Geneva National 2016 Market Review

I write lots of things on this site. I write about birds and trees and lakes and streams. I write about how much I like certain things, like trout and fish, but mostly trout. I write about how much I love this place, how this place is better than the other places, how the more places I visit the more I like where I’m from. But I also write about things I hate, like Michigan and Northwoods houses and Door County and Michigan. I write plenty that might cause  some to feel triggered. But of all the topics, of all the good and the bad, the love and the hate, I get more commentary directed at me when I write about Geneva National. Geneva National, you’re up.

2016 was a good year to be both buyer and seller in Geneva National. Sellers found buyers and buyers found value. Mostly, it was a good thing and a good year for this large association on the North side of Highway 50.  Last year, 71 homes and condominiums sold in Geneva National priced from $59k for a one bedroom condo to $795k for a large single family home. Six single family homes and condo units closed for more than $500k.   This morning there are just 61 total homes and condominiums available in GN, with five more pending sale. That’s really quite positive for GN, as the one thing that plagues this association more than anything is excess inventory.

The 2016 volume trailed well behind the 82 units sold (MLS) in GN during 2015, but both 2016 and 2015 absolutely crushed 2014, which recorded a rather miserable 44 total sales. If there’s any issue with the existing inventory in GN it’s that the top end is far too heavy. There are 20 homes and condominiums priced over $500k available today. If you recall the prior graph, there were only six $500k+ sales in GN all of last year. That means we have at least three years worth of inventory at the top end, and that’s not good news for any upper bracket seller wishing to leave GN.

Even worse is the vacant lot situation. There are, in case you haven’t noticed, loads and loads of unbuilt, vacant lots in Geneva National. Currently, there are 57 available, priced between $7k and $260k (there are a few others that are zoned commercial).  That’s a lot of lots, but don’t fear, because with TWO vacant lot sales in 2016, that means GN only has a scant 28 years worth of available inventory. Even if we average in the 2015 sales (11), there’s still nine years worth. The vacant lot situation at GN is especially troubling for owners who would like to be sellers, because the monthly fees keep coming even as the prices drop. I owned a few different lots in GN over the years, and I must admit I’m happy that I don’t own one at the moment.

The relationship between vacant, available lots and available single family homes is somewhat troubling, given that they are bound into the same market. Too many available single family homes drags on the prices, which leaves less and less motivation for a buyer to buy a vacant lot and build from scratch. If I can buy a nice house for less than I can build it, why would I build? But along those same lines, if the lots are free ($7k for starters), why wouldn’t I build when the cost of the land is essentially zero?  The good news for the GN housing stock is that construction prices are on the rise, perhaps up as much as 20% over the past few years by some accounts, so this might help deter buyers from building. The hope then is that they’ll buy an existing house instead.

2017 looks to be a decent year for GN, and for once the large association is going into a selling season without too much inventory. I’d expect a fair year, but as with the rest of the vacation home market, if the inventory doesn’t build then neither will the sales tallies.  Interest rates should be stable through the first part of the year, but buyers will feel some motivation as rates are higher than they were last fall by a reasonably meaningful margin. GN continues to have too many homes and too many lots and too many condominiums under development. The dues are higher than I’d like them to be. There are issues with all of these factors. But if you’re a buyer looking for newer square footage in a country club environment and you just so happen to like playing golf, then Geneva National just might be your best option.

About the Author

I'm David Curry. I write this blog to educate and entertain those who subscribe to the theory that Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is indeed the center of the real estate universe. When I started selling real estate 27 years ago I did so of a desire to one day dominate the activity in the Lake Geneva vacation home market. With over $800,000,000 in sales since January of 2010, that goal is within reach. If I can help you with your Lake Geneva real estate needs, please consider me at your service. Thanks for reading.

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