This is probably the best explanation I've ever read about the importance and benefits of staging your home for sale. Perhaps one of the best things any seller can do, especially in today's market.

A great condo just came on the market in Belgium at a great price, and it is not a short sale or foreclosure.

With nearly 1800 square feet of space, this 2-bedroom/2-bath upper unit is bright, well-maintained and ready for its new owners.

In addition to large rooms, cathedral ceilings, in-unit laundry, a private garage, private entrance, and a master suite, this unit offers TWO private balconies/decks. Both offer great space for enjoying the outdoors during Wisconsin's warmer months.

All of this for just $124,900. Call or email to take a look and be "wowed."

Looking for a place to donate clothes you no longer wear or items such as furniture, electronics, and housewares? Or are you looking for some gently used furniture, electronics, household items or clothes for yourself or your family? 

Goodwill is hoping to open a retail and drop-off location in Grafton! If all goes as planned, the store should be opening in June, and will be located in the former Sears building on Wisconsin Street, just a short distance south of Highway 60/Washington Avenue. This is a great addition to the community as this will be the only location in Ozaukee County.

If you're not familiar with Goodwill, they are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Milwaukee that assists youth, seniors, veterans and military families, immigrants, and people with disabilities, criminal backgrounds and other special needs in securing employment and becoming and staying a contributing member of society. You can learn all about their mission, services, and opportunities by visiting their website, goodwill.org.

I don't ever remember walking along the beach or strolling around the quarry at Harrington Beach State Park in the middle of the winter. But this winter is different.

So far this year, we've had minimal snow and unusually warm temps. Today we made it into the 50s. Add bluer than blue skies, a breeze out of the west, and the golden sun, and you have the makings of the perfect day to play hooky from work.

So that's what I did -- at least for part of the day. I couldn't resist.

If you haven't been to Harrington you should take some time to visit. Located in Belgium, just 25 minutes or so north of Milwaukee, this state park offers year-round activities including camping, fishing, cross country skiing, and hiking.

This is the place we'd go to as kids for some summer fun, whether we biked there from home or drove down with the entire family piled into our old green Dodge on a  Sunday afternoon.

No matter the season, there is awe everywhere you look. It's the perfect place to go when you want to play hooky for the day.

Looking for some winter fun in a community full of charm? Then plan on spending some time at Cedarburg's Winter Festival February 4 and 5.

These two days are full of a variety of events and activities for all ages including the Ice-Burg Open Golf Tournament, Co-Ed Sno-Ball Tournament, a dog weight-pull competition (NEW THIS YEAR!), costumed bed races on Cedar Creek, a parade, barrel races, and snowshoeing. Enjoy a pancake breakfast on Sunday along with an egg hunt. And don't forget to allow enough time to stroll through and enjoy the many shops and restaurants Cedarburg has to offer.

Cedarburg is located about 20 minutes north of Milwaukee and is best know for its old-world charm, unique shops, great restaurants and a variety of special events and festivals throughout the year.

So bundle up and come check out Cedarburg this coming Saturday and Sunday!

I think I've written about this topic in the past, but because of some recent happenings, I think it bears repeating.

The first step to buying a house is to get pre-approved.

I know some buyers out there don't want to hear that. You just want to get a taste of what's on the market. What can you get for $150,000? What can you get for $200,000? What can you get for $250,000?

But the bottom line is, it's too risky for me to take the time to search the market for you, to email listings to you, and to drive around showing houses to you if we don't know how much the bank will loan you. And it makes me wonder if perhaps you're not as serious about buying a house as I might have thought you are.

And there's a risk for you, as well. You could walk through a house that you fall in love with only to learn you don't qualify for the price point. Or worse, you could write an offer on a house only to have the seller reject you because you aren't pre-approved.

It's worth it to take the time to talk to your lender about what's affordable to you. It doesn't cost you anything, and it's the most important step you can take toward home ownership.

So please don't back away when the question of whether you are pre-approved comes up in our conversation. It's important for both of us to know the answer so we can determine the best way to proceed with your home search.

As I write this, the beginnings of a snowstorm are happening outside. It's bitter cold and those fine snowflakes are falling. You wouldn't think this would be the time of year for a farmers market in Wisconsin -- but it is!

Beginning Saturday, January 28, and continuing the last Saturday of each month through May, is the Port Washington Winter Farmers Market. What sorts of goodies will be sold at this event?

You will find beef, pork, yellow perch, bread, lettuce, preserves, sorghum and honey, maple syrup, chips and dips, butter, cheese and yogurt will be available -- and everything is locally grown or produced!

The market is held at First Congregational Church, 135 North Webster Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and it is sponsored in parntership with the First Congregational Church Sustainability Committee, Port Washington Main Street and PortFish LTD.

Be sure to make a note in your calendar to check out Port Washington's Winter Farmers Market and support our local farmers!

I've learned a thing or two from some colleagues and myself over the past several years on how and how not to react to different situations in the real estate business.

Got an offer that's not quite what you were hoping it would be? Appreciate that you got an offer. There's a buyer out there that wants to buy your seller's house. Work together to come to agreeable terms. Getting angry at the buyer or the agent who wrote the offer only sets everyone off on the wrong foot from the get go. That's just counter-productive.

Lost a buyer due to a misunderstanding about who was going to be working with said buyer? Assuming you haven't spent too much time with the buyer yet, work out some sort of referral fee or perhaps just let it go. Sometimes it's better to just walk away rather than create awkwardness and confusion for the buyer.

Have a buyer who's making some less than desirable demands of your seller? Keep cool about it. Cursing out the buyer's agent is less than stellar and just unprofessional.

Think your level of production puts you above those around you? Having the ability to stay grounded and offering help and advice to those around you is a much better thing to be rememberd for.

Behave and react with grace. It's a pretty nice way to set yourself apart from those around you.

I received a call early this morning from one of my sellers to let me know she decided to accept the latest counter offer we received from the buyer who had written an offer on her house. Admittedly, I breathed a sigh of relief.

It's a great offer. Clean, fair, and a pretty quick closing, too. But getting this to the "accepted offer" status wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. And this morning I found out why.

It came down to the realization that agreeing to this latest counter offer meant taking one step closer to letting go of the house. It's the house where she raised her kids. It's the house that defined her independence after a divorce. She told me she gets a lump in her throat when she thinks about accepting this offer. She was realizing she was having a hard time letting go.

I told the seller that no matter why a house is being sold -- good or not so good -- there is going to be emotion weaving its way throughout the process. It's not just a business deal. It's about letting go and moving on to that next chapter.

That house isn't just a bunch of wood and nails and tile and windows and shingles; it's a home. It's where we laugh together, cry together, create holiday and birthday memories, share family meals, and grow together. It's home.

My seller knows her life is pretty great right now. She said it herself. It's time for her to close this chapter and continue the one she started with her new husband last year. I know she's going to be just fine. And I know she's excited for this family about to start a new chapter of their own. 

Dear Mrs. Buyer,

I received your voicemail the other day that you and your husband wanted to buy a house in Ozaukee County. You said you found me on the internet, liked my bio, and were excited to work with me! You left your number, saying you looked forward to hearing from me. I was out and about putting up some "open Sunday" signs and thought it'd be best to call you when I got back to the office -- much easier than trying to talk while driving.

About 20 minutes later, I called the number you left but got your voicemail. I left a message letting you know I would be happy to help you and your husband. I didn't hear back so I tried you again the next day. Left another message and, after not hearing back again, made a third attempt to connect. Still nothing.

So I'm just curious -- what happened?? Did you find another agent in the 20 mintues between you leaving a message and me calling you back? Did I not return your call fast enough? Were you teasing me?

I admit, I got a little giddy when I got your message. You see I've set some pretty ambitious goals for myself this year, and receiving a message like yours the second week of the year -- well I just couldn't help but get a little excited!

I guess I would have just appreciated you taking the time to call me back and let me know what happened. Or you can send me a message. My email address is as easy to find as my bio is.

I certainly hope everything is okay and wish you and your husband well in your home search. And if you still want to work with me, I'd welcome the opportunity. But please call only if you really want to work with me. It's just not nice to tease.