wisconsin Archives - Six Lakes Realty

5 New Year’s Resolutions to Help You Buy a Home in Chetek WI

January 11, 2019 by John F Leave a Comment

If you haven’t yet sat down to make a list of new year’s resolutions for 2019, what better time is there than now? It’s always a fun exercise to take stock of your goals for the year ahead and make a plan on how to achieve them. For many in Wisconsin, you might find that they are personal or health related, but one of your big resolutions or goals might be buying a home!

There are dozens of steps to take to successfully become a homeowner in 2019 and as your local real estate experts in Chetek, Six Lakes Realty is happy to help you make that a reality! Below are 5 new year’s resolutions to make in order to buy a Chetek WI home in the new year:

Eliminate indulgences
It might not be your favorite route toward homeownership, but cutting indulgences can be a quick and simple way to save for a down payment. For instance, could you stand to cut cable and instead use Netflix? Or on the same note, is there a streaming service you could cancel? You might want to cut dining out and your morning coffee runs, instead packing your lunch and brewing coffee at home. These little indulgences can mean big savings if they’re avoided!

Start a home savings account
You can’t save specifically for your home if you don’t have anywhere for it to go! Open a savings account specifically for your new home. Get into the habit of making weekly or monthly deposits—whatever you can afford—and watch your down payment grow!

Do a mortgage test run
The only way to truly know if you can swing being a homeowner in the Chetek area is to do a test run. Try saving like a homeowner—meaning you set aside your monthly housing expenses and an amount for your emergency fund—and see if you can live with your new budget. 10% of your mortgage payment is a good rule of thumb to account for maintenance fees, so start there.

Pay all bills on time
There is nothing that can raise a red flag quicker to a lender than unpaid bills. If you intend to get approved for a mortgage in 2019, it is best to make sure you pay all of your bills on time. Not only does this keep your credit score high, but it shows lenders you are capable of managing a monthly payment.

Visit open houses
This may seem counterintuitive if you’re not yet ready to buy a home in Wisconsin, but attending open houses allows you to see what properties are available in your price range. This gives you a more realistic approach to the market and could even motivate you to save more!

Six Lakes Realty looks forward to helping you with your home search and finding your dream property this year! Give us a call today for next steps on getting started or for a list of available properties in the area.

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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What Not to Do When Staging Your Chetek Home

December 31, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

We recently shared How to Stage Your Chetek Home During the Winter and this week we’re taking it one step further by sharing exactly what you should avoid when setting the scene for buyers in your Chetek WI home. Remember, staging can go a long way as staged properties oftentimes sell quicker and for more money than those that skip this step. However, that is only if you do it correctly.

As your local real estate experts in the Chetek area, you can count on Six Lakes Realty to walk you through every step of the home selling process— including staging. Below are five things to avoid when staging your Wisconsin home in the new year:

Do Not: Over-design the home
The best mindset to adopt when selling your Chetek WI home is to keep it simple. Even though you think the home would look great by filling every corner with trinkets and knick knacks, it’s best that you leave it clean and neutral. Buyers will want to envision themselves living there and it can be difficult when every room is filled to the brim with decor and furnishings.

Do Not: Use the wrong size furniture
If you have a beautiful, sprawling dining room or open living space, use your furniture wisely when staging. For example, try to avoid placing a small sofa in a grand space. You may think this creates the illusion of more space, but in fact, it tells the buyers that it could be difficult to decorate or that there isn’t enough room to live in the space. Think about the size of your furniture thoroughly before staging.

Do Not: Close doors
Remember that buyers are not familiar with your Wisconsin home. They don’t know that the closed door is not just a closet, but the stairway to the basement. Open the doors before buyers arrive to view your home to ensure they are getting the best impression of the property.

Do Not: Be too artificial
As I mentioned above, you want buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your Chetek area home, so refrain from using too many artificial decor elements. Faux plants and fruit give the illusion that a home is cold and not easily lived in. Do your best to incorporate real plants to give off cozy, realistic vibes.

Do Not: Be too neutral
In the same way that over-designing is wrong when staging your Northwestern Wisconsin home, so too is over-neutralizing. It is true that a neutral palette will appeal to the most buyers, but your home should also have unique characteristics that allow it to stand out in a buyer’s mind. Now that doesn’t mean that you should paint a wall a bold red hue, but it is fine to bring in subtle pops of color here and there.

Do not hesitate to reach out to Six Lakes Realty to help your home attract the most buyers this coming year.

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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5 Things Not to Do When Buying a Home in Chetek WI

December 14, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

Buying a home in Chetek can be an overwhelming decision, especially if it’s your first time navigating the real estate market. And since this is likely the largest purchase you will ever make, it’s important that you try to avoid the common mistakes that homebuyers have encountered before you. That’s where Six Lakes Realty comes in! We have included a list below of five things not to do when buying a home, so you can enjoy a smooth process and settle into your new Wisconsin home with no worries!

Don’t shop without an agent
Navigating the real estate market can be tricky, so why go it alone? Work with one of our expert agents at Six Lakes Realty and let us be your guide to homes for sale in Chetek WI. You will want an agent who has your best interests in mind, who knows the in’s and out’s of the market, and has the knowledge of the industry to find you the best home, at the best possible price, in the most efficient amount of time. Buying a home can be a full-time job in itself if you consider all of the parties involved in the transaction, so it never hurts to leave it to the pros!

Don’t ignore your budget
One of the worst things you can do when shopping for homes is ignoring your budget and looking at homes you cannot afford. Not only does this waste your time and your agent’s time, but it gives you unrealistic expectations. First you’ll need to get pre-approved with a lender, then move on to your home search when you know exactly how much home you can afford. When you know what your budget is, stick to it! You won’t be disappointed down the road.

Don’t meet with just one lender
In order to get pre-approved for a home loan, you’ll need to meet with a lender. You will provide documentation such as tax returns, income statements, and proof of funds for your downpayment before you go move forward with the buying process. While it may seem like a lot of work on your end to provide the necessary paperwork, in this case, it pays to meet with more than one lender. Gather at least three different quotes from lenders before you decide on the best loan for you.

Don’t ignore closing costs
Did you know that the majority of homebuyers in Wisconsin aren’t aware of closing costs? Now is the time to research how much you may owe at closing, which could be anywhere from one to seven percent of the purchase price of the home. We’ve talked in the past about Who Pays What and even Which Costs Can Be Negotiated, but you’ll want to be aware of these additional costs or you could risk being blindsided before you can get your keys.

Don’t make unreasonable lowball offers
Every homebuyer wants to get a great deal on a property, but that does not mean you should make the lowest offer possible. Not only will your offer likely be outbid by someone else, but the seller may not even counter yours back. According to real estate industry resource Inman, the third largest mistake people make when buying a home is offering too little for a property.

Not sure where to start in the home buying process? Give Six Lakes Realty a call! We’re happy to answer any questions you have about homebuying as well as provide a list of homes for sale in Chetek.

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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How to Stage Your Chetek WI Home During the Winter

November 30, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

The temperatures have dropped and there’s no doubt about it, winter is nearly here in Chetek WI! However, that shouldn’t stop you from selling your property and moving on to your next dream home just in time for the new year. There are still plenty of ways to help find a buyer for your home during these colder months and as your local experts, we’ve outlined a few of them for you below!

If you’re selling your Chetek WI home this winter, here are 5 helpful tips for staging your property and grabbing buyer interest!

Add winter decor
There is no harm in adding winter decor to boost your property’s curb appeal, just make sure it is simple and classic. Aim for a holiday wreath or greenery outdoors, clear shoveled pathways, and even a few strands of white lights. And of course, it’s always nice to freshen up the exterior with a fresh coat of paint for your front door.

Create a warm atmosphere
Once buyers are inside, you’ll want to create a warm, inviting atmosphere— that begins with turning up the heat! Now is not the time to turn down the thermostat in an attempt to save on your heating bill, or at least not when buyers are present. You’ll also want to take care to seal up any drafts around windows or doors.

Start the fireplace
If you have a fireplace in your Chetek WI home, highlight it! Buyers will love seeing a fire lit this time of year and it also adds to that warm atmosphere mentioned above. No matter if it’s wood-burning or gas, you’re helping to fuel buyer visions of entertaining and making holiday memories.

Try a seasonal scent or music
It’s always best to keep the scents subtle when selling your Chetek WI home, but during the winter, aim for notes of evergreen or cinnamon to warm up the place. You might even want to turn on light, seasonal tunes when buyers are touring your property, something like holiday jazz or classic holiday carols are a safe bet for creating an overall holiday mood.

Set the holiday table
While you won’t want to get carried away with holiday decor indoors when selling your Wisconsin home, setting the table for festive gatherings can go a long way for today’s buyers. By doing so, they will be able to envision themselves hosting friends and family in the dining room or in your kitchen. Consider placing a seasonal arrangement on the table or on an island if your kitchen offers one.

Let Six Lakes Realty be your guide to selling your Chetek area home successfully and help you find your next place! Give us a call today for more information about available homes in the area, or for next steps on listing your Chetek WI home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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5 Things in Your Chetek WI Home That Might Turn Away Buyers

November 15, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, selling your home during the holidays can be a great idea and just as lucrative as selling during the spring and summer months! However, that’s only if your Chetek WI property is well prepared for the market. There are dozens of ways to spruce up your Chetek area home before listing, including removing the common items that have been known to turn buyers away!

If you’re thinking about selling your Chetek home this year or in 2019, you may want to consider removing the following items:

Collectibles
Do you have a stamp collection or love to display holiday collectibles? You might want to consider storing them away until your home is sold. Many collections on display can read as clutter to buyers and ultimately turn them away. All is well while your home is off the market, but as soon as you’re ready to move, it’s best to pack them up.

Pet damage
Everyone loves their pet, but remember that not all buyers are pet fans like you might be. If you have noticed pet damage like scratched floors or stained carpet, consider having them re-finished or re-done prior to listing.

Bugs
Tis the season to find bugs inside of your Chetek WI home, even just friendly ladybugs! But that doesn’t mean you should let them roam while buyers are inside! Take care to remove any sign of bugs as buyers will quickly get the wrong impression that the home isn’t as clean as it should be.

Odors
Whether pet or food-related, odors can quickly send buyers running for the door. Be aware of what you are cooking before a showing and even pause on lighting strong scented candles. Not all buyers love the same aromas you do and having a strong scent in your home can turn them off with little effort.

Personal photos
It’s true— de-personalizing your Chetek WI home can help it sell. Buyers ultimately want to envision themselves living in the property which can be difficult to do when your photos and personal items are displayed. Consider storing your personal photos before buyers arrive to tour the home— you can always bring them back out afterward!

Contact Six Lakes Realty today for more ideas on preparing your property for the market, as well as finding your home’s current value! We are happy to answer all of your questions and help you find your next dream home!

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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Should You Sell Your Chetek WI Home During the Holidays?

November 3, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

Once the spring and summer seasons have gone, many Chetek WI homeowners are left wondering whether or not they should sell their properties. The short answer? Yes! In today’s real estate market, buyers are constantly searching for homes on their smartphones, computers, and even have set up email alerts when a new home becomes available and meets their criteria.

As we head into the holiday season, it is still an opportune time to list your Chetek WI home and as your local real estate experts, we’ve included a few tips below on making achieving that successful sale!

Give your home online appeal
When you team up with Six Lakes Realty, you can rest assured that your property will have a great online presence— which is key in today’s market! During the colder months, the majority of buyers will be looking for properties online and only head out to view those that intrigue them. It’s important to make sure your listing has clear photos and presents itself in the best possible light online.

Don’t go overboard on decor
Of course it’s fun to decorate for the holidays, but if you’re selling your Chetek home, you may want to scale it back this year. Stay away from holiday inflatables or other large yard ornaments that can distract buyers from the home itself.

Create a cozy feeling
The holidays are a major opportunity to create a cozy feeling and cater to a buyer’s emotional side. After all, buyers shopping for homes this time of year want to envision themselves entertaining for the holidays and staging your home appropriately can do wonders for bringing in offers. Set the table to prompt buyers to think about hosting friends and family and consider adding a Christmas tree to a big picture window.

Play up curb appeal
It is often a home’s exterior that will hook buyers and make them want to look inside. This time of year is excellent for grooming your curb appeal and inviting buyers to the door. Clean your gutters, make sure all pathways are clear of debris, touch up the paint, and perhaps add a holiday wreath to the front door.

Get move-in ready
Moving homes during the holiday season can be stressful for buyers, so make your home as move-in ready as possible. Fix any issues that you know exist, especially any pertaining to HVAC which is essential to have in working order during these colder months. Buyers may be more willing to choose your home if they know they won’t run into any hiccups before or after closing!

Ready to list your home and move on before the end of the year? Give Six Lakes Realty a call today! We’re here to answer all of your home selling questions and look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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How to Start Your Search for Chetek WI Homes

October 19, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

If you’re not fully prepared to navigate the real estate market in Chetek WI, it can be overwhelming— especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. Don’t let your excitement about becoming a homeowner dwindle simply because you’ve not gotten the basics out of the way up front. It helps to know the facts from the beginning of your home search, as well as have a local real estate expert on your side, like our team at Six Lakes Realty!

Below are four ways to start your home search on the right foot in Chetek WI:

Get Pre-approved
This should always be your first step when shopping for homes in Wisconsin. Even if the market begins to slow down, you will be able to better understand your budget and whether or not your dream home is within your reach. Not to mention, this documentation tells sellers that you are serious—and financially able—about following through with the purchase!

Know What to Compromise On
Make a list of what you absolutely need in a home and what you’d be willing to compromise on before you even set out to tour homes in Chetek. Do you need four bedrooms, but would be willing to compromise on the number of bathrooms? Do you need a large backyard, but could do without the updated light fixtures for now? Get these things out of the way first and you’ll enjoy a more streamlined search.

Research Location
Start your home search off in the neighborhoods you’d like to live in. Not only will this save time for both you and your real estate agent—you won’t waste your time touring properties in the wrong areas—but it could allow you to be the first offer on a home you would have otherwise waited to see!

Keep a List of Homes You Like
Once you’ve started to visit properties in Chetek WI, everything can start to feel like a blur. Keep a list of the properties you’ve visited and highlight those you actually like. You may even want to go so far as to make a pro and con list to narrow down the homes further.

Start your home search today with our team at Six Lakes Realty and avoid the common frustration under-prepared buyers feel! Give us a call today for more information about available properties in the City of Lakes!

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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4 Reasons to Buy a Home in Chetek WI This Fall

September 21, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

New season, new opportunity to start fresh in a new Chetek WI home! While you may think of summer as the busy real estate season, that doesn’t mean your time to buy is up once fall rolls around. Now is actually one of the best times to buy a home in the City of Lakes, and as your local real estate experts, we’ve outlined four reasons why below!

Mortgage rates are expected to rise
While they may still be hovering around historic lows, mortgage rates won’t stay this way forever! In fact, 30-year mortgage interest rates have already increased half a percentage point and are expected to rise again over the next 12 months. By this time next year, projections have rates around 5.1% which means you’ll end up paying more for a mortgage if you wait to buy!

Home prices are rising
Many Chetek WI residents are wondering where home prices will go over the next year and the answer is UP! According to CoreLogic’s Home Price Insights report, home prices will continue to rise at a rate of 5% over the next year!

You’re paying a mortgage either way
It may not have occurred to you to think of it in these terms, but no matter if you rent or buy, you’re still paying a mortgage! If you buy a home, it’s your own mortgage, whereas if you rent, you’re paying down your landlord’s mortgage. Homebuyers do have the benefit of building equity once they’re in their new home, which can help you build your family’s wealth, but renters are essentially helping their landlord build his.

Winter is coming
While it’s true that real estate deals are made regardless of the season, you’ll want to take into account that the busy holidays are coming— along with the snow and cold of a Chetek winter! Ask yourself if you’d prefer to take advantage of market conditions now while the weather is still favorable for a move or pack up and move homes when the temperatures aren’t so nice!

Don’t sit around and wait for the market to change with the fall colors, now is the time to act! Give Six Lakes Realty a call today to get started on your Chetek area home search!

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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How to Prep Your Chetek WI Home for Fall

September 7, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

The time is here to start dreaming about cooler weather, changing leaves, and of course, pumpkin decor! Fall is just around the corner, but even if you’ve brought your favorite seasonal wreath out of storage, there are a few more things you’ll want to check off of your Chetek WI homeowner to-do list to ensure your property is ready for the season ahead.

As your local real estate experts in Chetek WI, Six Lakes Realty has rounded up the best tips for preparing your home for fall:

Clean your gutters
There is no doubt that the fall season tends to bring all kinds of debris to our yards— from leaves to small branches galore! That is why it’s so important to clean out your gutters now, in order to make room for the rainfall ahead and allow for proper drainage instead of wreaking havoc on your Chetek WI home‘s siding or interior walls!

Store furniture and tools
It is not uncommon for the City of Lakes to see summer-like temperatures through the end of September, so keep an eye on the weather to determine the best time to put away your outdoor furniture and garden tools. Once you’ve determined their final use date for the year, consider investing in a cover to shield your outdoor table and chairs from the elements and storing garden tools in the garage or shed.

Repair cracks
Did you know that even if you have minor cracks in your sidewalk or driveway, they can expand once water sets in and freezes? What may be a small crack now could be a much bigger one by the new year! Make sure you seal these cracks now to avoid water pooling and expanding.

Inspect HVAC
The last thing you want when you need to reach for the heat is to learn that your HVAC system isn’t running properly because you didn’t have it serviced. Call to make an appointment now with your HVAC professional to get a pro opinion on your unit and make sure it’s ready to run overtime during the colder months ahead. Don’t delay— you might find yourself on a waiting list!

Seal windows and doors
Once you’ve done the step above and called your HVAC pro, the next thing you’ll want to do is seal the gaps around windows and doors to keep warm air in. You can feel for these gaps with just your hand, noticing any breeze, or look closely for signs of daylight or pesky household bugs that may be coming inside through such gaps.

The fall is a great time to considering selling your current home and moving on to your next dream home! Give Six Lakes Realty a call today with questions or for more information!

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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What You Should Know Before Accepting an Offer on Your Chetek WI Home

August 24, 2018 by John F Leave a Comment

Every home seller in Chetek wants top dollar for their property— but how do you know what that offer comes along? Especially if you have more than one offer on the table, it’s important to consider a variety of factors from the contingencies to the earnest money to ensure you’re making the best possible decision. As your local real estate experts in the City of Lakes, we have included four areas you should research further before accepting—or rejecting—an offer on your Chetek WI home.

Earnest Money
Before you can accept an offer on your home, look closely at the amount of earnest money the buyer is including. This is the amount that the buyer is willing to include with their offer that shows how serious they are about making the sale. The typical amount of earnest money is between $500 and $2000 in our market and if the buyer should decide to walk away, the seller has a good chance to receive the earnest money deposit as damages. One way to look at this deposit is the higher the earnest money amount, the stronger the offer.

Contingencies
This is one of the most important areas to inspect on any offer that comes in for your Chetek home. For instance, you may have a buyer that offers a lesser amount with no contingencies, but another that offers asking or higher with a home sale or home inspection contingency. Before you can determine which is best, you’ll need to note the different types:

Home Sale Contingency
When a buyer needs to sell their current home before they can purchase yours.
Home Inspection Contingency
Allows the buyer to have the home inspected and request repairs made before a certain date.
Home Appraisal Contingency
The property’s value must be assessed by a third party before the sale to determine the home is worth enough to cover the cost of the mortgage.
Financing Contingency
Allows the buyer time to obtain financing through a lender and protection in case their loan isn’t approved.

Cash Offers
If a homebuyer is making an all cash offer, you immediately jump over the hurdle of financing— which can take time to obtain and slow down the overall process if the buyer runs into any problems with their lender.

Closing Date
If you have a particular date you need to be out of your Chetek WI home, you may want to focus on the closing date. Some buyers will proceed with the standard 30 day close, but perhaps you would like a 60 day close. Decide which timeline works best for you and then base your decision on which offer’s closing date would align well. Remember, even if you have a strong offer, but this date is off for you, you can always counter!

Give Six Lakes Realty a call today for more information about selling your home in Chetek or for helpful tips on preparing your property for the market.

We look forward to hearing from you!

John Flor
Managing Broker
Six Lakes Realty
Office: (715) 924-4806
Email: john@sixlakesrealty.com

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