January 06, 2012 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
A few months ago, I was honored to be featured as the first agent of the month for a national blog "Keeping Current Matters." As a fellow blogger, I have always been highly impressed with the KCM team and their up to date analysis of the real estate market. What I appreciate most about their blog is that the KCM team is intent on providing accurate analysis of trends, developments and the voluminous data that permeates the media with respect to real estate. Steve Harney, the founder of the blog, and a guy I can really relate to says, "It isn't good news and it isn't bad news it's just news." This really sums up part of their approach.
The other little know factoid that the public may not know about is that the KCM team really cares about neighborhoods. As Realtors, we are on the front lines of the ever changing market and it is up to us to help everyone we meet to make the best possible decision when it comes to selling their home. It is the only way we really are going to pull, kick and drag our way out of the mire. So kudos to you KCM for your commitment to real estate and each seller who needs an expert to navigate the turbulent real estate waters.
As of today interest rates on a 30 year mortgage with no points is hovering around 3.875%. You may wonder if that is a good rate. Revisiting the past can shed some light on this question. If we look back 10 years it was January 2002. We had just lived through the horrific events of 9/11 and real estate sales were reeling from the trauma of that awful autumn.
Interest rates at that time were at 7.375% with no points! At the time this was a great interest rate. To put this into perspective, let's look at the difference in payments from 2002 to 2012.
For a $200,000 mortgage the payment in 2002 would have been $1,381.35 amortized over 30 years.
In 2012, that same mortgage amount with today's low interest rates is $940.47-- a savings of $440.88. But here is where the power of the interest rates gets very interesting.
Let's assume that one can easily afford the $1,381.35 payment of 2002, what does that do to the amount borrowed? The payment with the lower interest rate now allows the same buyer a mortgage amount of $293,700. The lower interest rates allow you to purchase a bigger home for the same price.
If you are thinking about upgrading your home now is an opportune time to take full advantage of the low market rates.
December 27, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Difficult times cause some people to take drastic action without thinking. If you are in the midst of a very tough real estate scenario, I want to encourage you to think before you act. I am referring to a sale of a home where the seller, due to some very difficult circumstances, found himself in a short sale which quickly turned to a bankruptcy. The large home had many fine accoutrements, most notably the high end kitchen. The owner, thinking these “fixtures” were his to do as he pleased, (they were not) decided to sell the Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf ovens, cooktop etc., you get the picture of what happened. Light fixtures were sold, under cabinet lighting, in-ceiling speakers, a fireplace and the list goes on. In essence, the homeowner stripped the house. This warning is for sellers and would be buyers on internet resale sites. These items could be considered “stolen goods.” The penalty for a homeowner is severe.
The bank in this case decided to pursue criminal proceedings against the past homeowner—Grand Larceny, a fine punishable up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 monetary fine. Buyers of these stolen goods can be tracked down as well. If you thought the deal on the gas cooktop was too good to be true, it may have been. Buyer beware is often the rule of thumb for these types of sales. As a buyer, if you think the property is stolen, you could be in violation of Wisconsin Stats 943.34, which is a felony depending of the value of the stolen items. If you know someone who is going through a tough time please encourage them not to take this course of action. It is in their family’s best interest to think before they sell. Families face real devastation with the loss of a home, but prison time should not be part of the equation. Let’s all help those we care about most to do the right thing.
December 21, 2011 at 05:43 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The end of the year is always a great time to look back at past achievements and milestones. Here are a few that I thought are significant.
Q: How many unique visitors have clicked on Shorewest.com? A: 2.6 million or 50,000 per day!
Q: The public will hear that home sales have increased 20-25% in 2011. What percentage sold under $300,000 in 2011 in the Lake Country Area? A: 70%
Q: How many HOTLINE calls has Shorewest received this year on our listings? A: 6,500
Q: What is the percent increase of a home in the LC area since 2000? A: 30%
Q: What percentage have homes decreased in LC since the peak? A: 21%
Q: What is the consensus of the expert economist’s opinion as to where home prices will be in the first quarter of 2012? A: Down 5%-7%
Q: Who is the local Expert in Real Estate in the LC area? A: Glenn Hanon—I know I couldn’t resist, but it is true!
2012 holds some unique opportunities in Real Estate, despite the predictions. If you are looking for solid expert advice feel free to give me a call. Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year! Go Pack Go!!
December 02, 2011 at 05:11 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
After 23 years of assisting families with the purchase or sale of a home I have noticed trends in behavior, currents as you will, of thought. A homeowner’s biggest concern is what they will eventually sell the house for. I will highlight three phases of the sale process that most sellers go through.
The first stage is denial and anger. The seller generally does not like the listing price since their perception of value is very different from the market reality. When an offer comes in lower than the list price anger tends to surface. Many sellers quickly move to denial, the wakeup call to the market is often met with swift resistance and a disbelief that the agent really understands what he or she is doing. Some agents are met with outright hostility.
The second stage is consent. For some sellers consent comes quickly and the opportunity of an offer turns into a contract of sale. For others consent comes long after the first offer has passed. Guess what? The seller now has a better understanding of value but makes the fatal flaw of thinking the lost offer price is the new market price. Experienced agents know what I am talking about and this is why we continually try to educate sellers that the first offer is the best offer in good markets and in bad markets. This ‘post offer consent’ can continue to frustrate a seller primarily because they still have not relied on their agent as a valid sounding board.
The final stage is acceptance. It is in acceptance that the seller puts their full trust in their agent. Sellers who do well selling homes have this trait in common. They trust their agent to give them good information, to think of their interests above the agents interests. They rely on the professional to give professional advice. The seller does not necessarily like the price that they are accepting but they understand intuitively that the odds for a better price diminish with time. This is especially true with a declining market that we find ourselves in today.
As a seller your best interest to you, is in the agent you select. Selecting an agent to represent you because you like the price they are telling you is not always the best indicator of true success. Successful sellers enter the relationship with acceptance. Ask for facts and data. Let the agent prove that he or she knows what they are talking about. Look at their track record of success and be willing to listen to what the market is telling you, even if you don’t like it. This acceptance will most likely save you thousands!
November 28, 2011 at 08:57 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
This charming home in Hartland, WI got a big lift with this timely redo. Watch the video to see what we started with and how we ended up. The owners knew they needed a change but did not know where to start. With the help of a stager we put our heads together and came up with a game plan to revitalize the heart of this home. What a transformation! The homeowners were fantastic and heeded the advice. New counters, sink appliances, lighting and painting made a big impact.
Sometimes the more you say something the more you believe it to be true. If numbers don’t lie then let’s take a look at what actually happens year after year. From the graph you can see that the inventory levels swell significantly each spring, however the level of sales does not increase as much as the new inventory level leaving a large gap between sales and new inventory. The closer we can get the new inventory level and the current sales level to meet we have a very healthy market. Year in and year out the same trend persists. Several questions come to mind with this trend and there are two groups of people that can take advantage of this information—sellers and buyers.
Let me explain. If I were a serious seller I would rather be on the market when there are fewer homes on the market. If I am priced correctly, regardless of market, my home will sell. Here comes the tricky part. A good deal of the “swollen” inventory is from sellers who are thinking about selling but are not serious about correct pricing and thus their price is generally higher than the market. This is why they wait until spring to list their home. They are more fickle than committed sellers. If I have to compete with these folks then it is incumbent on me to be very accurate. Later on in the year, when most sellers think the market is bad we actually see just the opposite. The level of sales reaches to the level of inventory—a very good thing, and as a seller the fewer homes I have to compete with is always better.
Does this benefit a buyer? Wouldn’t I want more homes to compare to than fewer? Yes and No. Let me address the yes first. As a serious buyer do you want to spend time looking a wide variety of homes that are not realistically priced with sellers who will not sell them for the true market value? Probably not. And as a buyer would you rather compete with 5 other buyers or 15 for the inventory? Today’s buyer, just like the seller, does not want to compete with a surging supply of buyers.
From my experience of selling homes for the past 24 years, I can say with accuracy that most of my January’s are better than my July’s! In July school is out, the family is off on a vacation and house shopping is for another day. In January serious buyers are out looking at homes. If I were a seller I would rather sell my home in the “off-season” than in July when everyone is off for the season.
Now the numbers bear out what we have experienced for the last few decades. If you are serious about selling your home there is no better time than now.
October 26, 2011 at 12:39 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
There is no doubt that the burst housing bubble continues to have a dramatic effect on the real estate market. Wisconsin and more closely, Waukesha County feel the devastating consequences of the foreclosure market. Waukesha County Sheriff’s department has processes about 50 sheriff sales per month. The pace is the same as in 2010. However the notices of foreclosure action filed with the department year to date equal 1,258 new cases! 125 new notices of future foreclosures are filed with the sheriff’s department each and every month. This coupled with the short sales have created an interesting toxic brew in the real estate industry. Now, let’s pull the numbers apart.
The chart to the right shows the average sales price of homes from 2000 to 2011 based on MLS statistics in the greater Lake Country area. If you purchased your home in 2000 for $262, 515 and your home is now worth $344,418 and you put 20% down on your home your new equity for your home is $82,000 or a 56% return on your initial investment (ROI). Yes, your home is worth much less than the peak in 2006 but your ROI is an astounding 56%! How did the S&P do for the same period? According to MSNMoney.com, the S&P is down 19% from January 2000 to October 1, 2011. So why do we have all the distress? Many used their home as a piggy bank during the run-up in prices and re-leveraged their home to the 2004 or 2005 prices. Their home was a good investment but the misuse of the investment has left some upside down which in the end has adversely affected current pricing. The level of incoming foreclosure action comes down to an important point: The oversupply of inventory will remain for some time. If you are selling now it would be wise to price your home compellingly.
September 09, 2011 at 03:21 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Three years from now as you are having one of your famous parties some of your friends will want to hear the story of how you managed to get this fantastic home for such a deal. They will all say to you, “I wish I knew about this house, I would have bought it.” But the reality is that you are the proud owner of this stately Nantucket home with six natural fireplaces. As the guests mingle on the lavish porch overlooking your private pool your peers muse a loud that they cannot believe you bought this six bedroom home with two offices and a playroom that is the envy of most for only $795,000. “How does this guy get so lucky?” is the common refrain. You know that luck had nothing to do with it. As Ernest Hemingway said, “You make your own luck” in other words you took full advantage of the market and turned what some viewed as a desperate situation into your own personal gain. Today the opportunity is right before you, will you “make your own luck?” This stately Nantucket shingled-styled is awaiting your approval. Click for a private viewing.
August 01, 2011 at 01:17 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
I had to think of a catchy title to make you read this post. I bet you have come across a buyer who thinks they want the condo life but may not be prepared for the close proximity of a condo lifestyle--The “In betweeners.” This home is not a condo but will appeal to the buyer who is looking for something very unique and trendy. Perhaps the couple who wants an urban lifestyle—this has it.
The same couple may have looked at condos and was disappointed with the quality. The custom planning and attention to the finest details is what makes this home truly unique. The first floor master suite and great entertaining spaces feel like a condo yet all the privacy of a single family home are to be enjoyed. And the views of the private wooded yard offer tranquility that few condos can ever offer.
Why not pass this along to your condo buyers? Priced at only $269,900 it is truly affordable. A smaller yard makes this easy to maintain. Located in quiet Oconomowoc 950 Duchess Drive is the perfect blend of trendy urban chic condo with private spacious feel of a quality home.
May 16, 2011 at 01:34 PM · Posted under Diane Krause
Signs of summer in Lake Geneva are finally here. The leaves are back on the trees and boats back in the water. Last night, the Badger High School Jazz Band performed on two cruises at 6:30 and 7:30 with a beautiful sunset in the background overlooking the magnificent lake homes. They were on the majestic "Lady of the Lake," of course in the closed glass room (still a little cold). The cruise is a part of a fundraising program for the music departments in Lake Geneva, thanks to the wonderful crew at the Lake Geneva cruise line. If you haven't before, it is a must do in Lake Geneva to take a boat tour. Click here for more information.
The boat tours range from dinner cruises, ice cream social, full lake tours, champagne tours, and the famous "Mail Boat" tour, which has been featured recently with Andrew Zimmern from the Travel Channel. For a little peek preview see here.
This and so many other opportunities await you and your family in Lake Geneva. For more information call Diane Krause of Shorewest Realtors at 262-215-4893 or click here for more information.
It doesn’t feel like spring yet, but then, April is not over either. I have listed below the major events that will soon take place. Jot a note of the one that best suits you and your family. Click here to check out a map of the parks in Oconomowoc that I received from the Parks and Recreation Department.
Spring Gallery Night (Downtown Oconomowoc) May 6
Farmer’s Market Saturday’s beginning May 14 thru October 29
Memorial Day Ceremony at the City Beach May 30
Legion Band Concerts—Bandshell Wednesdays June 15 thru August 17
Moonlit Movies (a must see if you have not been to one) June 16, July 14 (Fowler Park) August 18 (Downtown Oconomowoc)
Badgerland Ski Team Shows (Fowler Lake) June 16, July 14 (Just before Moonlit Movies) August 4
Concerts in the Park (Bandshell)Thursdays June 23, 30, July 7, 21 & 28
Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks (Fowler Park) July 2 (crazy huh??)
Festival Week August 13-21
Street Dance August 13—a fun time for everyone!
Ice Cream Social, Legion Concert and Parade of Lights (City Beach) August 14
Kid’s Day (City Beach) August 16
Festival of the Arts (Fowler Park) Artists from around the globe! August 20-21
Here are a couple friendly reminders with the parks in the City of Oconomowoc:
Dogs are not allowed
Roosevelt Park does have a dog exercise area
No fermented beverages or intoxicants after 10pm in the parks
Please don’t feed the ducks at the boardwalk or the parks
You can reserve Park Shelters. Please call the Superintendent of Parks at 262-569-2180 for more information.
March 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Now that you have found that perfect house and you are so excited to write an offer the tension starts to mount with the offer you submit to a seller. Here is a simple tip that can avoid some pain or problems down the road. The WB-11 Residential Offer to Purchase has a provision on line 269 regarding an appraisal. Above this section on line 220 there is a blank for how many days for you, the buyer, to provide the seller with a loan commitment letter. On line 269 are the days required to get an appraisal done on the property. If the days are the same, for example 45 days, the buyer could potentially put themselves in a difficult position. If your lender needs the extra time to process your file and the appraisal is due the same day that the loan commitment is due you could be out because you could not meet your appraisal deadline which was needed to obtain the loan commitment. Do you see the potential for a problem? Perhaps the appraisal contingency should be sooner than the actual loan commitment so as to give your lender time to receive the appraisal, then issue a loan commitment. Some lenders do not see a problem with this since they are on top of the dates and the appraisal is done sooner. But in some cases this could be just the out the seller needs if they have secured a second offer. Dates are important in an offer. Please consult with your real estate professional or an attorney for further advice on this topic.
March 29, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
For a long time I would keep track of my ‘things to do’ on scraps of paper or put a note in my phone, but the haphazard approach left me forgetting some important things to do. A friend of mine told me about an application that could save me tons of time and frustration. Nozbe was what he suggested could keep me on track. So what is Nozbe anyway? It is a great reminder of ‘things to do’ projects that you have on the back burner that should be moved forward, a list of people to call or whatever you need to organize. It is fantastic and everything goes to the ‘cloud’. The best part of Nozbe is that it talks to Evernote, which I use daily. So let me give you a for instance. Rather than putting little notes on your computer, phone or on actual paper you can keep all these tasks in one place—staring at you like my dog does when she waits for her food! It is a quiet persistent tool to help keep you on track. The check box is just begging for you to complete your task so you can put that big green check mark in its place—Finished! What a great feeling marking things off the list. I have household projects on the list with a time to complete the task—like June 2020. I have recommended this to some friends but they say they are not that organized to use an organizer. Hmmm…Did they really say what I thought they said? This is a great app IF you want to remember what it is you were supposed to do but almost forgot.
Below is a link to the DNR’s website including a tool which can help you decide if they need to register your pier. Remember that the current deadline is this FRIDAY, April 1st, to register. http://dnr.wi.gov/waterways/recreation/piers.html
March 28, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Do you remember those heady days back a few years ago when your then neighbor turned-real-estate-investor, would buy a house with almost nothing down, then borrow money to renovate the house? Shortly after the renovations were complete they would flip the house—a new term in real estate was born, Flippers. Ahh those were the days… (Said with tongue firmly in cheek) Now with the real estate bust in full swing, the past sins are what many are blaming on the decline of our real estate values. Today if you want to buy a home and borrow to renovate that home you are out of luck, right? Not so. Guess who is offering 100% financing or little to nothing down, NO appraisals required and will actually lend you money to fix the house? Some subprime lender who charges tons of points? Some fly by night organization? No. Sorry you are wrong; it is good ol’ Uncle Sam. Yup Fannie Mae, you might have heard of them lately, like this article in the WSJ regarding Fannies interpretation of subprime loans. Today Fannie is offering such a risky program to purchase their distressed inventory through a program called Home Path. BUYER BEWARE there are gimmicks and tricks with loans and programs like this. Here are some things to be wary of:
Low down payments only hurt the borrower and surrounding neighbors. If you default on a home path loan because you got in over your head, we just don’t need another foreclosure.
Watch for hidden closing costs. Generally these low down payment deals come with several thousand dollar price tags for points—in other words a rip off
What are the conditions that you have to meet in order to qualify for the loan
Is there an appraisal required? Some of the Home Path loans do not require appraisals! Hmmm… sounds a lot like 2004 before the bubble popped
Buyer Beware as to the condition. There are no warranties or disclosures. Inspections should be mandatory if you are a buyer.
You need an attorney. Some of the forms with this type of program will be on state approved contracts and others will not. Your Wisconsin Real Estate professional cannot interpret forms that are not approved by the state. It is the law. Hire counsel!
Use extra caution when engaging in these types of programs. Get lots of information before you commit and please seek good real estate advice regarding the price of the home in the area you are purchasing. Why am I so opposed to this program? Because the ‘fix’ that the government is using to liquidate the thousands upon thousands of bank owned properties will not fix the problem. The crisis we are facing now is that some homeowners feel that it is okay to walk away from their mortgage because they are not heavily invested in the property. This program perpetuates this conundrum. Home Path will attract responsible home buyers, there is no doubt. But it will also attract many who simply should not be in a home at this time, plus the government will assist them in adding to their debt! If this was happening in the private sector the Feds would frog march these charlatans in front of the world to see what loathsome, seedy characters are still preying on the public. The second reason I think this is inequitable is that only the government can offer this type of program, while the regulators are constantly peering over the shoulder of private banks to see if they are being good stewards with their money. The hypocrisy is startling and frightening. What Fannie is doing with this program is just shifting the monthly debt service to a consumer rather than the taxpayer. But if Fannie were to discount the property and require that the borrower use 20% of their own money then the true shift in debt obligation would shift from the taxpayer to the consumer, where it should be. Remember when this was a good idea?
March 25, 2011 at 07:46 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The other day a buyer that I am working with had their home inspection and it made me think about some past transactions. These are good times for a buyer to find out some additional things regarding a home. Unfortunately some buyers use these inspections as opportunities to re-negotiate the price they paid for the home. If there are legitimate concerns that were not discovered during the sale process by all means they should be discussed and hashed out between the parties. What concerns most sellers and their agents is the use of a home inspection regarding maintenance issues. For example; when a buyer views a well-kept home that is 15-20 years old it stands to reason that the furnace is original. Most manufacturers will say that their furnaces have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. This does not mean that the furnace will stop running in year 21. Nor does it mean that they will chug along for another 20 years. Some buyers will use this opportunity to obtain a new furnace from the seller because of the age of the older unit or have the furnace tuned and cleaned at the home owner’s expense. Some sellers are eager to have this done (which begs the question why didn’t you do that before you listed the house, but that is another topic) and some start to argue. Buyers should know that maintenance is a part of homeownership. If you are purchasing a home you should have funds available to repair things that break or replace things that stop working. This is part and parcel of ownership. I have known of buyers to call back past sellers years after the sale looking for financial assistance for repairs that the now buyer-turned-owner needs to take care! Sounds silly but it actually happened. Buyers beware—you will have to maintain your property.
March 22, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The southern half of the Oconomowoc Bike trail is open to all you who love to ride your bike without the fear of cars whizzing by. The Oconomowoc portion of the Lake Country Trail starts at the site of the Imagination Station at the Roosevelt Field in Oconomowoc. In the past the trail ended at the intersection of Valley Road and Sawyer Road. Today you can pedal south towards Delafield where you can pick up that portion of trail at the corner of Delafield Road and Sawyer Road. Last year Delafield completed a stretch from Mill Road east to Downtown.
The yellow highlighted area pictured above is the final addition to the Oconomowoc portion of the bike trail.
With the warm weather City of Oconowowoc residents can ride from Oconomowoc to downtown Delafield on a nicely paved trail! What a treat. Hopefully one of these days there will be a link from the Pabst Farms subdivision to the bike trail. This will help connect this neighborhood to the downtowns of Delafield and Oconomowoc in a safe and friendly route for bike enthusiasts and kids. Wisconsin offers some great opportunites for trail rides throughout our area and the state. For more information on Rails to Trails in Wisconsin click here.
March 21, 2011 at 03:37 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
News from Superintendent Keith Marty.
Keith Marty sent a congratulations to the over 500 middle and high school students who participated in the Annual Solo and Ensemble activity on Saturday, and a thank you to the parent volunteers as well. What a wonderful display of quality music stated Keith Marty.
Information for the week of March 21:
On Monday evening, there are two important activities. The Board of Education will be holding their 3rd Roundtable, an informal discussion of school issues. The Roundtable begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Ben Franklin library. At the high school library on Monday at 6:00 p.m. is the counselor sponsored program on military opportunities. Parents and students will learn about military educational and officer training programs. On Tuesday evening, 6:30 p.m. in the high school library, high school sophomore parents will want to learn about the results of the PLAN test and get orientation on the Career Cruising Exploration Program. The Scholarship and Educational Foundation is seeking adult and student teams for the Incredible Trivia Contest on April 2. Contact the high school or Falls Cable Access.
March 21, 2011 at 08:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Currently in the greater Oconomowoc Area there are approximately 33 homes in the MLS system that are listed as REO (Real Estate Owned) or Short Sale Properties. You can view these homes via the attached link here at Oconomowoc REO. If you are interested in REO or Short Sale properties there are a few things to keep in mind.
Short Sale homes can take longer to process than REO’s. It really depends on the lender and the process they use to move these homes through their system. Many of the larger banking institutions are now using the Equator system, which is a computer platform that allows the negotiators to organize large batches of files. There is very little person to person contact with this system, however it is very efficient. The down side to the Equator system, from my past experience, is that I have never received a signature that the deal has been Okayed, even though we progress towards a closing. This can make a buyer very jittery for obvious reasons.
REO properties are generally managed by an out of state asset Management Company. The condition of these homes is generally ok to poor. As a buyer you will want to do your homework on these homes before purchasing. You will most likely need an attorney since their addendums are not on approved Wisconsin forms. Only an attorney can interpret and give advice on these forms.
Just because the home is in distress does not automatically mean you will get a “steal” on the price. Be prepared before writing an offer.
Short Sale properties will require lots of information about you the buyer IF you want to be considered by the lender.
Some Short Sale properties will require the seller’s permission, the lenders permission and the investors’ permission to sell. If the seller has declared bankruptcy you will have to wait for the courts permission as well. These are things you should know before spending lots of time waiting for your dream home.
REO sales can change on a dime. If you have submitted an offer on a REO and have received verbal acceptance, this DOES NOT mean you will end up with the house. If another offer comes in after your offer for more money or better terms, the banks will most likely take that deal despite what they have told you. BUYER BEWARE.
All in all it sounds like a hassle, but remember the old adage, with much risk there is great reward. Your professional Realtor can help you decide if that property is indeed a good value.
March 18, 2011 at 05:28 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Well my last post on piers and the new regulation prompted some interesting comments from readers. Some are still convinced that they do not need to register their piers. Nothing could be further from the truth. Please note the following post from the Wisconsin Realtors Association. If you have questions about this feel free to contact me, as some of you have, or call the WRA. Their number is on the post below. If you do not live on waterfront property, please pass this post on to your friends or relatives who do. Thanks so much. It is great working with all of you who have called with your concerns. This is a great way to get this valuable info out to everyone. Important Stat: According to the DNR there are 10,000 piers in the State of Wisconsin and only 300 have registered so far! The task is daunting, but we can do it.
March 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
On April 9th, 2011 The Oconomowoc Tri- Club (Rotarians, Kiwanis, Lions Club) is presenting their 3rd annual spring concert featuring “Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets” and “Two Rhode Girls.” You can purchase tickets by calling 262-569-3989 or online at www.theoac.net, or through a member of one of the three clubs. As a Rotarian, I would be happy to assist you with this. There are three price levels for the tickets:
Dinner & Center Section Seat for $50.00 (per person)
Prime seat location for $25.00
General admission for $20.00
The program is wonderful and if you have not been to the OAC (Oconomowoc Arts Center) you are in for a real treat. The dinner will be hosted at the OAC, so call now while tickets last!
March 15, 2011 at 07:52 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Tom Larson of the Wisconsin Realtors Association stopped by the Shorewest office in Oconomowoc to a packed house of Shorewest Agents, other Realtors and Homeowners to share the new regulations concerning piers and Shoreland Zoning requirements. If you are a waterfront owner the new regulations are important for you to know and understand. Tom was kind enough to provide the power point presentation to me and I am sharing this with you. If you do not own a lake front home but know of someone who does please pass this information on to them. Here are some key points from the discussion this morning.
April 1, 2011 is the deadline for existing pier registrations. If you have not registered your pier PLEASE do so ASAP
March 14, 2011 at 04:45 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
This fabulous home listed by the Kuchta's, Kelly and Colleen of Shorewest Realtors, is located at 805 Casey Drive Watertown, Wisconsin 53094.
Watertown, Wisconsin. This remarkable open concept 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath home is only available due to a job transfer. You will save plenty money on your utility bills because this house was built with 2x6 construction, by an Energy Star quality builder. The lovely sunny kitchen offers a center island, a sizeable pantry and is open to the eager dining area with patio doors to the large deck. The family room offers hardwood floors and a raised-hearth gas fireplace, perfect for those cold nights.
The living room is just beyond the family room and offers more space to spread out and be relaxed. The master bedroom suite is completed by a delightful tray ceiling with crown molding, a walk-in closet and full bath. You will find two more bedrooms with ample closet space and another warm full bath upstairs. The lower level offer full sized windows, accessible for another bedroom or a amazing rec room and is plumbed for another bath. The back yard is fenced for your privacy, well landscaped and offers a large shed. The garage is three car tandem for extra storage. Sq ft of 1856 per taxes, not verified by broker.
March 14, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
When it is time to sell a homeowner generally wants to get the most they can for their home. Well there are ways to make that happen. Preparing your home for the sale is a good place to start. HGTV is a great channel to get all sorts of ideas on how to get your home ready to show, or follow along as buyers think about what home to purchase—hmm reminds me of that episode of House Hunters with yours truly, but I digress. I have a FREE booklet that is available if you want to know what you should do to get your home ready to show and SELL! Just contact me at the office, 262-567-4349 or Toll Free at 1-888-HEY GLEN and I will send this absolutely FREE booklet to you to help you prepare. Call while supplies last!
March 11, 2011 at 04:16 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
Want to find Free Lists of Foreclosure in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Washington and Ozaukee Counties in Wisconsin?
No need to pay money for these lists, call The Kuchta's with Shorewest Realtors and get them for Free!!!! Bank Foreclosure, Government Foreclosed Houses and Distressed Properties are all at your fingertips by calling or emailing The Kuchta's Kelly & Colleen with Shorewest Realtors.
We find all the updated and new Foreclosure by searching our MLS database, and it is Free to you with no obligation. Why pay for them when you can get them Free? You WILL NOT be sent spam email's and you can cancel your listings subscription at anytime via phone,or email.
The Kuchta's Kelly & Colleen give you the foreclosure information needed. For a Free list in the four counties surrounding Milwaukee, call or email Kelly or Colleen.
March 11, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Charles Schwab completed an Investor Confidence Survey this past September and they reported on some interesting results. The question was asked to over 12,000 participants what they would do if they received a $25,000 windfall. Here is how the numbers broke down:
62% of the surveyed participants said that they would invest the money
29% said they would save the money
24% would use the money to pay off debt
14% would spend the money
6% would donate the money to charity
The survey allowed for multiple responses. So if you received a windfall what would you do with the money? It is interesting to note that a vast majority would invest the money. Savvy investors see an opportunity in the market and in housing. This is the time when real wealth will be created. Are you taking full advantage of this real estate market?
March 10, 2011 at 04:16 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
This Fabulous home Listed by The Kuchta's Kelly & Colleen of Shorewest Realtors, is located at N53W16220 Whitetail Run Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
The classic elegance of ceramic tile & a 2 story foyer greet you as you enter this home. Warm hardwood floors flow into the lavish kitchen, family room and marvelous morning room. Crown molding, 9 foot ceilings, box windows & French doors are a few of the details that you will notice as you walk through the delightful main level. The accessible kitchen offers quality custom cabinetry, stainless appliances, pantry storage, and abundant workspace on solid surface counters. The family room is highlighted by a marble natural fireplace with gas log & stunning floor to ceiling details. Upstairs you will find cathedral ceilings, ample bedroom sizes with California closets, an office with intrinsic storage & ceramic tile bath. The master suite is completed by a sizeable walk-in closet, whirlpool tub & double sinks. The lower lever offers a media room & rejuvenate area. Outside, you will find a 2 tier deck, abundant landscape, a tree lined lot. Home warranty included in this purchase.. For more information please click on the link below.
March 10, 2011 at 11:45 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
REO properties (Real Estate Owned) are generally held by the lender and are serviced by an asset manager, typically out of the state. There are a number of things to consider when purchasing an REO property. Blindly purchasing a REO simply because the price looks good can get some buyers into trouble. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Most asset managers or lenders do not know that actual condition of the property. They have no idea if the pipes have burst and the basement has 1’ of standing water.
2. REO transactions are “AS-IS” sales and the REO seller usually uses their own REO addendum. If the REO seller is out of state your agent cannot interpret this document for you as a buyer. You need an attorney. It is the law.
3. Most REO sellers will negotiate verbally with you as the buyer. Only written contracts are enforceable. If the REO seller receives a better offer you will most likely be out.
4. Many REO sellers use out of state title companies, which may not be familiar, our laws. This can present a real problem with conveyance if the title company is taking short cuts to save money on the policy.
The bottom line when purchasing a REO property is that first you should be working with an experienced agent who understands the pitfalls and second you will most likely need to engage legal counsel to help navigate the paperwork.
March 10, 2011 at 07:55 AM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
This Fannie Mae HomePath 3 BR home is located in the heart of Oconomowoc looking for love. Lowest priced home in Oconomowoc! A neglected home is in need of some serious repairs, including siding, windows, drywall and carpeting, just to name a few. Loaded with potential, a definite investment special! Cash only. A little imagination can pay big dividends.
March 03, 2011 at 04:21 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
February 2011, Wisconsin's new carbon monoxide detector law has gone into effect, that all homes are to have a carbon monoxide detector. This new law has expanded the current carbon monoxide detector requirements to all one and two-family homes. This new law has required carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in the basement of the dwelling and on each floor level except the attic or storage area of both newly constructed and existing homes. New construction, the alarms must be hard-wired to be current with national safety codes. For existing homes, the alarms can be battery operated and can be multi purpose (smoke and carbon monoxide).
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous, poisonous gas, which cannot be detected by human senses. At high concentrations, carbon monoxide can be fatal within minutes. Similar to the smoke alarm law, the new carbon monoxide detector law does not have a fine or penalty associated with non-compliance. However, all home inspections will be required to check for carbon monoxide alarms.
Please feel free to contact The Kuchta's, Kelly and Colleen with any additional questions. Kelly 414-651-1613, Colleen 262-894-6512,
Oh yeah, in the next 2 weeks you will know of friends, neighbors, or coworkers who are looking to sell or buy a home or need a mortgage.
Be sure to tell them about us and call me right away with their phone numbers so that I can help them, too.’
February 25, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The old adage goes like this, “I’ve got good news and bad news, which do you want to hear first?” The article in the Wall Street Journal by Nick Timiraos and Justin Lahart posted yesterday poses that question. The good news is that economists believe that the overall economy is in recovery mode (although some disagree with this) however real estate is still lagging. Why is this good news? When the economy builds some steam and the threat of job loss becomes a distant memory, the housing market can begin to see some stability. The Wisconsin unemployment market is less than the national market, but is still in troubled waters. We have a long way to go before job loss becomes a distant memory. What’s the bad news? According to the article, home prices are continuing their downward slide, and it is predicted that we may see further erosion over the next two years. So what do we do in the meantime? Sellers who compellingly price their homes will do better than sellers who competitively price their homes. In a sliding downward market, if a homeowner is trying to catch the market (competitive price), they will generally be behind the fall in prices. In other words, they are always the higher price just out of range of most buyers. But the seller who compellingly prices his home will find that they are always in the “mix” with the buyers looking to purchase a new home.
There are buyers out there who are looking for a home to live in, raise their children and avoid the hassles of apartment living. We can all work together to help those buyers and sellers realize their objectives. It isn’t good news or bad news…it is just news.
February 24, 2011 at 08:37 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Not too long ago, I was on a conference call with pros across the country, discussing our individual real estate markets. While there are definite differences from the Southeast and East to the Midwest, there are many more similarities in each of our markets. Here are a few of the issues that my friends and I encounter with this “new” market.
Staging is one of the top strategies in a highly competitive market. If you ponder this for a moment, it makes a lot of sense. In any given price range there are countless homes vying for the attention of a diminished buyer population. With many of our buyers today determining their “show list” online, the more attractive a home actually determines IF that home will have in-person visits. A colleague of mine said that not only are we in a price war, but we are in a beauty pageant as well. How true!
This leads me to my second point. One of the most important things a seller can do is to price their home at a compelling price. Most of the pros on the phone conference noted competitive pricing does not work anymore. This is the tension point with most sellers who are disadvantaged with a lack of real time information regarding home values. The professionals see day in and day out what is happening in the local markets with foreclosures and short sales. We know from each transaction how these prices are affecting our neighborhoods, and it is up to us to educate the sellers we sit before on a daily basis as to the real value of their home. This is not an easy discussion, but is one that we must have if we are to see a turn-around in our local real estate markets.
One of the points that resonated with all the conference call attendees is that we are the vital link to our sellers as to what is working and what is not working. Those factors are now changing quite rapidly and the agents that are on the forefront will have a better advantage than those catching up with the market. Most agents I know are well-informed.
I am a third generation Realtor and my grandfather and father have never seen a market like this before. We are in unchartered waters where the old rule book no longer applies. The best way to navigate through these turbulent times is to work with your Realtor. You may not like the advice or the price, but in the end it may be the very best advice you recieve.
February 17, 2011 at 02:51 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
There are many fine young people who make it to American Idol because they are convinced they have talent. Some do and some don’t. It really is up to the judges on the show to discern the talent levels, after all they are professionals. And yet some of these “talented” contestants leave befuddled that the judges did not recognize their talent–case in point with this short video clip. In today’s quickly changing real estate market, many sellers think they “know” the market, when in all reality it is really up to the professionals to help them see the true market. Randy Jackson, J-Lo or Steven Tyler knows talent when they see it, regardless of how the contestant protests their greatness. This applies to professional Realtors who know the market, regardless of the protests from Sellers. Like the befuddled contestant the American Idol judges are sending them a message. Listen to your Realtor, even though you may not like their advice, it could save you thousands of dollars!
February 17, 2011 at 09:45 AM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
See this Beautiful Condo Being Sold by The Kuchta’s Kelly & Colleen of Shorewest Realtors. The address is 1846 N 4th St # 201, Milwaukee, WI 53212.
This chic New York style loft is close to the finest restaurants, shops and views that Milwaukee has to offer. This spacious home features 14’ wood beamed ceilings, oversized windows, heated concrete floors and cream city brick. The gourmet kitchen boasts granite counters, a breakfast bar, stainless steel appliances and custom maple cabinets. The master suite is highlighted by a sunken whirlpool tub and aglass block shower with body sprays, along with a walk-in closet. The Reservoir Loft Condo association offers a courtyard & rooftop patio with a party room and hot tub. Parking is not a problem with 2 deeded parking spaces in the heated garage. This particular loft currently shows as a 1 bedroom, but is easily converted to a 2 bedroom unit. Home warranty included for peace of mind.
Check out the video below for more information.
For a private showing, please call or email Kelly or Colleen Kuchta. Email: Cell: 414-651-1613.
February 16, 2011 at 04:54 PM · Posted under Kelly Kuchta
See this Beautiful home Being Sold by The Kuchta’s Kelly & Colleen of Shorewest Realtors. The address is 7563 Druid Lake Rd Erin, WI.
Your retreat from the city awaits! Nestled on 3 acres, this fabulous home will make spending time here feel like a vacation. Brazilian Cherry floors offer a warm greeting & flow into the spacious kitchen with breakfast bar, custom maple cabinets, over the sink views of the back yard & a wet bar. The sunny dinette is warmed by a 2 sided fireplace. On the other side of the fireplace you will find a large family room with a wall of windows. There is a dining room with a 2nd fireplace, a formal living room and an office that could be a 4th bedroom, all on the main floor. Up the stairs, all 3 bedrooms offer walk-in closets. The master bath is completed by double sinks, a tile shower & whirlpool tub. The lower level is accessible through the heated garage, has a workout room & a 3rd full bath that needs your finishing touches. Outside, you will find a large deck, pond, heated pool, gas line for your grill & a fire-pit. Sq ft per assessor. Directions: WI-167 west Holy Hill Rd to WI-83 north to Druid Lake Rd, west to home. Take a look at the video below for more information.
For a private showing, please call or email Kelly or Colleen Kuchta. Email: Cell : 414-651-1613.
As a Certified Shorewest Relocation Specialist, I have the awesome opportunity to be an “ambassador” for Southeastern Wisconsin. When someone mentions Milwaukee, or Wisconsin, the first things that come to mind generally revolve around cheese, beer, the Packers, more beer, Harley’s, more cheese, well…you get the picture! However, for those of us who live in Southeastern Wisconsin, we know that the culture here is rich and diverse and encompasses so much more than the “cheesehead” stereotype.
Within a 60 mile radius, the local resident is surrounded by award winning restaurants and museums, performing arts centers, professional, semi-professional and recreational sports complexes, award winning school districts and higher education institutions. Throw in diverse neighborhoods, where homeowners can select from Lakefront property, high rise luxury condos, urban lofts, suburban settings, equestrian estates, hobby farms and scenic Kettle Moraine wooded retreats, to name a few. The choices are endless!
Recent Idol contestant, Danny Gokey, says it best in this video, highlighting the “wonderful world of Milwaukee.”
If you or someone you know is moving to our fair city, give me a call! I’d love to show you the local side of Milwaukee. I can also show you where to buy cheese, watch a Packer game or buy a great beer!
January 14, 2011 at 04:57 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
In this blog, I discuss how you can transform a small laundry room with a busy wallpaper pattern into a more serene space. If you have removed wallpaper before, you know the hassle that comes with this tedious job. Stripping paper is never easy, until now. In this laundry room, the homeowner uses the services of Daryl Anderson from Anderson Painting (414-861-1234) who recommends that we first strip any loose edges of wall paper. Once this step is finished, he skim coats the seams and rough edges of paper with a drywall mud. This dries and then he sands thoroughly. An oil based primer is applied and then a sand texture is rolled on the walls. Note: if you are not experienced in rolling on sand texture do not attempt to do this on your own. Professionals make all the difference when it comes to this step. The final process is to paint the walls the new desired color. The wallpaper actually becomes the new skin of the drywall. With this process we have eliminated the time consuming effort of wallpaper removal and repair of the damaged walls. Because this room was initially prepped for wall paper, a sand texture would be needed if you spent time stripping the old paper. I hope you enjoy the video from HEY GLEN.
January 11, 2011 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The answer is easy if you are into beer! They are both brewers that will be featured at the Oconomowoc Rotary’s Fifth Annual Brewfest this February 12th at Olympia Resort and Conference Center in Oconomowoc Wi. The price per ticket is $40.00 and the proceeds benefit the Oconomowoc Rotary Charitable Foundation. What a great event to spend with your sweetheart this February. Your ticket to Brewfest includes several food stations and a variety of Beer and Wine Tasting Stations. From the Mexican Station to the Chocolate Fountain you can indulge in some great food and liquid libations! Olympia is also offering a Brewfest Package for the out-of-town crowd that includes a guest room, spa access, 2 Brewfest tickets and all taxes and gratuities for only $168.00. For more information on Brewfest, click here. If you do not want to order tickets on-line, drop me an email at and I can order tickets for you. Rotary is committed to serving the local community and as a proud member of Rotary, I hope you will join me for this evening of fun!
January 10, 2011 at 01:14 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
If you own property on a lake or river, you need to take note of the required pier registration that is due by April, 2011. The new legislation went into effect in the summer of 2008 which regulates the placement of piers on Wisconsin Waterways. Most piers are exempt from the regulations but as a pier owner you are required to register your pier. For information on how to register please click here.
On the bottom of the page is a simple “Decision Tool” that will assist you in this process. There is also a short video to determine your “Pier Size”. You can click here to log on and watch this video.
If your pier was placed BEFORE February 6, 2004, the pier is eligible to be grandfathered in through registration. You must apply for an individual permit to be grandfathered. This is important!!
Please check out the websites if you own a lake or river home. If you have a relative or friend, please pass this along to them as well!
December 20, 2010 at 12:16 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Yesterday, I was showing homes to a couple who wants to cash in on the REO (Real Estate Owned-homes that have been foreclosed on and now the bank owns them) market and the Short Sale Market. Like most buyers, they thought that these two types of distressed properties would bring a windfall of potential profit to them. “We could buy a $350,000 home for $250,000 what a deal…” is the thought pattern of most buyers.
Let’s take the first house as an example. It has been vacant for over a year, no heat, running water or electricity on for over a year. Just imagine the condition of the home. The wood floors were cupped, some carpet had been torn out by the previous owner, a leak had developed in the kitchen skylights and the list goes on. I estimate that it would cost $50,000-$65,000 to bring this house back to a good working order. And that figure is just what I could see. Was the house worth $350,000 at one time? Maybe. In addition to making the necessary repairs the new owner of this property may want to bring some items, like appliances and fixtures, into the current decade—more expenses. What about the landscaping and painting the exterior peeling façade? Still more expenses. Pretty soon the buyer realized that the REO sale was not that good of an idea.
I am not saying that buyers should not purchase REO homes. What I am suggesting is that interested parties need to employ, BUYER BEWARE before making a purchase. If you are an experience renovator, then REO’s may be a good option. If you have never ventured into renovation, then be careful.
December 16, 2010 at 04:13 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
A common question asked by most people who have their homes for sale at this time of year is, “Is anyone out there really looking at homes, just before Christmas?” In the upper Midwest, the question could not be more salient, too. Believe it or not the answer is Yes!
Today as I look out my office window the temperature is a balmy 9 degrees and we just finished a severe blizzard this past weekend. The streets were cleared in a day and the serious buyers were back out looking at homes. The traffic in any given home may not be the same as in late spring, but the buyers that are looking today are serious. Why else would someone tramp through the snow and look at homes unless they wanted to buy something now!
According the Wall Street Journal today, 30 year mortgage rates are at 5.06%. With interest rates so low, buyers are taking advantage of the supply of homes and the great rates. The relocation market is moving at this time of year too. The week between Christmas and New Year’s has proved to be busy in past years. The relocating family needs to find that perfect house and the “down time” is an ideal time to narrow the field to the perfect home. So if you have your home on the market, hang in there. This is a good time of year.
October 26, 2010 at 04:07 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Innovation is nothing new to Shorewest; it is one of the main reasons that I love working for this company. We have always been the first to bring new tools to the market to assist sellers and buyers alike. We haven’t stopped leading the way, either.
The new myshorewest.comwebsite, recently unveiled, allows buyers to really customize their search for the perfect home. One of the best features, that I like, is the ability to price track a listing. As a buyer, if you have your eye on a particular home, like my listing at 160 Monastery Hill Drive, and you love the house, when the price comes down to let’s say $925,000, you will want to take a look at the house. Well you can do that now with the price tracking option. You will be sent an email immediately when the price meets your requirements. Or consider this scenario; as a buyer you love Delafield and Hartland. Most real estate searches are done geographically so a listing in The Monastery in Oconomowoc would not come up as a possible home, even though you have always dreamed about this subdivision. Now with myshorewest.comyou can make this happen with a simple check of a box. In addition to specific searches, the new platform allows you to see, at a glance, all the homes that have sold and newly active in your neighborhood. This is a great new feature.
If you need assistance setting this up just give me a call and I can walk you through the steps to finding the perfect home. Just one more reason why Shorewest is Wisconsin’s #1 Homeseller!
October 22, 2010 at 10:36 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Short Sales are becoming a common term in the American Lexicon these days. A short sale is when a bank agrees to a reduced amount originally owed to prevent a foreclosure action; which in many cases would net the bank less money in the long run. Real Estate practitioners, buyers and sellers are sometimes left scratching their heads as to why a good offer, in these difficult market times, is rejected by the lender which will most likely be sold for less than the short sale price. Once a home is foreclosed on, the banks are responsible for winterizing the home, keeping up with maintenance items, keeping HOA fees current and paying real estate taxes. These costs can be substantial given that it sometimes takes banks months to get the home back on the market and then even more months looking for a new buyer. So why do banks do this? If you follow the money you will find the answer. Since many of the mortgages were packaged as CDO’s (Collateralized Debt Obligations) and sold as investments on Wall Street, the real owner of the mortgages are not the banks but the investors. The banks are concerned about investor actions against the banks for selling a home short. The plot thickens. Many of the investors have insurance on the investments they made to protect them from a loss. The insurance cannot be collected in a short sale agreement, but it can be collected in a foreclosure action. Some banks are trying to shift the risk to the investor, who in turn shifts the risk to the insurance company. But in the end the economy suffers the brunt of this “shifting” because a foreclosed sale is generally for much less than a short sale. As a homeowner we don’t want any short sale comparables in our neighborhood since they reduce the overall market value of our homes. But we certainly don’t like the foreclosed stats since they are so much worse. A rejection of a short sale doesn’t make sense to us, but it makes cents to banks and investors.
October 21, 2010 at 03:27 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Sometimes it takes a big event to remind us of small tasks that need to be done to prevent bigger trouble. What am I talking about? Friends of mine sold their home and shortly after the sale the house burned to the ground. We hear about this from time to time, but the closer the tragedy strikes to home, the more you begin to rethink certain things, such as fire safety, escape routes and insurance. On the latter note, I spoke with my insurance agent about this and discovered that the insurance law says that the insurance company does not have to pay you for anything that you cannot prove that you owned. Now many insurance companies employ a degree of grace in this area, but let’s face it; how often do I digitally record the more valuable items in my home? If you have a special piece of art or a valuable antique that you have not taken good pictures of from multiple angles this might be a worthwhile reminder. How about an expensive road bicycle? Is that properly insured? Do you know what it would cost to replace, from scratch, your entire wardrobe? How about the piano you inherited from a relative? When I began to think about this I realized how little of what I own is actually documented.
October 04, 2010 at 04:59 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
For purposes of anonymity, a client of mine, let’s call him John, was surprised by his tax assessment of over $400,000. He contacted me and asked for an evaluation of his property. I had the misfortune of telling him that his probable selling price was closer to the upper $200’s or very low $300’s. John does not intend to move, but he did want the city of Oconomowoc to properly assess his property. He gathered all the facts, looked at past sales and paid for an independent appraisal. The facts indicate that John’s property was really worth about $300,000. The past sales for identical properties indicated that this was the market value for his home. Feeling confident, John took his case to the city only to be denied! What was the reasoning you might ask? There was none. Denied!! The assessor had never been through his property nor had he evaluated any of the comparable sales. He was basing his decision only on the computer model that generates a tax assessment. To be fair to the assessor, it would be almost impossible, with our current system, for his office to personally walk through all the homes under his authority. Having said that to simply refuse to look at the applicable data that contradicts his computer model will raise objections from a reasonable citizenry. The problem in Washington and the rise of the tea party is due in part to the refusal to listen to the electorate. The mayor and alderman of local municipalities would be wise to watch what is happening nationally. It could happen locally, too. Listen to what John had to say about the city: “Having been a political conservative all of my life, I’m finding the Tea Party rallying point of high taxing out-of-control government as too tame. Let’s hope for some dramatic election results”. The national, state and local governments need to pay attention to the winds of change. They are blowing and soon they may be howling.
If you are looking for a great “spooktacular” event this Halloween season, check out Haunted High in Oconomowoc. Sponsored by the OPEF, this “haunted high school” is bigger and better than ever! The 65,000 square foot haunt is back with terrifying new mazes, blood curdling special effects, trained spookers throughout - all housed in a dark and deep deserted old school.
This year, there will be an adults only, “glamorous haunted ball,” following the haunted high.
The haunt opens this weekend, on October 1st! Don’t forget to buy raffle tickets for the “Haunted Bus!” Tickets for both events can be found on on their website. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter !
Glenn Hanon
The bank in this case decided to pursue criminal proceedings against the past homeowner—Grand Larceny, a fine punishable up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 monetary fine. Buyers of these stolen goods can be tracked down as well. If you thought the deal on the gas cooktop was too good to be true, it may have been. Buyer beware is often the rule of thumb for these types of sales. As a buyer, if you think the property is stolen, you could be in violation of Wisconsin Stats 943.34, which is a felony depending of the value of the stolen items. If you know someone who is going through a tough time please encourage them not to take this course of action. It is in their family’s best interest to think before they sell. Families face real devastation with the loss of a home, but prison time should not be part of the equation. Let’s all help those we care about most to do the right thing.
The end of the year is always a great time to look back at past achievements and milestones. Here are a few that I thought are significant.
h outright hostility.
The chart to the right shows the average sales price of homes from 2000 to 2011 based on MLS statistics in the greater Lake Country area. If you purchased your home in 2000 for $262, 515 and your home is now worth $344,418 and you put 20% down on your home your new equity for your home is $82,000 or a 56% return on your initial investment (ROI). Yes, your home is worth much less than the peak in 2006 but your ROI is an astounding 56%! How did the S&P do for the same period? According to MSNMoney.com, the S&P is down 19% from January 2000 to October 1, 2011. So why do we have all the distress? Many used their home as a piggy bank during the run-up in prices and re-leveraged their home to the 2004 or 2005 prices. Their home was a good investment but the misuse of the investment has left some upside down which in the end has adversely affected current pricing. The level of incoming foreclosure action comes down to an important point: The oversupply of inventory will remain for some time. If you are selling now it would be wise to price your home compellingly.
Signs of summer in Lake Geneva are finally here. The leaves are back on the trees and boats back in the water. Last night, the Badger High School Jazz Band performed on two cruises at 6:30 and 7:30 with a beautiful sunset in the background overlooking the magnificent lake homes. They were on the majestic "Lady of the Lake," of course in the closed glass room (still a little cold). The cruise is a part of a fundraising program for the music departments in Lake Geneva, thanks to the wonderful crew at the Lake Geneva cruise line. If you haven't before, it is a must do in Lake Geneva to take a boat tour. Click 
Diane Krause
Karen Trepton
News from Superintendent Keith Marty.
On Monday evening, there are two important activities. The Board of Education will be holding their 3rd Roundtable, an informal discussion of school issues. The Roundtable begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Ben Franklin library. At the high school library on Monday at 6:00 p.m. is the counselor sponsored program on military opportunities. Parents and students will learn about military educational and officer training programs. On Tuesday evening, 6:30 p.m. in the high school library, high school sophomore parents will want to learn about the results of the PLAN test and get orientation on the Career Cruising Exploration Program. The Scholarship and Educational Foundation is seeking adult and student teams for the Incredible Trivia Contest on April 2. Contact the high school or Falls Cable Access.
For more information, visit 
Kelly Kuchta
This fabulous home listed by the Kuchta's, Kelly and Colleen of Shorewest Realtors, is located at 805 Casey Drive Watertown, Wisconsin 53094.
The living room is just beyond the family room and offers more space to spread out and be relaxed. The master bedroom suite is completed by a delightful tray ceiling with crown molding, a walk-in closet and full bath. You will find two more bedrooms with ample closet space and another warm full bath upstairs. The lower level offer full sized windows, accessible for another bedroom or a amazing rec room and is plumbed for another bath. The back yard is fenced for your privacy, well landscaped and offers a large shed. The garage is three car tandem for extra storage. Sq ft of 1856 per taxes, not verified by broker.
The classic elegance of ceramic tile & a 2 story foyer greet you as you enter this home. Warm hardwood floors flow into the lavish kitchen, family room and marvelous morning room. Crown molding, 9 foot ceilings, box windows & French doors are a few of the details that you will notice as you walk through the delightful main level. The accessible kitchen offers quality custom cabinetry, stainless appliances, pantry storage, and abundant workspace on solid surface counters. The family room is highlighted by a marble natural fireplace with gas log & stunning floor to ceiling details. Upstairs you will find cathedral ceilings, ample bedroom sizes with California closets, an office with intrinsic storage & ceramic tile bath. The master suite is completed by a sizeable walk-in closet, whirlpool tub & double sinks. The lower lever offers a media room & rejuvenate area. Outside, you will find a 2 tier deck, abundant landscape, a tree lined lot. Home warranty included in this purchase..
This Fannie Mae HomePath 3 BR home is located in the heart of Oconomowoc looking for love. Lowest priced home in Oconomowoc! A neglected home is in need of some serious repairs, including siding, windows, drywall and carpeting, just to name a few. Loaded with potential, a definite investment special! Cash only. A little imagination can pay big dividends.
For a private showing, please call or email Kelly or Colleen Kuchta. Email: 
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