Recently I had to take a step back and review my paperwork reduction practices. Joy Shong had made the mention to us that we had more lead files, offer and listing files, and miscellaneous files accumulated that she thought it could be hard pressed to keep track of such a project. Not to be put in the spotlight,and being the salesman I am, I took a minute out and took a good look at our files. "That's a good point, and I am glad you brought it up." I then replied with "Creative minds are seldom tidy" Probably not the best rebuttal to come back with. However, I do have to say that after that conversation our system immediately became more paperwork reduction conscience. How so you may ask? Easy, Joy just commenced to file some of the files in a container and was very collective under fil... 01/29/2009

I still get a good feeling when someone is looking at me in a convenience store, or gas station and they say "Do I know you?" My general reply is "I have been in Real estate for awhile." The next thing after they either look in my car, or they hesitate for a moment is the ever so spoken words "Your the guy with the great big dog", or "You have the dog in all your pictures, I have seen him on websites" Funny, I was in the picture as well. I thought I knew a lot of people, but it actually is Lars that knows a lot of people. He has become a brand for me that I think would be hard to ever replace. Sure I always use the sayings "See you at closing" or "We look forward to shaking your hand at closing.", but through thick and thin it has been a 120 pound German Shepherd that has become my grea... 01/28/2009

I found myself recently having to sit down with my son Spencer and telling him due to circumstances that were out of my control, and with all we recently went through that we had to move. Perhaps sometimes a child's home is his domain. He knows everything, he loves everything, his daily rituals are mere routine. To tell him it was going to be easier on us because we did not need a three thousand square foot house seems almost meaningless to him. He asked if we were going to move back to our six thousand square foot house with the pool. I said" No honey, we need to maintain, and we need to get closer to things, and people that can help you if I cannot. He was receptive about possible making a geographic move soon. That would make things easier. It was hard explaining that "Bud" the parak... 01/26/2009

HEvery weekend lately I have been showing Lake homes to perspective, qualified buyers.What reall is amazing is the cost of each home is incredibly priced. Four years ago I whould she a common three bedroom home for sale well into the millions. Having lived here most of my life I saw the prices just go up and up. For example; I sold a 4 bedroom, 1 and 1/2 bath home on Lake drive that was immaculate. It even had parking slabs, garages, firplaces, docks, great Lake frontage, and a boat house. It closed at $110,000.This was 1987 ans I thought I has just sole the most expensive home on the Lake. I readily saw these homes skyrocket in price. The home I sold for 110K four years ago would have been $860,000. It now would be about $500,000. The prices have come down. The three homes I showed las... 01/25/2009

 The first date for our commercial, Investment,Business, SBS, Multi Family, and more is set on May28th,2009.  Our hugely successful seminars are like no others.  I plan on having it a the Best Western Midway Motor lodge in Brookfield. This is just North of I-94 and it's exits. It is just south of Bluemound Rd. and is on Moreland Rd. Our seminars are successful , fun, interactive, educational, and very informative. The last seminar allowed us to help 41 people buy properties all in a three month span. Remember seating is limited to the first two hundred. Great food and drink to be had by all. Bring a guest, and tell your friend to call us to confirm and register a spot for them. It is imperative that each individual call or email us to register. From there we are going to make sure that... 01/24/2009

In my personal business we allow time each day for prospecting; this includes cold calling expired listings, For Sale By Owners, Commercial contacts, spheres, areas, and more. If I had the time I could cold call four hours a day; I enjoy it, I have worked at it, and I find We have a regiment that is followed pretty close now, however, I must say that long trip time between large commercial, business, and other projects can hinder timing and it's effectiveness. True, I am a very aggressive broker; that's what my Sellers like, and when I am a buyers agent for buyers they really can see this as well. That's just me. One thing I do know for sure; if your not comfortable and majorly confident on the phone you had better get over it, learn to be more productive on the phone, or team members t... 01/22/2009

I think I would be hard pressed if I were to start asking fellow activerain members if they have bought into systems, trainers, lead generators, and more and they did not work. I can speak for myself that without proper attitude, enthusiasm, drive, and the ability to focus it would be hard to get into anything, and to be productive in the means I want to be productive by. I also think the human side of me wants me to try new systems, respond to incredible, if not realistic offers, emails, and ideas. I also will be the first one to tell you in twenty three years of selling Real Estate I have tried just about every tape, listened to every guru there is, tried all kinds of lead generators to get my name out there, and the list just goes on, and on, and on, and....... Guess what? For the mo... 01/22/2009

Today I had the luxury and privelage of reading Blogging in the rain, a Real Estate Marketing Blog which is written by Rebecca Levinson. Rebecca is a very talented writer, and everytime you read her post you take away material and ideas that are readily applicable in business and life. One of topics she mentioned really hit home. That was what she referred to as an individual being "absolutely you" Hats off to Rebecca, and how well said. Success, Integrity, and and a given desire to force ourselves to do the "right thing" "You win some, you lose some, but you get dressed for every game."If I am not mistaken I believe the author of this quote was Lou Gehrig. Not totally sure but it was a baseball figure.I would probably figure it out by calling the baseball aficionado and wonderful blogg... 01/19/2009

Sure it may be below zero for the next week or so, with wind chills at close to 40 below zero, and yes it snows to beat the band lately, but the rates are great, the selection of Residential and Commercial properties is superb, and the time could not be better to buy a property. If you are contemplating selling you need to go to www.myhomevaluesource.com and start by getting a market done on your existing property. If you want to beat others to hot new listings you need to visit www.buyingvip.com and sign up for new listings everyday without ever having to leave your home. It's all automatic. It's a hot time to buy in Southeastern Wisconsin! It is time to contact Tom Braatz See you at closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.BUYINGVIP.com. 24/7 recorded message ... 01/14/2009

Waukesha County is a magnificent place to live and work. Every City, Town, and Village has a unique charm of it's own. There is a lot of old World tradition that blends hand in hand with modern technology and science. Waukesha County is famous for many reasons, but it's real assets are in its people that reside here and call it home. About the next best thing to living among all this beautiful architecture, outstanding lake, and cosmopolitan streets would be working here. Perhaps you have thought about relocating, or maybe starting your own business. If you have it may be time to call Tom Braatz. Tom Braatz can help you find the Real Estate you need, and don't worry. If it is not on the market Tom Braatz will go out and find it for you. There is SBA money out there, there is commercial ... 01/12/2009

First, I would like to thank BILL CHERRY for thinking enough of me, and my writing as well, to count me in his top 10 list. Funny, it wasn't that long ago that my dear friend Elizabeth's Weintraub's Blog   said "use the spell checker!"From there my forever friend Jo Smith from Ontario said "Pictures Tom?"Transitions-The Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate Blog, and from there my addition to blogging took off like a gas can in a forest fire. My ten top writers and I wish I could name a hundred would be: Jo Anne Smith Transitions-The Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Region Real Estate Blog ( Jo and I are friends, and will always be a support for each other when the World throws it's best at us. She is a person that I truly am glad to be able to call my friend ) Eli... 01/12/2009

In Wisconsin there are an amazing amount of high quality multi family investments. They range from two units and go all the way up to four hundred units. In some cases, there are even bigger projects available. Please call Tom Braatz, or email him at tom@tombraatz.com if you are interested, or if you would like to refer any commercial, business, or any other type of Real Estate.     We look forward to seeing you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.BUYINGVIP.com. 24/7 recorded message to obtain Free report,Buyer Package,and Real Estate Tool Kit 1-800-800-7140 If you need to purchase within the next 60 days go to Ext 101 If you do not need to purchase within the next 60 days go to Ext 102 For The "Throw Away Those Rent Receipts" report go to Ext 106 Now Yo... 01/11/2009

Recently it was brought to my attention that for every person we start out setting up their investments for in multi family and commercial we usually wind up doing anywhere from another two to eight more properties. With this in mind it hit me that there is a huge strength in sitting down, rolling up our sleeves and having a one on one game plan for now, and as well as for the future.  Every week in January, February, and part of March will have time set aside so we can set aside time to educate, evaluate, and start our journey in investments with new as well as seasoned buyers of commercial and investment Real Estate. All you need to do is contact Tom Braatz and have him get out his appointment book. Lines are open now! We look forward to seeing you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign... 01/09/2009

We're thrilled to announce that we are now taking reservations for the Imagination Station Playground DREAM BENEFIT!!!  We would like to extend an invitation to you and your friends.  It's a great event to get some friends and family together and enjoy this relaxing and unique venue, while giving back to our very special project! The DREAM BENEFIT is an upcoming social party with 100% of the proceeds supporting this universally-accessible playground to be built in Roosevelt Park, Oconomowoc. This park will mean so much not only to the kids that play there, but to their parents, grandparents, caregivers and loved ones who get to see their kids excited as they enter and explore.  Nothing is more precious than when my kid's eyes light up with anticipation and delight. The community is real... 01/06/2009

It's another icy day in Wisconsin, and it is cold. There is this amazing tranquility and peacefulness that comes with the temperature being lower than normal. A paradox is perhaps the word I am looking for. Steam off of rivers, shimmering ice, and high sculptures glowing snow everywhere. I left a home today of someone I had known for years in this business, in fact going back to 1986. As I left the home I started to reflect on times when I first met this couple. Younger at the time, they were married, from there had children, and now had grandchildren. It dawned on me that I truly had the opportunity to have had a career that the people I was fortunate to have the chance to work with became dear friends over the years. I have seen all avenues of life in the time I have had the joy of be... 01/05/2009

Imagine never being able to take your child to a playground because their physical limitations meant they couldn't play on any of the equipment.  In 2009 Oconomowoc will add another feather to its cap with a universally accessible playground, called Imagination Station, to be built in June.  Slated for Roosevelt Park, this community built playground, with total accessibility for children of all abilities, a central endeavor of the playground, will make it the first of its kind in Waukesha County.  A joint project between the Oconomowoc Junior Women's Club and The Oconomowoc Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, the design was left up to children and is awesome.  There are a number of opportunities to get involved from helping with the actual building to attending The Imagination... 01/05/2009

  If you are like me you wake on on News Year day and enjoy the peacefulness and are motivated to get things in order for the next year upon you. Well, at least the next day because on News Years day there is so much to enjoy and relax to. In Wisconsin there is a long running tradition that some may think is a little extreme. Although I like extreme things, dangerous sports and hobbies, I just can't get my self to jump in a Lake with a swimming suit and get out and enjoy it. I now know my there is alcohol involved. Can this be synonymous with Mylo  Cardiac Fibrillation? Not if you ask these folks. They long for it, enjoy it, and make it a ritual that certainly puts them in the picture.   We look forward to seeing you at Closing! Tom Braatz  You Can Sign up For VIP BUYING at http://www.B... 01/04/2009

In the past I have always had a great deal of interest in buyers that would attend seminars. For example, in 2007 we had a multi family seminar and educated the buyers in just about every aspect they would need to know, and we also brought in many experts they would be part of the equation. As a result of that one seminar we were able to help forty one buyers purchase multi families. Some were able to purchase a couple at a time. It is my pleasure to make mention that if you are a Realtor and wishing to refer someone to us we would be honored to help them in multi units, commercial avenues, or business. Of course, we always welcome your single family referrals as well. In the upcoming months we will be conducting another seminar for buyers wishing to start or increase their portfolio. C... 01/02/2009

The final numbers aren't in yet and when they are I will be able to do a more in depth analysis but for those of you who are wondering how real estate fared in Oconomowoc this year, here are a few preliminary statistics:                                                       2008                                              2007 Single Family Homes Sold      231 Homes     $71 million         311 Homes    $108 Million                                         Average Sales Price                $308,336                                     $346,891 Sold Price Range                      $70,000 - $1,150,000              $123,000 - $3,480,000 A word of caution, this does not mean that the average home fell in value by over 10%.  While the prices of many homes are less than they were last year, ... 12/30/2008

lately I have heard many of people creating self defeating prophecies. It is so sad to see that people tend to doubt their inner abilities. They listen to the media, they listen to others that pull them down, and in turn they pull themselves down to extraordinary low levels that can often take time to get the right attitude back. Yes, these can be hard times. If you have the right attitude and even if it means equating a dollar for what we used to equate One hundred for then so be it. It does not mean that people have to beat the life out of themselves to think less of what they do everyday. Amazing opportunities are ahead of us. Great adventures, great markets, and the American dream has never went away but has been distorted if for awhile by economic growth, and lack of growth. When y... 12/13/2008