Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success - Congrats to Jennifer Schuster-Yanke 100% Club

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success - Congrats to Jennifer Schuster-Yanke 100% Club

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success - Congrats to Jennifer Schuster-Yanke 100% Club

100 % Club Members earn an income of between $100,000 and $250,000.

Jennifer has been serving the real estate needs of investors, families and individuals in Jefferson, Dodge, Waukesha and Washington County for 17 years.

Jennifer has been a resident of Watertown for 20 years and recently her and her husband have become empty nesters. Jennifer says "My son has been on his own for 2 years and talks about buying a house soon which I am very excited about and my daughter I am proud to say is persuing a medical career at college in Tennessee on a volleyball scholarship."

In her "spare time", which her husband will tell you is limited, they enjoy camping and spending time with their 3 rescue dogs.

A Banker recently stated that what's unique about Jennifer is that she still has the same dedication towards customers as she did in her 1st year.

Clients say the prompt, straight forward communication she provides is like no other agent!

In Jennifers words "I don't want to say real estate is all I know but it is all I have done as a career and I wouldn't change it for the world! I have been blessed to be involved in all things surrounding real estate like helping build 3 homes for my family growing up, helping run a family business, owning/managing several rental properties and flipping houses. This knowledge has allowed me to do more for my clients and customers than just sell them a home. I am always learning new things as the market changes, especially about the banking industry which is crucial for successful closings."

An incredible agent and person, Jennifer has said "The most important thing I need to say is without the support and trust from my clients I would not be where I am in life and I am extremely greatful."

Congrats on a good year Jennifer and continued success!

Ten Ways to Spruce Up Your Side Yard

10 ways to spruce up your side yard

By Scot Meyer of SwitchYard Media

The front yard faces the street, and the backyard is a private green space. But the side yard is too often an afterthought.
Many people treat the strips on the sides of their homes as nothing more than grassy alleys leading to their backyards, or as suburban demilitarized zones providing some buffer between their house and those of their neighbors. But with a little planning and design savvy, the humble side yard can become a garden spot or be put to a variety of other productive uses. Here are 10 ideas.

Let it go to the dogs

If you have pooches, why not give them a nice place to play? A fenced-in side yard can be a perfect dog run, giving your pets a place to romp while keeping your front and back yards free of droppings and the unsightly brown spots that can result from the nitrogen and salts in canine urine.

Doug Del Gandio of Four Seasons Landscaping & Nursery in Maryland says synthetic grass can be a good choice for a dog run. It looks natural but is durable and low-maintenance. Although you'll still have to scoop the poop, urine runs right through the turf to the ground below without causing any damage.
Del Gandio, whose company installs artificial grass at residences and commercial properties, says that two of his biggest clients are kennels.

Outdoor shower

Outdoor showers are great amenities for beach houses, but their appeal doesn't stop there. If you have a pool or hot tub in your back yard, an outdoor shower in your side yard can be a great place to rinse off the chlorine before you head into the house.
Options range from inexpensive and portable fixtures fed by garden hoses – perfect for washing muddy children or dogs before they come inside – to more elaborate setups designed to offer a spalike experience for grown-ups.
You'll want fences or other kinds of screening for privacy, even if you're planning to keep your bathing suit on, and you should check with local building codes and a plumber before connecting the shower to your home's water lines or drainage system.

Sports space for adults

Side yards often make good places to hone your sports skills. In California, JPM Landscape has turned side spaces into soccer fields for children and bocce courts for the older set. In Maryland, Four Seasons Landscaping & Nursery specializes in installing putting greens in such spaces.

Del Gandio says the side yard can easily be turned into a play area for soccer or other sports if it is level enough, and even the tighter spaces in older or urban neighborhoods can be ideal for Sport Court basketball or volleyball courts.

Outdoor kitchen

Making the best use of your side yard is often a matter of determining how your house fits on your property. Del Gandio says that some houses, particularly in older neighborhoods, have kitchens with side entries. When that's the case, turning a side yard into an outdoor kitchen or dining area can be a good idea. It can create an appealing space for entertaining and for cooking out.

Options available through some online suppliers go beyond simple barbecue grills to include smokers, wood-fired ovens, griddles and even outdoor refrigerators and cabinetry.

Grow your own food

Even if your side yard isn't suitable as a place to cook or eat your food, it might make a great place to grow some of it.
Some side yards are damp and shady places, shielded from the sun for most of the day by the houses on both sides. But if yours gets plenty of sunlight, you might consider using it for a vegetable garden.
Even tiny gardens can be surprisingly productive, yielding a steady supply of tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, peppers and other produce from a plot as small as 4 by 4 feet. Raised beds can offer better drainage and some protection from weeds and pests. Check the Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map to get an idea of what will grow, and when, in your area.

Outdoor living room

A side yard that is only a mediocre venue for watching the grass grow can be turned into an appealing outdoor living room with some paving stones and the right furniture. This space can be an extension of the home, providing an extra room where you can relax or entertain guests. And accessories such as portable heaters, fireplaces or fire pits, and even mosquito-repellent systems, can make the outdoors as comfortable a place to hang out as the inside of your house.

Practical and pretty

Sometimes, it works best to use a skinny side yard as a place devoted to a homeowner's less glamorous needs. In the Sun Belt, the side yard is often the default site for a home's central air-conditioning unit – and in many cases, it makes sense to keep garbage cans, recycling bins and garden tools there, as well. But utilitarian doesn't have to mean ugly.
This side-yard remodel by JPM Landscape of San Jose and Pleasanton, Calif., corrals the clutter behind fences and plantings, leaving room for an attractive walkway and a neat lawn.

A place to exercise your green thumb

Because it can be inexpensive to fence a side yard, given its smaller square footage and the fact that the house's outer wall can be one side of the enclosure, the space can be converted from a public showcase into a private workspace.

One practical option is to use a side yard screened by a fence or shrubs to do your gardening. The area can house a potting bench or a nursery. You can plant seedlings there and raise them until they are sturdy enough to be transplanted to the more public parts of your yard or garden.

Here's your moment of Zen

Because they are relatively small and secluded, an enclosed side yard can offer the perfect place for restful solitude, where you can meditate or relax with a good book.
A Japanese rock garden, or karesansui, also known as a Zen garden, can be a nice addition to such a space. They are easy to construct and mainly consist of rocks, gravel and sand. Some designers add fire pits or plants, but all that's really needed is the garden itself and a place to sit and contemplate it.
Traditionally, the sand in a Japanese rock garden is raked to create ripples designed to resemble water. But if you prefer the sight and sound of the real thing, a fountain or similar water feature may be a good alternative for the space.

Child's play

An enclosed side yard can make an ideal outdoor playroom for small children, providing them with a fresh-air alternative to staying inside and watching television or playing computer games.
Permanent playhouses can help children exercise their imaginations, experts say, while slides, swing sets and other gear can help them exercise their bodies.
For safety, playground equipment should be high-quality and properly installed, and the area around it should covered with a protective surface, such as rubber mulch.
Sandboxes can also provide opportunities for free-form play, but they should be kept covered when not in use if there are cats around, to prevent them from becoming oversized litter boxes.

6 Repairs to Consider After the Winter Storms of 2013/2014

6 Repairs to Consider After the Winter Storms of 2013/2014

The winter storms that hit U.S. homes from the East to Midwest brought heavy snowfall, high winds and below-freezing temperatures. Many homes endured harsh conditions, and now it's time to address any problems the winter storm created before they get worse and cost thousands in repairs or replacement.


You should thoroughly inspect your home after the winter storm for common damages, as fixing them ahead of time helps avoid bigger problems later. Here are some commonly affected areas where HomeAdvisor saw a significant increase in requests:


Roofing and gutters
With the onslaught of snow and winds, the roof and gutters take a lot of damage with missing shingles, structural damage from all the snow, ice dams and frozen gutters. Ice dams are common after a snowstorm because the snow melts and reforms as ice near the edge of the roof. This prevents proper drainage in the gutters, which allows the ice to seep under the roof for more damage.

Homeowners should check for any of these signs and remove the snow as soon as possible. Roof repair, including replacing shingles or reinforcing the structure, will cost homeowners between $720 and $1,070.


Pipes
Because of below-freezing temperatures or improper insulation, pipes freeze and sometimes burst during a winter storm. If frozen, homeowners cannot receive water to do dishes, take baths and so forth. In such cases, they should find a plumber to come out and fix this problem by getting the water flowing again.


Damaged or fallen treesThe snow and wind cause trees to fall and limbs to break, sometimes close to homes and on power lines because of the high wind velocity. Homeowners who want fallen trees removed can hire a tree-removal service to haul it away. If a complete removal isn't necessary, then trimming branches might suffice.


SidingThe wind causes siding, especially shingles, to blow off during a storm. This allows the house's inner siding to get wet, which could lead to mold. It also allows for the possibility of pests if there are holes or leaks, so homeowners should fix these issues as soon as possible. The cost to repair siding varies by location, materials and amount of damage. For example, homeowners in Atlanta reportedly paid between $720 and $1,100 and homeowners in Chicago between $600 and $920.


Heaters and furnacesWhen there are freezing temperatures outside, furnaces are pushed to keep the home warm during the storm. As a result some go out, or ducts and vents are too small leading to colder rooms. There could also be leaks and energy inefficiencies which lead to the system flipping on frequently to compensate. If these are identified as issues, homeowners should seek help from a professional heating, ventilation and air-conditioning contractor so the system runs smoothly in the future.

8 Costly Home Seller Mistakes

By: Anne Miller

Homeowners who want to sell their home know they need to get the place spruced up for marketing, but a tougher challenge for some sellers is to get mentally prepared for putting their residence on the market.

After all, if you?ve been happily living in your home for years, it can be emotionally hard to detach yourself from your memories and look at the place as a commodity you?re selling.

For a smoother sales transaction that garners the most possible profit from your sale, avoid these common, yet costly, seller mistakes:

1. Skipping a home inspection. Depending on the age of your home, scheduling a pre-listing home inspection could save you a lot of time and aggravation. You can address issues on your own time and budget before negotiating with a buyer to fix problems.

2. Skimping on your sales prep. While you may be tempted to ?test the waters? and put your home on the market without painting it or making minor repairs, your home is likely to languish on the market and get a reputation for having a major problem. A thorough, professional-level cleaning should be your bare minimum seller prep. Your eventual sales price is likely to be lower if you don?t sell within the first few weeks after you list your home.

3. Choosing the wrong REALTOR®. Instead of picking a REALTOR® who?s a friend of a friend, a relative or perhaps someone who?s great at working with buyers, take the time to pick a REALTOR® with an excellent reputation for listing homes. Your payoff will be much larger if you list your home with a REALTOR® with local market knowledge and sales expertise.

4. Neglecting to ramp up your curb appeal. If you polish and primp inside your home but neglect to pull weeds or paint your front door, you run the risk of potential buyers leaving without ever entering your home.
5. Withholding information from buyers. If you hope that the buyers or their inspector won?t find out about the leak under your bathroom sink or the fact that your basement gets flooded every winter, you run the risk of a nasty negotiating period, or  worse, a lawsuit after the settlement.

6. Overpricing your home. If you?ve hired the right REALTOR®, someone who can give you a strong market analysis and help you determine a reasonable price for your home, then you can avoid overpricing your home. If you don?t listen to your REALTOR® and base your listing price on an inflated view of your home?s value, you?re likely to end up selling after multiple price drops for less than you would have if you priced it right the first time.

7. Being unprepared for your next step. Whether you should buy your next home or sell your current home first is only one part of the preparation you need to make to move. You need a back-up plan in case your transaction on either end takes longer or shorter than you think, and you need to understand your mortgage payoff and the closing costs you must pay.
8. Letting your pets and kids spoil a sale. Part of your emotional detachment from your home is recognizing that while you love Fluffy and your darling twins, buyers want to visualize themselves and their own family in your home. Bribe your kids if you have to, but make sure the house is neat and as neutral-looking and smelling as possible. Take the kids and your pets out (or lock up your pets) when prospective buyers are visiting ? you never know if someone who is terrified of dogs or cats will be turned off from making an offer because of your adorable pet.

Selling a home can be challenging, but with the help of a reliable REALTOR® you can avoid making mistakes and reap the rewards of your sale.

The New Landlord/Tenant Law: Dispelling the Ugly Rumors - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

The New Landlord/Tenant Law: Dispelling the Ugly Rumors - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

The New Landlord/Tenant Law: Dispelling the Ugly Rumors - Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

The New Landlord/Tenant Law: Dispelling the Ugly Rumors

By: Debbi Conrad

The new landlord/tenant and eviction measures contained in 2013
Wis. Act 76, which for the most part does not go into effect until March
1, 2014, have attracted a lot of attention in the media and in the
rumor mill. Misguided and exaggerated reports abound proclaiming that
this legislation will be very harmful to tenants and will trample their
rights. To set the record straight …

Eviction notices will be mailed so tenants will not know they had a court date

Amendments to Wis. Stat. § 799.12 provide that any circuit court
may enact a rule authorizing the use of certified mail for the service
of the summons in an eviction action. Any such court rule must require
certified mail with return receipt requested. Service of the summons is
considered completed when it is mailed, unless the envelope enclosing
the summons has been returned unopened to the clerk prior to the return
date. Thus tenants will sign the receipt for the eviction summons, or it
will go back to the court if the tenants do not accept the mailing and
the court will know there has been no service.

Sheriff’s deputies are not required to be present during an eviction

The landlord delivers the writ of restitution ordered by the court
to the sheriff and pays the applicable fees, and then the sheriff
executes the writ. The sheriff always comes to remove the tenants and
any other persons found at the premises. The amendments to Wis. Stat. §
799.45 allow the landlord to elect to remove the tenant’s personal
property and store or dispose of the property — the landlord need no
longer warehouse the tenant’s property. Upon notice to the sheriff, the
sheriff will assist and supervise this removal and handling of the
tenant’s personal property.



REALTOR^® practice tip: Given the
volatility and unpredictability of eviction situations, the prudent
landlord will have the sheriff stay on the premises to supervise the
removal of tenant personal property following the eviction of the
tenants.

Notice that landlords may dispose of personal property may be given the day the tenants are moving out

Landlords and property managers no longer have to store personal
property left behind by tenants. Wis. Stat. § 704.05(5) provides that
landlords may presume that the property that the tenants leave behind is
abandoned and may dispose of it in any manner that the landlord
believes to be appropriate, if and only if, the landlord first has
provided written notice to the tenant. Notice must be given in the
original rental agreement or a renewal and must indicate that the
landlord will not store any personal property the tenant leaves behind
when the tenant is removed from the premises. These notice dates would
not occur on the day a tenant moves out.

Landlords can throw away a tenant’s abandoned belongings

Beginning with evictions filed on March 1, 2014, the landlord no
longer needs to warehouse the evicted tenant’s personal property and may
dispose of items left behind by placing them in the dumpster, donating
them to charity, selling them or by another appropriate disposal method.
The tenant or any secured party has the right to redeem the property at
any time before the landlord has disposed of it or entered into a
contract for its disposition, by payment of any expenses that the
landlord has incurred with respect to the property. This provision does
not provide that the landlord can simply throw away the tenant’s
personal property when the tenant still has possession of the premises.
The handling of personal property takes place only after the tenant has
vacated the premises or been evicted by the sheriff.



REALTOR^® practice tip: The ability to
presume the property is abandoned and subject to the landlord’s judgment
as to proper disposal after the eviction of the tenant does not come
into play automatically. The landlord must have given the required
notice to the tenant when the tenant entered into the rental agreement,
or upon renewal of the rental agreement.

The legislation allows domestic abuse victims to be evicted

Wis. Stat. § 704.16 — on the books since 2008 — provides that a
tenant may terminate a tenancy when there is an imminent threat of
serious physical harm to the tenant or the tenant’s child and the tenant
provides the landlord with proper notice and documentation. Under Wis.
Stat. § 106.50 (5m) (dm), which has been in effect since December 2009, a
tenant who is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking
has a defense to an eviction based on the commission of one of those
acts if the tenant proves that the landlord knew or should have known
that the tenant was a victim of the aforementioned crimes, along with
other criteria.


The new Wis. Stat. § 704.14 provides that a residential rental
agreement must include a Notice Of Domestic Abuse Protections in every
rental agreement or an addendum to the agreement, beginning with rental
agreements entered into or renewed on March 1, 2014. The mandatory
language of this notice educates everyone and heightens tenants’
awareness of their existing rights.

Tenants are automatically liable if bedbugs are found

Wis. Stat. § 704.07(3) now states that if the tenant’s actions or
inaction leads to damage to the premises, or results in an insect or
pest infestation, then the landlord may allow the tenant to repair and
remediate the damage, or the landlord may do so and require tenant
reimbursement of all reasonable costs. If the landlord can prove that
the infestation was caused by the tenant, the tenant is responsible for
all eradication costs and other damages. This does not eliminate the
need for the landlord to prove that the tenant caused the infestation.

Landlords can withhold money from security deposits without notification

Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06(4) continues to require that the
landlord deliver a written statement to the tenant accounting for any
amounts withheld from a security deposit. The statement shall describe
each item of physical damage or other claims made against the security
deposit, and the amount withheld as reasonable compensation for each
item or claim. No modifications in the new law alter this result.
Illegally parked vehicles will be towed without any verification regarding whether the vehicle was stolen


The new provisions allow for the immediate towing of vehicles
illegally parked on properly posted private property upon the request of
the property owner or agent. A parking citation need not first be
issued. The posting must be clearly visible and warn that non-authorized
vehicles will be immediately towed. The towing service must notify
local law enforcement of the model, make, vehicle identification and
license plate numbers of the vehicle being towed as well as the location
to which the vehicle will be removed. The towing companies cannot
remove a vehicle if law enforcement advises that the vehicle is stolen.
The Department of Transportation will develop rules regarding the
reasonable charges for removal and storage of vehicles, the form and
manner of display of a notice necessary to qualify a property as
“properly posted,” and guidelines for towing services’ notification to
law enforcement upon removal of a vehicle. That is why the provisions
for the towing of vehicles illegally parked on posted private property
will not go into effect until July 1, 2014.


At the end of the day, elimination of unnecessary delays and
expenses helps alleviate some the landlord’s extra costs and lost income
involved each time a tenant gets into trouble and is unable to meet the
terms of the rental agreement. Allowing a bad tenant to remain in an
apartment without paying for the housing increases the landlords’ costs,
which often result in higher rents for the good tenants — an outcome
that benefits no one.

Debbi Conrad is Senior Attorney and Director of Legal Affairs for the WRA.

Real Estate Market Report for Dousman February-March 2014

What's Happening in Real Estate in Dousman? WI Realtor, Remax Realty Center, Gives You The Real Estate Activity For Dousman, WI For the Last 30 Days: Real Estate In Waukesha County

Dousman is a great place to live, work and relax in the beautiful Kettle Moraine area of southeastern Wisconsin.  We are a growing community with a mix of multigenerational families and new arrivals.

 

My name is Lisa Bear of Remax. My market report gives you the real estate activity for Dousman for the last 30 days. 

Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs, including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home in Waukesha County. Real Estate in Waukesha County is an excellent investment! The following MLS information is for the last 30 days from 2/13/14 to 3/13/14. Lisa Bear Gives You The Real Estate Activity for Dousman, WI For the Last 30 Days: Real Estate In Waukesha County.

In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market 2 homes sold; 1 was list and sold by the same company, and 1 were sold by co-brokes.

In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there was 3 new listing.
In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate there was 4 pending listing.
In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 withdrawn listings.

In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings.
In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there was 1 expired listing.
In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there was 0 back on market listings.
In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 4 extended listings.

In the Dousman, Wisconsin Real Estate market there are 36 currently active listings.

The average price for a home SOLD was $728,500.

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success Congrats to Kristin Johnston, REMAX REALTY CENTER

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success Congrats to Kristin Johnston, REMAX REALTY CENTER

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success

Congrats to Kristin Johnston - Kristin was an EXECUTIVE CLUB Award recipient.

Kristin has been in real estate since 2000. She started private real estate investing in 2000, and enjoyed it so much, she decided to get her license and make it a career. She really enjoys working with both buyers and sellers alike. Kristin practices real estate throughout all of SE Wisconsin, but primarily focus on Waukesha County Real Estate and Milwaukee County Real Estate.

If you take the time to check out her website -- her testimonials by past customers give a true picture of the type of person she is. www.kristinjohnston.com. In her words "I believe this is probably the best way of finding out who I am, my work ethic, personality, etc. I enjoy working in real estate and truly find it to be a rewarding business."


--Kristin is a Waukesha Buyer's Agent and has her ABR Designation (Accredited Buyer's Representative). She is also an IRES Designation (International Real Estate Specialist). So, she can help you with your real estate needs throughout the world!

---Kristin expertly handles sales and listings of single family residential, condos, vacant land, and investment properties

Kristin says "I enjoy being a part of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, financial decision in a client's lives. They trust my expertise and professional opinion, and I work hard to keep everything moving along smoothly in the process. I am there with my clients every step of the way...from helping them getting preapproved for a mortgage loan, to the closing table. I pride myself on being organized, and very responsive to my client's needs. After all, timeliness can make the difference in a client getting their dream home!"

Kristin is the youngest of 6 kids, three brothers and two sisters. She is an identical twin. Family is very important to her. She will tell you "I chat or email my twin sister at least 20 times a day--we are super close! My parents and rest of family live in Sheboygan, and I enjoy seeing them every chance I get."

Kristin went to Marquette University and majored in Business, International Business, Human Resource Management and Spanish. Interestingly, she lived and studied in Spain and have traveled throughout Europe. She is fluent in Spanish.

Kristin is a HUGE animal lover and activist too. As part of her Give Back Program, she is happy to donate to an animal shelter or rescue in her clients name upon closing.

Congrats Kristin!

Real Estate Market Report for Greenfield February-March 2014

What's Happening in Real Estate in Greenfield? WI Realtor, Remax Realty Center, Gives You The Real Estate Activity For Greenfield, WI: Real Estate In Milwaukee County

 The Potawatomi Indians relinquished their claim to lands in southeastern Wisconsin at the Treaty of Chicago in 1833, and were deported in 1838.  Surveyors from the U.S. General Land Office measured the region according to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, establishing the boundaries of future 6x6 square mile towns.  One of the future towns surveyed in 1836 was Town 6 North Range 21 East which later became Greenfield.  A few pioneers had arrived there a year earlier, including William Strothmann, the first permanent German resident in Milwaukee County, who settled on land southwest of present 43^rd and Oklahoma Avenue.

My name is Lisa Bear of Remax. My market report gives you the real estate activity for Greenfield for 2013. 

 

Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs, including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home in  Milwaukee County. Real Estate in Milwaukee County is an excellent investment! The following MLS information is for 2/13/14- 3/13/14.


In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market 22 homes sold; 8 were list and sold by the same company, and 14 were sold by co-brokes.
In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 54 new listings.
In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate there were 27 pending listings.
In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 1 withdrawn listings.




In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings.

In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 13 expired listings.
In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 3 back on market listings.
In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 13 extended listings.



In the Greenfield, Wisconsin Real Estate market there are 224 currently active listings.

Market Report for Hales Corners February-March 2014

What's Happening in Real Estate in Hales Corners? Remax Realty Center Gives You The Real Estate Activity For Hales Corners, WI For the Last 30 Days: Real Estate In Milwaukee County

February 12,, 2014 - March 12, 2014

 

The Village of Hales Corners is located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.  It occupies an area of 3.2 square miles and, in 2010, had a population of 7,619.  The City of Greenfield is located to the north of the Village, the Village of Greendale is to the east, the City of Franklin is to the south, and the City of New Berlin is to the west. 

Hales Corners offers valuable resources for residents.  A large central shopping area, excellent schools, Whitnall Park and its world-famous Boerner Botanical Gardens, and Wehr Nature Center are all shared with bordering communities.  These facts, plus the ready access to the freeway system, promote the reputation of the Village as being “a great place to live”.

My name is Lisa Bear of Remax. My market report gives you the real estate activity for Hales Corners for the last 30 days.

Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs, including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home in Milwaukee County. Real Estate in Milwaukee County is an excellent investment! The following MLS information is for the last 30 days from 2/12/14 to 3/12/14. Lisa Bear Gives You The Real Estate Activity for Hales Corners, WI For the Last 30 Days: Real Estate In Milwaukee County.


In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market 4 homes sold; 0 were list and sold by the same company, and 4 were sold by co-brokes.


In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 6 new listings.
In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate there were 3 pending listings.
In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 withdrawn listings.


In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings.
In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 4 expired listings.
In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there was 7 back on market listings.
In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 1 extended listings.


In the Hales Corners, Wisconsin Real Estate market there are 32 currently active listings.

The average price for a home SOLD was $209,600.


In Hales Corners,  Wisconsin Real Estate it is a great time to call Remax Realty Center to buy and sell!

Spring Gardening Checklist

March may find you sighing with impatience as you watch yet another snowfall cover your barren container boxes, but it's one of the most important months for gardeners.
There's still time to do all of your prep work, from honing tools to starting seeds, as you imagine the shapes, tastes and colors of your next garden. Spring begins with the vernal equinox on March 20.


Tool cleanup
If you didn't do so in the fall, it's time to give your lawn mower and other tools some tough love.
● Get ahead of the spring crowds by dropping off your lawn mower now to have the oil changed, bolts tightened and blades sharpened.
● Remove soil from your tools' metal parts using sandpaper or a hose.

• Sand rough edges on wooden tool handles, then coat them with linseed oil.
• Sharpen your tools. A file will sharpen tools of all sizes, from shovels and hoes to trowels and clippers. A Carborundum wheel will work on smaller tools. Pruning shears can be sharpened with a whetstone. After sharpening, use a rag to apply a thin, penetrating oil to metal tool parts; follow with a heavier oil on tools that have moving parts.

Lawn doctoring
The green, green grass of home doesn't get that way by accident, and March is a perfect time to assess your lawn's health.

• Pluck a 4- to 5-inch square from your yard to see what's going on down there. If your area has crane flies, count the larvae. Fewer than 35 per square foot means less work for you: Your lawn should be able to withstand that number.
• If you're not sure what to look for, take your lawn sample to an expert at your garden store and ask for a diagnosis; then just press your sample back into its "bed."
• Lime, treat moss and, finally, reseed as needed. (Overseeding can be done after midmonth.)
• Fertilize your lawn now or start a new lawn using seeds or sod.

Weeding
There's always the battle of the weeds. The only way to win that fight is to keep at it. Nip weeds at the bud — literally, for if they're allowed to flower and go to seed, you could be looking at several years' worth of uninvited guests: Some weeds shed 10,000 seeds at a pop.

• Remove weeds by hand.
• Consult an expert in your area for dealing with persistent pests such as quackgrass or morning glory. Recommendations for herbicide treatment vary depending on the location of your garden's problem spots.

• Delish: NASA to grow herbs on the moon

Preparing soil
Once your soil has had a chance to thaw and lose some of its winter moisture, you'll want to prep it for planting.

• Remove mulch over the course of several days, exposing the soil gradually.
• Till or spade soil six to 12 inches deep.
• Mix in compost, peat moss and fertilizer for plants or vegetables. For vegetable gardens, include processed or well-rotted manure in the mix (using fresh manure in the spring may burn or damage your plants).
• Rake the soil level to smooth out low spots; pockets of water can make the soil cool, which slows plant growth.

Vegetables
Start planning your vegetable garden, keeping in mind the following guidelines.

• Choose neighboring vegetables carefully and you may as much as double your vegetable harvest. Onions, for example, are no friend to peas and beans but make good bedmates for tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce and beets.
• Depending on your planting zone and the vagaries of the weather gods, you can — finally — plant some perennial vegetables right in your rich new soil.
• Later in the month (in most zones) you can seed or set out hardier vegetables, such as chard and Brussels sprouts.

Starting seeds
Caponata lovers, get those warm-season crops started indoors from seeds, including tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.

• Whether you use egg cartons, trays or pots, be sure the seedlings get lots of light.
• Get a jump on the Joneses' blooming season by planting some hardy flower seeds, such as petunias and marigolds.
• Potted petunias, which stand up well to cool weather, can be placed on your deck now for a splash of color to whet your gardening appetite.

Pruning roses
After all the pleasure you've had from your rose bushes, now you can reward them with pruning. This will give bushes a more attractive shape and also result in larger blooms and longer stems. Use gloves to protect your hands from thorns.

• With a sturdy clipper, make your cuts just above outside buds to encourage new outward growth, giving the plant more sunlight and air.
• For more tips on pruning different kinds of rose bushes, consult a good gardening book or one of the many reputable gardening websites.

Planting
These are the deciduous days, so selections at garden stores and nurseries are at their peak — and not yet picked over — in March.

• From late March into April is a great time to plant fruit trees and berries. Just be sure they have enough water as they get used to their new neighborhood.
• In addition to zone-specific perennial vegetables, set out or plant new roses and cool-loving flowers such as snapdragons and pansies.

Slug control
As tender shoots start to poke up in the spring, they make a beggar's banquet for slugs. Plan your counterattack before young plants become young nubs.

• As with much garden damage control, natural methods are growing in popularity. One simple approach is to sprinkle slugs with salt, which causes them to dry up.
• Slugs are attracted to stale beer, which you can leave in a shallow dish or bowl; slugs will enter and drown.
• Or you can gather slugs at night by hand, armed with a flashlight, something to lift them with and a pail.
• If you use a commercial slug bait, read the label carefully to be sure it won't endanger children, pets or birds.

Fun for kids
Kids love to help with simple growing projects or to have plants of their own to watch and care for, especially if growth is rapid (remember those pint-size attention spans).

• Growing a hyacinth from the bulb is fun, easy and educational. Find a glass or plastic container with a narrow opening. Set the bulb over the opening, and fill the container with water to 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch below the bulb. As the bulb's roots grow downward for a drink, the top will soon begin to develop and bloom — a great lesson in how plants grow, with a colorful, fragrant result!
• Kids love watching plants grow from seeds. Beans, peas and parsley all grow quickly in pots, and seeds can be set in fun shapes or kids' initials.

For the birds
Find out who's likely to fly over for a visit in the next month or two, and target bird treats and feeder types for their individual tastes.

• Most bird species will go for either oil-type sunflower seeds or white millet (offered separately), but sunflower-seed munchers tend to prefer elevated feeders with perches, while millet lovers usually prefer ground or large platform feeders.

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success - Congrats to Larry Stanul

Wisconsin Awards Celebration a BIG Success

Congrats to Larry Stanul - Larry was an EXECUTIVE CLUB Award recipient. Larry has been a Broker- Associate with REMAX Realty Center - Real Estate in Wisconsin for 10 years.

Larry is a Residential & Commerical Agent in Waukesha, Washington, Milwaukee, Waushara, Waupaca, Racine, Jefferson, Dodge and Ozaukee Counties.

Larry transitioned into real estate from a long and successful banking career. He helps people in all walks of life achieve their real estate goals.

Larry will go the extra mile to assist you. INTEGRITY. As Larry puts it, "I always want you to have that warm, fuzzy feeling after our dealings. What would you rather have in your hand? Tacs or Cottonballs? You decide."

If you ask Larry about his job --- this is what you will get. "I enjoy what I do. I have always believed that if you like/love what you are doing, the end result will be success. Both monetarily as well as gratifying. I get a real peace after a successful closing knowing that I had something to do with that client fulfulling their home ownership dream.

Congrats again Larry on a great 2013 sales year and lets see you top it in 2014!

5 Home Buying Hiccups for Veterans to Avoid

Many home buyers and agents shy away from the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program for fear that the process is too difficult or restrictions are too numerous. But if you’re a veteran in search of a mortgage, you don’t have to let these misconceptions drive you away.
These government-backed mortgages are actually among the most flexible and forgiving. In fact, this loan program is booming right now because it’s become increasingly difficult for veterans to secure conventional and even FHA financing. VA loan volume is up 370 percent since 2007, and the program backed a record 630,000 mortgages in 2013 alone.
VA loans have some notable benefits. But they’re also a specialized loan product with unique requirements, some of which can become sticking points for veterans and real estate agents.
Here’s a look at five common potential hurdles for VA home buyers and how to clear them.


 
1. Occupancy

The VA loan guarantee requires that you live in the home as your primary residence. This means the VA loan can’t be used to purchase a rental property or vacation home. But it doesn’t mean that you can never rent out the property.
Many VA buyers purchase in one location and are then transferred to another location. There’s no prohibition on renting out a property after you’ve occupied it. In fact, renting a former primary residence is a tool many military buyers use when they receive a Permanent Change of Station. It’s even possible to have two or more VA loans active at once, allowing you to rent the home at your old duty station and purchase a home at your new one.
Takeaway: If you’re looking to purchase a primary residence, you’ll likely meet the VA occupancy requirement.

2. A Less-Than-Optimal Credit Score
The VA doesn’t set a minimum credit score requirement, but it also doesn’t actually make home loans. The lenders that do will have credit standards prospective borrowers must meet. VA lenders are typically looking for a minimum credit score of 620. That’s considerably lower than the 740 many conventional lenders require. Even FHA lenders often want to see a borrower at 690 and higher.
But credit and finances can suffer given the unique strain and sacrifices of military service, making even a 620 tough to maintain. Checking your credit scores and looking for opportunities to improve your credit ahead of time can benefit you once you’re ready to buy a house.
Takeaway: A sub-620 credit score isn’t the end of the road. With a little time and dedication you can improve your score and use your hard-earned VA benefits.

3. Residual Income and Affordability
Despite their no-down-payment requirement, VA loans have been considered to be among the safest mortgages on the market for nearly all of the last five years. One of the big reasons is the VA’s residual income requirement.
This standard was established to ensure military buyers were purchasing truly affordable homes. Basically, the VA wants to confirm that you have enough money remaining each month after major bills to cover things such as food, gas and other necessities that don’t show up on a typical loan application.
Residual income is based on geography and family size. For example, a family of four in Missouri would need at least $1,003 in residual income each month in order to meet the guideline.
Your loan officer will consider residual income when calculating your loan pre-approval amount.
Takeaway: If you don’t meet the residual income requirement for the home you desire, consider lowering your loan amount or look at options to discount a portion of the residual with outside income.
4. Appraisals
True or false: You can only buy a home in immaculate condition with a VA loan.
False. A home doesn’t have to be immaculate or brand new, but it does have to meet the VA’s minimum property requirements to ensure the home is safe, sound and sanitary. Is there awful wallpaper from the ‘70s? That’s OK. Is paint chipping off the outside of the home? That’s probably not going to fly.
The good news is many minimum property requirements can be remedied to allow the sale to move forward. Agents who know and understand the requirements can guide you to “move-in ready” homes or include provisions in the contract that will remedy known issues early on.


5. Manufactured Homes
Understand at the outset that you’ve got a tough road ahead if your goal is to purchase a manufactured home using your VA benefit. Many VA lenders steer clear of these properties, perhaps more commonly known as mobile homes.
Start with your local credit union to see if they offer this specific type of financing, and then work your way through a list of other lenders until you find a company you feel comfortable managing your loan process.

Takeaway: Purchasing a manufactured home with the VA loan guarantee is possible. You’ll just have to conduct some research into mortgage companies, and prepare for a lot of trial and error.
[Editor’s note: Knowing where you stand with your credit can prepare you for your search for a home. By checking your credit reports – which you can do for free once a year at each of the major credit bureaus – for errors and negative items, and your credit scores — which you can do using a free tool like Credit.com’s Credit Report Card — you can have a better idea of whether you'll qualify.]

3 Tips to be a Smart Seller

For the past five years or so, millions of homeowners have been stuck in their homes, unable to refinance or sell because they were underwater. That situation began to change in 2013 when the housing market finally began to show signs of life. Buyers across the country were back in the game and home prices rose in many communities.
For many sellers this meant they could finally move out of a small house, cut down on their commute time, or simply go on with their lives. Almost 2 million homeowners came out from negative equity positions in 2013.
If you plan to sell your home in 2014, be aware that buyers have changed since the economic downturn. They’re savvier than ever, and they’re not desperate. Many of today’s buyers are Millennials (also known as Generation Y) who’ve come of age with access to endless information via the Internet. It’s in their DNA to search, and they love photographs and sharing.
Here are three bits of advice that will make you a smart seller in 2014:

Take your photo shoot seriously

Today, many buyers get their first impression of your home online. Too often, listings go online with photos of a dark room, lights off or blinds closed. Even worse? A new listing without photos or that has only one. If your real agent isn’t hiring a professional photographer to take high resolution photos, then you should invest the few hundred dollars to do so. Have them taken at the best time of day. Clean the home in advance and put away clutter. Prepare for the photo shoot just as you would for an open house. If buyers don’t like what they see online, you may never get them in the door.

Have your home inspected before listing 

Nothing is worse than waiting months or even years for an offer, only to have potential buyers discover that your HVAC system is on the fritz or that there is dry rot. When that happens, you’re forced to reduce the price or give credits.
Even worse, you may scare off the buyer and be forced to go back on the market. Often when this occurs, buyers and agents think there’s a problem with your property—which can make it tough to sell. That’s why a few hundred dollars on a pre-sales inspection is the best investment you can make. If there are issues, you can price the home accordingly. More importantly, you’re providing the buyers with more information. You’ll be in their good graces from the start.

Throw buyers a bone

Receive an offer on your home at a good price? Have you been one of the lucky ones who received more than one offer over a short period of time? Good for you; you’re in the driver’s seat. Even so, you still want to be in the buyer’s good graces during escrow and even after the sale. If you have the opportunity, throw the buyer a bone. If they ask for an early closing and you can do it, give it to them. Negotiate to buy them a one-year home warranty or give them a small credit. These little offerings will go a long way toward a speedy and hassle-free escrow.
The most important thing to remember is that to be a smart seller, you need to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Remember that today’s buyers lived through one of the biggest housing and credit crises in generations. They’re motivated but cautious, and they have a wealth of information available to them online. Don’t take anything for granted.

The 5 Worst Things You Can Do Before Buying a Home

Cynics may scoff, but getting under contract on the right home can turn even the most stoic shopper into a bit of a dreamer. From paint colors to planting a garden, picturing yourself in that property is critical for many buyers.


But leave a little room for pragmatism. Remember that getting pre-approved for a mortgage and even under contract isn’t a guarantee. That prefix is there for a reason. Loan pre-approval is not loan approval.

You’ll have more hurdles to clear before a lender legally commits to funding your home loan. Buyers who don’t know any better can inadvertently add obstacles to that path — or even kill the entire deal —between contract and closing day.

Some missteps can be costlier than others. Here’s a look at five of the worst things you can do before buying a home.

1. Go Credit-Crazy

It’s almost become cliché in the mortgage industry, but the warning still bears repeating: Don’t buy a truckload of furniture until after your loan closes. The prohibition goes beyond sofas and settees — avoid obtaining credit for any major expense, such as a car, a boat or, yes, a new bedroom set.
Be careful with even minor expenses. If you absolutely need to obtain new credit or accrue debt before closing, talk with your loan officer as soon as possible.

New payments are going to affect your monthly debt-to-income ratio (and residual income on a VA loan), and not in a good way. Hard inquiries on your credit report could also lower your credit score. That might hurt your interest rate if you haven’t locked or even knock you out of qualifying range all together.

2. Shuffle Dollars and Cents

Lenders will scour your most recent bank statement as part of the pre-approval process. It’s not like they forget about it after that. They’ll take another look at your assets and bank records again during the underwriting process.

You’ll need to explain any unusual deposits or withdrawals. Lenders will require clear documentation and a paper trail if you’re putting gift funds toward a down payment or closing costs. Stuffing a wad of undocumented cash into your account is going to raise some red flags.

3. Get Behind on Bills

Having a late payment hit your credit report before closing can devastate your deal. Payment history comprises about a third of your credit score.

One solitary 30-day late payment can clip 60 to 110 points from your credit score. Maybe not a huge deal if you had an 800 score, right?

Possibly. But if that 30-day late blemish is a mortgage or rent payment, some lenders will boot your application altogether. Many will require at least 12 consecutive months of on-time payments to qualify for a home loan.

4. Co-Sign on a Loan
Co-signing a loan is arguably a bad financial move whenever you make it. But it’s especially risky during the mortgage lending process. It means you’re financially liable for someone else’s debt.
Yes, that someone else might be the most responsible person on the planet. Lenders will still need to factor that new monthly obligation into your overall affordability profile. Adding one more debt to the list could stretch too thin your debt-to-income ratio and assets.

5. Changes in Employment
Probably goes without saying, but losing your job is going to be a big problem. Even job-hopping can present some major hurdles. Lenders crave stable, reliable income that’s likely to continue.
Lenders are likely to slam on the brakes if you take a new job in a different field. Or if you decide to start your own business. Or even if you get a promotion but see some or all of your income shift to a commission basis.

The bottom line: Any change to your employment is significant. Keep your loan officer in the loop, and ask questions when in doubt. The last thing you want is to waste time and money on a home loan you’re never going to get.

Throughout the mortgage process, it can also be helpful to monitor your credit scores for changes so you can know whether you need to address any problems. To do that, you can use a free tool like Credit.com’s Credit Report Card, which updates your credit scores and an overview of your credit report every month.

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Thank you for visiting our REMAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin website.
Please feel free to contact us for any of your residential or commerical real estate needs including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home if you are a buyer.

Our real estate focus in the  Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, Lake Country, Jefferson County, Dane County, Dodge County and Washington County areas. Several agents in the office also their IRES designation (International Real Estate Specialist) so they can assist you with all your real estate needs in Wisconsin, the USA or anywhere in the WORLD!

When you are seriously looking or just browsing at real estate in Wisconsin, RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, is the BEST resource to help you with all your needs and questions, whether a first time home buyer, relocating to or from the beautiful LAKE COUNTRY area, looking to invest or explore foreclosure opportunities or just thinking ahead to the future. 

Lisa Bear is the broker/owner of RE/MAX Realty Center, Real Estate in Wisconsin (262-893-5555) is an experienced real estate agent in Waukesha County and the entire Milwaukee Metro area. Lisa thinks "outside of the BOX" and encourages her agents to do so as well. If you want creative options and exceptional marketing and service - look no further! 

The RE/MAX Realty Center Office, has experienced agents with expertise in luxury home marketing, lake property experts, foreclosure and short sale specialists, investment and property management brokers and commercial brokers. 

Our agents areas of service include, but are not limited to:
The prospering communities of Waukesha County including Delafield, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Sussex, Wales, New Berlin, Dousman, North Prairie, Mukwonago, Chenequa, Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Okauchee, Eagle, Muskego and Merton. 

Great municipalities in Milwaukee County including Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Glendale, Franklin, Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Greendale, Shorewood, Oak Creek, St. Francis, West Allis and Whitefish Bay. 

The hometown favorites of Washington County, Jefferson County and Dodge County including Watertown, Hartford, West Bend, Germantown, Jackson, Richfield, Ashippun, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Slinger and Erin.

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

If lake living is what you desire then Lake Country is the place to be! If you are thinking about buying waterfront property in Wisconsin, a little time invested in learning about waterfront living will pay back sizeable dividends in matching your expectations to realities. 

 Lake Country Living on one of Waukesha Countys great lakes as a full timer or vacationer is a must and there are some great lakes to choose.  Nagawicka Lake, Pine Lake, Oconomowoc Lake, Beaver Lake, Okauchee Lake, Pewaukee Lake, Moose Lake, North Lake, Lake Keesus, Lac La Belle, Upper Nashotah, Lower Nashotah, Upper Genesee, Lowe Genesee, Middle Genesee, Upper Nemahbin, Lower Nemahbin, Fowler Lake, Golden Lake, Pretty Lake, Silver Lake, Waterville Lake, and Crooked Lake. Great lakes of the surrounding area also include Lake Michigan, Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lake, Little Cedar Lake, Pike Lake and Lake Ripley.

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, 262-567-2455 or 262-893-5555,  offer online markets, listing package and FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO) options, MLS search access, buyer agency and marketing that will exceed your expectations, all with outstanding service!  

Your home purchase or sale is likely your largest investment, be sure you have an good agent you can trust! Real Estate in Wisconsin is an excellent investment, prices are superb, selection is great and rates are outstanding!!!

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!