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First Impressions Can Sell a Home
Love at first sight DOES happen in real estate. Buyers pull up to a listing and their hearts start fluttering. The home is affordable and has fantastic curb appeal. A giddy sense of possibility fills the air. “Buying a home is very emotional. People just know,” says Beth Jaworski, an associate vice president with Shorewest…
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REALTORS® Are Advocates for Fair Housing
On December 9, 1965, Gov. Warren Knowles signed the Wisconsin Fair Housing Law, making it illegal to discriminate against someone in housing transactions. Since that time, considerable progress has been made to ensure housing equity, but there’s still more work to do. This work is crucial every day with every transaction, but because April is…
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REALTORS® Bound by Code of Ethics
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reports that 87% of home buyers and 90% of home sellers in 2022 used a REALTOR or real estate agent. That’s a smart move since REALTORS must adhere to NAR’s ethical standards of practice and professional courtesies. For buyers and sellers, working with a REALTOR typically delivers a smoother…
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Understanding the Home Buying & Selling Fine Print
So, you have an accepted offer. Congratulations! But don’t celebrate just yet. Every qualified REALTOR® knows the best time to raise a glass is after closing. To get there, it’s imperative the buyer and seller pay attention to the fine print. “A typical contract can be fifteen pages or more,” says Tina Balaka, managing broker…
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Date the Rate. Marry the House.
In today’s mortgage environment, many REALTORS® are sharing the adage of “Date the rate. Marry the house.” to keep things in perspective. The expression encourages homebuyers to remember the long-term commitment they’re making is with their home – not the interest rate. Viewing the interest rate as a shorter-term commitment can be less intimidating since…
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REALTOR® – Guiding Clients with Expertise and Care
While a day in the life of a REALTOR® can be hectic and challenging, fulfillment is found in the heart of the business – guiding clients with compassion and expertise. We visited with three Realtors who are each on their own path. The Day Starts Early So Rise and Shine Jeremy Rynders is co-owner of…
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TOP 5 QUESTIONS HOME SELLERS ASK REALTORS® Offer Top Dollar Suggestions
Listing a home for sale can be daunting. Even in a seller’s market, attracting the best buyer for top dollar takes experience and expertise. Three leading Realtors jump-start the process with their take on the most frequently asked questions from home sellers. How Long Will the Current Seller’s Market Last? It is a hot seller’s…
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Three Key Steps for First-time Home Buyers
For those considering home ownership for the first time, it may seem as if there’s a long list of details to tackle once the search begins. However, before potential buyers even start looking at homes, there are three important steps to take. Financial Checklist The first step is to get your finances in order. Check…
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WE ARE NOT IN A HOUSING BUBBLE
Competition in today’s housing market has put many buyers in a bidding war for the home of their dreams. “You can barely get a sign in the ground, and everyone is jumping on it,” says Kim Curtis, chairperson of the Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®. “But make no mistake, this is not a housing bubble.”…
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Demystifying the Role of a REALTOR®
What does a REALTOR do? They help people buy or sell a home, right? Sounds simple, but few things are as straightforward as they sound, especially in today’s real estate market. According to Kimberly Dove, an assistant sales director for Shorewest Realtors, the first thing to know is that REALTORS are not all the same.…
