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Relocating to Oconomowoc Wisconsin: Tom Braatz; An Oconomowoc real estate agent with the ability to listen

Tom Braatz, Waukesha County Real Estate,WI: Real Estate Agent in Waukesha, WI

We have a Oconomowoc Wisconsin relocation package for you, and the area of your choice relocation packages as well. We help many people relocating to Oconomowoc Wisconsin . Let us be the first to welcome you to Waukesha County and Oconomowoc Wisconsin. Have you been thinking about relocating to Waukesha County, Wisconsin ? Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real estate is beautiful, and is a dream come true for anyone that has the chance to experience what I call home!

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Early on in my career in the Waukesha County Real estate and the Oconomowoc Wisconsin real estate market I saw overtures of agents coming into the office and if it were a stressful day for them they could have a tendency to create self defeating prophecies that in the end would often result in the demise of their real estate career. This was confusing but it opened my eyes to the fact that right then and there in 1986 I knew the key was listening; and listening to people and finding the exact formula that would work for them in accomplishing their housing and real estate goals. I am proud to say that in 2010 I have been blessed with many new friends through out my career. You know what? I have never deviated from my formula of always putting others first, and I never will. That has been a key component of my success. The ability to listen, see and care to others needs, and to always put others first.

I am a parent that will constantly tell you how proud he is of his son Spencer, the love I have for my search and rescue dog Lars, and his wonderful ability to interact with adults and children in homes and hospitals, but you will not hear something from Tom Braatz that you may hear from others; I will not be negative, I'm proactive and will always find the good in everything and everyone. Time is a commodity we never will get back, and it has to be used wisely and enjoyed. So if you want someone that will go that extra distance, and give you their all I would welcome the opportunity to shake your hand, roll up our sleeves, and work together to make you happy. I remember the words my grandmother always reminded me of when I was growing up "When you give someone your word Tombo you keep it. It's your honor and integrity you will take to your grave. You have to keep it." My grandmother was a wonderful woman, and I learned a lot of life values and lessons from her. Many are what have made me the person I am today. I would be honored to help you in relocating to Oconomowoc Wisconsin. You have my word on it.

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"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always triumph. And that there's purpose to each and every life." Ronald Reagan

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Looking at the need for relocating to Oconomowoc Wisconsin, buying a home in Oconomowoc Wisconsin, homes for sale in Oconomowoc Wisconsin or need a Oconomowoc Wisconsin relocation package Need an on-line value? Market Analysis Need that special Oconomowoc home? Dream Home Finder

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Have A Heart Bake Sale At HAWS

Kristin Johnston,Realtor,Waukesha County WI Real Estate: Real Estate Agent in Waukesha, WI

Its the Friends of HAWS Annual HAVE-A-HEART BAKE SALE!!!

Friday, February 12th from 9am - 5pm
AND
Saturday, February 13th from 9am - Noon

Join us at Waukesha State Bank, 100 Bank St.
(the corner of St. Paul Ave. & Madison St.)
Get sweets for your sweetest --
tasty treats for people and pets!
'Have a heart' and help HAWS' animals!


Bakers: please bring items to HAWS on Thursday, February 11th, between noon and 6pm.


Your contact for all your real estate needs in Waukesha County, WI,

Kristin Johnston Buying A Home In The City of Waukesha, WI

PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!

Petland -- Stop Selling Puppies!
HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Adopt a Pet Petfinder Link

Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php

Se Habla Espanol!

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Personal blogs

Ten tips for investing in foreclosed or bank owned distressed properties

Michela Terrazino: Real Estate Agent in Madison, WI
  1. Search on the world wide web for distressed or foreclosed properties as a starting point. Use a professional REALTOR to identify great foreclosure deals for you. You may be successful at searching the web on your own, but keep in mind some of the information is outdated, some may be incorrect, and some of the available properties are not even listed. A REALTOR subscribes to updated MLS listings and can offer you the most current information available.
  2. If you search yourself for distressed properties and purchase from the selling agent, you are paying a commission to someone with a vested interest. Obtain objectivity in the sale by working with your own REALTOR. You won't pay any more. Technically, everyone works for the seller, since they pay the commission.
  3. With distressed or foreclosed properties, time is of the essence. Purchasers must close on the date specified by the agency, and cannot close after this without penalties of $25-200 per day.
  4. It takes 1-3 weeks to qualify a loan. If you are approved for a loan, make sure you are qualified by your lender as soon as possible. If you are paying by cash, make certain funds are available. If finances are in order, the REALTOR will then submit an offer. When the offer is accepted by both seller and buyer, the REALTOR will submit the ratified contract to the lender and closing agent. These steps will begin the process of a successful real estate transaction.
  5. When purchasing a distressed property, always obtain 3-4 bids from different contractors to estimate costs of repairs, if you do not plan on doing the work yourself.
  6. If you are going to sell the property after rehabilitating it, ask your REALTOR to research similar properties in the neighborhood to ascertain market price.
  7. Keep copious records for tax deductions. Any expenses related to the purchase, repair, or maintenance of the property may qualify. Meticulous records are key to a profitable real estate venture.
  8. The title you receive after purchasing a distressed or foreclosed property is a special warranty deed rather than a general warranty deed. Some buyers are alarmed by this, but there is no need to worry. The purchase of title insurance protects the buyer. Each lender purchases insurance to protect the loan as well. Titling insurance should be obtained by the property purchaser. It is always offered by the closing agent. Consider using an attorney instead of a titling company as your closing agent. An attorney is only $50-75 more than a titling company. A real estate attorney can remedy any situation that may arise. Therefore, they are more efficient representatives on time sensitive foreclosure properties.
  9. Foreclosure properties require special addendums and special contracts by the individual bank and HUD office (where applicable).
  10. Foreclosure properties are potentially the most profitable, but require the most attention to detail. A REALTOR experienced in foreclosure deals is highly desirable because the paperwork must be in order to submit a proper bid, and timeliness is critical.

Playing Hookie from work today to play in the snow with my children

Scott Larson SRES: Real Estate Agent in Monroe, WI

The weatherman said to stay home today so I did. I give you guys permission to do the same.

From Scott Larson of Towne Square Realty in Monroe, Wisconsin

“Your Realtor of the Region”

E- Mail scott@greencountyhomeguide.com

On the web at www.greencountyhomeguide.com

I think you will be surprised how affordable the Dairyland is,

so come to my land of cows and plows and visit for a day, but stay for a lifetime

608-2124-9844 Direct

Ghostly Disclosures

Jennifer  Stauter: Real Estate Agent in Madison, WI

I've been told by my friends that I should write down & share my real estate experiences. The following experience really happened about 5 years ago. Jen Stauter www.HomeTeam4u.net

Ghostly Disclosures

I arrived for my 6:30 PM listing appt - it was just starting to get dark outside. I had listed & sold these folk's previous house & helped them buy their current house in the Town of Sun Prairie.

We went into the dimly lit living room to chat about getting their house sold. Upon filling out the real estate condition report - we hit the question about are there any other defects in the house to disclose to a potential Buyer.

Mr. & Mrs. Seller looked at each other and paused. * Having been in this business for a long time - I know a look & a pause is never good.

Mr. Seller says to me, "Do you believe in ghosts?" He did not wait for my answer when he responded, "You better - because we got some here. Do we need to disclose them?"

Knowing the rules on "ghost disclosures" in Wisconsin only requires brokers to disclose a haunting if it has an effect on the physical condition of the property - I asked them to tell me about their experiences to see if something needed to be disclosed or not.

I was told sometimes when they were talking on the phone - another voice other then the person on the line would begin talking to them. Whenever the "phone spirit" was on the phone - it manifests itself as a certain bird outside - this bird sits on the deck & tries to get in the house.

As I'm listening to this I'm starting to feel like I'm in an episode of Paranormal State. I keep listening & the Sellers keep talking.

They had a fire in the basement of the house. The Owners are sure that "Jack" caused the fire. The Owners claim a man-spirit, named "Jack" lives in the basement & that they have seen him. He did not like that they were renovating the basement so he started the fire. During the fire clean up, the cleanup workers discovered old bullet holes in the basement walls. The Owners think that "Jack" must have been murdered in the house.

Hmmm... still listening & nodding... the Seller keeps talking.

Next, they tell me about their bon fires in the backyard. Usually, they see spirits running in the backyard at the bon fires.

Ok - that is enough info for me. We decide it would be best to disclose that the Seller feels the house is haunted. Who knows if it is or isn't, but if the Seller is telling everyone that it is haunted - we might as well disclose it.

A few days later, we got the house on the market. I was set up to do an open house - during the day 1 -4 pm. I arrived for my open house & wasn't thinking about the house being "haunted".

As I was sitting in the living room - the place started to feel dark. So I opened all the heavy, purple, velvet curtains to let more light in. At that point, I remembered the "ghosts".

I decided to keep busy so I started doing some paperwork until open house attendees arrived. Shortly, thereafter I started to hear a banging noise from the basement. So being curious I went down to the basement. I could not find the source of the banging.

Just then the phone started to ring. When holding open houses - I do not answer the Seller's phone so I let it ring. 3 separate times the phone rang & I could hear the message that was left on the Seller's old style answering machine. It was just strange static.

At this point, I decided I was going to go outside on the deck so I was out of the house. It was daylight so I did not see any "spirits" in the backyard. I ended up spending my entire open house on the deck as no one came to the open house.

Later, I told the owners about my experience. They thought "Jack", the basement spirit, was playing tricks on me.

This house was creepy. I don't know if all the ghost stories spooked me or if "Jack" was playing tricks on me. In the end, we did not need to worry about all the ghostly disclosures because the Owners decided that they wanted to stay in the house.