Kathy Hollister

January 25th, 2010

I don't spend much time on Face Book or Twitter or other such sites for the simple reason that I don't have time. However, someone just called my attention to a Face Book site that was developed for the sole purpose of holding up a person (who I will not name, but it is not me in case you are wondering) to ridicule, and I find that reprehensible and sad for so many reasons. First of all, why would anyone go out of their way to hurt a person? Did this person cause them some kind of harm and this is revenge? Certainly not in this case. Are the people participating in this prank simply bored? My opinion is that they are thoughtless, mean-spirited individuals who desperately need to widen their perspective on the world and learn how to make the best use of their time. Their little Face Book prank is right down there with the dregs of the Internet.

And yes, many of the comments I receive on this blog are also trash put their by people who do not use their time on earth wisely. However, many people do read it for its content, and I am thankful to those people.

December 28th, 2009

I wonder how many zillions of blogs are starting out that way today? But, you know what - 2009 has been a really tough year for probably most Americans (not to mention people all over the world), so we really deserve a happier new year. Everyone knows the real estate business took a big hit this year, but whenever I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself I think of people who lost their jobs entirely, people whose homes are under foreclosure, people who cannot afford health care, military people whose lives have been totally upended, people wondering how to pay their basic bills - the list goes on and on.

Perhaps I sound a bit "Pollyanna-ish" (and why exactly is that a bad thing anyway?), but it truly does help to take time to recognize the good things in our lives, the things we can be grateful for. If nothing else, it puts one in a better frame of mind and better able to tackle the challenges ahead with a positive outlook.

So here are a few pretty Door County images I hope will brighten your day. Happy New Year!

February 20th, 2008

What is a Buyer's Agent and when and why might you want one? A Buyer's Agent is a licensed real estate agent with whom you have signed a contract-a WB-36 Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement. In this agreement, the Buyer (you) agree pay the agent to find a property for you to buy. In this agreement you agree to pay the agent, although in most cases the agent is actually paid a portion of the sales commission by the listing broker. Also in the agreement you can specifically indicate what properties you want to find, be it Door County shore front, water view, condominiums, vacation homes, vacant land, price ranges, or any other criteria that you desire.

What is the difference between a Buyer's Agent and a Seller's Agent? BOTH owe the following duties to BOTH buyers and sellers:

1. Provide fair and honest services and answer all questions fairly and honestly.

2. Disclosed any and all material adverse facts known to the agent.

3. Keep in confidence all information that a reasonable person would want to be kept confidential or any information that the buyer or seller instructs the agent to keep confidential (unless that information must be disclosed by law).

4. Provide buyers and sellers with accurate market information requested by them.

5. The agent must make an objective and unbiased presentation of all offers, and indicate the advantages and disadvantages of each.

6. Every agent must be knowledgeable concerning real estate law, public policies, current market conditions, and the physical characteristics of the property being sold. Because the agent is not an expert in every field, the agent should recommend you seek third-party advisers such as attorneys, home inspectors, contractors, accountants when appropriate.

So what else does a Buyer's Agent do for a buyer?

A Buyer's Agent helps you get the best possible price, negotiates for beneficial contract terms, and puts the buyer's interests ahead of any other party. Only a Buyer's Agent can give you a negative opinion of a seller's property, give you an opinion of whether the property is priced too high or too low, structure the offer with the buyer's best interests in mind, and recommend negotiation strategies for price and terms.

By signing a Buyer Agency Agreement, you agree to work exclusively with that one agent. In return, that agent will work extra hard to find a property for you because the agent knows they have your loyalty just as you have theirs.

Mary Jo Ehnert, an experienced member of our Wilson-Shaffer sales team, had earned the "ABR" designation- Accredited Buyer Representative - and can be reached to answer you questions about Buyer Agency or assist you as your Buyer Agent at maryjo@dcwis.com.

So remember, whatever type of real estate you want in Northern Door County--condominiums, inland homes, shore homes, inland vacant land, acreage, vacant shorefront, or commercial properties-a Buyer Agent can help you find it and help you negotiate your offer.

December 6th, 2009

This year, I'm making my Christmas gifts myself. Baking cookies, knitting and crocheting scarves and hats, and making jewelry from glass beads I made myself are a few of my current projects. This summer I took a lampworking (making glass beads) at the Clearing in Ellison Bay, so I'm making "wearable art"! I love receiving gifts made just for me, and I hope my friends and family will feel the same! Yes, the economy does need the boost of holiday shopping, but don't feel you're not contributing to the national cause by making your gifts. If that is a worry to you, clear your conscience because you are purchasing the materials for your hand-made gifts!

If you just can't make gifts yourself, look around Door County for gifts made by local craftspersons and artisans. Door County is filled with talented people making a multitude of items. There are potters, painters, leather-crafters, jewelers, beaders, cooks making jams, jellies, and pickles, cheese makers, knitters, clothing makers, weavers, sculptors, and wood carvers to be found throughout Door County all offering wonderful one-of-a-kind creations. By buying from them, you not only purchase a wonderful gift, but you also support these local people. Believe me, it's much more satisfying than dropping by your local Wal-Mart!

So join me for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays-any time you are giving a gift-and make it yourself or buy directly from the person who made it! Happy Holidays everyone!

The leaves have fallen, but there are lots of Door County apples available for making pies and applesauce! Those make delicious gifts!

October 14th, 2009

IT'S THERE - THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL! I can't say that the Door County real estate market suffered the extreme collapse that we witnessed in other markets. We all saw markets where property values plummeted 50% or more, sales came to a virtual standstill, and foreclosed homes could be found on almost every block. We were lucky. Values decreased, but 10% of value would be a worst case scenario. Only a small percentage of the properties on the market are foreclosures. The worst thing we experienced was a dramatic drop in the number of sales as compared to the peak years of 2004 - 2006.

But now, slowly but surely, sales are picking up. What is selling? Moderately priced non-shorefront homes are selling; and in northern Door County, the majority sold this year in the $100,000 to $300,000 price range. Shore home sales were relatively few and not clustered in any price range. Condominium sales are slow, but resale condos in the $150,000 to $300,000 range are selling. Vacant land sales were down dramatically this year, and almost all sale prices have been under $100,000.

If those price ranges seem low to you, they are; and it's good news and bad news. The good news is that contrary to popular opinion, there are moderately-priced vacation properties to be found in Door County. If there ever was a time to buy Door County property, it is now! The bad news is for sellers of the high-end properties that are just not moving. But again, that is good news for buyers who can now find some pretty fabulous properties - especially homes - at great prices. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It just shines brighter for some segments of this market than for others. And it is definitely shining brightly for buyers!