I see lots of good things going on lately, and I hear of good things that are being worked on. The fact that the Federal government is going to raise the tax credit for First time buyers from $7500  to $15,000 is noble of them, and very smart as a stimulating tool. I would have to sat the warm weather is welcome, and I notice activity picking up. Sure, I am still shaking my head at how in the World a beautiful multi family that is worth 1,100,000 all day long cannot sell at $785,000. It just does not make sense. Recently I had the chance to catch up with a neighbor in my son's subdivision. After a short talk he started to get rather teary eyed and went on to explain that he and his wife, family, and pets were in dire straits and have been for some time. I like these people, I like them ... 02/07/2009

Driving around today everything was melting; a welcome sign that brings water to curbs, ditches, ans other resourceful means that the water will navigate. People cleaning glass on their shop windows, and the emergence of window shoppers, local ice cream aficionados searching out there favorites, and coffee shops and restaurants busy with the talk of what some will do this year, at least possible. One of my favorite times of year. When I was a farmer I was all ready thinking of getting in my fields, my animals were out investigating everything, and at any given moment lay down in the fields to get calmed by the gentle breezes. Make no mistake about it; Spring is on it's way, and it looks forward to welcoming you.   See you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://... 02/06/2009

     Selling your home can be a nerve racking, exhausting experience. Last minute calls, inconvenient showings, price adjustments, and the uncertainties of being stuck with a house that doesn't sell for months on end can all take their toll. If you are not completely prepared you could end up losing thousands of dollars in profit!  The difference between a profitable, smooth transaction and a miserable experience is often a fine line. The majority of home selling nightmares are caused by a lack of knowledge. This report is designed to make you aware of the 10 common mistakes that cost sellers serious money.  1.         IMPROPER PRICING - Set the price too high and it will sit unsold and develop the identity of a problem property, with the accompanying stigma of what real estate agents c... 02/06/2009

When I first started in Real Estate I remember another sales associate mentioning to me "wait until you write that first offer over $100,000." That day came and I thought "I have arrived." Some years would go by and I would drive by properties and say to myself "These Lake properties are doing nothing but going up, and up." This was set further in concrete when I purchased my vacation home on the Lake in Door County on Washington Island.  It just went through the sky. I wish I would have had a crystal ball to forecast what a great investment this would have been. It was just three and four years ago I was out looking at, or selling Lake homes that were $400,000, $650,000, and into the millions. Well ,guess what? Their affordable once again. If you have been hesitating to buy a Lake home... 02/05/2009

The Highlands of Lake Country, located in the town of Oconomowoc, one mile norht of the bypass on Hwy 67 and McMahon Rd.  Look up and there you will find this gem overlooking beautiful Waukesha County. Lot 1 is a 1.98 acre estate, elevated high above the landscape and well suited for an exposed lower level.  It is hard to find a comparable lot and developement for the price of $139,900. On 20 homes will be in this 105 acre retreat, each adjacent to woods, ponds, wetland or passive outlot. Call Response Realtors today!!! Ph: 262-594-3200Fax: 262-594-3210URL: http://www.responserealtors.com Ph: 262-389-8577 Cell: 262-389-8577Fax: 262-594-3210Email: gregc@responserealtors.com RESPONSIVE, RESPECTED, RESULTS! www.naymz.com www.activerain.com/cavaianiteam www.localism.com/cavaianiteam www.twi... 02/03/2009

I went to a listing appointment the other day. I remember the day well because it was one of those unbearable cold days that become synonymous with Wisconsin winters. I did not get any ice fishing, snow mobile, or anything else fun like in this year. Heck, anticipation had me sell my snow blower. This I should have kept and then sold it. The new year is taking off, my objectives are in order, my game plan is fine tuned, and I tend to be picking up every phone in site with the thought of a prospect on the other end. As I walked up to this home and I was thinking who in the world would want to be out walking in this noise I was taken back by something that really made me think that everything is reaching for strength, for growth, for light. The door I went to was on the southeast corner o... 01/30/2009

Recently I had to take a step back and review my paperwork reduction practices. Joy Shong had made the mention to us that we had more lead files, offer and listing files, and miscellaneous files accumulated that she thought it could be hard pressed to keep track of such a project. Not to be put in the spotlight,and being the salesman I am, I took a minute out and took a good look at our files. "That's a good point, and I am glad you brought it up." I then replied with "Creative minds are seldom tidy" Probably not the best rebuttal to come back with. However, I do have to say that after that conversation our system immediately became more paperwork reduction conscience. How so you may ask? Easy, Joy just commenced to file some of the files in a container and was very collective under fil... 01/29/2009

I still get a good feeling when someone is looking at me in a convenience store, or gas station and they say "Do I know you?" My general reply is "I have been in Real estate for awhile." The next thing after they either look in my car, or they hesitate for a moment is the ever so spoken words "Your the guy with the great big dog", or "You have the dog in all your pictures, I have seen him on websites" Funny, I was in the picture as well. I thought I knew a lot of people, but it actually is Lars that knows a lot of people. He has become a brand for me that I think would be hard to ever replace. Sure I always use the sayings "See you at closing" or "We look forward to shaking your hand at closing.", but through thick and thin it has been a 120 pound German Shepherd that has become my grea... 01/28/2009

I found myself recently having to sit down with my son Spencer and telling him due to circumstances that were out of my control, and with all we recently went through that we had to move. Perhaps sometimes a child's home is his domain. He knows everything, he loves everything, his daily rituals are mere routine. To tell him it was going to be easier on us because we did not need a three thousand square foot house seems almost meaningless to him. He asked if we were going to move back to our six thousand square foot house with the pool. I said" No honey, we need to maintain, and we need to get closer to things, and people that can help you if I cannot. He was receptive about possible making a geographic move soon. That would make things easier. It was hard explaining that "Bud" the parak... 01/26/2009

HEvery weekend lately I have been showing Lake homes to perspective, qualified buyers.What reall is amazing is the cost of each home is incredibly priced. Four years ago I whould she a common three bedroom home for sale well into the millions. Having lived here most of my life I saw the prices just go up and up. For example; I sold a 4 bedroom, 1 and 1/2 bath home on Lake drive that was immaculate. It even had parking slabs, garages, firplaces, docks, great Lake frontage, and a boat house. It closed at $110,000.This was 1987 ans I thought I has just sole the most expensive home on the Lake. I readily saw these homes skyrocket in price. The home I sold for 110K four years ago would have been $860,000. It now would be about $500,000. The prices have come down. The three homes I showed las... 01/25/2009

 The first date for our commercial, Investment,Business, SBS, Multi Family, and more is set on May28th,2009.  Our hugely successful seminars are like no others.  I plan on having it a the Best Western Midway Motor lodge in Brookfield. This is just North of I-94 and it's exits. It is just south of Bluemound Rd. and is on Moreland Rd. Our seminars are successful , fun, interactive, educational, and very informative. The last seminar allowed us to help 41 people buy properties all in a three month span. Remember seating is limited to the first two hundred. Great food and drink to be had by all. Bring a guest, and tell your friend to call us to confirm and register a spot for them. It is imperative that each individual call or email us to register. From there we are going to make sure that... 01/24/2009

In my personal business we allow time each day for prospecting; this includes cold calling expired listings, For Sale By Owners, Commercial contacts, spheres, areas, and more. If I had the time I could cold call four hours a day; I enjoy it, I have worked at it, and I find We have a regiment that is followed pretty close now, however, I must say that long trip time between large commercial, business, and other projects can hinder timing and it's effectiveness. True, I am a very aggressive broker; that's what my Sellers like, and when I am a buyers agent for buyers they really can see this as well. That's just me. One thing I do know for sure; if your not comfortable and majorly confident on the phone you had better get over it, learn to be more productive on the phone, or team members t... 01/22/2009

I think I would be hard pressed if I were to start asking fellow activerain members if they have bought into systems, trainers, lead generators, and more and they did not work. I can speak for myself that without proper attitude, enthusiasm, drive, and the ability to focus it would be hard to get into anything, and to be productive in the means I want to be productive by. I also think the human side of me wants me to try new systems, respond to incredible, if not realistic offers, emails, and ideas. I also will be the first one to tell you in twenty three years of selling Real Estate I have tried just about every tape, listened to every guru there is, tried all kinds of lead generators to get my name out there, and the list just goes on, and on, and on, and....... Guess what? For the mo... 01/22/2009

Today I had the luxury and privelage of reading Blogging in the rain, a Real Estate Marketing Blog which is written by Rebecca Levinson. Rebecca is a very talented writer, and everytime you read her post you take away material and ideas that are readily applicable in business and life. One of topics she mentioned really hit home. That was what she referred to as an individual being "absolutely you" Hats off to Rebecca, and how well said. Success, Integrity, and and a given desire to force ourselves to do the "right thing" "You win some, you lose some, but you get dressed for every game."If I am not mistaken I believe the author of this quote was Lou Gehrig. Not totally sure but it was a baseball figure.I would probably figure it out by calling the baseball aficionado and wonderful blogg... 01/19/2009

Sure it may be below zero for the next week or so, with wind chills at close to 40 below zero, and yes it snows to beat the band lately, but the rates are great, the selection of Residential and Commercial properties is superb, and the time could not be better to buy a property. If you are contemplating selling you need to go to www.myhomevaluesource.com and start by getting a market done on your existing property. If you want to beat others to hot new listings you need to visit www.buyingvip.com and sign up for new listings everyday without ever having to leave your home. It's all automatic. It's a hot time to buy in Southeastern Wisconsin! It is time to contact Tom Braatz See you at closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.BUYINGVIP.com. 24/7 recorded message ... 01/14/2009

Waukesha County is a magnificent place to live and work. Every City, Town, and Village has a unique charm of it's own. There is a lot of old World tradition that blends hand in hand with modern technology and science. Waukesha County is famous for many reasons, but it's real assets are in its people that reside here and call it home. About the next best thing to living among all this beautiful architecture, outstanding lake, and cosmopolitan streets would be working here. Perhaps you have thought about relocating, or maybe starting your own business. If you have it may be time to call Tom Braatz. Tom Braatz can help you find the Real Estate you need, and don't worry. If it is not on the market Tom Braatz will go out and find it for you. There is SBA money out there, there is commercial ... 01/12/2009

First, I would like to thank BILL CHERRY for thinking enough of me, and my writing as well, to count me in his top 10 list. Funny, it wasn't that long ago that my dear friend Elizabeth's Weintraub's Blog   said "use the spell checker!"From there my forever friend Jo Smith from Ontario said "Pictures Tom?"Transitions-The Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate Blog, and from there my addition to blogging took off like a gas can in a forest fire. My ten top writers and I wish I could name a hundred would be: Jo Anne Smith Transitions-The Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate Blog ( Jo and I are friends, and will always be a support for each other when the World throws it's best at us. She is a person that I truly am glad to be able to call my friend ) Eli... 01/12/2009

In Wisconsin there are an amazing amount of high quality multi family investments. They range from two units and go all the way up to four hundred units. In some cases, there are even bigger projects available. Please call Tom Braatz, or email him at tom@tombraatz.com if you are interested, or if you would like to refer any commercial, business, or any other type of Real Estate.     We look forward to seeing you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.BUYINGVIP.com. 24/7 recorded message to obtain Free report,Buyer Package,and Real Estate Tool Kit 1-800-800-7140 If you need to purchase within the next 60 days go to Ext 101 If you do not need to purchase within the next 60 days go to Ext 102 For The "Throw Away Those Rent Receipts" report go to Ext 106 Now Yo... 01/11/2009

Recently it was brought to my attention that for every person we start out setting up their investments for in multi family and commercial we usually wind up doing anywhere from another two to eight more properties. With this in mind it hit me that there is a huge strength in sitting down, rolling up our sleeves and having a one on one game plan for now, and as well as for the future.  Every week in January, February, and part of March will have time set aside so we can set aside time to educate, evaluate, and start our journey in investments with new as well as seasoned buyers of commercial and investment Real Estate. All you need to do is contact Tom Braatz and have him get out his appointment book. Lines are open now! We look forward to seeing you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign... 01/09/2009

We're thrilled to announce that we are now taking reservations for the Imagination Station Playground DREAM BENEFIT!!!  We would like to extend an invitation to you and your friends.  It's a great event to get some friends and family together and enjoy this relaxing and unique venue, while giving back to our very special project! The DREAM BENEFIT is an upcoming social party with 100% of the proceeds supporting this universally-accessible playground to be built in Roosevelt Park, Oconomowoc. This park will mean so much not only to the kids that play there, but to their parents, grandparents, caregivers and loved ones who get to see their kids excited as they enter and explore.  Nothing is more precious than when my kid's eyes light up with anticipation and delight. The community is real... 01/06/2009