Winter in Door County 2023---the last few January 2023 days of snow and bitter cold have ensured that our public ice rinks are open!!  Dress warmly and enjoy.  

Door County real estate this winter:  if you are searching for a Door County home for the 2023 season, please contact me today or search moredoorcounty.com for access to the entire Door County MLS.   

What to do in Door County in the Winter

It's a warm January in Door County, which begs to ask the question:  what do we do here in Door County, Wisconsin all winter?  Expecially if it's un-winterlike weather?  Right now, even though it is nearing the heart of January 2023, there is no ice for ice fishing and there is no snow.  How do we keep from going CRAZY in the off-season if we can't skate, ski, snowmobile or ice fish, among other things?

1.  First and foremost, Sister Bay has a great ice rink that is lovingly maintained by volunteers to allow for ice skating (along with skate rental).  As it's still getting quite cold at night, the ice is holding up nicely for an afternoon or evening skate.  Since it gets dark quite early, it's fun to see the lights come on and watch the skaters, too.  If your crowd gets stir-crazy, bring or rent skates and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

2.  We explore!  With so little snow and no dangerous ice right now, it's a great time to visit some of our favorite places that get so crowded in the summer, like Peninsula State Park, Whitefish Dunes, Newport State Park and many of the wonderful County and town and village parks.  This is the perfect time for a hike on a day when it's not too windy.  Dress with appropriate shoes and proper layering and enjoy fresh air and solitude.  You may see deer, wild turkeys, winter birds and other hardy souls pass you as you hike the trails or create your own trails.

Lake MIchigan does not freeze in winter, making it a wonderful time to hike along the shore

3.  We enjoy local restaurants.  Yes, many of our favorites are closed for the season (or for a short winter break), but this is the only time of the year that I know I can get into Al Johnson's on a weekday for breakfast with no wait.  Even though there are no goats on the roof at Al Johnson's at this time of the year, our favorite Swedish delicacies await.   Other places that are perfect to visit at this time of the year include SIP (new in Ephraim), the White Gull Inn, Blue Bear Ellison Bay, The Bayside, Harbor Fish Market (now serving brunch) and, on the weekends, Wickman House (until mid-February, then reopening spring).  

4.  We visit!  This is a great time of the year to have coffee with friends at Kick Ash Ellison Bay, Skipstone or Blue Horse Cafe.  It's also a wonderful time to spend a wintery evening outside with friends and family enjoying a bonfire, complete with s'mores and hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine.  You may join a local book club, yoga class or anything else simply to get educated or get fit, but most of all to see your friends and meet new ones.  

5.  We learn.   From the winter classes at The Clearing in Ellison Bay to weekend art exhibits and the February Short Film Festival, there is something new to take in every week or weekend.  As an example, this winter one could could learn everything from wood carving to wine tasting to watercolors at The Clearing.  These classes fill up very quickly (some are already full) so register now.  This year's Short Film Festival will move its location from Sister Bay to the new Northern Sky Theater in Fish Creek....sample dozens of short films over a special weekend.  

6.  We House Hunt.  Winter is a great time to beat the crowds if you are looking for a Door County property.  The prices don't go down in the winter, but the competition is much less fierce than other times of the year.  You can also visit our website to find the lastest in Door County listings from the comfort of your own home.  We do show property year-round here, and it's also a great time to book a resort weekend to enjoy some down time in between your showings.  Some of our local resorts are so popular that even we "locals" will book an overnight evening to enjoy a "spa night" with our loved ones.  This is definitely something we can't do in the summer!

Winter is a fabulous time to enjoy a Door County getaway to a resort with an indoor pool.

What is there to do in Door County in the winter?  There is time to breathe, explore, play, learn, enjoy driving down the Sister Bay hill with NO cars on either side of the street (it's a bit of a surreal experience after the busy season), visit with friends and so much more.  Don't worry, of course it will snow (probably more than we want it to) but enjoy this gentle weather while you can!

What to do in Door County in the Winter

Door County Market Report January, 2023

It's starting to look like a typical Door County winter, with snow on the ground and ice on the Bay.  January 2023 meant a new calendar year for all of us, but those of us involved in the Door County real estate industry don't anticipate any immediate drastic changes in the Door County real estate market as of January 2023.

Lack of inventory and affordability continue to be issues that are greatly impacting the entire Door Peninsula and its local real estate market.  Right now, as of this writing, there are some listings north of Sturgeon Bay that priced under $300,000 that are still available, which has been extremely rare over the past 24 months (please contact me for more details).  People cite interest rates as issues, but you can still pick up some very good rates at our local banks (I'm dating myself, but I paid much more in interest for my first mortgage than people are paying right now).  

Statistically, February has been the month that business typically begins to pick up after the holiday lag in Door County (May through early November are the "crush" months), but the problem remains that there are multiple buyers for every property priced under $500,000, so multiple Offers may continue to be a "thing" for good inventory in 2023.

WISH WE HAD ONE OF THESE AT THE OFFICE!

A reminder that I am an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) and can set you up for an active search at any time.  Or, use our website--setting up a search has truly never been easier.  Visit our site at moredoorcounty.com and choose your areas (please choose "Door County" first and foremost), and then choose your towns and villages that are of interest.  Pick from houses, condominiums, land, businesses and multi-family listings.  Then, choose price, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.--anything that will help send you the listings that you want automatically.  You can even choose how often your listing updates are sent.

Alternatively, are you thinking about selling a Door County property?  If you are interested in selling in 2023, please contact me for a detailed discussion and analysis of what your current Door County property can sell for in the current Door County real estate market.  

Allow me to be your guide for the Door County real estate market.  For more information on current market listings, as well as current market conditions, please contact me today.  

Door County Market Report January, 2023

Door County Land for Sale 

Featured Europe Lake Land

Ever since I filmed a "Lakefront Bargain Hunt--Renovation" episode in Door County (now in syndication on the Magnolia Network), I've been lucky enough to be considered one of Door County's go-to waterfront brokers.  If you're looking for a Door County waterfront getaway, I can help. 

Northern Door County is a special place, away from the hustle and bustle of the busier towns and villages in the center of the peninsula.  It's a longer drive, made most popular in September and October by "Leaf Peepers" taking a drive down the iconic, curvy Highway 42 corridor to Northport.  Along that route, you may pass the entrance for lovely Europe Lake.  Europe Lake, one of northern Door's three inland lakes (the other 2 being Clark Lake and Kangaroo Lake) is one of the most serene places you can possibly find.

Bordered by the edge of Newport State Park on one side, Europe Lake has minimal homes and cottages (quite unlike Clark Lake and Kangaroo Lake) on the other side of the lake.  It is fed by Lake Michigan, but freezes over solidly in winter and is a popular (don't tell anyone!) place for ice skating.  It is also a much desired place to ice fish for perch.

In the summer, with its one small Town of Liberty Grove boat launch, it is busier, but mostly with kayakers and pontoon boats.  In autumn, the colors on the Newport State Park side are amazing.  The water can get quite warm--and the lake has a sand bottom--it's a swimmer's paradise!

If you are lucky enough to live here--you are lucky enough indeed.  We are currently offering Europe Lake waterfront land for sale off of Landin Lane.  The property consists of over nine acres--ensuring some nice privacy--and is comprised of two separate lots being sold together.  The acreage does have some wetlands, but also has buildable sites that would be PERFECT for your future Door County lake home.  Learn more about our vacant acreage for sale on Europe Lake here.  

With ice skating and ice fishing in the winter months, and kayaking, boating, swimming and fishing in the warmer months, Europe Lake is definitely an ideal Door County destination to plan a future lakefront dream home.  If you'd like to learn more about this Door County waterfront land opportunity, please contact me today

Door County Land for Sale 

Featured Europe Lake Land

Door County (especially northern Door County) is scheduled to get its first major winter storm of the 2022/2023 season overnight--with 4-8 inches of snow predicted and up to 50 mph winds!  We spent the day reviewing our new construction and are hoping that the crews and new buildings stay safe overnight.

Turning the calendar over to 2023 is going to happen in just a few short weeks. If you need or want to list in 2023, please contact me!  And in the event you want to buy a Door County property in 2023, we can help.  We tend to get busy again immediately after the holiday season (and during the holiday season)--especially if we have fresh snow. 

Visit our website at moredoorcounty.com today to see the latest Door County listings, price reductions and so much more.  With a new year right around the corner, let us help you make 2023 Door County real estate decisions.

Stay safe and enjoy the snow!  

Getting Ready for some SNOW in Door County

Door County Waterfront Condominium for Sale

11027 Liberty Park Lane, Sister Bay, WI 54234

If you're a regular follower of our blog, you know that we've been representing waterfront condominiums in Door County for nearly two decades.

From Nasawaupee to Ellison Bay and all places in between, we've listed and sold custom residential condominiums and hotel condominiums on the shores of the Door Peninsula for years.  We've had memorable waterfront condominium sales at The Shores, Anchorage Cove, Hidden Harbor, Yacht Club at Sister Bay, Sister Bluff, Parks Edge Lake Shores, Ephraim Yacht Club, Yacht Harbor Shores and so many more beautiful places to live on the water in Door County.

We are delighted to share that we have a NEW waterfront and sunset water view opportunity in Door County, and that this is the first time a new unit has been released at Liberty Park Waterfront Condominiums in over a decade.  This home is waiting for YOU.  

View of a completed unit at Liberty Park Waterfront Condominiums 

Our new construction unit at Liberty Park Waterfront Condominiums, Unit 6, will be a showplace that you can share with family and friends year-round on the shore in Sister Bay.  This four-bedroom plus study unit features 3 full baths and 2 half baths, both a living room and great room (each with fireplaces) a gourmet kitchen and some of Door County's most fabulous year-round waterfront and waterview sunsets.

To purchase Unit 6 at Liberty Park Waterfront Condominiums at 11027 Liberty Park Lane, Sister Bay, Wisconsin, you will work with Tim Halbrook Builders, Inc. of De Pere, Wisconsin--one of Northeastern Wisconsin's most reputable builders-- through the selection process to customie your home and make it uniquely "you".  Based on the timing of selection finishes, we anticipate that this home will be ready in late autumn of 2023.

You will enjoy fantastic, year-round sunsets from this site, as the sun moves from north to south over the Bay of Green Bay.  Access to this home will be off of Waters End Road in the Town of Liberty Grove, Sister Bay.  Although you will enjoy the proximity of being approximately 1 mile from the heart of bustling downtown Sister Bay (and there are several restaurants closer than that for walk-to-dining options), you will be uniquely "away from it all" at your new home here.  Open windows will allow you to be lulled to sleep at night by the sound of the waves.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right individual.  This duplex home will be both a refuge and a showplace for you and yours--the condominium does allow pets--and along with a gourmet kitchen to help with meal preparation, this home also features a lower level great room with a custom wet bar and fireplace that opens to the shore.  Your new home here will be the place that everyone wants to meet for the fireworks that Sister Bay holds for Freedom Fest (the weekend after July 4th) as well as Marina Festival (the Labor Day holiday) from the nearby Sister Bay Marina.  This home is in close proximity to both the Sister Bay Marina and the Yacht Works Marina---but you don't need a boat to enjoy this beautiful home!

We would be delighted to assist you with a site-visit and to explain the selection process for purchasing this new-construction waterfront condominium for sale in Sister Bay, Wisconsin.   Learn more about this listing at 11027 Liberty Park Lane, Sister Bay, Liberty Grove, WI 54234 here.  

If you're looking for a waterfront condominium, a water view condominium, an inland property, a Door County farm, vacant land or a Door County business, we've been helping vacationers become owners here since 2004.  Learn more about this new Door County waterfront condominium for sale or view the entire Door County MLS at moredoorcounty.com today.  

SISTER BAY, WI CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE

Waterfront Du Nord Condominium in Sister Bay

ready for 2023 Occupancy

Exciting news for those looking ahead to spending 2023 in Door County.  Unit 8 of Waterfront Du Nord Condominium will be ready for your winter/spring 2023 occupancy!

WATERFRONT DU NORD DUPLEX CONDOMINIUM FOR SALE

IN SISTER BAY, WI 54234

This lovely home allows for water views over the Bay of Green Bay, giving you sunset views for a majority of the year, as well as year-round water views.

The floor plan is fabulous---three levels of beautiful home built by Van's Custom Builders, which offers a walk-out lower level, a balcony off the main floor, and another balcony off of the second story.

This home is just under 3,500 square feet, and offers four bedrooms plus a loft, an open floor plain on the main level with fireplace, and a second floor with a loft and two bedrooms.  There are three and a half bathrooms and a very high level of finish.  The walk-out lower level has ample natural light and a custom wet bar for entertaining.  The high-end finishes include granite counter tops, hardwood floors, ceramic tile, custom cabinets, walls of windows facing the shore, stainless steel appliances and much more.

PHOTO FROM A FINISHED UNIT 

PHOTO FROM A FINISHED UNIT

PHOTO FROM A FINISHED UNIT

PHOTO FROM A FINISHED UNIT

The new specifications on Unit 8 are a bit different from the unit shown above--the kitchen is lighter and you get more of a south-west view of the water, but it is very tastefully done with an excellent level of finish.  The opportunities for entertaining in these homes is fabulous, with the lower level wet bar creating an inviting space for special gatherings, as well as the open floor plan upstairs which allows the kitchen to become the heart of the home as you entertain family and friends.

Waterfront Du Nord units share shorefront across the street; an area for picnicking, swimming or relaxing with a bottle of wine as you watch spectacular summer sunsets or fireworks from Freedom Festival or Labor Day weekend over the Sister Bay harbor.  The location is also fantastic--you are approximately one mile from the Sister Bay hill and downtown Sister Bay, Wisconsin so a walk downtown can be an easy opportunity for exercise, where you'll have a myriad of dining and shopping choices (including Al Johnson's, CHOP, the Sister Bay Bowl and much more), as well as the popular Sister Bay beach.  If you're a boater, this location is ideal---both the Sister Bay Marina and the Yacht Works Marina are close by for launching, slips and storage (best get on the slip waiting lists now!).

We are anticiping completion of Unit 8 at 2273 Du Nord Court, Sister Bay, WI 54234 to be completed sometime in late winter or early spring of 2023.  Final landscaping and final concrete work will be done as soon as weather permits in spring of 2023.

It's time to start to plan your summer of 2023 in Sister Bay!  Learn more about 2273 Du Nord Court, Unit 8, Sister Bay, Liberty Grove, WI 54234 here.  This is a geat opportunty at a wonderful price per square foot! 

Please contact me for any Door County real estate questions you may have or to plan your private tour today.   Welcome to Waterfront Du Nord and Sister Bay, Wisconsin!

When are Door County housing prices

going to drop?

Door County Housing Market September, 2022:  Door County REALTORS saw a slight slow-down when the Federal Reserve first began increasing interest rates in 2022, but that pattern appears to have shifted.

With little to no inventory available in Door County, including for the first time in my 18-plus years of practice, including vacant land---demand still greatly exceeds supply from Jacksonport-Egg Harbor through Gills Rock/Northport. 

In fact, Door County's only city, Sturgeon Bay, has had this problem for far longer than the northern Door County communities, with a scarcity of inventory (and affordable inventory) going back to at least 2017.  It is only since 2019 that we have seen prices start and continue to rise in northern Door County, where any home or condominium under $500,000 now garners immediate and considerable interest.

As mentioned above---even our vacant land inventory is depleted.  As of this writing, there are two vacant parcels available on market shown as not pending north of Fish Creek/Baileys Harbor.  This would have been unheard of just two short years ago.

So when are Door County housing prices going to drop?  Just yesterday, a long-time reader called and asked me this question again---someone that had the opportunity to buy back in 2013 when prices were in decline and inventory vastly exceeded demand.

The answer:  interest rate increases do not appear to be deterring the Door County housing market, other than to further increase the lack of affordable housing inventory under $300,000.00.  That market is nearly non-existent north of Egg Harbor/Jacksonport.  As such, it's going to take a determined period when supply actually exceeds demand for prices to stabilize or actually stop increasing, and we aren't predicting that even with another large interest rate hike expected this month.  That is further compounded by the fact that autumn (not spring/summer) is typically our busiest calendar market time of the year, as people that have summered here become serious about house-hunting.

As such, right now we see homes that are selling $50,000, $100,000, $150,000 and even nearly $200,000 over asking price, depending on location, condition and price.  A home in my Sister Bay neighborhood closed over $150,000 over list price last week.  Wonderful if you are a Seller--NOT so great if you're a Buyer.

For all Door County real estate market updates and the latest Door County real estate news and all things Door County, visit me today at moredoorcounty.com You can set up your own unique property search there, as well as receive information on "Sold" information and request market report data.  And, as, always, you can contact me at shumway.mk@gmail.com to start a dialogue on becoming a Door County property owner.  September 2022 Door County Real Estate Market Report

When are Door County housing prices

going to drop?