The Best Moves You Can Make NOW
to Buy a Home in Door County for 2021
It's still a hot Seller's market in Door County in August of 2021, and YOU are ready to purchase a Door County home now in autumn to be ready for the 2022 season. What homes are available NOW and what can you do to position yourself to become the lead Offer on the house of your choosing?
We're not going to tell you any "cute" tips, like write a personal letter with some pictures of your children or your pets (we're getting a lot of those right now). You will need to think outside of the box a bit more than that.
We are seeing Offers with minimal contingencies. You may consider writing an Offer without an inspection (be sure you do plenty of research before you take that route, but many Buyers are doing it right now). If you waive an inspection, you may wind up liable for costly repairs in the future.
One easy tip to recommend is to use an accredited Door County Buyer agent (ABR). Only members of the Door County Board of Realtors Multiple Listing Service have access to the actual Door County MLS....and all Door County Multiple Listing Service listings. So make sure you choose a local agent, and preferably one with the Accredited Buyer Representative designation (as attained through the National Association of Realtors).
Your Buyer agent will be able to help you decide where to bid, also. Some homes here are going for tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price. Most of those homes are priced under $500,000.00. So if you're looking for a home or condominium priced under $500,000.00, ask your Door County Buyer agent to set you up for an HOURLY MLS search. You can automatically be sent the listings that are in your price point and that are of interest to you.
However, you have to be able to work quickly in this market, so MAKE SURE that if you are financing, you have been pre-approved and you have your pre-approval letter ready to submit with any Offer.
One things we are seeing are cash offers being written with "behind the scenes" financing. This can be dangerous, as a cash deal is an actual cash transaction, and if it is written as same, you may have to be prepared to take money from funds you weren't planning on using (many people like the current stock market rate of return versus low interest rates). We see this often--a Buyer will write a cash Offer and then try to finance. Additionally, if you write a cash Offer, the Seller is not obligated to allow an appraisal if if there is no appraisal contingency (and the Seller is unlikely to accept an appraisal contingency---in this market, the "price is the price"). So think carefully about how you are going to finance your purchase, and also make plans to be competing with other Offers.
With so many Offers being written on homes, take your agent or broker's advice about timelines. Right now, we know the title companies, lenders, mechanical vendors, home inspectors AND surveyors are swamped. So don't be prepared to close within a short time period unless you are willing to waive those contingencies and offer cash funds.
One other piece of advice: with so many over-full-price, contingency-free Offers being written, PLEASE make your best Offer first. Trying to lowball the Seller in a Seller's market will get you nowhere. Listen to your agent---this isn't a Buyer's market, it is fully a Seller market. If you have an ABR, they will be able to give you comparables so you know where to bid. And make it your best bid--hopefully are the winning bid, and/or at least get a Counter-Offer (and beware of the multiple counter-offer, ask your agent for a full explanation of the Wisconsin Bar Multiple Counter-Offer form).
That's a lot of negative news for what should be an enjoyable event: buying your Door County dream home (or condominium, business or vacant land). The GREAT news is that we now have more inventory than we have had all summer, and it's still a great time to find a Door County property because of low interest rates (but remember--have that pre-approval letter!). So here are some wonderful Door County listings that are available as of the time of this writing:
1. 10392 Northwoods Drive, Sister Bay, Wisconsin 54234: This 3 bedroom home on the outskirts of the Village of Sister Bay (an easy bike ride downtown), packs a LOT of punch as a year-round residence or vacation home, with a 2 car garage, 3 full baths, a heated building with indoor/outdoor bars and an actual barn (with a beautiful herringbone truss ceiling). Located on a quiet road, this is a wonderful opportunity to call Sister Bay home (or your home away from home). Learn more about 10392 Northwoods Drive, Sister Bay, WI 54234 here.
2. 470 Europe Lake Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210. This classic Door County waterfront cottage for sale, located on the shores of beautiful Europe Lake, offers 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, nearly 300 feet of pristine shore, and is located near a public boat launch and just footsteps from the clear, sand-bottomed shores of Europe Lake. In the same family for over 30 years, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a Door County shore home on a an inland lake. Learn more about our listing at 470 Europe Lake Road, Ellison Bay, WI 54210 here.
3. 10529 S. Highland Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234. This four bedroom home is perfect for entertaining, with an open floor plan and plenty of room for overnight guests. Walk or bike to downtown or uptown shopping, dining, two public beaches, the marina and so much more! Two car garage, and this was a new build--new construction in 2021 to be worry-free and to give you peace of mind as your new year-round home or Sister Bay vacation residence. Learn more about our listing at 10529 S. Highland Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234 here.
4. 9868 Hidden Spring Road, Ephraim, WI 54211. A rare opportunity: a 4 bedroom Ephraim home for sale in the downtown district--footsteps from the public beach, shopping, dining and so much more! Located on the corner of Hidden Springs Road and Water Street, in the heart of the action, one can walk to everything you enjoy in Ephraim. This offering also includes a seasonal 1 bedroom cottage behind the main residence. Learn more about our listing at 9698 Hidden Spring Road, Ephraim, WI 54211 by checking here.
5. 5645 Bay Shore Drive, The Shores Condominium, Egg Harbor, WI. This lovely 3 bedroom home with fireplace, footsteps from the shores of Green Bay, will provide lasting memories of sunsets over the water, swimming in the in-ground pool, cozy fires on chilly autumn evenings and so much more. Located in a very private setting close to Egg Harbor and Sturgeon Bay, learn why The Shores is one of Door County's best-kept secrets. Learn more about our listing at 4645 Bay Shore Drive, Unit #1, Egg Harbor, WI 54209 here.
6. 2653 Old Lime Kiln Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234. Incredible Sister Bay home for sale on 10 acres! This three bedroom home for sale with den and bonus sleeping loft boast a fireplace, a great open floor plan, 2 car garage, 3 full bathrooms and the most AMAZING pastoral views of the surrounding countryside! It's an easy bike ride into downtown Ephraim, as well as being minutes by car to Sister Bay or Baileys Harbor. Amazing opportunity! Learn more about our new listing at 2653 Old Lime Kiln Road, Sister Bay, Liberty Grove WI 54234 here.
It's still a hot Seller's market in Door County in August of 2021, and YOU are ready to purchase a Door County home now in autumn to be ready for the 2022 season. These fantastic homes are available NOW to enjoy Autumn of 2021 and all of the 2022 season. Call for your private tour today!
The Best Moves You Can Make NOW
to Buy a Home in Door County for 2021
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