Anyone who reads our blog on a regular basis...or gets our newsletter, knows that The Womens Center is our primary charity of choice....and one that we encourage others to choose as theirs as well.  There are lots of times when your community may solicit food, toy or clothing donations.

   Reality says....that to to keep a Shelter running...you need to have the necessities as well as the "goodies". If you click right here...you will find the items that are most needed right now.  Along with those...there are the "Items for use in the Shelter" list. We have made it a mission to dress a number of beds each year....pillow, sheets, blanket and today will be the day we deliver them.  Along with them...we have a box we add to when we do our regular shopping.....it has shampoo, shower gel, cleaning supplies...things from the list.   If you don't live in southeastern Wisconsin...you have a shelter that can use your help...google shelter in your area...OR if you do live in southeastern Wisconsin....and can't get to Waukesha to drop off your donation, call us...we will come and pick up whatever your wallet and heart allow you to give.

         It's not too late to make New Year's resolutions....be resolved to be a better giver...it will make your heart glad and enrich the lives of those who cannot at this time, provide for themselves.

  We all have to be our own critics in writing descriptions careful to paint an attractive picture and at the same time, not discriminate or limit by the words we have chosen. Pacita makes some excellent points....copywriting is copy careful.

Everyone is entitled to good customer service....Let's help Gail get what she deserves....and the prompt over night at no extra charge of her formerly  "valued partner" in her business. Customer service is a valuable asset to any business....and as this company may soon learn, if you don't provide it...you will have much less business to give service !  Go Gail !

 

   We could show you houses…but if we show you the house, we are also your agent for the houses we show you. It is better for you to decide to who you want to work with and stay with one agent.  The buyer said that they had another agent who had shown them a few houses but they really didn’t feel he was listening to their needs and that he understood what they wanted. He did not know the areas they had chosen based upon their commute to work….they were not comfortable with him and had no buyer agency contract.

      We explained our qualifications and sent them information about the areas and about our experience in real estate and suggested that he and his wife discuss who they would like to have represent them in the purchase of their home.

       It would not be fair to either the present agent or to us to shop with more than one agent. When buyers ask us questions like this, we tell them that it would be like if they went to work and at the end of the week expected a paycheck. Instead of getting paid, the employer paid the person in the next office instead of paying them. They laughed…but this illustration made it clear to them that working with one agent and evaluating their background and experience in addition to how they felt the “personal chemistry” fit their needs helped them choose the agent who worked best for them and with them.

    If you are looking for a home in southeastern Wisconsin, we invite you to call us, test our chemistry and interview us for the honor of being your agent for one of the largest purchases you will ever make. We are agents for a lifetime, and proud to be of service.

If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity in the Village of Hartland... look no farther than this Short Sale - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, first floor laundry...attached garage, beautiful lot with backyard conservancy border....Bring your decorating touches...return the hardwood floors on the first floor to their glory....Call the Hansons for your private showing...bring your checkbook !

  Because a part of our practice is devoted to divorcing/divorced couples...someone sent me this joke and thought I would share it...Enjoy !

How Many Women?

 

     As agents who devote a part of our practice to Short Sales….we very often get the question….”Who is the Lender on this listing ?” OR from a prospective short sale Seller…”My lender is ABC Bank…is that a bad thing ?”

      It really doesn’t matter to us who the lender is….we have made it our mission to build relationships with lenders everywhere.

    There is a perception…By both agents and consumers:

      -  If the lender is   X – It will never close

        - Has more than one Lien – impossible to do

        - Has a tax or other lien –won’t close

        - The couple is divorcing and won’t agree on any offer

                         presented

      If you as a homeowner, have interviewed an agent to list your home as a short sale, ask them to print out a list from the last couple years directly from MLS of the short sales Listed and Closed...the numbers should be close to matching and well into double digits.

   If you are an agent...do your buyers a favor...look at the sales record of the agent who has the short sale listed....you don't want your buyers to be a Short Sale Experiment with an agent with little experience....OR with a win some/lost most or half closing average.

    Wherever you are...whatever lender you have...whether you are a homeowner struggling with paying a mortgage or an agent who has not had the short sale education to navigate the slippery slopes of short sales...call us, we are happy to help you anywhere, anytime and direct you to someone who can assist you.

          

 

     It was our very great pleasure to celebrate Chinese New Year at MEIJI Chinese and Japanese Restaurant in Waukesha, WIsconsin with  our very happy sellers who just received an offer on their home. Mrs. Seller is an oriental gourmet cook and in fact teaches cooking classes so we knew that their menu recommendations would be wonderful and  we were not at all disappointed !

 

     We followed our guests recommendation in their restaurant choice….a new restaurant owned by an experienced restauranteur,, a friend of our guests who paid meticulous attention to every aspect of our dining experience.  We each had a different entrée and shared tasty tidbits around the table.

 

    The appetizer was a specially prepared sushi…beautifully presented and the flavorful shrimp had sides of soy ….and for the more adventurous, Wasabi sauce.

 

    David had the Beef in Sichuan SpicyBroth (#40) which came in a huge deep bowl complimented by a smaller bowl of rice.  This entrée had two peppers pictured  next to it indicating it was quite spicy…just the way he likes it.  I chose a milder dish. #49. Scallion Lamb. A heaping platter size survey beautifully presented with a side of fresh vegetables elegantly arranged was outstanding…flavorful stir fried lamb with garlic  and onion…very tender.  

   We ate in the Chinese dining room..there is also a Japanese dining room..you may choose either one and combine entrée items from either culture. Our guests reported that many other entrees and  soups …including the legendary hot and sour (a cure of any congestion….or in case you still have your tonsils…WOW ! )  were worth comng back to try….as they had done many times.

  A visit to MEIJI Cuisine is so much more than reading the menu and sampling the entrees, appetizers, soups and desserts...it is an indulgence in a cultural experience. In addition to an extensive menu, you can drink in the atmosphere and have a drink at the American bar that has its own extensive menu. You may choose one of your old favorites OR be adventurous and treat yourself to a sip from their selection of japanese whisky, sake and plum wine and other signature cocktails.Enjoy an appetizer with your cocktail...or make this your new place for a nightcap. Like the description we see in real estate...this restaurant and bar is "bigger than it looks" and you will want to experience it all.

    Meihi Cuisine is very conveniently located at:

                   2503 Plaza Court, Waukesha,WI

          To natives, if that doesn't sound familiar, it is the strip mall facing Bluemound Road just north of Barker Road.

    Enjoy lunch specials, delightful dinners or cocktails:

            Monday - Thursday 11-3 and 4:30 - 10 pm

            Friday - Saturday 11-3 and 4:30 - 10:30 pm

                        Sunday 12:30 - 9:30pm

                  Reservations: 262-717-9858

    We give this delicious experience all the stars in the Heavens and look forward to our return visits...you will too !

    Experiencing the cultural diversity offered in southeastern Wisconsin is just one of the many reasons we have called the Badger state home for a lifetime, call us for a tour....and a taste of why you too will want this lifestyle experience.

HaGong Xi Fa Ca! That’s the traditional Chinese New Year greeting that means “wishing you prosperity” in Mandarin. Happy New Year !  Today begins the Chinese New Year and the year of the Dragon. The dragon is perceived as a mystical and auspicious creature in Chinese cultures and this year is expected to bring prosperity and transformational change.You need not be of Chinese descent to begin a positive approach at this time of their celebration which extends through the next two weeks.

     We are not the experts on Chinese culture for sure ...ask Loreena Yeo who knows first hand all the traditions....we are just learning as we have clients and friends who are celebrating this holiday.  One of the great things about southeastern Wisconsin is that it has such a great mix of cultures and people who take pride in their native land, tongue, cooking, traditions. They are happy to share them with you ....and we are anxious to learn.  We have the Milwaukee Chinese Community Culture Center (MCCC) and this Chinese Culture Center offers a variety of cultural and educational programs.  The New Year's party was held on Sunday, January 21st  at the Mitchell Park Domes with a fabulous display of art, food, dance....all things Chinese and wonderfully colorful and exciting to watch, delicious to taste and educational to learn more about the Chinese culture.

           If this little bit of eye candy has peaked your appetite for more exposure and education into this fascinating culture, you may contat the MCCC for more information on programs, events and volunteer opportunities. 

    We love Wisconsin ....and we are happy to show you all that we have to offer everyone who chooses, as we have to make it their home for a lifetime....HaGong Xi Fa Ca!

 

Be Snow Careful This Winter Driving Season !

             The snowfalls in the northern and midwestern parts of the country can lead to some challenging driving conditions.  Whether you are new to this seasonal difference or have lived in these conditions all your life,  the combination of snow, freezing rain, the appearance of black ice and slushy conditions require you to be especially cautious.  

                   Experts tell us that one of the  primary causes of accidents in this slippery season are worn spots on tires.  If you have not already

checked your tires, or made this a regular part of your car maintenance program, do it now.  A bald spot on a tire meeting a slick spot on the road or highway are ingredients for an accident.

     Another common cause of accidents is very easily prevented…CLEAN OFF YOUR WINDOWS….ALL of them !   Inability to see  out the back window or use the rear view mirrors or all of the windshield,  can have tragic results.  Taking a few minutes with a snow brush and scraper while the car warms up can mean saving you the  possibility of an accident.

   There are lots of fun activities to enjoy during the winter….sledding, skating, skiing…keep your outdoor activities fun filled and accident free…pro actively prepare for the changes nature deals our roadways this winter.