Jerry Grosenick - CRS, ABR, SFR 262.573.9334

With snow approaching Wisconsin again and Christmas just 4 days away, maybe it is time to slow down and enjoy life this week. Go sleding, make a snowperson, go to a movie, read a book by the fireplace. Call your friends, family, neighbors and some old clients of yours. It is always great to get re-connected with everyone. So slow down and enjoy the moment and guess what? You'll probably dig up some new business in the pocess as well. May the joy of the Holidays be with everyone, no matter what Holiday you and your family are celebrating.

Today, we signed up another Realtor to help Exit Realty XL provide excellant service to a fast growing base of clients. Bev Ehley formerly of Prudential Realtors brings her expertise of client service to our office. Bev will be a great addition to our Germantown, Wisconsin office. Bev has been selling Real Estate since 2002. If you or anyone you know is looking to sell or buy a home in Washington County, Waukesha County, Milwaukee County or Ozaukee County in Wisconsin give us a call today. We are eager to help you with all your Real Estate needs.

11 Great Reasons to List Your Home during the Holidays in Germantown, Wisconsin:

1. People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers.

2. Serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from during the Holidays and less competition mean more money for you.

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home. Less demand means less money for you.

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays.

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays so they are more likely to pay your price.

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays that during regular weekdays.

7. Some people must buy before the year for tax purposes.

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market during the Holidays to capture the market.

9. You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays.

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year.

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when more house are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low.

Best of luck to you.

Buyers love spacious homes. Buyers love to look at online property photos. Here are some tips to make your pictures look good.

1) Remove area rugs - Rugs break up the expanse of the floor and can make rooms look smaller.

2) Use a wide-angle lens.

3) Get creative with furniture. Make sure that furniture doesn't block views or walkways so you reveal as much of the floor as possible.

4) Fill up an empty space. Buyers have trouble imagining how their things will fit into an empty room.

5) Use mirrors to your advantage. A reflection in a mirror can reveal more of a room when you can't squeeze everything into your photo.

6) Lighten Up. In photos, brighter rooms typically come across as more open and welcoming.

7) Shoot at an angle. The diagonal line is the longest visual line in a room. Try shooting from the corner.

8) Remove Clutter. You've heard it before, but clutter makes a room look cramped and steals attention from a room's intended focal points.

Best of luck to you.

7 Steps to "Safe Selling" that Every Home Seller Should Consider

1) Do an honest, detailed "Sellers Disclosure". Check with your agent and/or attorney for details.

2) Offer a "Home Warranty/Protection Plan" to the buyer of your property.

3) Remove valuable personal property like jewelry, etc... before allowing your home to be shown.

4) Have a lock box system placed on or by the front door. If this is not possible, have some other system to track who shows the property.

5) Have all necessary inspections that can be done before the buyers look at your property. Examples include, but not limited to: municipality inspections, title work, home inspection, radon testing, etc.. This will lessen a surprise after accepting a contract.

6) Never show your property to someone who hasn't been propertly pre-qualified.

7) Hire a real estate agent/company or real estate attorney to represent and guide you through the many details of the home selling process.

Germantown, Wisconsin Real Estate. Jerry Grosenick with Exit Realty XL.