Waukesha County Home

Tips for buyers and sellers Looking to jump into the hous- ing market this spring? Nancy Kurtz Hamm, real estate broker and owner of Kurtz Realty LLC offered the following tips: Buyers ■ Talk to a lender first so you know exactly what you can afford. If you were shopping pre- viously when mortgage interest rates were lower, look for an updated pre-approval matching your budget. ■ Work with a Realtor and be ready to move and be flexible. ■ Outline priorities. Hamm has had some buyers widen the geographic area where they are looking or consider properties with some of the features they most need. With remote work still occurring for some workers, Hamm has had clients able to look at properties in a bigger radius. Sellers ■ Have a plan of action. "Figure out what you're going to do next. Be aware of where you're going to go," said Hamm, who said owners who are selling should be prepared for their home to sell quickly. Inspections While some are waiv- ing inspections due to market conditions, Hamm advises all of her clients to include them. She sees inspections as beneficial for both the buyer, to know what the property needs, and the seller, who may not be aware of all issues related to the home. "An inspection is good for both sides," said Hamm, who said there are ways to write an offer with an inspection that will appeal to both parties. One example is the buyer offers to waive a certain dollar amount of inspection repairs, according to Hamm. HOME MARCH 2023 2 Distributed by: ©2023 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 12 ■ Number 2 ■ March 2023 Selling fast From Page 1 you refinance," she said. Inventory, inventory, inventory "The bigger problem is still inventory. There are still multiple buyers for every house. People who now have homes at 4% or lower maybe don't want to move," Hamm said. She added that despite the inven- tory trends, she has had successful buyers recently, sometimes making more than one offer but on occasion having a first offer accepted. Scott Bush, the vice president of operations for the Milwaukee Asso- ciation of Realtors, said real estate forecasts are a bit like weather fore- casts, with conditions sometimes differing by region. He described the Milwaukee area market as "responsible and tradi- tional." "We are expecting more of a mar- ket correction," Bush said. "The underpinnings of this market are nowhere near the market of 2008." Bush noted that while mortgage interest rates have risen, they still are not high historically. "There still are plenty of buyers out there. Our members are telling us they still have a lot of people interested in home ownership," Bush said. (StatePoint) — Attending a housewarm- ing is a great way to celebrate a friend's new home, but how do you find the perfect present to accompany the visit? These unique gift ideas are not only bound to make a statement, they're incredibly useful to boot. ■ Fix-it essentials: For practicality at its absolute best, pack up some must-haves for the house. Include a hammer, screwdrivers and some Original Duck Tape brand duct tape to help your friends get all those initial DIY projects handled — and cover bases for any future projects and everyday fixes that may pop up. ■ Plant some love: Flowers are always a great way to brighten a day, but why not offer something that can brighten a space for years to come and grow with the house- hold? Bring over a gorgeous houseplant or orchid for a gift that lasts and makes your friends think of you every time they see it. Tie on a sweet note and a ribbon for a fun, personal touch. ■ Organization must-haves: Create a welcome home gift that will prove useful for years to come. Put together a basket that includes all those essentials we sometimes forget, like high-quality hangers, drawer organizers, rubber bands and paper clips for paperwork. Include additional essen- tials, such as Duck Max Strength Nano- Grab Gel Tape for securing miscellaneous items, photos and temporary seasonal décor, along with EasyLiner Brand Shelf Liner with Clorox for upgraded home organization. ■ Stock the bar: Wine is fine, but why not equip your friends with what they need to entertain in the future? Bring over a favorite spirit, mixer and cocktail recipe book to keep the party going. Round out this gift with a cute set of rocks glasses or drink shaker. ■ Take a photo: In the age of digital pho- tography, you can help make memories more permanent. Bring your newly relocat- ed friends a large empty photo album and toss in a few disposable cameras or instant film camera to start capturing the fun right away. Kick off the entries by including a cute photo of yourself ! Gift giving at a housewarming doesn't have to be stressful. By getting creative with a variety of useful items, you can help make a house a home while making a lasting impression on those you love. Welcome home — unexpectedly useful housewarming gifts Housewarming gift-giving can be practical.

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