Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Lauren Anderson Freeman Staff WAUKESHA — Every year, the scenario plays out like clockwork. Heaters and fur naces tur n on. Dust particles start flying. The sneezing commences. While these cold months may be filled with sniffles, itching and wheezing for those experiencing season- al allergies, schools and medical professionals haven't seen a particular spike in cases this winter. "I can't say I've seen this year being particularly worse," said Dr. Carla Meis- ter, an internist at West- brook Clinic in Waukesha with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wiscon- sin. "But people who have indoor allergies notice a huge increase during the winter months." December attendance lev- els in the Waukesha School District were on par with the previous year, Director of Student Services Sharon Thiede said. But for those experienc- ing the annoyance of indoor allergies, there are steps to make it more bear- able, Meister said. The main triggers of indoor allergy symptoms include dust mites, mold and animal fur, so washing fabric coverings regularly with hot water can help mitigate the problem. "Washing bedding, pillow cases, mattress covers, and blankets in hot water week- ly can reduce allergen counts," Meister said. Upholstery and rugs can also be a reservoir for dust mites. "If people have the option of minimizing carpeted areas, that can help as well," Meister said. Other recommendations include installing air puri- fiers or house filtration sys- tems and taking over-the- counter medications. "As with anything, they should first talk to their primary care doctor if they have concerns about aller- gies," Meister said. A distinguishing charac- teristic of allergies com- pared to the flu or cold is the duration of the symp- toms. The latter will usual- ly last between three and seven days, while allergies will likely last longer. "Usually those with indoor allergies will also experience symptoms like an itchy nose or eyes or throat that those with cold or flu don't," Meister said. Cases of the flu and cold also are consistent with previous years, Meister said. Annual vaccinations, good hand-washing prac- tices, adequate amounts of sleep and quality nutrition are among the best preven- tive measures to keep those illnesses at bay, Meister said. Email: landerson@conleynet.com By Chris Bennett Special to The Freeman WAUKESHA — The mar- ket for home buyers is going to get hot as tempera- tures rise. It is no secret that the housing market during a Wisconsin winter slows to the speed of ice moving across a parking lot. Most buyers and sellers don't want to deal with Jack Frost when trying to woo the Jacks and Jills. It is best to start prepar- ing now if you want to put your house up for sale in the late winter or spring months, which is when the market typically thaws. "What you should be thinking about is timing," Bonnie Malcore said. "Tim- ing is important, as far as putting houses on the mar- ket." Malcore is an associate vice president and real estate agent at Shorewest Realtors, and has worked out of Shorewest's Brook- field and Waukesha office at 21675 East Moreland Blvd. in Waukesha for 37 years. "When we start seeing a big increase in action, as far as Web hits, is March," said Malcore."March and April are our two biggest months. A lot of people are coming to market during that time." Easter is early this year — it falls on March 20 — and Malcore said that date will drive houses to market earlier than usual. "We're going to see people get spring fever a bit early this year," Malcore said. "You should really try to get your house in order if you want to be out there." Start by gathering any paperwork relevant to your home if you decide your house is going on the mar- ket. Paperwork includes receipts, service orders, check stubs, invoices and maintenance records — anything. "Many people make the mistake of saying 'It was four years ago' and look at a receipt and it was seven (years ago)," Malcore said. Paperwork can be used to show the age of recent improvements — perhaps you finished the basement. It can verify the age of the furnace and air condition- ing units, and more. Be sure to also locate your title insurance policy and home owner's association papers, if applicable. You might also see if you have exterior photos of your home from when there was no snow on the ground. You might also consider getting the furnace and air conditioning units ser- viced, depending on the weather. At this point, find all of your cleaning supplies — it's time to get the place looking immaculate, inside and out. "You need to clean," Mal- core said. "You need to declutter. You need to repair anything if it needs repair and you haven't repaired it. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, paint it." Shampoo the carpets, wash the windows, move all the furniture and clean — clean every surface in the home. Once everything is cleaned it is OK to contact a realtor and do a walk- through together of the property. At that point the realtor can offer staging suggestions and also advise which pieces of furniture or other items might need to be stored. You also need to prepare to photograph your house in the best possible light. To that end, make sure all the light bulbs function. "It really needs to be physically ready," Malcore said. "In today's market, the pictures are crucial." Think of all of this as convincing someone to go on a date with your house — a long, expensive date. You need to make a strong first impression, both online and in person, and you need to have an answer for any question that might arise during the selling pro- cess. "Your first 30 days on the market are crucial," Mal- core said. "You will get your highest and best offer in the first 30 days. Your first showing is online and your second showing is when they walk through the door." Page 2B • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove FEBRUARY 2016 EHO FEATURE PROPERTY BROOKFIELD 18905 Chimney Rock Court $775,000 PIN 36825 LUXURY PORTFOLIO BROOKFIELD 20860 Bradford Lane $995,000 PIN 30155 LUXURY PORTFOLIO BROOKFIELD 19535 Avondale Drive $625,000 BROOKFIELD 21885 W. North Ave. $478,500 PIN 40205 BROOKFIELD 4785 Old Church Road $349,900 PIN 19375 $1 BILLION CAREER SALES • $67 MILLION SOLD IN 2015 MARK PATTON • JAMES RICCABONI PAT BITTERBERG • STEVE BAUMAN LUXURY PORTFOLIO 247790008 262/289-2822 patton@shorewest.com BITTERBERGGROUP@SHOREWEST.COM DO YOU NEED ROUND-THE-CLOCK CARE? Are you living alone, feeling isolated and depressed, at risk of falling, need home-cooked meals, or help when you shower? Has your doctor said that you need 24-hour care after surgery or rehab? IT'S YOUR CHOICE You can choose to have your own personal caregiver so you can remain in the home you love, surrounded by all the comforts of home. LOOK TO COMFORT KEEPERS ® Comfort Keepers hires only the best Mission-based caregivers who are screened, bonded, and insured - and continuously trained. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN REST ASSURED All taxes and insurance for our caregivers is paid by us. Exploitation is avoided. Protect your home, your belongings, and yourself! 24-HOUR-A-DAY LIVE-IN SERVICE You can choose to have 2-3 personal caregivers per week - at up to half the cost of an hourly service. HOSPICE SERVICE AT HOME We work hand-n-hand with Hospice Nurses, assuring you and your family members the dignity and respect during this difficult stage of life. We provide Hoyer Lift training, when mobility is limited. INTERACTIVE CAREGIVING ™ COORDINATORS We'll work with your family to help ensure that our caregivers meet your expectations. When health changes occur, our ICCs keep you abreast of those changes. COMFORT KEEPERS IS A SODEXO BRAND Comfort Keepers is rated #1 in the Senior Care category by Entrepreneur magazine. The Mellers' Comfort Keepers offices promise to treat you as one of our own family members. 248271018 Keeping the Comforts of Home ™ 414-858-9400 Waukesha & Milwaukee Counties. Keeping the Comforts of Home ComfortKeepers.com ©2015 CK Franchising, Inc. • Most offices independently owned and operated IN BRIEF Planning ahead of the housing market thaw Tips for getting your home ready to sell in late winter or spring Freeman file photo Getting everything in order before you list your house will help it sell more quickly. Getting ill as temperatures drop But doctors, schools say number of winter sickness cases this year is typical R.A. Smith National names new associates BROOKFIELD —R.A. Smith National, a multi-dis- ciplined civil and structural engineering and surveying firm headquartered in Brookfield, has named John Frydrych, Stephan Hoff- mann, Chris Stamborski and Chuck Stevens as new associ- ates. Frydrych is the eastern regional manager in R.A. Smith National's Oakmont, Pa., office. Hoffmann is the director of transportation at the firm's Brookfield head- quarters. Stamborski is the assistant director of municipal ser- vices at the firm's Brookfield headquarters. Stevens is the director of marketing at the firm's Brookfield headquar- ters. The associate program at R.A. Smith National was cre- ated to provide recognition and reward to employees who have consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership, performance, unwavering dedication, loy- alty and support for the prin- ciples, philosophies and goals of the firm. Fiserv expands further into Canada new accounts BROOKFIELD — Fiserv, Inc. announced it has expanded its reach into Canada by getting contracts for its software with three credit unions in British Columbia. The credit unions selected Choose DNA for Core Account Processing from the Brookfield-based provider of financial services technolo- gy. All three credit unions needed an account process- ing platform with an open architecture and person-cen- tric data model providing the flexibility to address mem- bers' changing needs. Walker approves $3.8 million in projects at airport WAUKESHA — On Jan. 14, Gov. Scott Walker announced approval of three projects at General Mitchell Interna- tional Airport totaling $3,810,650. The projects will rehabili- tate pavement and a portion of a perimeter fence and replace aging airfield guid- ance signage at the Milwau- kee airport. Wendy Hottenstein, air- port project manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said a $2.2 million project will rehabili- tate 30-year-old pavement along the 5,535-foot Runway 13/31. An approximately $1.4 million project will rehabili- tate the 8,300-foot Runway 7R/25L, the shoulder portion of the 9,990-foot Runway 1L/19R and replace airfield guidance signage. A $200,659 project will rehabilitate a portion of perimeter fence to bring it up to federal stan- dards. Mitchell Field has five paved runways that accom- modate more than 100,000 flights and about 6.5 million commercial passengers annually. The funding for the pro- jects will be divided between different entities with the state providing $491,331, Mil- waukee County supplying $491,332 and the Federal Avi- ation Administration offer- ing $2,827,987. The three projects are anticipated to be completed by this summer.

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