Larry Stanul

I am happy to say that because of my two children, I have enjoyed the company of two of the most wonderful animals anyone could ever want. Benie and Shasta. Benie, who has gone to doggy heaven, was a beautiful Hybrid. Part Wolf and Part German Shepherd. She was a real joy and gave my son and our entire family, 14 years of love, courage, dedication and joy. A perfect dog for a young man. Shasta, a 13 year old Yellow Lab, is the sweetest dog anyone could want. Loves you to death and is loved by all around her. Anyone who has ever met her has always commented on her happiness. Shasta, like Benie was for our son, was the perfect companion for our daughter. Compassionate... always there to cry on when your life is in sorrow.

The story of the two dogs takes a bit to explain, but in an abbreviated version of the story, it goes something like this. My son, who was going through some tough times with his marriage, decided to move to South America for a while. Just to get his thoughts back on track. His beautiful companion of over 11 years, Benie, was too old to make the trip. Also, he left in June and that being summer here in the United States, eliminated Benie from even getting on the plane. So, we as good parents said to our son, Steve, we will take Benie for you and when you come home, she will be yours once again.

My daughter, who was in and out of relationships, felt that her life was not being fulfilled due to her having a pet for 9 years. Not just any 9 years, but the 9 years right out of high school. She attended college, she had boyfriends and basically, had the life of leisure for many of those years. But... due to having her wonder dog, Shasta, she felt that she was held back from really experiencing the life of a college girl. So, when Steve asked us to take Benie, Michelle also requested us to take Shasta too. We agreed as we couldn't have gotten better pets if we had raised them ourselves.

Now, keep in mind that both of these dogs were living the dog life. Hiking, camping, boating, mountain climbing and on-and-on it goes. They were having a real dogs life. But, their age was gaining on them and they weren't the animals they used to be. So, when our children asked us to take them to Camp Med, we agreed with open arms.

Let me say that the past four years have been the best four years anyone could ever have experienced. We had our children back. Both dogs had taken the personality of their masters. Steve's dog was loyal, funny, happy and very adventurous. Michelle's was happy, loyal also, but very kind and loving. Wanted only to please and to be touched all of the time. She always had her face next to your leg.

The most difficult thing I ever had to do was to put Benie to sleep. My son had returned to America and came to our home. He once again met his loyal friend, Benie. Benie however had changed. She was deaf. She was losing her eye sight. She couldn't get up once she laid down without the help of one of us picking up her rear legs and holding her steady for a minute or so. In short, she was becoming an invalid and needed help at all times. Her dignity was also being compromised for our satisfaction of not having to say goodbye. In all of this, she was always a lady and never messed the home. Never.

So, one sunny day, two years after he gave her to us, we gave her to God. She was alert and happy. She died as peacefully as she lived. Always a lady. We miss her terribly, but realized that our selfishness to not lose her was the only reason we kept her alive.

Enough of this moment and on to the reason that I am writing this.

There are more dogs and cats and other animals being turned over to Animal Shelters than ever before. Their owners, for a variety of reasons, can no longer afford to keep them. I beg all of you in this wonderful business we call Real Estate, to remind your clients of this dilemma. Maybe, just maybe, one or more of them will take your lead and when they purchase their next home, they will fill this home with love, fur and happiness.

There is no greater gift than a friend. And there has never been a greater friend than mans' best friend.

Larry Stanul

Newspaper advertising seems to be passe these days. Very few people are showing up at open house lately. Market is continuing to fall, maybe not freely, but fall none-the-less.

What is this all about? Are we doing something wrong or are we just victims of our economy? I think both.

I have been in this profession known as Real Estate for a little over six years. I don't have the experience that many of you do when it comes to slow times in this business. Many of you have already experienced times similar to these and are adjusting the best you know how. Is it working?

I have always believed that hard times create opportunity. They open doors that were not there before. Our paradigm needs to change however and we need to think out of the box in order for our business to work once again. If we do things like we always did before, good luck. Now I do know that there are certain markets that are still growing. At least that is what I read daily on the internet news. But for most of us, times are tough. They are poor at best and we need to scramble to get that home or building sold.

Remember when listings were the name of the game? I think Buyers are who we need today. We need to find that special person or persons who have financing in their pocket, have their home sold or don't own a home. Are being transfered here from another part of our world and are your captive for the duration of the home buying experience.

Where do we find these people? Do they exist?

I recently read the statistics in my market on agents and their sales for all of 2008. I was shocked to learn that many of the top producers in this business, had very hard times in 2008. What happened to their proven method of securing deals? It changed.

I don't have the magic answer for you but I am here to say that for each and every one of us who have experienced a traumatic year last year, that there is hope and that there is business to be had. We need to find it. We need to change how we do business. We need to BLOG... Post on Forums... Create Web Sites that are seen... get involved in community affairs once again... tell people about this economy by holding seminars with your local lender. There is so much that can be done to educate our buyer.

Wealth is created in tough and hard times just like we are in today. It always has been. Prosperous times will create wealth also, but at a pace that is equal to our inflation rate at that time. But real wealth, asset management and growth are usually gained in times like this. Let's tell the clients in our markets about this fabulous opportunity.

It's easier than you think.

Good luck to all of us this 2009, the year of change, opportunity and growth.

Larry Stanul

Hello all. Yes, I am a firm believer that the new year will create multiple opportunities in this business known as Real Estate. We have seen the worst, I believe, and are ready for the surge of sales in the coming months.

There are many reasons for this but the two that are most obvious are pent up demand and monumentally low interest rates that are about to surface next year. The talk from the banking community is that a 4 to 4.5% interest rate scenario for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage are likely. This coupled with the lowest home prices in decades will stimulate sales in just about every market.

One more factor is the loss of multiple thousands of agents during the past 18 months.

You can do the math... low rates, low home prices, less agents to sell the same inventory all add up to a phenomenal year ahead.

Get ready by planning for the surge. Have a goal, get a mentor, become coached, yes I said become coached. I live in Wisconsin and we are very spoiled about our quarterback situation here in our state. We have been blessed to have Brett Favre for 16 years. THe best in the league, ever. He too is coached. Every game there is someone who coaches him, the most successful quarterback in the history of the game. You too need coaching. If you think that you don't, then you are looking ahead for a falling short of where you should be or where you think you should be.

Let's all have fun.

Good luck in 2009

Larry Stanul

This business mall has outstanding visibility and great traffic. Only 3.5 miles from I-94. Building is zoned B-5 and would allow almost every type of wholesale and retail facility. Only exclusions are heavy manufacturing. 7 parking slots guaranteed with numerous other parking available. Units are 2500, 3750 and 5000 SF. Can be leased at 5-9 per foot or purchased at $90.00 per foot.

Can I help you buy or sell a building? Please call me with any of your commercial real estate needs.

Sincerely,

Larry Stanul

RE/MAX Realty Center

262-751-1386 www.activerain.com/larrystanul www.localism.com Then Wisconsin, Then Waukesha County, e-mail: larrystanul@remax.net www.larrystanul.com

This prime commercial 2427 SF unit is perfect for your business. Propery has one bay and one dock entry from the rear and has 625 SF of office space buidout. Office consist of 2 separate offices, one showroom and one unisex restroom. The property is only one mile from I-43 and is an outstanding buy at $229,900.00

If I can help or assist you in any of your commercial real estate needs, please feel free to call on me.

Let my experience work for you and it will show! You have my word on it.

262-751-1386 DIRECT www.activerain.com/larrystanul www.localism.com/larrystanul then Wisconsin, then Waukesha County www.larrystanul.com e-mail: larrystanul@remax.net