Wisconsin Real Estate

I think I've written about this topic in the past, but because of some recent happenings, I think it bears repeating.

The first step to buying a house is to get pre-approved.

I know some buyers out there don't want to hear that. You just want to get a taste of what's on the market. What can you get for $150,000? What can you get for $200,000? What can you get for $250,000?

But the bottom line is, it's too risky for me to take the time to search the market for you, to email listings to you, and to drive around showing houses to you if we don't know how much the bank will loan you. And it makes me wonder if perhaps you're not as serious about buying a house as I might have thought you are.

And there's a risk for you, as well. You could walk through a house that you fall in love with only to learn you don't qualify for the price point. Or worse, you could write an offer on a house only to have the seller reject you because you aren't pre-approved.

It's worth it to take the time to talk to your lender about what's affordable to you. It doesn't cost you anything, and it's the most important step you can take toward home ownership.

So please don't back away when the question of whether you are pre-approved comes up in our conversation. It's important for both of us to know the answer so we can determine the best way to proceed with your home search.

As I write this, the beginnings of a snowstorm are happening outside. It's bitter cold and those fine snowflakes are falling. You wouldn't think this would be the time of year for a farmers market in Wisconsin -- but it is!

Beginning Saturday, January 28, and continuing the last Saturday of each month through May, is the Port Washington Winter Farmers Market. What sorts of goodies will be sold at this event?

You will find beef, pork, yellow perch, bread, lettuce, preserves, sorghum and honey, maple syrup, chips and dips, butter, cheese and yogurt will be available -- and everything is locally grown or produced!

The market is held at First Congregational Church, 135 North Webster Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and it is sponsored in parntership with the First Congregational Church Sustainability Committee, Port Washington Main Street and PortFish LTD.

Be sure to make a note in your calendar to check out Port Washington's Winter Farmers Market and support our local farmers!

I've learned a thing or two from some colleagues and myself over the past several years on how and how not to react to different situations in the real estate business.

Got an offer that's not quite what you were hoping it would be? Appreciate that you got an offer. There's a buyer out there that wants to buy your seller's house. Work together to come to agreeable terms. Getting angry at the buyer or the agent who wrote the offer only sets everyone off on the wrong foot from the get go. That's just counter-productive.

Lost a buyer due to a misunderstanding about who was going to be working with said buyer? Assuming you haven't spent too much time with the buyer yet, work out some sort of referral fee or perhaps just let it go. Sometimes it's better to just walk away rather than create awkwardness and confusion for the buyer.

Have a buyer who's making some less than desirable demands of your seller? Keep cool about it. Cursing out the buyer's agent is less than stellar and just unprofessional.

Think your level of production puts you above those around you? Having the ability to stay grounded and offering help and advice to those around you is a much better thing to be rememberd for.

Behave and react with grace. It's a pretty nice way to set yourself apart from those around you.

I received a call early this morning from one of my sellers to let me know she decided to accept the latest counter offer we received from the buyer who had written an offer on her house. Admittedly, I breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a great offer. Clean, fair, and a pretty quick closing, too. But getting this to the "accepted offer" status wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. And this morning I found out why.

It came down to the realization that agreeing to this latest counter offer meant taking one step closer to letting go of the house. It's the house where she raised her kids. It's the house that defined her independence after a divorce. She told me she gets a lump in her throat when she thinks about accepting this offer. She was realizing she was having a hard time letting go.

I told the seller that no matter why a house is being sold -- good or not so good -- there is going to be emotion weaving its way throughout the process. It's not just a business deal. It's about letting go and moving on to that next chapter.

That house isn't just a bunch of wood and nails and tile and windows and shingles; it's a home. It's where we laugh together, cry together, create holiday and birthday memories, share family meals, and grow together. It's home.

My seller knows her life is pretty great right now. She said it herself. It's time for her to close this chapter and continue the one she started with her new husband last year. I know she's going to be just fine. And I know she's excited for this family about to start a new chapter of their own. 

Dear Mrs. Buyer,

I received your voicemail the other day that you and your husband wanted to buy a house in Ozaukee County. You said you found me on the internet, liked my bio, and were excited to work with me! You left your number, saying you looked forward to hearing from me. I was out and about putting up some "open Sunday" signs and thought it'd be best to call you when I got back to the office -- much easier than trying to talk while driving.

About 20 minutes later, I called the number you left but got your voicemail. I left a message letting you know I would be happy to help you and your husband. I didn't hear back so I tried you again the next day. Left another message and, after not hearing back again, made a third attempt to connect. Still nothing.

So I'm just curious -- what happened?? Did you find another agent in the 20 mintues between you leaving a message and me calling you back? Did I not return your call fast enough? Were you teasing me?

I admit, I got a little giddy when I got your message. You see I've set some pretty ambitious goals for myself this year, and receiving a message like yours the second week of the year -- well I just couldn't help but get a little excited!

I guess I would have just appreciated you taking the time to call me back and let me know what happened. Or you can send me a message. My email address is as easy to find as my bio is.

I certainly hope everything is okay and wish you and your husband well in your home search. And if you still want to work with me, I'd welcome the opportunity. But please call only if you really want to work with me. It's just not nice to tease.

Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg is offering a snowshoe hike night on Saturday, January 21. The nature center is located at 4458 Highway Y, and the cost for this event is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. If you are a member of the center, the cost for adults is $5 and children is $4.

This experience is great for all ages as you learn about the active creatures after dark and enjoy the natural beauty of this gem in Ozaukee County.

Snowshoes will be provided by Riveredge, or you can bring your own. If there's not enough snow to snowshoe, there will still be a regular hike. Be sure to dress appropriately, including insulated boots. Hot beverages will be available after.

Call for a reservation -- 262-375-2715 -- as space is limited.

Located on the west side of Port Washington, this home offers opportunity for someone looking for a "fixer-upper". On the first floor are the living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a full bath. Per the seller, there are hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms. Upstairs is a spacious master bedroom with great built-ins, and a half bath. The backyard is generous in size and fenced for added privacy. Gather up your ideas and your vision, and bring back the shine to this home. Lot size/year built per WireData. Home warranty is included. Being sold "as is".

CALL OR EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

With today being a legal holiday, our office is closed.

Nonetheless, I made the decision to come in and get some work done. I seem to be more productive when I'm at the office versus working at home, and with us being closed, I knew the interruptions would be minimal.

I think I got here around 9:00, and the phones have been going CRAZY!! Four hours of steady calls. Sweet way to start the new year and the sort of interruption I would take any day.

Seems there is a renewed sense of optimism this year -- a feeling that things are going to make a turn for the better.

I'm glad I decided to work from the closed office today.  I was able to finish up my 2012 business plan, make some calls to a few sellers, send market updates to a couple other sellers, and update my 2012 budget. Quite a productive day.

And the sound of a ringing phone can do amazing things for one's attitude and optimism. Here's to an outstanding 2012 -- for all of us! 

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say 2011 cannot be done soon enough.

What I thought was going to be my "turnaround year," actually ended up being days and months trickling with doubt, anxiety, and fear. I look back and wonder how I got through it knowing full well the hardships aren't over yet. I woke up this morning feeling like someone was sitting on my chest -- when will the worrying end? I've asked myself before and ask again if it is time to give up this career and take a 9-5 job I may not really enjoy but that provides a steady paycheck and health insurance.

Fast forward a couple of hours, and I'm standing in front of the frozen hash brown potato case at the grocery store. As I try to manipulate my cart so another shopper can get by me, I turn to see a past customer looking back at me. I think she was as surprised to see me as I her, and after exchanging our "hellos," she asked if my ears had been ringing. She planned to call me next week. She and her husband are getting divorced. She wants to talk about her options.

I don't know a word to describe fully the shock I felt at hearing her news. I loved working with this family -- they were kind, fun, thoughtful -- I envied the life they had. How could this be??

And I realized again as I have before, that I tend to get emotionally involved -- perhaps more than I should --  with my buyers and sellers. I can't help it. I just do. My job is more than just unlocking doors and pointing out this and that about a house. It's more than filling out contracts and a multitude of other paperwork. It's about helping people move on to the next chapter in their lives. And in order to do that, we get to know about the marriages, the divorces, the new baby, the new job, the job loss, the illnesses, and the deaths. More often than not friendships form.

Running into my past customer this morning reminded me that every one of us, as they say, is carrying some sort of burden. It also seemed to be a sign that, at least for now, I am to continue on this path of selling houses. 

Life happens, and it's really, really hard sometimes. But if part of my work involves helping ease that journey for others, I'd say I have a pretty good job.

It's always this time of year that we seem to get unusually sentimental. Perhaps it's the Christmas carols. Perhaps it's the memories of Christmases past. Perhaps it's the reflecting on the year that is almost behind us.

For me, I always think back over the buyers and sellers I've met -- not only this year, but each year that I've been in real estate. They are the lifeline of my business.

Every day I am grateful for them -- no matter the current market conditions. I say "thank you" for sticking with me, especially during these tough times. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your referrals -- they really are the best compliment I can receive.

I'm ready for another year and expect 2012 to be the best year yet. Your continued support and referrals are appreciated and valued.

Blessings to each of you in the new year ahead.