A Christmas Poem

Christmas Gift Suggestions - By Oren Arnold

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.

A Merry Christmas to everyone and a very Happy Holiday Season from all of us at BuyWisconsinLand.com

Selling "Gifted" Real Estate

We at BuyWisconsinLand.com think land is a fantastic Christmas gift.  Check out our website for great wooded hunting acreages and recreational properties.

However, if you already have a property that was a gift, that is property given to you from someone living (not left to you in a will) and you want to sell that land, there are tax consideration you need to be aware of. This article from by William Perez from About.com should give you some insight.

People often end up owning real estate and other property when the original owner has given that property to them. Transfers of property given before the original owner dies is called a gift. Recipients of gift property have different tax consequences than recipients of inherited property.

Full Story Selling Gift Property

Hope you get your shopping done soon! 

A 1850 Thanksgiving Story

Remembering to help those in need.  From the Wisconsin Historical Society, published by the Wisconsin State Journal

"It was Thanksgiving morning in 1850," James Pond recalled. His family lived in a one-room log cabin in rural Fond du Lac County, but their harvest had been so poor that his father had left several days earlier to earn money for food.

Back home, his family starved. "We had eaten the last of our frozen turnips," Pond wrote, "(and) the cows had dried up for lack of proper feed. ..." He went outdoors that morning "because I could not bear to listen to poor mother's prayer for relief that seemed impossible to expect."

Read more: Odd Wisconsin: Thanksgiving visitor brought food to family

 Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at BuyWisconsinLand.com

Owning Hunting Land

Buying a piece of land to hunt on is one thing, buying a hunting property is quite another.

In this article by by Rich Baugh of Whitetail Properties on realtree.com, the author explains not only the financial aspects of buying land, but maintainance of the land itself to make a haven for wildlife and bring you success hunting.

Most hunters dream of owning their own property. I was able to realize that dream around 10 years ago when two close friends and I purchased a farm in Adams County, Illinois. My justification for buying that farm was to have a place to hunt and avoid the costs associated with leasing land or paying an outfitter. This was a valid reason, but in hindsight, I now realize there were many more benefits. I never imagined how exciting it would be to hunt my own property or how rewarding the overall land ownership/management experience would be. It was the best investment I’ve ever made.

Since that original purchase, I’ve bought more farms and have learned many lessons in the process. As a land specialist with Whitetail Properties, I’ve also helped dozens of buyers realize the dream of land ownership. Through my personal land purchases and my job as a land specialist agent, I’ve learned some things that can simplify the buying process. Purchasing a property is a major undertaking. It’s critical that you take the necessary time to ensure you’re making the right decisions along the way.

Full Story Tips for Buying Hunting Property

Find great hunting properties and recreational land in over 40 Wisconsin Counties BuyWisconsinLand.com

Protecting the Chippewa Flowage Area

Keeping wooded lands open to the public - article by Joe Knight Eau Claire Leader-Telegram

The state has bought a permanent lease on over 10,000 acres of forested land bordering the Chippewa Flowage to make sure the land stays forested and open to the public.

This was the first purchase under Gov. Scott Walker using the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the state got pretty good mileage from its investment. The purchase price of the 10,083 easement was $4,547,100. Of this amount, $2,500,000 is being provided by the US Department of Agriculture through its Forest Legacy Program. The balance of the cost $2,047,100, is from Stewardship..

Full Story Land lease protects Chippewa Flowage

Find wooded land for you and your family to enjoy for years to come BuyWisconsinLand.com

Buying Investment Property with Cash

Is is better to buy investment property with cash or a mortgage?  Check out the thoughts of Chris Joseph, an eHow.com contributor for reasons why it might be.

Prospective real estate investors may choose to purchase a property in cash instead of taking out a mortgage. According to the SmartMoney website, as many as 60 percent of investors were using cash to purchase second properties as of 2011. Although using cash may deplete financial reserves, it does offer a number of advantages for potential investors. 

Read more: The Advantages of Paying Cash for Investment Properties

Find great investment and recreational properties BuyWisconsinLand.com

When Is the Right Time To Buy Real Estate?

Most people want to get the most for their money. 

Okay, so that's a really obvious statement, but sometimes it can be a tricky thing to do.  Especially in this market for real estate.  How do you know it's the right time to invest?

In this article in a blog by Lisa Udy, she explains some of indicators of a changing market.  These are things you can check out in advance of beginning your real estate search, so you can get the biggest "bang for your buck".

How do you time the real estate market where you live? Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could show you a timeline of bottoms and peaks of future real estate markets? You could make millions!!! *cough*

Okay, so no one can time real estate markets just right. Not even the government big wigs saw this market coming. Well, if they were paying attention they would have. So, what key market indicators signal up’s and down’s in the real estate market?

Full Story Key Market Indicators Help Time Real Estate Markets

If you have questions about land buying in Wisconsin contact Roy Burlingame, Broker, BuyWisconsinLand.com 

Selling Hunting Land

If you have wooded land or acreage to sell, this is the time of year to have it on the market in Wisconsin.

Why? Because the fall means hunting season and lots of folks head for the woods to bag that big tom or 30 point buck. It also means they are driving around looking at available land they can call their own to hunt on.

We at BuyWisconsinLand.com know how to handle this sales process, strategically marketing properties to ensure greater exposure to buyers looking for hunting property in Wisconsin.

If you have questions or would like to list property on BuyWisconsinLand.com, just contact me, Roy Burlingame at property@buywisconsinland.com. Or visit our website and leave a message here. I look forward to working with you.

Large Acreage Property

Looking for large acreage wooded properties? Find some great listings on BuyWisconsinLand.com


In Adams County we have two adjacent listings that total 273.5 acres across the street from Castle Rock Lake. Both have trails, one includes a private pond that is loved by the ducks.
ADAMS 1308
ADAMS 1309

You can find 400 acres with Beaver Creek frontage in Eau Claire County. Bring your compass and ATV here all day and night! EAU 2006

Email our Broker Roy Burlingame property@buywisconsinland.comabout even larger properties.

Answers to Legal Questions

A Real Estate Agent is a great resource to answer your real estate questions such as: what properties are for sale? How is this property zoned and what are the taxes? Can I build on this land? What are average prices of land in this area?

But legal questions about property and purchasing land cannot be answered by a Realtor®. For that you need a lawyer.

This page from the State Bar of Wisconsin has some general questions with information that you should know whether you are buying or selling a property. Remember, for legal questions concering a specific property or purchase, you need to consult your own attorney. Buying/Selling Residential Real Estate: Answering Your Legal Questions

Check out great hunting properties in over 40 Wisconsin Counties BuyWisconsinLand.com

The Wisconsin State Fair

Time for some cream puffs - so let's all go to the fair!

The Wisconsin State Fair will begin this Thursday August 4th and run to August 14th at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis.

Along with all the wonderful exhibits, rides, cream puffs, displays, food, cream puffs and competitions, the main stage will be hosting MC Hammer, Jeff Dunham, Blake Shelton, Cirque Sublime and many other great shows.

Did we mention the cream puffs?

Get all the details Wisconsin State Fair 2011

Investing in Your Vacation?

What on earth does investing in your vacation mean? And why would you want to?

Recreational property is more often thought of as just a luxury, something you own to use and enjoy. But we are still talking about real estate here, and real estate can be a great investment as well as your getaway from the world.

Finding the right property that will fill you and family's vacation needs as well as add to your portfolio can be a challenge. And that's where we can help.

At BuyWisconsinLand.com we work with you, and help you with information you need to make an informed property decision and get the "vacation" and "investment" you want.

Want to see what's available? Check out our website for listings in over 40 Wisconsin Counties. Have questions? Drop us a line at property@buywisconsinland.com or call 877-339-6535 and let us know what you are looking for.

Buy Low and Sell High

Yes this is the world's most obvious statement to an investor.

But the trick is knowing what is "low" and what is "high".

We liked this article by Paul Breden at Bigger Pockets. He describes an excellent strategy for knowing prices in the real estate market. At BuyWisconsinLand.com we too, want to see our customers buy low and sell high, so we use the latest technology to make sure we know where our local real estate market is, and can help you have a smooth and profitable real estate transaction.

OK - so you already know that "Buy low - sell high" is a workable strategy. How, then, do you identify the property with the lowest potential purchase price?

There are two sources of pricing information. Both are available to the general public, and both may be available online. The first is current asking prices for the type property you are seeking. The second is accurate recent sale prices that other sellers have accepted. The difference between the two can be significant.

Full Story "Buy Low Sell High" Not Just A Cliche'!

Follow Us twitter.com/buywisland

Real Estate And Football

Here is a wonderful example of how someone gets into the Real Estate Investment Market. This article was written by Flower D from BiggerPockets.com

WHAT DOES REAL ESTATE HAVE TO DO WITH FOOTBALL?
Plenty when two Coaches’ Wives sit down to talk about it

I had the rare opportunity to interview Sally Brown, wife of Coach Mack Brown, Head Football Coach for the University of Texas Austin for my September 2008 podcast. Outside the limelight of Longhorn football, Sally is down to earth, a mother to the team, and savvy business woman. With a long-term career in real estate development and a millionaire many times over before meeting Mack Brown, I had to sit down and pick her brain about how to “Make It” in real estate, being a Coaches’ Wife, and her life as “Ms. Sally Brown”.

Full Story What Does Real Estate Have To Do With Football?

The 1031 Exchange

What is a 1031 Exchange Transaction?

Solomon Lander, eHow Contributor, defines it like this:

A Section 1031 Exchange allows you to sell a property and purchase a replacement property without having to pay capital gains tax on the transaction. Because you are just changing one property to another without actually receiving your equity back, it is not considered a gain.

Read more: What Is a 1031 Exchange Transaction? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_7940194_1031-exchange-transaction.html

If you are looking to to a 1031 Exchange for acreage in Wisconsin and have questions, contact our Broker Roy Burlingame and be sure to visit BuyWisconsinLand.com and check out beautiful wooded properties.

Wisconsin Property Owners Guide

Here's a handy booklet from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue outlining assessment and property taxes in Wisconsin.

2011 Guide for Property Owners
The questions and answers in this booklet provide information about property assessment and taxation in Wisconsin. The narrative provides general information and does not deal with legal details. Should you want additional information about your assessment, contact your local assessor.

BuyWisconsinLand.com salutes all veterans this Memorial Day - we will not forget.

Financial Spring Cleaning

It's finally here - the weather is warming and flowers are beginning to bloom. Ahh...Spring.

You've started raking the yard, seeding the lawn, planing new gardens. Ok, neither have we, but it's on the to-do list. Now, what about your money?

Spring is a good time to review your finances and make sure your money is working for you. Here's a great article from billeater.com to get you started
11 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Wallet

Then when you've finished all that work, head out to the woods to relax. Need to find a great getaway? We've got listings for recreational and hunting properties in over 40 Wisconsin Counties. BuyWisconsinLand.com

Why is Tax Day April 18th?

Wondering why we had three extra days to get our taxes done this year? After all April 15th did fall on a Friday, which was a regular work day, right?

The tax code says that tax forms are due April 15th unless it falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Federal Holiday. None of these conditions applied.

However, Emanacipation Day, an official public holiday in Washington DC, which is usually celebrated April 16th, was moved to April 15th, a Friday, instead of Saturday, to give folks a day off. In recognition of this holiday, Tax Day was moved to April 18th.

To those who wait to the last minute - get to the post office today!

We at BuyWisconsinLand.com want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter!

Property Priced to Sell

Most people when making a purchase of any item first check out the price. It's our guide to the value of that item. And if we feel the item is worth the amount being asked we will consider buying it.

The same principle applies to Real Estate, but price and value can sometimes seem harder to determine.

In this article from the blog of Lisa Udy, Broker Of Platinum Real Estate Group In Logan Utah, she is giving information to help Sellers to properly price their listing. When you are buying property, it helps to know what information has gone into coming up with the value of the real estate, so you can determine what price you are willing to pay for it.

Article: Is your Property Priced to Sell?

Whether you are buying or selling, remember working with a Realtor® who knows the market can make all the difference in getting value for your money. You can contact the Agents at BuyWisconsinLand.com by emailing property@buywisconsinland.com or fill out our form here Contact Us.

Owning Real Estate is a Benefit to You

Why is an investment in Real Estate better than other options? This eHow Money article by Luke Arthur explains some of the benefits.

Real estate can provide you with some advantages that other types of property cannot. Owning real estate can give you tax breaks and appreciation. Many people also like the idea of property ownership because it allows them to be in control of their own home. You can also buy it without investing that much of your own money.

Full Story Benefits of Real Estate eHow.com

At BuyWisconsinLand.com we believe that an investment in Real Estate is also something you can enjoy while you watch your money "grow". Contact us at property@buywisconsinland.com or visit our website and see the beautiful "investments" we offer.

History of Wisconsin Land

The original survey of what is now the State of Wisconsin was done by the Federal General Land Office between 1832 and 1866. This established the pattern by which property descriptions are still determined, the Township, Range and Section grid.

You can see many of the original Plat maps, and read the field notes taken by surveyors at the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands web pages on the UW Madison website Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records: Original Field Notes and Plat Maps

Find you own place in Wisconsin History BuyWisconsinLand.com

Buying Property In Winter

Although recent weather has made us all "think spring" - this article written by Karen Rivedal from the Madison State Journal makes the case for why it's best to look at rural properties in the winter.

Believe it or not, now's a great time to be tromping around outside checking out rural properties you might be more likely to actually use once it warms up a bit.

So says Jay Frazier, Property Trax's go-to guy on questions of outdoor real estate -- hunting parcels, getaway properties, country homes, cottages and farms.

"There's less competition for properties in winter, as there are fewer buyers on the hunt. In some cases, this can mean better deals," said Frazier, a Muscoda-based agent who peddles rural properties in southwest Wisconsin for First Weber.

And for hunters especially, winter is a great time of year to check for wildlife signs on the property to figure out where critters are going.

Full Story Property Trax: Winter in Wisconsin is prime time to see, buy rural property, agent says

There's still plenty of winter to get out and see great properties! Visit BuyWisconsinLand.com to see land listings in over 40 Wisconsin Counties or email us property@buywisconsinland.com for more information and answers to your real estate questions. We look forward to working with you.

Helping People Invest

One of the reasons I help my clients invest in real estate is the enjoyment I get from working with them to find a property that meets their requirements, researching their financing and purchasing options, and successfully completing the transaction. And then, there’s the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing that the equity they build will help them achieve a higher quality of life.

As history shows, real estate has always been a steadily appreciating investment, even with the occasional market downturns. So if you would like to get together and talk about how you can benefit from this downturn, please let me know. I’d be happy to help you through the investment process.

Roy Burlingame, Broker
property@buywisconsinland.com

To see current land listings in over 40 Wisconsin Counties visit my website BuyWisconsinLand.com

Gifts or Inheritance?

If you own real estate and are wondering what is the best way to pass it along to your children or keep it in the family, this article is for you.

From About.com's William Perez's blog "William's Tax Planning Blog" Mr Perez takes a question regarding the transfer of a condominium in Florida between a father and daughter. He reviews the tax aspects and gives options on how one can transfer property and save on taxes. Although this article is specific to one property, the points it makes and options it gives are ones that we can all review and make the best choice when passing real estate along to family.

The Gift of Real Estate: Generosity Can Be Taxing

follow us twitter.com/buywisland