Sunday, April 10, 2011

How many of you enjoyed GOLFERS DAY today?

For avid golfers, any day is a Golfer's day but officially it happens to fall on April 10.



With Wisconsin's summer like conditions today --- I sure did! Both on the course, with some good friends! (best day ever too with a couple of chip in from over 80 which surprised the heck out of me) and at the 19th watching one of the best MASTERS yet!
 
Mark your calendars for my summer golf outing Saturday, August 13th at http://www.golfthestar.com/  Details to follow. 
 


262-893-5555 Office/Cell



Proudly Serving Waukesha Country and Lake Country Wiscosnin,the greater Milwaukee metro area including:Jefferson,Dodge, Washington,Walworth,Milwaukee & Dane Counties.

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Lisa Bear RE/MAX Realty Center 262-893-5555 Office/Cell 888-893-5534 Direct Fax Proudly Serving Southcentral and Southeastern Wisconsin with Referrals from my Clients If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell.... I'd love the REFERRAL!! "HELPING YOU MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION"
 
 

Understanding the Dangers of Rehabbed Foreclosures

Lipstick on a Pig – Understanding the Dangers of Rehabbed Foreclosures

piggy bank with lipstickWith millions of homes having been lost to foreclosure and millions more to come, savvy “investors” may purchase some of the best deals with the intention of turning them for a quick profit. 

Unfortunately, some of those “investors” have little knowledge of construction and use their skills as “make-up artists” to put lipstick on what might otherwise be seen as a pig, a home with serious or even dangerous defects. 

Homes that have gone through the foreclosure process have often been neglected by owners who lack the financial resources to do routine maintenance.  Other homes may have been vandalized or had appliances, plumbing fixtures, wiring or plumbing pipes stolen.  And while the investor may replace missing fixtures and make repairs, in some cases those making repairs lack the proper licenses or certifications required by local building authorities.  Unscrupulous “flippers” may even attempt to cover up obvious flaws or dangerous conditions. 

Homebuyers considering the purchase of a home that has gone through foreclosure should always seek the guidance of an experienced real estate agent and should ALWAYS have the home inspected by a qualified home inspector.  While homes that are being “flipped” for profit may have lots of “sex appeal,” buyers must look beyond the surface.  Applying makeup cannot solve serious defects; and if there are unanswered questions or concerns it may be better to skip the flip. 

Call me today and find out how I can help you buy or sell your home smoothly and efficiently.

Courtesy of Lisa Bear RE/MAX Realty Center - Oconomowoc Wisconsin

262-893-5555 Office/Cell








Proudly Serving Waukesha Country and Lake Country Wiscosnin,the greater Milwaukee metro area including:Jefferson,Dodge, Washington,Walworth,Milwaukee & Dane Counties.

Look for properties across Wisconsin on MLS at http://www.lisabear.com



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Thanks John Mulkey House Guro for the shared article!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Fact or Myth... do you know the difference?



Top 5 Myths For Buying A Home
Sometimes when buying a home, expectations may be high. If you are looking to purchase a home, remember it's still a business transaction.
                                                                                                                              
Here are our Top 5 Myths For Home Buyers
1. The listing information is always correct ~ Wrong. When it comes to listings, don't always take the information on the house as being on-target. Some times listing agents don't bother to check out facts they receive from the sellers and the wrong data is posted. Always verify!
2. We will find the PERFECT house ~ Not always. Buyers may try to focus on something that's wrong with a house rather than all of it's good points. Don't expect to get everything on your wish list and zero in on the items that are the most important to you.
3. If we have several agents looking for homes on our behalf, we'll find a house quicker. Wrong again. By working exclusively with one agent you will improve the momentum and the end results. Working with your Buyers Agent thrives on communication, loyalty and trust!
4. When a house remains on the market longer, the more you can negotiate a better deal.  Buyers always ask, "How long has this home been on the market?" They may think the longer its been on the market the more they can negotiate the price down.  Wrong ~ It often means the seller is determined to hold on to their price.
 
5. If the offer is accepted right away, it was too much to offer."  No, it's just called buyers remorse. There's no point in second-guessing what the bottom line is, go with your goal and everyone will be a winner.

Owning a home can be a wonderful experience or a nightmare.  It pays to be prepared for the experience.

Call me today and find out how I can help make it a wonderful experience you buy or sell your home smoothly and efficiently.
 
Courtesy of Lisa Bear RE/MAX Realty Center - Oconomowoc Wisconsin

262-893-5555 Office/Cell
 
Proudly Serving Waukesha Country and Lake Country Wiscosnin,the greater Milwaukee metro area including:Jefferson,Dodge, Washington,Walworth,Milwaukee & Dane Counties. 

Look for properties across Wisconsin on MLS at http://www.lisabear.com

 
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A household tip for you...Vinegar the unsung hero PART 7

Vinegar is the unsung hero of   "COOKING"

Enjoying a salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing is one of the most popular ways to use vinegar in the kitchen. But that’s just the beginning! Regular and flavored vinegars are versatile recipe ingredients that add flavor and distinction, and can also contribute to good health!
To make basic vinaigrette salad dressing use 1 part white distilled vinegar to 4 parts oil.

Make creamy vinaigrette by adding some plain or whipped cream to a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 parts oil.

Tenderize meat with white distilled vinegar. Use it in marinades or when slow cooking any tough, inexpensive cuts of meat.

When poaching eggs, add a little white distilled vinegar to the water. The whites stay better formed.

For extra tenderness with boiling ribs or stew meat add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar.

To add a zesty new taste to fresh fruits such as pears, cantaloupe, honeydew, or others, add a splash of rice or balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately to prevent the fruit from becoming mushy.

Freshen wilted vegetables by soaking them in cold water containing a spoonful or two of white distilled vinegar.

When boiling or steaming cauliflower, beets or other vegetables, add a teaspoon or two of white distilled vinegar to the water to help them keep their color. This will also improve their taste, and reduce gassy elements. This also works when cooking beans and bean dishes.

Make pasta less sticky and reduce some of its starch. Add just a dash of white distilled vinegar to the water as it cooks.

Give some extra zest to your white sauce by adding 1/2 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar.

Try cider or malt white distilled vinegar instead of ketchup with french fries—that’s how the British like to eat them. Either one is also great on fish or any fried or broiled meat.

Remove kitchen odors that come from burnt pots or when cooking certain foods by boiling a small amount of water with 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar so that the steam circulates throughout the room.

Make onion odors disappear from your hands by rubbing with white distilled vinegar.

Add moistness and taste to any chocolate cake—homemade or from a box—with a spoonful of white distilled vinegar.

To keep frosting from sugaring add a drop of white distilled vinegar. It will also help keep white frosting white and shiny.

Make perfect, fluffy meringue by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar for every 3 to 4 egg whites used.

Perk up any can of soup or sauce with a teaspoon of red or white wine vinegar.

Eliminate the greasy taste in food cooked in a deep fryer by adding a dash of white distilled vinegar.

If you’ve added too much salt to a recipe, add a spoonful of white distilled vinegar and sugar to try correcting the taste.

Keep molded gelatin desserts and salads from sagging or melting in the summer heat by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar for each box of gelatin used.

When making tuna salad add a dash of any herb-flavored white distilled vinegar.

Turn out great rice by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water.

To make the perfect picnic potato salad dressing combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Olives or pimentos covered with white distilled vinegar can be kept almost indefinitely if refrigerated.

To keep eggs from cracking when boiling add a tablespoon or two of white distilled vinegar to water.

Vinegar --ECONOMICAL, ALL NATURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY, NON-TOXIC

Call me today and find out how I can help you buy or sell your home smoothly and efficiently.

Courtesy of Lisa Bear RE/MAX Realty Center

262-893-5555 Office/Cell











Proudly Serving Southcentral and Southeastern Wisconsin with Referrals from my Clients

Look for properties across Wisconsin on MLS at http://www.lisabear.com

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Friday, April 8, 2011

Are you in the DOG house?

Does your listing smell like D-O-G? If so, it may be the reason it hasn’t sold.


I recently stopped into an Open House to check out a home that’s been on the market for nearly a year.
It has gone through numerous price reductions and at least 2 Realtors that I’m aware of. When I walked in the door, I was assaulted by an overpowering “sting” of chemical cover-up which, in my case, means an instant headache, watery eyes and a frantic urge to get out as fast as possible.

Not to mention the intense annoyance of having to breathe toxic air because someone is trying to hide s-t-i-n-k!! GACK!

What I discovered during my “tour” was a wall full of dog leashes, pet food bowls and a “turtle room” – an entire bedroom being used to house turtle aquariums and heat lamps. Hello? What part of getting a house ready to sell doesn’t this agent understand?

The “apple pie”candles, sickeningly sweet incense and “gag-me” air fresheners were obviously being used to try to cover up dog odor and pet stink.

My personal reaction? What else are they trying to hide?
Sadly, this house will probably still be on the market in a year from now.
What would I do? The first thing I’d do is tell the sellers the truth.

The dog odor and turtle room have to GO. No one is going to buy a bedroom they can’t see and no one is going to buy a house that smells like a kennel…unless the price is so compelling that they can afford to do what the sellers need to do:

1. Replace all carpet (steam cleaning actually brings the dog smell up to the surface and makes it more intense)
2. Have the duct work professionally cleaned and ozone treated
3. Clean all cupboards inside and out
4. Paint all wall surfaces
5. If tile is present, have it professionally cleaned

Moral of the story? Buyers want to see and smell clean. They don’t want to see a zoo or smell “Eau de dog cover-up.” Never try to disguise pet odor with chemical deodorizers. Give the house a bath and make sure it scrubs behind it’s ears!

Call me today and find out how I can help you buy or sell your home smoothly and efficiently.

Courtesy of Lisa Bear RE/MAX Realty Center
262-893-5555 Office/Cell











Proudly Serving Southcentral and Southeastern Wisconsin with Referrals from my Clients

Look for properties across Wisconsin on MLS at http://www.lisabear.com

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