The Milwaukee Brewers are wrapping up Spring Training and fans are looking forward to the new season. The Brewers have a very young, talented line up with a few veterans sprinkled in. Miller Park is an excellent ballpark to enjoy a family friendly game at! The Brewers have a great manager in Ned Yost that knows how to motivate and get results! It is wonderful to see a new owner Mark Attanasio do what the previous owner wouldn't : Commit to Winning! GO BREW CREW!     If you have a Real Estate related need in Wisconsin: Contact Realtor® Matt Yogerst, RE/MAX Realty 100. Licensed Realtor® in Wisconsin at 262-224-5439 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Germantown, Erin, Hartford, Slinger, Richfield, Jackson, West Bend, Kewaskum and the rest o... 03/25/2008

  REALTORS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW            March 29 - April 1 (closed March 31 - April 1) Look through 10,000 square feet of home and garden displays of products, ideas and recommendations.  Returning this year is the antiques and arts collection.  Wisconsin Exposition Center, State Fair Park, West Allis 414.778.4929 http://www.realtorshomeandgardenshow.com/   SPRING TOUR OF HOMES AND CONDOS                   April 19 - May 4 Touring homes in Southeastern Wisconsin. Presented by the Metropolitan Builders Association 262.436.1122 http://www.mbaonline.org/ Looking for more Event Information or help with Real Estate? Contact April at http://www.movewithapril.com/ 02/25/2008

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 ... 01/17/2008

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, taver... 01/17/2008

In slower markets we have a tendency to sit back and wait for the home activity to pick up. being a Commercial broker for over twenty years I find that many brokers forget about what some consumers might consider the second American dream; that being owning their own business.If you ever need a direct contact please call or email me, and I will give you a direct contact for the vice president of SBA loans, her name being Rhonda Marin. She is also a member of activerain. She is out of Chicago.The neat thing about SBA loans is that it allows people that have dreams a way to make them happen. I had a woman come into my office and I was able to put her into a nail salon, health salon combo. She had her business in it, and she now has the Real Property which she owns. The same applies to Che... 01/16/2008

When it comes to quality one can see it. It may take awhile, but often it is right away. For the last week I have been razzed by all these arm chair quarterbacks that told me that the Green Bay Packers had a good team, but they were not that great.My response. If I had to and I can prepare I could out run, swim, bicycle, climb, over come illness, and probably do just about anything. I can have that mind set and can psyche myself up to do great or difficult  things, but  it cannot even compare to what an athlete Brett Favre and what a mind set he has. I love people with sheer determination.  I will never be a Brett Favre, nor could I ever be.. Like Michael Jordan said" The will to win is important, the will to prepare is vital", I think a guy named Brett Favre that has an arm like a stin... 01/13/2008

Milwaukee has had many of famous people come, and go through it. Some loved it that they made it their year round home. For example, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fountain, which were the original silent films before talkies lived in a quaint little community call Genesee Depot. They would entertain Truman Capote, Cary Grant, Lawrence Oliviar, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Kathryn Hepburn, Bob  Hope, Bing Crosby,  lots more of Entertainments's elite. Mrs. Lunt was just a normal lady that liked her garden and plants. She waved a lot. She had her plower and woven earth  peace on Earth right in front of her.Ten Chinneys is now a musuem for people. You will fund at times that I right about strange things. Onr thime when I was driving along with my grandfather the Oscar Meyer wiener mobile drove ... 01/11/2008

 Over my career there have been people that have  stood out as an asset that could be the glue, and the catalyst, of a great Real Estate transaction. I have come to know one such person that is in my corner. For the most part I would be foolish to not have her involved in my Commercial and Investment transactions.In fact, every transaction I have from selling one of my listings goes automatically to Attorney Wahlberg for review, closing, and the best part is my customers and clients get the satisfaction of knowing a top notch attorney, a Real Estate attorney ( not someone that a family has used that knows little about the ins and outs of Real Estate) has looked over all the documents, and shows up to close the transaction. All for the same price as if it was just sent out to a title com... 01/11/2008

-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo...I'm singing in the rainJust singing in the rainWhat a glorious feelin'I'm happy againI'm laughing at cloudsSo dark up aboveThe sun's in my heartAnd I'm ready for loveLet the stormy clouds chaseEveryone from the placecome on with the rainI've a smile on my faceI walk down the laneWith a happy refrainJust singin',Singin' in the rainDancin' in the rainDee-ah dee-ah dee-ahDee-ah dee-ah dee-ahI'm happy again!I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...[ADDITIONAL VERSE]Why am I smilingAnd why do I sing? Why does September Seem sunny as spring?Why do I get upEach morning and start?Happy and head up With joy in my heartWhy is each new taskA trifle to do?Because I am livingA life full of you.    friemds Sincerely Tom... 01/10/2008

Here we are already into January and it is in the fifties. Shortly the little heads of plants will be sticking their heads up out of the ground. The birds will chirp more  and Spring will be here. I love Spring and every day I get up I believe we are that much closer to the fine season. The market is picking up, the houses are selling, and it is getting great. I am waiting for the buds soon to get on the trees and we can start wearing short sleeve shirts. It has been cold for too long, and winter has had it;s time. It can go awy and we can be happy with the warm climate again. Optimism is always a plus.I will always bring a ray of hope to everyone.  SincerelyTom Braatz www.tombraatz.com  www.myhomevaluesource.com  www.buyingvip.com  262-377-1459www.localism.com go to Wisconsin and go to... 01/09/2008

Recently I had a charming and exquisite lady named Mimi Osterdahl from the Muljat Group, which is look located in bellingham, Washingtom meME me. Please look at her site which is http://www.LiveGoodBeHappy.blogspot.com. This woman defines the word class and charming. Reading her posts and her attitude is something that this World needs a lot more of. Truly an inspiration to me. TRuly!So I have to write about another three things that people may not know about me.One of my pasttimes , and I need to get more into it is scuba diving. I was a liesure diver, and I was also a recovery diver pulling people from water and rivers that were unfortunate. I was also a recovery dover for a dog team.  Another thing I did before I got into Real Estate is I went to school for Chemistry. I sure liked th... 01/07/2008

Every single major act when asked will tell you how cool Summerfest is on the Milwaukee Lakefront grounds. Imagine a Million or two million people jamming from everything from top Rock acts, Country, Jazz, Blues, and more.This is a must for any music lover. I personally love to get up close and listen to Robin Trower, Johnny Winters, Lnynrd Skynard, and so much more. My ears are ringing so much after those ten days, but it was well worth it. If you ever wanted to have a choice of hundreds of different acts on about 40 stages this is the place to be nothing compares. Always in June, and on the Lake Front it is so spectacular that one will never forget it.Lots of rides, food, entertainment, and the best acts, and the best major acts in the country.Sincerely  Tom Braatz         01/07/2008

There are scooters, there are cycles, there are motorcycles, and then there are Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Nothing, and I mean nothing can rival a Harley Davidson. Ask a loyal Harley owner if they would switch to another type of bike and sparks could fly. Those are fighting words. The loyalty is unparralled, and it should be.Born in Milwaukee this company has become a World class institution. The quality of these motorcylces is second to none.Five years ago there was a gathering of all the Harley owners from around the World that came to Milwaukee. They came from Canada, every State in the United States. New Zealand, Japan, Germany, you name it. This is a product that stands for something. It is as American as Apple Pie.Every kind of person on earth from Doctors, Lawyers, Realtors, nu... 01/07/2008

Over my career there have been people that have  stood out as an asset that could be the glue, and the catalyst, of a great Real Estate transaction. I have come to know one such person that is in my corner. For the most part I would be foolish to not have her involved in my Commercial and Investment transactions.In fact, every transaction I have from selling one of my listings goes automatically to Attorney Wahlberg for review, closing, and the best part is my customers and clients get the satisfaction of knowing a top notch attorney, a Real Estate attorney ( not someone that a family has used that knows little about the ins and outs of Real Estate) has looked over all the documents, and shows up to close the transaction. All for the same price as if it was just sent out to a title comp... 01/04/2008

The homes that are on the market in the Milwaukee Wisconsin area and the surrounding areas are absolutely priced well. I think there has never been such a great time and desirable time to purchase a home, or for that matter, sell a home. The interest rates are a real bargain, and in Wisconsin you get a lot of home for your money.If you have considered buying a home the time to call Tom Braatz and his team is now. If you have thought about moving up and purchasing a new or different home the first step would be to call Tom Braatz at 262-377-1459 or email him at tom@tombraatz.com and request an online home evaluation. While you are at it sign up to become a VIP buyer and beat everyone else to the hot new listings.I would highly recommend signing up to have VIP access and also sign up to g... 01/03/2008

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 ... 01/03/2008

With the New Year upon us I hope everyone has a great and memorable time come New Years Eve. After it is all said and done, your designated driver has dropped you off, and you eat a bottle of aspirin that reminds you why this Holiday only comes once a year it will give you time to plan the business that you so richly deserve!!May you all have a fabulous New Year and I will think of you when my son and I are eating pizza and listening to all the sirens going by in celebration! Oh New Year; does that bring back some memories I am glad are over!Happy New Year to allSincerelyTom Braatz www.tombraatz.com  www.myhomevaluesource.com  www.buyingvip.com  262-377-1459 12/30/2007

I can walk in my office at any time and hear someone say "It can't get any worst" Being the person I am I remind them that the phone is in their office and not in the hall way. Then I commence back to the coffee machine have my 5 or 6 cups of coffee and I am ready to be more hyper than I already am.It does not take a genius to figure out that things could be better, but it really does not do any good hanging around waiting for the grim reaper to come in and invite us out to lunch. What is that noise all about?Down times require the tough to hone their skills, do things they do not like to do, work harder in areas that they may not like, and do the things that they may dread. BY getting out of the box and doing what they do not like it just may make someone realize that there is money in... 12/30/2007

It is a Saturday and I am in the mist of cleaning out the unwanted files that I have accumulate over the last year. In addition to that requires putting all of the closed files in a file rack loaded with boxes. I for one hope I never have to see them for awhile and for the wrong reasons."There is a fine line between genius and insanity"  "These is also a fine line about starting a new year with achievable goals that are realistic, and that can be accomplished." Finally, this business means nothing if you have no intrinsic values to monitor by."Anyone that tells you that success is a form of being lucky is talking off the top of their rear.Anyone that tells you that some people have it and some just don't say that because they are on the top now.Anyone that looks at you and says that you... 12/29/2007

I am at that stage of throwing away old wrappers and piles of material that was going to happen. Next will be to box all the closing files to be put away and hopefully not to be seen again.I had this sense of happiness come across me by thinking of the comments that I receive from the posts that I write.To begin with, I have come a long way in blogging. Proper English to spell checking, to organization and picture posting.The comments are re assuring. Comments from our colleagues in this business mean everything.Customers and clients that we enjoy their company and thank them for being our friends. I received a comment on one of my posts that pretty well sums up where I want to be in life and thought of. Pretty simple. "Tom, you are a decent man"The Holiday is upon us, and I hope everyo... 12/23/2007