February 20, 2009

Lake Geneva named Distinctive Destination

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Julie Sarton

After living here for 33 years, I know what a jewel Lake Geneva is.  Every day when I drive by the lakefront I realize again that I live in Paradise.  Not only is the natural beauty of the lake a constant treasure, but the historic architecture of many of the area’s homes adds charm and memories of days past.  To cap it all off, we have all the advantages of being a ‘resort community’: gourmet restaurants, elegant specialty and gift shops, gorgeous golf courses, and year round recreational activities from snow skiing to water skiing.  Add all of this to the fact that we’re conveniently located in the middle of an area reaching to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Rockford, and it’s no wonder we’re a popular destination.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation now agrees, having just named Lake Geneva as one of its dozen Distinctive Destinations in the US for 2009.  Some of the prerequisites for making the list include a dynamic downtown area, elegant architecture, cultural diversity, and an ongoing commitment to historic preservation.  Lake Geneva definitely fills that bill, and adds the beauty of the lake to boot. So come on up and judge for yourself; it’s a great place to vacation.  While you’re here, why not take a look at some vacation homes… I can help!

Posted By: Julie Sarton



February 13, 2009

For a Quick Sale, Don't Just Show Your House...Show It Off!

Posted to Geneva Lake Area , Julie Sarton

Many buyers know within the first five minutes whether “this is it!” They’ve already determined from the listing that the house meets their basic requirements, but when they see the house their emotional reactions make the final decision. As the seller, there are steps you can take to make sure you don’t just show your home, but instead show it off for its highest selling potential.

Before doing anything, spend time looking at your home as if seeing it for the first time. Our eyes get accustomed to the way things already look, which provides us with convenient blinders. Start with the outside, then go through every room, looking over every inch with buyers’ eyes… and be critical. Go through some model homes to see how they’re staged. Look through home magazines, and clip pictures of things that make a favorable impression on you.

Read the complete article >