to the Phipps Art Center. No, not for a concert or a play, but rather to ponder the galleries. As of right now Phipps Art Center is showcasing 3 different galleries. These galleries run through September 25th, so even if you don't get out today you still have some time. If you want to check out what these galleries are all about before you go there, click here. Spend a couple hours enjoying what people have to offer through art-it is pretty incredible.             If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.realestatewimn.com/ 08/28/2011

Ok, I know I've already blogged about Agave Kitchen in downtown Hudson and how fabulous it is: how it's right by the river, the menu offers a variety of foods, the environment is fun, etc. So I'm going to skip all that and get straight to the good stuff for today.   For $15 you can get $30 worth of food at Agave Kitchen! That's 50% off of lunch or dinner! What a deal!   This deal is run through Groupon. Groupon is a company that sends out deals daily for local restaurants, events, & more. If you sign up you can take advantage of not only this deal that is being offered today, but other great deals going on in your community. Take advantage of this deal. Click here to get signed up and receive this offer. ENJOY!     If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.rea... 08/26/2011

If you haven't already tried this fabulous restaurant, you have got to pick up the phone and dial to make reservations right now for tomorrow night. Shanghai Bistro is known for their phenomenal sushi. I'm talking like "keep the rolls coming" kind of sushi. If you're not a fan of sushi, they have other great things to offer as well. They offer basic Chinese cuisine, like sesame chicken, kung pao chicken & more. Despite the magnificent array and presentation of their food, Shanghai Bistro's prices are very reasonable.     The atmosphere is great-casual & chic. They also have a great outdoor seating area with live jazz music Friday and Saturday nights. So make those reservations, and I promise you will keep going back.   Shanghai Bistro in Hudson is located at 2420 Gateway Court.         ... 08/25/2011

Tomorrow morning (Thursday, August 25) starting at 7 o'clock, fresh produce including fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. will be flourishing at Plaza 94. All produce being sold are locally farm-fresh produced- so this food is just about as fresh as you can get. It is a great way to contribute and support your local farmers in the community. If you've never purchased from a farmer's market before, you've got to go. There is nothing like it. Not only will you love the food, but you will fall in love with the real sense of community you get while shopping around. Plaza 94 is located at 1801 Ward Avenue. You won't miss it. So get to bed early tonight, get your shopping list ready and support and shop away!   If you know anyone looking to buy, sell or build visit... http://www.realestatewimn.... 08/24/2011