Relocate to Wisconsin

  Because a part of our practice is devoted to divorcing/divorced couples...someone sent me this joke and thought I would share it...Enjoy !

How Many Women?

     As agents who devote a part of our practice to Short Sales….we very often get the question….”Who is the Lender on this listing ?” OR from a prospective short sale Seller…”My lender is ABC Bank…is that a bad thing ?”

      It really doesn’t matter to us who the lender is….we have made it our mission to build relationships with lenders everywhere.

    There is a perception…By both agents and consumers:

      -  If the lender is   X – It will never close

        - Has more than one Lien – impossible to do

        - Has a tax or other lien –won’t close

        - The couple is divorcing and won’t agree on any offer

                         presented

      If you as a homeowner, have interviewed an agent to list your home as a short sale, ask them to print out a list from the last couple years directly from MLS of the short sales Listed and Closed...the numbers should be close to matching and well into double digits.

   If you are an agent...do your buyers a favor...look at the sales record of the agent who has the short sale listed....you don't want your buyers to be a Short Sale Experiment with an agent with little experience....OR with a win some/lost most or half closing average.

    Wherever you are...whatever lender you have...whether you are a homeowner struggling with paying a mortgage or an agent who has not had the short sale education to navigate the slippery slopes of short sales...call us, we are happy to help you anywhere, anytime and direct you to someone who can assist you.

     It was our very great pleasure to celebrate Chinese New Year at MEIJI Chinese and Japanese Restaurant in Waukesha, WIsconsin with  our very happy sellers who just received an offer on their home. Mrs. Seller is an oriental gourmet cook and in fact teaches cooking classes so we knew that their menu recommendations would be wonderful and  we were not at all disappointed !

     We followed our guests recommendation in their restaurant choice….a new restaurant owned by an experienced restauranteur,, a friend of our guests who paid meticulous attention to every aspect of our dining experience.  We each had a different entrée and shared tasty tidbits around the table.

    The appetizer was a specially prepared sushi…beautifully presented and the flavorful shrimp had sides of soy ….and for the more adventurous, Wasabi sauce.

    David had the Beef in Sichuan SpicyBroth (#40) which came in a huge deep bowl complimented by a smaller bowl of rice.  This entrée had two peppers pictured  next to it indicating it was quite spicy…just the way he likes it.  I chose a milder dish. #49. Scallion Lamb. A heaping platter size survey beautifully presented with a side of fresh vegetables elegantly arranged was outstanding…flavorful stir fried lamb with garlic  and onion…very tender.  

   We ate in the Chinese dining room..there is also a Japanese dining room..you may choose either one and combine entrée items from either culture. Our guests reported that many other entrees and  soups …including the legendary hot and sour (a cure of any congestion….or in case you still have your tonsils…WOW ! )  were worth comng back to try….as they had done many times.

  A visit to MEIJI Cuisine is so much more than reading the menu and sampling the entrees, appetizers, soups and desserts...it is an indulgence in a cultural experience. In addition to an extensive menu, you can drink in the atmosphere and have a drink at the American bar that has its own extensive menu. You may choose one of your old favorites OR be adventurous and treat yourself to a sip from their selection of japanese whisky, sake and plum wine and other signature cocktails.Enjoy an appetizer with your cocktail...or make this your new place for a nightcap. Like the description we see in real estate...this restaurant and bar is "bigger than it looks" and you will want to experience it all.

    Meihi Cuisine is very conveniently located at:

                   2503 Plaza Court, Waukesha,WI

          To natives, if that doesn't sound familiar, it is the strip mall facing Bluemound Road just north of Barker Road.

    Enjoy lunch specials, delightful dinners or cocktails:

            Monday - Thursday 11-3 and 4:30 - 10 pm

            Friday - Saturday 11-3 and 4:30 - 10:30 pm

                        Sunday 12:30 - 9:30pm

                  Reservations: 262-717-9858

    We give this delicious experience all the stars in the Heavens and look forward to our return visits...you will too !

    Experiencing the cultural diversity offered in southeastern Wisconsin is just one of the many reasons we have called the Badger state home for a lifetime, call us for a tour....and a taste of why you too will want this lifestyle experience.

HaGong Xi Fa Ca! That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. Happy New Year !  Today begins the Chinese New Year and the year of the Dragon. The dragon is perceived as a mystical and auspicious creature in Chinese cultures and this year is expected to bring prosperity and transformational change.You need not be of Chinese descent to begin a positive approach at this time of their celebration which extends through the next two weeks.

     We are not the experts on Chinese culture for sure ...ask Loreena Yeo who knows first hand all the traditions....we are just learning as we have clients and friends who are celebrating this holiday.  One of the great things about southeastern Wisconsin is that it has such a great mix of cultures and people who take pride in their native land, tongue, cooking, traditions. They are happy to share them with you ....and we are anxious to learn.  We have the Milwaukee Chinese Community Culture Center (MCCC) and this Chinese Culture Center offers a variety of cultural and educational programs.  The New Year's party was held on Sunday, January 21st  at the Mitchell Park Domes with a fabulous display of art, food, dance....all things Chinese and wonderfully colorful and exciting to watch, delicious to taste and educational to learn more about the Chinese culture.

           If this little bit of eye candy has peaked your appetite for more exposure and education into this fascinating culture, you may contat the MCCC for more information on programs, events and volunteer opportunities. 

    We love Wisconsin ....and we are happy to show you all that we have to offer everyone who chooses, as we have to make it their home for a lifetime....HaGong Xi Fa Ca!

Be Snow Careful This Winter Driving Season !

             The snowfalls in the northern and midwestern parts of the country can lead to some challenging driving conditions.  Whether you are new to this seasonal difference or have lived in these conditions all your life,  the combination of snow, freezing rain, the appearance of black ice and slushy conditions require you to be especially cautious.  

                   Experts tell us that one of the  primary causes of accidents in this slippery season are worn spots on tires.  If you have not already

checked your tires, or made this a regular part of your car maintenance program, do it now.  A bald spot on a tire meeting a slick spot on the road or highway are ingredients for an accident.

     Another common cause of accidents is very easily prevented…CLEAN OFF YOUR WINDOWS….ALL of them !   Inability to see  out the back window or use the rear view mirrors or all of the windshield,  can have tragic results.  Taking a few minutes with a snow brush and scraper while the car warms up can mean saving you the  possibility of an accident.

   There are lots of fun activities to enjoy during the winter….sledding, skating, skiing…keep your outdoor activities fun filled and accident free…pro actively prepare for the changes nature deals our roadways this winter.

  If you have ever taken a cat to a Vet...or for any car ride and they decide they would rather stay home...the unique yowling...using you for a scratching post, locking their "knees" to avoid the carrier.....knowing that the blanket or towel that comes out of the closet only for such trips means hide and seek...mostly hide...it can be and exhausting mis-adventure. Maybe you have dogs AND cats...or birds...or whatever your personal home zoo has for residents.....a house call from a vet a opposed to trying to transport them in a car....is a Blessing !

   The stress it causes your pet and you is not worth it !  Enter Dr. Barbara Rossi, Mobile Vet Care and our new best pet friend !  Dr. Rossi and her very able assistant made a house call for Magic and Cosmo who are not fond of the car....and prefer their physicals done in the comfort of their own home. Cosmo, is well behaved....and knows it is for his own good that he is being examined, getting shots.....and will later get treats.  Magic....well, in part, is named Magic because he prefers to disappear when he chooses and is not quite as friendly....but no cat bites later...his exam was complete and both were pronounced healthy.  You can call Dr. Rossi at: 414-688-1049 and make an appointment for a home visit for your favorite feline, darling dog or whoever is your best friend with four feet, feathers, claws....and you will quickly become loyal patients and know she has patience with any kind of animal who may not like traveling for annual physicals or healthcare appointments.

   Cosmo knows his good behavior is rewarded with all the Fancy Feast, Chunky Chicken he can eat at one sitting....all good things come to those cats who behave well....Reward yourself and your pet...Call Mobile Vet Care....no one cares more about the health of your pet than Dr. Rossi and you will be soooo pleased with the service !

You have heard it before....No one has a warmer heart that Matt Anderson....our pal, your host at Matty's Bar in New Berlin, Wisconsin  and we know you won't want to miss your opportunity to add a little spark to those winter blues....and join the Polar Plunge ! Yes sports fans...to entertain ourselves....and others...AND most importantly, raise money for the ever deserving, Special Olympics, the brave of heart and warm of blood jump...wade, paddle the chilly waters of Muskego Lake and have a great time doing it !

   You can choose...TAKE THE PLUNGE....OR Be TOO CHICKEN TO PLUNGE...whatever you choose you can contribute to this worthy cause....and have a great time doing it...!  It will warm you inside and out to be an active participant in this special event.

                             PRE-REGISTRATION WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8th 5-8 pm at Matty's Bar

  Last night we had the great pleasure of having dinner at Casablanca on Brady Street...Brady Street is a wonderful mix of cultural culinary delights from many corners of the globe....and part of what makes southeastern Wisconsin such a diverse and wonderful place to live.  This taste of the Middle Eastern cuisine promises to treat your tastebuds to the best you have ever had of these flavorful choices.

    The entrance is complimented with two enclosed flaming torches a the end of a sheltering canopy. First founded in Milwaukee 30 years ago as The Sahara Inn by Chef Jesse Musa, the restaurant is now very much at home on Brady Street and Jesse's sons, Ramzi, Ala and Nasser, have taken over the restaurant's management.  The passion for exotic spices and pride in bringing guests not only a welcoming atmosphere, but an outstanding menu makes a meal unforgettable and this restaurant one that you will want to put on your top 10 places to return to again and again.

    The menu has an array of freshly prepared entrees and the meal begins with your choice of soup or salad. David's soup was a famous hearty split yellow lentil slowly simmered with carrots, onions and spices and served with oven fresh warm pita bread. My salad was fresh watercress, endive and romaine with generous slices of tomato, cucumbers and olives tossed with crumbled feta cheese and accented with their fabulous house dressing.

   Difficult choices have to be made with an assortment of entrees including vegetarian, chicken, beef and lamb.  Kabobs of every variety are complimented by savory couscous or rice sides and other vegetables. If you can't decide on a meat entree....they have a Three combination...a palate pleaser offering a variety of well prepared chicken, beef and lamb.

          No matter what your choice....you will find the dining at Casablanca to be a dining delight you won't soon forget. Reservations are recommended...which can be made on line or by calling: 414-271-6000.  Open 7 days a week for your dining pleasure at lunch and dinner. To quote Bogie... "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

    You won't have to play "pin the diaper" or guess the weight, sex, due date...no games at this shower....Just pure enjoyment knowing that you helped to welcome  the newest members of the community with your gift of things that they need most.   You can go to the grocery store and find a case of formula....the drug store will have an array of pacifiers, rattles, diapers...all things Baby.....Clothing is sooooo cute...tiny sizes dressing up the newest additions to our community.  Don't forget blankets...Wisconsin winters show no mercy and these bundles of joy need to be kept warm.

   Whatever you choose....know that it will be appreciated by a family in need of some help at this time....Come on in....the giving is easy....you can find drop off locations at these Aurora Health Care locations  or Sentry Food Store throughout southeastern Wisconsin.  This  is an annual event spirited by the local NBC affiliate, WTMJ channel 4.

   Your donations will be warmy received at a number of locations throughout the area....click here to see ALL the places that will benefit from your generousity.

     We know you have warm hearts in Wisconsin....we see it every day and here is one more way you can be a proud contributor to the families most in need.  Come on Baby....You can do it....Make Friday the 13th a LUCKY day for the newest members of our community and show them how very much you care with your donations.

      We often have a 2 step listing approach…that with short sales, can easily become three. The first visit…or pre-listing is a get to know you and the property visit. The second visit is to present the market analysis and often the listing contract….not this time because we knew that the Sellers needed time to digest the price…and the news that the profit they had hoped to divide in their divorce was non existent. During our first visit, the Sellers gave us a tour, they showed us things that they had done, other things that they planned to do to get the house ready to sell and how they knew that the reason that other homes in the neighborhood had not sold was because…..their reasons varied from “too much wallpaper” to smaller lot, discount broker who did not advertise, availability of the home for showing., untidy housekeeping , fewer upgrades, less elaborate landscaping, inexpensive interior finishes, not enough exterior brick….etc. The other homes had been listed and re-listed for well over a year.

    The second visit looked at these homes lingering on the market in the neighborhood and the homes that had sold….inside and out and the prices that buyers were willing to pay. Their eyes were downcast as we set across the table explaining what that evil “market” had done to home prices in the area. The concrete stamped patio, finished lower level, double crown molding and fresh paint were not going to save them from being upside down. The soon to be “Mrs. X” spoke up after we gave her the suggested price: “Is that the best you can do ?” Her Soon to Be Ex-Husband interrupted:” That is the best the market can do.” And so it is….in neighborhoods across the country…Divorcing sellers learn that their neighborhood is not immune from the decline in housing prices. If you or someone you know, anywhere in the country is unable to pay their mortgage or find that during /after the divorce, the home is not affordable…give us a call….we will find a professional that is experienced and successful and will explain the options available to help begin a new life as a single person.

  Years ago while taking a listing in Mukwonago, we stumbled across a sign in a wooded area that pointed to a winding residential road of well kept homes...Lakeside Inn and following the arrow took us to the shores of Upper and Lower Phantom Lake and Lakeside Inn.  The area once settled by the Potawatomi Indians, has 2 Lakes, Lower Phantom is 433 acres with a maximum depth of 12 feet and summers see boats dotting the water fishing for bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and northern Pike. Upper Phantom lake has a maximum depth of just over 30 feet and the Lakeside Inn is on the channel between the two lakes.

    Strolling in to the quaint little restaurant, you are likely to be greeted by Bob the Bartender with a quick smile and wit to match ready to pour or mix whatever your pleasure while you either sit at the bar or a table in the adjoining dining room. We have a favorite table...Zooey is our waitress....and we peruse the selections offered to patrons by owner/chef Troy....every night there is one "All you Can Eat" selection.  Served Tuesday - Sunday, you will be treated to a selection of steaks, ribs, chops, seafood and Italian specialties. Everything is made to order....and Saturdays is prime rib night.....your choice of preparation for this mouthwatering cut includes the "normal", cajun or a personal favorite, char broiled ...picture perfect and a tasty entree that will keep you coming back for more.  The Veal dishes are outstanding...we have tried them all...marsala, parmesan, cutaletta...try some chicken...smothered in mushrooms...or what lots of people call the best Spiedini this side of Italy.....there really is something for everyone.

    Tonite we will be Sellabrating a special short sale closing with guests who will be experiencing Lakeside for the first time.  We know that they will love the food, the warm friendly service and small town hospitality that the Lakeside Inn in Mukwonago serves in bounty to patrons.   We suggest that you call ahead for a reservation, here is the phone number and directions :

 W299 S10545 Phantom Woods Rd • Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149 • Phone : (262) 363-9335

    It's easy to see why we have chosen to call southeastern Wisconsin and Waukesha County, our home for a lifetime...if you would like a tour, give us a call....we will Sellabrate the closing at The Lakeside Inn on the shores of Phantom Lake. ENJOY !

       Matty's Bar is soooo not just a bar...not just a sports bar...not "just" anything....and proprietor, Matt Anderson is always on a perpetual quest to please customers....great atmosphere...super service....and the ever changing delicious menu. Something for everyone....whether you are Vegan....Prefer fish, enjoy an appetizer...you will always find something on Matty's menu to please your palate.

        We heard the raves all over Waukesha County and had to find out more....and taste the latest culinary delight...The Smokehouse Burger....what is everyone talking/tasting about ?  Matty also has a catering service and the building next door has an ample kitchen where some of his "secret recipes" are concieved.  The Smokehouse burger takes on many different tastes as you can choose to "dress it as you wish with a huge array of toppings from cheeses to vegetables...bacon to condiments.  If you are feeling adventurous...just look at the Smokehouse burger calendar....where else would you find a burger with it's own calendar?  Matty has put together a different burger for every day of the month .....even the bread changes with your selection ....a brioche bun, pretzel roll, sourdough...onion kaiser. Whether you are looking for a little Mexican Spice, Italian Flair, Cheese and Vegetable variety...the calendar will show you the choices...or be creative and build your own !  The smokehouse burger itself has a whole different taste AND texture than any burger you have ever had before...a select combination of smoked brisket and angus beef...very finely ground and compacted into an entree you will long remember and be back to order again.

   You will find Matty's easily....Just west of Sunnyslope on College Avenue...

Mattys Bar, Grille & Catering
14460 W. College Avenue
New Berlin, WI 53151

Phone: 414-427-3838
Fax: 414-427-3839
www.mattysbar.com
www.mattyscatering.com

Hours of Operation:

Sunday: 9am-2am
Monday-Thursday: 11am-2am
Friday & Saturday: 11am - 2:30am

       A visit to Matty's will give you one more reason to know why we have called Wisconsin our home for a lifetime...and we welcome the opportunity to be your tour guide....and experience the prompt professional service and proven results that are the hallmarks of our real estate practice. Give us a call...we'll show you the way to your new home.

Imagined Equity…..Popular in “Divorcing” Real Estate

   Everyone wants to believe that the down payment,  the remodeling, updating, room addition, new carpet, granite counters….finished lower level, etc. etc. has created a unique sales proposition in the real estate market. Unique to sellers who have  purchased homes in the last  five years or who have now got a home equity line , (second mortgage) that financed the improvements that they are sure outweigh the investment and bring instant appreciation.

    The decline of the market has not likely caught up to the  purchase price or the cost of updating….and that makes the  house was  to have divided equity with “start  over” money…. uʍop ǝpısdn.     

       The market says….the house is not worth the amount of the mortgages. No amount of wishing, hoping, changing realtors, neutral painting and staging is going to make a five figure disparity between the list price and the indebtedness, disappear.  We see this very frequently…..meeting the divorcing, or now divorced couple who has had three or more realtors, hoping against hope that  the realtor was wrong…the market would “come back”.  No economic forecast or housing Guru is predicting that the market will return to an equity rate of 6%  a year.,  Imagining it did….it would still be starting from a point below the amount of the  ….usually combined, mortgages.

     At some point, one member of the couple….or the attorney for one the other, or both, decide it is time to deal with the  jointly  held real estate.  Economic reality has won and it is time to sell the former family homestead.   Sell….when you cannot get what is owed in today’s market.  The buyer for the home will have their lender send an appraiser….the appraiser will help the bank decide if the price the buyers have agreed to pay, is in line with the prices of  similar homes  sold in the market.  If every similar home sold for less than the sellers own, they have no “start over “money.

     The choices for what to do with an upside down home could have many blogs of their own…they include and are not limited to ….loan modification,  deed in lieu of foreclosure, foreclosure and short sale.

    If the passing of the holiday season has meant the end of a relationship and the beginning of divorce proceedings, having Realtors experienced in divorce is a great asset as you begin the next chapter in your life.  Call us, no matter where you live and we will be happy to recommend a Realtor best suited to help you during this difficult time.

  This is to us, an outstanding message of the season....to all of you ...your family and friends...all the best of this season and may you know the warmth and depth of the feeling this video expresses...today and all year long. I can imagine in my mind's holiday eye that this video could be done by all our friends, everywhere....one voice to the world in glorious harmony....wow ! Our wishes for the healthiest, happiest and most prosperous of the New Year to you all.

  Sooo....didn't want to give you any more hints....you have to  cut and paste this

 to your browser:      

           http://youtu.be/SXh7JR9oKVE