Milwaukee Post
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/297609
DID YOU KNOW? Local news at your fingertips Visit www.gmtoday.com MARK BELLING Would-be successors lining up Page 9 Primary will mean next GOP candidate more conservative • If you wear headphones for one hour, it increases bacteria in your ear 700 times. • $30 of raw popcorn translates into $3,000 in sales at the movie the- aters. – Source: Cool Facts app 'MAJOR LEAGUE' STILL RESONATES – PAGE 16 STEVE 'THE HOMER' TRUE Herb Kohl was loyal owner of the Bucks Page 11 Keeping team here outweighs team's record Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePost Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MilwaukeePost Real estate market slowed by weather By DWAYNE BUTLER Post Editor MILWAUKEE – The harsh winter is being blamed for a slow real estate market in metro Milwaukee during the first three months of 2014. Home sales in the four-county region were behind 10.2 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared with the same period a year ago, according to statistics released Friday by the Metropolitan Listing Service, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors. The region, which includes Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington coun- ties, also experienced a 14.6 percent decline in March. The four-county region sold 3,254 homes from January through March 2014 com- pared with 2,921 homes from January- March 2013. Milwaukee County declined 10 percent with 1,709 homes sold versus 1,898 last year. Waukesha County experienced a 12.5 per- cent decline with 753 homes sold versus 861 last year. Washington County and Ozaukee County had drops of 7 and 7.7 percent, respectively. The GMAR reported that a slow March impacted the first-quarter figures; sales were down 208 units compared with the same month a year earlier. January and February were down 28 and 97 units, respec- tively, it added. Milwaukee County sold 691 homes in March, a decline of 14.4 percent from March 2013, but behind just 5.6 percent when com- pared with March 2012 figures. Waukesha County (down 18.3 percent), Ozaukee County (2.4 percent) and Washington County (12.9 percent) all posted negative numbers in March. "That is an sign of just how cold and long the winter was; each month saw progres- sively worse sales performance compared to last year," GMAR President Mike Ruzicka said in a statement. Listings up On the plus side, prospective buyers saw a jump in listings. The market increased by 2.7 percent for the first quarter of 2014 and 6.6 percent in March, a sign that sellers could see an uptick in spring sales, the GMAR said. The four-county area had 6,506 homes on the market compared with 6,506 in the first quarter of 2013. Milwaukee County (5 percent), Waukesha County (0.9 percent) and Ozauk- Metro home sales behind last year by 10.2% See SALES on Page 3 FREE STORAGE! FREE STORAGE! FREE STORAGE! 1st Month with 6 month contract DREXEL SELF STORAGE 500 W. Drexel • Oak Creek 414-617-2109 414-587-0517 237598016 Brenwood Park Senior Apts Brenwood Park Senior Apts 2 BEDROOMS $800 + 1 MONTH FREE RENT * Call to schedule your appointment or personal tour today! 9501 W. Loomis Rd., Franklin • 414-427-8499 Professionally Managed by Oakbrook Corporation • *Income Restrictions Do Apply Lock in this great special for 12 months when you sign a lease by April 30, 2014 Includes heat and hot water! 1 Bedroom $764 Extra Storage Units Onsite Management Elevator Fitness Center In-Unit Washer & Dryer Hookups Cable Ready Balcony, Deck or Patio Card Night Miniature Golf Free Coffee Bar Dart Baseball Bingo Exercise Class Billiards Wii Bowling Birthday of the Month FREE Friday Continental Breakfast On-Site Bank In Your New Nest! 237864058 Celebrate Spring MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER APRIL 18, 2014