Milwaukee Real Estate

Secret Doors!

2008-04-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was a kid I have had a fascination with secret doors. I remember going through my house, searching for the secret entranceway to a passageway I just knew had to be there. Probably the result of too much Scooby Doo. In fact, the closest thing I ever found to a secret passage was the exit to the Safe House in Downtown Milwaukee.

Recently I showed a vacant home in Harambee. One of the people we were with noticed a hole in one of the panels of the dining room. With a little effort, the panel opened up, revealing a small storage area. While this was no secret passage, it was still great to see that 80 years ago someone took the time to install a secret door.

It makes me wonder how many secret doors I have passed in my life. I think I have to go check my living room...

One thing is sure, whoever built this house had a good sense of humor. These busts appear around the porch (which was later enclosed).

Where did the sausage go??

2008-02-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

When I think of classic Milwaukee businesses, I always think of Dentice Brothers Italian Sausage at the corner of Jackson and Pleasant on Milwaukee's Eastside. Located across from Sanford's Restaurant, this classic storefront is left over from an era when Milwaukee had a corner store (or bar) on virtually every corner. The cream city brick, simple signage, and striped awnings add to the historic flavor of the neighborhood.

While I never tried their Italian sausage, rumor has it that it is the best Italian Sausage in the city. Given the quality of sausage products in Milwaukee, this is no small compliment!

Unfortunately, the last few times I have driven by Dentice Brothers, there has been no evidence that they are still in operation. I hope this is just a temporary winter closure, but I suspect the closing is permanent.

It is always sad to miss the opportunity to visit a local business only because it falls to the bottom of a to-do list. Milwaukee has a lot of local flavor, but if it is taken for granted it will disappear. In the last year we have lost several classic business, including Goldmans, Bryants, and Art's Concertina Bar. I hope the Dentice Brothers will not become part of this list.

If anyone knows the status of this business, please email me.

What about that old fireplace? Part One.

2008-01-29T14:39:00.000-08:00

When looking at houses, especially homes from the turn of the century to the 1920's, buyers are often delighted to find a historic fireplace, complete with wooden mantel or nestled between two bookcases. I am often asked whether the fireplace works or if it can still be used. Of course, I generally don't know the answer to this question, but I have compiled a lot of information on historic fireplaces.

First, there are several types of fireplaces I encounter in old houses:

Decorative Fireplaces:

These were generally cast from concrete and were never intended to function. In fact, when you look "up the chimney", you may be surprised that there is no chimney. Decorative fireplaces often have electric outlets that would power a decorative electric log unit.

Wood Burning Fireplaces:

A wood burning fireplace generally has a deeper, good sized firebox that is lined with concrete or brick. While the fireplace may be operable, older chimneys may not have a clay tile liner (i.e., an unlined chimney) which could make the fireplace unsafe to operate. Regardless of whether the chimney is lined or not, you should have a pro inspect the fireplace and chimney to assure it is safe to operate. If a fireplace is a top priority in a home you are purchasing, make sure to include an inspection contingency that allows for a fireplace and chimney inspection and a draft test.

Coal Burning Fireplaces:

Some homes were built with coal burning fireplaces. Coal was often used in open fireplaces to provide heat. Coal fireplaces were usually built with small fireboxes or partially enclosed boxes that would hold the coal in place. The picture at right, courtesy of Bricks and Brass, is an example of a register grate.

Unfortunately, even if your coal burning fireplace is still operable, I don't have the slightest clue where you would buy coal these days.

Gas Fireplaces:

Gas fireplaces are also common to see. There are three different types of gas fireplaces I commonly run in to. Those that were built as gas burning unit, those that are converted solid fuel burning units, and modern gas units.

Some people feel that gas is a safer option than wood since gas burns cleaner. While this may be the case, a fireplace inspection is still vital when dealing with a gas unit. Gas produces a ton of water as it burns, which can quickly degrade a masonry chimney. Many gas units require special liners to protect the chimney from failure.

Sometimes, gas units are not vented at all. Similar to your gas stove, which releases the combustion by-products in to the room. While may believe these units are safe, there is some reason to be concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have a vent-less unit, it should be used under careful supervision.

Should you use your fireplace?

When buying a historic home, you should explore the use of your fireplace. Have it assessed and tested by a reputable inspector or chimney contractor, but don't be surprised if you find out that the unit is not operational. I would always suggest erring on the side of caution, especially when it comes to fire in the home.

Some reputable Milwaukee contractors are:

Royal Chimney Service, Inc.
(414) 771-2282

Smokestacks, Inc.
(262) 797-8181

Clean Sweep Chimney Service
(414) 962-1985

No matter what type of unit you have, there are some ingenious modern solutions to that will allow you to safely burn a wood or gas fire. These will be covered in "What about that old fireplace? Part Two."

Foreclosure Help from WHEDA

2008-01-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

Last fall I received a call from a past client of mine who is the pastor at a local Lutheran church. He was concerned because one of his parishioners was in danger of sliding in to foreclosure because of an adjustable rate mortgage change coupled with a job change. He asked if I knew of any resources that could help prevent this person from becoming another foreclosure statistic in Milwaukee.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of illegitimate businesses out there who are offering "foreclosure assistance" by essentially offering to buy the mortgage and rent the house back to the person. Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

After calling around, I found one credit counselor who was working for a local economic development agency. It was hard to find and obscure, but it worked. One thing became very apparent- there is a need for legitimate assistance for people facing foreclosure.

Recently I noticed that WHEDA has stepped in by partnering with the National Homeownership Preservation Foundation. This foundation provides free help and financial counseling to those who are facing foreclosure. Not only is this service free, it is also legitimate and is approved by HUD.

If you, or anyone you know, is facing foreclosure, contact the National Homeownership Preservation Foundation as soon as possible:

Homeownership Preservation Foundation

3033 Excelsior Blvd., Suite 500
Minneapolis, MN 55416

(888) 995-HOPE (4673)

You can also start an online counseling session HERE.

Things to Watch Out For: Clever Coverups

2008-01-16T12:06:00.000-08:00

There has been at least one positive effect stemming from the collapse of the sub-prime market and the tightening of the credit market: there will be a lot fewer rehabers in the real estate market. Not saying that I am opposed to real estate rehabbers- on the contrary, I believe many are helping turn around forgotten neighborhoods. After all, would Brewer's Hill be Brewer's Hill without the risk taking and skills of a good rehabber?

This said, there are also some very poor rehabbers that are either a) ignorant or b) downright criminal. On a recent visit to a home in Riverwest, we spotted the sure signs of the latter type of rehabber: a criminal beast that should be watched out for and avoided when possible. This was the work of a particular rehabber who, for the sake of anonymity, we'll call Bim Trophy.

In the basement of this home, we saw what appeared to be a "new" foundation wall running nearly the entire length of the north wall. Usually a good sight when done properly, I mentally marked this in the "positive" category for this property.

Upon further observation, we noticed that the foundation wall was actually sitting in front of the existing foundation wall! This wall offered no structural support since it ran parallel to the floor joists.

In other words, the rehabber had a wall built, where its primary purpose was to cover up the existing wall. Now, since we could not see the original wall, we could only assume the worst. Upon speaking with a pro who had been in the basement years prior, I found out that the basement wall was bowed in 6" or so! While it is possible that the wall had been rebuilt and then a cover up wall installed, this is not very likely given the expense of such a proposition.

A Photo of the space between the two foundation walls. The old wall is on the left, while the new pretty wall is on the right. The photo on the left shows the area behind the furnace and shows that building a fake wall takes some thought- especially when you need to run HVAC ducting.

When I see something like this, I always loose a little faith in humanity. Who would purposely set out to deceive? I guess there is a lesson here. Always hire a licensed home inspector and a good Realtor and watch out for the dishonest rehabbers out there. For a list of qualified, dependable home inspectors, click HERE. To hire a dependable Realtor, click HERE

1159 E Kane- What happened?

2008-01-15T12:36:00.001-08:00

1159 E Kane- Back on the market as-is...

For those of you keeping up with the Eastside real estate market, you may be aware that 1159 E Kane was sold last spring for $117,000. This small, workers cottage is located in the prime development area along the Milwaukee River. The house was not in the best shape and appeared to have some serious foundation issues. While most real estate developers would try to raze this little house to bring the land to its highest and best use, this property is located in the East Village Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District, which makes tearing down existing buildings difficult (at least politically).

This didn't stop whoever purchased 1159 E Kane from marketing the property as a pre-construction single family with a modern design and a price tag of $399,900. This 2 bedroom 2.5 bath home looks like it is straight out of Bucktown in Chicago. Designed for a narrow city lot, this building maximizes the square footage.

While many people may not appreciate the building's aesthetic styling, there is usually a good demand for new construction single family homes on the East Side. I expected to see this house sell for under asking, but instead it has been pulled off the market.

After 100 days on the market, the lister has pulled the pre-construction single family listing and has re-listed the tired little worker's cottage for $149,900.

One can only speculate what happened. Did the city refuse to grant a raze permit to the developer? Was there no demand for a $399,900 house in the heart of the East Side? Is this project a victim of the current real estate market? Would the develop be willing to sell the blueprints along with the house? If anyone has any information, please let me know.

City of Milwaukee Request for Proposal: 2231 N Martin Luther King

2008-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

2231 North Martin Luther King

The City of Milwaukee is taking requests for proposals on a vacant piece of land located at 2231 N Martin Luther King Blvd. in Milwaukee. The asking price is $93,750, but given the great location, the actual winning bid may be more.

The city is looking for a pedestrian scaled building, from 2-5 stories tall. And, while some may first think of high-grossing businesses for this busy block, the city does have some prohibited uses:

Prohibited uses include churches, convenience stores, check-cashing facility, cigarette or cigar shops, community center, day care centers, gun shops; and social service facilities, pawn shops, liquor stores, payday or auto-title loan stores, automotive parts store, surface parking as a primary use, second-hand retail outlets, taverns (unless food service is the major component) and all other tax-exempt uses.

Personally, I would like to see a restaurant/club at this location. Soche and Gee's Clipers and Hair Design, two local businesses located nearby, have done quite well on this street. In addition there has been plenty of press about proposed developments in this area. This may be the perfect opportunity for someone to join the Milwaukee Bronzeville revitalization.

The deadline to submit the RFP is July 1, 2008. For more information on the RFP, please visit the City of Milwaukee web site:

Milwaukee DCD

For more information on King Drive and Bronzeville, visit these resources:

King Drive BID

Bronzeville

As always, if you need assistance planning and submitting a RFP for this property, please feel free to contact me by phone at (414) 899-3972 or by email.

I feel so inferior...

2008-01-11T09:06:00.000-08:00

Vs.

After about two years of writing and blogging about Milwaukee real estate, I am proud to look back at what I have accomplished. Furthermore, when I look at other real estate blogs from other cities, I am generally reassured that my little blog is adequate, interesting, and compares well. In fact, if I came across my blog, I would read it. Perhaps this is the greatest indication of personal success. Today, my little world of adequacy was shattered. While surfing the web for schematics of historic theater HVAC systems (don't ask), I discovered the mother of all real estate blogs, which made my blog feel small and irrelevant. First off, let me say that the blog is from New York. I know, maybe it isn't fair to compare Milwaukee to New York, the Hoan Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge, or the Wisconsin Gas Building to the Empire State Building.

Regardless, it is a great work of modern blogging. It is so great that I have decided to share it here, so you can see what a perfect blog looks like: http://www.brownstoner.com This blog, which focuses on New York's Brooklyn burrow, represents perfection. There are a huge number of posts which vary in subject, writer, and length. Often when I see blogs with tons of entries, but they consist primarily of short, poorly written snippets of thoughts. In contrast, the brownstoner features well-written, relevant posts that appeal to real estate agents, home buyers, renovators, residents, and the curious. Some of my favorite subjects addressed by the Brownstoner are:

Ugly new developments (one of my personal pet peeves):

"Just Sold" Listings

Links to Other Relevant Information Sources

New business News

Restaurant Reviews

Development Watches

I hope you enjoy reading through this blog and still return to my small and slightly inferior Milwaukee Real Estate blog. If reading the Brownstoner gives you the inspiration to start your own blog, please let me know so I can link to it on my web page.

New City Owned Foreclosures- Bids due January 21st

2008-01-03T08:20:00.000-08:00

The City of Milwaukee just released a list of city owned homes that are for sale. These are restricted to owner-occupancy and must be owner occupied for five years and the new owner must bring the home up to code.

The current properties are:

925 West Maple, single family, $36,000

2122 South Mound Street, single family, $68,000

2630 North Palmer Street, single family, $68,000

To view photos and the scope of work for these properties, visit the city's website. If you are interested in viewing one of these properties or would like to submit an offer, please feel free to contact me. The city pays the commission, so it costs you nothing!

Researching the History of Milwaukee Buildings

2008-01-02T08:21:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are house-hunting and are interested in historic buildings, or if you are just interested in Milwaukee history in general, there is a resource you need to check out.

The Wisconsin Historical Society offers a database of historic buildings in Wisconsin. Many structures in Milwaukee are included in the database. In order to search the inventory, visit the Wisconsin Historical Society page, click "search the inventory", enter the county and city you are searching in, and enter the address.

If you aren't finding the building you are looking for, try entering just the street name, which will bring up a list of buildings. Once you have the list, it is easy to search the listings to find the building you are looking for.

Looking for more information, you can always go to the city permit desk to search the city permit records. Also, the library and historical society have great historical house resources.

Lindsay Heights Lots for $1!!

2007-10-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

For a while now, the City of Milwaukee has been selling vacant lots for discounted prices. The newest incentive to get people to move back into the city is an offer to sell city lots in the Lindsay Heights area for $1!

Lindsay Heights is located between West Walnut, West Locust, North 12th and North 20th Streets.

View Larger Map

The lots are available to homeowners who are willing to build a home on the lot within 15 days of closing. In order to get a lot for $1, all you have to do is select a lot, select a lender, select a builder, and submit an offer. Special financing is even available through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Association (WHEDA). Hurry, this offer is only good through December 31, 2007.

While the city is not paying commissions for the vacant lots, I would be willing to act as a buyer agent to see any qualified buyer through the process. My fees are reasonable and can be financed into your loan. Contact me or visit my website for more information:

www.MKEproperty.com

A list of lots in Lindsay Heights is available on the city's website:

http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/LindsayHeights/LindsayHeightsLotList.pdf

To get more information on Lindsay Heights, visit their website:

http://www.wheda.com/programs/lindsay/default.asp

Tips for Sellers: The smells that sell!

2007-10-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Thinking of selling? Take a close smell before you list!

We all know that smell is an important factor in our emotions. In fact, psychological research shows that smell is more attached to our brain than any other sense and humans can distinguish over 10,000 smells. 10,000!

The sad truth is that many smells are not worth smelling and many of these are found in homes that are for sale. For one reason or another, sellers and even some Realtors overlook the smell factor.

Here is some advice for making sure a home has the smells that sell:

1. Have someone who does not live in the home give you an honest opinion of the smell. Use someone who is honest and avoid people who smoke since they have less sensitive noses.

2. Clean your house and keep it clean!

Clean is the key to eliminating most odors. Clean well and regularly. Pick up dirty clothes, keep up on your laundry, and keep your kitchen clean.

3. If you are a smoker, rid your home of the smoke smell.

Do a thorough cleaning, repaint and seal the walls with KILZ or a similar shellac-based primer, replace or clean carpet as necessary, and use an odor eliminator, such as Febreeze. Whatever you do to eliminate the odors, do not smoke in your house during the listing period. Smoke outside or down the block or, if you have to be inside, in the garage.

4. Rid your house of pet smells.

You may love your dog's unique odor and you may not even notice your kittie's poo, but I guarantee you a buyer will notice. Assume that every buyer is not an animal lover. Keep the cat box clean and take steps to eliminate pet hair and odors. Again, remember that clean is the key- don't just cover up the odors.

And, for heavens sake, pick up your dog's poo. Nothing will leave a worst impression than your buyer scraping your dog's doody off their shoe!!

5. Avoid strong cooking odors.

If you are a chef or a cook, be conscious of strong odors, such as garlic and curry. While these smells make my mouth water, they will turn off many buyers. Make sure to vent your kitchen, avoid cooking heavily spiced foods, or go out to eat.

6. Run a dehumidifier in your basement.

Musty basement smells are often associated with trouble basements. Clean your basement and run a dehumidifier to eliminate the musty odors. This is especially important in the summer and rainy months.

7. Fill your house with neutral scents.

We have all heard that baking cookies is a good tactic, especially before open houses. While I would tentatively agree, I think the best tactic is to have a pleasant, neutral scent. Fresh baked cookies are fine, but so are lightly scented candles, eucalyptus leaves, fresh-cut flowers, or the smell of a CLEAN house. By the way, if you bake fresh cookies before an open house, you should definitely offer some to the buyers and your Realtor!

8. Avoid strong smells and artificial perfumes.

Sometimes sellers understand that smell counts, so they go and buy every air freshener they can get their hand on. I once went into a home that had a pine scent that was so overwhelming, the buyers didn't go past the first room. Remember that many people are allergic to perfumes and an overwhelming scent can give off the impression that you are covering something up. Are you?

9. Remember your outdoor smells.

Some folks around the country are lucky- their towns always smell great. Here in the Midwest, we are not always so lucky! Don't forget to plant flowers and shrubs that will leave a good impression with buyers. Herbs (such as lavender) and flowers (such as Gardenias) are loved by most people.

10. Call in the experts.

If you try to rid your home of smells, but you still smell something awful, you may need to call in an expert. Severe pet urine odors are especially difficult and expensive do deal with, but it may make the difference between selling your home and not. Sewer odors are often easy to deal with- it may be as easy as an empty trap in your basement floor drain or a leaky sewer vent stack. Usually, a good plumber will be able to track down the smell.

Whatever you do, remember that smell matters!

The Changing Colors of Fall.

2007-09-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

I know that many states have beautiful forests of fall colors, but I personally think that Wisconsin has some of the best fall colors I have ever seen. Sometimes, the colors are so intense, it looks like somebody spray-painted the trees.

Generally, I like to travel to Holy Hill during the peak fall color season. The view from the top of the church steeple is absolutely breathtaking. It is quite a hike, but it is well worth the effort. Plus, if you are looking for a reward after your long hike, there are some little old ladies in the cafe/store that make some of the finest pies around!

In order to keep abreast of the changing fall colors, you can visit the Travel Wisconsin website where they map the changing of the leaves by county:

http://www.travelwisconsin.com/fallcolor_report.aspx

Support Milwaukee County Parks and Win a Harley!

2007-09-11T11:07:00.001-07:00

Help Milwaukee's County Parks and win a Harley!

In celebration of Milwaukee County Parks' 100^th Anniversary, The Park People will be raffling off several prizes to help support the Milwaukee County Parks. These aren't fruitcakes and beer cozies- these are some serious prizes!

Grand Prize
2007 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic
Value; $17,820.00

Second Prize
Milwaukee County Passport
Unlimited Use Pass to 7 of the County's Best Attractions
Valid 10/07 - 9/08

Third Prize (Two Drawings)
Dinner for 10 @ Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro & $1,000 Gift Certificate to Coast Restaurant

Fourth Prize
Trek L200 Bicycle from Wheel & Sprocket
Value; $750.00

The tickets are a mere $5 and are available at the following locations:

•· Parks Administration, 9480 Watertown Plank Road, M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

•· All Milwaukee County Parks Golf Courses

•· Boerner Botanical Gardens Gift Shop, 9400 W Boerner Drive.

•· The Domes Gift Shop, 524 S. Layton Blvd

•· Wehr Nature Center Nature Store, 9701 W. College Ave.

•· O'Donnell Park Parking Office, 910 E. Michigan St.

•· US Bank - 40 Milwaukee County branches

If you are a Washington Heights resident, or if you have a particular fondness for the Washington Park Band Shell, you can purchase raffle tickets from a member of Neighborhoods United for Washington Park so part of the proceeds will help restore the Washington Park Band Shell seating. For more information, check out the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association web site:

http://www.whna.net/html/events.html

The raffle will take place on September 29th at Washington Park. You don't have to be present to win, but you should be present to fully show your support of our Milwaukee County Parks!

Washington Heights Market Analysis

2007-09-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

For this analysis, we will be defining Washington Heights as the area between 47^th Street and 60^th Street, with Lloyd on the north and Vliet on the south.

As of 9/11/2007 there are 47 single family homes listed for sale in Washington Heights. Of the listed homes, 5 are pending. It is interesting that, though 5 are pending, none currently have accepted, non-pending offers. The lowest priced home is $79,900 (located on 48^th Street) and the highest priced home is $335,000 (located on Washington Blvd.).

Over the past year, 36 homes have sold in Washington Heights, resulting in a monthly absorption rate (i.e., average number of homes sold per month) of 3 homes. Given that there are currently 5 pending listings, there is a current inventory level of 15.67 months, meaning that it would take approximately 16 months to sell the current inventory. In general, the Washington Heights market is still doing well compared to last year. However, we will be closely watching to active with offer number to see if this trend will continue.

For more information on the Washington Heights market, or to search for homes in Washington Heights, please visit my website at www.MKEproperty.com or email me.

Huge Concordia Neighborhood Rummage Sale

2007-09-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

The Historic Concordia Neighbors Inc., one of the city's oldest neighborhood associations, will be holding a neighborhood-wide rummage sale on September 8th from 9AM to 4PM. Take this as an opportunity to explore this truly wonderful neighborhood of Victorian houses and bed and breakfasts, or just visit for the exhilaration of finding a rummage sale treasure. To learn more about Concordia before you go, check out this article.

19 households will be participating in this event. To get a map of participating homes, stop by 925 N. 29th St., 936 N. 31st, or 3009 W. Highland. Alternatively, you can click on the map below, print it out, and bring it with you.

Happy Rummage Sailing!

Bay View Tour of Homes

2007-09-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

Bay View Tour of Homes

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Tickets $12.50 in advance

$15.00 day of tour

Tickets can be purchased at the

Bay View Community Center

1320 E. Oklahoma Ave.

The tour of homes will feature ten homes and one garden in one of Milwaukee's finest neighborhoods. Proceeds will go to a good cause, the Bay View Community Center. In addition to the homes on display, artists from the Bay View Arts Guild will be showcasing works of art in all the homes.

Sounds like a great time for a great cause!

Marquette to Purchase 5 Area Buildings

2007-08-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

Looking for more justification to invest in Milwaukee's Near West Side?

News just hit that Marquette University, located on Milwaukee's near west side, has puchased or is slated to purchase five buildings in the surrounding area.

This move indicates that Marquette will be expanding the size of its campus, or at least its control over neighboring buidlings. This is a positive indicator that Marquette plans on continuing its presence on Milwaukee's near west side and plans on growing the size and reach of the university.

Many investors who recognize the near west side as a growing, up and coming neighborhood, have purchased properties in the area and immediately surrounding the area.

The original press release states:

Marquette University has purchased the Trebor Apartments, 620 N. 17th St. The transaction was completed on Aug. 16.

Marquette's location, the changing dynamics of university life and the desire to enhance the campus environment make it prudent for the university to monitor property opportunities in our campus area. When the Trebor building came on the market, the university evaluated it as a strategic location relative to the potential site for a proposed new College of Engineering.

In addition to the Trebor, Marquette is under contract to purchase a number of other properties within the campus area. These include:

* Kalt Apartments at 1621 and 1623 W. Wisconsin Ave. and 628 N. 17th St

* Marquette Apartments at 1622-24 W. Wisconsin Ave.

* University Center at 1610-1616 W. Wisconsin Ave.

* Commercial Buildings at 1202 and 1222 W. Wells St.

Closing on these properties is expected to occur before the end of the year. A generous gift from an anonymous donor helped make the purchase of these properties possible at this time. A portion of the bond issue approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2007 will also be used to finance the property acquisitions.

The site of the Kalt Apartments is critical for the proposed engineering project. The location of the Marquette Apartments is also strategic, and the building will be used to provide housing for students while residence halls undergo renovations and upgrades. The commercial buildings at 12th and Wells are close to the Al McGuire Center, Parking Structure 2 and student residences; no specific use for this site has been identified at this time.

Apartment residents are being notified of the property transactions. The Office of Residence Life will operate the Kalt and Trebor Apartments, most of which are occupied by Marquette students. The university is working closely with residents of the Marquette Apartments to find suitable alternative housing. Doug Smith, associate general counsel for the university, said the university will honor the existing terms of all residential and commercial leases for the properties.

Market Updates!

2007-08-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

Riverwest Market:

For this analysis, we will be defining Riverwest as bordered by Capitol on the north, Lloyd on the south, Holton on the West, and the Milwaukee River on the East.

As of 8/24/2007, there are 40 single family homes listed for sale in Riverwest. Of these, 6 (15%) are spoken for (2 have offers and 4 are pending). The lowest price listing in Riverwest is 74,900 and the highest priced listing is $265,000 (second highest priced listing is 259,900).

Over the past year, 33 single family homes have sold in Riverwest, resulting in a monthly absorption rate (i.e., average number of homes sold per month) of 2.75. Given that there are currently 6 listings with offer, there is a current inventory level of 14.55 months. In general, the Riverwest single family market is still doing well, outpacing last year's absorption rate.

In the duplex market, there are 50 duplexes listed for sale in the Riverwest neighborhood. Of these, 5 (10%) are spoken for (2 have offers and three are pending). The lowest priced duplex in Riverwest is 101,000 and the highest is 259,900.

Over the last year, 42 duplexes have sold in Riverwest. This results in a monthly absorption rate of 3.42 and a inventory level of 14.63 months (very close to the single family inventory level of 14.55 months).

In general, both the single family and duplex market are currently positive with the single family market slightly outpacing the duplex market.

The multifamily market is somewhat dimmer. Currently, there are 10 multi family listings in Riverwest with no pending or active offers. The prices range from 129,900 (4 unit foreclosure) to 299,000 (3 unit- two homes on one lot). Over the past year, 7 multi family properties have sold, resulting in a monthly absorption rate of .58 and an inventory level of 17.14 months with a market momentum of zero.

Bay View Market:

For this analysis, we will be defining Bay View as from Chase Avenue to Lake Michigan, and from Burnham to the village of St. Francis.

As of 8/24/2007 there are 149 single family homes listed for sale in Bay View. Of these, 29 (19.5%) are spoken for (15 have offers and 14 are pending). The lowest priced listing is $94,900 and the highest priced listing is $489,000 (second highest priced listing is 358,000).

Over the past year, 272 single family homes have sold in Bay View, resulting in a monthly absorption rate (i.e., average number of homes sold per month) of 22.67 homes. Given that there are currently 29 listings with offer, there is a current inventory level of 6.57 months and a healthy momentum indicator of 1.28. In general, the Bay View market is still doing well, with homes selling in a relatively short period of time.

Fox Point Market:

As of 8/24/2007 there are 72 single family homes listed for sale in Fox Point, Wisconsin. Of these, four have accepted offers and an additional 8 listings are pending (11% of listings). The lowest priced home is $184,900 and the highest priced home is $2,499,900 (which is pending, the next highest priced listing is 1,999,000).

Over the past year, 131 single family homes have sold in Fox Point, resulting in a monthly absorption rate (i.e., average number of homes sold per month) of 10.92. Given that there are currently 12 listings with offers, there is a slight momentum in the market.

In addition to single family listings, there are 8 condominium listings (one is pending) and one vacant land listing.

For more specific information, or to find out what your home is worth, visit my website at http://www.mkeproperty.com/ or email me.

A Milwaukee Icon Falls?

2007-08-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

As residents of a city, sometimes we get attached to silly, outdated, and 'useless' icons of the past.

When I first moved to Milwaukee, I couldn't help notice the abundance of steeples and smokestacks that dotted the skyline. Both of these high reaching structures are icons of Milwaukee's past of a traditional industrial city. Over the past several years, I have noticed many of the smokestacks are coming down in the name of progress and safety.

The first one I noticed being razed was the giant Blatz smokestack that towered above the former brewery. When I first saw the workers at the Blatz, I thought they were repairing the structure, but was surprised to see it was soon gone. Recently, I saw a crane apparatus erected next to the Pabst smokestack. I knew what this meant-another Milwaukee icon will be gone forever. To his credit, the developer of the Pabst tried to save the smokestack and the structure below it, but it was too unstable and would have been too expensive. Next, watch for the demise of the smokestack above the Pfister and Vogel tannery, which is slated for demolition this month.

While I understand the reasons for removing smokestacks, it is still upsetting to me. Fortunately, we still have some wonderful examples of city smokestacks including the salvaged smokestacks from the Milwaukee Road Shop in the Menominee Valley, and the strange smokestack on the Pfister Hotel.

Angie's List

2007-07-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

When someone first becomes a homeowner or first moves to a new city, there is always the questions of how to find reputable contractors who do good work for a reasonable price (notice I didn't say CHEAP). Anyone who has experienced a botched job or dishonest contractor knows what a pain it is to deal with the aftermath of a bad situation.

Where does a homeowner turn?

Angie's List!

Angie's List was founded in 1995 as a way for homeowners to share information about contractors and service providers. Twelve years later the list is going strong with over 120 cities and 500,000 members. The Milwaukee chapter has been around since 2000 and features ratings on over 5,000 serivice providers. In addition, some top rated service providers offer discounts and coupons which could save you a lot of money.

Personally, I have had nothing but good luck with Angie's List. In fact, I'm not sure where I would be without them. To date, I have hired roofers, garage door contractors, accountants, and dry cleaners from the list. All said, my experiences have been mostly positive. Much more postive than randomly choosing names from a phonebook!

The best part, homeowners, is that Angie's List is offering $10 off a membership for friends of family members of existing members. I just couldn't keep this to myself. So, if you are interested in joining Angie's List, sign up here and use the Promo Code FRIENDS when joining and save yourself a sawbuck. Also, feel free to pass the word to your friends and family!

For more information on Angie's List, visit their webiste at:

http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/

For more information on buying a fixer upper that requires extensive use of contractors, visit my website:

http://www.MKEproperty.com

Historic Concordia Tour of Homes

2007-06-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

Some of the most amazing examples of Victorian and Arts and Crafts architecture are located in Milwaukee's Concordia and Cold Spring Park neighborhoods, which are bordered by Wisconsin on the south, Vliet on the north, 27th on the east, and 35th on the west. Once home to executives, beer barons, and Concordia College, these neighborhoods fell into disrepair during the later part of the 20th Century. The devastation was great. Many of the grand homes were converted to rooming houses. Others were torn down and replaced with large apartment buildings. Still others were so badly re-muddled, they retain very few of their grand historic details. However, a great number of the homes were only moderately modified, as if they were waiting for a future restoration.

During the last two decades, a dedicated group of homeowner have been diligently restoring the beauty of the neighborhood, one home at a time. Now Concordia and Cold Spring Park are home to bed and breakfasts, restored Victorians, and a sense of identity that is unmatched among Milwaukee neighborhoods. Walking through the neighborhood, it is easy to imagine what Milwaukee was once like, back when it was the industrial gem of the great lakes. Carriage houses, grand front porches, and incredible architectural detailing on house after house.

On any given day, it is unlikely you will see any of the grand interiors of these homes. However, on one spring day every year, many of the residents of Concordia open their doors to the public, graciously allowing history buffs and curious folks see the interior spaces that match, or often exceed, the grand detailing of the exteriors. The best part? Many offer free cookies. Yes, free cookies.

This year, the Historic Concordia Tour of Homes will be Saturday, June 16th from 11 AM to 5 PM. The cost is $15 in advance, or $18 the day of the tour. The tour begins at the Tripoli Shrine Temple, located at 3000 West Wisconsin Avenue (the incredible onion-domed building, just west of 27th Street).

For more information on the tour, or to purchase tickets, visit the Historic Concordia Neighborhood Association website.

One of the best parts of the tour of homes is the inspiration provided by watching what is possible if a homeowner is dedicated to restoring their home. Many homes are available in both Concordia and Cold Spring Park, which are actually quite reasonable. For a fixer upper, you will pay anywhere between $100-200,000, depending on location, square footage, and condition. For a fully restored, bed and breakfast ready gem, you will pay around $300-400,000. For more information, please contact me at 414-899-3972 or email me.

Things to watch out for: Basment Oil Tanks

2007-06-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Unlike their underground counterparts, basement oil tanks are often inert relics of a bygone era. Usually sitting in the corner of a basement, these metal, above ground tanks can easily be removed and recycled (or turned into a barbecue, if you would prefer). The removal of these tanks costs around $400, which includes removing the fill lines, which generally protrude from the basement foundation.

But, are basement oil tanks always obvious and easy? Of course not.

On a recent visit to a two family property, we found a basement oil tank that is a bit more of a problem. At first it was hard to spot, but I noticed an antique looking regulator among a dirty pile of socks. I wasn't sure what this was, so I followed the metal pipe around the basement foundation, where it eventually fed into the old, oil burning furnace. I thought this was the feed to an underground tank, so I followed the pipe to the source. To my suprise, the pipe did not lead outside. Instead, it led to a 3 foot high crawl space under an addition to the home, which was probably added on in the 1940's.

There, embedded into concrete was the evidence of two fuel oil tanks. Underground is bad enough, but underground, embedded in concrete, under an addition of the home... What a nightmare. Would one jack hammer the tanks out? Would the addition have to come down? Would the DNR let this one slide? The situation is a bit mind boggling. My solution for the buyer is to move on to the next house, unless the property is perfect in all other aspects.

While hard to see, you an make out the two fill necks going into the concrete. To add to the problems in this home, the heating pipes are also wrapped in asbestos.

While unusual, this type of hazard is important to watch out for. Be on the lookout and make sure to hire a real estate agent with a keen eye. Also, this should underscore the need for a thorough home inspection for every property. For a list of qualified, dependable home inspectors, click HERE. To hire a dependable realtor, click HERE.

City Selling Vacant Land

2007-06-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

One unfortunate side effect of burned down homes, razed nuisance properties, and unfulfilled freeway expansion is the cornucopia of vacant lots that dot Milwaukee's landscape. Many are just weed-filled lots. Others have been turned into urban gardens or have been taken over by neighboring properties.

The City of Milwaukee is now offering many of their lots to residents who are looking to build a home within the city. This program should have a great impact on home builder, as well as the city neighborhoods at large. The lots vary from 3,000 to 11,000. In addition to these costs, be sure to add in the cost of cleaning up the land 5,000 to 10,000. Most of the lots still have the foundations of former homes under the soil. A real mess.

More information and a list of lots can be found on the city web site:

http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/Vacant.html

While the city will not pay commissions on vacant land sale, I am available to help you through the process. My fee can be added in to your mortgage and is well worth the cost.

Feel free to email me or call me for more information.

Yoink!

2007-03-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Green Building in Milwaukee

2007-03-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

You can't go very long these days without hearing about the pending environmental doom caused by overuse of the environment. Personally, I believe it is hard to deny that these changes, especially the ones due to global warming, are coming on at at an alarming rate.

I often think about my own environmental footprint. Once you start analyzing how much you use, it is a bit scary. I consider myself fairly environmentally conscious- I try to reduce my consumption, I grow my own vegetables during the summer, I try to support local farmers and retailers whenever possible, and I recycle much of what I use. Admittedly, I drive a Toyota 4-Runner which does not get the best mileage, but like most Americans, I love my car (also, I justify my auto choice since I live close to where I work- what's that saying about excuses?). Still, even given my earth conscious actions, my impact on the earth is large. I heat a large house every winter and I use a lot of electricity to power my computers, tools, and lights.

Beyond the impact of what I eat and what I drive, I often ponder my choice in dwelling- how much of an impact does my dwelling choice have on the environment? Our dwellings are a huge source of waste. Not only do they waste natural resources by being heated and cooled, but they produce a massive amount of waste when being constructed. The problem is, there aren't a whole lot of alternatives.

I have been interested in green architecture in the past, but I always found the designs boring or too transparent. I have a particular love for historic buildings, which I think of as being the opposite of the modern green designs.

Recently, a group of Milwaukee developers were brought to my attention. These folks are not only dedicated to green building, they also have a knack for good design. Their organization, called Pragmatic Construction, has two intriguing projects in the making:

The first is an urban infill housing that will feature green elements and low waste construction methods. Slated to be built on the North Side (near 29th and Fond du Lac, I believe) the spring or summer of 2007, this home is sure to make waves in Milwaukee. Aesthetically, I find this home very pleasing for an old neighborhood. I am especially fond of the familiar two story porch and side door. It is reminiscent of many of the traditional Milwaukee bungalow duplexes.

While construction is on hold due city delays, this home will be selling for under $200,000. The low price, combined with the low utility bills, will make this home ultra affordable. For more information on this spec home, visit Pragmatic Construction's web site:

http://www.pragmaticconstruction.com

If you are interested in purchasing this green property or investigating other green properties, please contact me at (414) 899-3972 or email me.

The second featured project by Pragmatic Construction is the Elemental Townhomes Development, located at Pierce and Hadley in Riverwest. This project consists of three 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath town homes built to green specifications.

The design, while more contemporary and transparently "green", is still quite stunning. Each of the three town homes feature rooftop patio gardens, two car garages, and lots of windows. Again, very similar to the single family home above, these town homes are affordable at $250,000-270,000 (according to the builder, two of the three are still available). Add in the utilities savings and the units start looking even more affordable. Plus, the location of the Elemental Town homes is excellent- located in Riverwest, just blocks from Nessun Dorma and the shops of Center Street.

For more information, visit Pragmatic Construction's Website at:

http://www.pragmaticconstruction.com

I will keep my clients updated as to the progress of these green buildings. I also hope to tour and photograph them once they are complete. Again, if you are interested in viewing one of these properties or in finding green buildings elsewhere in the city, please contact me at (414) 899-3972.

Mid Century Maddness...

2007-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

We just sold our listing at 3940 E. Squire in Cudahy. It was turn of the century home that had been remodeled in the 1950s. Much of the 1950's mid century design and charm of this home remained- making it very desirable to someone who appreciates the look and feel of the 1950's.

As I was thinking of the best marketing strategy for this home, I started to think about mid century modern homes in general. It occured to me that many of the homes of the 1950's have been 'updated' in recent years. While I have always been leery of updating well designed homes, I had always thought of the homes of the 1950's as the exception to the rule. I had always appreciated mid century clothing, cars, furniture, and lighting, but never homes... That is, until recently.

Walking in to a well preserved mid century modern home is rare these days. When I do, I appreciate the simplicity of the homes and the wink toward modern conveniences. One home I recently toured with a client was particularly impressive.

Located at 4360 S Burrell in southern Bay View, this home is a fine example of 1950's living. From the moment you pull up, you can see the 1950's atomic influence. When we stepped inside it was a truly satisfying surprise. There is a built-in terrarium by the front door, which separated the entrance from the combination great room/dining room.

The house appears to have all of its original fixtures and appliances, which is quite rare. The only questionable update I noticed was some vinyl tile in the kitchen and family room. Oh yes, the family room. This room is not only on the main level, it is adjacent to the kitchen- a popular feature in today's new construction. The centerpiece of the family room is a giant stone natural fireplace which appears to have prairie style influence.

The three bedrooms were fairly non-descript, but they were in nice shape and the master bedroom had semi-private access to a half bath. A unique setup.

The basement has what every 1950's home should have- a kickin' bar. Not only do the bar panels light up, but there is a sink that are some great pendant lights over the bar. There are some other unique features in the basement including rolling room dividers and a unique painted floor.

The great negative of this home (every home has at least one) is that the backyard does not have direct access- you have to go out a side door in order to access the yard. A strange design that seemed sort of common during the 50s and 60s. While annoying, this would be easily solved by adding a door leading from the master bedroom to the backyard.

If you are a 50's fanatic who is yearning for a place for your Eames chair, this may be the home for you. Currently listed by Team Realty, I would be happy to show you this home or to help you find the 50's home of your dreams. Just email me or call me at (414) 899-3972.

Also, if you know of any well preserved mid-century homes for sale, or if you would like me to list and market your 50's gem, please don't hesitate to contact me.

The Snow is Melting- Check Your Gutters!

2007-02-22T09:20:00.000-08:00

If you are anything like me, you are happy to see the melting snow and ice. Soon it will be spring!

During this time of change it is important to think about your basement and your gutter system. Okay, none of us want to be out walking through the mud and melting snow, but it is a good time to check to make sure your downspouts are not blocked and that no water is pooling by your foundation.

If you do find pooling water, try to get rid of the water using brooms or buckets or by melting any iced up areas that are preventing the water from moving away from your foundation (use a little salt- it works wonders). Make sure to take note of the pooling spot so you can fix your grading next year.

If you or your neighbor piled any snow next to your foundation, it is a good idea to get rid of it. I use the rule of thumb of never piling snow within four feet of my foundation. For those of you with side drives, I know this can be difficult to keep snow away front the foundation walls. Trust me, it is worth the effort!

If you do find water in your basement, fix the cause first, then run a dehumidifier to get rid of the dampness. The musty basement smell, along with mold and rot, don't take long before they become annoying and potentially hazardous problems.

Finally, with the melting snow exposing all that was hidden, please make sure to check your alleys and to clean up any garbage that has collected over the winter. Milwaukee is a beautiful city that deserves litter free streets and alleys.

New UWM Campus?

2007-02-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

According to the business journal, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) is considering the creation of two new campuses. As many know, UWM is experiencing huge growth, which is putting them at odds with their neighbors on the East Side (almost ALL of whom moved there after the university was established, but that's another story...).

Two of the new proposed campus locations are the Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa and Downtown. The proposed location downtown could be at the Aurora Sinai Medical Center, located at 12th and Kilbourn in downtown Milwaukee. The university and Aurora feel this would be the ideal location for the new Public Health Program and other potential health-related schools.

For those of you keeping track of the West Side momentum over the last few months, this is very interesting news, especially if it involved the hospital and the former Pabst Brewery site.

You can read the complete story here:

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/01/29/daily35.html?b=1170219600^1410897&surround=etf

If you are interested in discussing the purchase of property on the West Side, or anywhere else in Milwaukee, please contact me!

New List of City-Owned Foreclosures

2007-01-26T17:06:00.000-08:00

It's that time again- the city just released a new list of city owned foreclosure properties. They are:

2853 North 11th Street (Single Family)
2943-45 North 21st Street (Duplex)
3019 North 22nd Street (Single Family)
901 South 22nd Street (Condo!)
2832 North 25th Street (Single Family)
3622 North 26th Street (Duplex)
1239 South 26th Street (Single Family)
3285 North 28th Street (Single Family)

For more information, be sure to check out the city's website:

http://www.mkedcd.org/realestate/InRemCurrent_due022107.html

Just keep in mind that the above properties are sold by bid and are restricted to owner occupants who must live on the property for FIVE years. The city is very strict about this!

There is one fire damaged duplex that is for sale to a non-owner occupant. It is located at 2211 N 32nd.

These properties, even the non fire damaged homes, are not in the best shape and are definitely not for the squeamish first time home buyer! However, they can be a good deal and can be a good way to get into a nice home with a little money and a lot of elbow grease.

If you are interested in any of these properties, please email me or give me a call. Given the price of the homes, I expect a letter of pre-approval before showing all city owned homes and we charge 1% to the buyer upon a successful closing.

More on the Pabst!

2007-01-26T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Shepherd Express just reported that the Pabst may encourage near Westside Development.

In "Pabst's Potential Could Spill Over to the West", Shepherd journalist Dennis Shook explains how the Pabst Development could spill over into the development of the Near West Side.

Here is one snippet from Shook's interview with Alderman Bauman:

"The land along Vliet Street, between 12th and 14th, I would call 'Class A blighted,'" Bauman said. He noted that some residential development could occur there as a ripple effect of the Pabst development.

Bauman claims that people will know the redevelopment will happen as soon as the city begins to issue requests for proposals on the city owned land. Personally, I would not wait for this indication. If you are interested in investing in Milwaukee's newest promising neighborhood, please give me a call at (414) 899-3972.

View the complete article here.

What does the Pabst Development mean for us?

2007-01-23T07:14:00.000-08:00

It was just announced that construction will begin on the new Pabst Brewery development.

I always thought it was odd that there was such a large empty space so close to downtown. Personally, I am glad they are starting construction as I believe it will have a positive impact on downtown, the near west side neighborhoods (e.g., Avenues West, Marquette), the central city, and Milwaukee as a whole.

I am especially glad that the current plan seems to take into consideration the history of the property and the historic value of the structures. I was a bit worried when I heard that some of the plans for the brewery included razing several of the more historically significant buildings in order to add new structures & parking lots. While not every building on a historic site will survive, it seemed to me that the former developers were a little too insensitive to the history of the site. I have observed two indications that things will be different with Zilber and friends. First, they are planning on keeping the grain elevator. This structure is not cream city brick and is not as old as the rest of the structures, but it is a significant piece of the site that is most noticeable from 1-43 and the surrounding neighborhood. Plus, I hear the views from the top are incredible! Second, one of the development partners who just purchased one of the buildings is the team of Max Dermond and Charlie Trainer, both of who have experience in renovating and preserving historic structures in downtown Milwaukee. I am just hopeful that things will keep moving forward in the same way. I just hope they put back up the giant Pabst Blue Ribbon sign on the top of the grain elevator.

So, assuming that this will be a mixed use development that makes good use of the space- what does it mean for us?

First, if you are looking for office, retail, condo, or residential rental property, this may be the development for you. I think someone ought to open a microbrewery/restaurant on the site, as well as a local music venue that could use the long standing relationship between independent music and Pabst Beer.

Beyond the obvious, I believe there will be additional impacts from this project. First, I believe it will help increase the recognition and values of Avenues West property. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marquette students started renting some of the Pabst complex. This will increase the value and awareness of properties around 12th and 13th Street. Second, the least exploited view in the city is 12th Street, between Vliet and Walnut. If someone were to develop this space, there would be views of the Pabst, downtown, and the lake.

Finally, this development may have an impact on the Vliet Street commercial district, between 12th and 15th. While this is currently sort of a scary place full of furniture stores and check cashing places, it has some of the most incredible commercial buildings in the city. Apparently, this used to be one of the finest commercial districts in the city (this is obvious by the stature of the structures). If this street could be revitalized like Martin Luther King Drive, it would have a great positive impact on the city and the surrounding neighborhoods.

My advice is to invest in Avenues West and Vliet Street. In five years, your investment will pay off. If you would like to look at some of these properties, please feel free to contact me.

Cudahy Duplex

2007-01-18T08:42:00.000-08:00

We just listed a 2/2 Cudahy duplex for 164,900. It is located at 3940 East Squire, just 1/2 block from Sheridan Park.

The lower unit is full of 50's charm with a kitchen that was recently remodeled. The kitchen is great and features a built in DW and many surprising built-ins. The rest of the house could be updated, but would be ideal for someone who is in to mid-century modern design.

If you would like more information, visit this page on my website:

http://www.mkeproperty.com/ListNow/Property.aspx?PropertyID=1303711

If you would like to set up an appointment to see this property, give me a call at (414) 899-3972.

Holton Street: Slowly but Surely

2007-01-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

While many investors, renters, and homebuyers will not touch Holton Street with a ten foot pole, I have long held that this is one of the best streets to invest in.

After a slight bump in 2005, Holton Street values hit a plateau and, in some areas, went down. While some folks believe this is predictive of Holton’s status as a doomed street that will remain blighted regardless of development in the surrounding areas, I have a different take on the situation. Personally, I feel that many “real estate investors” of late are looking for quick cash by way of flipping or rehabbing. When the quick cash was not present on Holton, investors who bought on Holton liquidated and property values fell.

I personally believe that the only practical way to turn a blighted commercial street is by introducing small businesses that are dedicated to the neighborhood and street. Ideally, these businesses should serve people in the neighborhood, as well as people from outside the neighborhood and should be started by entrepreneurs that have more ambition than money. Once a district becomes a hotbed of startups and storefronts, it will start attracting more foot traffic and residents, which will make the neighborhood safer and more inviting. This, in turn, will attract more business, which will be the tide that lifts all boats.

It is often the streets which are the most affordable that will become the most energetic commercial strips.

I have always believed that it would take just one viable business opening on Holton to start this transition. Last fall, a store called Fischberger's opened on Holton Street, possibly signaling a new, smart, and sensitive commercial district. Occupying the long vacant space at 2445 N Holton, this store sells vintage wares, house wares, and toys.

In addition to this small but significant development, the city also just approved spending $350,000 on enhancing Holton Street.

From here, we hope that more businesses will decide to locate on Holton Street in order to keep the momentum. The only foreseeable barrier to this is if building owners start inflating their rents and asking prices in hopes of cashing in on the “idea” of development. If this happens, Holton Street will likely go the way of Walker’s Point, where building owners were either asking too much for their property or were holding out until things “really explode”. Instead of an explosion, entrepreneurs became discouraged by Walker’s Point and started focusing on Bay View. Let’s hope this doesn’t happen to Holton Street or it too may have to be renamed- maybe the Sixth Ward?

I hope you will support the development on Holton by supporting Fischberger’s and any other businesses that may open in 2007. When you are there, make sure to tell them that you are happy to have them on Holton Street. If you are an entrepreneur looking for a reasonable location for your business, I believe you should consider Holton Street.

I have access to many properties for sale on Holton, as well as more information on the streetscaping and improvement plans. If you are interested in investing in Holton Street, please feel free to contact me.

Shaming Slumlords?

2007-01-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

Several years back, when I first heard that the City of Milwaukee was starting to "shame" certain unscrupulous landlords who profit in part through poor property upkeep and tax delinquency, I was intrigued. Any undergraduate psychology or sociology major knows that public shaming is generally an effective means of behavior modification.

I imagined that I would see huge billboards in front of properties throughout the city. After searching for years, I didn't see a single billboard. That is, until recently...

Driving up Booth Street in Riverwest, I noticed a sign placed on the building located at 2600 N Booth. This building is owned by unscrupulous landlord #1, Tim Brophy. Indeed, my search was over! I finally found an example of public shaming at work:

After a bit more investigation, I found out that the original sign showed Brophy's phone numbers. Apparently, someone tore down the part of the sign that listed these phone numbers. Seeing this, somebody from the neighborhood stenciled the phone numbers using orange paint. From what I heard, this person also posted Brophy's mug shot, which was also later torn down (likely by the same person who originally vandalized the sign).

While I am not sure how effective this form of public shaming is in ridding the city of nuisance properties, I believe it shows that the city government and community members are taking active steps to change neighborhoods for the better.

30th Street Corridor Greenlight District

2007-01-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

According to a city press release, Mayor Barrett just approved a new "Greenlight District" along the 30th street railroad corridor. This area, which has been victim to many years of neglect, has seen some recent development including Amaranth Bakery and Cafe (3329 W Lisbon) and many home renovations. The Greenlight District will encourage business development, specifically green businesses and green buildings (hence, the "greenlight" district).

This move by the mayor should definitely help the neighborhoods of Walnut Hill, Washington Park, Coldspring Park, and Avenues West. These areas, some of which contain the city's finest Victorian homes, may turn out to be Milwaukee's next hot areas.

You can still find homes, commercial property, and industrial warehouse property for well under 200,000 in this area. Contact me for more information.

Place of the Month (POM) & Real Estate Blog

2007-01-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

As part of my commitment to keep my past, present, and future clients current on the real estate market and the ongoing renaissance of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I have added two new features to my website, www.MKEproperty.com.

Place of the Month (okay, so the title needs some work):

Place of the month will feature a unique business or landmark in Milwaukee or the surrounding area. I am constantly amazed at the number of local businesses and hidden gems in Milwaukee neighborhoods. While most of the large weeklies (such as onMilwaukee and the Shepard Express) focus on the Eastside and Bay View, I will break this rule and focus on other areas of Milwaukee.

To see this month's place of the month, click here!

Real Estate Blog:

I knew I was slipping into Real Estate Nerdom when I started wearing slip on snow shoes with suits and I never removed my inspection flashlight from my belt. But now that I have officially accepted my membership into the nerdy world of Real Estate Bloggers, I realize that there is no turning back.

I hope that by highlighting recent real estate news, including interest rates, construction updates, and neighborhood updates, I will be able to provide my clients with more knowledge, which equals a more satisfying real estate buying or selling experience.

Remember, while you may not want a real estate nerd sitting next to you on a long airplane flight, you do want one working for you when you buy or sell a home. I am always taking new clients in the Milwaukee Area, so please don't hesitate to contact me!

I hope you will check MKEproperty.com often for news and views from the Milwaukee Real Estate Market. Any feedback? Please contact me and let me know.