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January 26, 2011 at 06:51 AM · Posted under Pat Tasker
Once again, after the compiling of the MLS statistics on properties sold in Southeastern Wisconsin during the past year, Shorewest Realtors tops the list! We list more homes, sell more homes than any other company according to MLS numbers just in.
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Since 1946, Shorewest Realtors has led the market in number of homes sold. The lead is so great, that in fact, it would take the next FOUR companies on the list, ADDED TOGETHER to beat the Shorewest numbers! I have market statistics for each of the local markets. to receive those numbers for your community!
What does that market presence mean to todays consumer? * SELLERS For anyone thinking of selling a home in todays market, listing with Shorewest Realtors means you get the latest in technology, including the very popular Shorewest.com, iphone/smartphone apps, a 24/7 TV channel, and video tours to promote your home. Of course more exposure, means more traffic, more demand brings the top dollar possible in todays market. * BUYERS Working with a Shorewest agent brings the market to your fingertips! Our #1 market share makes for an easier and smoother transaction, with access to all homebuying services under one roof (mortgage, title, insurance).
If you are thinking of selling or buying a home this year, contact me directly for all the benefits of working with Shorewest. Celebrating my 23rd year in the business, I can’t imagine working anywhere else!
Posted by: 
Pat Tasker
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January 20, 2011 at 05:44 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
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Many people feel it is important to begin educating our children as early as possible. The School District of Menomonee Falls shares in this belief. On February 3rd, 2011, the Menomonee Falls School District will hold a full day registration for four-year-old kindergarten students for the 2011-2012 school year. The registration will take place at the Community Center, W152 N8645 Margaret Road, Menomonee Falls WI from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you have a child turning four by September 1st of this year, please plan on registering your child on this date. The Menomonee Falls School District’s Early Learning Center is located at Ben Franklin Elementary School. The Early Learning Center was constructed with the developmental needs of three-and four-year-olds, and provides learning stations and areas of exploration.
Parents who wish to learn more about the four-year-old program and the school day, the Menomonee Falls School District will be offering orientation sessions for parents. The sessions will be held at 10:00am and 6:00pm on February 3rd, 2011. All questions concerning the registration day should be directed to Ms. Kathy Marks at Ben Franklin Elementary School, 262-255-8470. If you are unable to register your child on February 3rd, you can register any time following February 3rd at the Menomonee Falls District offices, located in the Village Hall, W156N8480 Pilgrim Road. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Please pass this great information on to family & friends who are planning on registering their child(ren) for the 2011-2012 Four-Year-Old Kindergarten. Thank you! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen
Posted by: 
Colleen Kuchta
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January 19, 2011 at 06:00 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
Most homeowners believe that Spring is the perfect time of year to put their house on the market. It makes sense, many leases end in spring, allowing tenants to purchase a new home. Spring symbolizes a new beginning, who wouldn’t want to start fresh in new surroundings in the spring? All of the emotion surrounding the purchase of a new home, timed perfectly with the symbolism of Spring make selling a house this time of year a great idea. Or is it?
It is no secret that we are in a Buyer’s market right now. Many Buyers are writing low offers and getting low interest rates, which equals a great low payment. It is also common knowledge that banks are telling us that there are millions of properties that are about to come on the market in the form of a short-sale or foreclosure. So how will all of these distressed properties effect your ability to sell for top dollar? Well, its simple: the more distressed properties out there competing for an offer, the lower your sale price will be. Many Buyers don’t mind putting in a bit of sweat equity, they were going to make changes on their new home anyway - why not pay even less and and make a couple extra changes?
You want to make a move, but need top dollar to make it happen? Then the time to sell is today. Waiting even 2 weeks can lower the sale price of your house by $1,000 or more! This may seem a bit ridiculous to you, but trust me, it is true. I see it everyday; a Buyer writes an offer, the Seller says they want more money - and the Buyer walks away. A few weeks later, a new Buyer decides they want to write an offer, but this Buyer offers less than the previous Buyer. Why? Buyer’s believe that the longer your house sits on the market, the less money it is worth. If you are serious about selling, always act as if the first offer is the only offer you will receive, and do your best to come to terms.
Now, back to distressed properties for a moment. How are those properties going to effect you, even if a Buyer is willing to pay a bit more because your house is move-in-ready? Simple: the appraisal. Distressed properties are driving the appraised value of properties down. Let’s say a buyer offers to pay $200,000 for your house, but their lender orders an appraisal and the value comes in at $185,000. Will the bank still finance the property for the agreed upon price of $200,000? No way! You will have 2 options at this point: lower the sale price or wait and see if you get a different Buyer with a different lender that has the appraisal come in higher. Most Sellers are lowering their sale price.
So, to answer our original question: Should You Sell Now, Or Wait? If you want/need to make a move this year - then move now! Don’t wait for more distressed properties to drive your value down. If you are in no hurry to move, then stay put. Experts are telling us that values won’t be back to todays pricing until late 2012 or 2013. Who knows, if you can hold out until 2014, we might even be back in a Seller’s market by then!
If you are looking to buy or sell, contact us, we are here to help. Our clients needs and wants always surpass our own - you come first! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen.
Posted by: Colleen Kuchta
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January 19, 2011 at 08:01 AM · Posted under Area Attractions & Events, Lisa Rossetto-Glowacki
Heading to Milwaukee this weekend? Check out Gallery Night in the Third Ward, Friday, January 21st. Have fun, love it, live there! Check out this great condo listing in the Warehouse Lofts Condominiums, named one of the top 25 luxury condo buildings in Milwaukee! Click here for more info!
Posted by: 
Lisa Rossetto
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January 12, 2011 at 10:06 AM · Posted under Pat Tasker
A Home Warranty is coverage on a home for unexpected repairs and breakdowns. Examples of such repairs include plumbing leaks, clogged drains, appliances that break down, furnace and air conditioner repairs, even garage door openers, ceiling fans and sump pumps. A yearly fee is paid, and a small deductible at the time of a claim.
When you list your home for sale, most Realtors® will recommend a Home Warranty. You may be so conditioned to not pay for “add ons” like warranties, that your first thought is NO. Let me share some reasons they are highly recommended:
* MARKETING EDGE FOR SELLERS. Buyers want all they can get, and will pick a home with a warranty over one without. Many buyers are cash poor after closing, so a warranty is a security blank “just in case” something breaks down.
* PEACE OF MIND for sellers and buyers. My home warranty coverage, if chosen by the seller, starts the day the home is listed! If you are selling due to financial difficulties in your family, a warranty will help YOU with unexpected repairs.
* LIABILITY. Homes sold with a warranty, statistically, have less litigation after closing.
Many people are turned off by warranties thinking they don’t ever pay claims, but I can tell you first hand they do pay and BIG TIME! Last year alone, Home Security of America paid over $788,000 in claims for Shorewest Realtors clients and customers, with the average claim being $226.
Home Security of America has such great coverage, many of my clients and customers renew after the first year. Last year, more than $237,000 in claims were paid on homes in the “renewal” phase. For homeowners to renew year after year, speaks to the value they get from the warranty or the peace of mind it provides!
If you are considering a home sale or purchase, a home warranty is just one way to protect your interests. I can share with you many others, if you contact me at Shorewest Realtors.
Rates are LOW, there is a lot to choose from, THE TIME TO BUY IS NOW!!
Posted by: Pat Tasker
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January 11, 2011 at 08:13 AM · Posted under Ann Lebiecki
Now’s the time of year when people are thinking about making a move and discussing putting their house on the market. They may be interviewing agents, getting their home ready for market and figuring out their finances and end of year tax returns. I’m here to tell you to BEAT THE RUSH! Yes, don’t wait until everyone else decides to list in Spring,do it now. You will be in a much better position if you do and your plans of moving, downsizing, upsizing, building whatever it may be will be achieved that much sooner. For an honest look at your situation, the market value of your home and how the selling process works just give me a call. In about an hour or so I can give you a clear picture of the market where you can then decide if this is the right time for you!
Call or text me at 414-510-1908, email me at or visit my website at AnnLebiecki.com and fill out the Value of My Home form
1. Fewer Showings - Yes there are fewer buyers, but those buyers that are looking to buy are usually very serious about making a purchase. And maybe your home will be sold with less effort and fewer hassles to you!
2. Less Competition – (Don’t compete with the seasonal seller) Many people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of year.
3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays - Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations!
4. More Focus on Home - During the winter buyers make buying decisions with less emphasis on the yard/land than in the spring & summer months.
5. January is the Biggest Job Transfer Month - Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter!
6. Timing - By putting the home on the market during winter, you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
7. More Time To Get Top Dollar - By starting to market your home early, you may be able to secure a higher price.
8. Great Time to Shop - If your home sells quickly, you will be able to shop for your next home with less competition for the nicest homes.
9. More Attention - Your agent will be able to devote more specialized attention to marketing your home and focus on your specific needs.
10. The Market - Today’s interest rates are at a forty year low. This gives buyers more spending power and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
Posted by: 
Ann Lebiecki
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January 04, 2011 at 06:00 PM · Posted under Pat Tasker
One of the benefits of local businesses is how they give back to the community through charitable contributions, both financial and volunteerism.
Shorewest Realtors believes in giving back to the community that brings them business, not as a payback, but because of the “helping others” attitude. that attitude starts right at the top in our corporate office, all the way to the employees and agents. In fact that giving spirit has existed through the 3 generations that have run the company since the 1946 founding of the company.
According to a press release yesterday, “Shorewest, Realtors® and its family of companies donated over $23,000 in 2010 through its monthly Casual for a Day days. Each month one of Shorewest’s offices, departments or companies choose a charity or family in need to receive monies collected through its Casual Day. Employees and sales associates pay $2 to dress casual on the designated day with the proceeds going to the selected charity. Shorewest matches the employees donation up to $1,000.
The 2010 Charities included: Harold Johnson Food Pantry, Twin Oaks Shelter, Haiti Earthquake Relief, Special Olympics of Greater Milwaukee, Love Inc. Community Center, The Gathering, Chix 4 a Cause, Children’s Hospital Playroom of Hope, Shorewest’s Christmas is for Kids and several (400 kids!) families in need.
Shorewest also holds food drives throughout the year benefiting area food pantries and the Hunger Task Force. They also donated over $11,000 to the 2010/2011 United Way Campaign, over $6,000 to United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) and donated 103 units of blood through four blood drives.
“Shorewest and its family of companies are proud to be a part of Southeastern Wisconsin and give back to the communities,” says Joseph A. Horning, president of Shorewest, Realtors®.”
Working for a company that has the same Christian values that I was raised on is just one reason I love working here! If you are looking for a company that not only has a great business record, but strongly believes in giving back to the community, there is no question, it is Shorewest Realtors!
Posted by: Pat Tasker
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January 04, 2011 at 10:17 AM · Posted under Lisa Rossetto-Glowacki
Here are a few reputable sources and what they have to say about housing prices. Each of the quotes below were reported in the last 10 days.
Posted by: Lisa Rossetto
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January 03, 2011 at 03:08 AM · Posted under Area Attractions & Events, Lisa Rossetto-Glowacki
Enjoy the Sunset Playhouse productions of:
- What About Luv?, January 13-February 6
- Caps for Sale, January 27-29
- Best of Broadway, January 31-February 1
Contact the Brookfield Convention and Visitors Bureau At 262.789.0220 or visit www.visitbrookfield.com
Posted by: Lisa Rossetto
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January 02, 2011 at 06:00 PM · Posted under Lisa Rossetto-Glowacki
Too cold to be outside? You’ll have a warm feeling all over when you accomplish these easy house projects.
1) Quick closet clean up. Make it a ‘game’ and set the timer 10-20 minutes per closet. Less thinking, more cleaning! Pull out clothing that you really don’t wear anymore, doesn’t fit (will never fit!). For linen/junk closets, get rid of what you don’t use, will never use—half burned candles, old stained tablecloths, knick knacks that take up space, towels that would be better rags, cords that go to telephones from another era, etc.
2) Kitchen cupboards, drawers and family room bookcases. If you have a large kitchen, do half on one weekend and half on another weekend. Get rid of pots and pans that have seen better days. Cookbooks that will never be used, junk in the junk drawer that belongs in the garbage can, old books that will never be read again. Toss, toss, toss or donate to Goodwill.
3) Pick a room and paint it. Winter is perfect for painting a room that really needs a new coat of paint.
4) The basement. Yes….the dreaded basement. The howling wind and flying snow won’t bother you at all while you organize and clean the basement. Besides, you have to store away all the holiday decorations anyway….
5) The laundry room. If you are fortunate to have one, it seems to be a catch all for junk and after a time, the cabinets get layered with soap. Multi-task by cleaning the room while doing the laundry at the same time. Utilize various shelving and organizing products at home stores to efficiently store all those cleaning products.
Posted by: Lisa Rossetto
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