Relocate to Wisconsin

 Today is my little...ok he is six feet tall and I am not...make that younger brother's birthday...

  John Joseph Repa - John after a cousin and Joseph for both Grandfather's.....today he is visiting  his former home in Minneapolis...closing on a house and going back to his new home in Palm Springs, California where he will prepare shortly we hope...to close on another house.

    The day he was born...I was at Susan's birthday party and my Dad called to say he had arrived.  He was supposed to be Amy Jo...but sister Barbara Kate and I decided we would keep him anyway...it was sort of like having a doll that really worked...even if it cried louder and got messier than the dolls we played with...we loved him anyway.  In the olden days...kids didn't come home a day or two after they were born...they took up residence at the hospital for a few days....and John came home on the fourth of July.

   For many years...we told him that the reason for the flags and fireworks on the 4th were to celebrate his first homecoming....and of course, he believed us.

   For years...when he did the things little brother's do...break into your piggy bank and take the change to the candy store...etc., etc.  my sister and I would threaten a trip to "The Different Brother Store."  As everyone knows, the pickup place for that store is next to the garbage cans in the alley.  A glance to the back door and taking him as far as the backyard was enough to have him begging forgiveness....and making our beds for a week...no charge.

   Gone are the days of the stroller rides to the dime store giving him a french fry to goober all over the front of him while I sipped vanilla cokes with my friends. No more trips to the Different...or as John used to say "Disserent" Brother Store...he smells better and has better table manners these days.

    John is now an international gaming and hospitality expert and consultant....see his website.His clients include 

• Native American Tribes
• Hotel Companies
• Gaming Companies
• Municipalities
• Owners and Investors

• Lenders
• Developers
• Legal Counsel
• State Government
• Construction Companies

   Soooo Little Brother...I can't give you a cake....or a hug today....maybe through the magic and mystical powers of Active Rain someone will call with a referral for a consulting assignment.WOW that would be some present !

   Hey Active Rainers...who do you know needs some consultation...an expert witness...an authority on buying, selling, expanding gaming and hospitality properties anywhere...and everywhere....someone does...my little voice says so and inspired this blog.

    Instead of a trip to the backyard John...this blog is for you...with the love and best wishes from a sister proud to have you as a friend....and won't be calling those "disserent" folks anytime soon.

  Active Rain is how I start my day....most every day...rain or shine....and sing the praises....in the Rain...outside the rain of the benefits of who you meet, what you learn....and oh yeah....the business you get....from being an active participant and Rainmaker. You are guaranteed to make new friends...find agreement and opposing views...you can look for and find laughs....and share tears ....it is place to come to learn, to share...to get your brain started and further your career through perfecting the art of blogging.  Choosing an audience...and directing your message to them with the things they most want to know...about your speciality, your part of the country, your neighborhood.

   You will find that participation in the Rain is just like anything else in life...you get out what you put in...the more you know...the more you grow...

    We have shown other people ACtive Rain...and sometimes get excuses about finding the time, learning to perfect their writing skills takes too long...they have bloggers block and don't know what to writer..

   Come on in...get your feet wet...turn your umbrella upside down...

This isn't a members only blog...active members know the benefits of being active in the Rain...share this blog with someone who isn't  a member.

    Blog...it's a four letter word you will come to love...another four letter word that you will come to feel as you know more members coast to coast on Active Rain....and to us....that is the greatest benefit of all.

  Sounding like a realtor, we are all excited that the market is seeing

• • Best Prices
  • Great Interest Rates
  • Super selection
  • Outstanding Condition

and so the sales mantra is sung coast to coast..."It's the very best time to buy"  Not wanting to be left out of this choir ....our song had the same chorus and lyrics.

    We met a young professional man who had recently had a groicwng family and were quickly outgrowing their first home...looking to plan ahead with more bedrooms, a bigger yard...looking at school districts.

  Soooo....we began the happy song....waiting for nodding heads in agreement with market conditions and the list of features that the young couple had on their wish list.

                WHOOPS !

    We asked what the timing would be of their purchase of a new home..."We will buy our next home as soon as this one is paid off.....'

       YICKS !!!!  Paid off ?    How many years will that take ?   What will prices and interest rates be when that day comes...are you missing an opportunity by not buying when prices and interest rates are favorable ?

  He/She/They who hesitate are.....well.....lost....losing the best opportunity to capitalize on the market.

Healthy respect is one of the basic ingredients for the trusting working relationship you need in the foundation of your clients and customers...

  Thank you Don...you and Aretha..R-E-S-P-E-C-T  !

  I Blog this every year in some form....it's a tribute to my Dad....and to every Dad.....to people lucky enough to have theirs...and have never imagined what it would be not to have that honor...privilege...or treat what you may see now as just a part of life....it is a special part....a very special part.

    My father passed another life on March 11,  2003...after a 56 year marriage and three children who adored him.  Daisies are my favorite flower and not long after his funeral....daisies  popped up under our lamp post in the front yard....that were not planted. We have landscape stone under the post and they had to work hard to raise their graceful heads above the stone and have their petals wave gracefully in the spring breeze.

                           This year....there are more daisies than ever before....not just under the lamp post but in other areas of the yard.....and I know my Dad had  a hand  in making our yard  more welcoming...in reminding us that he loves us as we do him...and remembers the time he spent with us.

   His natural handiwork cheers us every day....

Frank J.  & Vera L. Repa

  We knew you were waiting with baited breath for the interior shots of our new short sale listing in the coveted Morgan Oaks sub-division in Greenfield and the Whitnall School district. Hmmm...culdesac location...heated 3 car garage....it doesn't get better at a better price...come see it...live and in person at the open house at:

3537 South 123rd Street, Greenfield WI

    Saturday, June 19th 2:30 -4 pm  or by appointment : 414-525-0563

  It's "coooooler near the lake" as we say in the Greater  Milwaukee/Waukesha area and this duplex is steps away and can be yours for JUST $89.777 !  That IS cool....!

               3804 East Pulaski Avenue. Cudahy,WI.

  Lower level has 3 bedrooms and comes  with a refrigerator and separate furnace. The upper level has 2 bedrooms. Upper currently rented for $500/mo. Lower tenant pays $700 and is moving July 1....so you can move in or rent out...

   Give us a call and let our short sale team go to work for you as a buyer...an investor or live in and get the benefit of having your tenant help pay the mortgage....can't promise they will cut the lawn and shovel the snow...we can promise it is one of the best times ever to buy a home. Call the Hansons...414-525-0563...Prompt Service/Proven Results....you deserve world class service, it's here for the phone call.

                            3537 South 123rd Street, Greenfield WI

     You saw it here FIRST !!!!  Photographer shooting interior this afternoon...stay tuned !

     Coveted Morgan Oaks sub-division - east on Morgan Oaks Drive one block to 123rd -north to this great culdesac location.  Lucious lot with brick patio and hot tub naturally fenced backdrop of nature's greenery. Formal living an dining room; family room with fieldstone gas fireplace and raised hearth...open to the patio and on to the spacious kitchen with hardwood floors, granite counters..pantry cupboard and first floor master suite.  Indulge in the private bath with whirlpool and separate shower complimented by the walk in closet.

Custom  Colonial...photographer coming this afternoon to capture this home for you...

                      .Open  Saturday 2:30-4 pm.

    Up the open staircase to the upper level has three additional bedrooms and second bath. Lower level is finished with lots of room to entertain, exercise and office too !

    This home is short sale priced at $394,916....your opportunity for an great house with a little patience...come and enjoy !

  Other showings by appointment - Call the Hansons - 414-525-0563. Their successful short sale experience will reward you with a great home at wonderful price.

  I would guess most agents are somewhat protective/defensive of the sellers...and if you are an agent who chooses to include short sales as a part of your practice, that may be magnified.

   Whatever the hardship...you as an agent, are not insensitive to it.

   We give our short sale properties....and sellers the same dignity and respect we give our traditional listings and sellers. This particular short sale...was a real cream  puff...down to the new furnace filter...manicured landscaping, newer appliances, finished lower level...the list goes on and when it hit MLS and the consumer media, the phone began to ring...10 showings in 2 days...!  Yahoooo...

   One of the callers was an agent setting up a showing. I told him that there had been lots of activity, I would advise seeing it sooner than later..."Yeah right...it's a short sale...my buyers know there is no hurry."

   And your buyers...and I am guessing you...would be wrong.

     We price all our listings, "in tune with the market"....priced to sell, not to sit...we don't list for what sounds good, what everyone wishes it could sell for...AND when a short sale is in good condition, all dressed up and ready to go....it does...multiple offers are not uncommon. Early birds still get worms....and turtles.....just do not.

     Don't be a turtle..don't encourage your buyers to be turtles...just do it...write it...understand it....be patient and close it.

  It's an open House.....brought to you by Danner Tanner and Felix Unger....or at least you will think so !

3178  South 43rd Street,  Milwaukee, WI

   3 beds, 1 bath cape

                                      $129,777

Updated kitchen with appliances...newer concrete patio ready to picnic...2 car garage..fenced backyard..glass block windlows on the lower level with half bath and laundry with washer and dryer,...newer carpet...

  This short sale will go a loooong way to making a new homeowner very happy! Just one block south of Oklahoma..

 Well maintained is an under statement...bring your checkbook !

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