It seems like the real estate market is in a pivotal state right now. In the Dells area we had a very active December, a slow January and we have seen some pick up in the market in February. Year to date 18 properties sold in this area compared to 14 sales last year. There are 14 accepted offers in process indicating that March sales should be above last year’s number. These numbers show year to year growth, but at a snails pace.

What is most concerning are the 700 properties currently on the market for sale. At the current rate of sales it would take many years for all of these properties to sell, just too much inventory. The breakdown of the listed properties is 200 single family (many are mfg homes which are tough to sell) 150 condo’s and 330 lots/acreage properties.

2009 Wisconsin Dells Area Real Estate Statistics as of December 31, 2009
	Avg. Sell	% Change		#	% Change		Avg DOM		Avg. List	Currently	Avg DOM
	Price	to 2008		sold	to 2008		Sold		Price	listed	Listed
Single Family Custom Built	$144,963	-3.86%		102	7.84%		133		$220,008	157	223
Condominium	$201,660	16.89%		33	-24.24%		133		$239,464	151	321
Land and Lots	$57,895	-66.93%		32	-50.00%		149		$177,904	318	349
Single Family Manufactured Home	$66,386	-38.20%		22	13.64%		126		$99,685	36	277

The data for these tables was captured from the South Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service and includes several areas that make up the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton vicinity.

2009 Market Report for Wisconsin Dells Area
		Single Family			Land			Condo
Location		Sold	Avg. Price	DOM	Sold	Avg Price	DOM	Sold	Avg. Price	DOM
Wisc Dells, Adams	A20	0			0			2	210,500	35
Wisc Dells, Columbia	B33	19	104,294	142	0			7	244,142	111
Wisc Dells, Sauk	Q37	0			0			1	330,000	116
Newport	B21	7	156,700	142	1	65,000	92	0
New Haven	A13	3	195,666	64	0			0
Dell Prairie	A05	17	135,670	134	4	78,750	107	2	189,000	20
Springville	A18	19	82,694	106	7	53,114	85	8	90,437	174
Easton	A06	10	107,080	93	6	25,116	264	0
Lyndon	L14	11	145,488	110	1	48,000	193	0
Lyndon Station	L15	5	57,274	74	0			0
Kildare	L09	3	69,133	241	5	67,330	308	0
Lake Delton	Q14	16	130,154	147	6	75,833	130	18	205,586	153
Dellona	Q04	13	170,184	150	3	40,600	150	0
Delton	Q05	14	184,329	126	6	36,316	123	0

	2010	2009	2008	2007
January	5	8	14	20
February	13	6	19	27
March		11	19	26
1st Quarter		25	52	73
April		13	21	25
May		20	23	32
June		24	13	21
2nd Quarter		57	57	78
Half Year		82	109	151
July		28	14	28
August		17	21	34
September		21	11	39
3rd Quarter		66	46	101
October		22	17	21
November		19	13	31
December		21	13	13
4th Quarter		62	43	65
YTD		210	198	317

The consumer confidence indicator can be used to measure how comfortable consumers feel about spending.  The market for real estate properties such as vacation homes is directly affected by how comfortable the consumer is feeling.

After 11 months of confidence growth the index dropped over 10 points in February.  This coincides with a drop in consumer spending and housing sales during the month of January.