Archive for tag Southeastern wisconsin
August 02, 2010 at 12:00 AM
As a Realtor in southeastern Wisconsin, people often ask me information about the inland lakes near homes they are interested in. Lake properties offer many advantages and it’s best to get all the information to see if a particular lake meets your needs. How deep is it? What types of fish live in it? Is there a public swimming area? How many acres is it?
The answers to all of these questions can be found online. Below are several links that can help you find the information you need … and decide which lake house is right for you!
- www.dnr.wi.gov/lakes - This is my favorite link. It will take you directly to a guide for buyers.
- www.wisconsinlakes.org/lake_laws.htm
- www.lake-link.com/
- www.bayfieldcounty.org/landrecords/inland_lakes.htm
- www.aissmartprevention.wisc.edu
- www.co.jackson.wi.us/html/forestry/scuba.htm
Posted by: 
Tim Wright
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July 06, 2009 at 02:34 PM
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.
Posted by:
Sharon Tomlinson
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June 16, 2009 at 08:38 PM
One of the best things about the “Power of Shorewest”, is that our management team does whatever is necessary to supply us, as agents, with the most current and effective information, in which to educate our buyers and sellers about the market. I just left a very informative conference regarding national housing trends, and specifically, how those trends affect our local Southeastern Wisconsin real estate market. Our guest speaker, a national real estate expert, left us with the message that “Realtors can help save the world economy!” I didn’t exactly sign on as a “world economic savior” when I received my license, however, in all seriousness, the fact that the world economy is tied to the United States economy, and the U.S. economy is driven, in large part by housing, does put Realtors® in a unique position of educating our buyers and sellers about how their home buying and selling decisions can assist in stopping the downward spiral of the housing market.
The biggest questions buyers and sellers alike are asking is, “Where is the bottom of this downturn?”, and “Is now a good time to buy or sell, or should I wait?” Let’s start with the first question.
According to some recent reports
, Washington sources are saying, “WASHINGTON -Single family construction posted a modest rebound in April, raising hopes that the three-year slide in housing is leveling off. But a bulging supply of unsold homes, record levels of foreclosures and still-falling home prices suggest a sustained recovery isn’t likely until next spring at the earliest.” Foreclosures are still on the rise, with reports on Bloomberg.com stating that as many as 700,000 homes are still being held in the wings, by major U.S. lenders, and are yet to hit the market, affirming the article cited above. So, is this the bottom?? If it isn’t, it’s close.
Now, let’s look at the second question…
Even if there is a bit more room in pricing regarding hitting the “price bottom”, rates are starting to inch back up. The Feds have stepped in to artificially control this trend, but eventually, the normal course of free economics will supercede, and rates will climb. The trade off between price and rate, may indicate that now is the time to act. To read more about this, check out a recent article
on my personal blog.
Posted by:
Karen Trepton
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June 12, 2009 at 04:45 PM
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!
Posted by:Karen Trepton
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June 04, 2009 at 08:58 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
If I give too many clues you may know where this sign is located. I am curious if you have seen this too. We have school crossings and of course those are closely monitored. The State of Wisconsin has rules for pedestrian crossings in downtown areas, but the best crossing sign I have seen is this one—Turtle Crossing. I would surmise that the turtle needs this sign to warn us. Can you imagine crossing a busy road when you have the speed of a…uh hem…a turtle? Just the other day I saw a brave little painted turtle trying to cross a very busy road. Those shells will hold up to most everything except cars. Well if you have a theory as to where this sign is located just let me know I would be interested in your guesses.
Posted by:
Glenn Hanon
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May 21, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Support your local farmer…
There is a healthy movement about! It’s called BUY LOCAL! The idea is to support the local agricultural community by purchasing our foodstuffs close to home. This way the farmer saves on transportation costs and the consumer gets food fresh from the farm. I like the logic of this idea, and I am always looking for new opportunities to buy local. This year I am trying a few new things that I am excited about. In February I ordered beef straight from a local farm. I had no idea what to expect: how much meat made up ¼ of the cow? What cuts would I get? How many steaks, roasts, soup bones, burgers and hamburger would I receive? How big are the various cuts of meat? Did I have ROOM in my freezer? Will it keep?
WOW! I am so pleased with this adventure! I paid the farmer a flat fee per pound for all the beef, whether steaks or burgers. The butcher charge was separate and dependent upon the cuts I selected from a chart. When I picked up the meat from the butcher it was packaged, labeled and frozen solid – ready to pop into my home freezer. The packaging allows me to see the cut of meat so that I know exactly what I am choosing, and I can estimate how many people it will feed. OH THE TASTE! I have never tasted beef so full of flavor.
This Spring I have purchased a partial share in a CSA organic farm. CSA stands for “community supported agriculture”. Paid in advance, the cash from the sale of shares provides the funds that the farmer needs to stay in business and make a profit. My share entitles me to a portion of his fresh crop each AND EVERY week for 20 weeks. My “share” also includes a share in the risk: if the season is a poor one, I will receive less for my money. However, if the season produces a banner crop, I will reap the benefits! I just like this idea! It seems right to me. I also like the idea of eating fresh vegetables right off the vine!
Support your local farmer! BUY LOCAL! Let’s keep our farmers producing a healthy crop right here in Southeastern Wisconsin!
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May 18, 2009 at 03:16 PM · Posted under Area Attractions & Events
Are you planning on visiting Southeastern Wisconsin for some summer fun? If you enjoy taking a dip in the water, canoeing, or tossing a frisbee, you will want to check out one, if not all six public beaches located in Waukesha County.
The beaches are as follows:
Fox Brook Park located at 2925 N. Barker Road, Brookfield
Fox Brook’s swimming beach boasts a large sand beach area along the 25-acre lake. Pedal boat rentals are available at a cost of $8.00 per hour.
Menomonee Park located at W220 N7884 Townline Road, Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Park features the 16-acre Menomonee Quarry Lake.
Minooka Park located at 1927 E. Sunset Drive, Waukesha
Minooka’s swimming area consists of a 4-acre pond.
Muskego Park located at S83 W20370 Janesville Road, Muskego
Muskego’s one-acre pond and swimming beach is a great place to get a good tan or swim.
Mukwonago Park located at Highway LO, Town of Mukwonago
A significant feature of Mukwonago Park is the 16-acre spring fed lake creating a delightful setting for picnickers and all park users. Adjacent to the lake is a swimming pond with a broad sand beach.
Naga-Waukee Park located at 651 Highway 83, Delafield
Naga-Waukee’s beach is on the waters of Lake Nagawicka. It has a beautiful picnic site, lots of room for summer games and a golf course.
Beach hours are 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday and 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Waukesha County does provide lifeguards at all area beaches daily. There is an entrance fee to the park and that cost is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends and holidays. If you plan on visiting all six beaches while vacationing in Southeastern Wisconsin, then you might want to consider purchasing a annual park entrance sticker for $25 if you live in Waukesha County and $36 if you are a non-county resident. If you are a Senior Citizen, your annual park fee will be $12.50.
If you plan on visiting and need a map of the area, please call Sharon Tomlinson at 262-470-2000 and I will provide you with all the information you need to make your visit more entertaining.
Posted by:Sharon Tomlinson
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May 18, 2009 at 02:36 PM
I lived in Wales for eighteen years and I can honestly say, it is one of the best places to live. What I liked most about Wales were the people in the community. They all just seemed to care so much about each other. Whenever I would walk my two dogs, I was always greeted by everyone I met. In addition, I found neighbors taking care of neighbors. My wonderful neighbor plowed out my driveway all winter long, without ever being asked and if I needed my grass cut, he was the first one over to help me out. Now, that’s what I call a great place to live.
If you ever have the opportunity to drive through this community I would urge you to drive down Main Street. There you will find a Bread and Breakfast, a few specialty shops, post office, bike trail and two parks and if you looked up and around you will observe the Wales Flag. To learn about the national flag of Wales, click here.
In addition, Wales is known for a famous Ice Cream Shop called Le Duc’s. It is said to have some of the best ice cream in the United States.
Currently we have 23 properties for sale ranging from $207,000 to $2,650,000. Listed below is one of my listings located in Wales, Wisconsin.
Sellers have priced this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Colonial to sell. Plenty of room to roam! Living room is perfect for entertaining, large eat-in kitchen overlooks backyard & has a wood-burning stove. Office/den completes the main level. Upstairs you will find 4 generous sized bedrooms & 2 full bathrooms. Lower level completes this home with 2 more additional rooms. All of this, plus 1 acre lot, fenced in yard & award winning Kettle Moraine schools! For more information on this home or any others in Wales, please call Sharon at 262-470-2000 or e-mail sharon@shorewest.com. Wales is one of the best places to live in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Posted by:Sharon Tomlinson
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May 13, 2009 at 03:02 PM
This is probably one of my favorite lakes and it is because I grew up on this lake. It is where I learned all of my water sports. When I was little, I remember being thrown in the water and told to swim to the pier, and when I wanted to ski, I sat at the end of the pier with my skis on, yelled to the driver to begin, and the boat would take off. It was so easy to learn how to ski. It also helped having a cement pier.
When the weather was hot, I would hop on my raft and float around the lake. When most people would use the roads to travel to their friends' homes, I would hop on my raft and float over. It was a great way to get a good tan.
One of my favorite memories was with my sister, Maria. It was winter and when we would get a smooth sheet of ice we would put on our ice skates and grab a garbage bag. We would open the garbage bag and used it like a sail. We would travel all over the ice on our skates. The only problem we had is when the wind would shift and we needed to get home. There were many times we had to skate a long way to get home.
Now, a little more about Pewaukee Lake. Pewaukee Lake is located in north central Waukesha County. It is approximately 2,493 acres in size and averages about 10 feet deep and its maximum depth is 45 feet. If you are looking for a good fishing lake, Pewaukee Lake is where you will find bass, stocked muskie, northern, bluegill, crappie, perch and walleye. In addition to fishing, Pewaukee Lake is a great place to ski and sail.
Once on the lake, you will find a few restaurants where you will be able to dock your boat and get a bite to eat.
If you are looking for a beach then you will want to visit the Pewaukee Beach. There you will find a docking pier and a very sandy beach for the children to swim.
Lastly, if you enjoy shopping, you will want to check out the many tiny shops located in the Village of Pewaukee.
This lake has a variety of entertainment for your pleasure. Please be sure to check out this lake the next time you visit Southeastern Wisconsin.
Posted by:Sharon Tomlinson
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April 08, 2009 at 05:26 PM · Posted under Glenn Hanon
Okay, okay, that’s what headlines are supposed to do—get your attention. But here is the real deal with buyers today—cash in hand, no home to sell, ready to buy today. When that perfect buyer walks through your home, they are not coming to buy your home. Yes it is true. Why you might ask? Here is the Aha moment. The buyer is most likely looking at 30-35 homes, one of which is yours. They cannot buy 35 homes so what they are doing is ranking each home that they see compared to the list of items, location, amenities, whatever their list is, and they are crossing off homes on the list that don’t measure up. If your home does not have enough of the items that they are looking for then they will most certainly strike it from the list. But wait there’s more….My job as a listing agent is to assist you with what “hurdles” we can remove for that perfect buyer (or not so perfect buyer) If we can remove enough “hurdles” or objections to your home, then we have a better chance of attracting the buyer. Here is a classic example that I have heard over the 22 years of selling Real Estate. The sellers carpeting is worn or outdated and instead of replacing the carpet the seller says something like, “I can just give the buyer a credit and they can pick the color that they would like” Well that might sound reasonable, but when I suggest a color for the carpeting I wasn’t thinking of something that only 5% of the market might want. I would select a carpet that 90-95% of the market wants. Besides if it is a hassle for the seller it is a bigger hassle for the buyer. Remember we have to be removing obstacles to the sale not adding them! If you would like a complete analysis of your home just shoot me an email at ghanon@shorewest.com or give me a shout at the office, 262-567-4349 and we can begin removing the “hurdles” in your home.
Posted By:
Glenn Hanon
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