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Lisa Bieri CDPE GRI RRS SRES
Coldwell Banker
The Real Estate Group, Inc.
7734 Hwy 42, PO Box 497
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin 54209
1-800-377-0177 ext 22
Are You a First-Time Buyer? Get My Free Guide
Buying your first home is a big step and one that is likely to impact your financial future for years to come.
Make the process easier for yourself by asking for my free guide, "How First-Timers Can Make a Wise Buy."
Just reply to this email and I'll send it right out to you.
Door County
Quick Quiz
Each month I’ll give you a new question.
Just reply to this email for the answer.
What is Door County’s total acreage? How many acres are state parks, how many are in town and county parks?
Fun Links You Can
Find At HomeInDoorCounty.com
Door County was named the best place in the Midwest to view fall color. Click on the Blog tab and follow the link to watch the Door County clip on the NBC Today Show.
You can also view my Door County Style photos on my Blog. Check it out.
On the home page click on the Real People link to see fun interviews with Door County visitors. This link changes periodically.
Listen to my monthly Door County Real Estate Podcast. Look for the link at the top of any page.
And of course you can see my Door County Best Buy listings, search the whole MLS and find lots of Door County information.
Things To Do This Month In Door County
Summer may be over, but there are lots of things to do this October in the Door:
Segway Tour Through Peninsula State Park through 10/31/2009
Trolley Ghost Tour through 10/31. Pickup at the Orchard Country Winery
Haunted Olde Sturgeon Bay Trolley Tour through 10/31. Pickup at Stone Harbor Resort.
American Folklore Theatre's, Guys & Dolls through 10/24.
Wine Camp
Prelude to Wine at Stone's Throw Winery on 10/24.
The Day The Music Died at Door County Community Auditorium 10/24.
Ellison Bay Fall Art Crawl 10/24 and 10/25.
Door County Fall 50 Distance Run at Peninsula State Park on 10/24.
Lotion & Lip Balm making class at Saquaro Day Spa on 10/26.
Haunted Trolley Pub Crawl at various pubs & taverns around the county on 10/30 and 10/31.
Email me at Lisa@LisaBieri.com for more details on any of these fun things to do!
Gone All Day Stew
Ingredients:
· 1/2 cup flour
· 2 lbs boneless beef chuck trimmed & cut into one inch cubes
· 2tblsp canola oil
· 1 10.75 oz can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
· 1 cup water or red wine
· 2 beef bouillon cubes
· 3 tsp Italian seasoning
· 1 bay leaf
· 1/2 tsp ground pepper
· 6 onions, white or yellow, cut into quarters
· 4 potatoes cut into 1 1/2 inch slices
· 3 carrots, but into 1 inch slices
· 12 large fresh mushroom
· 1/2 cup sliced celery
Directions
Place flour in a Ziploc bag, add beef a few pieces at a time, shake & coat
In large skillet brown the meat, drain. Transfer to a 5-qt slow cooker. Combine the tomato soup, water or wine, bouillon, seasoning, bay leaf and pepper; pour the soup mixture over the beef. Add the onions, carrots, mushrooms and sliced celery.
Cover and cook the stew on low for 4-5 hours or until the meat is tender. Discard the bay leaf. Serve with hot, cooked noodles or French bread.
Ask the Agent
I'm concerned my house will not appear spacious enough for today's buyers. What can I do?
Get rid of clutter: This is probably the most important secret to increasing the illusion of space. Remove items you don't need from surfaces, particularly in the kitchen. Keep shelves tidy and not stuffed with books and ornaments.
Remove some furniture: Potential buyers need to be able to walk around your house without bumping into chairs and tables. Put some furniture into storage until you move. Leave a path through your rooms that buyers can walk through.
Organize closets: Make sure
you've tidied your closets. Invest in an organizing system, if necessary. Remove clothing that you're not likely to wear from your closets.
Clean up the garage: People want to know they can fit a car (or two) in the garage and still have room for storing their possessions. So clear out your garage and neatly organize everything that must stay in there.
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Wondering How Much Your Door County Property is Worth?
How has the price of your property changed in today's market? How much are other properties in your neighborhood selling for?
If you're wondering what's happening to prices in your area, or you're thinking about selling your house, I'll be able to help.
Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.
I won't try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.
I'll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value.
And maybe I'll also give you the "inside scoop" on what's happening in the housing market near where you live!
Just give my office a call at 1-800-377-0177 ext. 22;
Log onto: www.DoorCountyMarketValues.com;
Send me an email at: Lisa@LisaBieri.com to schedule an appointment.
What You Need to Know About Foreclosure
Sellers, It's Not Your Only Option
Buyers, Work With A Realtor Who Understands
This Complex Scenario
If it seems like foreclosures and short sales have suddenly exploded in the real estate arena, it's not your imagination. And we do have our share in Door County.
Sellers, foreclosure is not your only option. If you act early you may be able to avoid foreclosure. Call me today, your call will remain completely confidential and we can explore how to get your property sold so that you can start on the road to recovery.
Buyers, sometimes properties facing foreclosure or that are bank owned offer wonderful opportunities. Sometimes the path to purchase if filled with pitfalls.
Once considered relatively rare, short sales have become a common phenomenon in the past 18 months, thanks in large part to the banking and mortgage crisis.
To find out if you can benefit from a short sale, here's some helpful information about the practice.
What Is a Short Sale?
Short sales occur when the bank and seller agree to a purchase price for real estate that is less than the original mortgage amount and does not cover the entire cost of the existing debt obligation.
Who Benefits?
Depending upon how the deal is structured, everyone can benefit from a short sale.
The seller benefits from the ability to save his or her credit rating and avoid bankruptcy or face a mountain of debt, the buyer benefits from acquiring a property at below market price, and the lender benefits from a sure sale that reduces the risk of a property going to auction or of having to foot the bill for foreclosure and additional expenses.
Considerations and Consequences
Short sales are not without consequences, so take time to carefully weigh all options before making a decision.
Sellers need to carefully review the terms prior to signing a final contract.
Some lenders expect the seller to make up the difference between the selling price and the full amount of the original mortgage.
Buyers should also proceed with caution, as many properties have additional liens, deferred maintenance, back taxes or other expensive fees that become the obligation of the buyer.
Additionally, short sales may require substantial time before obtaining final approval, which can make it difficult to lock in favorable rates or result in the loss of other prospective properties.
I have studied to earn the Certified and Distressed Properties Expert designation, call me. Sellers, I can show you how foreclosure is not the only option and how you can get on the road to recovery. Buyers, purchasing proeprty is a complex matter, foreclosures and short sales add to that complexity. I can guide you through the process.
Call me at : 1-800-377-0177, ext. 22
Email me at Lisa@LisaBieri.com
Want to search for properties? Search the whole MLS at: www.HomeInDoorCounty.com
The Seven Secrets to Relaxation
While it might seem counterintuitive to practice how to relax, research shows it is possible to dramatically reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure and even aid healing by learning a few simple techniques.
Visit Door County. You know that Door County is a great place to relax, so plan a late-fall visit soon. Stop at the farm market for some apples--or better yet spend a couple of hours in the orchard picking your own, walk in the woods, and enjoy the first fire-in-the-fireplace of the season. While you're here, stop at a local bookstore and view the wide selection of "Door County" books--everything from picture books to ghost stories. If romance and fiction is your preference, try The Door to Loveby Nancy Sweetland. And in keeping with the Halloween season, you might enjoy Ghosts of Door County.
Remember to Laugh. Scientists have found that laughter produces a cascade of chemical changes that can actually aid healing. Take time to laugh and smile at every opportunity. It's good for the body and soul. You can catch the very funny, Guys & Does, at the American Folklore Theatre until October 24th. www.folkloretheatre.com
Get a Grip. Researchers investigating a new way to reduce G-force blackouts among pilots discovered it was possible to lower blood pressure simply by focusing upon one's hand grip. The Zona Plus is a popular device, but similar systems are also available. Before you run out to buy this device, try some time in the Door!
Schedule a Siesta. Establishing a regular routine of sleep is nearly as important as how many hours you rest. Rather than fighting fatigue with caffeine or other chemicals, schedule a power nap early in the afternoon. With all there is to do in Door County you won't have trouble dozing off for that afternoon nap.
Talk. Anxiety, anger and other emotional factors often undermine our ability to fully relax. Stop playing it all back in your mind, and learn how to constructively talk about your feelings. Psychologists report it's the best way to facilitate emotional health and decrease stress. An afternoon at one of our local coffee shops, restaurants or taverns will put you in touch with some really interesting people. You'll forget all about any anger or anxiety you feel. Two great places to meet people are Mike's Port Pub in Jacksonport or the Bayside in Fish Creek.
Walk. Taking a 10-minute walk is a great way to stay in shape and reduce tension throughout the day. Visit on of our county or state parks and you'll want to walk for far longer than 10-minutes.
Watch Your Diet. Avoid stimulants like sugar, caffeine and other chemicals. Give your body the nutrition it really needs to stay in shape.
Adopt a Pet. They make great companions and can help you relax. It's difficult to feel anxious when greeted by the unconditional love and adoration of your favorite four-legged friend.
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Quick and Easy Fixes to Spruce Up Your Kitchen
Home is where the heart is, but everyone knows that the heart of a home is the kitchen. It should come as no surprise, then, that the kitchen is one of the most important considerations prospective buyers have in mind when evaluating property.
Use these quick and easy kitchen fixes to add interest and obtain top dollar for your property without breaking the bank.
Lighten Up. Older homes frequently suffer from low-light conditions, ugly light fixtures and power-hungry appliances. Replace unappealing tungsten bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights for an instant update that looks great and saves money. Invest in up-to-date appliances that improve performance and save money with energy-efficient settings, antibacterial wash modes and enhanced water filtration.
Counter-offer.Replacing countertops and freshening cabinets can be a relatively low-cost way to update your kitchen. Many hardwood cabinets can be easily restored with a coat of paint or quick varnish. Combine this with a new countertop, you can achieve a totally refreshed appearance without the high price. Add some stylish knobs and pulls to complete the look.
Don't Throw Money Down the Drain. Here's a quick and easy do-it-yourself job that just about anyone can tackle. Replace that ugly, worn-out faucet with a shiny new fixture to instantly update a focal point of any kitchen. It takes very little time, ensures a sleek new look and eliminates drips and other common faucet problems.
Sellers, get more home selling tips at http://www.homeindoorcounty.com/seller-resources/seller-tips
Simple Steps to Reinvent Your Career
Re-inventing your career in a tough economy isn't easy, but it can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you're going solo for the first time or simply planning to pursue greener pastures, these simple steps provide a firm foundation.
Focus on the Future. Don't allow your mind to wander or worry about the past. Instead, focus on the future both mentally and emotionally. Create a blueprint with clearly defined action steps and target dates designed to jump-start your plan.
Take Stock. Make a list of assets that can be used to accomplish your goals. Everything from equipment and education to networking opportunities should be included. Prior accomplishments, experience and skills should be clearly detailed, as should making a list of any known deficiencies.
Invest in Yourself. Change always provides an opportunity for investing in your own success. Whether you simply need to brush up on a few skills or retrain entirely, don't skimp when it comes to investing in your own education or training. Consider alternative arrangements such as online learning, an apprenticeship or even volunteer opportunities to fill in the gaps while obtaining valuable experience at a fraction of the cost.
Get the Word Out. People can be helpful. Ex-employers are often happy to provide testimonials, while friends and family can provide valuable feedback about opportunities. Most important, learn how to actually ask for help.
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