This holiday season, save money and trees by wrapping presents with what's around the house.  Use newspaper, fabric, magazines, even maps.  According to the nonprofit environmental action group informinc.org, if each household in the U.S. recycled wrapping on three presents, the paper saved would cover 45,000 football fields.   PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.Lin... 12/21/2009

      1.  Clear your family calender in December.  Schedule your last home maintenance service and doctor appointment no later than October, so nothing gets in the way of fun. 2.  If you plan to draw names for gift exchanges, do it as early as you can.  It's less stressful to shop over a period of weeks or months than trying to find the perfect gift in the last days before Christmas, when shelves are picked over and crowds are harried. 3.  Address and stamp holiday cards Thanksgiving weekend.  Get your wrapping paper out and accessible in November.  If you have gifts to mail, set a shipping date for the first week in December to steer clear of the holiday rush. 4.  Make a family photo calendar for the grandparents using software such as IPhoto, Calendar Creator, or Simply Calendars.  Do... 12/20/2009

Store crisp holiday cookies separate from soft ones.  Storing them together can cause firm cookies to lose their crunch.  For moist treats, add a slice of bread to the container to slow moisture loss.   PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com    www.kristinjohnston.com  www.ecademy.com    www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.... 12/19/2009

 The following information is for the period of 11/17/2009 to 12/17/2009 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.    In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market 58 homes sold; 15 were list and sold by the same company, and 43 were sold by co-brokes. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 87 new listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 26 pending listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 3 withdrawn listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 90 expired listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 22 back on market listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 53 extended l... 12/17/2009

    Here are the stats for Single Family Homes in Waukesha, WI for Dec 2009 so far: Actives:  326           Ave Price:  $265,632           Ave DOM:  118 Pendings:  19           Ave Price:  $218,403         Ave DOM: 74 Solds:  7                Ave Price:  $218643          Ave DOM: 78   PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com    www.kristinjohnston.com  www.ec... 12/15/2009

    Here are the stats for CONDOS in Waukesha, WI for Dec 2009 so far: Actives:  174           Ave Price:  $192,282           Ave DOM:  159 Pendings:  9           Ave Price:  $171,682         Ave DOM:  164 Solds:  1                Ave Price:  $189,900          Ave DOM:  32     PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com    www.kristinjohnston.com  www.ecademy.c... 12/15/2009

It's this time of year in the Waukesha county real estate market that I reminisce of one of my mentors; Larry Walters, better known as LW. Larry was as down to Earth as you could get, a wonderful and caring person, and one heck, and I mean one heck of a Commercial and Investment real estate broker in Waukesha County. He did a lot of big projects and still was just the guy you would want to sit next to on a bar stool and talk with. Those years in the late 80's and early 90's with our Re/Max office in downtown Hartland were amazing. I really thank this man for taking the time to really teach me lots of direction in Commercial real estate in Waukesha County. I tend to look at Lars when I think about Larry giving me pep talks and sound advice. I can still close my eyes and see LW telling me... 12/11/2009

 The following information is for the period of 12/03/2009 to 12/10/2009 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.    In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market 5 homes sold; 0 were list and sold by the same company, and 5 were sold by co-brokes. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 20 new listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 4 pending listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 1 withdrawn listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 18 expired listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 6 back on market listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 10 extended listin... 12/10/2009

        PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com    www.kristinjohnston.com  www.ecademy.com    www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com   www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com   www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com  www.xing.com corporate... 12/08/2009

Time has a way of entrenching in our minds things that have made Americans what they are today; we have the ability to always keep in our thoughts and prayers the people that have paid an ultimate price for freedom. This is abroad as well as on American soil. From 911 to the Revolutionary War it is embeddedin to us what this Country is made of and it's values. Freedom is not free, and it comes with a price. One day that will always be remembered is Pearl harbor Day. December 7th, 1941 saw Pearl Harbor being bombed and destroyed. A well planned attack removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant.   Ov... 12/07/2009

I have had the privilege of working with my friend George Papagayanous for twenty years now. I have helped George with buildings, restaurant, and other types of commercial real estate in Waukesha County for almost 20 years now and I would think it would be harder to find a finer man. Always friendly, caring, and kind George has a family restaurant that happens to have some pretty amazing Greek food as well. You know it's a problem when you have to decide between Moussaka, Pastichio, Spanakopita, and other wonderful entrees. My son Spencer will tell you the desserts and including the baklava is a wise choice. You can always count on a friendly smile from Tom at the desk as well. This food is awesome, and George and everyone at Christina's know how to make everyone feel like they are fami... 12/03/2009

 The following information is for the period of 11/26/2009 to 12/03/2009 and is for the entire MLS content for this period. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market 6 homes sold; 2 were list and sold by the same company, and 4 were sold by co-brokes. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 16 new listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 65 pending listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 withdrawn listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 29 expired listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 10 back on market listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 18 extended listing... 12/03/2009

There were 67 sales in November 2009 with an average sales price of $183,696 with a list to sales price of 91.19% and an average time on the market of 164 days.There are currently 33 accepted offers and 109 listings expired during the month.There was a 39.6% or 19 more sales in 2009 than in 2008  and there also was a increase of 15.6% or 14 more new listings in 2009.There is currently 611 active listings with a average list price of  $242,836 and they have been on the market an average of 222 days. 12/03/2009

For Single Family Homes, in Waukesha County, WI, here are the statistics for November 2009: Actives:  2200             Average Price:  $461,474             Average DOM:  127 Pendings:  124           Average Price:  $379,665             Average DOM:  109 Solds:  229                Average Price:  $297,767             Average DOM:  97     As a reminder, here are the stats for Single Family Homes in Waukesha County, last month, October, 2009: ACTIVES:   2534         Ave List Price:  $462,652            Ave DOM:   118 PENDINGS:  196          Ave List Price:  $328,811            Ave DOM:  95 SOLDS:  141               Ave Sold Price: $286,741           Ave DOM:  90   PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS M... 12/02/2009

    PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT MY GIVE BACK PROGRAM, WHERE I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN YOUR NAME UPON CLOSING!!!  HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website     HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website   Listen to my blog at http://podcasts.odiogo.com/kristins-blog/podcasts-xml.php Se Habla Espanol!         kjohnston@remax.net , kjjj1234@gmail.com , 414-254-6647 www.activerain.com/kristinjohnston www.LinkedIn.com    www.kristinjohnston.com  www.ecademy.com    www.realtor.com , www.naymz.com www.zoominfo.com www.facebook.com www.plaxo.com www.trulia.com www.myspace.com   www.postlets.com , www.perfectnetworker.com   www.loopnet.com www.konnects.com www.twitter.com www.wordpress.com www.congoo.com  www.xing.com corporate web... 12/01/2009

 The following information is for the period of 11/18/2009 to 11/26/2009 and is for the entire MLS content for this period. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market 24 homes sold; 9 were list and sold by the same company, and 15 were sold by co-brokes. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 21 new listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 6 pending listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 2 withdrawn listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 23 expired listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 3 back on market listings. In the Waukesha,Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 18 extended listings... 11/26/2009

 John Weber a Milwaukee Real Estate agent purchased a 87 acre plot on the northern side of Waukesha, Wisconsin  . Mr. Weber had no idea what was to come and the monumental impact he would have with the Moor Down mud baths and a health resort. Mr. Weber's property had black Moor mud on it and it contained the same medicinal remedies that the black Moor mud did in Germany and the European mud baths..Upon a trip and follow up research to Germany the decision to built the Grand View Health resort was built and opened in 1911. This property is now part of the Waukesha County office buildings. Prior to the county the property was a Catholic seminary. The original hotel and resort was  thirty two rooms with an addition that followed that added another thirty rooms. Andrew Frame, a Waukesha res... 11/24/2009

When you walk down streets in the City of Waukesha, Wisconsin you immediately notice all the original architecture that makes this city famous. Prior to now Waukesha was known as "Spring City" and had many numerous spring houses that contained Waukesha's famous water. People would come from afar to experience the medicinal qualities of the water including Abraham Lincoln's wife Mary who spent the summer of 1872 in Waukesha. The founder of Sears stayed at his house outside of Waukesha and passed away in Waukesha. Les Paul (see video link below entitled History of Waukesha) was born and raised in Waukesha and went on to become one of the greatest inventors in music creating multi track recording and the solid body guitar. The water in Waukesha, Wisconsin  and the Springs were outstanding.... 11/23/2009

The economy and life in Waukesha County real estate was up in the air for some time but we are finding ourselves buried in work and we would not want it any other way. It is true that they extended the first time buyer tax credit and even better they have a credit for existing home buyers that are looking to move up. What's this all about? Want to know more? Better yet, want to take advantage of the present credits that are available? You don't have to be in a position of meeting that fork in the road. Real estate, whether you are buying or selling in Waukesha County takes patience and discipline. My suggestion is to give me a call at 262-377-1459 or email me at tom@tombraatz.com and let me explain the credits to you, and if you choose we could set up an appointment, roll up our sleeves... 11/21/2009

 The Waukesha County real estate market was busy,amazing opportunities await those that are wishing to buy. When you are looking for homes for sale in Waukesha,Wisconsin, or you are looking for homes for sale in Waukesha,Wisconsin, or any homes for sale in Waukesha County, you can always search everything with my IDX MLS search button below. If you are looking on finding a Waukesha County Real Estate agent then please feel free to contact me at tom@tombraatz.com or 262-377-1459.It's a busy time whether you are buying a home in Waukesha County or if you are selling a home in Waukesha County.      The following information is for the period of 11/11/2009 to 11/18/2009 and is for the entire MLS content for this period. In the Waukesha County Real Estate market 69 homes sold; 16 were list ... 11/18/2009