Relocate to Wisconsin : August 2010

       First time home sellers are having a difficult time adjusting to the real estate market these days....they don't get to choose the list price for the house they had paid asking or over asking a few years ago...
     Now...they want "someone else to suffer too..."....the seller that has the bigger house they want to buy shouldn't get their price either....half is fair..."I am going to deduct everything I lost on my house when we had to accept an offer that meant bringing cash to closing."
  "When do WE get to choose ?"  they whine....
    Your choices are.....not to sell.....or to know that the sellers of the house you want to buy may have already eaten their equity and swallowed hard....
they get to choose what to accept too.  The homes they are moving up to are often paid for or have considerable equity...the pain is in some loss but not a total loss...heirs get less, less for retirement.....less but not minus less so to the second time buyer, it looks like more.
   The second time buyer doesn't hear the stories we hear...those sellers too have put more into their homes than they are getting out...they are replacing the roof, updating the bathroom they won't use...replacing the counter tops that won't see any of their meals prepared on them.

         It isn't always fair....you don't get to choose...and we wish it were different....all we can tell you is the truth...and then you choose what to believe.

This morning, we got the very sad news, that Elaine Lien passed away after a fall at her home.   Elaine was a realtor with the Brookfield office of the First Weber Group....I don't know how  old she was or how long she was licensed...or with her broker...

   I do know that Elaine was every bit a lady...a polished professional. She knew the industry and those fortunate enough to know her, loved and respected her. She was always there to greet every agent with a gentle smile, a willing hand and a warm heart.

     Her passing is a shock....and will always have an unreal quality to it because she was such a vibrant soul.  We know that if it is hard for us, ..her family that survives her will miss her immeasurably.

    She is pictured here with the Lien Team...from Left to Right, Kent Klapperich, son Jeff Lien and husband, Basil Lien.

      To her family....you know that she left the world a far richer place...and that we feel as we know that everyone does, it was an honor to know her and she has made an indelible and wonderful mark that will be forever imprinted on the real estate industry....one we can all aspire to and take a great deal of pride in....a legacy that will last forever.

   Visitation will be Thursday at Brookfield Lutheran Church, 18500 W. Burleigh Road in Brookfield 4-8 pm and begining at 10 am until services at 11 am at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Chapel of the Chimes.
Please remember Elaine and her family in your thoughts and prayers. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in her name to the Elmbrook Humane Society, 20950 Enterprise Avenue · Brookfield, WI 53045

                                                             With our deepest sympathy and sincerest respect,

                                                                              Sally K. &  David L. Hanson

  WOW....it's like the good old days...we have had sooo many calls on this great house in Waukesha ...if you don't attend the open house today...Sunday, August 15th....you are likely to join the "I shoulda" Club....it will be gone !

                  OPEN HOUSE   Noon - 2 PM

   Picture purrrrfect...this short sale has a short price and tons of space...inside and out...the back yard you wanted...the attached garage you must have....some newer windows...3 bedrooms and a bath and a half....eat in kitchen with appliances furnished..attractive low maintenance brick and aluminum exterior.

  Patio waiting for your outside entertainment...per seller...there are some hardwood floors hiding under the bedroom carpeting.

I

Do you play "Let's Start Here"....

             It's a popular game that can be played by buyers, sellers and willing agents.
The rules are very simple...

1. Pick a number...it can be"from thin air" or if you are a seller ...it is the money you need, deserve, should have, want....If you are a buyer...it is based on what you want to spend..the "profit...or loss" you believe the seller/bank should incur.
2. Sellers - on your mark...get set list......don't be surprised when there are no showings.
3. Buyers - you should not be surprised to find a counter offer in your e-mail...the 50% off blue light special does not apply to real estate.

          The game can go on and on until.....the seller can no longer afford the mortgage..which may not have been the case if the property had been priced according to the comps in the market at the start of the listing...
       Buyers...you may find enough counters to paper a room in the house you may never live in...OR find that the seller has "just said no."
   How about replacing "Let's Start Here"....with the place we expect to end based upon real numbers in the market...what a concept !

This is Magic.....today is "his day"....Friday the 13th....and he asked us to tell all of our friends in the blogosphere and Active Rain to be especially careful today so as not to perpetuate the "bad luck on Friday the 13th myth."  He is shown here at David's desk ready to short the post its in chronological order before beginning working for today. Magic was the runt of the litter and very lucky in many ways that his "former father" heard him under the porch and could find someone to get him out and take him to his brothers and sisters...and have the opportunity to not just survive..but thrive as active kitten and now a member of our family who regularly taunts his big brother.  Most often Magic disappears....few people have gotten to know him very well....hiding is his nature.
 
        Today He wants you to increase your good luck so here is his list:

•  Stay away from cracks in the sidewalk...do not step on them

•  If any ladders cross your path...walk around them...not under them

•  If you see  any of his relatives (other black cats) quickly look away and throw salt over your left shoulder
• If it is raining in your part of the world...wait until you get outside to open your umbrella...opening it inside will bring you misfortune
• Stay away from any hand mirrors you might drop...7 years is a long siege of bad luck !

  Magic, Cosmo,  Sally & David wish you the very luckiest of Friday the 13th ...may good luck, good health, prosperity and happiness follow you all the days of life !
                   

Price is important....and ooooh the eye candy...good tips for sellers to have everything be the best it can be for potential buyers to get their pens out and decide to make it their own !

                                  6955 S Riverwood Blvd 208
                                            Franklin,Wisconsin

 Welcome to our new listing in the Indian Creek condomiums conveniently located off of Rawson Avenue and approximately 30th Street.  This open concept "almost new" unit comes with 2 underground parking spaces..2 bedrooms...2 full baths....and at this price is almost toooo good to be true !
     Light with neutral decor, custom window treatments and accordian blinds...master bedroom features a walk in closet and a double vanity; in unit laundry and kitchen open the dining/living room. This second floor ranch style unit is steps from the elevator...both the living unit and the assigned garage spaces.
    Kitchen appliances, washer and dryer included...move right in to this short sale...at the short price of just $122,116.
   Call the Hansons for your own tour and the opportunity to own this condo at a great price: 414-525-0563. Prompt professional Service with Proven Results from an experienced, successful short sale team.

                 S94W13272-74 Ryan Rd

                           Muskego, WI

                Open Sunday, August 8th   Noon - 2 pm
     or by appointment thru Listing agents: 414-525-0563


  Unique doesn't begin to explain this listing....and we know that it won't be long before someone finds it and writes an offer to call it their own. 
   The lot is approximately five acres.... perched on a hill....there are two homes...both just about 5 years old finished with quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. 
      The "main house"  with mission style detail has slate and engineered bamboo flooring...cherry cabinets and sleek lines surrounding window casing and baseboards. The kitchen open to the great/dining room has an island with slate front...top of the line fixtures...stainless refrigerator....and a patio door overlooking the largely wooded backyard which could have horses (up to 3) and other animals who can also make their home in a barn hidden far back from the house.  A living room, 2 bedrooms and full bath complete the first floor.
    Down the slate staircase to the exposed lower level ...home to a master suite with granite counters and floor and walk in closet, soaking tub and separate shower.  The laundry home and additional storage are complimented by another room which features a window wall overlooking the patio and landscape of the back yard.
   This house has the materials for finishing the baseboards, window casing and stairs with mill purchased and specially chosen wood...installation has been quoted at less than $2,000.
   On to the second house...the guest house....handicap accessible with a ramp of composite material, extra wide doorways and halls. This two bedroom home has a kitchen open to a deck and an ample great room. Flooring in the kitchen and hall is easy care laminate. The bath features a tub with ceramic floor and surround and separate shower.
   A 3.5 car attached garage completes this country retreat...built by a loving son to share with his parents living next door for what he envisioned to be a lifetime...this is a short sale...

respectfully offered at $344,444.
   You can call it a Country Retreat...a farmette...a hobby....or just call it home.