December 27, 2011

Sales in 2011 Equal Success??

Posted to Debbie Cobian

The end of the year tends to be a time to set goals for the new year and reflect on all our accomplishments of the prior year.

As I realized the amount of work I’d done this year in participating in over 30 real estate sales including everything from lakefront homes and condos to bank owned and foreclosures in Walworth County and the surrounding area, I started doing a little research on the definition of "success."

 

I reflected on several of the sales and there were many bittersweet transactions with much emotion attached to them. It’s difficult to attend a closing where the seller is bringing funds to closing or there are no proceeds. Several of the foreclosed homes made me wonder about the memories of the family who once called this piece of real estate a home. Of course, being in a great tourist area, there is always the joy of finding the perfect vacation home on Geneva Lake, Twin Lakes or the Delavan Lake areas.

 

According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, success is defined as: “a favorable or desired outcome; also: the attainment of wealth, favor or eminence.” I also came across a great article on the internet entitled: “Five ways to define success” by Dr. Linda Seger, which explains that Americans often define success by money and by what money can buy and that we are known around the world to be materialistic but there are many other ways to define success as well.

 

I’ve heard a lot of depressing stories throughout the year, yet still helped many clients to get out from under the declining real estate values in their homes. I also enjoyed spending time with some great buyers looking for bargains, trying to deal with short sales in Walworth County and generally getting very discounted prices on investments and homes in the area.

 

I went through all the photos of the properties I sold in the Walworth County area over the past year and decided they can be defined as “success” as they did had favorable outcomes to the parties involved. I put together a video in my sincere appreciation to all my clients who helped me to have a successful year.

 

I also noticed the long list of inventory of homes I have to sell which begins my list of goals for the new year! I still have a lot of clients relying on my expertise, compassion and advice.

 

Thank you to all of you who have made me successful throughout the past 12 years in real estate and especially through the recent adjustments in the market.

Posted by:  Debbie Cobian



December 12, 2011

Counting down to Santa’s arrival in Lake Geneva, WI

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Debbie Cobian

I spent this weekend with a 6 year old and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the magic and mystery that every Santa sighting brings to all the little ones as the countdown to his arrival is quickly approaching.

We received a magical message on-line to start the day from the Portable North Pole and saw that Santa and his elves knew much about the events in our year and was checking with his elves to see if we were on the nice or naughty list in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It’s definitley a must see website and message that can be customized to all ages and even included personal pictures of the children on the naughty or good list!

 

We ventured through downtown Lake Geneva and saw the real live reindeer were in town along with Santa and some of his elves that were taking a break from their toy making duties. The reindeer will be in town one more weekend, December 17th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you’ll want to stop by to pet the reindeer and get your picture taken. Santa and the reindeer are right by Starbucks, Lake Geneva on Main Street and Center Street.

 

In the evening, we visited the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa to see the extraordinary lights. It was also the grand opening of The Mountain Top ski resort!

 

Do you have little ones counting down to the arrival of that jolly Santa Claus? I have created a live “Countdown to Christmas” so you can watch the seconds ticking down to the the arrival of Santa for the little ones. I wish you all a season filled with the magic and mysteries, love and warmth of family and friend, and blessings of the spirit and light of this Christmas season.

 

I know the best gifts of the season are in the time spent with family and the memories and traditions we enjoy every year. Lake Geneva and the Walworth County area activities offer many opportunites for all ages for fun, food and festivities.

 

Merry Christmas!

Posted by:  Debbie Cobian