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Jefferson County WI CENTURY 21 Newsletter September - 2008
Ready, Set, Buy
Do Tell
School's In
Amber Castonguay

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! Visit my website at www.AmbersHomeFinder.com to view all properties.
Untitled Document
Ready, Set, Buy

If you are a first-time home buyer, the news for you in most parts of the country is good. Mortgage rates are relatively low and higher inventory and lower asking prices mean market conditions are in your favor. If your finances are in order, now is the time to start that home search.

Begin with some good, old-fashioned preparation. Carefully review your budget. Determine how much you will have to offer as a down payment and how much you can afford to pay monthly. Remember to calculate not just your mortgage payment, but all your costs including taxes, utilities, food, entertainment, insurances, etc. Getting a good handle on your finances is critical to making the right real estate decision.

Next, think long and hard about what you want from this purchase. Is it a starter home that you want to stay in less than five years? Or maybe you want a home that can accommodate a growing family. Take some time to define your parameters like location, number of rooms, school system, and proximity to transportation.

Once you have outlined your budget and your wants and needs, you are ready to begin viewing listings online and in person. A real estate professional can be a huge asset during this process. He or she can prescreen homes and make sure they fit your budget and your needs. An agent can also provide insights on whether the asking price is fair and help identify a listing's strengths and weaknesses.

But even with this help, keeping track of all the pros and cons can be a challenge. Many first-time buyers keep a log or journal during their search. When you visit homes, ask if you can take pictures of the property. At the same time takes notes. Write down the things you love, like and dislike about each listing. In the end, a combination of thorough preparation, a good Realtor and organization can help make your first-time purchase a successful one.

All Locked Up
Do Tell

The majority of post sale disputes involve undisclosed property faults. In an effort to sidestep those lawsuits, most states require sellers to complete some sort of disclosure document as part of the real estate transaction. Sellers are required to reveal any material facts that could affect the price of the home or the buyerâ?Ts decision to purchase.

Hereâ?Ts an example. If you are selling a home that gets water in the basement during a heavy rain, you would be wise to disclose it before the sale. Otherwise the buyer may pursue compensation or seek legal recourse. It is helpful to think of the disclosure as a form of protection for both parties.

The question of what constitutes a material fact is subjective and varies from state to state. Consult with your real estate professional and an attorney about what characteristics should be listed with a tendency to err on the side of revealing, not concealing. Clearly structural defects, like a cracked support beam, should be named as well as environmental concerns such as radon or asbestos. Sellers must disclose the presence of lead as part of a federal requirement.

Sellers tend to be wary of disclosure believing it will adversely affect sale price. However, most buyers prefer to negotiate around a disclosed defect rather than be surprised at the home inspection when they can walk away from the deal altogether.

School's In
If you have a child starting college this fall, take time to set some ground rules. This venture has a better chance of success if you start on the same page. For instance, share what you expect your child to do, like attend all classes or email once a week. A good understanding can be the basis for a great year.


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CENTURY 21 Crossroads Realty
520 Hartwig Blvd. . Johnson Creek, WI 53038 . 920-699-8124
amber@century21crossroads.com . www.AmbersHomeFinder.com
Copyright © 2008. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. To unsubscribe, click here.

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About Watertown, Wisconsin Real Estate
Loads of Water Fun

View Community Knowledge Bank | View Watertown Area MLS Properties

Welcome to Watertown, Wisconsin!

Watertown, Wisconsin area examples of   Real Estate, Realty, Realtor, Real Estate Agent, Homes, Homes for sale, Properties, Properties for sale, Condos, Condominiums, New Construction, Farms, Farmettes, Rural Homes, Vacant Land, Luxury Homes, Executive Homes, High End Homes, Estates, Waterfront, Lake Property, Lake Frontage, Lake Homes, Lake Real Estate, Recreational, Relocation, MLS, Multiple Listing Service, CENTURY 21, CENTURY 21 Affiliated, Country Homes, Investment Property, Income Property, Residential Real Estate, Seniors, 55 plus Communities, Retired Real Estate, Active Adult Communities, First Time Buyers, Buyers Agent, Buyer Agency, Sellers Agent, Moving to, Hunting Land, Recreational Properties, Chamber of Commerce, Schools, School District, and More. The City of Watertown, Wisconsin straddles both Jefferson and Dodge Counties in southeastern Wisconsin. Most of the city's population is in Jefferson County. Division Street, several blocks north of downtown, is built on the county line. The Rock River flows through Watertown in a horseshoe bend before heading south and west on its way to the Mississippi River. The city originally developed inside the horseshoe, though it has long since grown beyond. Silver Creek adjoins the river in the city, as does a short creek on the west side. The most notable geographical feature is a high density of drumlins, long hills formed by the glaciers of the Wisconsin glaciation period as they retreated northwards. As a result, all hills in the area are elongated in the north-south direction. .

Watertown was first settled by Timothy Johnson, who built a cabin on the west side of the river in 1836. A town was settled to utilize the power of the Rock River, which falls 20 feet in just two miles. In contrast, the Rock River falls only 34 feet in the 58 miles upstream from Watertown. The waterpower was first used for sawmills, and later prompted the construction of two hydroelectric dams, one downtown (where the river flows south) and one on the eastern edge of the city (where the river flows north). The Watertown economy remains heavily reliant on light industry.

In 1853, a plank road was completed from Milwaukee to Watertown. After plank roads were no longer used, the route was replaced by highway (Wisconsin Highway 16) and railroad. However, a street named "Watertown Plank Road" survives in Milwaukee. The road is referenced by the "Plank Road Brewery" family of beers, including Icehouse beer, produced by Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee.

Today, Watertown's population is over 23,131 and the city has been home to several famous or influential Americans in the distant, as well as more recent, past. Watertown's favorite sons and daughters include Margarethe Schurz, who founded the first American kindergarten in 1856 (the building that housed this kindergarten is now located on the grounds of the Octagon House Museum in Watertown) and journalist R. D. Blumenfeld, editor of the British Daily Express. Dan Brandenstein, former NASA astronaut and veteran of four space shuttle flights; Joseph E. Davies, the second Ambassador to represent the United States in the Soviet Union; and former Major Leage Baseball first baseman Fred Merkle, who played 16 years in the Major Leagues in the early twentieth century, also hail from Watertown, Wisconsin.

Of course, a name like Watertown may conjure up a myriad of images focused on - what else? - water!. And that is certainly the case here. Throughout the city, it's common to see Watertowners of all ages fishing, swimming, sailing or relaxing on gently floating air tubes of all shapes and sizes. Others might canoe, paddleboat or ski behind a flying motorboat. During those cold Wisconsin winters, water enthusiasts like to take to the ice where boats were floating, racing or sailing just weeks before.

The gently rolling green hills emblematic of the entire State of Wisconsin invite golfers of all levels of expertise. Novices and top amateurs, alike, have their choice between two challenging 18-hole courses in Watertown. Watertown Country Club is a private club located on Silver Creek and includes a dining/banquet facility while Windwood is a public course complete with restaurant and dining/banquet facilities located just east of the city in the rolling hills of the Wisconsin countryside.

Those who come to Watertown, Wisconsin sense community spirit all around town. For generations, Watertown residents have tended to the little things that make life great. They planned well for the future - as is evidenced in Watertown's commercial, worship and public buildings. As newcomers drive through the community, they notice pride in ownership in Watertown's homeowners, business owners and entrepreneurs. Neighborhood watch groups get to know each other and strive to maintain a peaceful and friendly relationship.

For more information on activities in and around Watertown, Wisconsin, visit:

For more information on activities in and around the South-Central Wisconsin Area, including Jefferson County, Wisconsin, visit:

(This and more local information is available at or through the above sites.)

Watertown Homes, Properties and Special Feature Real Estate

So, if you're like many eager home buyers, you can easily understand why homes, cabins and properties in and around Watertown, Wisconsin are highly prized and sell quickly. In short, Watertown, Wisconsin is likely the kind of setting and situation that could make you and your family comfortable, cozy and contented for a long time.

Watertown, Wisconsin real estate includes a wide variety of homes for sale, condos for sale, water access properties (waterfront or scenic view), active adult communities, hobby farms and executive properties. Regardless of your present home or property concerns - whether you are buying or selling a home, condo, land or other property - Amber Castonguay has the expertise to guide you through the process painlessly and profitably. Sellers who have been in the area for a while know my reputation for knowledgeable advice, enthusiastic service, creative marketing and professional networking. My associates and I will mine every source for suitable properties so you can feel at ease that your search will produce the right kind of solution for you.

For buyers new to the area, you can rest assured that I will provide the specialized services you deserve: a strong work ethic, personal real estate expertise to help define your needs, help with selecting and securing standard financing for your purchase, special technology, constant communication throughout the transaction, and more. As a real estate industry leader in the Watertown community, I take seriously my opportunity - and obligation - to educate my home-buying clients about the area and to help them conduct their search - from existing homes for sale, properties for sale, lots, vacant land, new construction, 55-plus and retirement communities, investment properties, waterfront, golf and recreational properties, golf course lots - all the way to luxury villas, estates and executive homes.

So when you're ready to buy or sell real estate in or around Watertown, Wisconsin, please let Amber Castonguay help you find the home or property of your dreams. Click Here to Contact Amber!

Other nearby communities have similar real estate characteristics as Watertown and may also be of interest to you in your home search. Please feel free to ask Amber Castonguay about homes for sale, lakeside/riverside properties and other real estate listings for nearby communities, such as Johnson Creek, Jefferson County, Jefferson, Dodge County, Beaver Dam, Watertown, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Rock Lake, Fort Atkinson (Ft. Atkinson), Waterloo, Koshkonong (Lake Koshkonong), Oconomowoc, Delafield, Pewaukee, Hartland, Dousman, Cambridge, Lake Ripley, Columbus, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Deerfield, Waukesha County and much more.

You may also be interested to note that other site visitors who have indicated an interest in properties, homes, and real estate in and around Watertown, WI have been successful using some or all of the following key words to identify and gather information on Johnson Creek, Jefferson County, Jefferson, Dodge County, Beaver Dam, Watertown, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Rock Lake, Fort Atkinson (Ft. Atkinson), Waterloo, Koshkonong (Lake Koshkonong), Oconomowoc, Delafield, Pewaukee, Hartland, Dousman, Cambridge, Lake Ripley, Columbus, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Deerfield, Waukesha County real estate.

Successful key word combinations include:

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  • Watertown OR "Jefferson County" AND WI AND "real estate"
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  • Watertown WI AND lot OR property AND recreation OR hunt OR fish
  • Watertown WI AND home AND 55-plus OR retire OR "active adult"
  • Watertown WI AND first-time OR first AND time AND buyer


Amber Castonguay services the real estate needs of home buyers and home sellers in search of real estate, homes for sale, condos, investment properties, commercial real estate, new construction, new homes, land, lots, waterfront properties, scenic view homes, farms and recreational property in these nearby communities and more!

Cambridge Real Estate | Columbus Real Estate | Cottage Grove Real Estate | Deerfield Real Estate | Delafield Real Estate | Dodge County Real Estate | Dousman Real Estate | Fort Atkinson Real Estate | Hartland Real Estate | Jefferson Real Estate | Jefferson County Real Estate | Johnson Creek Real Estate | Koshkonong Real Estate | Lake Mills Real Estate | Oconomowoc Real Estate | Pewaukee Real Estate | Sun Prairie Real Estate | Waterloo Real Estate | Watertown Real Estate | Waukesha County Real Estate

Copyright 2007 Amber Castonguay, ABear Communication Group, LLC, and Real Estate Traffic Pros. All Rights Reserved.

Buyer Benefits

The CENTURY 21® Customized Home Search System, offered by Amber Castonguay, is designed to provide you with a full service, anxiety-free real estate experience. Amber Castonguay will deliver a level of service unmatched in the real estate industry.

This system answers all of the questions and concernsbuyers are challenged with when purchasing a home. Let Amber Castonguay show you how easy your real estate purchase can be.

Seller Services

Amber Castonguay understands the selling process and has a CENTURY 21® Customized Marketing System to assist you in differentiating your home from others in your marketplace. This marketing system will help alleviate any anxiety you may have about selling your home and guide you through the selling process. You will receive all the enhanced marketing support and customer convenience services available to you.

Relocation Services

Amber Castonguay has the power to help you buy or sell your home. As part of the largest residential real estate sales organization in the world with more than 6,600 offices and 110,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries and territories, Amber Castonguay has the power to help you move across town, across the country or around the world.

Amber Castonguay services the real estate needs of home buyers and home sellers in search of real estate, homes for sale, condos, investment properties, commercial real estate, new construction, new homes, land, lots, waterfront properties, scenic view homes, farms and recreational property in these nearby communities and more!

Cambridge Real Estate | Columbus Real Estate | Cottage Grove Real Estate | Deerfield Real Estate | Delafield Real Estate | Dodge County Real Estate | Dousman Real Estate | Fort Atkinson Real Estate | Hartland Real Estate | Ixonia Real Estate | Jefferson Real Estate | Jefferson County Real Estate | Johnson Creek Real Estate | Koshkonong Real Estate | Lake Mills Real Estate | Oconomowoc Real Estate | Pewaukee Real Estate | Sun Prairie Real Estate | Waterloo Real Estate | Watertown Real Estate | Waukesha County Real Estate

January Newsletter, Jefferson County WI Real Estate Short Sales, Jefferson County Wi Home Infromation

The CENTURY 21 NewsletterJanuary - 2008
A Different Ending
On the Market
Best Foot Forward
Amber Castonguay

I am pleased to present you with the latest issue of Life@Home. Delivered to home buyers, sellers and owners on a monthly basis, this electronic newsletter is designed to give you the real estate information that is important to you. In each issue, you will find practical tips and articles related to buying, selling or owning a home, as well as the latest news on real estate trends. I hope that you enjoy this issue of Life@Home. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Visit Century21.com and view more than 250,000 property listings! Visit my website at www.AmbersHomeFinder.com to view all properties.
A Different Ending
Homeownership isn't always a happily ever after story. There are times when owners can no longer meet their mortgage obligations. In this case, there are several options.

One is foreclosure. In this scenario, buyers have a grace period where they can stay in the home and try to make good on their outstanding debts. Eventually, if they are unable to reverse their current course, the bank or lender will evict the owner, reclaim the home and place it on the market for sale. A second, lesser-known option is called a short sale. Here the lender agrees to take a loss on the home in exchange for recouping most of what is owed to them. In other words, if you owe $90,000 on your mortgage, your bank may agree to take $80,000 and consider the debt paid. The benefit for the lender is that the case is expedited and closed without the added expense of a foreclosure proceeding. Of course the seller would not see any profit from the sale. If you find yourself in such a position, research the short sale option further. Start by using online resources to learn about the agreement. If you think it is feasible for you, consult with your lender and a real estate attorney who is familiar with this arrangement Also, it is very important that you understand the tax implications in a short sale. While the lender may be willing to accept less than what it is due, the government will consider the debt forgiveness as income and a taxable gain. Speak with a certified public accountant that is well-versed in this area. When you closed on your home, you surely did not envision yourself in this situation. Unforeseen circumstances, such as a job loss, can put you in a position you never imagined. It is imperative that you look at all options, including bankruptcy, foreclosure and the short sale before you select the one that will work best for you.
On the Market
What makes one home sell in a few weeks while another may linger on the market for what seems like seasons? Well, each case is different, but it almost always boils down to one of these four factors. Price - A home that is priced right will attract buyer attention. A fair and reasonable asking price that is in keeping with market demands will pique consumer interest and ultimately make the property more appealing.
Condition - Unless they are searching for an investment property, most buyers are looking for a structurally sound home that has been well-maintained. In addition, a home that "shows well" is likely to sell quicker. This means the home is clean, well-kept, updated and appealing to today's buyer.

Location - The better the location, the more likely the property will demand buyer attention. This could mean a single-family home in a charming town with an exemplary school system. Or it could mean a wonderful apartment in a great section of the city.
Market - Whether it is a "buyer" or "seller's" also influences how long a property is up for sale. When the advantage is with the buyers, you may need to make allowances, such as a lower asking price or favorable terms to help your property attract a bid. Your seller agent is your greatest resource during your home sale. He or she can further explain how these factors will influence your particular listing.
Best Foot Forward
Whether you're on a job interview or a first date, you always want to make a good first impression. Try these four simple steps. 1. Make good eye contact. 2. Give a firm, but gentle handshake. 3. Smile a genuine grin. 4. Really listen to what the other person is saying and respond accordingly.
CENTURY 21 Crossroads Realty
520 Hartwig Blvd. . Johnson Creek, WI 53038 . 920-699-8124
amber@century21crossroads.com . http://www.century21newsletter.com/Reports/hitcounter.asp?mem_sid=23860&lang=0
Copyright © 2005. CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. To unsubscribe, click here.