March 27, 2009

Why Won't My Realtor Answer These Questions?

Posted to Janis Hartley

A business acquaintance recently asked me, “Why won’t my sister’s realtor answer her questions?” It seemed like a fair question – and I was intrigued. What were those questions the realtor wouldn’t answer? After a little investigative questioning on my part, it became clear that the buyer wanted to know which were the “neighborhoods to avoid – and which were the best school districts.” Federal Fair Housing laws prohibit real estate agents from steering buyers towards or away from neighborhoods. While we cannot and should not, supply crime statistics, test scores for schools, and demographic information that would in any way violate these laws, we can and should offer resources to buyers for obtaining this information. Because I raised two children in both Kenosha and Walworth counties, I’m often asked to comment upon schools. My answer is always the same: “Each school has its own strengths.” Visit the website for the town you’re considering (in Lake Geneva it’s www.lakegenevaschools.com/; in Williams Bay, it’s www.WilliamsBay.k12.wi.us) and do your own research.

Talk to the police department and ask them for information regarding crime in the neighborhood; then do a web search and confirm what you’ve learned through local enforcement. The best way to find out what you want to know is to visit the neighborhood on different days and at different times. You will get a good idea of the tempo and climate of your potential neighbors by simply strolling down the street and asking lots of questions. Meet and greet – its social networking the old-fashioned way.

If you want to know more about Geneva Lake and its environs, visit me on the web at www.SellingLakeGeneva.com. I can also be found on Twitter.

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 23, 2009

NEW BISTRO IN LAKE GENEVA PROMISES...AND DELIVERS!

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

My husband and I dropped by the newly opened Bistro 220 in Lake Geneva’s trendy West End last evening for post-theater wine and appetizers. What a great way to end the night! The intimate atmosphere lends itself nicely to chatting quietly (a welcome change from the cacophony heard at some of our local establishments). We ran into at least six friends and neighbors. The bistro has been enjoying a nice steady flow of diners and guests - and it’s only been open for 4 days!

If you’re looking for a nice wine selection (the owners were guided by local oenologists at Wine Concepts), a comfortable setting, gracious hosts and a price point that won’t break the bank, stop by Bistro 220. They’ll be serving lunch Monday-Friday and the wine and beer bar and lighter fare is available Wednesday-Saturday nights. My husband ordered the personal gourmet veggie pizza which was light, tasty and refreshing – a pleasant change from the overdone and gargantuan pizza you often see. Once the season is in full swing the owners plan to ramp up the kitchen and, as the menu indicates, you’ll have a feast of selections from which to choose. Bistro 220 at 220 Cook Street in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin will make you want to live here if you don’t already. When you’re ready to buy the Lake lifestyle, give me a call at (262)745-3630. In the meantime, visit my website: www.SellingLakeGeneva.com.

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 19, 2009

Buyer Loyalty – It’s How I Grow My Business

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

I received a call recently from buyers with whom I had been working to find the perfect home. I’ve grown quite fond of this family and in addition to my professional determination to find just the right home for them, I felt an emotional connection with their desire to provide their children with the memorable experience of spending summers “at the lake”.The phone call was a difficult one for them to make; they called to tell me that they had purchased a home from friends. My first response was delight. I was so happy they had found the perfect house and would now enjoy the dream they had envisioned. My second response was, of course, disappointment that I was not a part of this important transaction. My third response was gratitude. I am very grateful they cared about me and deeply appreciated my efforts and professionalism. They assured me that they will continue to refer their friends and family who might be buying or selling in the future. Referrals are the heart and soul of a REALTOR’s® business – and so few of us tell our buyers and sellers that we depend upon their good words for our future business. Remember, if your REALTOR® does an excellent job, pass along her name to every one you meet who may be thinking of buying or selling real estate. It’s not until we help you accomplish your goal, that we are compensated and reimbursed for our expertise, our time, and our expenses. Loyalty, both during and after, a transaction is truly appreciated by every REALTOR® I know. I certainly appreciate the loyalty and good words of the young family who will begin their lakeside life this summer. While they didn’t end up buying a home with me, they “bought into” my most valuable commodity: my dedication and commitment to serve my clients and customers.

If you are in the market for a committed and knowledgeable realtor with the experience you deserve, visit my website: www.SellingLakeGeneva.com. I’ll be happy to share beautiful Walworth County and the Southern Lakes area with you.

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 16, 2009

Geneva Idol: Something to Shout TGIF About!

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

Looking for something to do this weekend? Get ready for spotlights, red carpet, and paparazzi – plus, a “Geneva Idol 2009 After-Party,” complete with live music raffles, drink specials, and a whole lotta fun. The Geneva Lake Women’s Association will host Geneva Idol in downtown Lake Geneva at the Geneva Theater, on Friday, March 20th, 2008. Doors open at 7pm and the competition begins at 7:30. Tickets for this annual evening of entertainment are only $20 and include an invitation to the Geneva Idol After Party.

For more information visit www.genevaidol.com. While you’re in town, remember to check out our local real estate market…whether you’re looking for an exquisite lakefront estate or a cozy cabin, a sleek condo by the lake or a new home for the family, you can find it all at www.SellingLakeGeneva.com. See you at the show!

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 16, 2009

Bistro 220 - The Newest Place to See and Be Seen in Lake Geneva

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

Lake Geneva’s trendy West End is garnering praise for the subtle rejuvenation that’s been quietly taking place over the past 6 years. The latest entry is a thoughtfully renovated and redesigned building located at 220 Cook Street. After purchasing the former 4-flat two years ago, my dear friends, who just happen to be the new owners, began laying the groundwork for a combined use building. The ground floor seemed the perfect place for stylish boutiques, while the upper level, with its views of Geneva Lake was perfect for an intimate bistro. Bistro 220 opens this week…so mark your calendars! The adventuresome owners have created a space unlike any other food establishment in Lake Geneva. Interior spaces are dramatic – yet casual. Extensive, hand painted murals make guests feel like they are dining in an intimate, European courtyard bistro. Outside, a spacious promenade deck offers al fresco dining – a perfect spot to take in the energy and buzz of shoppers as they stroll along the street below. Bistro 220 will offer a full menu of homemade bistro fare, complemented by a selection of wines and beers. Stay tuned next week for my blog on the menu and the grand opening…in the meantime, save room for dessert!

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 15, 2009

Powers Lake...The Secret We're Still Keeping

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

While many visitors think of Geneva Lake as their destination lake in Southeastern Wisconsin, there are numerous lakes throughout Walworth, Kenosha, Racine and Jefferson Counties that are some of the best kept secrets. One of my personal favorites is pristine Powers Lake in Randall Township. Just minutes from the Illinois/Wisconsin border and easily accessible from both I94 via Hwy 50 and Route 12 through Richmond, Illinois, Powers Lake is a quintessential country lake. Almost exactly 5 miles around (I know, I used to run it every day!), covering 454 acres and with a maximum depth of 34 feet, this lake is favored by generations of Chicagoans who have been coming here since the late 1800’s. With an average price of $644,000, Powers Lake is an affordable alternative to Geneva Lake. My husband and I purchased our first home in Powers Lake and we loved living there. It was the kind of neighborhood where neighbors watched out for one another, visited at Halloween, shared the abundant summer crop of tomatoes and zucchini, and bought each other’s treasures at the annual garage sales. My son still loves to visit his former babysitters (a lovely couple who has lived there for over 40 years) and the lakefront beach is still one of my favorites. Small, clean, friendly, and less than 1.5 hours from Chicago, Powers Lake is a “must discover”. For more information on Powers Lake, or any of the other wonderful lakes in Southeastern Wisconsin, visit my website: www.SellingLakeGeneva.com. Powers Lake: pristine, perfect, and priced right!

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 10, 2009

Selling Your Home? Be Serious!

Posted to Janis Hartley

Attention all sellers: with the rare exception of several “pockets” throughout the United States, this is a buyers’ market. So how does a seller who seriously wants to sell, create the right environment for a bona fide “offer to purchase”? Be serious.

Know your local market; analyze what has sold in the past 6 months; watch HGTV and know how to show your home for a sale – lose those refrigerator magnets, the dark paint, the wallpaper, and the knick knacks. Finally, remember: there are qualified buyers who are ready, willing and able to buy even now. Don’t lose a sale because you are reaching for the stars. With absorption rates and inventory high, you need to be focused, dedicated, and serious about selling. If you “don’t need to sell,” and are just hoping to “see what will happen” – save yourself a lot of time and energy. Remember: a serious buyer is going to buy a home, but a property that is priced unreasonably or hasn’t been readied for sale will sit and age for months to come. For more help on pricing and marketing your home in the Geneva Lakes area, give me at call at (262)745-3630. I’ll be sure to give you the straight scoop on selling – and tried and true ways to make your property more saleable.

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 09, 2009

Lake Geneva: Protecting Our Lake for Future Generations

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

Have you ever driven around Geneva Lake and noticed the Geneva Lake Watershed signs posted throughout the area? Have you ever wondered what the signage was meant to communicate? The Geneva Lake Watershed is a three-phase program initiated by the Geneva Lake Conservancy. Each phase of the Conservancy’s watershed program focuses upon increased awareness of and sensitivity to the responsibilities lake communities such as Lake Geneva, Williams Bay, Linn, Geneva, and Fontana, owe to the large natural resource known as Geneva Lake. The installation of Watershed Entry/Exit signs at major crossings into and out of the watershed creates an on-going reminder of the critical and highly delicate balance between community and environment. The watershed signs point out that, “All waters flow to the lake.” For residents and visitors, awareness is key and being pro-active essential to the well-being of our local economy, our community, and our natural resources. The next time you see a Watershed sign, remember the beautiful swan that preened at the shoreline as the ice melted last week – and keep Geneva Lake healthy for future generations.

Posted By: Janis Hartley



March 01, 2009

The Reverse Offer - You're Not in Kansas Anymore

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Janis Hartley

Time was, buyer looked at house. Buyer liked house. Buyer wrote an offer on the house. Seller waited for offer and then negotiated. Times are a-changing. In many communities today, sellers are taking things into their own hands. It’s called the reverse offer. Let’s say a qualified buyer has looked at your home two times. There’s obviously a high level of interest but no offer has been written. How can you stimulate interest and action? In a market with a high absorption rate, there are many properties for buyers to consider and a reverse offer may be one way of initiating negotiations. A reverse offer is similar to an offer to purchase except it comes from the seller. While some may argue that this action puts the seller at a disadvantage, my experience has proven otherwise. Indeed, a strong offer to sell may decrease the time spent in negotiating and may bring parties to the table faster and with less antipathy.

A win-win situation is always my goal, whether I’m working as a buyer’s agent or as an agent of the seller. For more information about my services visit my website 24/7 www.SellingLakeGeneva.com. If you would like to receive a copy of my quarterly newsletter, email me at jhartley@keeferealestate.com. I look forward to writing your offer!

Posted By: Janis Hartley