N62W38140 Westwinds Ct, Oconomowoc

N62W38140 Westwinds Ct, Oconomowoc: Welcome to a stunning location, on just under one acre! Custom built,and conveniently located, this spacious home offers many pleasing amenities for family living and entertaining. A large foyer opens to formal living and dining rooms, adjacent to a comfortable family room with a natural fireplace. The kitchen with dinette opens to the fabulous deck and yard, complete with custom landscaping and an outdoor hot tub. Four generous bedrooms are placed on the second level, with a large laundry room. No carrying clothes up and down stairs! The master bedroom has a wonderful walk-in closet, and master bath with whirlpool tub. The oversized 4th bedroom is currently used as a private den. Movie fans will love the home theater and adjoining rec room in the lower level. Priced to sell, this gem won't last long!

Happy New Year!

At the beginning of a new year, I always am filled with hope and excitement for what is to come...new opportunities, new friendships, new accomplishments.
I also look through the eyes of my buyers and sellers, and see the year before us through their eyes. Does it hold a first home purchase, the sale of the family home for a luxury condo, or the purchase of a new home to hold a growing family? Whatever the reason for buying or selling, it's filled with excitement and anticipation for the changes to come.

Some good news in the real estate department for 2012, is that prices and interest rates are not just great, they are compelling!

Here is a wonderful farmette in Jefferson County, Oconomowoc Schools that is waiting for a new owner. Check it out! What does the new year hold in store for you?

The Arts in Oconomowoc

Oconomowoc wraps 1st class performances in a 1st class venue...the Oconomowoc Arts Center. Currently, the center is launching the final phase of its "Take a Seat Campaign!" Help retire the financial commitment that allowed the fabulous upgrades that we all enjoy. For more information on how to purchase a seat, please visit www.opef.info.

Luxury Housing

Southeastern Wisconsin Lake Living » Blog » Luxury Housing Market may be Rebounding

Oconomowoc High School Sailing Team

More about our new HS Sailing Team!..Southeastern Wisconsin Lake Living » Category » Home

OHS Has High School Sailing!

Check out this link to my Lake Area Blog regarding OHS Sailing! Very Cool!Southeastern Wisconsin Lake Living » Blog » High School Sailing

Bike Sale at the State Fair Expo

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Beauty and the Beast

The students at Nature Hill will be performing Beauty and Beast at the Oconomowoc Performing Arts Center in March. For further information, please visit my Lake Country blog post, attached.
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The Clock is Ticking! Time is running out....

Click to link to this blog post. Time is running out on the homebuyers tax credit.
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All Aboard!!!

Oconomowoc would see a piece of the "grant pie", if the federal money slated for high speed passenger rail, becomes a reality. For information, please refer to the linked article. share

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Local Oconomowoc Citizen Makes a Difference

If you've shopped in Oconomowoc, you more than likely have spotted the adorable "swittens", mittens made from recycled sweaters, that are sold in various local merchants. The sales are the brain child of local resident, Patti Swift, who organizes the sales and proceeds to benefit "The Friendship Bridge." This organization assists with the development of women owned small business in impoverished areas such as Vietnam and Guatemala. Learn more about this organization by linking to their website. Local women making a difference...I like it!

Lake Country Youth Ski Racing

Wisconsin Junior Ski Racing is up and running in Lake Country. Last weekend, the kick off was at Ausblick Ski Resort. This coming Saturday, kids will be hitting the slopes at Sunburst. For more information please link to this article. Let it snow, let is snow, let it snow!

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Cooney Hosts Youth Basketball Tournament

The 7th and 8th Grade Cooney Basketball players will be hosting a tournament this Saturday, Jan. 9th, at the OHS Fieldhouse. Link to this for more info

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Holiday Decorating

If you haven't had time to "deck the halls with boughs of holly", don't fret. There's still time to add some easy touches to your interior or exterior decor, to put you and your household in the holiday spirit. You don't have to spend a lot of time or money, either.

My friend, and designer, Susan Smith, of Local Color in Oconomowoc, recently was interviewed with several area designers, asking them what they were seeing as trends for this season's holiday decorating. You can read the article here, in which Susan describes using some natural elements from your yard. It's as easy as cutting some twigs and berries and displaying in a favorite vase. This year, I cut some natural branches and put them in a pot with some lights and favorite bird ornaments. It makes a festive and dramatic element in my entry.

An easy idea is to use favorite interests to inspire themes. I collect French Horn ornaments. I play the instrument, and my Mom started giving me an ornament each year, as a child. She still does today, and I display them on my annual "music tree". I've added my kid's instruments, along with the many beautiful horns that I've collected, over the years. I also have an annual "Star Trek Tree"...it's a conversation piece!

I've done another tree in all green and white, and display some antique "tatted" snowflakes and ornaments that my Grandmother gave me. I always cherish seeing them. If you don't have a collection of ornaments, you can find a simple pattern, and cut some paper ornaments to adorn a mantel, or tree. The key is to have fun, not spend a ton of time, and enjoy the season!

Happy decorating, Merry Christmas and Season's Greeting to you and your families!

Passion for fashion makes fundraiser success - MenomoneeFallsNOW

Passion for fashion makes fundraiser success - MenomoneeFallsNOW

Ships Ahoy - Oconomowoc Focus

Check out the recent article about our new Oconomowoc High School Sailing Team.
Ships Ahoy - Oconomowoc Focus

News about Oconomowoc High Speed Rail

This link just came across my desk regarding the push for high speed rail, with a stop in Oconomowoc.

Feingold and Kohl join Wisconsin's bid for high-speed rail - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

Update to Tax Credit Info previously posted

This alert with a change, just came in. Please read.
Homebuyer Tax Credit Clarification
The RealEstateEconomyWatch.com article the GMAR sent out this morning, titled "How the New Homebuyers Tax Credit Works" by Steve Cook, contained an error that has caused some confusion among members.

The article incorrectly states that, "Existing homeowners who are also in the process of buying a home should consider delaying closing until December 1 or later to qualify for the credit."

According to NARs FAQ we sent out last night both tax credits will be effective as soon as President Obama signs the bill. And, according to ABC News, the President did sign the bill this morning. See more at ABC News


Posted are NARs fliers on the Tax Credit:

Home Buyers Tax Credit

The Greater Milwaukee Board of Realtors just released this informational piece about the tax credit. I have reproduced here, for you to read. Please call with any questions.

More on the Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes
How the New Homebuyers Tax Credit Works
from RealEstateEconomyWatch.com
by Steve Cook

The extension and expansion of the homebuyers tax credit that passed Congress November 5 allows more first-time buyers to qualify and creates an entirely new credit for existing homeowners who buy a new home.

The effective date is Tuesday, December 1 for the enhanced first-time buyer credit and for the new credit. It is not retroactive. However, first-time buyers who have been rushing the meet the November 30 deadline for the existing program need not worry. They can qualify under the new one. Existing homeowners who are also in the process of buying a home should consider delaying closing until December 1 or later to qualify for the credit.

Both credits expire next spring. Buyers must have a contract on a home before May 1, 2010 and they have until June 30, 2010 to close in order to qualify.

Key Provisions

Amounts:
- The first-buyer credit remains 10 percent of the cost of the home or $8ooo, whichever is less.
- The credit for existing homeowners is 10 percent of the value of the new home or $6500, whichever is less.

Definitions:
- A first-time homebuyer cannot have owned a home during the past three years.
- Existing homeowners must have owned and lived in their current home five out of the preceding eight years.
- Only principal residences qualify. No second homes or investment properties.

Income limits:
- The measure raises the income limits for those claiming the credit to $125,000 a year for individuals and $225,000 for couples, up from $75,000 and $150,000 in the previous first-time buyer credit. After that, the value of the credit phases out.
- The cost of the new home cannot exceed $800,000.

Cost:
- Expanding the home buyers’ credit will cost about $11 billion. The total cost of extending the first-time buyer credit and adding the existing owners’ credit is $16.7 billion.

How to Apply::
- Use IRS form 5405, which you file with an amended tax return.

Lakers Ski Swap Saturday

Lakers will be holding it's annual ski swap in the OHS cafeteria, Sat. Nov. 7th. Drop off of sale equipment will be from 7:30-9:30am. Sale starts at 9:30 and runs till 1pm. Cash or checks preferred. Come over for some great deals!