When you took out a mortgage to buy your home, did you pay points? You may be able to deduct that prepaid interest on your federal tax return — but only if you meet a long list of rules.   If you determine that your purchase mortgage points are deductible, you'll report them on Schedule A of Form 1040. Image: Liz Foreman for HouseLogic The points you paid when you signed a mortgage to buy your home may help cut your federal tax bill. With points, sometimes called loan origination points or discount points, you make an upfront payment to get a particular rate from the lender. Since mortgage interest is deductible, your points may be, too. If you itemize your deductions on Schedule A of IRS Form 1040, you may be able to deduct all your points in the year you pay them.Some high... 02/05/2015

5 Things to Think About When Buying Your First Place.........Contact Amber Castonguay today! 920.988.0048 AmberCastonguay.com   5 Things to Think About When Buying Your First Place Tue, February 3, 2015 As a renter, you have the luxury of choosing a place that meets your needs at the moment.​ Buying a home is a much bigger commitment, both in terms of finances and the length of time you’ll likely live there. When seeking out your first place – whether a house or condominium or anything in between – it’s important to do your homework. Here are 5 things to consider as you begin the process of purchasing your first place.1. The growth possibilities. Shop for a place that meets your current spaces needs, but also consider one that can adjust to a changing household. A five-year plan may not... 02/04/2015

Don’t Miss These Home Tax Deductions........Amber Castonguay 920.988.0048 AmberCastonguay.com       Don’t Miss These Home Tax Deductions   If you itemize your deductions, you may get back some of the money you spent on mortgage interest and property taxes. Image: Liz Foreman for HouseLogic Owning a home can pay off at tax time.  Take advantage of these homeownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the mortgage interest deduction, which you claim on Schedule A. To get the mortgage interest deduction, your mortgage must be secured by your home — and your home can be a house, trailer, or boat, as long as you can sleep in it, cook in it, and it has a toilet.I... 02/02/2015

  This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 12/31/2014 to 1/31/2015 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.   In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 18 homes sold; 3 were list and sold by the same company, and 15 were sold by co-brokes. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 61 new listings. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 12 pending listings. In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 3 withdrawn listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 52 expired listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 9 back on market lstings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were ... 01/31/2015

$199,900, 3Bd/1.5Ba Single Family House, 1390 sqft.     Ryan Tranchita | RE/MAX Realty 100 | 414-699-6844 1392 N Lapham St, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 1392 N Lapham St, Oconomoc, WI 53066 REMAX Realty 100 Ryan Tranchita 414-699-6844 3Bd/1.5Ba Single Family House   $199,900 Sq Footage 1390 sqft. Bedrooms 3 Beds Bathrooms 1.5 Baths Floors 1 Parking 2 Garage Laundry In Unit DESCRIPTION This beautiful ranch in quiet Oconomowoc area. Attractive brick front. HWF's in Dining room,Living room,& bedrooms. Family room with NFP & patio doors that lead to private large deck.Large park like wooded yard with lots of Perennial plantings. Newer flooring in kitchen,bath,& foyer. All new interior paint. Attached garage with additional concrete slab off side for more parking.Very private setting with great vie... 01/29/2015

$175,000, 3Bd/2Ba Single Family House, 1896 sqft.     Amber Castonguay, 920.988.0048 | Re/Max Realty Center | 920-988-0048 533 W South St, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 This is a Gem, 3Bd/2Ba Single Family House   $175,000 Sq Footage 1896 sqft. Bedrooms 3 Beds Bathrooms 2 Baths Floors 2 Parking 2 Garage Laundry In Unit Lot Size 1 Acres Website www.ambercastongu... DESCRIPTION Nicely updated 3-4 Bedroom home. Large rooms and nice yard make this home desirable. You will be amazed at the beautiful Hardwood floors and Huge Master Bedroom! Make your appointment today! All offers subject to Lender approval.   Oconomowoc see additional photos below Unit Features - Living room - Dining room - Walk-in closet - Master bath - Storage space - Office - Basement - Heat: forced air - Hardwood floor Community ... 01/27/2015

  This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 12/22/2014 to 1/22/2015 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.   In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 20 homes sold; 5 were list and sold by the same company, and 15 were sold by co-brokes. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 42 new listings. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 6 pending listings. In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 3 withdrawn listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 54 expired listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 11 back on market lstings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were ... 01/22/2015

                 Finding my next Waukesha County Lake home  Looking for one of the Waukesha County Lake Homes? It might be January but now is the time to be getting serious to look at lake homes for sale in Waukesha County. I have people looking for a lake specialist in Waukesha County Wisconsin because they know the process. We get an idea of what lake they are looking for, we talk about their needs, and we start to focus because they want to be in one of the Waukesha County Lake Homes by Spring so they can enjoy lake living. If they are looking for a special home they will click here at Dream Home Finder if we need to find one of the  perfect lake homes for sale in Waukesha County  . It starts with getting an online market on their existing home by going here and clicking To get an on... 01/22/2015

$324,900, 5Bd/6Ba Multi-Family, 6528 sqft.     Tom Braatz | Re/Max Realty 100 | 262-377-1459 109 S Concord Rd, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Commercial/Business/office lower (3600 sq ft) + 3 apartments upper (2816 sq ft) 5Bd/6Ba Multi-Family   $324,900 Year Built 1973 Sq Footage 6528 sqft. Bedrooms 5 Beds Bathrooms 6 Baths Floors 2 Parking 4+ Off street Laundry In Unit Lot Size 0.56 Acres Website www.buingvip.com ... DESCRIPTION Super buy! Seller bought 11 years ago for far more than it is selling for & since then has redone building.Inside is really nice with new flooring,lighting,ceilings... Spancrete flooring. Large bright windows.Upper has 3 nice apartments at 650,575,& 550 rent.New roof in 2008 was 24k alone.Main building built 1973,& 3 apartments 1977.Main floor is 2,816 sq.ft.3 apartment... 01/20/2015

      Creative Storage Ideas for Every Room in Your Home Discover your home’s untapped storage potential with these clever solutions and tips. Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-improvement/creative-storage/#ixzz3P0qWUFeN Follow us: @HouseLogic on Twitter | HouseLogic on Facebook    7 Storage Solutions You Didn’t Know You Had  No Pantry? No Problem with This Easy DIY Roll-Out  10 Savvy Tips to Maximize Your Closet Space  7 Clever Kitchen Clutter-Busters  4 Easy DIY Projects That Add Storage Space  How a Clever Mom Turned Her Stairs into Storage “Getting organized” is often at the top of most homeowners’ to-do lists, especially after the holidays when it’s time to put away decorations, holiday lights, and gift-wrapping supplies, and tidy up after holiday guests have le... 01/16/2015

                          FREE ON-LINE HOME MARKETWhen you travel through Oconomowoc Wisconsin you see yourself with lakes all around you, many vibrant shops and activities going on, and a group of people eager to say hello to you. When you look at an older picture from the past it is almost uncanny how it has not changed. Have thought about Relocating or Moving to Oconomowoc Wisconsin. Life in Waukesha County Wisconsin is great!!!   Boardwalks behind the downtown, gazebos, and beautiful dams and waterfalls add to the almost picture perfect Oconomowoc Wisconsin. I know this community well and if you are looking at relocating or moving to Oconomowoc Wisconsin I would love to help you. Moving to Waukesha County Wisconsin or Relocating to Oconomowoc Wisconsin? Well I have a relocation pack... 01/14/2015

Oconomowoc WI Real Estate, 12/14/14-1/14/15, Kristin Johnston, ReMax   By Kristin Johnston, Waukesha Realtor 414-254-6647 Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Realty Center        Real Estate Report For Oconomowoc, By Kristin Johnston, Remax Realtor          My name is Kristin Johnston of Remax. My marketreport gives you the real estate activity for Oconomowoc, WI for the last 30 days. I strongly encourage any seller that is looking to market their property this year to get a sound feeling for what it is worth. Real estate in Waukesha County is now an excellent investment, prices of superb, selection is great, and the rates are outstanding. Please feel free to call me for any of your real estate needs, including an online market if you are a seller, or finding a home in Waukesha County. The fo... 01/13/2015

Let the truth be known. The real question is not if the Interest rates are going up, but the real question is when will the Interest rates go up? It is inevitable if the rates will go up. The economy is good and all the economic indicators are pointing to them going up. Soon Mr Inflation will be showing his face. At a real estate summit I went to today it was determined that the market is back to about 91% of where it was in 2006. The general consensus was if oil prices stay low for awhile the Feds are less likely to increase the rate too soon. It will go up. It is just a matter of time. May I suggest if you are thinking of selling that home in Waukesha County Real estate market that you give me a call or at least click the link below for an online home market. You can always search hom... 01/13/2015

  This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 12/10/2014 to 1/10/2015 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.   In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 26 homes sold; 8 were list and sold by the same company, and 18 were sold by co-brokes. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 32 new listings. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 15 pending listings. In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 2 withdrawn listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 63 expired listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 14 back on market lstings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were... 01/10/2015

 It's a New Year in Waukesha County Real Estate and Tom Braatz and his team at REMAX Realty 100 are busy helping their clients get ready for their new home search in Spring and finding a New Home. If you click here at  SEARCHING FOR NEW HOMES you get an idea what's out there and what's on the market at this time. Anyways, One of my clients said to me the other day "Tom Braatz, you have all the search tools and information in front of you and I have seen you do on-line home markets for people in no time at all. People are going to call you when they are ready to sell their home because they know you will get the job done and will be shaking their hand at closing. If only there was a way for people to know the value of their home by just clicking on a link." Waukesha County Real Estate is... 01/09/2015

 This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 11/23/2014 to 12/23/2014 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.   In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 32 homes sold; 11 were list and sold by the same company, and 21 were sold by co-brokes. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 25 new listings. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 19 pending listings. In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 1 withdrawn listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 66 expired listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 14 back on market lstings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there wer... 01/02/2015

As we wind down 2014 and we have a chance to sit back and enjoy our family and friends I wanted to take a minute and thank you for following my blog. I want to thank you for being a part of my life. I want to thank you for being there when I really needed people this past year. Sometimes we don't take the time to thank the people that truly made a difference in life. Whether we see them everyday or we feel the kindness and support that they give us. So thank you very much to all in Waukesha County Real Estate, Waukesha County Lake Homes, and everywhere. Tom Braatz and ReMax Realty 100 wishes you a very Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year! With 2015 right around the corner I wanted to wish everyone and sincerely hope that 2015 is their best year ever. In health, happiness, prosperity, and... 12/24/2014

 Lake homes for sale in Waukesha County Wisconsin come in many different styles and floor plans, and best of all they are on some beautiful lakes.Waukesha County Lake properties for sale require a knowledge of each lake, and what each Waukesha County Lake property for sale offers. Perhaps it is time to search for your next lake home or look at Waukesha County Lake Homes Some will start their search with tthe MLS search button below, but I would like to suggest the Dream home finder below as a link. It allows you to fill out a brief form so I can find that perfect home and when we look at Waukesha County Lake homes we look for what you want and will enjoy. Happy home buying and we have  wonderful Waukesha County Lake homes package waiting for you. Just call or text TomBratz at 262-377-14... 12/23/2014

 This is for the Oconomowoc Wisconsin market activity and is for the period of 11/23/2014 to 12/23/2014 and is for the entire MLS content for this period.   In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market 27 homes sold; 12 were list and sold by the same company, and 5 were sold by co-brokes. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 33 new listings. In the Oconomowoc Real Estate market there were 22 pending listings. In the Oconomowoc  Real Estate market there were 2 withdrawn listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 0 canceled listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 51 expired listings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were 12 back on market lstings. In the Oconomowoc Wisconsin Real Estate market there were... 12/23/2014

The ability to listen. Something I have worked hard on over the years. As one of the Waukesha County Commercial Real estate agents this was important to me. I would love to have the chance to tell you how I approach Commercial and Investment real estate and how I have been successful helping people buy and sell Commercial real estate in Waukesha County. Commercial real estate for sale in Waukesha County  is a great investment.   The time to buy Commercial real estate for sale in Waukesha County is now. I am one of the Commercial real estate agents in Waukesha County Wisconsin that is well seasoned and knowlegeable in all aspects of commercial real estate. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you, sit down with you and discuss your needs, or when you are ready you can give me a call wh... 12/22/2014