January 28, 2010

Walking on Water – Lake Geneva Ice Boating

Posted to Geneva Lake Area

I’ve had the occasion over the years to watch the numerous amounts of ice boating activity that takes place in Southern Wisconsin during the winter months. It’s a magnificent site, and many photographs have captured this winter fun, but until recently I have never seen it captured so well on video. Matt Mason, a brave local photographer, did what I’ve dreamt of doing, he actually “walked the walk” of ice boating. Enjoy this video of his ice boating, on Lake Geneva, experience. With a fair amount of winter remaining in our area, I’ll continue to watch Matt’s video on really cold days and try to get up my nerve to give ice boating a try.

Video courtesy of Matt Mason Photography


Posted by:Theresa Larsen



January 27, 2010

The Sailing Lifestyle in Lake Geneva

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area

Sailing, Power boating, Water Lovers………We all gravitate towards what we love and end up following one another either by choice or by chance. Winters in Florida spent with the Sailing, Fishing and the Vistas.. The Summers spent in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin doing the same. The perfect home and the perfect view are global. Sharing common interests and the passion to be around what we love ends up connecting the same of groups of people in the same spots around the world for lifelong friendships and great real estate opportunities to enjoy. Not to mention a great tan and a trophy or two.

Posted By: Michalene Melges



January 21, 2010

Abbey Springs in Fontana, WI

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area

If you are looking for a great get away, you will find it at Abbey Springs in Fontana WI. There are several condo/townhouse floor plans ranging from The Weekender that is 600 square feet to the Oakwood with a lower level that has 2,300 square feet.

The Holiday Unit is a great size at 800 square feet with a great floor plan. It has a kitchen, living/dining area with two bedrooms and one bath. While at Abbey Springs you can go down to lake front that is on Geneva Lake, visit the clubhouse that has an indoor/outdoor pools, game room, exercise facilities, tennis courts, racquet ball court, 18 hole golf course and boating. Plus they have the Golfer’s Grill, snack bar, Below Deck and The Yacht Club for your dining needs.



If you have any questions or would like to see Abbey Springs in Fontana WI I can be reached at 262-745-1885 or scoulman@keeferealestate.com.

Posted by:Shirley Coulman



January 06, 2010

FORE! New golf membership options at Wisconsin’s Geneva National

Posted to Area Attractions & Events, Geneva Lake Area , Geneva National

One of the most beautiful golf courses I’ve ever played on is right in my back yard at Geneva National, a gated golf community just 10 minutes west of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Offering three signature 18-hole courses, the topography ranges from hilly to fairly level, lushly wooded to open and expansive, with a number of fairways meandering along the water’s edge of Lake Como. The spacious club house has great lake views, with a private members’ side and a public side, both of which offer dining. Until now play options were:

1) Play as public walk on, using public clubhouse facilities
2) Play under a $3000 social membership granting 12 rounds over a two year period, with full use of private clubhouse facilities
3) Play under a full, refundable $25,000 membership, with unlimited rounds and full use of private clubhouse facilities

New membership options for 2010 are:

1) A full, non-refundable $12,500 membership, with unlimited rounds and full use of private clubhouse facilities
2) A $2000 sport membership, granting 8 annual unrestricted rounds and 4 twilight rounds
3) A $1000 social membership with play at resort (public) rates

Other benefits of membership include use of the adjacent wellness center and participation in all club social activities. For more information on the golf program contact Katie Alder, Membership Director, 262-245-7049.

The only thing better than golf at Geneva National is golf at Geneva National while staying at your own condo, townhome, or single family home right on the property. To receive information on current listings, contact me at jsarton@keeferealestate.com or visit my website. Only 1.5 hours from Chicago and 10 minutes from the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva!

Posted by:Julie Sarton



January 05, 2010

Making "Cents" of Prices for Lakefront Homes in Walworth County

Posted to Geneva Lake Area

As a realtor, I sometimes feel like the proverbial parent saying, “Are you listening?” With an extremely challenging real estate market in 2009, and subtle movement in the last quarter of the year, it’s clear to me that the sellers who take my advice will have a highly likelihood of having “Sold” signs on their front lawns come late spring. Take the case of two lakefront sellers to whom I recently spoke. One couple has a lovely, solidly built and beautifully finished lakefront on Booth Lake in Walworth County. The other is a much larger lakefront on Lake Beulah. Both are determined sellers; neither “has to sell.” Here’s the difference: the sellers on Booth Lake took my advice and staged their home, appreciably raising the wow factor and increasing their “sales opportunities”. They were disappointed in my price suggestion, but are determined to sell this year. Thus, when their home hits the market it will be hard to resist both in terms of price and presentation. The Lake Beulah sellers spent quite a bit of time telling me how “special” their house is and how it outshines the competition. Their price expectations are unreasonable; in addition, as lovely as their property is, there is still much room for improvement and staging would help tremendously. If I were to bet money on which home would sell before summer (and as a listing agent I am definitely betting my marketing dollars on exactly this) it would be the Booth Lake house. In this market you have to win the price war and the beauty contest and that’s exactly what these owners have committed to doing. So sellers, if you “don’t have to sell” but are committed to selling give me a call. Together we’ll examine the market and prepare your property for this year’s Beauty Pageant! And for those buyers out there, don’t settle for the runner-up. In this market you have every right to expect a property to be priced competitively and to outshine the competition in terms of presentation. For more seller and buyer tips, visit my website!

Posted by:Janis Hartley