Excerpts from "Selling Later" by Wendy Gilch. As the NAR settlement dust settles, brokerages have begun to fall into two distinct camps: those in camp one that are embracing transparency and true fee negotiation, and those in camp two that are scrambling to protect the old system and keep commissions “average” or “standard.” Camp #1: “Just Ask With the Offer” These brokerages don’t set buyer agent commissions in advance. Instead, they tell buyers to negotiate their agent’s fe

We’re closing in on the end of the year so it's realtor award season. There will be billboards. There will be banners. There will be...

I've seen a lot of moves. It is one of THE MOST stressful parts of buying or selling a home. So, I’ve gone ahead and compiled 18 of my...

Your offer to purchase can have many contingencies. There are 3 contingencies that are major protection for buyers. I NEVER recommend waiving them. The Wisconsin State Offer To Purchase along with it’s disclosures and addendums, is really, really long. There are pages of legal jargon. I recommend to all of my buyers that they review it before getting serious about making an offer on a home. Buyer's Agents help their buyers with this. For Sale By Owner Sellers and Buyers shoul

You want to see a property but your agent tells you it already has an offer. You take that off your list of properties to see. But did you know you can write an offer "in secondary"? Why Are There Secondary Offers? If there is more than one interested party a seller has to commit to just one buyer but there are a lot of reasons a buyer might not complete the purchase and the smart seller wants a backup offer in case that happens. The smart buyer wants to put themselves in sec

We are spending more time in our homes. That means more time in the kitchen! Some of you are fed up and are ready to buy a home with a...

Design color trends come and go. Currently, grey, the interior color trend, is on its way out. From my real estate agent’s perspective, I’m thrilled. It is hard to write a property description for homes that are a study in grey. There are only so many ways to describe the industrial look of exposed pipes, concrete finishes, metal accents, and ammunition-colored walls. Thankfully, softer, more welcoming spaces that feel filled with character and warmth are the new ‘in.’ And th

Selling your home is a big step, and with so much at stake, it's crucial to start off on the right foot. Whether you're a seasoned seller or it's your first time navigating the real estate market, taking the right initial steps can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and successful sale. Here are the five most important things you should do first to set yourself up for success. Tip #1 -Find your realtor I know. This sounds a bit self-serving, but selecting the Realto