Winter Rec-Fest in La Crosse provides residents and visitors with the perfect avenue for winter fun. Beginning in mid-January and running to early February, Winter Rec-Fest offers a diverse selection of frigidly fun activities, all designed to make citizens and visitors of all ages and interests happy.

It’s all about fun at Winter Rec-Fest. Thumb your nose at Old Man Winter, pitch in $2 for an all-inclusive button and embrace the season by participating in one or all of the events and activities.

The events kick off with the city-wide Snowflake Medallion Hunt. Then, you’ll want to get all your friends together and join in one of the competitive team sports tournaments, such as the Frosty Feet Kickball Tournament, Co-Rec Snow Volleyball Tournament or the One-Pitch Snow Softball Tournament.

Delve Into New Fun for 2012

* More than 230 hopefuls entered the Button Design contest this year, establishing a new record in Winter Rec-Fest history.

* Just when you thought Friday Night Family Fun night at Forest Hills couldn’t get any more fun, Rec-Fest organizers found a way! They’ve added games for the kids, a torchlight hike, fireworks, a snowman-making contest and a snow sculpture-creating contest.

* This year you will get to enjoy games, movies and food at the Hood Park Skate Day.

* Events brought back by popular demand from last year’s Rec-Fest include the Chicken-Que, the Frosty Feet Kickball Tournament and the Curling Event.

You can purchase your official 26th Annual Winter Rec-Fest buttons at the Green Island Ice Arena, the Parks & Recreation Office in the La Crosse City Hall, the Southside Neighborhood Center and the Black River Neighborhood Center.

For more information, like a detailed listing of show times, and activity registration and participation requirements, all you have to do is surf over to www.cityoflacrosse.org or call 608-789-7533.

For a detailed schedule of events for the 26th Annual Winter Rec-Fest, which will run from Wednesday, January 18 to Wednesday, February 1, click right here.

Builder's custom built home offers a great open concept floor plan with many upgrades and amenities. Private master with double sinks and walk-in closet. Vaulted ceilings in the great room with corner gas fireplace and hardwood floors. Main floor laundry, walk-in pantry, sprinkler system. Finished lower level offers a huge family room with surround sound, wet bar and large 4th bedroom with walk-in closet and 3rd full bath. Garage is 28x34, insulated and heated with staircase to basement. Appliances included.

Is quality important? The owner of this custom built home spared nothing when it came to the construction. A real sense of flowing space with this open floor plan. Open staircase, vaulted ceilings, sun room, gas fireplace. Large kitchen with center breakfast bar, main floor laundry, 3 full baths. Spacious master with walk-in closet and private bath. 3 car garage is finished and insulated with over sized doors. Sprinkler system and backyard deck. Additional 1000 sq ft finished in lower level.

Awesome floor plan best describes this quality constructed home built by L. R. Ross. Situated on a beautiful landscaped lot offers a view of the bluffs with tons of windows, skylights and solar tubes. Spacious kitchen with cherry cabinets and solid surface counters. A four season sunroom, cozy main floor family with corner fireplace. Master bedroom offers a private bath and walk-in closet. Garage is 24x34 with a staircase to the workshop (21x28). New 2 stage furnace & central air 2010, new lighting fixtures throughout.

Great starter or retirement home. Spacious rooms offer oak hardwood floors, built-in desk, book shelves, cedar closet. Updated bathroom with ceramic tile. Replacement windows with lifetime warranty, electrical to be updated prior to closing. All kitchen appliances included, plus washer and dryer. Nice breezeway between garage and house. Large deck and huge backyard. Great full basement for storage or future expansion.

Zoned commercial, used as single family. Bank foreclosure being sold as is. Requires occupancy permit from city of La Crosse. Broken water pipes, mold present on walls and ceiling. Condemned by the city of La Crosse. Orders are forthcoming for the property to be razed. No entry or viewing the property allowed per city inspection department, zoned local business. Conditional use permit may be required depending on use. Disclosure posted online, 15 day first look initiative expires 1-14-12.

Like many other worthwhile pursuits, house hunting hides a paradox within its intricate, labyrinthine processes and procedures. There are a lot of fairly obvious good things, such as picking out your favorite neighborhoods, popping in to some open houses and mentally decorating your future new home. However, one of the primary and reoccurring difficulties many house hunters run into is trying to keep up with all of the listings of new homes that hit the market in a timely fashion.

Not anymore – if you have an email address, you can use this system.

Judy’s new home listings system is not only free, but also incredibly easy to start. All you have to do is go to this website, enter your email address and some of the criteria you’re looking for in your new home and voila! You’re set.

Within your initial email message, you will see a listing of each and every one of the homes that match the criteria you entered for sale at that time. After that, you will receive a fresh email every morning with new home listings, as well as any changes in previously listed homes.

It is not just anxiety or paranoia to think that you will miss out on your perfect home if you do not take an active role in the hunt. This service provides you with this opportunity and all you have to do is fill out a short form.

If you are still apprehensive about giving your email address to a website, here are some factors that might ease your mind. First, you can discontinue the service at any time. And, Judy Gull will not sell your information to any other website or entity.

So, if you’re house hunting in the La Crosse, Holmen, Onalaska, West Salem and La Crescent areas, give Judy’s new home listings system a try. You have nothing to lose and your dream house to gain!

Open concept condo on the water with boat slip included. Leaded glass window inserts are clear glass to allow the outdoor light to shine through. Full length windows and triple patio doors for great water front views. Deck off main floor, patio off lower level family room and private deck off master bedroom. Corner fireplace, electric awnings on western exposure on main floor and master bedroom, and new roof and gutters in 2010. Enjoy the river, fishing, and wildlife in this peaceful setting. Square feet of 2,500 includes finished walkout lower level. The annual dock fee is $175.

3 bedroom ranch on cul-de-sac with large fenced backyard. Bank foreclosure, sold as is. Freddie Mac first look initiative for owner occupied buyers only until 12/25/2011. Two year home warranty included and 3% toward buyer closing costs for owner occupied buyers only. Updated kitchen and bathroom. Brand new roof December 2011. Finished lower level family room and 3/4 bath. Appliances included. Cul-de-sac location. Certified funds required for earnest money and pre-approval letter required with offer.  Minimum earnest money $1,500.  

Nice setting close to town on 11.3 acres. Replacement windows, newer central air, 200 amp electrical service, nice 3 season porch, on city water and sewer. Needs interior cosmetic work and roof. Being sold as is. Disclosure forms are posted online. 2 year warranty and up to 3% toward closing costs for owner occupied buyer only if accepted offer by 1-31-2012. Certified funds for earnest money $1000 minimum and preapproval letter required with offer.

Is a Well-Built Home a Thing of the Past? Not at N3145 Vista Ct. S. This clean, spacious ranch offers a convenient location and awesome sunsets with a full brick front exterior. There are 2 gas fireplaces to make this winter cozy and 3 full baths including a private bath with the master bedroom. A brand new gas furnace will help with the utility bills. The lower level is finished for additional square footage. There is an in ground sprinkler system and the yard is nicely landscaped.

Walkout basement on this spacious ranch located on a large private wooded lot, in the heart of Onalaska. Freshly painted interior and new carpet and vinyl in kitchen. Hardwood floors in 2 bedrooms. Screened breezeway between garage and house. Large deck and a garden shed in the backyard. Freddie Mac first look initiative for the first 15 days for owner occupied buyers expires on 12-17-11. Two-year home warranty for owner occupied buyers. Disclosure forms posted online and 3% buyer closing costs until 1-31-2012.

By assessing your financial position and taking steps to ensure that you are in a position to make a strong offer, you will be equipped for success in this challenging process. In addition to understanding your current situation, it is also useful to find out as much information about the property you are interested in as possible. For instance, how long has it been on the market? Why is the home being sold – i.e. are the sellers under pressure to sell? Is the home part of an estate sale? What is the history of the home? What are the area’s comparable home values? The answers to these questions will help you determine how much flexibility you may have in making an offer, and whether that offer is likely to be accepted.

A written contract is essential for any real estate transaction, since oral offers are not legally binding. Your real estate contract must conform to local and state laws. Judy Gull can help you navigate this legal and financial terrain. In addition to ensuring that your contract follows standard procedures, Judy will verify that the contract reflects your desires as a buyer before presenting it to the seller’s agent or representative.

Your written contract will include specifics about the property itself, including its address, legal description, sale price, and title and deed information. In addition, the contract will include your terms and conditions: if it is all cash or subject to obtaining a mortgage; the target date for closing; the amount of earnest money deposit and how it will be returned to you should your offer be rejected; how real estate taxes, utilities, and other bills will be adjusted; who will pay the title insurance, survey, and inspections.

Once these provisions are laid out, Judy can advise you regarding any property disclosures that are required by law, as well as last-minute walk-throughs and other contingencies. The latter are critical components, as they are designed to protect you should issues and problems arise. For instance, one contingency would ensure that you won’t be bound by the contract if you are unable to obtain a loan. Another contingency would guarantee that a satisfactory home inspection is provided within a certain amount of time after the offer has been accepted.

Once your written offer is presented to the seller and the seller signs an acceptance, your contract will be legally binding. If the offer is rejected, however, the sellers cannot hold you legally responsible for the contract should they change their minds later on. Most likely, a seller may make a counter-offer, which may include changes in price, closing date, and other provisions. Judy can help you negotiate with the seller and can help determin how and if you should move forward in the sale. In the best case scenario, both parties will arrive at an agreement, and you will be the proud new owner of a home.

If you are thinking about buying La Crosse area real estate or selling a home in the La Crosse area, give us a call at 608-781-7714 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

La Crosse River State Trail is a 21.5 trail along the La Crosse River, a tributary of the Mississippi River here in the La Crosse area. It is one of four state trails; the other three are The Great River, Elroy-Sparta, and the “400” state trail. Together, the state trails cover more than 100 miles.

La Crosse River State Trail links the Great River State Trail with the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. An active rail line runs parallel to a portion of the trail. The river trail was developed from abandoned railroad lines from the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad.

The trail’s countryside comprises prairies, wetlands, forests, streams, and farmlands. There are also a number of parks and campgrounds along the way. The trail itself is composed of packed limestone screenings and bridges. Bicyclists, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the river trail from spring through fall, with snowmobiling and cross-country skiing popular in winter months. Guided prairie tours are available, and begin in Rockland.

La Crosse River State Trail connects the villages of Sparta, Rockland, Bangor, West Salem, and Onalaska, from east to west.

Sparta is known as the “Bicycling Capital of America” and Rockland is a small agricultural community.

Bangor was home to Winnebago Indians and later to Welsh residents. An inscribed sandstone cliff runs along Dutch Creek south of Bangor park.

West Salem’s historic locations include the Hamlin Homestead, which belonged to Hamlin Garland, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and the architecturally-significant Palmer-Gullickson Octagon Home.

Onalaska is surrounded by wooded bluffs that overlook the Mississippi River Valley in the Coulee Region, which is known as a “driftless area” from the time when glaciers bypassed the region. Lake Onalaska is a four-mile wide reservoir on the Mississippi River.

The villages that lie along La Crosse River State Trail have a number of amenities for trail trekkers, including bed and breakfasts, motels, bike repair and service shops, and restaurants and cafés.

There are more than 100 camping sites along the La Crosse River State Trail which include shaded areas, electrical hookups, sanitary stations, drinking water, hot showers, a camp store, fishing pond, playground, and canoe landing. Veterans’ Memorial County Park & Campground is located between Medary and West Salem. State trail passes and camping permits are available through Wisconsin State Park System.

Sand on the Riverfront’s theme for the year will be “Sports of all sorts,” which will include a new event for 2011: a 3-on-3 basketball tournament on the 20th. Riverfront handed out awards to event winners in 2010, but with the organization accepting donations, everyone truly goes home a winner.

Riverfront has been helping disabled adults find employment and homes since it was founded in 1977 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded to six offices throughout Wisconsin, employing almost 300 people to provide constant support for the state’s disabled community. The organization provides training, living support and recreational programs that allow over 1,700 disabled members of the community to live independently and find success in their lives.

Admission and registration to Sand on the Riverfront is free, but donations will be accepted and support of the Riverfront organization is encouraged. You can find out more about the Riverfront organization or CenturyLink’s Sand on the Riverfront for 2011 at www.riverfrontinc.org, or by calling 608-784-9450. Don’t miss the fun in beautiful downtown La Crosse!

In 2011, the La Crosse housing market has seen a sharp increase in median sales price. In January of this year, the median price was $125,500, but in just six months that number has risen to $143,000. With the median sale price climbing, potential home buyers should be encouraged to look for their dream home in the La Crosse area during the remainder of 2011.

Home sales in the area are down from a year ago, but considering that first-time home buyers in La Crosse were supplemented by the Federal Housing Tax Credit Program in 2010, the drop off is not a real setback for the market. In fact, home sales actually increased from May to June, showing that there may be more growth to come later in the year.

The declining unemployment rates in the area make La Crosse real estate a stronger market. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, the housing market should receive a healthy boost with more residents working. The state of Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is under the national average and with 25,000 jobs already added this year, things are definitely looking up for the state, the area of La Crosse and for Wisconsin real estate in general.

Home prices are one factor in determining your cost of ownership, but so are interest rates and financing availability. Even though interest rates have gone up in the last six months, they are still near historic lows. Since your monthly mortgage payment is a combination of paying down your principal and paying the interest owed, if home prices come down a little further but interest rates up, it could cost you even more to service a mortgage on an identical home!

While a home is a major investment, it is also the center of your personal life. It's important to live in a home that reflects your taste and values, yet is within your financial "comfort zone." To that end, it may be more important to lock in today's relatively low interest rates and low home prices, rather than to hope for a further break in prices in the future.

Please give me a call if I can be of any assistance in determining how much home you can afford in today's market.