NEED a FACELIFT?

The kitchen is where the party gathers. Does your kitchen need a facelift?

Quick kitchen upgrades to increase your home's value

When the subject of resale value is raised, the number one room experts recommend improving is the kitchen, followed closely by the bathroom. Kitchens sell homes because they are popular gathering places for the whole family, and because cooks enjoy working in a spacious, attractive environment. Kitchen upgrades can increase your home's value without breaking the bank or requiring months of construction, so it might be time to give your kitchen a new look. 

Paint
The easiest and cheapest kitchen upgrade is a fresh coat of paint. This goes for walls, moldings, and cabinets, depending on your personal aesthetic. Feel free to get creative if you want a unique look for your kitchen. You can use contrasting but complementary colors to create a faux wainscot, for example.

Choose colors that work well with the colors already present in your floors, countertops, and backsplashes, unless you plan to replace them as well. Kitchens usually work well with light, cheerful colors, though that is hardly a rule. The great thing about paint is that it can always be corrected cheaply if it doesn't work the first time around.

Hardware
For some people, paint is too messy and time consuming, and for others, paint alone is not sufficient to qualify as a true kitchen upgrade. To complement the new paint job or to simply give your kitchen an interesting facelift, go shopping for new hardware. Drawer knobs, cabinet handles, faucets, light fixtures, and other small pieces of hardware can make a huge difference in the appearance of your kitchen.

You might hang a pendant lamp over your breakfast table, for example, to highlight that area as a gathering place and to create more visual interest. Recessed lighting in the ceiling or under cabinets can work well, and matching knobs and handles for drawers and cabinets can bring together an otherwise chaotic design.

Appliances
One of the first things buyers look for in new homes is the appliances. If you want to increase your home's value, evaluate the quality and age of your appliances, then replace as necessary. Not only will new appliances update a kitchen and improve functionality, but they can also save money on energy costs because newer models are more energy efficient.

 
Sink
A new sink is another quick kitchen upgrade that can increase resale value and improve the overall look of your kitchen. Sinks take quite a beating over the years, and modern sinks tend to be deeper and more stylish than their older counterparts. Installing a new sink shouldn't take longer than an afternoon, so it's a great weekend project.

Upgrading Your Kitchen
Keep in mind that kitchen upgrades can sometimes get out of hand, so before you head to the hardware store, determine a budget for the project. This will help you keep your expectations and your spending in line, and make the process go much faster.

 Does your kitchen need a facelift?

Source:
DIY Life, Kitchen Remodel Ideas for Every Budget
 By Steve Thompson | Yahoo! Contributor Network

ICE

ICE in Wisconsin, its not all about the weather

Grab your cell phone and program in the most important person to notify in case you are hurt or in an accident. But instead of putting their name with that phone number, put in the following 3 letters: "I.C.E." This stands for "In Case of Emergency".

I have verified this information with several emergency room nurses and ambulance paramedics, even the captain of one of our local fire departments. All reported that once a patient is stabilized, they look in the cell phone for an "I.C.E." entry if that patient is unable to give them a contact person.

The medical personnel can then notify their loved one, let them know there has been an accident and what hospital to come to.

We all like to think it will never happen to us, but the truth is, it does happen. So get your cell phone out right now and program in your "I.C.E.". If your kids have cell phones, do the same for them.

Speaking of "life saver's", if your outgrowing your current home, downsizing, or getting ready to buy your first home, don't forget to call me! Lisa Bear,Real Estate in Wisconsin

Insider Secrets

Insider Secrets To An Optimal Credit Score

Yesterday we explained  the Basics of CREDIT scoring.  As a continuation, today we will address how you should prepare to apply for credit (like a home mortgage) understand that it is significantly better to have your best possible credit profile BEFORE applying. Working to improve your score during the mortgage process can be done, but there are two problems. One, time to clear up items can become an obstacle when compared the time you are anticipating a closing. And two, lower scores upfront can give an underwriter an additional reason to be uncomfortable with a file. “Sooner, rather than later” should be the mantra of credit score improvements. Here are some tested ways to do it:

Credit Cards – Revolving Debt proportions

Look on the credit report for revolving debt (not installment loans, or “open” accounts)

As a general rule of thumb, the balance should be no more than 30% of the credit limit. So, if it’s more than that, have you should make every attempt to pay it down.

If there are many revolving accounts with high balances, you will most probably need to pay down most or all of them for the best score.

If there is nothing derogatory on the credit report, just high balances on revolving debt, you can often improve the score significantly. But, if there are many derogatory items on the credit report, paying down revolving debt may not help the score very much.

Many lender have software programs that can quickly determining for you which (if any) revolving accounts need to be paid down, and to what balance.

Collections/Judgments:

Paying off or satisfying such a derogatory account does not normally improve the score because the derogatory account still exists, and so still hurts the score. In fact, paying off an old collection may even make the score drop.

However, for collections, the borrower can ask for the account to be completely removed or deleted. If you have not yet paid the collection, you can use that as a bargaining chip.

If there are many collection accounts, removing just 1 or 2 may not do much good. You always need to look at the overall credit picture.

Charge-off accounts behave a little differently than collections. You can sometimes gain points by paying those off.

Your lender likely has a What-if Simulator to experimentally see what affect removing an account has on the score.

Late Dates

When you look at the overall credit report and you see LOTS of late dates, especially ones from within the last year, there is not much you can do to help the score…those lates simply need to drift into the past.

However, if you just see 1 recent late date on 1 account, and just 1 other recent late date on another account, you should call those creditors and ask…beg…for those single late dates to be removed as a courtesy. It may also be that the late dates were a mistake, but don’t push the creditor to admit to making an error. Just ask them to remove it as a courtesy since you have an otherwise perfect payment history with that creditor.

Your lender can use the What-if-Simulator to experimentally see what affect removing a late date has on the score.

Authorized User Accounts-removing or adding

Piggybacking on someone else’s account can help or hurt your score.

If that account has recent late dates, you can most probably improve the score by having the actual account holder remove you as a user.

If the account is a revolving credit card and it’s “maxed out,” you might also improve the score by removing it, but only if you will still have other revolving credit cards on your report.

What about adding someone as an authorized user to a credit card? This may help, but the better course of action is to get the actual card holder to make it a joint account with you. This guarantees that the account will show up on the credit report within a month or two. But be careful…the account should have a lot of history, no late dates, high credit limit, and low balance.

Other things to help

Keep old revolving credit cards open…don’t close them.

Regularly check your credit report to catch errors early. You get a free one each year from each bureau. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com. Don’t do all 3 bureaus at the same time…space it out throughout the year.

Learn more about credit from websites like www.myfico.com and to get addresses to write the bureaus.

Compliments of KCM Blog

Its getting Chilly!

Car Maintenance Tips for Cold Weather

The sight of your white breath just after leaving your house is usually a good sign to head back inside and grab a hat to protect yourself from the cold. Similarly, when cold weather hits and you start seeing harmless, steamy, white exhaust from your car, it’s usually a good sign that you should protect your car from the cold. 

Follow these tips and winter driving will be a little easier.

1. Routine Maintenance - For winter, it’s important to ensure your vehicle’s battery and charging system are in good operating condition. In cold weather, a battery’s cranking power is reduced significantly. At the same time, the electrical power needed to start your car increases when the temperature plunges. Having quality jumper cables or a portable power pack in your trunk is a superb way to prepare for the worst. At the same time, check to make sure your heater and defroster work. Finally, check your wiper blades.

2. Lubrication - To ease engine startup during cold weather, use a multi-viscosity oil such as Mobil 1 0W-30 or Mobil 1 5W-30, which will help protect your car at temperatures below zero. Low-viscosity oils not only speed startup, but help reduce wear by flowing oil quickly to critical engine parts. Fully synthetic oils, such as Mobil 1, are specifically designed to protect your engine in all temperatures.

3. Filters, Coolant and Hoses - Make sure all filters — oil, gas and air — are in good condition. Check your coolant level and thermostat functionality to ensure proper engine warmup. Coolant should be changed every two years; extended-life coolants last about five years. Check for leaking or soft hoses and replace. Also, be sure to check the radiator or coolant tank pressure cap.

4. Tire Pressure - Examine your tires, checking for excessive wear and proper inflation. Good tread is needed to stay safe on snow and ice. Additionally, both under-inflation and over-inflation are undesirable. Low pressure increases wear and fuel consumption, while over-pressure can reduce traction, especially in icy conditions. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, consider snow tires.

5. Vehicle Warmup - You should allow your car to idle for a few seconds to make sure the lubrication is circulated throughout the engine, providing protection. It’s not necessary to idle for a long time, as that simply wastes fuel and offers no more protection than a few seconds of idling will. Nonetheless, drive easily at first.

6. Slow Down - With less than ideal winter driving conditions, slow down. Do not exceed speed limits and keep safe driving distances. Avoid gas-wasting jackrabbit starts and pace your driving to help avoid the need for sudden stops, which is especially critical during wet and icy road conditions.

7. Dealing with ice - Make sure you have window ice scrapers and de-icers for the locks. When you’re stuck, having a small shovel is useful to dig out of the snow. The weight of a bag of sand in the trunk will give added traction in rear-wheel drive vehicles and can be used to sprinkle on the snow and ice to gain better traction. And don’t forget personal protection such as a warm coat, hat and gloves, and a blanket, in case you get stuck in a storm.

8. Keep Fuel in the Tank - Never let the fuel tank drop below the half-full mark. A sudden storm with unexpected heavy snowfall could leave you stranded for hours. Having an adequate fuel supply will allow you to idle the engine from time to time to keep warm.

 “Take care of you car in the cold and it will keep you from being left out in the cold.” 

Cleaning up spills

Do you know how to clean up a spill from your beautiful carpet?

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." Phyllis Diller  

"Oops! I spilled!" Do you know how to clean up a spill from your beautiful carpet? Whether it's a child's spilled milk or an adult's goblet of wine, the first and most important step for preventing a spill from turning into a stain is by blotting up as much moisture as you possibly can.

If there are solids, scrape them up and blot with lots of clean towels. Paper towels work well. Here is one key pointer.Do not rub! If you're thinking of using spot remover, wait until you have thoroughly blotted the area. You probably know that club soda is an instant spot remover. Pour a little on the spot, wait a few seconds, and blot the area.

While you are waiting for the spot to dry, if you'd like the latest real estate news, or to check recent home sales in your area, please visit my web site at lisabear.remax.com. You'll see that we've taken the time to prevent problems in buying or selling real estate by providing the most current information the real estate marketplace.

I promise that when you invite me over to talk about buying or selling real estate that I'll deliver RE/MAX Premier Customer Service. And I'll be neat. No spills!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Celebrate and enjoy every crazy moment!

NOW WHAT?

Learn more about how to buy a home by calling an agent at RE/MAX Realty Center at 262-567-2455

8 Tips for Quick Cleaning Before Guests Arrive

8 Tips for Quick Cleaning Before Guests Arrive

No doubt you’ll want your home to look its best for visiting family and friends during the holidays. Here are a few cleaning tips to minimize the time you have to spend making things sparkle.

1. Grout and tight corners
Cleaning nooks and crannies doesn’t require elbow grease. A toothbrush is much more effective.

2. Showerhead residue
Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, tie it around the head and leave it overnight to dissolve mineral deposits. A vinegar-soaked rag held in place by a rubber band works, too.

3.  Microwave build-up
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a small bowl of water and microwave for about five minutes. The lemon scent eliminates old food smells and condensation from the lemon water loosens caked-on grime, making it much easier to clean.

4. Garage floor
Don’t bother sweeping – a leaf blower is much quicker.

5. Pet hair on furniture
Wet rubber dishwashing gloves are magnets for pet hair. Put on a pair, rub your furniture, and leave the vacuum extension tool in the closet.

6. Ceiling fan
To avoid a shower of dust and dead bugs, use an old pillowcase to clean the fan one blade at a time. Slide the case over the blade and pull it back slowly and the case will capture the dirt.

7. Toilets
Dump a spoonful of Tang into the bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. The citric acid scrubs so you don’t have to.

8. Garbage disposal
Run baking soda and lemon juice, or ice cubes and lemon peels, through your garbage disposal to eliminate odors. White vinegar will do the same for your dishwasher.

Looking for a home that could fit the whole family for the holidays? Find a local RE/MAX agent who can help.

The Basics of Credit Scoring

The Basics of Credit Scoring

Today, we are going to be centering on the basics of an increasingly important portion of a buyer’s mortgage application – the credit score.  


The 3 major national credit bureaus are: Experian (XP), Transunion (TU), and Equifax (EF)….  but better terms to describe their function are:

Repository – they are huge “holders” of data; information about you and millions of other people.

Credit Reporting Agency (CRA) – these “repositories” get their data when creditors and courthouses “report” to them; and when you pull someone’s credit report, they in turn “report” that data to the entity that requested the information.

Credit Scores (in general)

What is a Credit Score? It’s a number that, at a glance, helps lenders determine how likely you are to make your proposed payments on time.

How is it generated? A score is only created when you pull someone’s credit file, and all the data retrieved is fed through a complex mathematical formula. As a person’s data at the repositories changes, their score would change also….positively or negatively.

Why are scores different? Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) created the mathematical formulas that generate the score, BUT….There are different score formulas depending on what you are applying for….a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, insurance, or even if you are not applying for anything at all and get a “consumer” score directly from one of many websites that advertise “scores” these days.


The 3 bureaus typically don’t have the exact same data on a consumer. So, if the data is different or has changed, the scores will also be different.

The FICO score on your mortgage credit report – The score range is 300-850.

What makes up the score? (The info below is from www.myfico.com).

1. 35% of the score is based on Payment History

a. Account payment information on specific types of accounts (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts, mortgage, etc.)

b. Presence of adverse public records (bankruptcy, foreclosure, judgments, suits, liens, wage attachments, etc.) collection items, and/or delinquency (past due items).

c. Severity of delinquency (how long past due).

d. Amount past due on delinquent accounts or collection items.

e. Time since (recentness of) past due items (delinquency), adverse public records (if any).

f. Number of past due items on file.

g. Number of accounts paid as agreed

2. 30% of the score is based on the Amounts Owed


a. Amount owing on accounts.

b. Amount owing on specific types of accounts.

c. Lack of a specific type of balance, in some cases.

d. Number of accounts with balances.

e. Proportion of credit lines used (proportion of balances to total credit limits on certain types of revolving accounts), often referred to a Percentage of Usage.

f. Proportion of installment loan amounts still owing (proportion of balance to original loan amount on certain types of installment loans).

3. 15% of the score is based on the Length of Credit History

a. Time since accounts opened.

b. Time since accounts opened, by specific type of account.

c. Time since account activity.

4. 10% of the score is based New Credit and Inquiries


a. Number of recently opened accounts, and proportion of accounts that are recently opened, by type of account.

b. Number of recent credit inquiries.

c. Time since recent account opening(s), by type of account.

d. Time since credit inquiry(s).

e. Re-establishment of positive credit history following past payment problems.

5. 10% of the score is based on the Types of Credit Used


a. Number of (presence, prevalence, and recent information on) various types of accounts (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, mortgage, consumer finance accounts, etc.).

Special Note About Inquiries

This is always a hot topic because borrowers think they will hurt their score because their credit report is pulled. But as explained above, New Credit only accounts for 10% of a person’s score, and of that, inquiries is only a part.
Also, keep in mind what an inquiry represents – application for additional credit. If your credit report and score shows that you are a responsible borrower, then applying for more credit will have a minimal affect on your score. But if you appear to be an irresponsible borrower, then the inquiry may drop your score a few points, or several points.


Note what Fair Isaac itself says about inquiries at www.myfico.com:

“For many people, one additional credit inquiry (voluntary and initiated by an application for credit) may not affect their FICO score at all. For most people, a credit inquiry will only decrease their FICO score by a few points.”

“Looking for a mortgage or an auto loan may cause multiple lenders to request your credit report, even though you’re only looking for one loan. To compensate for this, the score ignores all mortgage and auto inquiries made in the 30 days prior to scoring. So if you find a loan within 30 days, the inquiries won’t affect your score while you’re rate shopping.” 
 
 
Article wrttten by KCM Blog

3 Signs you’re ready to buy a home

Get Read, Get set -- and GO!

With the housing market on the rise once again, more and more people are thinking about getting their own residence. There are a number of advantages that come with a purchase like this, which is why droves of prospective homeowners are lining up for their loan.

In order to get your own home many different things will have to be considered. By taking your time and getting all of the vital information about this process, it will be easy to get the home you are in need of. The following are some signs to look for when you are ready to purchase a home.

Sick of Renting
One of the first signs a person will notice when it is time to buy a home is a weariness when it comes to continuously renting a home. When renting a home, all of the money you spend is basically wasted. The payments you make on a home that is yours goes into the equity, which can be borrowed against at a later date. Instead of wasting money each month on a home that will never be yours, you need to consider buying a home outright.

Financial Stability
Another very noticeable sign that you are ready for a home is financial stability. If you have been at the same job for a while and are making decent money, then you need to think about buying a home. One of the first things a lender will look at when trying to decide whether or not to give you a home loan is your credit score and your income. Make sure the lender you choose has a good reputation and track record for providing quality loans to prospective homeowners just like you.

An Investment in Your Future
If you are ready to make an investment for your future, then a home is the ideal source. The housing market is on the rise, which means you may be able to buy a home at a bit of a discount and make money on it in the future. By choosing the right realtor to work with, you will be able to get the low down on the housing market in your area and how you can capitalize on it. The right real estate agent will have the knowledge needed to get you the right home chosen for you in no time.

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Furniture Placement

Staging your home for sale can sometimes be as easy as the right lighting and furniture placement! You may have everything in your home to seal the deal!

RE/MAX: Our Purpose

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Why a Home Doesn't Sell

RENT to HOME- Achieve your dream

Learn more about how rent-to-home by calling an agent at RE/MAX Realty Center at 262-567-2455

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Main Selling Rooms

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Depersonalize Your Home to Sell

RE/MAX Dream With Your Eyes Open, :30 National TV Ad

Interested in Purchasing a Foreclosure?

RE/MAX is Wack

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Winter Curb Appeal

Rent to Home - Give yourself OPTIONS

Learn more about how rent-to-home by calling an agent at RE/MAX Realty Center at 262-567-2455

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Top 5 Issues in Preparing Your Home for Sale

RE/MAX: Fit To Sell - Home Inspection

RE/MAX Fit To Sell - Why a Home Doesn't Sell

We are a great resource

Best gift of the season -- A new HOME!

Real Estate Investments: Are they Right for YOU

Are high yield real estate investments right for you to include in an investment portfolio? To answer the question, the prospective investor must consider the type of real estate investment and the possible risks.

Real estate investments are trusts that purchase and improve properties for the sole purpose of investing. Examples of properties and similar assets are apartments, buildings, mortgages, resorts, and shopping malls. There are ways to determine if a real estate investment is right for you.

Determine if the Broker or Financial Advisor is Registered

Before you select a real estate investment, ensure the broker or financial advisor is registered with Security Exchange Commission (SEC). Brokers and financial advisors should provide the prospective investor with information concerning real estate investments and the risks involved. If the issuer is not registered with SEC, there is a possibility the broker or financial advisor are running scams.

Types of Real Estate Investments

There are two types of real estate investments, public-traded and non-exchange traded. The difference between the two is public-traded investments are traded publicly and non-exchange investments are not traded publicly.

Public-Traded Real Estate Investment Risks

Most investments options come with risks, including public-traded real estate. There are two possible risks involved with public-traded real estate investments. The first risk is when the interest rate is high. According to some economists, public-traded real estate investments don’t perform to its potential when interest rates are increased. Another risk is selecting the wrong real estate investment.

Non-Exchange Real Estate Investment Risk

The biggest risk of non-exchange real estate investment is deficiency of liquidity. When there is a deficiency of liquidity the investor cannot sell shares. Other risks are inability to determine the value of a share and to monitor the value.

Ways to Purchase and Sell Real Estate Investments

Prospective investors can find a list of publicly traded real estate investments on a stock exchange. Shares can be purchased through a licensed broker or financial advisor. If you have an interest in non-exchange investments, select a reputable broker who specializes in non-exchange real estate investment options. There are several options of publicly traded real estate investments, such as, preferred stock, debt security and common stock. The Jakob Pek Fund is an example of a real estate investment company that manages invested capital for limited partnerships and mortgages.

Both non-exchange and public-traded real estate investments offer high returns on invested capital. You can determine if a real estate investment is right for you by performing research on both options before initially investing. The downside of non-exchange options is prospective investors are unable to do research until the offer closes. If the broker or financial advisor is registered with SEC, you are probably selecting the right high yield real estate investment.

About the author: Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information on high yield real estate investments, talk to the Jakob Pek Fund, a leading real estate investment company that manages invested capital for limited partnerships and mortgages.

Interested in Foreclosures?

Housing Recovery to Pick Up Steam in 2016

Steady employment and economic growth, pent-up demand, affordable home prices and attractive mortgage rates will keep the housing market on a gradual upward trend in 2016.

However, persistent headwinds related to shortages and availability of lots and labor, along with rising material prices are impeding a more robust recovery, according to economists who participated in a recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Fall Construction Forecast Webinar.

Copyright© 2015 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia.

Do you have any upcoming travel plans?

I just read this in an article today ---- Great advice!

"Make travel a priority! You will never regret the lasting impact that travel will have on your life!" The lady that wrote the article went on to tell how many times she has heard from people, around our great state and beyond, who recount stories of how they wish they had not put off traveling and now their circumstances have changed to where they cannot physically or financially manage travel, or they have lost the one with whom they most wanted to travel.

Do you have any upcoming travel plans?

Rent to Home

Learn more about how rent-to-home by calling an agent at RE/MAX Realty Center at 262-567-2455

What Home Buyers Want

The Appraisal Guide

8 things NOT to do when buying a home

Did you say Vodka?

The Best Christmas Present

The Best Christmas Present you can buy yourself -- comes with benefits! 

 You can "BLACK FRIDAY" shop at wisconsinhousehunt.com

The Unwanted List

The Most Wanted List

Decorating Tips

Overpricing your home by 10% can reduce the number of interested buyers by 50%

Save $5000 a year -- for a new Home easily

Thinking about buying a home? Check your credit first.

Steps to Buying a House

Steps to Buying a House and call an experienced REALTOR for guidance

Getting a Home Loan

A day in the life of a Realtor

RE/MAX BROKER/OWNERS GATHER IN CHICAGO   

FOR TWO-DAY CONFERENCE

RE/MAX INTEGRA invests in professional development for its network to better assist home buyers and sellers.

November 2015 – RE/MAX INTEGRA’s Co-Founder and Executives gathered with over one hundred Broker/Owners and Managers from its Midwest region in Chicago, IL on November 9, 2015 for a two-day conference.

The conference featured topics that focused on taking your business to the next level from various speakers including Peter Mueller from Strategic Peak Performance and Ryan Estis.

Local Broker/Owners Lisa Bear & Jamie Ireland from RE/MAX Realty Center were in attendance. The two-day conference is an annual gathering of some of the brightest, most productive Broker/Owners in the industry who seek out regular professional development to not only better themselves, but in turn their Sales Associates who work with home buyers and sellers.

About RE/MAX INTEGRA

RE/MAX INTEGRA, founded in 1980, is a privately held company by Canadian entrepreneurs. With regional headquarters in Toronto, Boston, Minneapolis, Zug, and Vienna, RE/MAX INTEGRA represents nearly a third of all RE/MAX Sales Associates worldwide. The company was founded on the premise of providing outstanding service and support both at the regional level and to the end consumer.

The Ontario-Atlantic Canada region, has surpassed 10,000 quality Associates; The US regions — New England and the Midwest (including the following states: Minnesota, Wisconsin and Indiana) – account for more than 6,300 Associates with over 2,600 and 3,800 Associates respectively; and the European region leads with more than 14,000 Associates. For more information about RE/MAX INTEGRA, visit www.remaxintegra.com.

FREE CMA COUPON

Home flipping is hot again

Flipped Homes Increases 18 Percent

Home flipping is hot again!

Looking to make extra money -- here is an idea and I can help you with it! House flipping is buying a house or property with the intent to sell it for a profit. Learn how to finance, budget and make money from house flipping.

43,197 single-family homes and condos were flipped and sold as part of an arms-length sale for the second time within a 12-month period—in the third quarter of 2015, they were 5.0 percent of all single-family home and condo sales during the quarter.

Contact me for more info!

Home Buyer Checklist

Downsizing? Use these tips to reduce clutter and maximize space

How to Maximize Your Small Space

By Lindsey Turner, Social Media Intern

Living in a college dorm and then sharing a room in a sorority house has required me to become an expert in downsizing! Whether you’re moving in with roommates, buying a smaller home or living in temporary housing, here are tips that worked for me to reduce clutter and maximize space.

Sort it out. It’s time to confront your junk drawer. You’ll be surprised at how much is actually, well, junk. Toss out anything you don’t use to make room for more important items.

Think seasonal. If your new living arrangements are temporary, don’t bring your whole closet when you only need to prepare for one season. Leave your winter boots and snow gear at home or in storage. Swap out what you need when it’s time.

Go shopping. Clearly you don’t need more stuff, but you’ll be surprised at the clever organization systems available at Bed, Bath & Beyond or The Container Store. A little organization goes a long way to make your space seem uncluttered and larger in size. Just be sure to walk past the “As Seen on TV” aisle as quickly as possible!

Donate or consign. Be honest with yourself: Anything you haven’t worn in the past year has run its course in your wardrobe. If you can’t bear to just give away a prized designer skirt, research local consignment stores you can try selling it to.

Continue the trend. Once you’ve thinned out your closet, you’ll no longer need a full dresser set. Sell or donate the larger piece and hunt for smaller furniture.

Show gratitude. You’ll find a ton of great hidden treasures while packing that might not make sense for your new home. Hand them off to the friends and family who help you move.

Strategize. The point of a walk-in closet is that a human being can actually fit inside unimpeded by falling boxes, shoes or memorabilia. Before you aimlessly shove an item under the bed or in a spare closet corner, find a box to add order to the chaos. And be sure to label it!

You’ll feel so accomplished after finally organizing your home, you’ll be eager to tackle other projects around the house. 

The Power Within

One of the topics on tomorrows office meeting agenda at RE/MAX REMAX Realty Center - Real Estate in Wisconsin. It's really very simple and oh, so true!

November Real Estate Advisor

You Can Buy and Sell Real Estate During the Holidays It's common knowledge that most people are advised to get their home on the real estate market in late spring or early summer as that is 'real estate season.' While the majority of homes do sell in the spring and summer, listing your home or looking for a home during the holidays or in the winter is not as taboo as some would lead you to believe. There are actual benefits to listing or looking for a home during the holidays, and if you've missed out on the real estate scramble of the spring and summer, starting a home search or listing your home now might just be in your best interest. Here are some of the top reasons why you shouldn't avoid listing your home, or looking for a home, during the holidays. Buyers Never Stop Looking Many would lead you to believe that the real estate market comes to a complete stand still during the holidays or in the winter, but that's not the case. Every state's real estate market is thriving year-round, and that even includes during the holiday season. Serious buyers never stop looking, and a serious seller (or a seller that wants or needs to sell their property) will keep their home or property on the market all year long. The holidays bring out the buyers and sellers that are determined -- they need something or want to sell now, and they're not willing to wait for the spring or summer. Many people with school-age children want to wait to buy a new home when their kids are not in school, but the reality is that a family or anyone looking for a new home can move at any time of the year. Perhaps if you're in an area with inclement winter weather, you might want to put off your search or move until better weather arrives, but for those that live in a mild climate, moving in November or December is just as easy as moving in May or June. Buyers can also sign up for new listing emails, which alert them to whenever a new property has come on the market, and sellers have the ability to sign up for sellers reports, so they can stay on top of the market in their neighborhood. Inventory and Competition While it is known that home inventory is largest during the spring and summer months, the MLS always has homes and properties listed on it. Fall and winter will have properties available, but the number of properties will be lower. Unless you're totally transfixed on a certain home, or you have a list of needs and wants a mile long, you can be sure to find a property that will fit your housing needs throughout the year. Despite the fact that inventory will be lower in the fall and winter, people still list their homes, especially if they are serious sellers. While the market is slower, it also is less competitive in terms of other buyers looking for homes. It's likely the fall and winter won't create scenarios of multiple, high dollar offers on one property; buyers and sellers alike will have more opportunities to actually think about offers, and especially for buyers, low competition guarantees that you're not making a rushed or rash decision based on emotions or other offers when you do find the perfect property. Affordability This is specifically for buyers, but it's widely known that home prices slightly fall in the fall and winter when the market has cooled down and more serious sellers are keen to get a sale. This is mostly because real estate sales are seasonal. But that's not to say if you list your home in the fall or winter you're going to have to drastically slash the price in order for your property to sell. While it might sit on the market a little longer than it would in the spring or summer, fall and winter sales happen, and if you're a serious buyer or seller, you know you'll want to do all you can to make your dream of buying or selling a home a reality. Homes Look and Feel Charming You'll see a lot of articles on how to spruce up a home to ready it for the real estate market, and while the tips are definitely valuable, it's not a secret that many people decorate their homes over the holidays. There's something warm and inviting about a decorated home, or a home that feels cozy, and people who list their homes in the fall and winter can take advantage of a fireplace or wood stove to make a room more inviting. If your property doesn't have a fireplace or wood stove, you can use candles and other things to make the home smell inviting to buyers. While it may seem cumbersome to sell a property during the holidays or in the winter, you do have some ways to play up the season. And if you are truly set on avoiding the holidays, you can always put it on the market the first of January, when the chaos of the holidays is over.