LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW)—For the fourth consecutive year property values have dropped in Wisconsin as a whole.
This year property values are off 3.2-percent, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
But La Crosse is one of seven counties across the state that saw a slight increase in property values. La Crosse property values increased by 1.2 percent.
"We've got a lot to offer here in the City of La Crosse," Matt Harter, City of La Crosse Mayor said.
"We've got very impressive natural resources and that is something that will never be taken away from the area."
Chad Niegelsen, President of the La Crosse Area Realtors Association thinks the increase is due to something different.
"I think property values have gone up because sales volumes have increased," Niegelsen said. "People tend to take a lot of pride in their properties in this area and maintain things and maintained property will always bring more money."
Mayor Harter said maintaining property is a community effort.
"Neighbors helping neighbors," Harter said. "One neighbors property value lifting up another's. We're in the game together. Our property values are going to rise and fall together so it's important that we're able to focus on being in this together and maintaining our values as a whole and not focusing on individual pockets."
Niegelsen said all of this means now is a good time to buy real estate in the county.
"It's hard to believe things will get better in terms of interest rates," Niegelsen said. "So as far as buyers are concerned if prices are going to start to increase and interest rates are likely to not go lower I would say this is about as good as an opportunity they could have."
But most of the state is seeing decreases in property values.
The Southeast part of the state saw the largest decreases in property value; Kenosha County was down 7.7 percent and Walworth County down 6.4 percent.
