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!!
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.
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!
When Flight for Life is called to the scene of an accident, time is of the essence. One of the most critical things they need to have on board is type O negative blood. O negative blood is the universal blood type, which means it can be transfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type.The Flight for Life medical crew takes two to four units of O negative blood on each flight, and on-board transfusions have been instrumental in helping stabilize patients and save lives during transport.
O Neg blood is also in every hospital emergency room. It could be the difference between life and death in a serious emergency.
During the summer, especially around the 4th of July holiday, the need for O Neg donors is greater than ever. As a matter of fact, BloodCenter of Wisconsin has a limited supply of O negative blood, and they need our help.
While only 8% of people are type O negative, 100% of the population could be saved by it in an emergency situation. That’s why if you are type O negative, I urge you to donate blood at our drive on:
Date Friday 07/09/1010
Time noon- 5 pm
Location Shorewest Lake Country
Recruit someone you know who has never donated blood. Maybe he or she will be in that 8 percent of people who have O negative blood.
Just one unit of blood could save up to three lives.
If you have a family member with O negative blood, please invite them to our drive and schedule a donation time by calling the office at Shorewest 262-567-8351
June 25, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
I love a good Reuben and I think I have had some of the best around the country. Nosh-A-Rye on Longboat Key is as authentic as you get. Well a new restaurant opened here in Oconomowoc just the other day. For those of you locals this is the old Chuck’s Supper Club. The new establishment is Burke’s Lakeside and it is located on Valley Road about a mile and a half west of Hwy 67—right across the street from Silver Lake.
I met a friend there for lunch today and quickly scanned the menu for a Reuben and to my relief they offered one with a huge plate of fresh fries. My midline could do without the fries, but I have to try them for the sake of the blog! This scrumptious sandwich offered thick strips of corned beef a light sauce and not too much sauerkraut on a beautifully toasted marble rye all for an affordable $8.95. We sat on the deck since it was less humid today, but the inside of this new eatery is very trendy with linen table cloths, nice flatware and a comfortable environment. I definitely want to try their dinner menu in the near future. I think I found my new favorite place for the trusty Reuben.
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.
Have you ever done this? You find a great eating establishment and you order the same thing each time not wanting to switch to something different? I do it all the time, but last night rather than having the world famous Reuben at The Rochester Deli, I tried their Italian Panini and the Devonshire Panini. No I didn’t have two entrees, my wife, Lori ordered one and I the other then we swapped halves. WOW were they good. The Deli is such a great place to hang out. I prefer to eat outside at one of the patio tables, taking in the quiet pace of downtown Waukesha. Once those delish dishes were history I had my eye on the almond cookies that were hunkered down in the pastry case. I love almond and especially marzipan. If you don’t know what marzipan is go ask your grandmother. A hot cup of tea and a delectable fresh homemade almond cookie—ok it was really good. We chatted with friends until the place closed which was a little early for me 7pm, but hey it’s a deli and they were open all day. So now I can tastefully recommend the Reuben, Devonshire and the Italian Panini at The Rochester Deli.
If you read my posts, you may recognize that I enjoy giving you, the reader, bits and pieces of what it’s like to live in Southeastern Wisconsin. I do some hard reporting on the state of the real estate market, but mostly, I enjoy painting the picture of what it’s like to live in Lake Country, Wisconsin.
However, I am asked frequently about the state of the real estate market, and decided that it is equally important to share with you, the big picture regarding housing in Wisconsin and the nation. My favorite source of information regarding real estate and where it’s heading, is from Steve Harney. I am a pin wearing, card carrying, blog reading, twitter and facebook posting member of “Harney’s Army!” He’s spot on in terms of sharing the truth about the market.
Steve was in Brookfield, today, and I was impressed with this particular comment, “The professional doesn’t see the glass as half empty, or as half full…but recognizes that there’s water in the glass.” I love that!! Buyers and sellers will continue to move, regardless of interest rates, home prices, inventory volumes, etc. My job, as a professional, is to equip my clients with the information they need to maneuver through the ever changing market with the greatest success.
So, in an effort to share my knowledge of the market, I am going to share Steve’s advice and insight on the market with you. Watch for daily links to Steve’s blog, “Keeping Current Matters.” The information is invaluable! My cultural posts will continue, as well, but these links are required reading for the buyer or seller who wants to be “in the know.” Today’s article touches on the subject of the Housing Recovery, and how “shadow inventory” will affect it. Feel free to contact me with questions.
May 17, 2010 at 11:10 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The beautiful quiet roads of Lake Country beckon most to the quiet lifestyle and the easy pace of living in the midst of the 27 crystal clear lakes that dot our landscape. On most any day you will find the back roads teeming with bike riders–not the motorized kind, but the pedal type of enthusiast who loves the great outdoors and a good workout. A challenging ride for serious riders can be joined each Wednesday night at the Bike Doctor in Dousman, locally referred to as “Drop the Doc” The idea is to stay with the peloton as long as you can before you get dropped. The route is usually about 26 miles and winds through places like Sullivan and Rome. I usually get dropped by the “Doc” but it is a very fun experience. I decided to work on a ride for our office called TEAM SHOREWEST. We had Jersey’s designed and have lots of fun as an office. Our route is a little easier 17.5 miles and we also leave every Wednesday night at 6pm unless it is raining. The ride is open to all who want some good exercise and a quick ride. If you are an experienced rider this could be your coasting night. Regardless of skill level we would love to have you join us. We do not ride in the rain so you can plan accordingly. If you like these cool jersey’s let me know and we can order one for you on your next order.
In this picture some of the riders from TEAM SHOREWEST braved the 35mph winds on one ride. It was fun and breezy.
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.
As I mentioned in a past post, spring is a great time to tune up the winter body with some bike riding, and southeastern Wisconsin offers some of the nicest rides around!
Starting tonight, Wheel and Sprocket bicycle shop is host to the ”Nation’s Largest Bike Expo Sale” at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center. As the host states, “You can find a bike, buy a bike and ride it home!” The event features over 1500 bikes and thousands of accessories, for the amateur and the serious rider. It’s free to the public, and opens at 4pm Thursday, and runs through Sunday.
Stay tuned for more biking information, as our local “Shorewest Family” sets out to ride weekly on the trails of Lake Country. If you see a group of riders decked out in red and black, it just may be your dedicated Shorewest agents, taking a break from selling the wonderful real estate in Lake Country, to enjoy the beauty of it themselves!
Hi! My name is Tim Wright. I moved to Wisconsin in 2008 and now live in Kenosha with my growing family. Prior to moving I was a realtor in northern Michigan for a number of years.
I have Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice and Elementary Education, but soon found that Real Estate is a great passion of mine; I enjoy the unique details of houses and seeing people turn houses into homes. Since then I have completed courses in Marketing, Real Estate Law, Ethics and Home Marketing Specialties.
Through my family I have become involved with the Continental Band program, Girl Scouts, CYC Sports, and the Wolfenbüttel, Germany High School Exchange program here in Kenosha.
Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource Specialist
I look forward to assisting you will all of your real estate needs!
So how does the Menomonee Falls WI real estate market look these days?
Menomonee Falls new Listings report is from 3/20/10 through 3/27/10 for Single Family homes for sale. Currently, Menomonee Falls has a average listing price for sale of $327,493. The Waukesha county average currently is $431,322.
The current number of properties on the market in Menomonee Falls WI is 187. The Waukesha county Single Family listings total 2633.
Below you will find some New Listings in Menomonee Falls for the week of 3/20/10-3/27/10.
For More Information about these listings (or any others) or to get a free list of foreclosures, call or email The Kuchta’s Kelly & Colleen.
-Dedicated to honest, efficient, courteous and above all, individualized customer service
-Member Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors®
-Lifelong Southeastern Wisconsin resident
-Awarded Outstanding Volunteer 2009, Girl Scouts USA
-MBA, UW-Milwaukee School of Business
-BA, Ripon College
-Graduate of Oconomowoc High School
-Over 10 years of financial services experience prior to becoming a Full Time Real Estate Sales Associate
Les Kane here blogging for you my Wisconsin community. I live and sell for our founders’ short list of “Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” It’s a short but thorough list. I do believe it’s reachable if we consider it in every action of every day. I defend this right in my client as well. I love to help them make sure their Real estate choices are not limiting them in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I love to search for wise purchases as hard as I will help them find a compelling price for their properties. There is no question too small or large I can’t find an answer to.
With masters degree in counseling and Shorewest training I can fulfill your real estate needs. I have lived in this area, raised and schooled my children in this area, which gives me the client’s perspective. No matter how unique the real estate task, be it commercial or residential, I can help.
Providing Shorewest’s cutting edge marketing and Internet Technology.
Boat equipped for on-the-water property tours of Geneva Lake.
Graduate-Shorewest Real Estate Institute
Member-Lakes Area Realtors® Association
Member-Wisconsin Realtors® Association
Member-National Association of Realtors®
Please stop and see me at the Delavan Sales office- 830 E. Geneva St in Delavan!
Selling homes in Wisconsin in the winter, can be challenging. When the snow flies and temperatures drop, buyers can “hibernate”. It’s not unusual to track showings with the weather. A bright sunny day can produce several families at an open house, whereas, a cloudy, cold, snowy day can result in a “no-show” open. Unfortunately, we are in a long, steady home market. The days of putting a property on the market in the spring, and removing it in the fall are over. Now, more than ever, sellers need to take advantage of the tax incentives, low interest rates, and the many other tools that companies such as Shorewest have to offer, to result in a sale and a “date” at the closing table.
As a professional, full service agent, it is my duty to provide my sellers with options to maximize their exposure to buyers. One such option is staging the interior AND exterior of one’s home. This recent online post I found through the Greater Milwaukee Board of Realtors points out several tips of the trade that agents and sellers can use to achieve this goal. A good example of these strategies are highlighted in the video below. I think you may find the video and the article helpful.
If you’d like more information regarding the many tools Shorewest and I can offer, give me a call or stop by the open house on Sunday at the featured listing. In the meantime, enjoy the remaining weeks of winter, and remember that spring will be here, before you know it.
February 05, 2010 at 04:07 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
My trusted smart phone kicked the bucket the other day and I was forced rather quickly to think about another phone. Not wanting to switch carriers, I did decide to jump into the Apple world. Both of my sons have Apple laptops and brag how the “old man” needs to get with it. So, I bought the iPhone 3GS and started looking at some of the apps that my guys were always talking about. Here is a cool one I found for Real Estate; Sherwin Williams—you know the paint store, they have this cool app. So let’s say you are thinking about re-painting the living room, but your favorite couch is not in need of re-covering. Well take a picture with your iPhone of the couch and the app will give you the primary color and two secondary colors that you could use to accent the room with. even gives you the Sherwin Williams paint numbers so you could go to the store and get a sample! How cool is that? If you have an iPhone, the app is FREE.
Shorewest also has this really cool app for finding homes with a geo locator feature. Let’s say you’re having your favorite cuppa at Starbucks in Oconomowoc and you want to know all the available homes for sale around your location. If you have loaded the FREE iPhone app for Shorewest it is a snap. A couple quick taps on the phone and voila you have the latest inventory at your fingertips, literally! Click here to view and download the free Shorewest Iphone app.
February 02, 2010 at 12:01 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Well it might not be there in time for many home owners who find themselves “underwater” in their mortgage. As a heads up the new HAMP program or Home Affordability Modification Program, that Washington put in place, has a few changes that were recently implemented. The goal is to streamline the process. Click Here for more information on the HAMP changes.
In other news, a report recently released indicates that FHA is in good shape. Some people critical of the FHA were concerned that they are taking a bigger risk in the mortgage business with their dramatic increase in market share. This story makes the point that their share has risen from a 3% market share to a 30% market share almost overnight. A personal note: FHA has played a role in the real estate recovery; however the low down payments are very concerning. Yes FHA requires a higher credit score, however even with good credit if one of the two persons who are buying the housing loses a job (a possibility in this economy) or their income is adjusted slightly, does FHA think those borrowers wont default? These are difficult times for everyone. The sooner we move towards responsible lending and borrowing the better our recovery will be. If the borrowers continue to live on the edge we could face another round of difficulties.
February 01, 2010 at 04:46 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
This quick video gives some reasons why walking away from your home may not be a good idea. The financial impact of a foreclosure decision can negatively impact your credit for the next 5-7 years. Short sales are longer and can be more difficult routes, however the negative impact can be as little as 2 years on your credit. Take a look at the video and decide for yourself. If you find yourself in this situation feel free to call me and we can discuss your options.
January 20, 2010 at 08:42 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
The Real Estate market is changing fast. Recently the NAR (National Association of Realtors) developed a program that educates agents to become advocates for sellers who find themselves in very difficult waters with their current mortgage, i.e. short sales and foreclosures. A short sale is when a homeowner sells their property for less than the current mortgage balance. The “shortage” is often but not always absorbed by the bank. Because of the growing problem with foreclosures, this option is providing a way out for distressed homeowners and banks who find themselves with a growing inventory of bad mortgages.
The NAR developed the “Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification” (SFR), which I was happy to learn more about. Recently I passed the exam and received the SFR certification. I also completed the REO Trans Network training and exams and am now certified to assist with REO inventory (Real Estate Owned) that the banks have assumed. As a leader at Shorewest I believe that continuing education is paramount in addition to assisting clients in this very difficult economy.
If you have further questions about the market give me a call at the office, toll free 1-888-HEY GLEN
Straight from the News Hub desk is this quick video on the housing market. Now is the time to consider buying your home IF you can afford it. Real Estate has always been a very good long term investment. If you are contemplating buying a home now is the perfect time, interest rates are low and the supply is vast. Check the video out for yourself and decide if it is best for you.
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.
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.
Are you considering a home purchase, but can’t seem to pull the trigger, due to anxiety over the general job climate? Understandably, in today’s economy, consumers are becoming more and more conservative. However, home prices from a buyer’s perspective, are the best they’ve been in years, rates are at all time lows, and the housing selection is fabulous. And conversely, if you are a home seller, and are committed to selling, Shorewest and I can offer you many innovative tools, to insure that you are receiving the biggest “piece of the home buying pie”, and that your home receives a satisfactory offer and makes it to the closing table.
Shorewest has established itself as the market leader in Southeastern Wisconsin, and this week, we can give you, yet another reason why this is the case.
We are now offering to our sellers, a Job Loss Protection Program!
Just what IS a Job Loss Protection Plan? Simply put, it is a seller paid program that gives buyers access to a very unique 24 month program, to assist with the mortgage payments on their new home, in the event of an unforeseen job loss. It is NOT insurance, but rather, a specific, mortgage payment assistance program, to help buyers through temporary setbacks, due to a job loss. Wow!!! The cost to sellers to participate is minimal, and the market exposure is huge! As a seller, you will receive special marketing status, to set your home apart from other sellers. As a buyer, you will be able to target homes with this program. This program has been applied in other states, across the country, and to other industries, such as the auto industry, with great success. Leave it to Shorewest, to bring this program to Wisconsin residents.
I can’t tell you how awesome this is, from a Realtor® perspective. To be able to offer my clients, sellers and buyers alike, another tool that provides “peace of mind” in the home purchasing process, is wonderful.
Now is the best time for you to acquire that new home! Homes prices are low, interest rates are low and we have a lot of inventory for you to choose from.
Did you ever stop to wonder why people purchase the American Dream? Well, some of the reasons you might hear is because you want one, your income allows you to afford one and it seems like the right time in your life. However, the biggest reason for you to own your own home is because it will be yours. The rent money you pay to someone else every month will no longer exist and one of the greatest benefits is the fact that your home will reflect your own personality.
Now, you are probably thinking you can’t afford one at this time, but we have several wonderful programs that will help make that happen. FHA has a program that allows you to put as low as 3.5 percent down. In addition, if you haven’t saved a lot of money, or if you are a single parent, you may qualify for a special grant thru the federal government. Lastly, if you are a First-Time Home Buyer (which means, anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years), the federal government has provided an $8,000.00 Tax Credit for you. This tax credit is only available thru November 30, 2009, which means you must have closed on your new home on/or before November 30, 2009, and you won’t have to pay back any of this money. To qualify your income level must be $75,000 or less, if you are single and $150,000 or less for couples.
If you want to own a piece of the American Dream, now is the time to begin your search. Please give me a call today to start you on your way to owning a new home.
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.
If you are looking to purchase a new home in Southeastern Wisconsin, I encourage you to contact Shorewest Realtors.
Shorewest Realtors is a family owned business and has been in operation since 1946. Our mission is to serve the families of Southeastern
Wisconsin. When the doors were first opened in 1946 we had a
one-person office and today, we currently have 27 offices, serving a twelve-county area. Shorewest encompasses 1,700 individuals, all here to serve you. These dedicated people make it happen. We are trained to be the best we can be, which will provide you a smooth move and in many cases, a friend for life.
Part of Shorewest Realtors power is our cutting edge technology. This year alone we launched GOSWR.COM, You Tube and iLocate, additions to the 24 hour hotline, Shorewest TV and Shorewest.com. GOSWR.com enables consumers to look at homes from their mobile phone. You Tube offers video tours of nearly 4,000 properties and iLocate is for those of you who have IPhones. It allows buyers to quickly find real estate listings by price or location.
Shorewest Realtors also provides its’ buyers and sellers one stop shopping.
Our services include Wisconsin Mortgage Corporation, Heritage Title Services, Shorewest Real Estate Institute, Shorewest Insurance Associates, Marketing Department, Information Technology, Home Services, Career Development, Closing Department and a fantastic Relocation Department.
Why wouldn’t you want to work with Wisconsin’s Largest Home Seller? If you are considering a move to Southeastern Wisconsin, our Real Estate Experts will guide you through the process. For more information, please give me a call, Sharon Tomlinson, at 262-470-2000 or e-mail sharon@shorewest.com.
All the above factors lead to one thing. Below is a graph showing that Shorewest Realtors outsells it’s competition 5 to 1. I don’t think you can wait another minute, pick up that phone and see why Shorewest Realtors is the Biggest and the BEST!
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.
- Full Time Real Estate Professional
- Lake Country Native
- Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
- Master Sales Professional
- Multi-million Dollar Producer
Specialties include:
Luxury Home Marketing
Waterfront Properties
Home Staging and Remodeling Services including a Referral Network of Home Improvement Specialists
Southeastern Wisconsin has many wonderful places to live, however, if you are looking for one of the most spectacular places to live, you will want to check out “The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake” in Ottawa, Wisconsin.
The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake features rolling hills, woods, prairies, steep slopes, wetlands and a shoreland for your enjoyment. In addition, you will find a one-mile segment of the 1,000 mile-long Ice Age National Scenic Trail which winds its way through the undulating terrain within the community’s common area and then it connects to the private subdivision trails.
The exclusive sub-division includes over 185 acres of permanently preserved open space. During the 1850’s this land was farmed by the Hunter family and is filled rich in history. While farming, they built a lannon stone mansion and established a small stone quarry to serve the area building industry. The quarry later closed and the property was taken over by a prominent Milwaukee brewing family.
The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake is nestled on 285 acres and includes three-fourths of a mile of undeveloped shoreline on Hunter’s Lake, as well as, a small stream-fed lake.
If you are looking for the perfect place to call home, you are in luck. Currently I have a listing in this heavily sought after sub-division. This 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial located in The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake. As you enter this home, you will be impressed by the beautiful foyer, next we have a formal living room, which has an office/den attached to it. Walk thru the French doors and come into the cozy family room, complete with Natural fireplace. Next you will enjoy the large kitchen/dinette with patio doors leading you out to a beautiful back yard. Upstairs you will find the spacious master suite, complete with whirlpool tub, shower and double vanity sinks. Finally, you will have deeded lake access to Hunter’s Lake and will be able to enjoy all the many amenities this fabulous subdivision has to offer.
For more information on this home, please contact Sharon Tomlinson at 262-470-2000 or e-mail at stomlinson@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.
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
I have been a practicing Real Estate Professional for 9 years. I have been through extensive training and the designations. This has helped me focus on my clients needs. I also am a member of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, and the National Association of Realtors. I have served on the Lakes Area Realtors Association for 8 years, and was the President of that association in the year 2007-2008. I also was the Realtor of the Year for 2005-2006.
We could Brag about all our awards:
*PRESIDENT'S CLUB,* NATIONAL SALES AWARD,*$105 MILLION CLUB
OR
Our professional designations:
*ABR
*BROKER ASSOCIATE
*CERTIFIED LUXURY HOME MARKETING SPECIALIST
We'd rather share our extensive knowledge in:
*RELOCATION *COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS
*LIFESTYLE MATCHING *SPECIAL NEEDS
*SCHOOL STATISICS
Trusting The Steinke Team of Brian and Mary
with your home sale or purchase is EASY!
As a seasoned athlete, coach, and educator, Brian brings diligence to charting each detail of the sale and closing process.
Mary's record breaking career as a Sales Director
assures creative marketing and negotiating for optimum results.
Mary & Brian are motivated by their grandchildren- 29 more reasons to trust the Steinke Team!
"Over 40 Years...Serving Lake Country and the Kettle Moraine"
Full Time Professional Broker Associates committed to excellence
Members-Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors
Multi-Million Dollar Producers
#1 Team in Units and Volume in the Menomonee Falls office.
Career Sales of $44.3 Million
President's Club Members
Specializing in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties
Two full service agents for the price of one!
"Families helping families"
Full Time Realtor®
Residential or Commercial
Member-Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors®
Certified Residential Specialist - CRS
Accredited Buyer Representative - ABR
Broker Associate
Certified Residential Negiotiater - CREN
Master Sales Academy Award Winner
Germantown Planning Commission - 9 years
2007: 7.6 Million in Closed Transactions
4 Children & 7 Grandchildren
Scuba Diver
- Selling?
- Buying?
- Relocating in or out of the state?
Call Me Today Toll Free 1-877-74Jerry!!
Since its origin in 1946, Shorewest, REALTORS® has always been a family-owned company dedicated to helping other families in Wisconsin. We’ve grown from a one-person office in Wauwatosa to 27 sales offices covering a twelve-county area. And the Shorewest “family” now includes over 1,700 people as committed to Wisconsin as the day John A. Horning started the company out of his home over 60 years ago.
Today, the Shorewest family of companies includes Wisconsin Mortgage Corporation, Heritage Title Services, Shorewest Real Estate Institute and Shorewest Insurance Associates, plus Home Closing, Marketing, Information Technology, Home Services, Career Development and Relocation Center divisions.
Staying true to our mission and values.
Midwestern values like hard work, dedication and a family-first philosophy are deeply ingrained in the people of Shorewest. As a family-owned company since 1946, all of us are driven every day by the following mission statement, adopted October 1986:
We are a team…
Proudly independent;
Dedicated to serving the housing needs of Wisconsin;
Committed to unsurpassed customer service;
Pledged to share our talents for mutual growth and prosperity.
statement decoration
Steady leadership for the road ahead.
Joe and John Horning
Joe and John P. Horning represent the third generation of leadership at Shorewest, having taken the reins in 2002. Joe (President) and John P. (Executive Vice President) joined Shorewest after college and have since proven themselves as accomplished business leaders.
The people who make it all happen.
You don’t become Wisconsin’s Largest Home Seller™ without an exceptional sales staff. At Shorewest, our 1,300-plus associates know the market and are driven to put your needs first. With 27 offices located throughout Wisconsin—each with a full-time manager for support—you’ll get the responsiveness you need whether you’re buying or selling a home. We train our people to be the best, so the service you receive is nothing short of just that.
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.
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.
Glenn Hanon
When Flight for Life is called to the scene of an accident, time is of the essence. One of the most critical things they need to have on board is type O negative blood. O negative blood is the universal blood type, which means it can be transfused to anyone, regardless of their blood type.The Flight for Life medical crew takes two to four units of O negative blood on each flight, and on-board transfusions have been instrumental in helping stabilize patients and save lives during transport.
Karen Trepton
Tim Wright
It is always great to see builders busy these days with the ‘new’ real estate market. In the 
Have you ever done this? You find a great eating establishment and you order the same thing each time not wanting to switch to something different? I do it all the time, but last night rather than having the world famous Reuben at 
I decided to work on a ride for our office called TEAM SHOREWEST. We had Jersey’s designed and have lots of fun as an office. Our route is a little easier 17.5 miles and we also leave every Wednesday night at 6pm unless it is raining. The ride is open to all who want some good exercise and a quick ride. If you are an experienced rider this could be your coasting night. Regardless of skill level we would love to have you join us. We do not ride in the rain so you can plan accordingly. If you like these cool jersey’s let me know and we can order one for you on your next order.
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.
Kelly Kuchta
Shorewest - New Berlin
Les Kane here blogging for you my Wisconsin community. I live and sell for our founders’ short list of “Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” It’s a short but thorough list. I do believe it’s reachable if we consider it in every action of every day. I defend this right in my client as well. I love to help them make sure their Real estate choices are not limiting them in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I love to search for wise purchases as hard as I will help them find a compelling price for their properties. There is no question too small or large I can’t find an answer to.
My trusted smart phone kicked the bucket the other day and I was forced rather quickly to think about another phone. Not wanting to switch carriers, I did decide to jump into the Apple world. Both of my sons have Apple laptops and brag how the “old man” needs to get with it. So, I bought the iPhone 3GS and started looking at some of the apps that my guys were always talking about. Here is a cool one I found for Real Estate; Sherwin Williams—you know the paint store, they have this cool app. So let’s say you are thinking about re-painting the living room, but your favorite couch is not in need of re-covering. Well take a picture with your iPhone of the couch and the app will give you the primary color and two secondary colors that you could use to accent the room with. even gives you the Sherwin Williams paint numbers so you could go to the store and get a sample! How cool is that? If you have an iPhone, the app is FREE. 
In other news, a 
I was happy to learn more about. Recently I passed the exam and received the SFR certification. I also completed the REO Trans Network training and exams and am now certified to assist with REO inventory (Real Estate Owned) that the banks have assumed. As a leader at Shorewest I believe that continuing education is paramount in addition to assisting clients in this very difficult economy. 
south to downtown, through the round-about westward on Wisconsin Avenue, and then south on Main Street to Roosevelt Park.
Are you considering a home purchase, but can’t seem to pull the trigger, due to anxiety over the general job climate? Understandably, in today’s economy, consumers are becoming more and more conservative. However, home prices from a buyer’s perspective, are the best they’ve been in years, rates are at all time lows, and the housing selection is fabulous. And conversely, if you are a home seller, and are committed to selling, Shorewest and I can offer you many innovative tools, to insure that you are receiving the biggest “piece of the home buying pie”, and that your home receives a satisfactory offer and makes it to the closing table.
Sharon Tomlinson
Shorewest - Lake Country
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.
The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake features rolling hills, woods, prairies, steep slopes, wetlands and a shoreland for your enjoyment. In addition, you will find a one-mile segment of the 1,000 mile-long Ice Age National Scenic Trail which winds its way through the undulating terrain within the community’s common area and then it connects to the private subdivision trails.
The exclusive sub-division includes over 185 acres of permanently preserved open space. During the 1850’s this land was farmed by the Hunter family and is filled rich in history. While farming, they built a lannon stone mansion and established a small stone quarry to serve the area building industry. The quarry later closed and the property was taken over by a prominent Milwaukee brewing family. 
The Preserve at Hunter’s Lake is nestled on 285 acres and includes three-fourths of a mile of undeveloped shoreline on Hunter’s Lake, as well as, a small stream-fed lake. 
doors and come into the cozy family room, complete with Natural fireplace. Next you will enjoy the large kitchen/dinette with patio doors leading you out to a beautiful back yard. Upstairs you will find the spacious master suite, complete with whirlpool tub, shower and double vanity sinks. Finally, you will have deeded lake access to Hunter’s Lake and will be able to enjoy all the many amenities this fabulous subdivision has to offer. 
Shorewest - Lake Country
Shorewest - Lake Geneva
Shorewest - Lake Country
Shorewest - Lake Country
Shorewest - Menomonee Falls
Shorewest - Lake Geneva
Shorewest - Menomonee Falls
