Many brokers these days are saying how "hard" they have to work. These days? Doesn't it take sacrifices to get ahead and also at the same time a salesperson that works hard, but works smarter as well. Working  smarter? Being up on technology, ways of increasing efficiency, and many other avenues can make us stand out from the rest of the pool of brokers. Just think about the following for a bitL "When out running the Lion it is not so much necessary to be the fastest gazelle, but just  faster than the gazelle next to you." In a time where some are re-inventing the wheel, perhaps the approach is to step out of the box or package it came in, and really take a good look at the wheel. We recently had a buyer comment on receiving information from requesting information from me via Google an... 02/27/2009

 I am fortunate to have a son that likes to ride along with me and reminiscence of places we have been, and things we have done. he likes to remember washingtonisland and all the good times we would havbe there. We would get on the ferry, cross over to to Island, drop our stuff off at our lake home, and then from there Spencer, Lars, ans i would be off to the local albatross to get an ice cream cone. Spencer has such great memories of hanging out with his mom eating local treats, the welcome center, the museum, and even going over to see his little reindeer friend "Miss Donner" at the Ostrich farm    We would get up in the morning and go out salmon fishing in our boat. He really liked this because he would drive and it made him feel that he knew where the fish were. Besides, it's one th... 02/26/2009

Now you can have one of the best coaches that will turn you into the broker you always dreamed of being. The fact is, you always had it in you, it just had to be brought out into the light and let you discover the talent you always had inside of you. Let me show you what I have learned, teach you skills that would cost you tens of thousands of dollars to learn, and we will have fun at it while you also have a few closings a week. I have been coaching Realtors now for twenty three years, but effectively making an art out of it for the last 16 years or so. The amazing amount of trial and error, the mistakes that allowed me to refine myself, and the approach I take to helping people be the best they can makes me very proud. I can change your life, and i have changed many. They saw the way ... 02/24/2009

Today I attended a information meeting for local business owners on the new Pabst Farms shopping center.   Developers are looking at opening this mall in 2010.  From the Milwaukee BizJournal: The project would start on the southwest section of the parcel with what the developers call a community center featuring a combination of large and midsize stores and smaller shops. While he didn't name any retailers, city economic development director Bob Duffy had earlier shown a slide that identified Kohl's, Target, Michaels crafts, OfficeMax and Petco. Elias showed a similar Developers Diversified project that had tenants including Super Target, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, Borders, World Market and DSW shoes. What do you think, do we need another mall in the area? What stores would you like to see? ... 02/24/2009

  So you're selling a house and you get a showing request - Yeah!  But wait, they want to come in an hour.  What? How can I get ready?  But that's when the kids get home...  Put all these worries aside!  Say yes!  Let me explain why. Given the current buyers market, you should do everything in your power to accommodate a showing request (we'll assume that the agent making that request has prequalified this buyer as one ready, willing and able to afford your home.)  You never know when this could be the Buyer for your home and many times a buyer who is turned down for a showing never reschedules.  Even if they do reschedule, the relationship has started off on the wrong foot, which could come into play later in the transaction. Often times transferees, who are some of the best ready, wi... 02/22/2009

Open HouseSundays 1:00 to 4:00 pm Stop in and see what everyone is talking about! This unique lake condo community reminiscent of a seaside village in Italy. Mediterranean features throughout! Model is priced at $499,900. What a winter bargain. Visit my youtube video to see the interiors - if you can't make it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCXF_343UK0 Rebecca SpragueShorewest Realtors - Lake Country Office1296 Summit Ave, Oconomowoc, WI 53066262-567-8351 or 262-782-4710 02/22/2009

I can only imagine how life would have been in the middle 1800s or around the turn of the century leading into the 1900s in Waukesha County. The Lake Country region of Waukesha County is full of beautiful mansions on the Lakes, and dotting the countrysides. On Oconomowoc Lake were the Armour mansion, the Valentine mansion, the Pabst  mansion, and from there we can go to Pine Lake  in Chenequa which is one of the wealthiest zip codes in the United States and see mansions that belonged to the Evinrude family (as in boats and marine), and even one of the largest printers in the World, and the owner of Quad/Graphics had his beautiful home on Pine Lake , not to mention very famous basketball, baseball, and other celebrities. Even Al Capone  had a large home on Okauchee Lake and when the Feds... 02/20/2009

It only may take a few minutes but when one travels through Waukesha County they never are far from a Lake; in western Waukesha County this region has become to be known as a beautiful and wonderful area called Lake Country. These are comprised of the Town of Ottawa, North Lake , Oconomowoc, Hartland , Wales, Delafield , Chenequa, Stonebank, Merton,  Nashotah, Oconomowoc Lake, Pewaukee, Merton, Wales,  Okauchee, and more. Each one of these towns and villages are unique. If you are looking for a Lake Property why not contact a team that knows this area well, and would be honored to show you what Lake living is all about. It's almost Spring and soon the Lakes will be alive with lots of activity.Perhaps it's time you to enjoy a Lake Home.                                 See you at Closing!... 02/19/2009

As your Realtor we pride ourselves on what we do. We want to separate ourselves from others by how we stand out, put our heart and soul into our business, and truly do want to make a difference! No matter what career, sport, or for that matter just about anything you are trying to be the best at it really requires a passion for what you do, a conviction to make a difference, a absolute burning desire that is consumed by you, and allows you to focus on your goals at all times. There are times when it may seem that things are stacked against you, but with the right attitude, approach, game plan, and a desire to accomplish much, there truly is very little you cannot accomplish. We hear wonderful achievement stories every day by regular individuals in life that had a desire to accomplish wh... 02/17/2009

If you are even slightly interested in starting your Real Estate portfolio you should email or call us right away. We are seeing some amazing deals out there and the one who invests now has a great chance of watching their investment pay off for them well. Whether you want to start with a duplex, or you need to increase your portfolio with a couple hundred more units we have you covered. We travel all over the state of Wisconsin and we look forward to having the chance to be your Realtor. We even will teach you how to calculate your cash flow after taxes (CFAT) and how to prepare an anual property operating data sheet (APOD) BEFORE we even start to roll up our sleeves together, exercise our game plan, and get in the car!  See you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at... 02/17/2009

It is days of thanks and compassion, such as Valentines Day, that I can take a moment out and say thank you to my wonderful friends, clients, and just about anyone i have ever had the luxury of coming into contact with. Times will vary, and times may bring there ups and downs, but the thought of a heartfelt smile looking back at me, and the support and care that I have received in my life can never go by, or taken for granted. As for my little mister moose Lars he would sum it it by just a big lick on my face, or anyone in his path. I want to thank those for always being there for me, for God getting me through some times, and for having the World's greatest son. For this I wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day! As a young man I realize that my success now, in the past, and in the future... 02/13/2009

It might just be a fluke, but my phone has been ringing like no tomorrow. The good news is often there are wonderful voices on the other end interesting in listing their home. Here is the hard part; so many homes we go to we have to walk away from because the expectation of what they either owe, or what they think it is worth is quite different from what the numbers depict in our market. Foe every 5 appointments we probably take about 1. If it were a number of years ago we would have taken them all, and they would have sold. The thought of listing a home and buying a flat of petunias to put around the sign pole does not appeal to me. Poor Glenn, I delegate a ton of work to him and it would seem that his fingers will fall off one day from sitting on a computer, or Iphone all day. We get ... 02/10/2009

Recently I overheard someone saying "I wish the day would be over and just end" Granted the days can have problems that we will always have to work through, but to have your life put on fast forward just does not make sense. I asked the broker "What would you benefit from by getting rid if the day?' You are not going to get the time back, and if you had problems today perhaps you need to readjust your attitude of how lucky we are to have the job we do. It's sad, it is pitifully sad when someone thinks that getting rid of the day is going to be a cure all. We have to manage our time wisely. I see people that don't even have a check list in the morning and they wonder why they are going in ten directions of non productivity loss. A sense of timing, a sense and goal of what we want to acco... 02/08/2009

When I take a walk in downtown Oconomowoc today I can hear the rain dripping off the canvass awnings in front of the stores. There is a certain syncopation taken place as if in music. You could near the street row in timing. Being a piano player, and a guitar player I was tying to determine if it was in the eight or the sixteenth meter, but all the street noise was trying to sound in as well. Happy people in shops, smiles as families are talking about their wonderful comradely between them all. IT was beautiful. I know it is a short amount of time before all the street poles have plant son them and all the magnificent hanging baskets. I do not think I have ever seen a City that is so decorated with flowers. It is positively breath taking. All the City gardens, and add to the fact that t... 02/07/2009

I see lots of good things going on lately, and I hear of good things that are being worked on. The fact that the Federal government is going to raise the tax credit for First time buyers from $7500  to $15,000 is noble of them, and very smart as a stimulating tool. I would have to sat the warm weather is welcome, and I notice activity picking up. Sure, I am still shaking my head at how in the World a beautiful multi family that is worth 1,100,000 all day long cannot sell at $785,000. It just does not make sense. Recently I had the chance to catch up with a neighbor in my son's subdivision. After a short talk he started to get rather teary eyed and went on to explain that he and his wife, family, and pets were in dire straits and have been for some time. I like these people, I like them ... 02/07/2009

Driving around today everything was melting; a welcome sign that brings water to curbs, ditches, ans other resourceful means that the water will navigate. People cleaning glass on their shop windows, and the emergence of window shoppers, local ice cream aficionados searching out there favorites, and coffee shops and restaurants busy with the talk of what some will do this year, at least possible. One of my favorite times of year. When I was a farmer I was all ready thinking of getting in my fields, my animals were out investigating everything, and at any given moment lay down in the fields to get calmed by the gentle breezes. Make no mistake about it; Spring is on it's way, and it looks forward to welcoming you.   See you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://... 02/06/2009

     Selling your home can be a nerve racking, exhausting experience. Last minute calls, inconvenient showings, price adjustments, and the uncertainties of being stuck with a house that doesn't sell for months on end can all take their toll. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing thousands of dollars in profit!  The difference between a profitable, smooth transaction and a miserable experience is often a fine line. The majority of home selling nightmares are caused by a lack of knowledge. This report is designed to make you aware of the 10 common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.  1.         IMPROPER PRICING - Set the price too high and it will sit unsold and develop the identity of a problem property, with the accompanying stigma of what real estate agents c... 02/06/2009

When I first started in Real Estate I remember another sales associate mentioning to me "wait until you write that first offer over $100,000." That day came and I thought "I have arrived." Some years would go by and I would drive by properties and say to myself "These Lake properties are doing nothing but going up, and up." This was set further in concrete when I purchased my vacation home on the Lake in Door County on Washington Island.  It just went through the sky. I wish I would have had a crystal ball to forecast what a great investment this would have been. It was just three and four years ago I was out looking at, or selling Lake homes that were $400,000, $650,000, and into the millions. Well ,guess what? Their affordable once again. If you have been hesitating to buy a Lake home... 02/05/2009

The Highlands of Lake Country, located in the town of Oconomowoc, one mile norht of the bypass on Hwy 67 and McMahon Rd.  Look up and there you will find this gem overlooking beautiful Waukesha County. Lot 1 is a 1.98 acre estate, elevated high above the landscape and well suited for an exposed lower level.  It is hard to find a comparable lot and developement for the price of $139,900. On 20 homes will be in this 105 acre retreat, each adjacent to woods, ponds, wetland or passive outlot. Call Response Realtors today!!! Ph: 262-594-3200Fax: 262-594-3210URL: http://www.responserealtors.com Ph: 262-389-8577 Cell: 262-389-8577Fax: 262-594-3210Email: gregc@responserealtors.com RESPONSIVE, RESPECTED, RESULTS! www.naymz.com www.activerain.com/cavaianiteam www.localism.com/cavaianiteam www.twi... 02/03/2009

I went to a listing appointment the other day. I remember the day well because it was one of those unbearable cold days that become synonymous with Wisconsin winters. I did not get any ice fishing, snow mobile, or anything else fun like in this year. Heck, anticipation had me sell my snow blower. This I should have kept and then sold it. The new year is taking off, my objectives are in order, my game plan is fine tuned, and I tend to be picking up every phone in site with the thought of a prospect on the other end. As I walked up to this home and I was thinking who in the world would want to be out walking in this noise I was taken back by something that really made me think that everything is reaching for strength, for growth, for light. The door I went to was on the southeast corner o... 01/30/2009