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I am a hand-holder ~ will that work for you? - 05/29/11 06:44 PM
Christine could not have said it all. If you are looking to buy or sell real estate and expect the best from your real estate agent. I am couldn't agree more that you should expect your agent to be next to you throughout the transaction.
Via Christina ONeal ~ Ripon, California realtor (Crown Key Realty):
I am a hand-holder. I go to all my home inspections, all my signings at closing & pretty much anything that has to do with the sale of the house. I have probably been in harms way (not intentional...of course) in all my transactions but I just am a hands … (4 comments)
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Top 10 Tips For Preparing For Homeownership - 05/28/11 10:41 PM
When someone is moving into their own home for the first time, they may not realize all of the new issues that they will have to deal with that were not a part of their life prior to owning a home.
Shopping for insurance. Home insurance is one of the first things they will need to deal with, as it will be required prior to closing on the home. As with any insurance, no two policies are alike. Some comparisons should be made between different types of coverage as well as the price. Some insurance policies cover the cost to actually … (8 comments)
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Cottage Grove, WI Community Built Playground to be Built on June 1‐5 and Volunteers are Still Needed. - 05/27/11 01:33 PM
A press release issued by Kim Straka, Publication Relations Chair, for Cottage Grove Kid's Park Committee on May 24th, requesting volunteers and fundraising contributions for The Cottage Grove Kid's Park. If you are interested in supporting this event, by volunteering or financial support, see below for more information.
(Cottage Grove, WI) The Cottage Grove Kid's Park is scheduled to be built on June 1-5 and they are still looking for volunteers. The five day build will require 1,000 volunteers from the community to complete the project which will be located on the west side of Fireman's Park off Vilas Road in Cottage Grove, WI.
Volunteers shifts … (0 comments)
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World's Largest Brat Festival, Memorial Weekend May 27 - 30, 2011 in Madison, WI - 05/26/11 05:54 PM
Kick off The Summer With
Food, Fun & Music in the Heart of Madison
THE WORLD’S LARGEST BRAT FEST will be held this Memorial Weekend May 27-30, 2011 in the heart of Madison WI on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center. 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison WI 53713
Friday: 10 AM – 9 PMSaturday: 10 AM – 9 PMSunday: 10 AM – 9 PMMonday: 10 AM – 6 PM
4 Days, 41 Hours, 1 Tent, and 209,376 Brats *2010 World Record The World's Largest Brat Fest is a 28 year family tradition, and proceeds earned are given back to … (6 comments)
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Distressed Properties: Discounts and Difficulties - 05/24/11 08:30 PM
Buyers want to make sure they get a ‘good deal’ when they purchase something, and buying real estate is no different. That is why many decide to buy a distressed property (a foreclosure or a short sale). The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported foreclosures, on average, sell at a 22% discount and short sales at a 17% discount. It sounds like a pretty good decision to buy a property at those levels of discount.
However, buyers must realize that there are added obstacles when buying one of these properties. Many foreclosures are left in less than pristine condition by the previous owner … (2 comments)
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Buyers Ready to Snatch Bargains This Spring! The Time To Buy Is Now! - 05/23/11 06:08 PM
Bargain prices on housing combined with low interest rates below 5 percent may bring the real estate market its busiest spring season in years, economists say. Distressed sales continue to put downward pressure on home prices, which may lure more buyers off the fence and ready to snag a deal during the typical prime-time buying season.Some builders are ramping up discounts on new homes as well as boosting commissions to brokers to try to spark more transactions.Sellers of existing-homes also are getting more competitive in pricing their homes. "After three years of the housing downturn, people are becoming much more realistic … (3 comments)
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When Buying a Home, What Should a Home Inspection Cover? - 05/22/11 01:56 AM
Home inspections will vary depending on the type of property you are purchasing. A large historic home, for example, will require a more specialized inspection than a small condominium. However, the following are the basic elements that a home inspector will check. You can also use this list to help you evaluate properties you might purchase.For more information, try the virtual home inspection at www.ASHI.org, the Web site of the American Society of Home Inspectors.Structure: A home’s skeleton impacts how the property stands up to weather, gravity, and the earth. Structural components, including the foundation and the framing, should be inspected.Exterior: … (0 comments)
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Common Closing Costs for Buyers - 05/21/11 01:41 AM
You’ll likely be responsible for a variety of fees and expenses that you and the seller will have to pay at the time of closing. Your lender must provide a good-faith estimate of all settlement costs. The title company or other entity conducting the closing will tell you the required amount for:
Down payment Loan origination Points, or loan discount fees, which you pay to receive a lower interest rate Home inspection Appraisal Credit report Private mortgage insurance premium Insurance escrow for homeowner’s insurance, if being paid as part of the mortgage Property tax escrow, if being paid as part of … (1 comments)
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Stamp Out Hunger 2011 Food drive generates 12,000 pounds of food for Sun Prairie, WI & Marshall, WI Local Pantries - 05/20/11 05:55 PM
Stamp Out Hunger — the nation’s largest one-day food drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) with the help of rural letter carriers, other Postal employees and numerous volunteers— annually collects non-perishable food to help more than 35 million people, including 12 million children, who face hunger every day in America. Despite a continued downturn in the economy, Americans have continued to support this outreach effort.The Sun Prairie and Marshall, WI carriers collected over 12,000 lbs. of non-perishable food donations left by mailboxes which were delivered to The Sunshine Place and Waterloo/Marshall Food Pantry with the help of the Sun Praire JV baseball … (0 comments)
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Popular Kitchen Remodel Trends - 05/19/11 10:54 PM
Remodeling kitchen trends are creating stylish kitchens with cleaner lines, built-in dining, and pops of color, according to a recent article in RISMedia. Here are some recent trends in kitchens across the country.1. Built-in dining areas. Eat-in kitchens are in high demand as more remodelers are opting for extensions in counters that resemble a table, either in lower or higher height to the countertop. The counter extension is different than bar seating because diners can sit around the edge and face one another, and not just sit in a row. The counter extension saves space, offers an extra buffet service, and … (8 comments)
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Waterloo, WI Farmer's Market "Welcome Summer" 2011 Kick Off - May 19th - 05/18/11 12:53 PM
The Waterloo Farmer’s Market 2011 season will begin on May 19 with a special family fun event "Welcome Summer" from 3-7pm in the Firemen's Park. The first 10 customers to arrive at the farmer’s market wearing Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops will receive a free canvas bag featuring the farmer’s market logo.
The Waterloo Farmer’s Market will be held from 3-7 p.m. every Thursday in the Firemen’s Park until Oct. 27.
The market will feature between 10 and 12 local vendors each week, with items including: honey, coffee, maple syrup, baked goods, jewelry, crafts and more. T-shirts and canvas bags with … (3 comments)
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4 Fundamentals of Selling A Home In Today's Market - 05/17/11 11:52 AM
Here are four things you should consider to make your home as saleable as possible in today's real estate market.
1. Real estate pricing is very local: "When you're looking at comparable property values to assist in determining the value of your home, you have to see what's sold in the past three months, in your neighborhood. Look at your competition that is currently for sale and what's properties have offers pending. It is also important to consider homes that did not sell and were expired from the market. If you would like a FREE Home Value Report on your home, visit … (3 comments)
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"Farm Adventure" Weekend at Sassy Cow Creamery, May 21-22 2011, Sun Prairie, WI - 05/16/11 03:07 PM
Looking for something to do this weekend? If so, pack up the family and head on over to the Sassy Cow Creamery "Farm Adventure" Weekend. Sassy Cow Creamery located at W4192 Bristol Rd. is gearing up for their first open house of the season. May 21 and 22nd from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be offering Creamery and farm tours, coloring, mooing and ice cream eating contests, pedal tractor and hayrides, the chance to be a “Farmer for a Day”, and pictures with a baby calf, and much much more. The best part is all activities are FREE, so bring … (3 comments)
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When Is The RIGHT Time to BUY In A "Buyers Market" - 05/14/11 07:50 PM
If you have been thinking about buying in today's market but, like many others, have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for home prices to hit bottom, trying to guarantee that you are purchasing at the best possible price..this is a must read for you.
According to the KCM Crew, although most of us believe that home prices will continut to fall in most real estate markets, it is no longer recommended to wait and may not be a good financial decision.
Buyer's should be concered about cost and not about housing prices.
The cost of a house is made up of the price AND … (4 comments)
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2011 Top Ten Simple Do-It-Yourself Projects To Increase Your Home's Resale Value - 05/13/11 07:04 PM
Survey results of "The 2011 Top 10, low cost, do-it-yourself home improvements for people getting their home ready to sell" were released by HomeGain.com.
The top 5 nationwide home improvements that Realtors recommend to home sellers, based on average cost and return on investment (ROI) to sellers, are:
1. Cleaning and de-cluttering - Cleaning and de-cluttering continues to rank as the top suggested home improvement since 2003. This low cost home improvement is recommended by 99% of Realtors and costs less than $300 but has a returning value of nearly $2,000 to the home’s sale price, or a 586% return on investment (ROI). Remove personal … (2 comments)
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Do You Know a Homeowner Facing Foreclosure? There May Be A way Out! - 05/11/11 02:30 PM
Do You Know a Homeowner Facing Foreclosure? There May Be A Way Out. News headlines today are filled with stories about homeowners in financial distress—people who face a lender’s foreclosure on their home. Millions of American home owners are wondering what to do.
Like most crises, this one has produced its share of rumors and misinformation. One of the biggest ones is “just let it happen." Why fight back, this line of thinking goes. It’s too emotionally draining, and the government’s loan modifications aren’t helping many people. Well, that’s only partly true.
While government loan modification programs have fallen short of … (4 comments)
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5 Reasons to Get Pre-Approved For a Home Loan Before You Start Looking - 05/10/11 12:25 AM
Before starting your next home search, it is important to get pre-approved for a home loan to find out what your buying power is and approximately what our monthly payments will be. The last thing you want to happen is that you find your dream home, and later find out that you are being told maybe, or no by a lender, and you are unable buy the home you want.
Our team of lenders will review your application and provide a pre-approval letter without an up front application fee, which will give you stronger negotiating power with the seller when you find the right home, because you’ve taken the necessary steps to … (5 comments)
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The Do's and Don'ts When Preparing To Sell Your Home - 05/08/11 10:46 AM
1. Think you have more room for negotiating if you list your home above fair market value - big mistake! There's a good it chance it will sit on the market, help to sell the other homes on the market, and expire without selling. A good realtor will tell you this and you need to listen!
2. Use excessive air fresheners, put scented candles in every room or use strong scented cleaners. You are not folling anyone, and buyers aren't stupid. Clean, clean, clean - it's the only "smell" everyone likes!
3. "Clean up" by stuffing everything into the closets. Buyers will look … (6 comments)
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Buy or Rent? - 05/07/11 08:01 PM
How do you decide when it's time to stop renting and start planning to buy a home of your own? The first step is to learn more about the benefits of home ownership.
Owning your home allows you to create an environment that reflects your personal style and provides the privacy and comfort you need. When you own your home, you're no longer at the mercy of rising rent or noisy neighbors, and can chose to sell or not to sell at your own pace.
On the downside, owning your own home means that you are responsible for the cost … (3 comments)
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Spring Cleaning Tips To Get Your Home Ready Sell - 05/05/11 09:28 PM
If you're like most people, your home is one of, if not THE largest investment you'll ever make. So, protecting its value is key! Homeowners always want to know what they can do to ensure that their homes fetch top dollar when they're ready to sell. The answer is simple. Performing regular maintenance on a home is the most important thing any homeowner can do.With spring finally here, why not throw open the windows and tackle those projects that you've been putting off all winter!The checklist below is a great start to keeping your home in great shape, and at its … (6 comments)
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What's Happening In & Around Town - Marshall, WI May 12 - 14, 2011 - 05/04/11 03:48 PM
What's Happening In & Around Town
Marshall, WI
May 12 - 14, 2011
Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale
One of the best sales around with 1000's of presorted books for sale . .50¢ hardcover, .25¢ paperback.
Friends of the Library preview: Thur. May 12th. 3 - 6; (Membership at the door) Public Sale Friday May13th 8 am - 1:00; Sat. *Friends Youth Group will be selling Walking tacos, hot dogs, soda, coffee and more on Saturday from 8am to 2pm. Join us in Marshall, WI
Marshall Area Historical Society Garage Sale & Bake Sale
… (3 comments)
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Keller Williams 3rd Annual "RED Day" Set to Lend a Hand in Madison, WI - 05/02/11 05:12 PM
3rd Annual “RED Day” Set to Lend a Hand in Madison, WI
part of community service initiative in the US and Canada
Madison, WI —May 12, 2011— Keller Williams Realty associates may be taking the day off on Thursday, May 12, 2011, but it will hardly be a day of rest. Associates with the Keller Williams Madison East & West offices have chosen to “Give Where They Live” as part of RED Day, one of the biggest events in the real estate industry.
Short for “Renew, Energize and Donate,” RED Day was created to unite Keller Williams Realty … (0 comments)
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The Spring Market is HERE - 3 Steps To Getting Your Home Ready To List NOW - 05/01/11 10:48 PM
If you are thinking of waiting to sell your home in the spring, NOW is the time to get started!
The holidays, Super bowl and tax season are over. The school summer break is right around the corner, interest rates are starting to inch upward again, and buyers are making their move. The time to list your home is NOW.
It may seem overwhelming if you have been living in the same home for more than just a few years. You've accumulated lots of "stuff" to make it more cozy and personal, and maybe you've even added to your family and have tons of toys … (2 comments)
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Pamelyn Meller, CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert)
Marshall,
WI
More about me…
The Property Shoppe Team LLC
Address: Dane, Dodge, Columbia & Rock County, Wiscosnin, Madison, Cottage Grove, Monona, McFarland, Marshall, Watertown, De Forest, Waunakee, Portage, Poynette, Deerfield, Cambridge, Marshall, WI, 53559
Office Phone: (608) 655-3173
Cell Phone: (608) 469-5199
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