Wisconsins full time residential real estate agent focused in waterfront property; luxury lake homes, lake homes, vacant lake land and vacation homes or second home opportunities . There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES". If lake living is what you desire then Lake Country is the place to be!If you are thinking about buying waterfront property in Wisconsin,a little time invested in learning about waterfront living will pay back sizeable dividends in matching your expectations to realities.

The magic of Wisconsin’s lakes - The LAKE COUNTRY

There are many reasons people fall in love with Wisconsin lakes. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets, good fishing, a tour of the water in a favorite boat, a beautiful backdrop to enjoy scenery and explore nature, a place to reflect or just get away from it all. With more than 15,000 Wisconsin lakes, there are many types and sizes of lakes all with their own unique character and natural assets.

Your best source for Lake Country Living is Lisa Bear.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Costs of Selling a Home

Costs of Selling a Home:

How to Estimate Closing Costs and Net Proceeds

What’s the price of selling your home? As a seller, you’re bound to face a parade of taxes, fees, commissions and miscellaneous closing costs that can whittle away up to 4 to 7 percent of your home’s sale price.

If I Pay Cash For A House What Else Will I Owe

So, how do you know what net profit you’ll walk away with? Once you receive an offer, or maybe even when you sign your listing agreement, your real estate agent should give you a Seller’s Estimated Net Proceeds worksheet, which will list the expenses that will be deducted when you close.
Costs vary from state to state, but in general these are some of the closing fees you may encounter:

Mortgage payoff balance. Deductions from the sale price include your own home loan, second mortgages and home-equity lines of credit.
Loan payoff fee. Some lenders may charge you an administrative fee to pay off your loan.
Lien releases. If you owe money to a contractor or for court judgments or property taxes, a lien may have been placed on your property. You must pay those liens before the sale can close.
Prepayment penalty. Find out from your lender if there’s a penalty for paying off your loan early.
Recording fees. If you owe money on the property, you need to pay this fee to show that your debts have been fully paid.
Commissions for listing and selling agents. This is the price you pay to the agents for making the sale of your house. Usually the fee is 6 percent, with half going to your agent’s brokerage and the rest going to the buyer’s agent’s brokerage. The agents get paid by their respective brokerages.
Notary fees. Fee charged by a notary to verify your identity and to make sure the documents are executed properly.
Escrow fees. The escrow company is the intermediary between you and the buyer, ensuring that the money is handled properly. Escrow agents receive money from the lender, pay off your mortgage and closing costs, collect deposits and give the proceeds to the lender. You may be able to split these costs with the buyer.
Title search fees. Title insurance is not insurance per se but says that you have the legal right to sell your home. Title companies search public records to come up with a title insurance commitment. That commitment says you own the home, and it details anything else that may affect the title, such as mortgages, liens, easements, restrictions and home owner association declarations.
Seller concession. A seller concession helps buyers pay their closing costs. If the buyer asks you for a concession of, for example, 3 percent, that amount will be added to your agreed-upon home price, and you will give back that 3 percent to the buyer to pay for closing costs.
Repairs. You may be required to pay for repairs, either by negotiation with the buyer or by a condition of the lender.
Home warranty. Sometimes a seller will agree to foot the bill for a home warranty that offers a protection plan for the buyer’s first year in the home.
Termite letter. This document is required in certain parts of the country.

There may be other costs associated with selling your home, so speak with your Realtor about them early on. You don’t want to be surprised at closing.
Diana Lundin wrote this article.

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Thank you for visiting our REMAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin website.
Please feel free to contact us for any of your residential or commerical real estate needs including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home if you are a buyer.

Our real estate focus in the Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, Lake Country, Jefferson County, Dane County, Dodge County and Washington County areas. Several agents in the office also their IRES designation (International Real Estate Specialist) so they can assist you with all your real estate needs in Wisconsin, the USA or anywhere in the WORLD!

When you are seriously looking or just browsing at real estate in Wisconsin, RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, is the BEST resource to help you with all your needs and questions, whether a first time home buyer, relocating to or from the beautiful LAKE COUNTRY area, looking to invest or explore foreclosure opportunities or just thinking ahead to the future.

Lisa Bear is the broker/owner of RE/MAX Realty Center, Real Estate in Wisconsin (262-893-5555) is an experienced real estate agent in Waukesha County and the entire Milwaukee Metro area. Lisa thinks "outside of the BOX" and encourages her agents to do so as well. If you want creative options and exceptional marketing and service - look no further!

The RE/MAX Realty Center Office, has experienced agents with expertise in luxury home marketing, lake property experts, foreclosure and short sale specialists, investment and property management brokers and commercial brokers.

Our agents areas of service include, but are not limited to:
The prospering communities of Waukesha County including Delafield, Waukesha, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Waukesha, Sussex, Wales, New Berlin, Dousman, North Prairie, Mukwonago, Chenequa, Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Okauchee, Eagle, Muskego and Merton.

Great municipalities in Milwaukee County including Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Hales Corners, Greenfield, Glendale, Franklin, Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Greendale, Shorewood, Oak Creek, St. Francis, West Allis and Whitefish Bay.

The hometown favorites of Washington County, Jefferson County and Dodge County including Watertown, Hartford, West Bend, Germantown, Jackson, Richfield, Ashippun, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Slinger and Erin.

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

If lake living is what you desire then Lake Country is the place to be! If you are thinking about buying waterfront property in Wisconsin, a little time invested in learning about waterfront living will pay back sizeable dividends in matching your expectations to realities.

Lake Country Living on one of Waukesha Countys great lakes as a full timer or vacationer is a must and there are some great lakes to choose. Nagawicka Lake, Pine Lake, Oconomowoc Lake, Beaver Lake, Okauchee Lake, Pewaukee Lake, Moose Lake, North Lake, Lake Keesus, Lac La Belle, Upper Nashotah, Lower Nashotah, Upper Genesee, Lowe Genesee, Middle Genesee, Upper Nemahbin, Lower Nemahbin, Fowler Lake, Golden Lake, Pretty Lake, Silver Lake, Waterville Lake, and Crooked Lake. Great lakes of the surrounding area also include Lake Michigan, Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lake, Little Cedar Lake, Pike Lake and Lake Ripley.

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin, 262-567-2455 or 262-893-5555, offer online markets, listing package and FOR SALE BY OWNER (FSBO) options, MLS search access, buyer agency and marketing that will exceed your expectations, all with outstanding service!

Your home purchase or sale is likely your largest investment, be sure you have an good agent you can trust! Real Estate in Wisconsin is an excellent investment, prices are superb, selection is great and rates are outstanding!!!

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Responsibilites of a Co-Signer

The Responsibilities of a Co-Signer

Not everyone can be approved for a home on their own. If you have a poor credit history, an unsteady job, a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, a foreclosure or a short sale in your past, or if for some other reason you can’t get approved for a loan, one option is to use a co-signer. A mortgage co-signer is a second person who agrees to back up your loan, guaranteeing the lender that the loan will be repaid.
While a co-signer can give you the borrowing strength you need, this is a serious legal relationship that should be considered carefully. Your co-signer needs to be someone who will be approved by lenders, someone you trust, and someone who is willing to be involved in this agreement for the long haul.

Most people look to family or friends first. Although there are risks in this, there is a level of trust when you’re working with someone you have known for a long time. For married couples, a spouse typically acts as the co-signer for a mortgage. Sometimes parents, business partners, sisters, brothers, aunts, grandparents or long-trusted friends can help.

Your potential co-signer must have a strong credit history as well as good income. The co-signer must be at least 18 years of age and willing to have their income, credit history, credit score, assets and debts scrutinized by your potential lender. The bank will look at home ownership fees (insurance and maintenance) as well as tax costs, even if the co-signer will not reside on the property. If the main owner fails to make payments, not only is the co-signer financially responsible, but their credit history could suffer.

If you plan to use a co-signer, it’s best to have a formal contract that you both sign. It can serve as a protection for both of you and a reminder of the seriousness of this agreement. A real estate lawyer can help you and your co-signer draw up an agreement that specifies who will pay the bills, who will occupy the residence, and contingencies, like what happens if the main mortgage holder cannot make the payments. While you may not see the need to make this sort of formal arrangement with a family member, this document can serve as a record to keep the agreement on track long after the contract is signed. This contract can also help prevent worst-case scenarios. For example, a co-signer could use the property as collateral for another loan or could suddenly demand full ownership of your home or 50 percent of the property’s value.

Co-signing can be a great way to get into a home, but it requires a major commitment from both parties. Before you ask for a co-signer, be certain that you are financially prepared for home ownership. Ideally, the co-signer should never have to hear from the bank after the papers are signed.
Deena Weinberg contributed to this article.

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Get Rid of that Dog Smell in Your House

By Diana Lundin

Fresh and clean is not usually a way to describe a house with a dog because let’s be honest here… those rascally -- but beloved -- pooches can most definitely make a mess and leave a trail of odors that can make your home smell like a kennel.

Bulldog with his tongue hanging out sitting on a sofa.

Like getting desensitized to your favorite perfume after a while, you might be used to the odor that originates from your dog but your guests will more than likely be able to tell you have a canine companion at first whiff.

So while the Jersey Shore gang might expound the virtues of GTL – gym, tan, laundry – you, the dog owner, might want to embrace CGN – clean, groom, neutralize.

The American Pet Products Association, a non-profit trade association that supports the pet industry through public policy, public affairs and animal awareness, says that according to its latest survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.4 million homes.

And of that number, 77.5 million dogs are in 45.6 million households.

That’s a lot of shedding.

How you can minimize odors

Tierra Bonaldi represents the APPA and has a menagerie of her own to manage: “I have a dog, two cats and a constant stream of foster kittens. And my son is allergic. Believe me, I'm all over odor control!”

And as part of her job, she gets to try everything.

First, frequent grooming is the order of the day when it comes to minimizing fur mess and odor. Brush your dog daily for about five minutes. That will cut down on the fur flying around the house and pet hair does have a scent. Bonaldi recommends a Furminator to brush your dog’s coat.

“I have found that getting my dog groomed, or washing and brushing him myself, helps tremendously as well as frequently washing his pet bed covers,” Bonaldi says.

Vacuum frequently.

That said, vacuum regularly as well. Many manufacturers are coming out with models specifically made to pick up fur, like Dyson’s Animal, Bissell’s Pet Hair Eraser or even iRobot’s Roomba Pet Series Robotic vacuum cleaner.

Sprinkle your carpets with baking soda a few minutes before vacuuming to neutralize odors. You can also put a few drops of essential oil on a tissue, vacuum the tissue, and it will add a nice fragrance as you vacuum. Try lemongrass, wild lavender, sandalwood or any scent you like.

Bonaldi also likes Bissell’s Spot Bot, a deep-cleaning machine that automatically removes stains from carpet and upholstery. It, too, has a pet-specific version and a cleaning solution made just for treating pet stains and odors.

Febreze also makes a line specifically for pets, which includes fabric spray and air freshener spray.

Lint rollers also help considerably, getting dog hair off of your furniture and clothes and one of the stronger ones is Petcare Dog Hair Remover, Bonaldi says. Keeping dogs off of your bed and furniture might ease the odors, too.

Don’t forget odor neutralizers, like Nature’s Miracle, Urine-Off Pet Odor Neutralizer and KO’s Odor Eliminator.

So there you have it. Do some CGN and you can eliminate a lot of your dog’s smellier attributes so you can enjoy what you like most – its company.

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!

Friday, August 2, 2013

How Can We Sell Our Underwater Home?

How can we sell our underwater home? Today’s question :

Q: Is it possible to sell an underwater house without emptying your bank account through creative use of loans?

My wife and I need to sell our house in order for me to take a job out-of-state. We consulted a local realtor, and she estimated that we could lose as much as $37,000 on the sale. We have that much money, but don’t want to empty our bank account (this is part of our retirement savings). We also don’t want to stiff the mortgage holder. Are there loan programs that would allow us to sell the house, supplement what we receive from the sale with the loan funds in order to pay off the mortgage, and allow us to pay off the supplementing loan in a way that would keep us from losing all we’ve saved?

A: I’ve done short sales for owners who were moving out of state for employment reasons. That qualifies for a hardship.

They were also current on their payments but because their house was not worth what they paid, they had no choice. Is your retirement money in a 401K or other type of retirement account? Typically they bank will not require retirement money to be accessed to pay what you owe. I’d be happy to talk with you about possibly doing a short sale. Another option is to talk to a creative lender.

– Ginny Vickers

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!

Why RE/MAX?

RE/MAX is Main Street, Not Wall Street.

Founded in 1973, in Denver, Colo., by Dave and Gail Liniger, who still lead the network today.
Created by agents, not investors, and focused on raising the standards of professionalism and training.
An industry innovator always emphasizing training. Among the first to emphasize agents becoming trained to help homeowners facing foreclosure.
Among the first to give consumers access to all property listings in each multiple listing service, including the competition's.

Nobody Sells More Real Estate than RE/MAX.

Nearly 90,000 agents in over 85 countries, a greater worldwide presence than any of competitors.
RE/MAX Associates average more real estate sales experience than other real estate agents.
RE/MAX leads the industry in professional designations. These denote additional training in working with buyers and sellers with various needs.

RE/MAX is the Most Recognized Name in Real Estate.

RE/MAX has the largest share of voice in national TV advertising.*
remax.com is the most visited real estate franchise website with more than 48 million visits annually.**
When consumers find real estate online, “remax” is the most used search term among real estate brokerages.***
The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon fleet is the largest corporate balloon fleet in the world.

RE/MAX Agents Give Back to the Community.

RE/MAX agents have donated more than $115 million to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals since 1992.
RE/MAX is a national sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series and has partnered with the organization in fighting breast cancer since 2002.
RE/MAX agents have been recognized for their community service through the National Association of Realtors' Good Neighbor Award program.

Welcome to Wisconsin Real Estate
RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

There is no place like "WISCONSIN LAKES"

Your best source for Lake Country Living is RE/MAX REALTY CENTER, Real Estate in Wisconsin

Ask us about our preferred vendors -- from lenders to help you finance your new purchase to contractors to help maintain!