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Post as of January 7, 2010

Greetings Buyers! This is your page and we encourage feedback and discussion. Email the author Sandy Swanson at sandy@northescape.com or call herBlackBerry at 715-520-0233.

We all at Vacationland/Masterjohn Realty wish you and yours a great New Year.

Good news for first time home buyers. Congress passed Home Buyer Tax Credit

Home Buyer Tax Credit Provisions: The $8,000 tax credit would be extended until April 30, 2010 for first-time home buyers. A new $6,500 tax credit is created for move-up buyers for the same period. Move-up buyers must have been residing in their primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight in order to qualify. Both categories of buyers would have until June 30 to close on the home after signing a contract prior to the April 30 deadline. Homes over the purchase price of $800,000 do not qualify. To learn more go to www.wisconsinhomebuyer.org

This month's feature Lake.

Minong Flowage, Minong, WI. The Flowage was created by the Corp of Engineers by the building of a dam at the end of a narrowing of a river valley to control the flow of the Totgatic River and produce a body of water able to sustain a good fishery and have endless recreational possibilities for boating, sailing, swimming, and skiing. The Flowage is 1,564 acres in size, 21 feet maximum depth, and 24.8 miles of shoreline. It's classified as a drainage lake with both an inlet and outlet where the main water source is a stream or river. The dam creates the artificial lake (flowage).

Washburn County maintains Totagatic Park, a county campground, resort, and boat launch site on the west side on Cty I.

To view current properties available on the Minong Flowage click on lake homes/cabins. Here is a brief description.

A 1/2 log 4-season home with detached garage on 349' frontage for $239,000. All remodeled and ready for you. 2 bedrooms, one bath. Large 40' deck.

Spacious 4-sason home, on two levels, with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and 238 ft west facing shoreline. The over sized detached garage also has an office. Listed for $279,500.

South facing 4-season home with 192' sandy frontage on the north part of the Flowage. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Large family room provides a friendly gathering place for family and friends. Available for $299,000.

One great lot with a beautiful view of the lake and 232' of shorline plus northwoods at it's best in this 4-season cedar chalet. Over 1,053 sq. ft. finished with a loft and full walkout basement. Listed for $349,000.

Large 1.56 acre lot on Tishimingo Trail and a traditional chalet with views of a smaller bay on the east side of the lake and 164' frontage. Two bedrooms, two baths,handsome stone fireplace in the great room. Full walkout basement. Maintenance free exterior. Listed for $369,900.

Exceptionally positioned tract of lakeshore on the southern 1/4 of the Flowage with 343' shoreline and a traditional 4-season cedar chalet centered for panaramic views of this great part of the water. Three bedrooms, two baths. Full walkout basement. Attached 4-season porch. $374,900.

Privacy among the pines! Western view on this 1.35 acre lot with 156' shoreline. Gorgeous 4-season cedar chalet with over 2,000 sq. ft. finished on three levels. Attached 4-car garage with bonus room above ready to finish. Extensive rock work, walking paths, garden shed. $475,000.

Buyer's tip for this month. Consider a parcel of land in a rural setting; recreational property or buildable lot. Read article below.

"Green Acres Is the Place to Be"
Wall Street Journal (12/02/09) Bounds, Gwendolyn

Experts say the economic downturn and desire to move away from crowded cities have prompted many in their 20s, 30s and early 40s to put down stakes in rural areas. Many are purchasing farms and learning how to work the land, which they perceive as a sensible investment. "They've seen their parents' stock investments lose 30 percent to 40 percent and think: 'If I buy this piece of property and all else fails, I've still got this piece of property,'" says Lannie Wallace, executive vice president of Mossy Oak Properties Inc. Experts call these young professionals fleeing to rural areas "ruralpolitans," and many believe expanded Internet access and renewable-energy options make such a move more practical than in the past.