U.S. Department of Agriculture data show that the value of farm real estate is up slightly in Wisconsin this year, but that the value of cropland is down.
The property is idyllic. It consists of two parcels in a cove on the St. Croix River along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border where the river widens and flattens to form Lake St. Croix.
Around the country, areas with the strongest job markets have some of the costliest homes. Areas with the most affordable homes lack a solid base of middle-class jobs that attract workers.
Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages edged up this week but remained near historic lows. Low rates have helped drive the housing market's steady recovery.
A measure of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell only slightly in February to the second-highest level in almost three years. The report suggests sales of previously occupied homes will keep rising in the coming months.
U.S. home prices rose in January at the fastest annual pace since June 2006, just before the housing bubble burst. The gain shows the housing recovery is strengthening ahead of the all-important spring buying season.