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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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!
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.
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 !
Hey, readers! Summer is getting the better of me, and I’ve been delinquent in my blog posts, but, I’m baaaaack!
If you are looking for something really unique and fun to do this week, visit downtown Oconomowoc, Thursday August 12. Yes, that’s tomorrow night! Starting at 6pm, you will be greeted with food and retail therapy. Then, as soon as dusk hits, grab your camp chair, and claim your favorite spot in the street, yes, IN THE STREET! Get ready to see downtown Oconomowoc transform from a bustling commercial zone, into “Hogwarts,” as you are treated to a 40 foot outdoor screening of Harry Potter. If you were around last summer, you may remember the showing of The Wizard of Oz. This will be just as much fun, so don’t miss out!
For more info, be a friend of Moonlit Movies on Facebook.
Then, drop in on Sunday evening at the City Beach, on Lac LaBelle, to watch a “Venetian Boat Parade,” followed by fireworks, over LaBelle. This kicks of the annual Festival of the Arts in Oconomowoc. Juried artists from all over the country, come to display their wares in Fowler Park. There are activities, food vendors and entertainment all week long. For more information on this event, visit their webpage.
June 19, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
When you are selling your home one of the requirements in the Offer to Purchase is that the Seller pays for the Title Insurance Policy. When the Offer to Purchase forms were changed early this spring, one of the provisions in the new contract was an option for the Seller to pay for a GAP endorsement to the title insurance policy. The option is almost always included in the offer to purchase based offer language. I won’t digress on that for now. Soon after the offer to purchase is accepted by both parties it now becomes a “Contract of Sale” and the listing agent usually orders a title insurance update. The title company will search for any liens or encumbrances against the property that is being sold and will issue, shortly after the offer is accepted a “Title Insurance Commitment” This is not the actual policy. The formal policy is issued about 2 weeks after the closing and is sent to the new homeowner. This time period between the issuance of the title commitment and the title policy is called a GAP. In this gap in coverage a seller technically could purchase a boat or car, use the house as collateral all un-noticed by the title company or the buyer. The Gap endorsement is signed by the Seller, under oath, which states that the seller will be responsible for this activity during this gap in actual coverage. I know you would never do something like this, but that is why we have a request for GAP endorsements with offers now. Someone abused the system.
June 18, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The Town of Summit and City of Oconomowoc’s new firehouse has a new address—just off the Oconomowoc Parkway and Hwy 67. The state of the art facility will be a welcome addition to the city and town. The current fire station on S. Concord Road will continue to operate and serve the south side of the city, but with this new structure train traffic will not impede service to part of the city of Oconomowoc. The bike path runs right past the firehouse so if you are out with the kids on your bike you can’t miss this impressive building. If you begin your journey by the Imagination Station in Oconomowoc and head south and east the trip to the firehouse is only about 5-6 miles. We have so many great resources here in Oconomowoc to take advantage of. If you have not been on the bike path try it out—It’s FREE!!
June 17, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
It is always great to see builders busy these days with the ‘new’ real estate market. In the Brightwater subdivision, just across the street from the new Aurora Hospital, Kingsway Homes is busy building a new home. I have the house on Waterstone Circle listed for sale at $475,000 and this gorgeous subdivision has all the accoutrements of fine living. Let’s start with the clubhouse. A well appointed clubhouse with outdoor pool, bathrooms and a large gathering area is available for use by residents.
What I like most about this fabulous neighborhood structure is one, the design is beautiful and two the quality inside is high end. The quaint older manor home, which I have listed for sale, is a terrific deal in the upscale development and has a detached carriage house complete with studio apartment, fireplace and full kitchen. The main house offers a Viking kitchen, granite counter tops, slate floors, Jack ‘n Jill bedrooms upstairs and 3 natural fireplaces in the main house. This unique property has the largest lot in the development at 2.5 acres. We are looking for someone who recognizes value when they see it and wants amenities such as the clubhouse and lake access.
April 26, 2010 at 03:52 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
On Tuesday April 20 th I sat down with then Mayor, Maury Sullivan and asked him to reflect on his past six years as the Mayor of Oconomowoc. The Mayor reflected on a number of his accomplishments, most notably he feels he is leaving the office with a city that is in good shape from a fiscal perspective and from a staffing function. According to the Mayor, when he first took office the city was spending $100,000-$135,000 on street repairs. This past year the city allocated over $3M for street repairs.
When asked what stands out most to the Mayor as an accomplishment he listed the road upgrades while conceding that there is much work to be done there. The new growth in development within the city which he quotes from State reports that the city has benefited from $559 million in new construction within the city over the past six years. Other projects have been stalled due to financing, most notably the Rockwell project in the downtown area and the Pabst Farms development. City finances are the Mayor’s third area of accomplishment. “During this last six years there has been a relatively low increase in levy, this last year there was no increase. The levy for the city is the fifth lowest of 190 cities in Wisconsin.” said Mayor Sullivan.
Prior to his election as the Mayor of Oconomowoc, Sullivan was the Town Chairman for the Town of Summit, soon to be the Village of Summit. During those litigious years the City and Town were at odds over a border agreement. This past December roughly 4500 acres merged into the city as part of the 10 year border agreement between the two municipalities. Over 32 lawsuits were filed as a result of the announcement of the Target Distribution Center. “I felt that quite frankly this was foolishness and I advocated with the Town Board to negotiate and they had tried litigating, but that had mixed limited success and started negotiating with the boundary agreement in 1999.” We no longer have litigation…I wasn’t thinking of this as an accomplishment while I was Mayor. Clearly Sullivan’s involvement as Town Chairman and his 3 term tenure as Mayor of Oconomowoc has had an impact on the relations between Summit and Oconomowoc.
When I asked the Mayor to look forward as he leaves office, he sees that most of the issues that the city will face are issues related to development, growth in the city and the hot topic of impact fees. When I asked Sullivan about the impact fees, he stated, “I think they will not be changed, because the impact of having residents pay for development impact fees would be so substantial that I don’t think that the taxpayers would agree to that.” The bigger issues facing Oconomowoc are the downtown areas and the Pabst Farms Development. A good deal of concern about the future of the Pabst development is still on many minds in the community while DDR continues to bring forth plans for the new mall, most have realized that the plans once promised to the city with high end retailers such as Nordstroms will not materialize.
The biggest hurdle for the new mayor is a balancing what Pabst would like to develop with the public’s perception of what they were promised. The demographics don’t tend to support the higher end retailers for our area and of course the recession has not helped the plans for the new mall. Optimistic and upbeat about the future of the city the former mayor has no plans to drift into the sunset. Sullivan would not rule out a run for this office or any other office at the moment. For now he plans on enjoying time off with his wife Ann in our great city.
April 12, 2010 at 08:49 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
On Tuesday April 6th the votes in the City of Oconomowoc decided it was time for a change at the top. 3 term incumbent Maury Sullivan was replaced by Jim Daley. Recently Jim spoke with me about his vision for the City of Oconomowoc. The turnout for the election was higher than other “off year” elections with 27% of the residents casting their votes.
Q: Were you surprised by the turnout this past Tuesday?
Mayor-Elect Daley: You know our campaign thought we had a very strong message. The need to focus on our downtown and allow responsible development and responsible growth in our community –these are issues that are important to Oconomowoc. We were very optimistic going into the election but the turnout and the margin of victory were at levels that exceeded our expectations. I think it shows how strong the message was.
Q: What is your first priority when you take office?
A: Mayor-Elect Daley: The first priority is to stop the bleeding from the commercial and retail level from the downtown. Both the downtown areas and the Pabst Farm Development need the community’s attention to move forward and build support. We need to be business friendly but also protect the community’s interests at the same time. The downtown revitalization has to be the #1 priority and I think to do that what we need to do initially is to work on fees, the bureaucracy and the red tape that makes it less desirable for business to come to Oconomowoc. I want our city hall message or mantra to be Oconomowoc is open for business. We are here, we are aggressive and we want investment dollars and businesses in our community to serve our citizens. With the economy being how it is, all communities are in an extremely competitive status of trying to draw quality business into their environments and Oconomowoc right now is making itself very uncompetitive. The proof of that is there for anyone to see if you drive in downtown.
Q: What are your thoughts on the Fowler Lake Revitalization Project?
A: Mayor-Elect Daley: From my understanding of the project, it was the result of a lot of compromise from a lot of different parties and I want to dig deeper into this to make sure that it’s not the “left-overs” of compromise. I don’t question that the Fowler Lake waterfront needs to be addressed. My concern for a project this big is that it has to be done right and I don’t think this can be a fast track item. This is the kind of project when we are talking about pristine lake frontage we should really be looking at this long term in a forward planning manner. I don’t want to address Fowler Lake for what is good for tomorrow, rather what’s good for the next generations. It is an immensely expensive project which I think its time has come but it needs to be done right. I think there are some issues with the current proposal that need to be refined before we move forward
Q: The high speed rail stop in Oconomowoc has garnered much attention. Rep Joel Kleefisch recently introduced legislation regarding the high speed rail. What are your thoughts on this issue?
A: Mayor-Elect Daley: First of all I don’t think the high speed rail is an affordability issue as much as it is a priority issue–should we be spending our money on this as a community? Every dollar we spend supporting one project is a dollar that we are taking away from supporting another one, unless we are interested in doing things like raising taxes, which I am opposed to. When we look at the high speed rail, The Kleefisch bill is a very legitimate bill. I don’t think his intention is to straight up kill it (high speed rail). What Kleefisch is saying in his legislation is that we have a lot of questions that we would like answered before we can support this as a state. I think he is right in that. What I said in the campaign is that this is an issue of ridership, and my understanding is that there is not a dependable study that has been done to date that is going to show what the ridership is going to be plus I think there are a lot of issues that could potentially decrease the ridership. The number one issue is where the Madison terminal is located. My understanding is that right now it is slated for the Dane county airport and I think out of the people that I have spoken to there is absolutely zero interest in traveling to the Dane County Airport. Now if that was a downtown Madison or accessible downtown stop I think that would increase the likelihood of people in our community willing to jump on the train, go to Madison for, say a Badger game or walk down State Street. When we are looking at the Dane county airport stop that strands the rider from the rest of the Madison community and the rider has to either grab a cab or a bus– it is just those additional layers of inconvenience that will affect ridership in an extremely negative manner.
Mayor Elect Daley will be sworn into office at the April 20th Common Council meeting at 7:30pm located in the City Hall.
Oconomowoc continues it’s strong tradition of excellence in the arts, by forming a new community orchestra. Orchestra “O” is a community based symphonic orchestra, open to players from the surrounding area. They also have a smaller Chamber group, Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra, that will be comprised of professional, semi-professional and juried players.
Roberta Carpenter, a local string instructor, and accomplished professional conductor, leads the effort to bring this wonderful opportunity to the stage of the Oconomowoc Arts Center.
In an effort to springboard their summer concert, Noodles and Company in Delafield, has paired with them to share proceeds from their sales on March 29th, from 3-9pm.
So, get ready for some good food and some great music!
High speed rail could connect Milwaukee to Madison with stops in Brookfield, Oconomowoc and Watertown as early as 2013 due to a federal grant that was awarded this week. The much debated project, would utilize $810 million dollars in federal grant money. Proponents cite job creation, as well as convenience for Wisconsin residents. Opposition is leery of cost. Completion is still subject to legislative approval. To read more, click here.
The Oconomowoc City Beach ice rink is up and running! For a fun afternoon, come over for some skating on Lac Labelle. Finish the event with dinner at one of the local restaurants. Winter fun!
Youth Basketball is in full swing in Southeastern Wisconsin. This Saturday, January 9th, Oconomowoc hosts the OYB Cooney Classic Tournament. There will be 40 teams participating and 60 games being played throughout the day. Teams participating are coming from all over Southeast Wisconsin. All games will be played at the Oconomowoc High School Field House, located at the south end of the building. Admission is $2 for adults, students and seniors. Children under 5 are free. Half of all the admission fees collected will benefit “Coaches vs. Cancer,” in addition to all of the proceeds from additional donations to this cause.
Teams playing are from Oconomowoc, Wisco, Brookfield East and Central, Watertown, Waukesha West, Cedarburg, Arrowhead, Pewaukee, Mukwonago Gold and Waukesha North.
If you love basketball, and would like to see the “up and coming youth talent” in our area, visit the OHS field house and watch some great youth basketball! Games start at 8am and will run through the late afternoon.
December 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Robert Shiller, of the Case Shiller Index is interviewed in this video by the WSJ. The outlook is not that great, but there is good news. First our area has not been affected as severely as other parts of the country. We see that the first quarter of 2010 and perhaps into the second quarter the activity will be stronger than 2009. The threat of rising interest rates should be of concern to sellers and buyers. So while the saying sounds overused, NOW is the time to sell for two main reasons. First as a seller you can take advantage of the opportunity while the homebuyer tax credit is still available. Buyers must be under contract by April 30, 2010. The second reason is that most economists believe that interest rates will have to rise in 2010. If rates go up from 5% to 6% this decreases the buyer’s top price by 10% if the buyer is payment sensitive—which almost all are today. If you would like more information about our local real estate economy or the value of your home feel free to call me.
December 10, 2009 at 04:36 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
This incredible home is situated on a almost 1 acre city lot that is adjacent to a beautiful park. There are 4 large bedrooms on the second floor with an optional 5th bedroom in the finished lower level, handsome family room with bookcases that flank the bricked fireplace. A large kitchen with sunny southern-facing dinette also features an island and plenty of counter space. A 3.5 car garage is ideal for extra storage. Priced at $274,500 1391 Forest View Lane is the perfect home for a buyer looking for extreme value.
If you want an early dose of holiday cheer, check out downtown Oconomowoc, this Saturday, December 5th, for the annual Christmas Parade.
The parade runs from 3 - 4pm, and follows a route from Fowler Park, south to downtown, through the round-about westward on Wisconsin Avenue, and then south on Main Street to Roosevelt Park.
The best place to see the parade is downtown or from various local businesses and churches, such as the steps of Dr. Martin Luther Church, on Main Street. They always welcome parade watchers, and sometimes offer hot chocolate and snacks.
In addition to various local groups, you will see some of our very own Shorewest Lake Country Team, following a very special “float”, and of course, Santa!
For more Oconomowoc events visit this calendar link from the Chamber of Commerce.
December 02, 2009 at 09:50 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
There is a buzz in the air with the two new hospitals in Oconomowoc. The soon-to-open Aurora Hospital (pictured above), located just south of I-94 on Hwy 67, (click here to view a map) and Pro Health’s state of the art facility on Summit Avenue (pictured on right), near the heart of Oconomowoc are both imposing sites. Beyond all the press releases the best way to find out when the hospital opens is the people that work there. I found this blog from nurses that discuss the opening and it looks like March 1, 2010 is the date to watch for Aurora. Pro Health, Oconomowoc’s first hospital is also looking for talented health care professionals and is holding a grand opening on Dec. 12th. There has been much talk about hospital wars with the two competing facilities, but I like to look at it this way. Oconomowoc is in the midst of two distinct entities that are eager to provide the best health care possible. Both hospitals are looking for good qualified people too. This is all good for the surrounding business and the housing economy in Oconomowoc. From the downtown merchants to the shops at Pabst Farms more interest in our great city is very positive.
December 01, 2009 at 08:55 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Maury Sullivan (pictured on left), Oconomowoc mayor announced that he is seeking re-election this coming April. The primary will be held this February 17th 2010. The mayor hopes to finish several initiatives that have started on his watch. The revitalization of the waterfront near city hall is just one of the projects that can change downtown Oconomowoc for the better. Currently discussions are still underway as to where the new train station will be located in the city for high speed rail. Additionally, Mayor Sullivan would like to see improvements with our city roads—and I couldn’t agree with him more on that. Much has been done lately especially with the reworking of the downtown area. Next year we should see the road project finished from the four corners west to the county line. In 1999 the Town of Summit and the City of Oconomowoc finalized their Border Agreement and as of December 31, 2009 several parcels that were in the Town of Summit will now be a part of the city. Several residences are involved in the assimilation to the city and when calculating taxes for the sake of a real estate transaction, it would be best to have those proration amounts agreed to in writing. Oconomowoc is ready for smart growth and with some of these projects we look forward to a bright future.
Attention snow lovers! The Lake Country alpine ski team, “Lakers”, is hosting it’s annual “Ski Swap”, this Saturday, November 7th. It will take place in Oconomowoc, at the Oconomowoc High School Cafeteria. Equipment drop off is from 7:30-9:30am and the sale runs from 9:30- 1pm. Adult and youth equipment will be for sale, including alpine, cross country and snow boarding equipment. Proceeds benefit the ski team, which serves kids from all over the Lake Country area. The Lakers participate in the Wisconsin Junior Racing circuit, skiing at hills such as, Sunburst, Alpine, Devil’s Head, Ausblick, Holy Hill and Olympia. Skiers race by age status, and train in the slalom and giant slalom venues. For more information on Lakers ski team check out GRF ski shop, which coordinates the coaching and administration of the team. Lakers invites youth between the ages of 5 and 19 who like to downhill ski or want to learn to be better skiers to join.
An informational meeting and registration session for the new season will be held at Summerset Marine in Nashotah on Nov. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. See you on the slopes of Lake Country!
Well, it’s been a little over a week since Oconomowoc celebrated the 70th anniversary of the original screening of the Wizard of Oz. It was an awesome event, drawing young and old alike, to the streets of downtown Oconomowoc. Sources say estimated attendance ranged from 4000 to 7000. I heard a young man ask “the Wizard” if Brett Favre would be playing with the Vikings this fall, and the answer was, “It is possible.” I guess the Wizard’s crystal ball was tuned up!
The event must have left its mark, because within the week, two unusual events occurred. The first was this car stopping, double rainbow over the skyline of Pabst Farms, (Sorry the photo was from my blackberry). I was leaving a local grocery store, and was one of many literally stopped on the spot, trying to capture pictures with our phones. The second occurred when I was leaving my listing on Golden Lake, on Sunset Drive. As I was driving away from the home, I glanced over at the boat launch, only to see a little red convertible car driving from the water, to the launch. I tried to snap a photo with my phone, but alas, I’m a realtor, not a stunt-driving photographer, and I couldn’t maneuver back around quickly enough to catch it for you. It wasn’t a hot air balloon on it’s way to Kansas, but it could have qualified for a bit part in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Well, that’s another movie!
Anyway, if you are up to an end of the summer drive in beautiful Lake Country Wisconsin, take highway 18 west to Golden Lake, and stop in to see my lovely lake cottage. You’ll never know what interesting things you will see to top off your summer vacation, somewhere “over the rainbow”.
Come and hear the Eddie Butts, Love Monkeys and Rhythm Kings Bands for free on August 23rd, 2009 at Roosevelt Park in Oconomowoc! Enjoy kids’ activities such as bounce houses, magicians, arts and crafts, face painting and a Children’s Idol contest! Kids can also enjoy the newly built Imagination Station playground and for a fee, learn one of the dances from the new Hannah Montana movie. Adults can enjoy wine and beer tasting, silent auctions, a softball tournament, food from great local vendors, drawings, and of course, first class entertainment. Many events are free, with all proceeds benefiting the Beccee Smith-Kujawa Family. Beccee, a non smoker was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer this past June. She is a professional singer, a community volunteer and a stay at home mom of two young girls. She has chosen to fight this cancer with a positive attitude and her vast network of family and friends have come together to stage this benefit in her honor. There will be something for everyone – don’t miss out on the fun! Visit the website: beccee.com for more information on this wonderful woman and the benefit.
This week is Festival Week in Oconomowoc, with events every day leading up to the grand finales of the Wizard of Oz celebration Thursday night and the juried Oconomowoc Art Festival Saturday and Sunday at gorgeous Fowler Park. Along with the beautiful art, you have an opportunity to view a piece of Oconomowoc’s History when you visit the open houses being held at 404 N. Lake Road, located on the famous “walk around Fowler Lake.”
Situated on the Isthmus between Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake this is one of Oconomowoc’s Finest Historic Lake Homes. The former residence of the Hitchcock’s, Binzels and Mayor Marlene and Colonel James Schumacher, this home features murals of other fine historic homes on the walls and five fireplaces. Previous owners have authentically restored this home to form and period.
This is a rare opportunity to see the inside of this centerpiece historic home. Please stop by and visit with Mary and Brian Steinke on:
Saturday, August 15th from 1-2:30PM
Sunday, August 16th from 1-2:30PM
July 16, 2009 at 08:57 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
It is nice to see how the business community rallies around the new Oconomowoc Arts Center. Pabst Farms Development was recently recognized as the largest contributor to the new OAC here in Oconomowoc. See the link Here. Peter Bell is obviously interested in the quality of life here in Oconomowoc with this fantastic donation to the center. I know Pat Neudecker and I can only imagine that she was thrilled to see this level of support. Pabst is definitely leading the way in Oconomowoc, not only with the development but also with a generous contribution—Thanks Peter from all of the families in Oconomowoc who love and use the outstanding Arts Center, your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Americana on the 4th of July! Here it is…a calendar of fireworks and parades for Waukesha County. Just click here for a complete listing. I have to say, my favorite spot on the 4th is watching the fireworks being shot over one of the beautiful lakes, in downtown Oconomowoc. This year, we’ll enjoy them on Fowler Lake. Of course, one can’t help seeing the surrounding lakes shoot off theirs. Okauchee and Oconomowoc Lake usually have some, as does the Village of Lac LaBelle. If you happen to miss fireworks on the 4th, you may catch them again on August 9th from the Oconomowoc City Beach, being shot from a barge on Lac LaBelle, for the annual Parade of Lights Celebration. For a calendar of Oconomowoc Summer events visit my Oconomowoc Blog.
If you have not biked on the new bike trail in Oconomowoc you really must give it a try. The trail head begins at Roosevelt Park, the location of the new Imagination Station that was recently constructed. From here the trail heads south and bends slowly to the east as it crosses Silver Lake Street. There is one major crossing at HWY 67 but a crosswalk button can be pushed which will allow you to safely cross this intersection. As you continue east past the site of the new fire station the trail leads you behind Summit Elementary School and the YMCA at Pabst Farms. The smooth blacktop pavement extends to the intersection of Sawyer Road and Valley Road. From this point to Delafield the trail is composed of finely crushed gravel. If you ride a roadie, you may want to hop on Valley Road and continue your ride from there. If you have a Hybrid bike then head south on the gravel path and you will be in Downtown Delafield in no time. From Roosevelt Park to the intersection of Sawyer and Valley the trip is just six miles all without interference from vehicle traffic. Click here for a map to see this great new asset to Oconomowoc.
It's not about me - it's about YOU and what you want & need in a Realtor, but if it helps you to know:
I'm easy going & cheerful, and a 2nd generation Realtor. With my husband, I've have owned and sold a house and a condo in California. We relocated to Wisconsin in 1990. Living in Waukesha county, we've owned and sold 2 houses, built 2 new homes and torn an old one down. I've helped our elderly parents sell their homes (1 as an estate). The list of "been there, done that" goes on, but you get the idea.
It’s official. School’s out for summer! For many of you, this happened a few weeks back, but in many public schools across Southeastern Wisconsin, this week marked the end of the 2008-2009 school year.
For residents of Oconomowoc Area School District, this year was especially eventful. We saw the completion and opening of two new, state of the art, intermediate schools; Nature Hill Intermediate and Silver Lake Intermediate. These beautiful facilities serve grades 5-8. The grouping of these ages is a new trend among communities, and slightly modifies the traditional middle school system of 6th - 8th grades. Students are grouped by floor and grade, with most of their classrooms revolving around a POD format.
As a parent of 3 boys, all of whom attend schools in the Oconomowoc system, I was thrilled to see my youngest and my middle son, thrive at Nature Hill. I’ve always been an advocate for Oconomowoc Schools, but the technology and resources available to the teachers in these classrooms was incredible! Teachers were able to incorporate lessons into a DVD format for projection on their permanent, in classroom, media screen, which was linked to their desktops. These “smart screens” also allowed for viewing a wide array of multi-media. The teachers were also treated to teacher resource/conference rooms for their respective bases, allowing for greater teacher interaction and planning, within the school day.
The elective course facilities include, but are not limited to individual Band, Orchestra and Choir Rooms, an Art Studio complete with a neighboring Graphic Design Studio, a multi-purpose stage and presentation area, a flexible gymnasium complete with rock climbing wall, and the list goes on.
A favorite of the Nature Hill facility, that cannot go unmentioned, is Nature Hill itself. Nature Hill boasts some of the most beautiful walking trails, complete with several examples of various eco-systems and a charming creek. Students are treated to a “rocking” sledding hill in the winter, and stimulating biology and science lessons on the Hill, throughout the year.
In addition to these new schools, Oconomowoc welcomed the absolutely stunning, Oconomowoc Arts Center, which is attached to the High School. If you haven’t been there yet, please come! This facility is going to be a hallmark of the Performing Arts in Oconomowoc, for years to come. OHS has a proud tradition in the arts, and this center only enhances the wonderful talent that is home to the Oconomowoc community.
Last, but not least, I would be remiss if I did not mention the International Baccalaureate program, offered in addition to, Advanced Placement classes. Students can now earn an IB Diploma, from a school within a school, so to speak. IB diplomas are recognized throughout the world, as a standard for academic excellence. OASD is one of a handful of school districts offering this program. My eldest son will be participating in the IB program, and we are eager to see him test his mettle with this rigorous academic curriculum. You can read more about all of these topics by going to http://www.oasd.k12.wi.us.
So, for now, we turn our attention to the matters at hand; swimming, biking, sailing, tennis playing, baseball, picnics, outdoor festivals and concerts, and all things summer! If your summer plans include house hunting in the Lake Country area, give Oconomowoc a nod. Call me. I’d love to show you some of what makes it a great place to live!
The new Aurora Medical Facility in the Town of Summit, located next to Pabst Farms, in Oconomowoc, will be opening this fall, months ahead of schedule. Poised to provide state of the art medical services for Oconomowoc and Southeastern Waukesha County , the facility will enhance the community with its services and job opportunities. Many residents feel that the influx of professionals to staff the facility, will be another plus for the housing community in Oconomowoc and surrounding townships. Not to be outdone, Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital , is undergoing several enhancements to its facility, as well.
If you are a medical professional, and would like to live in a beautiful community and work with the best, call me www.karentrepton.shorewest.com. I’d love to show you some of the fabulous housing opportunities that await in Oconomowoc, and the surrounding areas.
If you are looking for something fun and worthwhile to do this weekend, check out the fabulous project going on in Oconomowoc. This week, Oconomowoc area residents realize the birth of the long awaited project…The “Oconomowoc Imagination Station!” This universally accessible playground is the dream project of many local volunteers. It truly is a “village” project, from the design stage to the implementation of the construction itself. Area businesses and family members of all ages are showing up to donate time, food, and talents to complete this project.
As of today, Friday, they still can use workers, but are especially in need of food donations for the workers. Please view this link for more information on what you can do to help out. See you in Oconomowoc!
As a Realtor®, for Shorewest in the Lake Country area, transferees often ask me about the “Lake Country Lifestyle”. “What are the schools like? How is the shopping? Where can we find interesting and unique things to do relative to the arts and entertainment?” Of course, all of Southeastern Wisconsin enjoys the beautiful attributes of Greater Milwaukee. In addition to the shops and restaurants in Milwaukee County, Waukesha County offers many wonderful and diverse places to eat, recreate, and shop.
One of my newfound favorites is a fair trade shop, called “Trails to Bridges”, in Hartland. Starting as a home-based business, the owner eventually went to a small retail space, and ultimately, the storefront shop she just opened. She, and her husband, personally visit and become familiar with the people behind the items she sells. I was first introduced to their unique items via a visit the owner made to my local church, in Oconomowoc. She effectively turned our fellowship area into a “smorgasbord” of wonderful and exotic hand-made articles from around the world.
A member of the Fair Trade Federation, “Trails to Bridges” assists in lifting families from some of the world’s poorest locations, out of a lifestyle of poverty, by supplying a fair and equitable business system in which to market their wares. The Realtor® in me finds this especially honorable. In spite of challenging economic times, Wisconsin residents enjoy a very high standard of living, as compared to the world at large. I have the unique pleasure of sharing this wonderful and prosperous lifestyle of Lake Country with my clients and customers. It’s nice to know that by patronizing a local merchant, we can all do a small part in passing along some economic success to those whose challenges far outweigh our own.
So, next time you may be out looking for something unique and special, check out “Trails to Bridges” on E Capitol, in downtown Hartland.
In Wisconsin, spring comes in its own good time. Since we can’t always count on that beautiful, sunny day bike ride or walk along the lakeshore, we hunt for fun and exciting things to do that may occupy a chilly evening, or a rainy afternoon. Lake Country offers many such activities. I’d like to highlight a gem of an organization, which many area locals are not familiar with. It is called the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, or WASB for short.
It resides at Carroll University, in Waukesha. “The Waukesha Area Symphonic Band began in the fall of 1976 as the result of concerned musicians who recognized the need for an adult music organization in the community that was dedicated to the serious performance of outstanding music for winds and percussion.” The band is comprised of adults from various professions; doctors, attorneys, music educators, business owners, and even a realtor or two.
Being a lifelong French Horn-playing “band-geek”, I have sought out community orchestras and bands, my entire adult life. It is such a treat to find an organization of this caliber, in my own back yard, and one that offers such a beautiful facility, in which to perform. There are old friends, and new friends within the group, and several from my culture-rich-hometown of Oconomowoc. We are currently planning a joint concert with the Oconomowoc High School Bands for this fall in the newly built Oconomowoc Performing Arts Center.
Each year, the band’s spring concert features a community organization as the benefactor of a portion of the concert proceeds. This spring, as in many years past, proceeds will benefit ACAP, the Waukesha Adaptive Community Approach Program. It’s mission: “ We encourage people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential and acquire life-long skills which will enable them to become contributing and valued members within their communities.” The concert will feature a French Horn solo, by one on our local high school juniors. Click here for a bio on Ms. Duffy, a Waukesha West High School Junior. So, for some great local culture, benefiting a good cause, please consider an evening of beautiful music.
Concert time is at 7:30 p.m. in Shattuck Auditorium, on the campus of Carroll University. Tickets for the May 1st concert are $10 and are available by calling 262/370-6129 or in the Shattuck Auditorium lobby on the evening of the concert.
Oconomowoc—-that singular city of TWO gorgeous lakes positioned equi-distant (less than an hour) to the Capitol and the Calatrava……a cultural mecca in its own right, now featuring a brand new state- of- the- art Performance Auditorium PLUS regular arts events.
This season’s kick off event is Gallery night, Friday, May 1 in Downtown Oconomowoc where local artists are displaying work PLUS a specific event feature!!!! Hand-painted Adirondack chairs!!!! Come early and enjoy the local lakeside dining and the lake reflections at every venue. Stroll along the lakes to a special viewing of the original Hitchcock Historic Home at 404 N. Lake Rd. from 5 p.m. thru 8 p.m. with guides on site to describe Oconomowoc’s rich architectural heritage.
This property is also offered for sale by ‘yours truly’, ask for brochures about this year’s lakefront/bandshell concerts, family movie nights at Fowler Lake Park, Nationally-juried Festival of the Arts and MORE!!!!! ‘There’s no place like home’ and Dorothy said it first in Oconomowoc…learn more about that by staying tuned to my blog entries or email me at msteinke@shorewest.com.
April 17, 2009 at 07:37 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
With the advent of social networking, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other sites, advertising Real Estate is quickly changing. I remember, back in the day, when REALTORS® put their picture with the house that they were listing—that was innovative then. But now we can provide so much more information to the public much quicker. And the public demands fast information, that is why I carry my office with me at all times—My Blackberry. Day or night I can be reached 24/7. I remember my grandfather telling me that as a REALTOR® “You spend a lot to make the phone ring, so you had better be there when it does” Sage advice I will say. As you can see from the link above, this is just one way that I advertise homes. This spectacular home in Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc has one of the nicer lots in the development. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, this charming 4 bedroom offers many upgrades and quality features like Pella® Architect Series windows throughout. If you have additional questions about the homes that are currently available in Eastlake Village don’t hesitate to call me. For a map of all the hotspots around Pabst, just click on the link. Keep watching this site for more updates about, Village Crossing Condos, Brennan’s and other happenings in and around Oconomowoc.
April 15, 2009 at 08:54 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The finishing touch for the City of Oconomowoc’s Wisconsin Avenue road project is the round-about. Recently I was taking aerial pictures of our fair city and snapped a few quick ones of the focal point of downtown. I must admit at first I thought the roundabout would not work very well, but using it almost daily it sure makes travel through this part of the city much quicker and easier. The Oconomowoc Rotary Club (of which I am a proud member) is donating a sizeable amount of money for the sculpture that will be displayed in the island of the roundabout, which is now the gateway to the city. Just west of the roundabout you will come upon the beautiful bricked city hall that houses the police department, mayor’s office and many other departments. For those of you who are unfamiliar with roundabouts the city has instructions posted on their website on how to use the new (old) interchange. So much is happening in Lake Country and especially in Oconomowoc—a great place to live, work and have fun!
April 15, 2009 at 08:46 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Nestled on over 120 acres of rolling terrain, River Bluff Subdivision in Oconomowoc is aptly named with the northern border adjacent to the Oconomowoc River. The luxury subdivision offers something that most subdivisions only dream of—large fully improved lots. While all the lots are built out, the quiet neighborhood boasts almost a one acre lot per home site. Two parks dot the landscape as do 5 ponds. The beautiful bricked boulevard entrance to River Bluff sets the stage. Currently I have a spectacular ranch home available for sale that offers a large finished basement with full sized windows in the 4th bedroom. The home at 385 River Bluff Circle is currently offered at $329,900 – a great price for such a large house. Subdivision dues are a modest $250 per year. Some of the home sites are adjacent to lovely wooded areas while others enjoy large backyards that back up to a green space. Feel free to contact me at ghanon@shorewest.com or visit my website at www.HeyGlen.com.
April 15, 2009 at 04:57 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
In the fall of 2008 Oconomowoc unveiled their two new middle schools, Silver Lake Intermediate and Nature Hill Intermediate Schools. The School District quite frankly hit a home run with the two intermediate schools–first, for their great locations and second, for the stunning style that each school displays. As you can see from the picture each school is loaded with great residential architecture. Poised for growth, each setting is ideally situated within minutes of much of the future growth for Oconomowoc. With the addition of an Arts Center and an expanded indoor field house at the high school, the district has positioned itself to take advantage of the upcoming expansion in housing in Oconomowoc. I have written in past blogs about the Oconomowoc Arts Center and seeing IS believing! If you are relocating to western Waukesha County and Lake Country, you will want to visit the school district to get a firsthand experience of everything Oconomowoc has to offer. One of the services I offer are school tours to relocating families. As a Certified Shorewest Relocation Specialist, I know how important finding the right school for your children is. Feel free to email me at ghanon@shorewest.com for more information about our Relocation Services.
April 09, 2009 at 07:17 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
One of the jewels of Lake Country is Lac La Belle. The sprawling 1164 acres of Lac La Belle stretch into three different communities, The City of Oconomowoc, The Town of Oconomowoc and The Village of Lac La Belle. At the deepest point the lake is only 46 feet, which offers some of the warmest lake water in the Lake Country region. The sandy bottom and low vegetation growth offers a swimmers a very clear lake. The shallow lake attracts many different kinds of fish as well from largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and walleye. If you would like a complete synopsis of the lake from a fishing standpoint just email me at; ghanon@shorewest.com or Click Here for a Map. If you Click Here, you can view the lake characteristics for fishing. Besides fishing many lake residents enjoy, sailing, water skiing, pontoon boating, swimming and enjoying the spectacular sunsets.
Currently we have 17 properties for sale on the lake from $330,000 to almost $2,000,000. This stunning home that is pictured is just off the lake and has fabulous panoramic views of a good deal of the lake. The stunning attention to detail for this shingle styled home is apparent in each room. The entire house has cherry floors. Priced at $1,499,900, this is a great opportunity to own a large estate just off Lac La Belle. For more details on this home at 160 Monastery, call me at 1-888-HEY GLEN or drop me an email (ghanon@shorewest.com). Lac La Belle is truly one of the hidden secrets in Lake Country!
April 07, 2009 at 07:18 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
I just attended a meeting yesterday in which the city of Oconomowoc presented their plans for the revitalization of the waterfront in downtown Oconomowoc. The specific area of interest is the boardwalk behind Wisconsin Avenue along Fowler Lake. If you are a resident of Oconomowoc you may want to stop by city hall and take a look at what is being proposed. The planners would like the future green space/ park turn more into a destination area rather than the current use. From what I could see the plans look outstanding and more importantly if the city can pull this off I think they will succeed in making this area a destination. What I liked most about the presentation was the realization that the city leaders realize that there are some things (larger capital improvements) like the Fowler Lake Revitalization are projects that the city must tackle. This will help the business’ along Wisconsin Ave thrive. The plan is a longer range plan with a possible completion in 2018. That seems like a long way off, but in today’s economy maybe a little time from actual implementation may not be a bad thing. For a complete overview of the project visit , http://tinyurl.com/d56sh4.
April 06, 2009 at 09:29 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Lately Pabst Farms in Oconomowoc has received some less than flattering press related to the proposed mall development. But let’s take a look at the positive side of Pabst Farms. The subdivision is located just minutes from everything. Brennan’s is opening their new store this fall and it will be a hit with the greater Lake Country area. If you have not been to Brennan’s in Brookfield or Madison it is worth the drive for great fresh produce and Jacobson’s meat market: http://www.brennansmarket.com/blog/
Just across the street is our thriving Pick N Save with tons of specialty items and a great fresh produce section. Starbucks, Nick N Willy’s and others are right in the complex too. More and more restaurants are popping up in the vicinity of Pabst as well. Of course we have the fabulous YMCA that more resembles an upscale fitness club than your run of the mill Y. www.ymcaatpabstfarms.org . We have state of the art health facilities—Aurora and Pro Health Hospitals and multiple clinics. Are you in the mood for fresh homemade Gelato? Just a short drive from Pabst and you are at Golosi’s in downtown Oconomowoc were the owner makes fresh Gelato each and every day. You can even visit their Facebook site at http://tinyurl.com/ctkase. It is all here in Oconomowoc, the “Newport of the West.”
Broker Associate
Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Club
Master Sales Professional
Over 10 years of Full Time Real Estate Experience
Lake Country Resident Since 1982
Extraordinary Customer Service
Friendly and Professional
Selected to Mentor New Agents
Straightfoward, Outgoing, Loyal & Dedicated
Associate Vice President
Executive Club
Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction Award Recipient, 2008
Rookie of the Year 1996
Multi-Million Dollar Producer
Million Dollar Club Member
National Sales Award Recipient
Lake Country Specialist
Hanon's Continuing a 50 Year Tradition
Glenn Hanon-Featured on HGTV's House Hunters
Oconomowoc's #1 Agent
Career Sales of $174.5 Million
National Sales Award Recipient 17 years
All Company Outgoing Referral Leader in 2008
President's Club 17 years
Certified Shorewest Relocation Specialist
Lake Specialist
As a third generation Hanon in Real Estate I take the advice my grandfather gave me when I started my career in Real Estate. He said, “Treat everyone with respect and be honest with them. They have asked for your opinion and you should be polite and respond with gentleness. Your reputation matters and it will follow you for the remainder of your career. Be careful with the trust your given.” That has been my motto for the past 22 years I have been selling homes. I have enjoyed working for so many families in the Lake Country area, some have become dear friends.
I live in Oconomowoc with my wife of 25 years and I have two grown boys, which I am very proud of. We lived in upstate New York after we were first married then I was transferred to Chicago where our first son was born. Realizing that my passion was real estate we soon made our way home and settled in Oconomowoc. Whether you are looking for a home in the Lake Country area or points east I have a solid working knowledge of our beautiful countryside.
Real Estate is what I do 24/7. Some of my friends ask how I do it—being on all the time. But I truly love what I do so this does not seem like work. I have had the privilege of training over 600 agents on what it means to be in Real Estate. One of the fun moments in Real Estate is when I was featured on HGTV’s House Hunters. I don’t say that to brag, but I had an injury during the shooting segments that left me with a large bandage wrap on my right hand. It was fun trying to film around a bandaged hand.
I firmly believe in a continual education experience. Recently I finished my training for the REO Trans or Equator certification for REO homes. I also just finished training for the Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource program, SFR, with the National Association of Realtors. This business is changing rapidly and I believe it is paramount to stay ahead of the trends and continue to learn something new. In addition to the above qualifications I hold the GRI, CRS and CSRS designations.
I look forward to helping you realize your dreams in Real Estate.
Glenn Hanon
If you are looking for a great “spooktacular” event this Halloween season, check out 
Karen Trepton
It is always great to see builders busy these days with the ‘new’ real estate market. In the 
On Tuesday April 20 th I sat down with then Mayor, Maury Sullivan and asked him to reflect on his past six years as the Mayor of Oconomowoc. The Mayor reflected on a number of his accomplishments, most notably he feels he is leaving the office with a city that is in good shape from a fiscal perspective and from a staffing function. According to the Mayor, when he first took office the city was spending $100,000-$135,000 on street repairs. This past year the city allocated over $3M for street repairs.
Q: Were you surprised by the turnout this past Tuesday? 
it’s not the “left-overs” of compromise. I don’t question that the Fowler Lake waterfront needs to be addressed. My concern for a project this big is that it has to be done right and I don’t think this can be a fast track item. This is the kind of project when we are talking about pristine lake frontage we should really be looking at this long term in a forward planning manner. I don’t want to address Fowler Lake for what is good for tomorrow, rather what’s good for the next generations. It is an immensely expensive project which I think its time has come but it needs to be done right. I think there are some issues with the current proposal that need to be refined before we move forward
south to downtown, through the round-about westward on Wisconsin Avenue, and then south on Main Street to Roosevelt Park.
state of the art facility on Summit Avenue (pictured on right), near the heart of Oconomowoc are both imposing sites. Beyond all the press releases the best way to find out when the hospital opens is the people that work there. I found this blog 
Maury Sullivan (pictured on left), Oconomowoc mayor announced that he is seeking re-election this coming April. The 
In 1999 the Town of Summit and the City of Oconomowoc finalized their 
Attention snow lovers! The Lake Country alpine ski team, “Lakers”, is hosting it’s annual “Ski Swap”, this Saturday, November 7th. It will take place in Oconomowoc, at the 
coaching and administration of the team. Lakers invites youth between the ages of 5 and 19 who like to downhill ski or want to learn to be better skiers to join.
Well, it’s been a little over a week since Oconomowoc celebrated the 70th anniversary of the 
The event must have left its mark, because within the week, two unusual events occurred. The first was this car stopping, double rainbow over the skyline of Pabst Farms, (Sorry the photo was from my blackberry). I was leaving a local grocery store, and was one of many literally stopped on the spot, trying to capture pictures with our phones. The second occurred when I was leaving 
Anyway, if you are up to an end of the summer drive in beautiful Lake Country Wisconsin, take highway 18 west to Golden Lake, and stop in to see my lovely lake cottage. You’ll never know what interesting things you will see to top off your summer vacation, somewhere “over the rainbow”.
Mary Steinke
It is nice to see how the business community rallies around the new Oconomowoc Arts Center. Pabst Farms Development was recently recognized as the largest contributor to the new OAC here in Oconomowoc. See the link 
Americana on the 4th of July! Here it is…a calendar of fireworks and parades for Waukesha County. Just 
Shorewest - Lake Country
As a parent of 3 boys, all of whom attend schools in the Oconomowoc system, I was thrilled to see my youngest and my middle son, thrive at Nature Hill. I’ve always been an advocate for Oconomowoc Schools, but the technology and resources available to the teachers in these classrooms was incredible! Teachers were able to incorporate lessons into a DVD format for projection on their permanent, in classroom, media screen, which was linked to their desktops. These “smart screens” also allowed for viewing a wide array of multi-media. The teachers were also treated to teacher resource/conference rooms for their respective bases, allowing for greater teacher interaction and planning, within the school day.
The new 
Many residents feel that the influx of professionals to staff the facility, will be another plus for the housing community in Oconomowoc and surrounding townships. Not to be outdone, 
As a Realtor®, for Shorewest in the Lake Country area, transferees often ask me about the “Lake Country Lifestyle”. “What are the schools like? How is the shopping? Where can we find interesting and unique things to do relative to the arts and entertainment?” Of course, all of Southeastern Wisconsin enjoys the beautiful attributes of Greater Milwaukee. In addition to the shops and restaurants in Milwaukee County, Waukesha County offers many wonderful and diverse places to eat, recreate, and shop.
In Wisconsin, spring comes in its own good time. Since we can’t always count on that beautiful, sunny day bike ride or walk along the lakeshore, we hunt for fun and exciting things to do that may occupy a chilly evening, or a rainy afternoon. Lake Country offers many such activities. I’d like to highlight a gem of an organization, which many area locals are not familiar with. It is called the 
Each year, the band’s spring concert features a community organization as the benefactor of a portion of the concert proceeds. This spring, as in many years past, proceeds will benefit ACAP, the 
Oconomowoc—-that singular city of TWO gorgeous lakes positioned equi-distant (less than an hour) to the Capitol and the Calatrava……a cultural mecca in its own right, now featuring a brand new state- of- the- art Performance Auditorium PLUS regular arts events.
This property is also offered for sale by ‘yours truly’, ask for brochures about this year’s lakefront/bandshell concerts, family movie nights at Fowler Lake Park, Nationally-juried Festival of the Arts and MORE!!!!! ‘There’s no place like home’ and Dorothy said it first in Oconomowoc…learn more about that by staying tuned to my blog entries or email me at 
The finishing touch for the City of Oconomowoc’s Wisconsin Avenue road project is the round-about. Recently I was taking aerial pictures of our fair city and snapped a few quick ones of the focal point of downtown. I must admit at first I thought the roundabout would not work very well, but using it almost daily it sure makes travel through this part of the city much quicker and easier. The Oconomowoc Rotary Club (of which I am a proud member) is donating a sizeable amount of money for the sculpture that will be displayed in the island of the roundabout, which is now the gateway to the city. Just west of the roundabout 
you will come upon the beautiful bricked city hall that houses the police department, mayor’s office and many other departments. For those of you who are unfamiliar with roundabouts the city has 
home at 
In the fall of 2008 Oconomowoc unveiled their two new middle schools, Silver Lake Intermediate and Nature Hill Intermediate Schools. The 
I have written in past blogs about the Oconomowoc Arts Center and seeing IS believing! If you are relocating to western Waukesha County and Lake Country, you will want to visit the school district to get a firsthand experience of everything Oconomowoc has to offer. One of the services I offer are school tours to relocating families. As a Certified Shorewest Relocation Specialist, I know how important finding the right school for your children is. Feel free to email me at 
is just off the lake and has fabulous panoramic views of a good deal of the lake. The stunning attention to detail for this shingle styled home is apparent in each room. The entire house has cherry floors. Priced at $1,499,900, this is a great opportunity to own a large estate just off Lac La Belle. For more details on this home at 
I just attended a meeting yesterday in which the city of Oconomowoc presented their plans for the revitalization of the waterfront in downtown Oconomowoc. The specific area of interest is the boardwalk behind Wisconsin Avenue along Fowler Lake. If you are a resident of Oconomowoc you may want to stop by city hall and take a look at what is being proposed. The planners would like the future green space/ park turn more into a destination area rather than the current use. From what I could see the plans look outstanding and more importantly if the city can pull this off I think they will succeed in making this area a destination. What I liked most about the presentation was the realization that the city leaders realize that there are some things (larger capital improvements) like the Fowler Lake Revitalization are projects that the city must tackle. This will help the business’ along Wisconsin Ave thrive. The plan is a longer range plan with a possible completion in 2018. That seems like a long way off, but in today’s economy maybe a little time from actual implementation may not be a bad thing. For a complete overview of the project visit , 
Starbucks, Nick N Willy’s and others are right in the complex too. More and more restaurants are popping up in the vicinity of Pabst as well. Of course we have the fabulous YMCA that more resembles an upscale fitness club than your run of the mill Y. 
Shorewest - Lake Country
Shorewest - Lake Country
