I have a new listing that will be open this Sunday, June 28th from 12:30PM until 2:00PM.  The address is 1043 Reed St. in Green Bay.  It's easy to find.  It is across the street from the new Resch Center Pool on the west side.

This beautifully maintained, 2,900 plus sq. ft. two story offers five bedrooms and four baths.  It is ideal for entertaining in the formal living room and dining room or relaxing in the large family room or three seasons room. 

The kitchen has been remodeled with new counter tops, a ceramic tile floor and new fixtures.  The spacious yard is tastefully landscaped and is fenced in.  There are also two patios. 

This house will make you proud to call it "home".

Please stop by at the open house and you'll see what I mean.

Take care.

The up to $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and/or those who haven't owned a home in three years has proven to be a great success. Time, however, is running out.  The tax credit is only available to those who close by November 30, 2009. 

In order to take advantage of the tax credit, a buyer wanting FHA financing will need to have their accepted offer to purchase into their lender by mid to late September to be assured that their financing will be in place in time.  Currently, FHA financing is taking up to six weeks.  In the fall, with the probable increase in volume, FHA financing could take up to eight weeks or more.  Those using conventional financing, however, will probably have a little more time.

Finding the right home for you may take some time.  It may be a buyer's market in some areas but remember, there are many other buyers looking for homes too.  Once you find a home, there may also be a delay if you encounters inspection issues that need to be resolved.  It can be difficult to get a good contractor this time of year.

If you are thinking of buying a home in 2009 and you are eligible for the tax credit, don't wait.  The process can take longer than you think!

Good luck and take care.

Have you ever had a listing that was a problem right from the beginning?  It's not really the property's fault.  The property is fine.  It's just a victim of circumstances.  So far, I've had two offers fall apart.  The first one was due to a financing issue a week before closing.

The second one fel apart because the buyer just decided to walk away.  There were no inspection issues.  Needless to say, the sellers are not happy.  What makes them the most unhappy, however, is that the buyer's agent allowed a radon test that wasn't requested in the offer.

I was totally shocked when he called me to tell me that the buyer wanted out and by the way the radon came back a little high.  Both he and I knew he hadn't requested a radon test.  Now I have a disclosure issue.  I have no documentation just the other agent's comment.  What would you do?

What a mess.  Stay tuned.

Take care.

Please come join me at my open house at 990 Hickory Hill in Green Bay today, Sunday, May 3rd from 11:00AM until 12:00PM.  This cute cape cod offers three bedroom and one bath.  It has lovely hardwood floors and arched doorways.  If you are looking for a charming home, this is the one.

The second floor master bedroom is spacious and offers a sitting area.  The kitchen is bright and efficient.  There is also a large deck and the back yard is fenced in.  There is also a detached two stall garage.

Take Oneida St to Hickory Hill east.  I hope to see you there.

Take care.

I have a new listing I'd like to tell you about.  I just listed a cute cape cod at 990 Hickory Hill in GreenBay.  This is a perfect home for first time home buyers, downsizers or relocators.  It has three bedrooms and one bath.  There is 1,074 sq. ft. of living space.  The owners have kept it in move in condition.

The hardwood floors, arched doorways and southern exposure give this home a lot of charm.  The living room is spacious and the second floor master bedroom has a sitting area.  The yard is fenced in and there is a large wood deck.  There is also a two stall detached garage.

I will be having an open house this Sunday, April 19th from 1:00PM until 2:00PM.  This is a great property with a great location.  Take Oneida St to Hickory Hill and go east to the property.

Stop by and say hi.  You'll be glad you did.

Take care.

It's like I've lost my physic powers. In the past, I would write an offer that I knew was going to either be countered or rejected.   I don't know about you but lately, I've been involved in some creative transactions.  I have learned not to say "this will never fly" ever again.  Deals I thought had no way of coming together, come together.

I'd like to think of myself as an "outside the box" thinker and it has come in handy a few times.  I have put a deal together where the seller was providing the financing to a buyer who just had a recent bankruptcy.  I've had a seller who was considering renting to the buyers, who have no down payment, until their house sells.  Sellers seem to be willing to take more risks to make the deal than they would in a "normal" market  We all know that the banks aren't.

Now, it seem just about anything goes.   As real estate professionals, we have to be open to trying to make the impossible, possible.  No one ever said this job is easy.

Take care.

My mother taught me many things as I was growing up.  She was the kind of mom who constantly reminded me about the clean underwear rule of which we all know.  In addition to that, she usually came up with tidbits of good advice.  Since I began my career in real estate, she has harped on me to carry my business cards with me at all times.

Of course I carry my business cards with me on appointments, to meetings, etc.  She pointed out that everyone I meet could be a potential client or customer.  It made sense to me so from then on, I've carried my business cards with me to church, shopping and even to the doctor's office.

Today I had a doctor's appointment.  Making small talk, the nurse asked me about my occupation.  When I mentioned I was in real estate, she told me she knew of two people in the building who are looking for a Realtor.  One was looking to buy a home and the other was looking to sell.  She immediately took my cards and said she'd hand them out.

I don't know if they will ever call but I know they at least have my card if they choose to do so.  I even have left my card when I leave a tip at a restaurant.  Maybe my cards get thrown away but just maybe they don't! 

Take care

Today I was standing at the gas station filling my car with gas when I noticed a lowly penny laying on the dirty concrete.  As I picked it up, I thought about how the penny gets no respect. 

Are we too focused on dollars to worry about pennies?  The mint says that it costs more to make a penny than it is worth.  Many people think they should stop making them.  Could you imagine what it would be like to not have the penny any more?

What would we save in our coffee cans and piggy banks?  What would people do if they couldn't ltake out through their coin purses looking for the correct change for their $ .98 purchase? (my pet peeve)

Remember when someone would say "a penny for your thoughts"?  Remember when people actually had a penny in their penny loafers?  Remember when a penny could buy you a piece of candy or a gum ball?  If you don't, I feel sorry for you.  You missed out on something very special.

I know that times "change" but the penny has served a very important purpose for a very long time.  I may be in the minority but, out of respect, I'll always pick up a penny when I see one.  It may not have much but it still has value.  You see I'm penny wise but I'm not pound foolish!

Take care.

If you're interested in purchasing year round or vacation property, take a look at the condos I have listed on White Potato Lake.  These two story, newly constructed condos offer all of the comforts you cherish in a home.

Sit and relax in the sun room on those warm summer days as well as by the a fireplace on those cold winter nights.  Each unit has hard wood floors, custom cabinetry and granite counter tops.

Enjoy the beautiful view of the lake from the master bedroom.  Each unit has four bedroom and three baths.  Prices start at $299,900.

I will be at the condo this Sunday, March 22nd from 10:00Am until 11:00AM.  Please stop by.  The condos are approximately an hour north of Green Bay.  If you can't stop by, please email me for more information or to set up a private showing.  It will be worth your time.

Take care.

I love going through old houses even before they are renovated.  I don't want to live in one.  I actually prefer new construction.  I just like walking through them and wondering what memories they hold.  Today I had the opportunity to go on a listing appointment to a very large house that is over 100 years old.

I believe that it was a very grand house when it was built.  This house had been in the seller's family for over eighty years.  It had not been kept up for quite a few years yet when I walked inside, I got the feeling I was walking back in time.  The sellers relayed many stories as we walked from room to room.

The high ceilings and the ornate doors and 8" woodwork were in near perfect condition.  It had hard wood floors, sliding glass doors and walls with built in cabinets with shelves.  Some of the light fixtures, while probably not original, looked very elegant.  Everything seemed so solid.

Almost every house from that era had a parlor, a formal dining room with a huge chandelier and at least five or six bedrooms as did this one.  It also had to have a large front porch to sit on in the summer time with a glass of lemonade and watch the world go by.

This one was unique in that it had a walk out basement.  In the basement was a very old octopus furnace that could easily pass as a space ship from another planet.  It had a cistern and a coal bin.  Right next to this ancient furnace was a coaxial cable for the TV.  I thought that was quite amusing - new meets old.

When I list this home, it will be as a commercial property.  I hope who ever buys it restores it as much as possible.  I warned the sellers that someone may buy it just for the land.  They could easily tear down the house and build a new office building.  It would be a shame to lose this old structure but I guess that's progress.  It sure was nice while it lasted.

Take care.