I had a chance to drive through the Village of Hartland today. It was just as interesting I was reminiscing with my attorney friend Larry Maloney of Dealfield Law Offices. Larry and I totally agree that out mutual friend Larry was one of the greatest saleman on Earth. Larry has since pasted on, but will ever be remembered in the hearts of many. I came to know LW when I was working for a company called Merrill Lynch in the eighties. LW was one of the most personable persons you could ever meet. He made time for everyone, and at the same time was amazingly productive. I think it was LW that also said something one time to me that indeed sat in my mind, and still does, as to determination. I always found it amazing when I was younger how well LW manged his time. Just when I thought I was ... 11/21/2008

  "Explore your interests in life and do them with passion. Never let someone tell you that it cannot be done. Rather, dare to be different, two steps forward, allows a step backwards once in a while.Networking allows us to satisfy our curiosity" "Life is a journey that has to be relished. Life really is all attitude. Dont create a self defeating prophecy and tell your self you can't do something. Rather control your destiny and be passionate about very evrything that excites you, or you partake in" "We all need to lead by example. Life is an amazing journey. One should always strive to take two steps forward at all times. In the event we take a step backwards once in a while we still are ahead. Focusing and pursueing interests makes us what man is" "Life is a mission of always taking t... 11/20/2008

  Located a matter of minutes from the charming, and friendly Village of Dousman, yet maintaining a very pleasant and quiet setting, this three bedroom, two and a half bath ranch awaits it's new lucky owners. Take a look, and stay for ever. The amenities and updates in this residence have been well thought out.   Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this country subdivision. Original ownerdeveloper quality built home. Triple glazed windows, crown moldings, oak trim andoak flush doors. Use large second bedroom as an office. Lower level with full sizedwindows awaits your expansion ideas. Roof replaced in 2007, newer furnace and wellpump. With the under ground sprinkler you will have a lush green yard in the heat ofthe summer. Space in the four car garage attached for your wood working shop ... 11/20/2008

 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 od 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. As the town grew and word of its beauty and natural wealth spread, tradesmen began to arrive. One such early settler was a young man named John S. Rockwell. He built his griss mill, owned the first store and hotel, and enoted sites to all the churches. He started the f... 11/20/2008

  Many updates in this beautiful ranch home such as a new furnace, roof, windows, laminate floors. Fenced yard backs up to subdivision common area. Very private yard, patio with hot tub. All appliances included. Great family room with fireplace just 2.5 miles south of I-94. $219,000. Call for appointment and make an offer today! The Village of Dousman is surrounded by scenic nature, rolling hills, meadows, and kettle moraines. Watch the sand hill cranes in the fields, walk, hike, or bike the Glacial Drumlin nature trail. There is a new adventure waiting for you when you purchase this fine home.       There really isn't anything that a Buyer or a Seller could not find at www.glennshong.com or www.tombraatz.com In fact, call or email us to set up a listing appointment or an appointment to... 11/13/2008

It seems that when things really slow down in Commercial Real Estate, and in Western Waukesha County Residential Real Estate, it does not take long to really put a dent in things. I was so used to full schedules from seven in the morning and winding up into the evenings. The time is fast approaching and I see the corrections taking place for this to happen once again. Things have changed; we work harder than ever to make things happen. The good things that we have a great attitude, and no matter what happens we always look forward to the future, and what ever it may bring, where ever we are. Our attitude breeds success, and no matter how you define that, we strive forward, and to always better ourselves. I forget the author but the saying remarking the word "Conviction" holds very true ... 11/10/2008

Walking around the Lake in Oconomowoc one notices that owners of the homes are getting out the cones that cover the rose bushes, and the ever present burlap that will cover plants to keep them strong during winter. I saw people tiring aluminum foil, or cheese cloth as well around the base of the tree. This is done so deers dont pull at the bark and eat it. Smart deer; the bark of certain trees such as Willow trees and others trees and bushes benefit from acedicylic acid, otherwise known as asilyn. In short, this is aspirin. The deer may be smarter with natural medicines supplied by mother nature than we may be. Further walking people are covering up their bark and mulch patches down by the water with large tarps. I would imagine this protects the water from taking the bark away from hea... 11/07/2008

I was tooling around on the Internet last night and I was amazed how some can be prone to bad luck. I think this is another case of having respect not only for the luck of the early bird, but also the early worm's bad luck. I did change one word from the 2008 Darwin award below. You can substitute the original word back in at the end. This guy truly had a crappy day and without further spewing on my part... THE SUPREME WINNER OF THE DARWIN AWARD IS....   It seems a Zookeeper named Friedrich Riesfeldt (Paderborn, Germany) had already fed his constipated elephant 22 doses of animal laxative and in addition to that more than a bushel of berries, figs and prunes before the plugged-up animal finally obtained relief. The local police department said the  ill-fated Friedrich, 46, was attemptin... 11/03/2008

How many times have you heard some snake oil salesman say "Why you can't do better!" or "You better hurry or it won't be my fault. You will lose!" Give me a break. I would like to look at these sales people and tell them to get off the moon, or take a xxxxxxx xxxx. It drives me nuts when people put on this bozo suit and go out to baffle the community. I think that is why Real Estate has gotten such a bad rap in times. There are some magnificent Brokers out there that I hold in the highest regards. Everyday I can listen and learn from them, and their thoughts. There are some major people that want nothing to do more than make sure others feel bad, and they can't they get what they want. So rather than be happy, they tell others the sky is falling more everyday. Who wants to run around th... 10/24/2008

 Many updates in this beautiful ranch home such as a new furnace, roof, windows, laminate floors. Fenced yard backs up to subdivision common area. Very private yard, patio with hot tub. All appliances included. Great family room with fireplace just 2.5 miles south of I-94.  Call for appointment and make an offer today! The Village of Dousman is surrounded by scenic nature, rolling hills, meadows, and kettle moraines. Watch the sand hill cranes in the fields, walk, hike, or bike the Glacial Drumlin nature trail. There is a new adventure waiting for you when you purchase this fine home.       There really isn't anything that a Buyer or a Seller could not find at www.glennshong.com In fact, call or email us to set up a listing appointment or an appointment to become a VIP buyer ( Sign up a... 10/23/2008

What could be better than having a two family and having $850 come from the other unit to help with the payment? This two family built in the seventies really is close to all conveniences. Parking for six cars, each unit has basement, mechanicals are in great shape. Side by Side Investment. The rent for the other unit is $850 per month. Excellent investment or owner occupied. side by side ranch. Newer roofs and furnaces, separate basements. Finished. Well maintained, low maintenance investment with  two desirable units. underground sprinkler. Appliances included. When you need a team of Brokers that will not only list your home, but see you to a closing you need to call Tom Braatz 262-377-1459 or Glenn Shong at 262-490-2787.   I make it easy for you to buy or sell, and obtain the correc... 10/17/2008

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin: A City that is in the Heart of the Lake Country (edit/delete) One can take a drive trough the City of Oconomowoc, located in Western Waukesha County and be amazed how beautiful homes sit on Pristine Lakes, and the Lakes surround this beautiful City. Full and History, and loaded with charm, Oconomowoc is truly a magnificent City to visit, and to work and live in.   The poineering and developing of Oconomowoc began in 1837 when the first white man, Charles Sheldon, came to this area to build his log cabin. He found that the Potowatomi Indians had already laid the foundation of what they called Coo-No-Mo-Wauk (where the waters meet, or river of lakes) which in time would become Oconomowoc. As the town grew and word of its beauty and natural wealth spread, tradesmen b... 10/12/2008

It never seizes to amaze me about some of the assumptions that people can make. Real Estate is a great example. Some would say "I can't do that", I don't want to attempt that", that is something I would not be good at", The list is endless. A Paradigm is a perceived notion. We are all full of preconceived notion:, "That person is a better broker", "I can never get the Seller to that offer", 'I wish I had the talent that person had" "I am happy just making my simple money, and I doubt I could be a Broker that can produce like others" THE SECRET IS ATTITUDE, BELIEF IN YOURSELF, AND ESTABLISHING SYSTEMS THAT ARE AUTOMATIC AND GET YOUR PHONE TO RING. THIS IS A TOPIC A LONE THAT GETS PEOPLE IN TROUBLE. The secret is to leave the thoughts and suggestions that others give you a special place w... 10/07/2008

In the blink of an eye you can lose that important lead. We work in an Industry that involves rigorous time management and technology changes each day. The concept of being personalized and creating your own niche is paramount, and really, why would we not just be ourselves. We have been very fortunate to have some of the best customers and clients on Earth. Never under estimate the friendship that can develop with having such customers and clients, let alone being grateful for their loyalty. We have always prided myself on being personal, but at the same time we will make that commitment to work harder than a rented mule, but always working smarter just as well. Granted, our market has seen changes lately, but I have seen this before. Just when you think it has been slow for too long, ... 10/07/2008

Over the years we have had the chance to work with some pretty remarkable people and have enjoyed their company. We were fortunate enough to have found for them, or have sold them a  property.The wonderful thing about this Industry is the people that work in it. I have met some of the most giving and compassionate individuals in many different Real Estate companies. It never ceases to amaze me how giving and how talented they are. I am fortunate that I have went on to become good friends with them, or have them as Mentors. Realtors are, in my eyes, people that like to be around people. When I talk to other Brokers and Salespeople about their careers and business you can see the spark in their eyes, and the smile is ever present. I have met some very decent individuals in my line of busi... 10/06/2008

  Located a matter of minutes from the charming, and friendly Village of Dousman, yet maintaining a very pleasant and quiet setting, this three bedroom, two and a half bath ranch awaits it's new lucky owners. Take a look, and stay for ever. The amenities and updates in this residence have been well thought out.     Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this country subdivision. Original ownerdeveloper quality built home. Triple glazed windows, crown moldings, oak trim andoak flush doors. Use large second bedroom as an office. Lower level with full sizedwindows awaits your expansion ideas. Roof replaced in 2007, newer furnace and wellpump. With the under ground sprinkler you will have a lush green yard in the heat ofthe summer. Space in the four car garage attached for your wood working sho... 10/06/2008

Oconomowoc Community Profiles   Town of Ashippun The southeastern corner of Dodge County is the westernmost portion of Lake Country, and offers a unique small-town atmosphere, a thriving area for business and beautiful, rural lifestyle opportunities, all within a short drive of the city. Ashippun's geography is peppered with drumlins, eskers and moraines. There is a single lake in the town called Collins Lake. The town is situated in a limestone region with outcroppings in the northwest section. Ashippun is believed to be named for the American Indian word for raccoon, which is what the aboriginal people of the area called the river that runs through the eastern portion of the town. Town of Ixonia The Town of Ixonia is located on the eastern edge of Jefferson County. There are three pub... 10/06/2008

This magfnificent city is surrounded by five of the most beautiful Lakes you could find, or ever dream to!  Walking down Main Street or Armour Street, you are greeted by many famous names. You get a feeling that people really liked it here. Wrigley had a mansion, the owner of Montgomery Ward had a 23 room, 20 bath mansion on the Lake. It is just the time to come and let Tom Braatz show you what a beautiful city is really is.   One can take a drive trough the City of Oconomowoc, located in Western WaukeshaCounty and be amazed how beautiful homes sit on Pristine Lakes, and the Lakes surround this beautiful city. Full of History, and loaded with charm, Oconomowoc is truly a magnificent city to visit, and to work and live in.       The pioneering and developing of Oconomowoc began in 1837 ... 10/06/2008

Many updates in this beautiful ranch home such as a new furnace, roof, windows, laminate floors. Fenced yard backs up to subdivision common area. Very private yard, patio with hot tub. All appliances included. Great family room with fireplace just 2.5 miles south of I-94. $220"S Call for appointment and make an offer today! The Village of Dousman is surrounded by scenic nature, rolling hills, meadows, and kettle moraines. Watch the sand hill cranes in the fields, walk, hike, or bike the Glacial Drumlin nature trail. There is a new adventure waiting for you when you purchase this fine home.       There really isn't anything that a Buyer or a Seller could not find at www.glennshong.com In fact, call or email us to set up a listing appointment or an appointment to become a VIP buyer ( Sign... 10/06/2008

I will never be able to control your intuitive thoughts ( simply put, your gut feelings), but if I could I would ask you get away from all the chicken little syndromes that are out there. If you believe in something and think about it enough, it will happen. This applies whether it is good or bad. I was reading my email from Bob Proctor ( www.Bobproctor.com ) this morning, and just about everyday Bob hits a chord in me. He also made a pretty good movie called The Secret. Every once in a while I google "the secret" and watch the 20 minute condenced version. It may sure be simple but it works for me. I was beating my head against a rock trying to get things down for closings at the end of the month and it dawned on me that I better snap out of it fast. I have done it so many times that I ... 09/30/2008