In a press release earlier this year the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) said that this real estate market is full of opportunities. We couldn’t agree more! Despite high inventories, record high foreclosures and sellers having difficulties finding buyers, this market is presenting amazing opportunities at the same time!

We get blasted with national bad news almost daily. We think it is nurturing a collective “bad attitude” which contributes to the problem. But our local circumstances have not been nearly as bad as out east, in Florida, Vegas or California, to name a few. Here’s part of the press release …

MADISON, WI – All real estate markets are not the same, and in Wisconsin, there’s more good news than bad. Explaining this reality to consumers is the goal of a new advertising campaign sponsored by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

“The fact is today’s real estate market, especially in Wisconsin, is full of great opportunities, if people take the time to look into it,” said Mike Spranger, Chairman of the Board of the WRA.

We look at a lot of pre-foreclosure and REO properties every week - maybe 5; maybe even 10 or 12! We walk through them so we can help our buyers and investors when they call us with their inquires. We do it because we want to advice our clients as best we can on the condition of each property.

We list foreclosure properties too like more and more realtors these days. We’ve never failed to be amazed at how most foreclosed (REO) property listings have a single photo, the standard “As Is” phrase, a word about proof of funds and maybe an “allow 2 business days for response” - beyond that, not a word! It’s being sold “As Is”.

Four basement walls caving in? Roof that has leaked enough water to sink the Titanic, frozen/broken pipes, building leans 3 inches to the south!! - not to worry, no need to mention it!! - the property is being sole “As Is” !!

When we list an REO, we publish as many photos as we do for our regular listed properties and, we also include the “As Is” clause in our MLS listings. But we make note of any significant readily observable items - whether attractive selling features or easily observable defects - Huh! - we thought we learned in Real Estate 101 that the State of Wisconsin requires us to do that!

We applaud the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors (GMAR) for their recent web posting of a friendly reminder to all realtors that the “As Is” clause, does not mean they do not have to disclose readily observable “blatant adverse facts”. We think some of our peers need to step it up and uphold their obligations under Wisconsin law. We also think that foreclosed properties deserve the same “best effort” as we give to all of our other listings.

Thanks, GMAR, for reminding us all of Wis. Admin. Code RL24.07!

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We enjoy watching many of the programs that show people rehabbing houses and then selling them for mega-profits! We think its entertaining! It’s even cooler when they complete their projects in 5 days or less! Why are they always under such ridiculous deadlines anyways? Maybe the producers have a vested interest in companies that make blood pressure meds, do you think? Maybe its just good TV! What do we know!

With our experience in construction we know that a project that require 100 man-hours of work can easily be completed in an hour with 100 men!! Right? Oh, and we love the open houses with 37 people that bring 6 offers, the least of which is $24K over the asking price! It’s reality TV! (on steroids or something!)

It makes good TV; but not necessarily good sense … and we’re pretty sure its not ‘reality’! Sadly, we never fail to be amazed at the number of foreclosed properties we see every week that are half completed rehabs. We’d bet that some of these are born out of “Reality TV” - but who could prove it?

This kind of reality TV is not a lot like the real world from our point of view. We know there are a lot of great opportunities in the real estate market today, but we hate to see people who bought the easy profits that some TV shows would have us all believing.

We’ve thought about getting into television too - “Flip Flops” is kind of catchy, don’t you think? But we’re guessing the TV execs would say its too negative!

We’re thinking that maybe we should just stick with what we know - how to help investors and rehabbers to take advantage of “real” opportunities and walk away with real profits.

Are you in a position where you need to sell your house? Facing foreclosure, going through a divorce, transferring jobs, lost income or making mortgage payments on a vacant property?  Whatever your circumstances we may be able to help … you may not have to make another payment on that house you no longer want.

Call us in complete confidence - expect straight talk and honest information; not sale’s shmooze!!

We know that for many people facing the loss of a home can be a very tough problem.  Sometimes we can help!   Yes, we do buy houses too at times, but we think you’ll agree that we offer solutions, not high pressure or sugar coating when you’re confronted with a difficult situation!

Click here to get more information on selling your home fast