July 14, 2010

Delavan Lake 1st Half Summary

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Sales of Delavan Lakefront and Lake Access Properties continue to improve over last year.

HOME SALES
For the first six months, there were nine lakefront properties sold and five lake access property sold. Last year, there were four lakefronts sold and 10 lake access properties sold in the first half. The lake access properties ranged from a $36,000 cottage in Delmar Subdivision to a $227,500 two-bedroom in Del Oaks. The lakefronts ranged from a $291,000 short sale on Lake Trail to a $950,000 five-bedroom, six-bath home with 125 feet of frontage.

CONDO SALES
The Delavan Lake condominium market raced ahead of last year. There have been 11 sales this year compared to one last year. Sales ranged from a $57,900 condo/hotel unit to a $194,000 two-bedroom Delavan Club unit.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES
There are 111 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is up from 95 last year. The lake access properties start at $48,500 for a small two-bedroom cottage and increase to $550,000 for a four-bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $335,000 for a three-bedroom home on Brown’s Channel and progress to $2,499,900 for a six-bedroom home with 132 feet of frontage on North Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS
In the condo arena, there are 47 units for sale, which is down from 95 last year. The properties range from a $57,900 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $425,000 for a stunning three-bedroom with a pier, boat lift and boat launch in Delavan Gardens.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS
The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is located at 4325 East Drive. Listed at $129,900, this remodeled two-bedroom home has a pier, boat launch, park, and beach. In addition, there is a large back yard and attached one-car garage.


BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT
The best value for a Delavan lakefront is located at 2510 Manor Lane. This four-bedroom, two-bath home, has 100 feet of level lakefront, a private pier, wrap-around deck and a 2.5 car garage. Listed at $999,000, this home offers magnificent lake views and sunsets.


Posted by:  Ryan Simons



July 05, 2010

Shores of Delavan moving to concept

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The Shores of Delavan development project is moving forward to the Town of Delavan Planning Commission with an updated proposal to create the largest subdivision ever in Delavan Township.

The 600-plus unit development will be north of Valencia Drive and adjacent to the Inlet of Delavan Lake. The proposed density of this development, one house for every .34 acres of land, will have more houses per square foot than any other subdivision in Delavan other than the Highlands which has had numerous flooding problems over the years.

The next meeting of the Planning Commission is Tuesday, July 6 at 7pm. The meeting will take place at the Town Hall located on Town Hall Road. The public is invited to show their support, concern or questions regarding this massive development.

Posted by:  Ryan Simons



June 29, 2010

Delavan Lakefront Home Sales Stay Under $1 Million

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The latest sale on Delavan Lake stayed under the $1 million dollar mark.

However, with 64 feet of frontage, this four bedroom, three bath home was fairly priced ($905,000) in this market. The prior sale was on 60 feet of frontage and sold for $855,000.

Posted by:  Ryan Simons



June 25, 2010

July 3 Delavan Lake Fireworks

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Delavan, Ryan Simons

The Town of Delavan and Delavan Lake will be holding their annual fireworks display on July 3rd this year. The fireworks will be launched from the main town park at the intersection of Hwy 50 and South Shore Drive.

The day will include music, dancing, and food and beverage. There will be a beer tent for the adults, soda and hot dogs for the kids, and a live band.

Fireworks can be seen from a number of locations around the lake with one of the best spot being by boat at the north east corner of Delavan Lake.

In addition to the fireworks, food and music, the Delavan-Darien Rotary Club will be holding its annual raffle for three cash prizes. Tickets can be purchased on July 3 at the event or by sending an email to .

Posted by:  Ryan Simons



June 17, 2010

Delavan Lake for less than $1 million

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

One new listing and one price reduction have placed two large Delavan lakefront properties in the less than $1 million mark.

The newest listing, at 2510 Manor Lane, is a four bedroom two story situated on 100 feet of prime waterfront. With expansive views and a sweeping front deck, this property is designed for summer enjoyment.


Manor Lane
North Shore Drive

The second property, recently reduced to $849,000, is one of the more economical buys on Delavan Lake. Located at 2504 North Shore Drive, the home features four bedrooms, four baths and a four car garage. Placed close to the water’s edge, the views from the lakefront deck, great room, and master suite are panoramic and picturesque.

Posted by:  Ryan Simons



May 25, 2010

Channel Your Ambitions

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

When the main body of a lake is too expensive, it may be time to channel your ambitions.  Try exploring some of the great properties that are on channels leading to a lake.  These properties, like the one at 4320 East Drive in Delavan, WI offer greater bang for your buck.

This Delavan lakefront property is located on Brown’s Channel, a tributary that leads directly into the main body. The channel reduces the price of the home, but not the amenities. The home was constructed in 2005, has wood floors throughout the first floor, a natural fireplace in the great room, large loft area and direct access to the lake.

There is a private boat slip, and as a bonus, there is an association beach and pier on the main body of Delavan Lake. Home owners can go swimming and fishing at this private south shore park.

Priced at only $425,000, this Delavan lakefront property would be more than twice as much on the main body of the lake. And don’t forget… a lower sales price means lower property taxes as well.

Posted by:  Ryan Simons



April 30, 2010

Short Term Rentals and DLSD (Delavan Lake Sanitary District) Easements on Lake Agenda

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The Town of Delavan Lake Committee is inviting residents and property owners in the area to come to the Lake Committee meeting on May 5, 2010 and voice their concerns, thoughts and opinions regarding two relevant topics. The meeting will take place at 7 pm at the Town Hall.

Topics include:

  1. Short Term Rentals around Delavan Lake
  2. Delavan Lake Sanitary District easements and their enforcement

Posted by:Ryan Simons



April 20, 2010

First time home buyers - Delavan, Wisconsin

Posted to Delavan, Mary Petersen

Just past the town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is the perfect home for the first time home buyer.

Delavan is a quaint lake town with all the amenities, shopping, dining & entertainment. This updated bungalow is in a prime location because it is walking distance to the lake & launch.

This well maintained, updated home is turnkey and is located at 402 Eagle Street Delavan - MLS 1123099.

This home is perfect for the 1st time home buyer. The home offers two bedrooms, 1 bath, 2 car garage, full finished lower level and rests on a treed double lot.

The tax credit expires at the end of April. Don’t miss this opportunity.

Posted by:Mary Petersen



April 08, 2010

Delavan Lake 1st Quarter Summary

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan is off to a much stronger start than last year.

HOME SALES
For the first quarter, there were three lakefront properties sold and one lake access property sold. Last year, there were not any lakefronts sold in the first quarter. The lake access property was a $83,265 cottage in Assembly Park. The lakefronts ranged from a $480,000 foreclosure on Lake Trail to a $950,000 five bedroom, six bath home with 125’ of frontage on Willow Point. In addition, six other properties have accepted offers.

CONDO SALES
The Delavan Lake condominium market also improved. There have been two sales this year; a $57,900 condo/hotel unit and a $194,000 two-bedroom Delavan Club unit. Last year, there were not any sales in the first quarter.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES
There are 85 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is down from 89 last year. The lake access properties start at $58,500 for a small two-bedroom cottage and increase to $595,000 for a four bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $335,000 for a three-bedroom home on Brown’s Channel and progress to $2,499,900 for a six-bedroom home with 132 feet of frontage on North Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS
In the condo arena, there are 52 units for sale which is down from 98 last year. The properties range from a $75,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $379,000 for a three-bedroom unit with a pier, boat lift and boat launch.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS
The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is located at 4011 Country Lane. Listed at $224,000, this remodeled three-bedroom home has a pier, boat launch, park, and boat slip. It has a screened in porch off the great room and a large storage area.

BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT
The best value for a Delavan lakefront is located at 2504 North Shore Drive. This four-bedroom, 3.5 bath home has 43 feet of lakefront, a private pier, lower level recreation room with radiant heat in the floors and a four car garage for toy storage. Listed at $899,000, this home is in excellent condition and priced to move.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



March 18, 2010

New Price Point Opens For Delavan Lake

Posted to Delavan

Owning a Delavan Lakefront Property just become more affordable. With direct lake access from either Brown’s Channel or the Delavan Outlet, home owners can now have a true lakefront property for less than $400,000. Option one is a modern three bedroom with 104 feet of private lakefront on the Outlet for $399,000 (pictured below on left). Option two is a three bedroom newer construction two-story on 60 feet of Brown’s Channel frontage for $425,000 (pictured below on right). Both properties feature private boat slips and either a patio or deck.

    

Posted by:Ryan Simons



March 17, 2010

Delavan Lake Market Bounces Back

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The start to the year for Delavan Lakefront Properties is robust. Already we have three closed sales and at least two others under contract. These five sales compare to 11 for the entire year of 2009.

The most recent sale, at 2010 Lakeview, on 60 feet of lakefront sold for $1,075,950. This is 97% of the assessed fair market value, which may indicate that assessed values are a good indicator of true value on Delavan Lake.

Since Delavan Lake had a complete reassessment last year, by what I believe to be a very competent company, the current assessed values have proven to be very accurate for 2010.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



January 20, 2010

Delavan Lake 2009 Update

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

2009 sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan were similar to 2008 levels but down from the sales pace of 2007.

HOME SALES
For the full year, there were 11 lakefront properties sold and 24 lake access properties sold. The least expensive lakefront sale was a $280,000 three-bedroom home on the Delavan Inlet while the most expensive sale was a $2,420,000 estate on South Shore Drive. The lake access properties ranged from a $38,000 foreclosed cottage to a $395,000 four-bedroom home in Assembly Park. Last year, there were 12 lakefronts sold and 22 lake access properties sold. In 2007 there were 22 lakefront sales.

CONDO SALES
The Delavan Lake condominium fared much worse. There were only been six sales compared to 17 last year. The sales range from a $91,000 condo/hotel unit on South Shore Drive to a 2-bedroom unit on the Delavan Outlet for $259,000.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES
There are 69 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is down from 75 at the beginning of last year. The lake access properties start at $60,000 for a two-bedroom cottage and increase to $600,000 for a four bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $339,000 for a three-bedroom home on the Delavan Inlet and progress to $2,200,000 for a six-bedroom, six-bath home on South Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS
In the condo arena, there are 50 units still available with lake access on Delavan. This is down from 79 at the beginning of last year. The drop is a result of listings being taken off of the market without a sale. The properties range from a $75,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $379,000 for a three bedroom unit on North Shore with a boat slip and 2-car garage.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS
The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is a 3-bedroom ranch located in off of South Shore. Listed at $128,500, this three-bedroom home has a boat slip and a two car garage.

BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT
The best value for a Delavan lakefront is a five-bedroom, three-bath lakefront on 60 feet of level frontage. The home features a large front yard, spectacular views, a new kitchen and an oversized pier. Listed at $995,000, this home was originally on the market for $1,150,000.

BEST VALUE WATERFRONT
The best waterfront value is a completely remodeled 3-bedroom with a 2.5 car garage on 75 feet of frontage on the Inlet for $339,000.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



December 14, 2009

Delavan Lakefront Property: Time to Buy

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

You may not think that winter is a good time to purchase a Delavan Lakefront property, but history will prove otherwise.

Over the last two years, there have been 23 Delavan Lakefront properties sold. Of these sales, nine were purchased between October and March. This is almost 40% of the sales. It may be cold outside, but it’s a hot time for buying Delavan Lakefront property.

And what is the best buy on the lake right now? The least expensive Delavan Lakefront is a $339,000, remodeled three-bedroom home with a full basement and two full bathrooms. The home has a natural fireplace, open concept kitchen, window seats in the kitchen and great room, and sits on 75 feet of picturesque Delavan Inlet frontage.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



November 05, 2009

Serious Buyers Pick up Delavan Lakefront Deals

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Now that we are late in the year, we are seeing value hunters finding great deals on Delavan lakefront properties. The three most recent sales attest to this being a rewarding time for persistent buyers.

The first of these sales, a large lakefront parcel with 203 feet of lakefront and 2.6 acres of land is a prime example. This property, which has an older six-bedroom house, was originally listed at $1,995,000 and sold at the end of September for $1,100,000. Shocking considering the rule of thumb for Delavan lakefront was thought to hover around $10,000 per linear foot.

The second example is a four-bedroom home with a walk out lower level situated on 87 feet of frontage. The home had been on the market since February 2007 with a starting price of $995,000. A price point that was not unreasonable at the time. After over two years on the market, the property finally sold for $550,000 at the end of October.

Finally, we have a sale of what was the lowest priced true lakefront on Delavan. With three bedrooms and 40 feet of frontage, this summer home started on the market in September 2006 for a price of $549,900. It was finally sold last week for only $310,000.

With the $310,000 deal now gone, the cheapest you can get on Delavan Lake is now $775,000 for a remodeled three-bedroom on 60 feet of Delavan lakefront.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



October 16, 2009

Three Year Delavan Lakefront Comparison

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Year-to-year, sales of Delavan lakefront properties don’t seem too bad when we only compare 2009 to 2008.

Sales for the first nine months of 2009 were seven units compared to nine units for 2008. But go back one more year, and we see that sales in 2007 were 19 units for the first nine months, more than the next two years combined.

How does this compare in dollars?

For 2009, we have total Delavan Lakefront sales of $7,575,000.
For 2008, we had a total of $6,786,900 in sales for.
But for 2007, the total sales were $19,687,680.
Again, more than the next two years combined.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



October 05, 2009

Delavan Lake 3rd Quarter Update

Posted to Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Ryan Simons

Sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan Lake continue to struggle in 2009 with sales limping along and prices continuing to fall.

HOME SALES

For the nine months of the year, there have been seven lakefront properties sold and 19 lake access properties sold. The least expensive lakefront sale was a $280,000 three-bedroom home on the Delavan Inlet while the most expensive sale was a $2,420,000 estate on South Shore Drive. The lake access properties ranged from a $38,000 foreclosed cottage to a $395,000 four-bedroom home in Assembly Park. Last year at this time, there were nine lakefronts sold and 19 lake access properties sold.

CONDO SALES

The Delavan Lake condominium market is even more depressed. There have only been five sales compared to 14 by this time last year. The sales range from a $91,000 condo/hotel unit on South Shore Drive to a 2-bedroom unit on the Delavan Outlet for $259,000.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES

There remain 91 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is up from 75 at the beginning of the year, but down from 95 at the end of last quarter. The lake access properties start at $70,000 for a two-bedroom cottage and increase to $600,000 for a four bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $349,000 for a three-bedroom home on the Delavan Inlet and progress to $2,499,900 for a six-bedroom, five-bath home on North Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS

In the condo arena, there are 55 units still available with lake access on Delavan. This is down from 79 at the beginning of the year and 86 at the end of last quarter. The drop is a result of listings being taken off of the market without a sale. The properties range from a $95,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $750,000 for a yet-to-be-constructed two-bedroom suite.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS

The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is a 3-bedroom ranch located in off of South Shore. Listed at $114,900, this three-bedroom home has been remodeled with a new kitchen and includes a swim pier and boat launch.


BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT

The best value for a Delavan lakefront is a four-bedroom, two-bath lakefront on 50 feet of level frontage. The home features a large front yard, spectacular views and an oversized pier. Listed at $699,999, this home was originally on the market for $849,000.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



September 17, 2009

Delavan Lakefront Price Support Broken

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Two years ago, it used to be that the rule of thumb for pricing on Delavan Lake was $13,000 per foot of lakefront. This was reasonably based on the sale of a vacant lot on South Shore Drive for $1,300,000 that had 100 feet. Similar sales were also cited.

Over the last two years, we have seen a steady decline to this rule of thumb. There is a vacant parcel now on South Shore with 100 feet available for $999,900 and a recent reduction has thrown the ruler, out the window.

A lakefront estate, granted an older lakefront estate, with 203’ of level frontage has been reduced from $1,995,000 to $1,195,000. The property sports a six-bedroom house, 2.6 acres and a boathouse with magnificent views. Within days of the reduction, the home received an accepted offer.

Are we near the bottom? I believe so. Demand for other Delavan Lakefront homes is picking up. Other offers are being written, and the most recent sale… $1,500,000 for a five-bedroom estate with an in-ground swimming pool and 100 feet of frontage.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



August 24, 2009

Delavan Lake Area Construction Begins

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Construction between North Shore Drive and South Shore Drive of Delavan Lake began today. State Highway 50, which connects the north and south part of the lake, has begun a repaving project.

The project will start with the milling off of the surface of the road. This step is scheduled to finish up on September 4, 2009.

The paving is scheduled to start on September 8, 2009 and finish September 18, 2009.

The other parts of the project include bridge deck paving, striping, curb repair and signal work.

The project is set to be complete October 7, 2009. The road will remain open, but there will be delays traveling along this route.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



August 18, 2009

Entering Delavan Lake Watershed

Posted to Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Janet Giovannetti

You may have seen these signs if you’ve driven near Delavan Lake. They mark the efforts of the Delavan Lake Improvement Association, Delavan Lake Sanitary District, and the Kettle Moraine Land Trust to indicate the area where water begins to find its way to Delavan Lake. Why is this important?

  1. Because Delavan Lake is what the Department of Natural Resources terms a “drainage lake”, with an inlet and outlet, so that underground water patterns and above-ground runoff have a crucial effect on the quality of the lake. And,

  2. Because a healthy lake is good for the environment and for the economy of the Delavan area.

Initially, the organizations will identify the most crucial areas, such as creeks and streams which drain into the lake. The Kettle Moraine Land Trust is working with landowners to place conservation easements on their property in order to maintain open space and encourage healthy lake practices. And the three groups will continue to educate the public about the importance of a healthy watershed. As association member Marilee Host has said, “Our goal is for people to become aware that what they do in their everyday lives within the watershed will impact Delavan Lake.”

Be kind to your lake!

Posted by:Janet Giovannetti



August 10, 2009

Looking to buy a lake home? Here's some information on Wisconsin lake living

Posted to Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Mike Pfammatter

I recently received this question from a prospective lake home buyer.

“Thanks for sending the information. We are in the process of looking these over and I’m sure we will have some questions for you soon. One thing I was trying to figure out is how to get more comfortable with differentiating the quality of the lakes and amenities (private access to sandy beach, very swimmable, community pier, etc…). How would you rate the following lakes.

Delavan, Geneva, Beulah, Twin Lakes, & Lauderdale Lakes

If you can give me your opinion on how you would rate them, that would help us in our prioritization.”

This was my reply:

What a great question! The answer relies on how you feel on a number of variables. I think more important than how I would rate them, is where they fall for you. Let me share some thoughts on this with you.

Here are the main criteria to me - in what I consider some order of importance:

  • Size - surface area, depth
  • Clarity of water and bottom make up - how “swimmable” is it?
  • Proximity to where you live
  • Amenities, shopping, & dining in the area
  • Affordability
  • Peace and quiet factor

Geneva Lake (5500 acres, 135 ft deep, very clear and gravel bottom) is the jewel of the area. It wins hands down in the size, swim-ability, and amenity areas. The property is more expensive here than any of the other lakes. It ranks in the upper half for proximity, and in the lower half for peace and quiet.

Delavan (2200 acres, 65 ft deep, medium clarity, natural bottom) is also a reasonable distance for most, and much more affordable. It’s still a nice large body of water, but it is the least swimmable of the group, and the housing is more dense than most other lakes.

The other three lakes are all between 450 and 900 acres. All of them rate between Geneva and Delavan for clarity and swim-ability. They have mixed bottoms, but most areas are sand or gravel. They are all good swimming lakes.

Beulah and Lauderdale have by far the lease dense housing, they are both more out in the county, but further to drive to. The prices are good when compared to properties on the other 3 lakes, but tend to start at a higher price point.

Twin Lakes, being the closest to the Chicago urban area is an easy drive for most, has a wide range of price and quality, and still has very enjoyable water. Density is as high here as any of the lakes you mentioned.

For me and my family it’s all about the water, and we really like the restaurants and fun in downtown Lake Geneva. I have had a modest home in an association with private lake rights on Geneva Lake for a long time, and I don’t ever think about moving.

If I were choosing now, I would ask myself where my priorities lie and rank the lakes that way. I bet you won’t be disappointed with a home near any one of these lakes, and would even suggest you consider some of the great other smaller lakes like Powers & Whitewater.

If you pick a few homes on each lake I will be happy to show you around all of them. Most people know which lake is right for them when they see it.


Posted by:Mike Pfammatter



July 07, 2009

Delavan Lake 2nd Quarter Summary

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Ryan Simons

Sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan have picked up slightly from the first quarter but remain depressed from last year’s levels.

HOME SALES

For the first half of the year, there have been four lakefront properties sold and 11 lake access properties sold. The least expensive lakefront sale was a $319,000 three-bedroom home on the Delavan Inlet while the most expensive sale was a $2,420,000 estate on South Shore Drive. The lake access properties ranged from a $75,000 cottage to a $395,000 four-bedroom home in Assembly Park. Last year at this time, there were five lakefronts sold and 10 lake access properties sold.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS

The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is located at 2807 Darlington Street. Listed at $139,000, this two-bedroom home has a swim pier, boat launch, two car garage, and comes furnished.

CONDO SALES

The Delavan Lake condominium market continues to struggle this year. There has only been one sale compared to 11 by this time last year. The only sale is a $91,000 condo/hotel unit on South Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES

There remain 95 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is up from 75 at the beginning of the year. The lake access properties start at $42,900 for a small two-bedroom cottage and increase to $600,000 for a four bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $399,000 for a three-bedroom home on Lake Shore Drive and progress to $2,699,900 for a six-bedroom, six-bath home on South Shore Drive.

BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT

The best value for a Delavan lakefront is located at 2702 Willow Point Drive. This 5-bedroom, 5.5 bath home has 125 feet of lakefront, a private pier, 3 car garage and a spectacular 2-story boat house for entertaining and relaxing. Listed at $1,490,000, this home was originally on the market for $2,100,000 and is on one of the best parts of the lake.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS

In the condo arena, there are 86 units still available with lake access on Delavan. This is up from 79 at the beginning of the year. The properties range from a $95,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $1,880,000 for a yet-to-be-constructed three-bedroom suite.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



July 02, 2009

Delavan Lakefront Gets More Affordable

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The price point to get a property on Delavan Lake just broke through the $400,000 mark. With forty feet of lakefront, this three bedroom cottage located on South Lakeshore Drive now allows vacation home seekers an affordable option at only $399,000.

With new construction, you are forced to stay 75 feet from the water’s edge. Not with this gem, however. The lake is within 40 feet of the front door while a private seawall protects you from waves and wind.

In addition to having a private pier, the house also belongs to an association that boasts a lakefront park with a swim pier, beach, and picnic area.

A great investment and a great get-away on Delavan Lake.


Posted by:Ryan Simons



June 19, 2009

Town of Delavan Fireworks Celebration

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The Town of Delavan will be holding their 4th of July Celebrations on July 3rd this year.

Events will start at 4:00 pm with food and beverages at the Delavan Lakefront Town Park located at the corner of Hwy 50 and South Shore Drive.

Featured entertainment will be the Dave Marshall Band. The Band is scheduled to play from 7pm to 11 pm.

Fireworks will be displayed over the lake for everyone’s enjoyment. The fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:30 pm. They can be seen by boat or on the park grounds.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



May 26, 2009

Sales Jump Start the Delavan Lake Market

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Two homes, with sales prices of over a million dollars, have given new life to the Delavan lakefront market. Coming on consecutive Fridays, the first listing closed on May 15 at $1,295,000 and the second on May 22 for $2,420,000.

The first sale, a newly constructed five-bedroom, with towering windows, wood floors and Italian influences closed at 90% of its original asking price. The nearly one-acre lot featured two separate garage structures, a walk-out lower level and a gourmet kitchen.

The second sale, situated on over five acres of private lakefront and 266 feet of shoreline, closed at only 70 percent of its initial asking price of $3,500,000. Compare the $2,420,000 sale price to the $2,180,000 a newly constructed five-bedroom sold for last year on only 75 feet of frontage. The comparison exemplifies the significant reductions such homes are facing in a slower economy.

The sales leave 21 lakefronts available on Delavan Lake listed at $1,000,000 or more. Many of these still need major price adjustments to the downside before they are properly priced for today’s market.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



May 26, 2009

Disappointing List Price May Mean a Faster Sale

Posted to Delavan, Janis Hartley

Two weeks ago I met with a couple who are thinking about listing their Delavan home. We “clicked” quickly and as we discussed the market, they assured me they knew the market wasn’t as strong as it had been. I went to the listing appointment well prepared; I knew the average days on market for similarly priced properties, I knew what had sold in the previous 12 months, I knew their competition – what was and wasn’t priced to sell in the current market, I knew enough statistics to thrill an actuary. Their home has a lovely location and nice space; but it hasn’t been updated and one of the competing properties is an adorable, turn-key home with great lake rights that is priced extremely well. They asked if I had seen a neighboring property new on the market and, since I had not, I assured them I would not only visit that home but all of their direct competition before making a final price suggestion.

During my follow up appointment we had the “price discussion”. I knew they wouldn’t be happy with my suggestion – it was easily $50,000 less than their lowest price expectation. But here’s the problem: I’m a highly competent professional with experience throughout Walworth County and I know the market and I know it won’t support their price. I’d love to work with this charming and gracious couple, and I know I could sell their house, but as I told them yesterday, “I’d rather disappoint you now than let you down later.” It’s my job to make the tough calls. Ultimately, the market value of a property is what a ready, willing, and able buyer pays for it and the four properties in their neighborhood that haven’t sold tell me the ready, willing and able buyers are not paying the prices that are being asked. The lesson in this story? If you’re going to list your home, don’t sign with the agent who tells you what you want to hear; list with the one who delivers a clear, consistent and realistic message. In the end, you’ll be placing a “SOLD” sign in your yard while your neighbors continue to whine about the weak market. From Delavan Lake to Powers Lake and all the places in-between, I’m always willing to talk to sellers who are ready to dig in and get the job done! Give me a call.


Posted by:Janis Hartley



May 25, 2009

Start of Summer in the Delavan Lake Area

Posted to Delavan, Karen Pearce

It’s official! The start of summer in the Delavan Lake Area!! There is so much to do….and so little time! This weekend it’s amazing how many Memorial Day Parades there will be to honor those who have served our Great Country!

While to some it was simply the old rule of thumb that we can start wearing our white shoes and purses again. But we know that it is so much more than that. Memorial Day weekend the start to Summer in Walworth County, I have been awarded the opportunity to work with many buyers over the years, I have had the privilege of hearing so many great stories of your childhoods growing up around the Lake. Sharing your memories of your “Lake Home” or “cottage” I see so many similarities, it’s not about the fancy boat, or a big house, I hear over and over about the friendships made, time spent with siblings and cousins and how many people you could sleep in one house, and the big cookouts. Today’s buyers looking for a place in Walworth County, say they are looking for the same things for their kids. Get the kids out of the house, away from the TV, video games, computers, texting and cell phones and junk food! There are several great places to rent boats, grab one for half a day and pull the kids around on a tube, (they will sleep really good after that). Go fishing off one of the piers, or take a special friend and have a picnic by the Lake Front or spend a couple hours enjoying the “Music in the Park” at Phoenix Park Band shell in Delavan. I have sponsored two great bands for this summer. Don’t let this summer slip by without doing some great activities and making memories with your friends and loved ones.

Posted By: Karen Pearce



May 22, 2009

The Internet Real Estate Buyer: Saves Time, Energy, and Possibly Money

Posted to Delavan, Janis Hartley

Today I closed today on an outstanding Delavan Lake lakefront home, listed at $2.8 million that was perfect for my buyers. I knew it would be perfect for them after talking to them for less than 30 minutes. The first time we met (which was less than 2 months ago) we looked at 8 properties: four on Lake Delavan and 4 on Lake Geneva – and I knew that at least 2 of those properties were on their “A” list by the end of the day. What made me so sure?

The internet is an incredible tool for buying real estate; the abundance of information buyers can glean from websites such as mine, www.realtor.com, www.relohomesearch.com and others is exceptional. Prior to our meeting, my buyers spent several months learning about the market and reviewing listings on both Delavan and Geneva Lakes. By the time we met, they had done their homework. They were informed, excited, qualified, and ready to make a decision if the right property was available at the right price. They were able to clearly communicate their priorities and their definition of what constituted the “right property” for them. I was therefore able to be extremely focused and selective in determining which properties deserved their attention and a visit. The bottom line? They’ll be enjoying their new home just in time for Memorial Day!


Posted by:Janis Hartley



May 21, 2009

Time to Buy on Delavan Lake

Posted to Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Ryan Simons

Now really is the time to buy on and around Delavan Lake.

Here are four properties that have just been reduced in price.

  1. 4325 East Drive – Now $159,900 this cute two bedroom, with swim pier and boat launch is ready to enjoy and comes furnished.
  2. 2512 North Shore Drive – Now only $399,500 a three bedroom house on the main part of the lake with a private pier and two-car garage. You cannot beat this price!
  3. 2310 Lake Shore Drive– Now $449,000 this three bedroom lakefront with spectacular views is situated just feet from the water. You will never be able to build this close to the lake again.
  4. 7394 Lake Island Drive on Whitewater Lake – Now $675,000 for a four bedroom, two bath furnished home with pier, two car garage and swimming pool.

Properties are selling as well in the Delavan Lake area. Four lakefronts have either sold or are under contract this year.

Posted by:Ryan Simons



May 11, 2009

Looking for Open Houses to visit in Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties? Over 120 Homes to Visit!!

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Theresa Larsen, Williams Bay, WI

Tri-County Open House Event - Sunday, May 17th, Keefe Real Estate is offering over 120 Open Houses to visit in the following areas:

Complete Open House List

Abbey Springs Linn
Bloomfield Randall
Brighton Richmond
Burlington Salem
Delavan Sharon
Elkhorn Sugar Creek
Fontana Twin Lakes
Geneva Walworth
Genoa City Waterford
LaGrange Whitewater
Lake Geneva Williams Bay

For more information on having your home featured in our next Open House event, please email info@keeferealestate.com or call 800-690-2292.

Posted by:Theresa Larsen



April 20, 2009

Listing Activity Increases on Delavan Lake

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Six new properties have come on the market this week with lake frontage or access on Delavan Lake. The properties range from an $80,500 cottage to a $1,350,000 newly constructed lake home.

At the cottage level, you can obtain a one bedroom, one bath starter, that needs a bit of work but has access to a swim pier and boat launch for $80,500.

Moving up from there is a four bedroom, two bath home with a wooded lot, swim pier and beach area for $199,900.

Next is a two bedroom, two bath condo with lake views and an assigned boat slip on North Shore Drive for $385,000.

The lakefronts start at $575,000 for a two bedroom, two bath, recently remodeled home on North Shore Drive. This is one of the best value properties available on the market.

The two premium properties are next to each other off of Willow Point Drive. One is $1,295,000 for a four bedroom, three bath home on 85 feet of lakefront. The other is $1,350,000 for a four bedroom, three bath, new construction on 55 feet of frontage.

Posted by:Ryan Simons


April 03, 2009

Delavan Lake 1st Quarter Summary

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan was at historic lows for the first quarter of 2009.

HOME SALES
For the first quarter, there were not any lakefront properties sold and only two lake access properties sold. The lake access properties ranged from a $177,000 foreclosure to a $281,750 home with three bedrooms and a swimming pool.

CONDO SALES
The Delavan Lake condominium market was even worse. There has not been a single sale all year.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES
There remain 89 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. This is up from 75 at the beginning of the year. The lake access properties start at $85,000 for a small two-bedroom cottage and increase to $499,000 for a four bedroom home with lake views and a swim pier. Lakefront homes start at $294,000 for a three-bedroom home on Delavan Inlet and progress to $2,900,000 for a four bedroom older home with 225 feet of frontage on North Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS
In the condo arena, there are 98 units still available with lake access on Delavan. This is up from 79 at the beginning of the year. The properties range from a $95,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $1,880,000 for a yet-to-be-constructed three-bedroom suite.

BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS
The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is located at 4325 East Drive. Listed at $164,900, this remodeled two-bedroom home has a swim pier, one-car garage, boat launch, park, and beach area. It is ready to move in and enjoy.

BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT
The best value for a Delavan lakefront is located at 1824 North Shore Drive. This five-bedroom, 2.5 bath home has 60 feet of lakefront, a private pier, third floor recreation room and a 2.5 car garage for toy storage. Listed at $1,150,000, this home is $200,000 less than its closest competition.

Posted By: Ryan Simons



April 01, 2009

Prices continue to fall on Delavan Lake

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

The recent housing statistics have not excluded Delavan Lake Property. National numbers show the average home price has declined 19 percent from January 2008 to January 2009. Delavan Lake properties have seen the same reduction in price.

Assuming that a property was priced properly in 2008, which not all were, the reduction has led to some great deals compared to last year.

Three of the best priced properties include a fully furnished condo with deeded boat slip and pier. The property is now priced at $399,000 from a high of $495,000 in 2007. The property has three bedrooms, two baths, a fireplace, and includes a boat and golf cart for the new owner.

Another properly price property is a small lakefront on South Shore. This three bedroom home has a deck just feet from the main body of the lake and has been reduced from $549,000 in 2007 to $449,999. It includes its own private pier and boat slip.


A third Delavan deal is located on the outlet of the lake. The home features 121 feet of shoreline, private pier, deck, four bedrooms and three baths. Originally on the market at $679,900, the home has been reduced all the way to $489,000.



These are truly the deals that investors and lake lovers have been waiting for.

Posted By: Ryan Simons



March 27, 2009

Delavan Events: Music in the Park

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Delavan, Karen Pearce

Music in the Park all summer ! Friends of the Phoenix Park Bandshell, Inc. in Delavan, Wisconsin present an array of performing artists from local high school and college groups to regional and nationally known professionals. Musical offerings include Big Band, Swing, various Jazz, Blues, Latin, Folk, Country and Gospel. This is a great family event in the park. For more information please visit the website at www.phoenixparkbandshell.com. There is also sponsorship opportunities available.

I will be sponsoring The Cherokee Band on July 5th in the afternoon. I will perform one song live with the Band! Come out and enjoy.

Posted By: Karen Pearce



March 02, 2009

Perks of Being A Realtor...

Posted to Delavan

One of the joys of being a Realtor, are the unexpected “gifts” you receive from your listings as people leave their homes. In the case of my HO train set, a wonderful grandfather passed away and had no one to use the train layout. When I saw the layout, it was “love” at first sight. The layout is 12ft by 12ft, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The scenes on the layout related to my life. There is a water feature with a tug boat which reminds me of La Conner, which is north of Seattle where all the tulips are grown. My sister and I would shop and sit on the canal having wonderful seafood, while watching the boats and the lumber mill across the way. If you are lucky, you will see a group of seals that also inhabit the area. Next to “La Conner” on the layout is a lumber yard set at the bottom of a mountain like in Washington State.

Then comes the farm which reminds you of Wisconsin, as well as the town which reminds me of Delavan. We also have an extensive train yard, and a Shell Oil Refinery on the outside of town which is particularly important to my history because my Dad worked 40 years for Shell and was involved in building the refinery in Anacortes north of Everett. As you can see from the pictures of this layout taken just before we dismantled it, it was a very large project. It required sawing the table into quarters, shrink wrapping each piece, and having it professionally moved to our guest house to be hauled up the stairs into the “train” room. This “free” gift has become very expensive, but we are having fun. This is a great winter sport for Wisconsin as well as a great conversation piece. Click here to view more pictures.

Posted By: Maggie Goethal



February 25, 2009

Beautiful Home for Sale Near Delavan Lake

Posted to Delavan, Karen Pearce

Think of spring and summer fun on Delavan Lake! This beautiful home has a spectacular view of Delavan Lake, and is located just steps to the lake. This home includes 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and was rebuilt in 1992. There is a beautiful wrap around 3 season porch, a fireplace, and a kitchen with marble countertops & stainless steel appliances.

The upstairs has cathedral ceilings and the master bedroom has a stunning lake view with a private deck where you can enjoy your morning coffee and newspaper! Home includes a great association swim pier and a shared garden shed.

Contact me at (262) 374-0325 if you are interested in seeing this home.

Posted By: Karen Pearce



February 23, 2009

Just What Does a Million Dollars Buy?

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

With the stock market plummeting and the real estate market in a bit of a dip, many of you are wondering, “Just what does a million dollars buy any more?”

Well, to quench your curiosity, here is a quick run down as it relates to the Delavan Lake market.

  1. A vacant parcel with 100 feet of lakefront on South Shore Drive. Currently listed at $1,099,000 this property is a prime new construction location.
  2. A five-bedroom summer cottage on 75 feet of lakefront also on South Shore Drive. Wood floors, and screened in porch are featured here.
  3. An older lakefront on North Shore Drive with 1.24 acres of wooded seclusion and 50 feet of lake front. Needs a bit of work, but worth a look.
  4. A recently remodeled five bedroom home in South Shore Drive with 50 feet of frontage. Ready to move in and enjoy.
  5. My personal favorite: The two-for-one special. A three bedroom on South Shore and a three bedroom on North Shore. Small yards, close to the water and easy to maintain. Both are listed for around $500,000 each and the combo price of $1,000,0000 includes a new boat to shuttle you between the two piers.

    6. Value abounds and summer will soon be upon us.

    Posted By: Ryan Simons



February 02, 2009

Summit Meadows Home for Sale

Posted to Delavan

Delavan, Wisconsin is a wonderful community for families, and Summit Meadows has beautiful homes and large yards for playing, gardening and relaxing.

7970 Summit Meadows is a beautiful Colonial style two story home which has just been reduced by $25,000. It is in move in condition with new hardwood floors, a new fireplace, and perennial gardens. Please click here for more pictures.



Posted By: Maggie Goethal



February 02, 2009

Are you in love with horses?

Posted to Delavan, Geneva Lake Area , Mike Pfammatter

Walworth County is home to many fine equestrian resources. There is a thriving community of horse owners, services, and of course the Walworth county Fair which features many fine horse competitions.

Wouldn't you love to own a home that would allow you to keep your animals right on your own property? Perhaps you could even take in some of the horses owned by your friends and acquaintances as boarders. Want to practice riding at any time? How about indoors?

Please click here to see a great horse property that just came on the market for the first time last week. It features a custom built 3 bedroom home on just over 5 acres with a fantastic 10 stall pole barn that connects to a 72x150 indoor arena! You can live in style with your horses and still be in the beautiful Lake Geneva/Lake Delavan area. Contact me today to make a private appointment to see this amazing offering.

Posted By: Mike Pfammatter



January 23, 2009

The Next Best Thing to a Lakefront

Posted to Delavan, Julie Sarton

If you don’t have several million dollars handy to purchase a lakefront home, but like being near to or having a water view, having access to a private beach, or even having your own boat slip, don’t give up…a lake access home may be perfect for you. Most lakes in Walworth County offer homes in private home owners’ associations with shared lake access, be it via ten feet of frontage or through larger lakefront parks. Lake access associations can be as small as 5-10 homes, or as big as over 100 homes. Usually there is an elected Board of Directors, and yearly costs and dues are voted on at annual meetings. The dues support the costs of the shared lakefront: lawn maintenance, pier in/out and repairs, real estate taxes for the frontage, insurance, lifeguards for the swim pier, if any, etc.

Because the DNR regulates and restricts the number of piers and boat slips on our lakes, there are usually not enough slips for all the home owners with boats. In that case, you can put your name on a waiting list for the next available slip, which is determined by how soon someone moves. Traditionally once you get a slip you can keep it until you sell and move; once you move, the new owner moves to the bottom of the waiting list. Some associations are lucky enough to have a slip for every home owner; in the event of a sale, the slip transfers with the home. This is known as a ‘deeded’ or ‘transferable’ boat slip, and adds significant value to any home. While waiting for a boat slip, other temporary avenues are to rent a municipal buoy or place your boat in an in/out storage arrangement with a local marina. If you’re not a boater, just enjoy your shared lake frontage with a good book and some sun tan oil or marvel over some drop dead sunsets.

One of the best arrangements is to find an available home with an unimpeded lake view that sits on the association’s lakefront park. It looks just like a lakefront home, but since the land between the home and the lake is association land, you don’t pay lakefront taxes….a huge benefit! A good example of a lake access home association (and one of my favorites) is Windtree on Lake Delavan. Twelve homes wind down wooded, private Windtree Lane to a spacious lakefront park. Windtree offers a permanent boat slip for each owner on its association pier just off the park. Homes are priced from $425,000 fully furnished with a boat (see my listing here) to $800,000+.

At the time of this writing I searched four of our major lakes in Walworth County for listed lake access properties, and there were 196 of them priced from $85,000 to $1,600,000. For more information on these properties, visit my website at www.sartonproperties.com or email me at jsarton@keeferealestate.com. With such large inventories begging to be purchased at rock bottom prices and interest rates, now may be the time to treat yourself to a lake get-away!

Posted By: Julie Sarton



January 18, 2009

Delavan, WI Ice Fishing

Posted to Delavan, Karen Pearce

The Delavan Lake area is no longer just a summer destination. Many activities all year draw people to the Delavan, and entire Walworth County Area. With temperatures way below zero, many think this is bad weather, but I heard on the news this morning, there is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right gear. So with that in mind, bundle up and head out and enjoy. I will try to keep an open mind! Ice Fishing is very poplar on Delavan Lake, ok, so if I understand this right, the sport of ice fishing……day off work, haul ice fishing equipment out to Delavan Lake, unpack the truck and head over to ice fishing shanty. I have never seen the inside of a shanty, but I have to admit I am curious. Then, it is time to drill a hole in the ice of Delavan Lake, drop your line in and wait for the big one to swim by! I have explained this to friends that live in warm weather climates, and they think I am joking. It’s no joke, Delavan Lake is a great ice fishing lake. Come and give it a try!

Posted By: Karen Pearce



January 09, 2009

Delavan Lakefront 2008 Summary

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

Sales of Lakefront and Lake Access Property on Delavan was substantially depressed in 2008 as the general economy and housing slowdown filtered into our area.

HOME SALES
For the entire year, there were 11 lakefront properties sold ranging from a three-bedroom cottage on the Inlet to a five-bedroom show-piece on South Shore Drive. The Inlet property was a bank foreclosure and sold for $164,000 and the South Shore Drive property was newly constructed and sold for $2,180,000. There were also 22 lake access properties that sold in 2008 with the least expensive being a two-bedroom cottage in Delmar Subdivision that sold for $60,700.

CONDO SALES
The lake access condominium market was equally slow for Delavan. There were a total of 17 sales of condos with lake access on Delavan for 2008. The sales ranged from a one-bedroom condo/hotel unit for $108,500 to a three-bedroom condo with a pier and boat slip for $415,000.

CURRENT MARKET HOMES
There remains 75 single family homes on the market with lakefront or lake access on Delavan Lake. The lake access properties start at $90,000 for a small two-bedroom cottage. Lakefront homes start at $299,000 for a three-bedroom home on Delavan Inlet and progress to $3,500,000 for a lakefront estate on South Shore Drive.

CURRENT MARKET CONDOS
In the condo arena, there are 79 units still available with lake access on Delavan. The properties range from a $95,000 one-bedroom condo/hotel to $750,000 for a newly constructed two-bedroom suite.



BEST VALUE LAKE ACCESS The best value for a lake access property on Delavan is located at 4325 East Drive. Listed at $164,900, this remodeled two-bedroom home has a swim pier, one-car garage, boat launch, park, and beach area. It is ready to move in and enjoy.

BEST VALUE LAKEFRONT The best value for a Delavan lakefront is located at 1824 North Shore Drive. This five-bedroom, 2.5 bath home has 60 feet of lakefront, a private pier, third floor recreation room and a 2.5 car garage for toy storage. Listed at $1,150,000, this home is $200,000 less than its closest competition.

Posted By: Ryan Simons



December 19, 2008

Plaid Tidings

Posted to Delavan

This past Saturday we went to see the Holiday Show called Forever Plaid Presents Plaid Tidings at the Janesville Armory. This is a hidden jewel located west of Delavan in “old” Janesville. It is a dinner theater with fine food and service and fabulous musicals with talent from New York. Plaid Tidings was so entertaining. The talent of the 4 men who played the Forever Plaid harmony group was amazing. They had beautiful voices and wonderful harmony plus dancing and humor.

Our food was very good, as usual. I had the flat iron steak and the rest of the table had walleye. Dessert is served during intermission and I had their apple crisp which was delicious.

This experience is a wonderful way to spend the evening with good friends we usually go with a large group. You need to make reservations.

See the website for their 2009 schedule.

Posted By: Maggie Goethal



December 15, 2008

Recent Sale Sets Delavan Lakefront Pricing

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

With the recent sale of the property located at 2903 Borg Road on Delavan Lake, we may have seen the start of a strong year for lakefront home sales on Delavan. Boasting 150 feet of lakefront and over 1.5 acres of land, this 25-year-old lake home closed for $1,425,000 the first week of December.

The property had been on the market for about a year and a half, and was in need of some decorating updates. Key features other than 150 feet of lakefront included a detached 4-car garage in addition to the attached 3-car garage and a fully finished walk-out lower level.

This was the second sale for the year off of Willow Point. A 3-home estate fetched $1,429,000 in May of this year.

The sale leaves nine remaining lakefront homes available on the North Shore of Delavan. With the remaining properties starting at $1,000,000 buyers may want to start their search early to make sure they have a lakefront to enjoy for the 2009 season.

Posted By: Ryan Simons



December 05, 2008

December is an Exciting Month in the Delavan Lake Area

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Delavan, Karen Pearce

December is an exciting month in the Delavan Lake area. With the holiday season upon us, there is a plethora of opportunity with parades and festive events. Here is a quick summary of some events you may want to consider.

December 6
Festival of Lights, located in downtown Lake Geneva, resident John Powers will read a holiday classic with a tree lighting ceremony in Riviera Park at 6 pm.

Community Caroling – There will be caroling in the Delavan Phoenix Park Band Shell at 6 pm.

Sharon Christmas Celebration – A tree lighting and reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas at Sharon’s Veteran’s Park. Starting at 6 pm.

Children’s Ornament Workshop – Held at the Lake Geneva Public Library, children ages 4 – 13 can create a holiday memory. Hours are 11 – 1.

Parades – There are two parades in the area on Saturday, December 6. The Elkhorn Parade starts at 1:30 pm and the Lake Geneva Electric Children’s Parade starts at 5 pm.

Posted By: Karen Pearce



December 01, 2008

Delavan Lakefront Market

Posted to Delavan, Ryan Simons

This has been a challenging year for the Delavan Lakefront market. We currently have 41 lakefront listings for sale ranging from $299,000 in the Delavan Inlet to a $3,500,000 estate on South Shore Drive.

On the main body itself, there are 29 homes available starting at $475,000 for a three bedroom cottage just off of South Shore Drive. The other 12 homes are located on either the Inlet or the Outlet.

In all, there have been 11 Delavan Lakefront homes that have sold so far this year. The sold homes have ranged from $164,000 for a foreclosure on the Delavan Inlet to $2,180,000 for a newly constructed five bedroom showpiece on South Shore Drive.

There have been only five sales on the main body of Delavan Lake. Those sales ranged from $299,000 on Manor Lane to the $2,180,000 new construction mentioned earlier.

We have seen substantial price reductions over the last two months on some of the homes located on Delavan Lake. This is a great time to buy and some of the owners are getting fairly motivated.

An example of one excellent purchase is MLS 1048409. Located at 4320 East Drive, this newly constructed three-bedroom lake home is situated on 60 feet of channel frontage, comes fully furnished and has a lakeside park and swim pier included in the package. At $524,000 it represents a great get-a-way value where you can drop of the car keys, pick up the boat keys and start enjoying the lake life.

Posted By: Ryan Simons



December 01, 2008

Living in the Town of Delavan

Posted to Delavan

As we woke up this morning to snow clinging to the trees of our woods and a light snow on the ground, I remembered once again why we live in Wisconsin. The landscape is always changing and the beauty is awesome. The Canadian Geese have been filling the air with their calls as they gather into formation to go south. My husband and I live on 7 acres with part woods and part meadow. We have an old barn 1892 and the original “little house” and we have built a new home up on the meadow where the corral once was located. We bought this acreage 4 years ago after leaving our family home on Delavan Lake. We loved the Lake but living in the woods is a very special world. We are still only a few blocks from the Lake and our boat lift. This past Saturday 11-22 was opening season for hunting deer. Our son and two grandsons (11 and 9) came over very early to sit in the barn or the woods with either Dad or Granddad and experience their first hunting. Bambi won on this day! My joy was to have a large breakfast waiting for them and to share in this great bonding experience. Delavan is a very special place and I look forward to sharing these experiences with you as we blog together.

Posted By: Maggie Goethal