December 29, 2008

A summer place - In the Winter

Posted to Mike Pfammatter

We’ve had our vacation home near Lake Geneva for over 20 years. Our house is modest by all standards, but there is something unexplainably seductive about this place all year long. Pulling up to the house, which we see less often this time of year, is like seeing a good friend again. Now, instead of looking forward to the activities of summer, we find a sense of peace and quiet as we look out the windows at the yard and garden sleeping under a blanket of untouched snow.

We enjoy a good book or a game of scrabble, nice and warm inside. Later, we meet neighbors for some cheer, and then head out for a great meal at a local restaurant. Should we go cross country skiing tomorrow, or just relax for the day?

The best part of my job as a realtor in the Lake Geneva area is when I get to help people find this for themselves. Drop me a note if you would like to get started finding your own special spot up here.

Posted By: Mike Pfammatter



December 19, 2008

Make your House Stand out – You may only get 1 shot at getting noticed

Posted to Mike Pfammatter

Are you trying to sell your house or thinking of selling soon?

The fact is that over 80% of home buyers start their search on the internet. While competing against thousands of other homes for sale, how can you make your house stand out? The number one way is with great photos.

When choosing a realtor, you’ll do best to pick one who can really represent the best features of your home in the main photo.

Here are 2 photos of the same house – which one would you be more likely to make an appointment to see?





Click here for all of the photos and more details on this house.

For interior shots a wide angle lens and proper lighting are critical for the right impression. Here are 2 shots of the same room.





Click here for all of the photos and details about this house.

The number and quality of the photos used on the website for your listing are also very important. Make sure your realtor has posted the maximum number of detailed pictures. These should be outside views from various angles, plenty of well-lit interior photos, and even photos of the neighborhood.

Chances are, if your home is not well represented on the internet it will get passed up by the buyers. Please feel free to contact me at 262-348-3248 for more details on this subject and other great ideas to make your home stand out in the market place.

Posted By: Mike Pfammatter



December 12, 2008

Are you waiting for the perfect time to buy?

Posted to Mike Pfammatter

If our local real estate market hasn’t bottomed out yet, that point is likely to be very close. Prices are at levels not seen since 2003. Interest rates are the best they have been since the baby-boomer's parents came back from the war! Imagine 30 year fixed rates under 5% (with a down payment and reasonable credit)! These are the rates that the lenders are sending us. They have money and are anxious to lend it.

If you are trying to guess the best time to buy, good advice is to not wait for signs that the market is recovering. When that happens it means you’ve missed it. Someone wisely told me the other day that “2008 will be remembered as the year I should have bought real estate”. Call me at 262-348-3248 or email me at mike@livelakelife.com for a list of local lenders who specialize in loans for the properties in our area.

Posted By: Mike Pfammatter



December 02, 2008

Mike Pfammatter

Posted to Mike Pfammatter

Keefe Real Estate, Inc.
751 Geneva Parkway,
Lake Geneva, WI 53147

Direct Line: 262-348-3248
Mobile: 847-373-3336

Email: mike@livelakelife.com
Website: http://www.LiveLakeLife.com

LinkedIn Profile

View Mike's Active Listings

Mike has been in the service business all of his life, and truly understands that it's all about taking care of the customer. He is a full time real estate professional with a unique mix of experience in second home, commercial, and residential real estate. Licensed in Wisconsin & Illinois, he is available to help you when you need it.

He believes that in order to really help someone in this business there must be a good balance of prompt attention, area knowledge and thoroughness. No one will work harder to make things go smoothly for you.

While residing in Lake Forest, Illinois, Mike and his wife have enjoyed a vacation home in Lake Geneva and have been living the "lake life" for the past 20 years.

Outside of work, Mike loves to sail and paddle his kayak on Geneva Lake, watch the stars, and to hike or cross country ski in some of the most beautiful trails in the Midwest – right here in southeastern Wisconsin.

His passion is his business.



December 02, 2008

Southeast Wisconsin’s Major Lakes Compared – Including Lake Geneva

Posted to Mike Pfammatter

The Lake Geneva / Walworth County area has many natural features that provide terrific recreational enjoyment for us. Of these, the lakes are by far the biggest attraction. In this post I’ll concentrate on just the larger lakes. All of the lakes mentioned in this article are “full sport lakes” – meaning that you can use your power boat for cruising, skiing and tubing. Also, you will not be disappointed with any of them whether you’re a sailor, fisherman, canoeist, or kayaker.


(Picture from Printer's Row Photography)

You can gain access to all of these lakes through public areas that are maintained and regulated by the local municipalities and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Go to the DNR’s website for details about boat launches and in-depth details about all of the local resources www.dnr.wi.gov.

Besides those who live directly on the shorelines, some area homeowners have private access to the water through lakefront parks and piers that are owned and maintained by homeowner associations. What we call “lake access homes” are generally available for a fraction of the cost of homes located directly on the water. The values of homes on or near the lakes have always reflected the limited number of properties like this. Besides single family homes, there are a number of excellent condominiums that have common areas on the water with private lake rights. Read the complete article >