BEAUTIFUL 4 BEDROOM 3 BATH HOME OPEN HOUSE TODAY 12 - 2 ~ YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS ONE.

W381N8372 Rolling River Ct

Oconomowoc WI

http://realtycenter11.sites.remaxagents.com/property/wi/53066/oconomowoc/-/w381n8372-rolling-river-ct/56abbf0730e08a17ba0000d2/


#oconomowocrealestate  #waukesharealestate #openhouse

Renters You May Need to Brace Yourselves

Renters May Need to Brace Themselves

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS

Rents skyrocketed in 2014 and many analysts did not think those escalating costs would be sustainable. But they have yet to slow in 2015 – and in fact, rents have gotten higher -- and the increases likely will continue into next year.

Annual rent growth in September was 5.2 percent – the highest since 2011, according to Axiometrics, an apartment research firm. That also marks the eighth consecutive month the rate has been 5 percent or higher. A year ago, annual rent growth was 4.1 percent.

Apartment construction has been increasing to meet rising demand, but some say it’s still falling far too short."The eight months the rate has been above 5 percent is the longest sustained period of strength we have seen,” says Stephanie McCleskey, vice president of research at Axiometrics. “The last growth cycle was only four years, and this cycle is already five years long — with no sign of stopping.”

"New inventory coming to market is weighted to the high end; it's urban, Class A, with a rich set of amenities, targeting the coveted college-educated millennial," Sam Chandan, president of Chandan Economics, told CNBC. "Overall, we still have an affordability crisis in the United States with rents rising faster than incomes for the fourth-consecutive year."

In September, apartment vacancies were low – at 95.3 percent occupied nationally. Axiometrics considers anything above 95 percent as a “full” market.

But weak income growth may not support rent growths much longer in some markets.

"There is only so hard you can push on rents," Chandan says.

Some studies are showing that it is more affordable to buy a home than rent. But inventory constraints in the for-sale market – particularly on the lower end – can keep renters renting, as well as the inability to save for a down payment due to the high rental costs.

Lately, rent gains are highest in cities with boom tech sectors, such as in Seattle, Denver, and Portland, Ore. Rental prices are also above average in Nashville, Tenn., Charlotte. N.C., and several cities in Florida, Axiometrics reports.

"Younger, newly formed households continue to move out of their parents' or roommate living arrangements and rent an apartment, driving up the demand for more rental units," says David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders.

Meanwhile, homebuilders – such as Lennar and Toll Brothers – are adding more rental apartments to their mix.

“Thirty-five percent of new home starts in 2015 have been multi-unit,” CNBC reports. “That is higher than a year ago and the highest share since 1973. Developers are simply going to where demand is highest and most lucrative.”

Source: “Think Your Rent’s Too Darn High? Just Wait,” 

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

10 Colors to Watch for in the Spring 2016

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Mostly calm and cool colors – with a little bit of pop — will be on-trend in spring 2016. Pantone recently released its 2016 Spring Fashion Color Report, a forecast to which colors will gain traction in the new year. Expect these on-trend colors to not just pop up in fashion but also expect to see these hues in more home furnishings and accessories.

Here are Pantone’s top 10 colors for spring:

1. Rose Quartz

 

2. Peach Echo

3. Serenity

 

4. Snorkel Blue

 

5. Buttercup

6. Limpet Shell

 

7. Lilac Gray

8. Fiesta

 

9. Iced Coffee

 

10. Green Flash

 

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

Secrets of the Staging Pros

    |

Secrets of the Staging Pros

We asked staging experts to reveal some of their favorite tools, accessories, and strategies when home staging.

FEBRUARY 2012

Inspired by Nature

Barb Schwarz, credited with being the creator of home staging and CEO of www.Stagedhomes.com, says one of her favorite staging tools is pulling from the natural elements of nature. For example, Schwarz says she’ll creatively use “twigs, branches, seashells, green cuttings from the outdoors, orchids, real trees as possible, hand woven baskets, cotton, linen, burlap fabrics, real leather, and earthy colors as well. You cannot lose when using the colors of nature. This creates a comfortable, natural look and setting in any home for sale.”

Easy-to-Move Furniture

Stager Charlene Storozuk, owner of Dezigner Digz, says a must-have tool for staging properties is furniture sliders. “I have two sets: one with felt backing for moving furniture across wood and tile flooring and another set with plastic backing for broadloom,” Storozuk says. “All I have to do is lift the corners of each piece of furniture, one at a time, and slip a slider underneath. Once all four corners have a slider in place, I can easily move the furniture around on my own. Not only do the sliders save me from throwing my back out, they also save the home owner some money since I don’t have to pay an assistant to help me move furniture.”

Information at Your Fingertips

Ashley Whittenberger, owner and principal of Interiority Complex LLC, says her iPhone is a must-have tool for staging. “I can access real estate comps, easily share my database of preferred vendors who can help my clients get their home into tip-top shape, take pictures of the property for my records, share sample photos of items I might suggest to purchase, and of course, access the Real Estate Staging Association’s Home Staging Savings Calculator,” Whittenberger says.

Evoking Buyers’ Senses

Susan Tokarz-Krauss with Real Estate Designed to Sell in Grants Pass, Ore., says creativity goes a long way in staging properties. “Whether I lightly stage, redesign, or do a full staging of a vacant home, it’s very important to engage the buyer’s senses,” Tokarz-Krauss says. ”I use lighting — on timers — to set the mood and provide security. I use ‘soft’ scents such as vanilla to create that special ambiance, and I play light jazz or seasonal music in the home. Colorful pillows and accents make the room ‘pop,’ but the scents, music, and overall ambiance is what helps potential buyers personally engage with the home.”

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

What are your thoughts? Like or Dislike

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

4 Bedroom 1.5 Bath Updated Home.

 Only a transfer makes this home available The updated kitchen has new maple cabinets, new counter tops, SS appliances and hardwood floors. The spacious LR offers natural lighting and hardwood floors. Main bath boasts all new fixtures, tiled shower and floor. A half bath has been added to the upper level. Newer interior/ exterior doors. Beautiful lot for entertaining. Newer siding on the garage & newer garage door W/ EDO. All updates have been done in the past 2 years. All that's left to do is move in!

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

#milwaukeerealtor  #waukesharealtor  #homesforsale 

Hidden Cabins & Cottages

Eight Hidden Cabins & Cottages

• 

These Wisconsin cottages and cabins are not of your ordinary variety. Some in our list capture the rustic beauty of our Wisconsin outdoors without the distractions of TV’s and internet access; others provide luxury comforts including full kitchens, king beds and whirlpool tubs. Whether you’re looking for seclusion or full amenities, there is a cottage or cabin perfect for your next getaway.

Namekagon Waters Retreat -Trego

Through the canvas of this roomy yurt – a traditional Mongolian tent, though it feels more like a permanent dwelling very close to nature - you can hear northern Wisconsin wood sounds; ospreys and eagles, bears and deer. Windows surrounding the cozy, clean octagon brightens the indoor space characterized by blond wood, hardwood floors and latticed walls. Not quite a cabin or cottage, the Namekagon Waters Retreat is for those who are looking for a genuine northern Wisconsin experience yet love comfort. Depending on the season, you may swim in pristine Namekagon River, ski, golf, snowshoe, hike, or canoe. On the premises massage is available by appointment. Follow up with a genuine Finish sauna. 

Candlewood - Richland Center

If unique is what you’re after, the magical Glass House at Candlewood in Richland Center is a wondrous option. Park your car in the lot, and take the short hike on a lovely wooded path. As if in a fairytale, the forest will open up into a meadow and you will be standing in front of… a glass house. While this Wisconsin cabin is equipped with curtains, privacy is not an issue in this secluded forest, and leaving the curtains open will invite a true nature experience. You might, of course, see deer, badgers and raccoons, but nothing is quite so magical as watching the fireflies on a warm summer night from the comfort of a cozy warm bed. A full bath and a kitchenette are attached via a small wooden bridge.

Hawks View Cottages - Fountain City
Hawks View Cottages were built on steep wooded bluffs teetering above the limestone cliffs of the Mississippi River Valley. From far away, the cottages blend with the landscape, and inside they offer the relaxed romantic comforts perfect for a weekend away. The dramatic view of hilltops and the valley below often includes migrating eagles flocking around the river which here never freezes over. Whirlpool and a communal sauna are just two of the comforts that contribute toward a perfect romantic cottage getaway. Visit historic Fountain City nearby, and make sure you drive along the Wisconsin side of scenic Mississippi. Visitors can tour Seven Hawks Vineyard and enjoy a complimentary bottle of wine. 

Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary - Sarona

Within a five minute walk (on steep wooded paths no less) environmentally diverse Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary offers an exceptional abundance of habitat; prairieland, marshes, bogs, mystical old growth forest, lake front, as well as more recently cut forest. Though the two rustic log cabins available for rent have road access, inside the cabin you will forget civilization. Cabins have kitchen and plumbing, but this is not the place for you if you need whirlpools, television sets, internet access and other city comforts. Nature lovers, however, especially birders, will relish their Hunt Hill experience. 

Life O’Riley Farm and Guest Houses - Boscobel
Like their name indicates, life is good indeed in the hilly lush landscape of Life O’Riley Farm and Guest Houses. Different from a typical cabin or cottage, this guest house is a restored school house which sleeps up to eight and has a full kitchen. Nearby, the streams are so full of trout that Chicago fishermen flock to the area. Local farms offer produce and a way for young families to reconnect with the land. Writers, poets, and students come and stay in the lovely quiet school house, finding healthful eating in the O’Riley vegetable garden, and inspiration in the quiet hills. Young families come to relax, as do groups of women, fishermen, turkey hunters and many other groups. Sit back and enjoy old vinyl albums on the turntable, read from the many books on the shelves or play a quiet board game. The charming old Wisconsin building set in the beautiful dramatic landscape untouched by glaciers is the perfect setting for a relaxed weekend with family or friends. 

Amherst River Dance Cabin - Amherst
Amherst River Dance Cabin, located on winding Tomorrow River near Amherst, is advertised as an eco-friendly vacation spot with solar water heat and recycled building materials, but this Wisconsin cabin is beyond eco-friendly, it is Zen. The eclectic interior decoration – stairs built around a tree trunk, a beautiful hand-carved canoe hanging from the ceiling, kitchen table and counters hewn from the same tree to name just a few – all contribute to the sense of spirituality and of being deeply connected to nature around you. Bike on lovely country roads, canoe on Tomorrow River and enjoy a cup of cappuccino at Morningstar in nearby Amherst. 

Lake Michigan Beach House - Oostburg
Fifteen steps from the soothing surf of Lake Michigan with startling sun- and moon rises over the water, this is where you want to come for a sandy white beach getaway. The dazzlingly renovated cabin – think fancy tile floors, comfortable leather furniture, and modern day comforts like cable TV and high speed internet - has a master bedroom facing north, south and east all at the same time. Add the isolated dirt road that leads you to this exquisite solitary retreat on the beach and you will achieve the perfect sense of well being. Nearby the small town of Oostburg, boasting a Dutch heritage, has a bakery well worth visiting. 

Dressed to Sell

Dressed to Sell

Here's what good staging is not: ripping every last bit of personality out of a home before showing it to buyers.

BY MELISSA DITTMANN TRACEY

The devotion to sparse decor and neutral color palettes—once iron-clad truisms of “proper” staging—is giving way to a livelier vision encompassing more trendy, inviting interiors and exteriors that are intended to make a listing more marketable.

That means bolder color pops—yes, even this year’s Pantone color of the year, the purplish-pink radiant orchid; trendy mismatched furnishings; and striking fabric designs. Some stagers are even commissioning specific artwork to suit a home, mixing in repurposed furnishings and nature-inspired accents as a nod toward the green movement.As stagers reject stripped-down, beige-heavy stylings that are as boring as they are forgettable, they’re replacing them with designs that complement a home’s architecture and price point and present a lifestyle that buyers will want to buy into.

1. Outdoor retreats“It’s important to keep up-to-date on the new colors, materials, lighting, furniture, and accessories so that we can create spaces that buyers can imagine moving into,” says Sandra Holmes, president of Home Staging Concepts in Weston, Fla., and president-elect of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. Still, when prepping a home for sale, you have to distinguish between decorating and staging, notes real estate pro Barb Schwarz, founder of StagedHomes.com. Schwarz, founder of the IAHSP, says decorating is about adhering to a home owner’s tastes; staging is focused on appealing to the widest buyer pool. Here are eight trends stagers are embracing to give homes a modern edge.

Stagers are devoting more attention to the great outdoors. Why? Because buyers are paying more attention to exteriors, says staging pioneer Barb Schwarz. Nearly 63 percent of residential architects say interest in outdoor living areas is increasing. Among the most desired features are seating and dining areas, fire pits, grills, and decorative water elements, according to a 2013 American Institute of Architects survey. Schwarz recommends carving out three unique outdoor spaces when staging a deck and yard. For example, create a dining area with a table, chairs, and colorful place settings; set up a cozy seating area with padded wicker chairs around a fire pit; and use stepping stones to lead to a peaceful retreat, such as a small bistro table or a bench overlooking plantings and a gurgling fountain. 

2. Lifestyle appeal

Stagers are creating lifestyle vignettes. Donna M. Dazzo with Designed to Appeal went bold in staging a game room in a high-end loft in New York (right). She created a scene with games on a table, bright accents and furnishings, and vibrant artwork (which she commissions from art dealers) to add life to an otherwise sterile room. Knowing or researching an area could reveal distinctive interests that could be incorporated. Audra Slinkey of Home Staging Resource, a national staging and redesign training company, suggests a wine room or wine rack for a region brimming with wine lovers. In a commuter town, Slinkey says, carve out an inviting home office for telecommuters. “We have to look at trends and surveys and really research the buyer demographic for the home,” she says. “Each little pocket has its own cultural appeal.”

3. All that shimmers		4. Painted cabinets		5. Pops of color
How about adding some bling in the form of metallic finishes? This season, look for gray’s flashier cousin, silver.		Brighten a kitchen or bath in a budget- friendly way: Paint the cabinets. Swap knobs for trendier chrome pull bars.		Purples and blues are hot this season in home accents ranging from vases and lamps to pillows, bedding, and rugs.

6. Mood lighting		7. Going green		8. Mismatches
“A rustic or glass ceramic lamp can add texture and warmth to a space,” Slinkey says. Modern chandeliers add glamour.		Eco-friendly staging is taking off. Repurpose an old storage trunk as a coffee table or display a vase with twigs from the yard.		Nonmatching chairs around the dining room table can break up the monotony and bring visual interest to a space.

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

6 Home Turn Offs

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!

Can Staging a Home Impress Buyers

Can Home Staging Really Win Over Buyers?

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

Home staging can influence buyers’ perceptions of a home and even motivate them to pay more, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2015 Profile of Home Staging, a survey of more than 2,300 REALTORS® representing buyers and sellers.

Twenty-eight percent of agents said their buyers are even more willing to overlook other property faults if a home is staged, according to NAR’s survey.Eighty-one percent of REALTORS® who represent buyers say that staged homes make it easier for their home buyers to visualize a property as their future home. Forty-six percent of buyer agents also reported that staging makes their buyers more willing to tour a home they viewed online, and 45 percent say that buyers tend to view the value of the home more positively if it is decorated to buyers’ tastes.

Buyer agents also say that staging can potentially influence how much their buyers are willing to offer for a home. According to the survey, thirty-two percent of buyer agents surveyed say that staged homes increase the dollar value buyers are willing to offer for a home by 1 percent to 5 percent; 16 percent said it could increase offers by 6 percent to 10 percent.

However, not everyone chooses to stage a home in prepping it for sale. Forty-four percent of seller agents say they only suggest that sellers declutter and fix property faults, and they do not recommend that their clients should professionally stage the home.

Indeed, about 34 percent of seller agents surveyed say they stage all the homes they list; 13 percent stage only “difficult” homes to sell; and 4 percent only stage high-priced homes they list, according to the NAR survey.

Here are additional findings from the NAR survey:

• The median dollar value to stage a home: $675 per home
• Among homes that are staged, here's how it is often paid for: 62 percent of sellers’ agents offer the home staging servicing to sellers; 39 percent say that the sellers pay for staging prior to the home being listed; 10 percent of sellers pay for staging after the home is sold; and 3 percent of agents’ firms pay for the home staging service.
• The three most important rooms to be staged for buyers: living room, kitchen, and master bedroom.

By REALTOR® Magazine Daily News

Contact Stacey Guzanick 262.490.3696,   RE/MAX Realty Center  Guzanick@gmail.com,  if you have questions about buying a house or selling one.

I can  guide you  toward your next home.

www.HomesWithStacey.com

See you at the closing!