Sally & David Hanson, Southeastern Wisconsin Realtors

We got a call the other day from a reporter at The Waukesha Freeman, the newspaper...both on line and the traditional ...if that is the word...variety....and she said that "someone" told her that we had a home office and she was doing a story on home offices...could she set a time to interview us...Oh sure, call in the evening on our second business line and we aren't likely to be disturbed. Call she did and we chatted...we designed our home....and as a matter of fact, chose our lot (exposed lower level) just to have the kind of home office we wanted. We didn't want a converted bedroom....we didn't wanted a dark, dingy corner of the basement...we wanted a pleasant, separate work area that we would actually WANT to work in.....and be productive !

In Wisconsin, they always say, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change." It's ohhh soo true....and we aren't talking sudden sprinkles of rain like Sally's Hawaii...., we are talking 30 degree drops in temperature....a foot of snow....this year, large buckets of rain....the variety is endless...a few tornado warnings that usually never amount to more than a warning....There are lots of positives....four seasons....the very gorgeous palette mother nature gets out and paints the landscape with every fall...winter wonderland....the scent of lilacs in the spring....a summer of ethnic festivals on Milwaukee's lakefront. WE LOVE IT HERE !

I digress....we finish the interview and I am satisfied I have told her all the reasons that we enjoy our office and as a journalist in another lifetime, feel the session went well. A few days later...the phone rings again....yet another reporter....this one has a camera...OH YICKS ! "When can we come and take a picture of your office ?" Wow....talk about incentive....we have just completed our best month ever....and as we all know...Real Estate has the talent for actually "making" paper.....so in between business...we will actually have to find places to put the paper....tidy the bookshelf....file the files.

Do we love our home office ? We wouldn't have it any other way...we have separate phone lines, fax lines, the internet, printers, a copier....and did I say paper....now where was that re-cycle bin !

I know lots of folks can't keep control of the steering wheel...when they pass a....Rummage Sale, Starbucks, Ice Cream Stand, Favorite Drive Thru, etc. For Me......I confess, I could be a charter member of RDSA (Recovering Dollar Store Addicts) . I cannot think of one other place that has sooo much to offer sooo many for soooo little....let me give you some examples so you will be able to join the fun....and maybe my Chapter of RDSA !

• Life Lessons for Children My Mom has a friend that takes her grandchildren to the Dollar Store for a "field trip" when she is baby sitting. While I know that this woman has more money than God and Donald Trump....she gives each child a dollar and a limited period of time and they must decide what ONE thing they really want/need. Lesson Learned: Setting Priorties - Wants vs Needs, Compromising, Economizing, Sharing
• Cures for the Munchies You may find cookies, crackers, pretzels, candy, ...a treat for you, the neighbor children, your open house Candy dish, your husband, the answer to low blood sugar...
• Stocking and Basket Stuffers.....a Stuffer for all seasons...and Ages ! It could be a "Barbie-ish" doll for a little gal in your life, a toy truck for that neighbor boy, denture cleaner for Grandma, Scented lotion for Mom, new Lip closs for Sister Sue, an Extra Bungee cord for Dad, A hostess basket with soaps, lotions, potions.....use your imagination !
• ATTENTION STAGERS...this is on my list of haunts for adding silks, dried florals and feathers to the hearth, kitchen, bath, master suite arrangements....you may find colorful kitchen/bath towels, a flower pot full of utencils for the kitchen, placemats, colorful dishes...glassware,etc.
• Shelter Gifts - a charity that we have adopted is the Womens' Center in Waukesha County. There just cannot be a lower time in anyone's life than if you are homeless, been abused, have children to feed and don't know where to turn. The Dollar Store has a wonderful assortment of things that are needed. We always stop at the makeup area...what a lift with a new lipstick, eyeshadow....a manicure....polish. Other "pamper" items like lotion and shower gel, hair spray and gel. There are bibs and pacifiers, puzzles and games, food staples....cooking utencils...go to their website and choose a theme...The teary eyes and the lump in your throat will be reminders of the fun you had choosing and the joy that the recipients got in receiving their Dollar Store goodies.
• Hostess and Other Gifts - we are often invited to the homes of buyers and sellers for barbeques, parties, celebrations of various kinds...or we make our own to welcome that new baby....congratulate the graduate, etc. Time doesn't always allow a lot of shopping...so we fill a basket with a theme of barbeque items which may include mitts, an apron, rubs, a cookbook, utencils...Or a first timers kitchen with utencils, strainer, soap, scrubbies, etc....It's soooo much fun...Pick a theme and just do it !

In Southeastern Wisconsin, and many other parts of the country, one of the popular chains of Dollar Stores is called The Dollar Tree and you will find them sprinkled in strip malls throughout the area. If you want to join my group....I am not at all sure I am ready to Recover from my Dollar Store addiction...and there is sooo much good you can do with just a little effort and a little money...you may want to become addicted too !

A couple weeks ago we got a call from a perspective seller....a referral. The seller began the converstation, " I have been referred to you by _____, and I know my home is over priced and too cluttered." I tapped lightly on the mouthpiece of the receiver....."I thought you said, your home was over priced and cluttered...." She repeated....that IS what she said ! I couldn't believe it..."You are supposed to say, my house is worth a zillion dollars and I want to show people how much they can fit in all this space so I have added every piece of furniture, wallhanging, etc. that I can." She laughed....I looked at her listing....sure enough...she was right about the over pricing.

"I want you to know, I am interviewing three realtors," she continued. That's fine, I am glad we are both being up front with each other. She invited me to see her condo in Jacob's Ridge, a newer complex in New Berlin. We sold there before and were very familiar with the complex. Well...Joni was right again....a tad toooo much clutter. How I wish I had taken pictures. She had moved from a house to the condo and saw this as a temporary move so had a basement and garage FULL of stuff....and tons of furniture....and just the usual assortment of "things" we all have...it tended to dwarf the almost 3,000 square feet of living space in this wonderful 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo.

Ahhhhh....let the "games" begin....Joni employed a bunch of eager beavers....the garage was emptied, the extra furniture and accessories gone...the HUGE storage in the basement was once again looking HUGE.....robbed of hundreds of books and assorted other memorabilia. Staging was done in every room....kitchen counter clutter replaced with a bowl of artificial fruit...the dining table set with a lovely arrangement...the mantle now has size appropriate pieces adorning it. The 2nd bedroom, is now a den....The HUGE master has a new bedspread....dried florals and candles await in the master bath. The exposed lower level....still has the pool table and a conversation "pit" ....the 3rd bedroom has office decor and the 3rd bath decorated with an "up north" moosey kind of flavor....

Joni loves it....we love it....We love Joni...what realtor wouldn't love a seller who listens and understands the value of doing what a realtor tells them...both for PRICING and STAGING...now it's priced to sell and not to sit....and at the first open house today, we are hoping someone takes a walk on this sunshiney Wisconsin day and calls it home!

2320 Brookstone Lane ... A Sparkling Family Home in Brookstone

Willows Sub-Division

Our sellers tell us that their children had their own park in the backyard of this "like new" home...all new laminant flooring and carpet throughout the house...the whole interior has been freshly painted....the landcaping has been lovingly maintained and the backyard has a gym set and plenty of room for children and pets to play. The first floor family room with gas fireplace has patio doors that open on to the deck...and overlook the huge backyard and pine tree "fence.

The formal living room extends from the front to the back of the home and the far end can be used as a dining room. The upgraded oak cabinets in the kitchen with pantry and laminant floor is complimented by a sunny dinette. The first floor laundry and half bath complete the first floor.

Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. All the freshly painted rooms are ample size. The master suite includes a shower and walk in closet.

14460 W. College Avenue, New Berlin, WI

August 15 -17th Tel: 414.427.3838

The only thing bigger in New Berlin, WI next weekend than MATTY GRAS is properietor, Matt Anderson's heart....the weekend is devoted to fun and fund raising ! The weekend menu includes New Orleans style fare featuring:

Grilled Cajun Shrimp Skewers You can purchase VIP passes for just $45...and here
Chicken & Shrimp Jumbalaya is what you get: beer, soda, appetizer bar,stage
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo side entertainment seats, and
Cajun Chicken Breast Sandwich your own port-a-john !
1/2lb. Hamburger or Cheeseburger
Beer Bratwurst

The Band Line Up Plays Like This : On Sunday, Register at 11 and begin the

August 15th @ 7pm: The Love Monkeys WALK IT OFF FOR CHILDREN' HOSPITAL
You can get your sponsors and sign
August 16th them up just click here:
@ 3pm: Dirty Boogie
@ 7pm: The Toys http://www.mattysbar.com/Matty_Gras_2008_walk_reg_FINAL.pdf

August 17th
@ 12noon: Caribbean Eclipse
@ 3pm: Pirates Over 40
@ 6pm: Johnny Russler & The Beach Bum Band

Matty Gras is open at the following times:

August 15th: 4pm-1am
August 16th: 2pm-1am
August 17th: 12noon-11pm

IF Poker is your thing....The 6th Annual Poker Run will benefit the National Kidney Foundation. Come on over on Sunday....or stop in before then...sit a spell...have a sip of one of the delightful summer special drinks outside on the newly expanded outdoor Matteo.....

Help Matt Anderson...Pay It Forward, Give it Back....Have Fun...Enjoy the Music...Taste the Fun...Celebrate at Matty Gras !

You can blame it on the economy....some of that may be true...some of the "blame" belongs to conditions that are beyond anyone's control...there are medical conditions, competitive conditions...all kinds of reasons why Commercial Real Estate can be Upside Down. We know that there can be multiple liens, complicated titles, a puzzle that has more pieces than any 10 residential transactions. Business owners in trouble have to trust experienced Realtors...not residential realtors, not realtors without short sale experience.

It doesn't matter what the building is, how many liens it has...we can help ! A short sale is sooo much better for your credit...present and potential than a foreclosure. Do yourself a favor...if your expenses are mounting and you are behind in your mortgage...the lender has written you letters, you have gotten phone calls....make the call that can help you....reduce your stress...for a very confidential consultation, call the Hansons ...414-525-0563...7 days a week...we are there when you need us...for whatever your real estate needs. You need to put your upside down, right side up ! Find out why people say, "Call the Hansons for Prompt Service/Proven Results.

We were recently referred to sellers who were moving back to their home country in Europe...and the move was more difficult than usual with a brand new baby and two other children under 5 in tow that occupied 99% of Mrs. Seller's time. That left Mr. Seller to deal with the details and execution of getting the family from point A to point B across the water. What to take...what to leave...I would have a difficult time deciding this moving to the next county...let alone another country so my heart went out to this man left to finish his business and execute all the details.

Mr. Seller agreed that we needed to get the house, "all dressed up and ready to show." We worked with the painter and selected colors and painted the whole interior of the house. We got our flooring person who replaced all the carpeting (with some installing on Sunday to get the home on the market...how cooool is that). We measured each window...some had window treatments that we had cleaned and pressed, others needed some and went off to my staging stores and decorated each room. They opted to leave some furniture...so some staging was around that...adding a lamp here and a table there, gracing the mantle, towels, rugs, candles in the baths...flower arrangements, "fruit" basket on the kitchen table...it will be purrrrrrfect as our cat Cosmo would "say."

AND THEN....there was a HUGE assortment of items that filled the 2.5 car garage...baby beds, beach towels, pots, pans, Christmas decorations.....everything and anything...it looked as though the whole neighborhood had gathered all their items for a rummage sale. Mr. Seller said, "Just call______(name whatever Not-For-Profit) and they'll pick this all up before you start the listing." Oh not....It had not occured to us that the energy crisis would influence the quantity and frequency of pick ups....oh Yicks !

We called every place we knew of and some we didn't....every one of them had only scheduled regular pickups weeks away in that neighborhood...oh yicks ! We spoke with a developer we work for any suggestions that he might have. Enter LAKE COUNTRY CARING. This organization was founded in 1995 and grew to its current location in the Hartland Industrial Park on Progress Drive. What an appropriate name ....this group has helped over 3,000 families with the able assistance of more than 100 dedicated volunteers. Their help is needed and varied...they provide gently used clothing, household goods, toys, furniture and appliances. Additionally, as funds are available health, hygiene, infant and laundry items are provided to clients in need. Check their website LAKE COUNTRY CARING for their hours, the donations they need most and how you can help.

Thank you LAKE COUNTRY CARING..for caring enough to help people in need when they need it most !

The Butcher The Baker CandleStick Maker

Before we were licensed or owned real estate...I used to think how hard could that be.... You put a sign in the ground that says

After all. the sign company really does that...so that can't be hard. You have a secretary you puts the listing in MLS

Soooo....Ithought, then you could put a sign on the lawn once in a while on Sunday if there was nothing else to do and see if anyone wanted to come and see the house.

WHAT ?????? ME WRONG ??????

Since we have been licensed we have been ....the painter, the stager, the handyman, gardener, lawn cutter, snow blower, Halloween trick or treat provider, caterer, Christmas decorator, Vanna White, Bob Barker (What is behind door no. 2 ?), Martha Stewart, artful negotiator, baby sitter, wedding attendant, baptism guest, POA, taxi service, Veterinary Referral, garage sale sign maker, home goods donor, Henry Kissinger, Julia Child (secret homade french onion soup with homade garlic croutons...and mmmm the baked cheese) house sitter, funeral attendee, seminar speaker, host and hostess.

I am sure I left out a few...Realtors who DO, WIN ! IF you are moving to or southeastern Wisconsin and want realtors who do more than hand you a listing and give you a map.... OR someone is transferring to to or from the area, call The Hansons, find out what prompt service and proven results are all about...and if you need a hat.....

This is the new Miller Coors logo that will begin to grace the landscape....on Milwaukee's lakefront and all around the town at bars and and liquor stores everywhere. My father retired from Miller Brewing and during his 30 plus year tenure, the most popular part of the Miller Brewing logo looked like this.

When my Father began working at Millers, the Frederick Miller family owned the brewery. The family treated employees like family and gifted them when children were born, remembered birthdays...sponsored Christmas parties for families and summer picnics, The company grew and was sold several more times. Grace Company...more recently Phillip Morris and now Coors will merge with our own "home brew." It was always a first grade assignment to tell "what your Daddy did" for employment. My father told us that he got the gal in the moon dressed every morning...until he made it to show and tell and rapidly changed his job description. Milwaukee was the beer capital of the country then...Miller, Gentleman, Pabst, Schlitz....lots of Dads worked at Breweries.

When you visit Milwaukee, you will want to take a tour of the only major brewer left in town. It's a high tech tour now...not the walking kind that we used to do when we brought home our college pals. The huge copper vats....and the "kiss of the hops" you could smell wafting thru the air. The merger won't change that Milwaukee is the birthplace of Miller Brewing....and mine too ! A great place to grow up and enjoy the great place on a great lake...great parks, rich cultural events, major sports teams....major transportation...you'll love it !

While you are visiting the Brewery, the lakefront festivals, concerts, shopping, museums, our zoo,...you just might want to stay and make it Your Home....call the Hansons...we'll make your dream a reality.

One of the great things about Wisconsin is that we have four seasons...and while this past year, many people, even those of us who are lifelong residents...thought the snow would never stop and it would never be more than 30 degrees....sure enough summer is here ! We celebrate outside at ethnic festivals on the lakefront. there are lots of fireworks displays...We have church festivals all over the city with the smell of corn and bratwurst wafting thru the air and a variety of music played on stages everywhere !

Another very cool thing is the Farmers' Markets you will find throughout suburban Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee Counties. You will find fresh picked that very morning vegetables, flowers, homade goodies include jams and jellies, plants....week to week the harvests vary and so does my recipe for "everything but lettuce" summer salad....and mmmmm this pasta salad we had last week when we were invited to a graduation party...you can choose which vegetables you use and find at your own market...or come and visit one of our markets on Saturday morning.

You may use whatever veggies are in season or whichever ones you like and substitute them in this recipe....Try this...

Super Summer Pasta Salad

1 lb. of any pasta, cooked and drained ( I like spiral or vermicelli)

4 medium tomatos, chopped 2 cucumbers, diced 1 bunch of green onions

1/2 lb. of fresh parmesan cheese 1/2 cup of vegetable oil 1/4 cup of vinegar

2 T. water 1 pkg. of dry Good Seasons Italian Dressing

1/2 bottle of McCormick Vegetable Seasoning with buttery flavor

Mix oil, vinegar, water, Italian Dressing, and the 1/2 of bottle of McCormick Vegetable Seasoning. After the pasta cools down add the vegetables and then the dressing mixture. To finish, sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese over the salad. Serve cold.

If you came to southeastern Wisconsin to enjoy our summer festivals, four seasons, farmers markets and oh soooo many other wonderful things from cultural events to major sports, outstanding educational opportunities from great school systems to noteworthy colleges and universities...we really have it all. We would be happy to give you a tour and find you a home you'll enjoy.