Why use a Realtor?

In today's world, when we want to purchase something, we open up our lap-tops and google what we need. This might be a television, a camera, a stroller etc. We compare prices, consumer reviews and reports. And I am sure that when someone wants to buy a house they look on the internet. As a Realtor, I shudder. Call me! No really, Realtors are professionals that have spent hours of study to obtain their license as well as continuing education hours every 2 years to maintain their license. Many continue and obtain special designations to hone their skills and improve their professionalism. We are here to bring buyers and sellers together and navigate and negotiate the sale/purchase of a home. We also have the National Association of Realtors and each Realtors state and local associations behind us to protect our professionalism. So, yes, the internet is a great place to start looking for that new home but when you are ready to hit the pavement and really start shopping, call me! Janet Gottsacker 920-973-7300.

"As is" Frightening words on a spec sheet!

Let's clarify "as is" on a spec sheet. Whenever I have seen it, it makes me suspicious, worry no longer, it isn't as frightening as you would think. It merely means that a seller will not complete the Real Estate Condition Report (RECR), leaving the buyer responsible for determining the property condition, and/or the seller will not repair the property or "cure any defects." However, an "as is" does not free the seller or the agent of disclosures. A seller cannot create risk, nor does this mean that an agent doesn't have to perform their property inspection diligently. Also, a buyer is still allowed an inspection contingency and this would give the buyer the option to back out of the offer if defects were so bad that the buyer no longer wanted the property. But if the buyer still goes ahead with purchase and defects have been found, a buyer can not return to the seller for compensation with "as is" language included in the offer.
THE BUYER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER THE PROPERTY IS IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION.
paraphrased from WI Real Estate Mag. June 2011

Home improvements as tax benefits?

"Home repairs provide no immediate tax benefits to a homeowner. They are not tax deductible and they are not added to the home's basis (cost), for tax purposes. As far as taxes go, they are a nonevent. Thus, a homeowner who patches a leaky roof gets not tax benefits.

Home improvements are very different, though. The cost of an improvement is not deductible, but it is added to the home's basis for tax purposes. For example, the cost of adding a new roof to a home is added to its tax basis. This reduces any taxable gain when the home is sold."
Stephen Fishman/Inman News

The much awaited holiday of 4th of July is over and now it seems that summer will just fly by! Hurry now and buy that house so that you can be all settled in when the cool autumn breezes come in and the days get shorter and shorter. New listing with a gorgeous updated kitchen. 2241 LaFollette, $84,900 soooo affordable!