Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate: Wisconsin

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.

I don't ever remember walking along the beach or strolling around the quarry at Harrington Beach State Park in the middle of the winter. But this winter is different.

So far this year, we've had minimal snow and unusually warm temps. Today we made it into the 50s. Add bluer than blue skies, a breeze out of the west, and the golden sun, and you have the makings of the perfect day to play hooky from work.

So that's what I did -- at least for part of the day. I couldn't resist.

If you haven't been to Harrington you should take some time to visit. Located in Belgium, just 25 minutes or so north of Milwaukee, this state park offers year-round activities including camping, fishing, cross country skiing, and hiking.

This is the place we'd go to as kids for some summer fun, whether we biked there from home or drove down with the entire family piled into our old green Dodge on a  Sunday afternoon.

No matter the season, there is awe everywhere you look. It's the perfect place to go when you want to play hooky for the day.

Looking for some winter fun in a community full of charm? Then plan on spending some time at Cedarburg's Winter Festival February 4 and 5.

These two days are full of a variety of events and activities for all ages including the Ice-Burg Open Golf Tournament, Co-Ed Sno-Ball Tournament, a dog weight-pull competition (NEW THIS YEAR!), costumed bed races on Cedar Creek, a parade, barrel races, and snowshoeing. Enjoy a pancake breakfast on Sunday along with an egg hunt. And don't forget to allow enough time to stroll through and enjoy the many shops and restaurants Cedarburg has to offer.

Cedarburg is located about 20 minutes north of Milwaukee and is best know for its old-world charm, unique shops, great restaurants and a variety of special events and festivals throughout the year.

So bundle up and come check out Cedarburg this coming Saturday and Sunday!

As I write this, the beginnings of a snowstorm are happening outside. It's bitter cold and those fine snowflakes are falling. You wouldn't think this would be the time of year for a farmers market in Wisconsin -- but it is!

Beginning Saturday, January 28, and continuing the last Saturday of each month through May, is the Port Washington Winter Farmers Market. What sorts of goodies will be sold at this event?

You will find beef, pork, yellow perch, bread, lettuce, preserves, sorghum and honey, maple syrup, chips and dips, butter, cheese and yogurt will be available -- and everything is locally grown or produced!

The market is held at First Congregational Church, 135 North Webster Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and it is sponsored in parntership with the First Congregational Church Sustainability Committee, Port Washington Main Street and PortFish LTD.

Be sure to make a note in your calendar to check out Port Washington's Winter Farmers Market and support our local farmers!

Riveredge Nature Center in Newburg is offering a snowshoe hike night on Saturday, January 21. The nature center is located at 4458 Highway Y, and the cost for this event is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. If you are a member of the center, the cost for adults is $5 and children is $4.

This experience is great for all ages as you learn about the active creatures after dark and enjoy the natural beauty of this gem in Ozaukee County.

Snowshoes will be provided by Riveredge, or you can bring your own. If there's not enough snow to snowshoe, there will still be a regular hike. Be sure to dress appropriately, including insulated boots. Hot beverages will be available after.

Call for a reservation -- 262-375-2715 -- as space is limited.

Located on the west side of Port Washington, this home offers opportunity for someone looking for a "fixer-upper". On the first floor are the living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a full bath. Per the seller, there are hardwood floors in the living room and bedrooms. Upstairs is a spacious master bedroom with great built-ins, and a half bath. The backyard is generous in size and fenced for added privacy. Gather up your ideas and your vision, and bring back the shine to this home. Lot size/year built per WireData. Home warranty is included. Being sold "as is".

CALL OR EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFORMATION.

I don't think you can exist in this world today and not have at least somewhat of an idea of what social media is even if you don't use it in your everyday life. And I don't think you can be in the real estate business -- or any business for that matter -- and not have it as part of your overall marketing plan.

Today I was reminded yet again just how powerful it is and what a benefit it can be.

In the past 24 hours, I've had a great business plan template emailed to me from a fellow CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) member via LinkedIn. She posted a message and offer to share her plan via the CRS LinkedIn group I joined months ago. She gave me some much needed motivation to sit down and really think about my goals for the coming year and to get it down on paper. Time to hold myself accountable for my real estate business.

I also received some direction from a fellow ActiveRainer on direct marketing and ideas for a simple, yet effective monthly postcard program. You can't interact with this individual and not feel enthused.

Over the past couple of years, I've connected with lenders, real estate agents from my market area but also market areas around the country, home inspectors, past co-workers, and childhood acquaintances and friends. They are now all aware of what I do for a living, and hopefully we can exchange some referrals down the road.

But in recent weeks, I've also seen the not-so-good side of social media. I've seen some inappropriate posts left on Facebook by some professionals whose services I've referred out and local businesses I've patronized.

You hear it all the time -- be careful what you put out there. Watch the language and the tone. Think about how what you write could be misinterpreted by the reader. Think about how it could taint your reputation.

Sometimes I wonder if any of us really understand how far the internet stretches -- how many people now know about us. Once it's out there -- it's out there.

Use social media as part of your business plan. Benefit from it. Learn from it. But perhaps keep the angry commentary, the colorful language, and the sarcasm as a part of private conversation instead.

You found the house. It's perfect. It has the number of bedrooms you need and the updated bathrooms you were looking for. It's the perfect location in the neighborhood you most wanted to be in. So let's go take a look!

Whoa!!! Not so fast. Have you talked to a lender yet? Do you have that pre-approval letter?

If the answer is "no," there's no need to go look at that or any house just yet. Here are the reasons why.

In today's market -- and even in any market -- a seller will likely not even look at an offer unless they know you've talked to a lender and are qualified to purchase their home.

There are different loan options available. How much of a down payment will you need? Will the type of loan you qualify for allow for repairs to be made after closing? 

You could fall in love with a house you can't afford. Wouldn't it be better to know before you start looking what your price point is rather than get emotionally attached to the perfect house and then find out it's out of your price point?

It could send a red flag to your Realtor® if you opt not to get pre-approved. I'm pretty sure I've lost a couple buyers along the way because I asked that they get pre-approved before we start the search. If they refuse, I tend to wonder how serious they are about their home search. Is there a reason they think they may not get pre-approved?

Getting pre-approved is part of the overall home-buying process; it's something every buyer who is going to finance their home is going to have to complete. And it's to everyone's benefit -- most importantly your's -- to make it the first step.

Fall has definitely made its presence known here in Grafton with the chillier temps and changing colors. It also means it's time for Grafton's Annual Pumpkin Fest. So take some time the weekend of October 6-8 to enjoy the many activities! Admission is free.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
5:30-7:30 pm Scarecrow building in the Paramount Plaza.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:00 pm Food, beverages and a performance by Loo$e Change.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
8:00-11:00 am Grafton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Zaun Pavilion in Lime Kiln Park

10:00 am-1:00 pm Family scavenger walk in Paramount Plaza

10:00 am-4:00 pm Art show in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-Noon & 1:30-3:00 pm North Shore Academy of the Arts in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-2:30 pm Pumpkin Cross Cycle Race in Lime Kiln Park

11:00 am-1:00 pm Pumpkin carving demonstration in Paramount Plaza

11:00 am-4:00 pm Chalk walk, children's activity area, bake sale, farmers market

Noon-2:00 pm Pumpkin seed spitting contest at Grafton Village Center

1:00-3:00 pm Bingo at Paramount Grille and Bakehouse

3:00-9:00 pm Pig roast, hay rides, live music, food/beverages in Lime Kiln Park

7:00-9:00 pm Community bonfire and sing-along in Lime Kiln Park

This event is sponsored by Aurora Healthcare and presented by Celebrate Grafton. If you'd like more information, check out celebrategrafton.com.

Great Location! Great House! Great for You!

A great home in a great neighborhood. Located in desirable Merrill Crest subdivision, this ranch home offers space for everyone. The large living room flows to the formal dining room with built-in china cabinet. The bright and spacious sunken family room has a natural fireplace and patio door leading to your back yard, and there is a second set of patio doors is in the well-designed kitchen. All three bedrooms have hardwood floors. The lower level has an expansive rec room that includes a ping pong table, and there is also another partially finished room with a closet. The best way to describe the back yard is “private,” with towering trees overlooking the freshly painted deck. Other great features include six-panel doors, recently painted exterior, newer furnace and water heater, and some new carpet. And for some added peace of mind, the seller is providing a one-year home warranty. Take advantage of these historically low interest rates and make your move today!