Recently someone asked me how I get out of state buyers, syndicators and more on my commercial properties. Like traditional residential real estate commercial real estate has networks as well. A network that anyone can look at, and any Realtor can join for free is www.loopnet.com. The beauty sits in a powerful global and national Commercial MLS system known as www.Xceligent.com. This system has it all; satellite viewing, data banks that are unreal, and comp comparisons and marketing features that make it one of my best friends. If you are needing to know what your commercial property is worth in Wisconsin, or are needing assistance in any aspect of commercial real estate then email or call me. I have worked on many projects, have lots of experience, and welcome the chance to talk to you... 03/24/2009

      Friday, March 27, 2009. 3:30-5:30 pm. 7th-12th graders: We'll have a bunch of Wii set up, with Rock Band, MarioKart, Wii Play, Sport, a Fit Board, and others. Bring your nunchuk skills! There will be food, and as always, there's no cost and no registration. Bring your friends! This event is for people in 7th-12th grades only. Free. Oconomowoc Public Library, 200 South St, Oconomowoc, Waukesha County. Call 262-569-2193 for more information.   PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  ALSO, CONTACT ME FOR INFORMATION ON MY REFERRAL PROGRAM TOO! HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php       kjohnston@remax.net, kjjj1234... 03/24/2009

Spring is always welcome in my book, and this year more than ever. It has been a winter of lots of snow, lots of cold temperatures, and with every warming day it just gets that much closer to the beautiful springs, and magnificent summers. However, just when you think it is taking off towards the mercury rising Wisconsin tradition of being unpredictable in weather never lets you down. A couple days ago it was all melted, warm as can be, and people are telling me they are looking at putting their boats in the water soon. Tee shirts back to cashmire coats in two days. It won't be long and it will all be a memory, but getting to that point can be one day opening windows, and the next turning up the heat. The people in Wisconsin make this state truly one of a kind. Why not come and find out... 03/23/2009

 Western Waukesha County is the location for Oconomowoc Wisconsin. If you were thinking of relocating this would be one place you would not want to miss. Beautiful Lakes, magnificent parks, wonderful shops, amazing restaurants and cafes. It would be hard to run out of things to do, and the activities could not run out.Full and History, and loaded with charm, Oconomowoc is truly a magnificent City to visit, and to work and live in.   Coo-No-Mo-Wauk (where the waters meet, or river of lakes) in time would become Oconomowoc.  At one time, Lake Road was referred to as "Presidents Avenue since Taft, Grant, Cleveland, Coolidge,McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt had visited and enjoyed Draper Hall and the hospitality of its wealthy residents. Today the summer mansions are year round homes, and the l... 03/22/2009

They say that Spring has arrived but I saw (for a short time) snow on the ground on Saturday morning, March 21 (around 6:30 am, in case you didn't get up until 8:00 am!). Not unusual for Wisconsin. I remember a May snowstorm in 1990 that left a few inches. So I asked my friend, and local farmer, Jeff Becker what he thought about it. He counts the number of snows he has every year and then uses that information for the following year. Jeff said there's always three snows on a robin's back, and he has seen robins in the area for at least two weeks. I had never heard that expression before, but then I'm a city gal - or lake country gal, if you don't believe Oconomowoc is a city. Three snows on a robin's back. I'm taking that advice and not moving the summer furniture out at the Vespera at ... 03/22/2009

Okay. It had to happen sometime. It's my turn to spend Sunday at Vespera, Valley road and St. Andrew's Place in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. I just love the place, and everytime I'm there I start to think about making an offer myself. So I need people to come visit me, so I don't start thinking!! I used to love my privacy out in Concord, but when the weather is nice, like it has been the last couple of days, I remember how icy (and long!) my driveway is in the winter and wouldn't it be nice to have a sandy beach to lay on in the summer. So stop in this Sunday,March 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm - okay, I know it's March madness and the Badgers and Marquette are playing on Sunday, but if you are a fan you know you just need to watch the final minutes anyway (wasn't that something on Friday - Marquet... 03/21/2009

 Today it is a balmy 63 degrees in Waukesha County, and there are ponds where there were no ponds before. Everything has melted and the sun is out in all it's glory. Driving through each city, town, and village people are out and enjoying the day. This would be a great opportunity to purchase a home with the great rates, the wonderful selection, and the amazing prices. Enjoy your day, and now that Spring arrived yesterday along with the Equinox it is time to call or email me for your home buyer package, and Real Estate tool kit. See You At Closing! Tom Braatz        You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.BUYINGVIP.com. 24/7 recorded message to obtain Free report,Buyer Package,and Real Estate Tool Kit 1-800-800-7140 If you need to purchase within the next 60 days go to Ext 101 If y... 03/21/2009

The following is a summary for activity in Real Estate in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Jefferson Counties.  WAUKESHA COUNTY 207 Sold listings. 47 of these properties were listed and sold by the same company, and 160 were co-brokes. There was 804 New listings There were  157 Pending transactions There were 503 Expired listings There are currently 4,684 active listings. MILWAUKEE COUNTY 455 Sold listings. 131 of these properties were listed and sold by the same company, and 324 were co-brokes. There were 1,538 New listings . There were 526 Pending transactions . There were 1,199 Expired listings There are currently 8,003 Active listings. JEFFERSON COUNTY There were 39 Sold listings . 13 of these properties were listed and sold by the same company, and 26 were co-brokes There were 147... 03/20/2009

It's March 18th and in the last half a year many of challenges have taken place for myself, my son, and Lars. There are some that might not have the compassion I have for my dog, but the beauty is he is much more than a dog to me. He is one of my heroes. My son I am sure does not mind having a birthday so close to him, and they are best of friends. I had a friend that so unselfishly a number of years ago told me we were going for a ride, and I better plan on the day. She had mentioned that we were going up past the Omro Wisconsin area. My first question was "You mean that you are finally going to go sky diving with me?" She said no, and was fast to remind me that in her mind only two things fell from the sky; bird crap and idiots. Much to my expectation we came to a breeder that raised ... 03/18/2009

For the last number of weeks I have been doing an awful lot of market evaluations on duplexes that people had bought in the last five years or so. Many of these wonderful people are in the position where they have leveraged their properties and the time to sell is now. It hurts me when I have to look at many of these wonderful people and tell them that they paid too much for the property. "But the appraisal said it was worth this much!" Well, the definition of an appraisal at that time may not meet the definition of an appraisal today. This is real time. Many get it, but for some it just hits hard that they did not do an analysis of the property, take into the consideration of an entity perhaps, and projected appreciation. It was all cash flow at that time. I hope the new market brings ... 03/16/2009

Traveling around Wisconsin my mouth keeps dropping at the incredible values that can be bought. Ranging from a four family to 650 units. Why not give me a call and we can arrange a private meeting to discuss your current portfolio. Plenty of commercial banks are eager to lend to qualified parties and investors. If it is not out there we will find it. If your liking is to purchase a strip mall, C-store, shopping center, or big box for retail or office we have you covered as well. All you need to do is call Tom Braatz at 262-377-1459, or email him at tom@tombraatz.com. We can roll up our sleeves and see what may suit your needs and what direction to go. We work harder than a rented mule to make sure you come a a major winner. We would not have it any other way.   See you at closing! Tom B... 03/15/2009

It seems like only yesterday I was walking in those halls in Elmbrook hospital waiting for my child to arrive. I came back into the room after eating a bunch of sandwiches and cups of coffee to find my wife had become irritable. Like any concerned husband I said "Hey Gail, you are really huffing and puffing there, when this is done I will get you a can of Lite beer." That followed from her was just a long sentence that I care not to repeat. I think the can of Lite beer was the last thing on her mind. Gail, if you are listening; Thank You. Spencer is going to be a great man. Spencer came in that morning and now fourteen years later I have my measurement of what life is about. It's not money, it's not material, not even close. It's having a friend in a little man that makes me smile for n... 03/13/2009

It is no secret that it has been a down market, and the economy could be better. I was talking a broker recently and I literally told this individual to quit their whining and get their game on, and perfect it. Remember when the market was great and we were always interested in other avenues of business generation that could help us, and we just could not find the time to keep up with anything because we were so busy? The time to perfect, tweak, and get it all lined up is now. When it gets busy, and we can't remember our names we will not have the time or luxury of time to always reinvent ourselves into a better broker or salesperson. WWW.ACTIVERAIN.COM has given many of us the opportunity to learn great social networking and really enlighten us to a magnificent way of networking, letti... 03/12/2009

6801 West Loomis road, Greendale. $580,000  Property is outstanding opportunity and lends to many different uses. Zoned B3 Special Use Have a copy of zoning code. Usewould have to go before a board for approval. Sewer and water are veryclose. Like across the the road to the south east at a business facilityaccording to public works. Extension of same would depend on density etc. $580K      Sincerely Glenn Shong and Tom Braatz   RE/MAX Let's roll up our sleeves, get a game plan, and make your dreams come true! It is time to buy that home. Committed to Consumers and Real Estate agents Worldwide tom@tombraatz.com  tombraatz@remax.net  www.activerain.com/tommybraatz  www.LinkedIn.com   www.ecademy.com  www.tombraatz.com www.buyingvip.com 262-377-1459 www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.face... 03/11/2009

I think you would be hard pressed to find a more radical person when I was younger. Just your typical young man; bending strings on a Les Paul like there was no tomorrow, training and kick boxing (then it was called full-contact), and thinking that the bars were only going to be open a few good nights a year (although I surveyed them to make sure they were open the rest of the year). There was nothing mellow about me. Times have changed, although I still need a hair cut, but now I just enjoy a good parade. I do have a memory of something that I doubt will ever escape me; that is Green beer on St. Patrick'sDay. Years go by and I wonder what in the world possessed me to sit there and drink that much green beer. The holiday is festive, and I guess I could ask myself if they have greeen Dew... 03/11/2009

It wasn't to long ago that I thought I would step out of the box just a little bit further and ask for help from some megastars in the way they attract returns. It wasn't long and I became friends with both. They taught me an awful lot on attraction and how to get people to their web companies. Granted, I don't own media companies, Internet social networks,and others, but what I have learned from them really is no different than you and I having a cup of coffee across from each other. "Think like what you would want to attract". "Be yourself and have fun" It got to the point where we now could feed off each other. I am proud that they think of me the way they do, and they recently said I could use there testimonials because they said it was the truth. Gentleman, I thank you as always.Ma... 03/09/2009

I think it is great for anyone that is networking on Facebook that they can also design their business card and display their business on "Live listings" So I thought I would share.   Real Estate Agents You're Friends With | Real Estate Agents You Recommend | Real Estate Agents Friends Recommend View My Real Estate Agent CardEdit My Real Estate Agent CardInvite Friends Buyer's Guide       Seller's Guide       Compare Utilities Online View Facebook Profile Let Me Know If You're Interested In:Determining Value of My Home Finding Out What I Can Afford Viewing Listings Investing in Real Estate Renting a Home Discussing Selling Tom Braatz RE/MAX Realty Center Areas I Work: Waukesha and Milwaukee COUNTIES, AND ALL OF SOUTH EASTERN WISCONSIN Number: 262-377-1459 See Live Listings: http://www.t... 03/07/2009

In a day and time where technology is a premium and we have every tool imaginable to us at our fingertips we should be selective and use the tools that give us a return.ActiveRain  is a great tool for social interaction between Realtors and peers, networking and referral system, and for great SEO and public awareness. Integration into Facebook, and Twitter and more can just add to your social and business presence. I personal love my dog so much that I use him as a branding device and he doesn't mind; he gets all the attention and recognition he can handle. In fact, people are so infatuated with him he has his own fan club on Facebook. I write something about myself and not a beep, and I write something that Lars is doing and 3500 people have their choose to say to him what they want. O... 03/04/2009

Every Sunday my son tells me what he wants to bake and we roll up our sleeves and commence to bake. As with any business discussion I may have we try to find a common solution, compromise, or how we may be able to rectify the problem that has surfaced, or is about to. My son Spencer is a master at problem solving. It may be a major dilemma of what type of cookie, or pie, or cake for that matter, we want to bake. I will take a methodical approach to what may be more practical and why we would want to bake that. For example, I might say that we would want to bake a few dozen oatmeal cookies, and then next time we could bake something different. Here's where my son shines (and Lars is behind him for every approval and scrap that may find it's way to his negotiating palate. My son starts of... 02/28/2009

I remember sitting outside of David Hanson's office not too long ago and Dave making mention of what a wonderful son I had. A short time later I was over at Sally and David Hanson's home and it was a normal greeting from the princess sally.I walked in her home, and immediately she gives you that warm and genuine kiss and hug. Sally , for those who have not met her is a very attractive blonde haired woman with a magnificent smile. That day I was rewarded with another charming comment again about my son when Dave and Sally told me that they thought my son was one of the most polite young men they have ever met. They are so right, and I am so proud to hear comments like that. From there I started to reminence about when he was a baby As my son gets bigger everyday it becomes a paradox to m... 02/27/2009