S3146 West Salem Ridge Road, La Farge, WI

Home, Home on the range... where the buffalo roam and the family will play... Tucked away on a quiet country road in Webster Township is where you will find this well maintained unique one of a kind property. It's sited on 3.60 acres and has many only one of its kind amenities that are not commonly found and/or are expensive to install. For starters, the pastureland is spring fed and fenced with full boundary woven wire. It is set up to hold a small herd of buffalo but will work for horses, sheep or goats! The home has an outdoor wood furnace, located in the wood furnace shed. All of the home has been rehabbed and features newer roofing, siding and windows. Then, the interior, if you love hardwood, it has loads of custom milled oak and trim.

There 2 bedrooms on the main floor and 2 bedrooms up. A 5th bedroom located on the lower level can be used for guest or an office. The sunny and open Living area consists of the dining room open to the living and kitchen. Cooks will love the well-organized kitchen, which has a movable island bar that's perfect for entertaining. Additionally there is a walkout deck just off the dining area that leads to the level and landscaped front yard. On the lower level of this home, even more space abounds with a finished family room.

There is also an oversized 3-car attached garage with room for a workshop area in the 3rd bay. Additionally, there is 1 small barn, which sits at the front of the property and is in good condition. This property is nicely located, with a short 8-mile drive into Viroqua or a convenient 5 miles over to the Organic Valley headquarters. Asking Price is: $184900

Are you searching for homes to buy in LaFarge or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Custom Sign 4 your listings

What's more common in real estate than a yard sign? Pretty much you'll find one on every listing. Supplied, authorized and approved by your Broker, their yard sign is usually an uninspiring piece of their marketing plan for their office. It does get attention. How often do you get a buyer call that begins like this: I saw the sign on a property over at 123 South Street...

Getting noticed is the name of the game in real estate marketing. The humble yard sign is the first step in the process. However, if you want to be more of a stand out in your neighborhood, then here is an eye catching & affordable way to do just that, get noticed.  I found this easy to use site www.buildasign.com where you can inexpensively make your own custom signs. It is an easy 1- 2 -3 step process. Just type out your copy, upload your photos and Wha La... you have created a custom sign complete with your own digital photos, logo and copy, that is shipped out pronto to your door.

By placing your own custom attention-grabbing mini-Bill Board in the yard, you can place some interior photos on the sign, or broadcast the property's best amenities in full color right in the Seller's front yard! It's guarantee, your client will think you are very cleaver! You can even coordinate the sign to match your info box flyer's as I do. Now all those buyers passing by will put on the brakes and know who to call! That's right You!

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Vernon County, WI Amish Built Barn House

Located in the Heart of Hillsboro's Amish country... this one of a kind retreat property is waiting for you. If you would like something a little bit special then take at look at this Barn. Amish Barns are essentially a structure built for storing hay or is a place to keep the livestock. However, this is not your average Amish Barn! It was built to be a lodging or a weekend retreat. It was custom built this year and is being sold unfinished so you can add your own final touches. It is an opportunity to let your decorator talents go wild; to imagine is to see the possibilities. All this is sited on 5.7 surveyed wooded acres with enough room to hike, hunt, and explore the wooded hills.

The upper most 3rd level has a large loft with a balcony that wrap around on 3 sides of the loft and looks over the great room below. The main level is plenty roomy. The place is ready to be partitioned into 2 good-sized bedrooms, a kitchen area, and an open great room. While on the entry lower level, there is a 2-car garage. There is enough space in this area to have a large workshop. Priced at $117,000

Are you searching for Cabins to buy in Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

E10597 South Elk Run Road Viola, WI

Woods and Prairie land & every thing Natural...

Here is an excellent mixed parcel of land which features rolling ridge top meadows and dense woods. Anyone who has had the opportunity to walk amongst a meadow in full flower or who has had the opportunity to catch sight of wildlife in the deep woods will surely feel inspired enough to want to own this tract of land. These 35 acres will certainly offer up that opportunity! It can be your private retreat to either escape to a lovely grassy open prairie or restore the shady woodlots that surround and border this land. The opportunity awaits you. This property has a small cabin that is roomy enough for overnight stays. There is a serene step-over stream just a few steps from the cabin which is spring fed. The property has been perc tested for a septic system; it also has electric service installed. Three are several ideal building sites set amongst the tall trees. The acreage will offer privacy and seclusion and is an ideal location for a new home.

Asking Price $105,000        

 Are you searching for Land to buy in Viola or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599                  

Hillsboro, WI

At the far eastern end of Vernon County is the location of the 3rd largest city in Vernon County, the City of Hillsboro. It has a history that dates back to 1850. The areas earliest industries were lumber, farming and cheese making. Most of the early residents were Czech and German immigrates and settled the area to find a better way of life. Today the population is around 1302 and it still primarily a farming community.  The city takes pride in calling themselves the Czech capital of Wisconsin.  Each second weekend in June, Hillsboro hosts a festival, Chesky Den, to celebrate their heritage. It is held at the Hillsboro Fireman's Park. If you want to experience a fun time I recommend a trip over there for an enjoyable experience. You will see happy people having a happy bouncing time. The festival features polka music and dancing, a craft and flea market, carnival rides and lots of great Czech food served up buffet style in the Fireman's Park pavilions.

Besides the Czechs in the Hillsboro area, there is also an Amish settlement with an approximate 650 members or about 95 households. Many of these Amish farmers operate small to medium sized family dairy farms with anywhere from 10 to 49 cow. Along highway 82 heading into Hillsboro, it's a common site to see a one horse-powered buggy heading into town at a clip clop rate of 5-10 miles per hour.

Another note worthy tourist attractions in the Hillsboro area is the location of a 7-mile bike trail and snowmobile trail. This trail links up to the Elroy Sparta Trail along an abandoned old rail line. It follows the West Branch of the Baraboo River, and crosses several wooden bridges along its scenic route

Are you searching for homes to buy in Hillsboro or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599 

Ontario, WI

It's possible you haven't heard of the small village of Ontario Wisconsin, population 475. If so, it is an outdoor recreational heaven and the destination for canoeing enthusiasts. Thousands flock here each summer to enjoy an outing on the meandering Kickapoo River. Bring their own canoes and kayaks or renting them from the outfitters, it is an everyday site, during the summer season to see old school buses shuttling dozens of happy, singing, canoeist customers back to town after a day of paddling down the stream.  The town has an old frontier-like flavor about it; horse lovers will also be in paradise here.  The Village borders Wildcat Mountain State Park, which has many miles of horseback riding trails. These trails wind throughout the 5600 acres of hilly and wooded scenery.  There is a special campground in the park where you can camp out with your horses at the trails edge. These sites are coveted, very popular and book up fast.  

Besides horses and the canoeing, there are many Amish living nearby this community. The countryside surrounding Ontario has the largest and oldest rural population of Amish in Vernon County. Their settlement spans from the north end of Ontario all the way to Cashton along highway 33. If you travel this road you can explore Amish bakeries, quilt shops, and bent hickory furniture stores, which are open to the public.  

Are you searching for homes to buy in Ontario or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599 

314 Minshall, Viroqua, WI (Sold)

Delightful Craftsman bungalow... When you enter this Cozy and Comfy home, we are sure you are going to appreciate the imaginary style of this home from the Arts and Crafts period of Americana. The homey bungalow was the first step toward the modern ranch home; with emphasis on horizontal living over multiple stories. Craftsman bungalow were typically one to one-and-a-half stories, with a long sloping roof line and a wide, sheltering overhang which made the house appear to nestle into the earth.

This Viroqua home has all of its original mission style woodwork and flooring. One the main floor there is an open living room and formal dining room that feature symmetric bookshelves that divide the space. Flanked on one side are 2 good size bedrooms with a center hall bath. At the rear of the home is a traditional kitchen with plenty of space of a dinette table. A pleasant surprise is up on the second floor, it features a very private bedroom suite. It has loads of room for a home office or a play area for children.

The exterior of the home is in great condition, with a newer roof, a recent paint job and wonderful landscaping including a newly replace cobblestone sidewalk. List Price only $98,000

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599 

Off 2 find another FSBO

Normally I don't bother to contact FSBO at all, but yesterday morning I did. It was not for a listing, but was a property I personally had an interested in. The place had one of those typical red yard signs in the front yard; the kind we Realtor's can't stand to see. A white mailbox was mounted to the top of the sign with info flyers inside so I grabbed one. The phone number identified the owner and I proceeded to give him a call. Lucky me, I got him on the first try. With the conversation beginning, I just assumed the standard buyer attitude. Don't share any information, remain somewhat silent after asking a question and try to get the answers I wanted. This skillful technique is one I acquired first hand from all the daily buyers calls I regularly field.

 Well here is what happened; I was told he would call me back in a few hours after working out who would meet me, show the house and when. He explained he was too far away to come there plus there was a family member who lived nearby. Maybe she would meet me, maybe he would meet me, but in a few hours they would know what to do. I never got a return call so by 5 pm I left a voice mail. At 7pm that night, the call was finally returned. Only to let me know that they are now going to list the home with the neighbor across the street that happens to be a Realtor. I was told that he would contact me shortly. It is now 3 days later. I still have not heard back from anyone. I have driven past the house; it still has the FSBO sign in the yard today. At this point I have actually lost my initial interest in property. My enthusiasm just fizzled because of the lack of immediate follow-up, which was critical to keeping me interested.

You see, I am a buyer too, even if they didn't know I was a Realtor, they blew the chance to sell to me. They mismanaged me; I was a buyer lead to them. I now have experienced buyer frustration first hand. This certainly proved again why many FSBO end up listing with a Realtor, hopefully better chosen than picking that Realtor neighbor across the street. When I took this photo he was home and did not even bother to come across the street. This FSBO did not want to devote the time and effort required to sell me this house. Initially it may have sounded like great fun and more profitable to avoid paying a Realtor's commission, but obviously they are changing their minds after only a few weeks. Once someone's personal time gets intruded upon, the fun of selling a house goes away fast. If you don't have the time to take the call, advertise, and make the appointments, it is not going to sell. If you don't know how to make the property look good, it won't sell, and finally if you don't know what questions to ask a buyer you might just loose one that actually could buy. That was me! As a buyer, I learned I did not like not getting called back. I really don't think they picked the right Realtor because he also did not call me back. My big unruly buyer attitude has firmly kicked in, if they do ever call I am no longer interested!

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

S5726 North Illusion Road, Viola, WI

Here is a Country Hideout to call your own...it's extremely secluded and hidden away. This 2 bedroom retreat cabin is set way back into the woods and is located nicely off the beaten path.  With an agreeable mix of hardwood forest and an open meadow in front, this 3.7 acre parcel is certain to be a calming get-a-way spot in the woods .

Once you step inside this cozy cabin, you will be rather surprised by finding a wonderful oversized Great Room before your eyes. This generous room features a woodstove for chilly nights, cathedral ceilings that open up the space and which are lined with pine. This cabin has a functional kitchen that includes the appliances and has plenty of cabinets and countertops for your cooking needs. With delightful décor, it is a very charming county cottage for weekends or year-round. To the rear side is the location of a large deck where anyone can enjoy the tranquil views across the woodland.  There is abundant wildlife which will be quietly sharing this county hideaway with you, so plan to bring your camera or binoculars and be ready for a treat! Priced at: $79,900

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Tails U Win

More realty drama, please be the judge. I finished up a conversation with a buyer who called me and wanted to see my listing. We set up the appointment. This particular buyer was to call me back the next day to confirm the showing worked with the wife's schedule by the end of the next afternoon. Before that happened, the next morning there is a voice mail from another agent. Pretty much her message goes like this. "Hi Mary, I see you have a listing at E4660 XYZ lane and I have some buyers who I am showing another property to over on K, I even believe you had talked with them, well I am their agent, we assume you have a lock-box etc... bla bla bla...well we don't need you there. If you would get back to me on this."  At the time I talked with this fellow, he had told me he was looking at another home on K, which check out with the other agent's voice mail.  I asked at the time of this buyer, is it listed? Who is showing it to you? He said he did not know the name of the agent and did not know the company of the agent or anything about her at all, basically could not remember. Well, I let him know that if he didn't know the agent name and she later wanted to show him my listing it was now going too be late, was that a problem, the answer was no. Because of this, I called the cell of the agent and let her know I would be showing the home, not her.

 Fast forward to the end of that day. Now, the broker owner of this agent gives me a call.(I am a broker owner too). He goes right into an ambush and tirade about how all us RE/MAX agents must have all been taught all the dirty tricks, etc... I was totally stunned by his comments and rather taken back. I just asked him to fax me a copy of the buyer agency agreement, as I don't need to fight over a buyer. It never came. Well I just let her show the home anyway because I really didn't care. I am blessed; I am always busy. Sure enough she does write an offer, but it's a really low, low-ball, of course, also wants the seller to pay all inspections and gift a 4% down payment to boot. Repeat Lesson learned over and over again, not all buyers are worth the time to drive out to the house for.  This offer is so bad it should be rejected, but we are going to counter offer. Why you might ask? Because I have also learned along time ago, that those who scream the loudest are never capable of realizing why they are so wrong.

 Back to why I am blessed, I am willing to work long and hard hours.  Plus, I always analyze the odds. In Real Estate the odds seems to often be only 50/50. They either like it or they don't. Do you think Realtors are good gamblers or is it that the odds are frequently just a flip of the coin?

Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599