Viroqua, WI - 09/29/08 12:50 PM
Earth Sheltered homes also called earth-bermed homes are usually all or partly nestled into the earth. Since traditional built home are exposed to the climate they take more energy to heat and cool, while earth shelters are buffered and maintain a more constant temperature from the earth sheltered walls to heat or cool from. This type of Green-Home is also designed to impart a passive solar benefit as well. That comes from its South facing windows, wide overhanging eaves and the thermal heat storage found by use of expansive quarry tiled flooring thought-out. The Interior: The main living area is a … (0 comments)

Fall Color Update - 09/28/08 12:21 PM
We have not had a hard frost yet, and it is estimated that Vernon County and the Viroqua area are about 2 weeks out for peak fall color. On Saturday I enjoyed taking these photos of a few horses grazing on green pastureland at one of my new listings.  While the hillside trees are showing slightly more color this week, there is still plenty of green grass remaining. As you can see, there is some vibrant red and orange starting to pop out. Locally it has been warm and dry, so when we get that first frost the colors should give … (4 comments)

Double Double Exception - 09/28/08 10:47 AM
I had once had this experience. I listed a farm where the owner, prior to me, had this property listed with another broker. The property consisted of 160 acres and a farmhouse. The prior broker was able to sell the farmhouse with part of the land, approximately 50 acres. Try as the other broker did, the balance of the land did not sell before the expiration of their listing. For whatever reason, the seller didn't want to continue with the former broker and did what many sellers sometimes do, found another broker. It had been approximately 5 months since the first … (0 comments)

Hear no evil - 09/28/08 09:54 AM
In Realty Days gone by... it clearly was less complicated to sell a home. Barely less than 10 years ago, there was no such thing as staging your home or having a buyer's contingency in the offer for a home inspection. Back then these selling procedures were just not a common practice in Viroqua or for that matter anywhere else. In the olden days, "Hear no evil" home Sellers got it their way. All that was required was to just simply place the home on the market and sit back and wait. The routine was easy; pick your price, slap a … (2 comments)

Open House Viroqua, WI - 09/27/08 03:23 PM
Be Sure to attend this Open House next week Sunday from 1:30 until 2:30 pm October 12, 2008
 
Here's the buy you have been waiting for; it's informal, carefree and comfortable. Just recently, it went from old and uninspiring to a cozy, comfy and alluringly affordable home! So, with all the renovation completely finished, you can just sit back and reap your rewards since the seller wants it now sold. The living room is spacious and roomy! It has several new windows plus an eye-catching gliding patio door that makes access out to the back deck a breeze. If your … (4 comments)

Open House Viroqua, WI 54665 - 09/27/08 03:10 PM
Plan to attend next Sunday
October 12, 2008
from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
 
If you need 4 bedrooms but would really like 5; this one has that size and potential! Additionally there are 2 full baths to boot, one on each floor, hooray! First impressions are known to be important and you will be pleased with this one's appeal! A newer full panel glass front door welcomes you and allows you to see the warm, comfy interior. The living and dining rooms both have refinished maple hardwood floors offering a unique look that is very inviting. The first floor … (1 comments)

Dueling Signs - 09/26/08 10:08 PM
Any veteran agent knows that far-away look that comes over a buyer when they're riding in your car and they spot a FSBO sign. It's a discreet little bitty glint that only a ready, willing and able buyer can produce. If you haven't experienced this yet, it happens something like this... there's a slight shifting of both eyes to one side of their face, it's completed inconspicuously without moving their head even one inch towards the direction of that black and orange yard sign. Then the buyer's eyeballs shift in their sockets and slightly pop out for a better look.  Next … (6 comments)

Fall is just around the corner - 09/22/08 06:36 PM
Looking for a reason to get away for the weekend? Plan a visit to Vernon County and Viroqua Wisconsin...
Yesterday was already the first day of fall, so where did the summer go? Many trees are just starting to lose their green leaves. The cooler nights and warm days are bringing out a splendid display of colorful orange, yellow and golden foliage. The Autumn Fall Colors are usually spectacular here and around the first week of October is usually the peak, right now it is about a 40% of peak. The leaves should remain for a while longer depending on the weather and how … (7 comments)

Readstown, WI - 09/20/08 08:35 PM
Old House Characteristics are hard to come by these days...and the American Foursquare or the Prairie Box home is a post-Victorian style and they share many similar features, such as, simple box shape, two-and-a-half stories high, four room floor plan. Often full-width porches with wide stairs, which grace the front entryway, have been enclosed for 3-season use. This well kept four bedroom, two bath home is no exception to this traditional style; it is located in the peaceful Village of Readstown. The surrounding especially large lot has been cared for and has well-established landscaping, a mature grape arbor and many perennial … (2 comments)

Over Pricing - 09/20/08 05:45 PM

 
That's ridiculous! I won't even look at it! Yep, this is what buyers typically say when a home is drastically overpriced. Did you know that if you over priced your home, most likely it will not sell for anywhere close to what it is really worth? You will actually get less money and not be moving any time soon! The Market sets the price not the Realtor or for that matter the Seller. The reason it will take longer to sell is because the market has to catch up to your price and that could, in some cases, take years.
Often, buyers who … (0 comments)

Boo-utiful Homes - 09/20/08 03:36 PM
As Halloween approaches, during this time of the year many thoughts are turning to ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night. All across the county it's a common sight to spot big bright orange pumpkins piled high on hay wagons along country roads. Others are for sale, stacked neatly on the picnic tables over at the Dairy Queen parking lot. Locally grown and recently harvested these pumpkins are ready for anyone who cares to stop, choose one or more and deposit their payment into the tin can conveniently provided by the marketer. Besides carving pumpkins into ghoulish faces, … (4 comments)

What Color is that? - 09/18/08 09:43 PM
It should come as no big surprise that painting is the least expensive improvement you can make in your home. It also has the biggest impact. Simply put, by just giving any room a new coat of paint it will freshen & clean up its look. Additionally, this low-cost improvement usually will shorten the days it will take to sell. Dark colors make a room feel more intimate and light colors will brighten up any space. Wild colors may scream your personality but when you are selling a home, these rooms should be neutralized. When showing a home I don't want … (3 comments)

Well... That's a deep subject! - 09/16/08 10:08 PM
Over the many years of selling country farms and homes, one area of difficulty I have encountered, has been finding that a property has an older well in use that does not meet current State Standards. There are still a few properties out there that are served by a spring, a bored well or a dug well. According to current DNR and State laws, these are not up to the current standards required of well construction. When I first inspect a property that I might be listing, I take the time to look carefully at the well and the well pressure … (0 comments)

Cabin Care - 09/16/08 07:44 PM
Regularly I am asked to evaluate a property to determine a sales price. I do what is called a Broker's Price Opinion (BPO). In this case it was an out of State owner, thinking of selling their secluded country cabin. Frequently these cabins are very hard to locate because during the summertime the woods are dense with leaves and the thick underbrush makes them hard to spot. Many private roads are not named and there may not even be a fire-number(addresses) assigned to the property. This particular cabin's access driveway was well hidden & overgrown with 3-foot high weeds. Sometimes the owner has not been … (2 comments)

Sold and Closed - 09/16/08 10:34 AM
Experience a New Point of View... right form the huge front deck of this comfy country home. It is nearby the Mississippi River, with fishing and boating only a short 5 minutes down the road. This walkout ranch home is approximately 5 years old and offers up 2 bedrooms, 2 baths with a main floor laundry. This home will keep pleasing any one who is seeking main floor living. But there is even more room, if you are in need of additional bedrooms. The full walkout basement affords plenty of room for expansion and easily could be finished off to meet your … (3 comments)

Clean it First, Sell it Second! - 09/16/08 08:15 AM
The least expensive improvement a homeowner can make when selling a home fast for top dollar, is to clean everything! Get out the mops, buckets and cleaning products. Pack up the clutter and polish everything. I have seen my share of dirty homes that don't sell and one very big reason is because they are not sale worthy until they are cleaned! It is often the dirty condition of a re-sale home that prevents a sale; it is not the Realtor's marketing plan. Numerous times I have had Buyers refuse to enter a dirty home, and if they did, their comments … (10 comments)

110 Western Avenue, Viroqua, WI - 09/15/08 03:53 PM
Ah, now that's better... a new smart floorplan and a complete redesign went into this Thrifty-Nifty 2-bedroom ranch home. The Residence: Here's the buy you have been waiting for; it's informal, carefree and comfortable. Just recently, it went from old and uninspiring to a cozy, comfy and alluringly affordable home! So, with all the renovation completely finished, you can just sit back and reap your rewards since the seller wants it now sold. The living room is spacious and roomy! It has several new windows plus an eye-catching gliding patio door that makes access out to the back deck a breeze. … (3 comments)

If they build it they will buy - 09/15/08 09:11 AM
Are investors still out there? Are flippers still hard at work or is most of it just left over inventory from pre-2006?  Those that continue to be successful know what to look for, you need the right house, location, and price range for a rewarding out come and good return on investment.  
Here is an interesting investment property, which I had recently showed to a buyer. What were they thinking; what do you think? I learned later that this unique property was originally an abandoned auto repair shop. Now amazingly transformed by an investor into upscale river frontage retreat dwelling, … (3 comments)

Viroqua WI Open House Sunday, 9/14/08 2 P.M. - 3:30 P.M - 09/10/08 08:36 AM
Open House Sunday, 9/14/08 2 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. - Quit Looking...This Is It! Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, close to Viroqua Hills Golf Club (with golf cart path to course) and situated on one acre this is the home you've been looking for. This newer home has an open concept, a vaulted great room ceiling, plus skylights and a top notch kitchen. A great home for comfortable, easy living in possible in this individually designed home. It is a spacious home decorated in neutral, contemporary colors which is well suited for all decorating styles. Just walking through the front door … (3 comments)

Sold ~ Swenson Ridge Lots Westby, WI - 09/08/08 07:25 PM
Velkommen to Swenson Ridge Estates... meet the blending of peaceful organic prairie surroundings and a hilltop nature oriented community. Yes... places like these do exist and these exclusive home-sites are closer than you might expect. Located only 5 minutes from Westby, in the rolling countryside of Christiana Township and only 22 minutes from LaCrosse, convenience is at your front doorstep but the countryside is in your backyard. Swenson Ridge Estates lots vary in size from 3 acres to 6.47 acres with each lot offering up it's own unique ambiance and feel. As a result, you can choose from estate-sized sites offering … (3 comments)

Time Management & Tomatoes - 09/07/08 05:25 PM
Time sure flies when you're a Realtor, some days it's just hard for me to recall what day it is! Whether it is a hot market or a slow market, my time still seems to be what everyone wants. Now I am not complaining, I am pleased that I am apparently in some sort of demand. I guess that comes from the 20+ years of daily dedication to my work. However, even with computers and all the high tech on-line stuff, there is just more places to add, post and upload to, which takes even more time. Buyers can call on such … (12 comments)

121 W Maple Street Viroqua, WI 54665 - 09/04/08 08:21 AM
Awesome & then Some! Here is a cozy cedar shingle sided home that's a real charmer, an added plus is this type of siding is also considered Green! Being made from wood, it is a renewable resource and presents a very natural look to this home that blends in well with its woodsy surrounding environment. If you need 4 bedrooms but would really like 5; this one has that size and potential! Additionally there are 2 full baths to boot, one on each floor, hooray! First impressions are known to be important and you will be pleased with this one's appeal! … (2 comments)

Left Behind - 09/01/08 01:24 PM
Owning a little get-a-way place out in the country, what could be better?  Often a picturesque old farmhouse with a babbling brook, located at the end of a lane comes to one's mind. Since buying a farm may be a wonderful daydream for some urban dwellers, it can also be a startling education on what I really didn't expect to learn.  
Farms come with acreage and outbuildings. Back forty's and outbuildings come with stashes of stored and discarded stuff from other days.  These are the places that farmers squirrel away all those old things that just might come in handy someday.  When … (10 comments)

 
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Mary Strang ~ Viroqua, WI Real Estate

Viroqua, WI

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Hill Country Realty

Address: Viroqua, WI, 54665

Office Phone: (608) 637-3599

Cell Phone: (608) 606-2999

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A Real Estate Blog about our Rural Wisconsin Marketplace… intended to educate and inform readers interested in regional real estate news, trends, local property issues and random thoughts. Welcome to a Blogging tour across Vernon County Wisconsin.



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