With snow approaching Wisconsin again and Christmas just 4 days away, maybe it is time to slow down and enjoy life this week.  Go sleding, make a snowperson, go to a movie, read a book by the fireplace. Call your friends, family, neighbors and some old clients of yours.  It is always great to get re-connected with everyone.  So slow down and enjoy the moment and guess what?  You'll probably dig up some new business in the pocess as well.  May the joy of the Holidays be with everyone, no matter what Holiday you and your family are celebrating.

Today, we signed up another Realtor to help Exit Realty XL provide excellant service to a fast growing base of clients.  Bev Ehley formerly of Prudential Realtors brings her expertise of client service to our office.  Bev will be a great addition to our Germantown, Wisconsin office. Bev has been selling Real Estate since 2002. If you or anyone you know is looking to sell or buy a home in Washington County, Waukesha County, Milwaukee County or Ozaukee County in Wisconsin give us a call today.  We are eager to help you with all your Real Estate needs.

11 Great Reasons to List Your Home during the Holidays in Germantown, Wisconsin:

1.  People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers.  

2. Serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from during the Holidays and less competition mean more money for you.  

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home.  Less demand means less money for you.  

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays.  

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays so they are more likely to pay your price.  

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays that during regular weekdays.  

7. Some people must buy before the year for tax purposes.  

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs.  Since transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market during the Holidays to capture the market.  

9. You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays.  

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year.  

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when more house are on the market for less money!  This will allow you to sell high and buy low.  

Best of luck to you.

Buyers love spacious homes.  Buyers love to look at online property photos. Here are some tips to make your pictures look good.

1) Remove area rugs - Rugs break up the expanse of the floor and can make rooms look smaller.

2) Use a wide-angle lens.

3) Get creative with furniture. Make sure that furniture doesn't block views or walkways so you reveal as much of the floor as possible.

4) Fill up an empty space. Buyers have trouble imagining how their things will fit into an empty room.

5) Use mirrors to your advantage.  A reflection in a mirror can reveal more of a room when you can't squeeze everything into your photo.

6) Lighten Up.  In photos, brighter rooms typically come across as more open and welcoming.

7) Shoot at an angle.  The diagonal line is the longest visual line in a room.  Try shooting from the corner.

8) Remove Clutter.  You've heard it before, but clutter makes a room look cramped and steals attention from a room's intended focal points.

Best of luck to you.

7 Steps to "Safe Selling" that Every Home Seller Should Consider

1) Do an honest, detailed "Sellers Disclosure".  Check with your agent and/or attorney for details.

2) Offer a "Home Warranty/Protection Plan" to the buyer of your property.

3) Remove valuable personal property like jewelry, etc... before allowing your home to be shown.

4) Have a lock box system placed on or by the front door.  If this is not possible, have some other system to track who shows the property.

5) Have all necessary inspections that can be done before the buyers look at your property.  Examples include, but not limited to:  municipality inspections, title work, home inspection, radon testing, etc..  This will lessen a surprise after accepting a contract.

6) Never show your property to someone who hasn't been propertly pre-qualified.

7) Hire a real estate agent/company or real estate attorney to represent and guide you through the many details of the home selling process.

Germantown, Wisconsin Real Estate. Jerry Grosenick with Exit Realty XL. 

For many Realtors Winter can be a slow time.  Well, I hope your Realtor is using the "slower" time to expand their intelligence and expanding their search engine optimization on the internet.  Now is the time for Realtors to take the time to look at webinars, read books and read Real Estate related blogs, websites, etc to expand their knowledge.  Also, take the time to make sure that all the many websites you are on have the proper search engine optimization information to help your business grow.  Take some time out to enjoy the holidays, just don't fall asleep on your business. Germantown, Wisconsin Real Estate is vibrant as always.  Happy Holidays to all. 

16 Steps to Get Ready for Your Open House

1) The front and back lawn should be freshly cut, trimmed and cleared of all debris.

2) Remove any unnecessary items from the front of the house.

3) Remove any dirt from sidewalk or driveway.

4) The front door should be freshly painted, if needed.

5) A colorful container of fresh flowers would be a wise investment for the front entry area.

6) If snow exists, be sure to clear the walkway from the parking area to the front door.  Salt for ice if necessary.

7) In the colder months, a roaring fire in the fireplace will create great ambiance.

8) Take extra time to be sure the kitchen and bathrooms are spotless.

9) Be sure all the lights work in your home including closets, basement, garage and attic.

10) Turn all your lights on, open every drape and curtain.

11) Turn on lights in closets.

12) Organize your closets and have some opend.

13) Doors and windows should be easy to operate.

14) Remove valuables from sight.

15) Tune in some soft music on the radio station in each room. 

16) It is very important to leave during the hours of the open house.  Most prospective buyers feel more comfortable if the seller is not present.

Good luck in the selling of your home.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Kitchen and Bathrooms

Kitchen:

• Clean and organize all storage space.
• Avoid clutter, stor small appliances.
• Clean ventilating hood and exhaust fan.
• Sink, cabinets and counter tops should be clean and fresh.
• Waxh and organize cabinets and closets.

Bathrooms:

• Check all faucets.  Repair any dripping faucets.
• All surfaces should be spotless.  Clear off vanity countertops.
• Replace worn shower curtain(s).
• Remove all personal care items from sight and store neatly away.
• Clean and organize drawers and linen closets.
• Clean and repair calking.

Make your house stick out from the crowd takes a lot of little details.  Best of luck.

10 REASONS TO LIST YOUR HOME DURING THE WINTER in Germantown, Wisconsin

1.  Fewer Showings - Yes there are fewer buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.

2.  Less Competition - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of year.

3.  Homes Show Better During the Holidays - Buyers love homes that can tell a story.  The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations!

4.  January is the Biggest Job Transfer Month - Did you know that more corporate moves happen during January than at any other time of year?  This may be a great reason to list your home        during the winter!

5.  Timing - By putting the home on the market during winter, you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!

6.  More Time To Get Top Dollar - By starting to market your home early, you may be able to secure a higher price.

7.  Great Time to Shop - If your home sells quickly, your will be able to shop for your next home during the winter.  This is a great time to find a bargain.

8.  More Advertising - Because most agents and offices have less inventory during the winter, your home may be advertised more often than during the spring and summer months.

9.  More Attention - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage.

10.  The Market - Today's interest rates are at a forty year low.  This gives buyers more spending power and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!

1) Buyers take special notice of light and bright homes.  Buy high intensity light bulbs and be sure to clean all light shades and covers.

2) Buyers notice especially clean homes.  Do a "Spring Cleaning" throughout...no matter what the season is.  Give special attention to the following:  windows and screens, counters and appliance tops, mirrors, ovens, sinks, toilets and tub/shower areas.

3) Buyers notice clean windows, freshly laundered drapes and curtains.

4) Buyers notice freshly cleaned carpets and waxed floors.  Replace or repair damaged areas of the floor or floor covering.

5) Buyers notice spacious rooms.  Arrange furniture and decorations to improve each room.  Remove unnecessary items that don't fit in.

6) Buyers notice colors that will blend with their decor and furnishings.  Consider brightening things up with a fresh coat of paint.  Think white, off-white or beige.  Such colors make a room look bigger and brighter.  These colors are most likely to go with the new buyers furnishings.

7) Buyers notice closet and cabinet space.  Neatly arrange everything in your closets, cabinets and other storage areas including the basement and garage.  Get rid of all unnecessary items.

8) Buyers pay attention to tiny details.  Fix all of the "little things" ... loose door knobs, leaky faucets, towel racks, clean and repair caulk areas.