Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate: February 2012

BRIGHT 2-BEDROOM/2-BATH SIDE- BY-SIDE CONDO!

W199N16360 Erwin Way Jackson, WI

This condo is bright, well cared for and ready for you!

The living room has high ceilings and a fireplace that can either be used as a natural or gas unit. It flows to the dining area and kitchen, which has lots of cabinets and a breakfast bar.

The master bedroom is huge and has its own private bath and plenty of closet space. This unit also features a guest bedroom and bath, first-floor laundry, an expansive full basement and an attached 2.5 car garage.

GREAT LOCATION AND MOVE-IN READY!
$149,900

A couple of days ago I received an email out of the blue from a buyer I met at an open house about four or five years ago. When we first met he had just started looking, and I think he had decided it wasn't the right time for him to buy. So we lost touch; I didn't do a good job staying connected to him, so to receive this call from him is flattering, to say the least.

He said he's looking for a house, has a few he saw on the internet he'd like to see, and would like to buy something sooner rather than later.

Then he told me that I wouldn't be making much commission on this sale. Huh???

He explained that he really wanted to stay close to $100,000 and possibly buy more of a dream home down the road. Do I still want to work with him? He said he realizes real estate agents don't make much on a $100,000 sale so wanted to be sure I was okay with this.

He reminded me of a comment I had received from another buyer the previous weekend. That buyer called me asking to take a look at a fixer-upper I had listed. When we met at the house, which was listed at $103,000, he told me he called because a friend of his in the business wasn't returning his call. His girlfriend quipped it was because this is "only" a $100,000 house.

I will never understand that mentality of not wanting to work with a "$100,000 buyer." I will be the first to acknowledge that if that is the only price point an agent works in, it will take many, many sold units to be able to keep up with the bills.

But at the same time, these buyers need my help just as much as a $200,000 or $500,000 buyer does. So if they can demonstrate to me that they are serious about and commmitted to buying a house, you can bet I will work with them. Hopefully one day they will call me when they are ready to move up to something bigger or maybe they have a friend or relative who needs my services.

And besides, I was a $100,000 buyer several years ago. To think an agent would have thought less of me because of my price point -- well, I don't ever want someone to feel they're any less important than someone who may qualify for a more expensive home.

This is probably the best explanation I've ever read about the importance and benefits of staging your home for sale. Perhaps one of the best things any seller can do, especially in today's market.

A great condo just came on the market in Belgium at a great price, and it is not a short sale or foreclosure.

With nearly 1800 square feet of space, this 2-bedroom/2-bath upper unit is bright, well-maintained and ready for its new owners.

In addition to large rooms, cathedral ceilings, in-unit laundry, a private garage, private entrance, and a master suite, this unit offers TWO private balconies/decks. Both offer great space for enjoying the outdoors during Wisconsin's warmer months.

All of this for just $124,900. Call or email to take a look and be "wowed."

Looking for a place to donate clothes you no longer wear or items such as furniture, electronics, and housewares? Or are you looking for some gently used furniture, electronics, household items or clothes for yourself or your family? 

Goodwill is hoping to open a retail and drop-off location in Grafton! If all goes as planned, the store should be opening in June, and will be located in the former Sears building on Wisconsin Street, just a short distance south of Highway 60/Washington Avenue. This is a great addition to the community as this will be the only location in Ozaukee County.

If you're not familiar with Goodwill, they are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Milwaukee that assists youth, seniors, veterans and military families, immigrants, and people with disabilities, criminal backgrounds and other special needs in securing employment and becoming and staying a contributing member of society. You can learn all about their mission, services, and opportunities by visiting their website, goodwill.org.