November 11, 2009

Joe to Go: Where to Find the Best Java in Walworth County

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley, Williams Bay, WI

One of my early morning rituals is to sit on the sofa with my husband and talk about what’s going on in our lives while enjoying a great cup of coffee. Naturally, having my own personal “brewmaster” is great – but on the days he’s not “perky” you’ll find me enjoying an extra-hot, soy latte at any one of several area coffee shops. So, which “daily grinds” get my vote? That’s easy!

  • Tickled Pink Coffee Bar in Williams Bay (82 S. Walworth Ave) – My favorite for the Alterra coffee they serve as well as for the amazingly fresh smoothies. This place is a favorite with locals and seasonal residents alike. Free Wi-Fi, Children’s Story Hour (seasonal), Tickled Pink Princess Tea Parties (call to find out more 262-248-9330), great seasonal lunches – homemade soups/salads and panini.

  • Geneva Java in Lake Geneva(located in the lower level of 735 Geneva St) – This cozy, lower level café is the perfect place to hide out on those cold winter mornings. This café had its start years ago in a tiny space on Broad Street. The owners have changed several times, but the coffee is still delicious and steaming hot.

  • Deakin Isle in Elkhorn (on the square at 41 N. Wisconsin St.– If you love to browse while you sip a cup of fragrant tea or coffee, then Deakin Isle is the place for you. A wonderful assortment of giftware and accessories makes every trip worthwhile. Not the best place to sip your café, but a great place for a little pick me up if you’re in the area.

  • Caribou in Lake Geneva (833 E. Main Street) – The cheery staff (even at the crack of dawn!) and free Wi-Fi make this a favorite among locals. They always have a light and dark brew and their summertime frozen coffee drinks are over the top. A nice addition to the local scene.

  • Daddy Maxwell’s in Williams Bay – Although not purely a coffee shop, Daddy Maxwell’s is the place to go if you love rubbing shoulders with the local rainmakers. Their coffee cups are generous, deep, and constantly refilled. You’ll barely find a place to sit in the summer months, but the rest of the year is perfect…and their breakfasts are amazing!

What’s your favorite coffee shop in Walworth County? Post a comment with information about it (location, wi-fi, what makes it special) and I’ll include it in a future blog. In the meantime, I wish you a latte great moments!

Posted by:Janis Hartley



November 05, 2009

Home Prices in Lake Geneva and Walworth County: Making "Cents"

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

A lovely lake view home came on the market in Williams Bay today. It’s a charming home and I was surprised to see that it was listed at $200,000 less than it had been listed for 4 years ago. I knew the sellers had had a firm price in mind at that time and I wondered about the conversation between listing agent and sellers. The current price makes it obvious that the sellers are serious about selling and are facing the market head on.

One of the toughest conversations a real estate agent has with prospective sellers is the “pricing” conversation, which often starts like this: Seller: “We really want to sell our home…but we’re not going to give it away…” When selling a home, there are many factors which affect market value and the eventual selling price of the home: location, size, amenities, features, improvements, and upgrades, the local economic “temperature”, current real estate market, mortgage rates, etc. Some of these factors are controlled by the owner and some are out of the owner’s control. In the Geneva Lake area, location can be a key factor. It’s a fact of life that lakefront, lake access and lake rights properties not only tend to command stronger prices, those prices have not been as susceptible to market conditions. There are certain factors, however, that simply have no role in determining the present market value of a property:

  • What the seller paid for the home has nothing to do with its current market value
  • Money in does not always equal money out. If a property has been over-improved the sellers may realize only a percentage of their improvement/upgrade investment
  • What a neighbor’s property sold for 3, 4, or 6 years ago has no relevance to current values
  • The amount of desired proceeds from the sale of the home has no bearing on market value

When you decide to sell your home remember: the real estate market is the real estate market, regardless of when the home was purchased, and your home is ultimately only worth what a ready, willing and able buyer is willing to pay.

Posted by:Janis Hartley