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Hot market will endure

Factors point to more of the same in 2021, Realtor says By Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER

KEEFE REAL ESTATE PHOTO Homes

said. Beers said today more than ever it’s important that the real estate agent or broker knows the area and is familiar with the market so he or she can prepare the Hopeful buyers potential buyers for the process. For those people who are hoping to “They need to understand that they may purchase a home in the current market, lose out on one or two homes before they there are a number of things they can do to can find the right home or be the ones to get improve their chances of that happening, a home they’d like to buy,” he explained. according to Beers. “Talking to someone ahead of time will “It’s important to get prequalified so they help as far as what things they need to put know what they can afford and they should in an offer that will help improve their be sure they’re working with a good real • CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 estate professional who can help them,” he

HOME Buyer,Owner &Renter

For advertising opportunities, call 262-725-7701, ext. 134, or email vicki@southernlakesnewspapers.com SPECIAL SECTIONS: Tracy Ouellette CREATIVE/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Heidi Schulz ADVERTISING: Vicki Vanderwerff SECTION DESIGNER: Jennifer DeGroot

FEB. 2021

make the decision as to whether or not they want to buy very quickly. And if you have to make that decision in a day or two days, it can be tough,” he said.

Homes & Design FEATURING

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This three-bedroom, two-bath home on Orchid Drive in Genoa City was recently listed with Keefe Real Estate for $200,000. According to Steve Beers, chairman of Keefe, homes in the $150,000 to $400,000 range continue to sell very fast.

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

The hot real estate market is expected to continue well into this year, according to one local real estate agent. Steve Beers, chairman of Keefe Real Estate who just wrapped up two years serving as chairman of the Wisconsin Realtors Association, said there are multiple reasons the trend will endure. “The reasons it will Steve Beers continue are not only the high demand but you also have the low interest rates. And, jobs are pretty good as well as people moving into the area. All of that, coupled with the reduction of homes being built in Walworth County, is playing a part,” Beers said. He said the drop in new home building is due, in part, to the process for getting things approved by municipalities has become long and arduous. Those timeframes then increase the cost for the homeowner because of extra costs and zoning fees to meet what the current housing market requires, which can turn some away from going the route of a new home, he said. Homes in the $150,000 to $400,000 range have seen an appreciation of roughly 12% in 2020, according to Beers. “I don’t see them receding and some of that is because of the demand but also because (the price of) lumber has gone up. Plus, it’s hard to get things like windows, doors, siding and concrete because the demand is so high right now,” Beers explained. That price range of less than $400,000 is continuing to prove challenging for buyers because the inventory remains low, Beers said. “That’s frustrating for not only the buyers but also the real estate people because they know these people have to

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Landlords, tenants navigating pandemic impacts Area isn’t experiencing huge rash of non-payments, managers say By Mike Ramczyk CORRESPONDENT

Fox River Property Management is a division of Bear Realty’s Burlington office. One of the firm’s owners says most area landlords and tenants are navigating pandemic-related issues well.

any income in 2019 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) pursuant to Section 2201 of the CARES Act; • They are unable to pay full rent or make a full housing payment due to substantial loss of household income, loss of compensable hours of work or wages, lay-offs, or extraordinary (at least 7.5% of income) out-of-pocket medical expenses; • They are using their best efforts to make timely partial payments that are as close to the full payment as the individual’s circumstances may permit, taking into account other nondiscretionary expenses; • If evicted they would likely become homeless, need to move into a homeless shelter, or need to move into a new residence shared by other people who live in close quarters because they have no other available housing options;

Management co-owner Michelle Petersen, who has been in the Burlington Loop since 2008 with husband Bernard, described a current climate of tenants doing everything within their power to keep the lights on. Fortunately, she said, there hasn’t been any kind of drastic trend of people not being able to afford rent. “We cover all of southeastern Wisconsin,” she said. “Some pockets have been hit harder than others. Overall, tenants are in a good position to pay rent. They haven’t been hit too hard.” “We are very understanding if they’re making a good faith effort. Tenants understand this isn’t a free pass. At the end of the moratorium, the rent is still due.” Petersen said that 98% of tenants are paying and not really being affected, and it’s been business as usual. “We are helping them keep on track,” she said. “It’s been good, knock on wood. Situation stabilizes People have been very forthcoming.” Lois said in the new year, people are Petersen said the area market is starting to get a little more comfortable in somewhat insulated from everything that’s their situations. been changing with the economy. “We know what’s worked,” he said. “It’s She added that many people have had similar to last year, but there’s certainty and stable income and are still working. less fear of the unknown.” Both property management agencies Lois added that the moratorium started in advise tenants who have questions or who March, and there was a lot of panic among are in need of assistance to reach out to the landlords in the beginning. property manager or landlord to discuss On Monday morning, MPC Property options.

FEB. 2021

MIKE RAMCZYK Homes

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

Area residents, tenants and businesses have taken a major hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, at least in Southern Lakes area, tenants aren’t generally stiffing landlords for several months of unpaid rent. While tenants both on the commercial and residential front have gone through job loss and have sought out government assistance through various programs, including an eviction moratorium that was recently extended through Jan. 31, representatives from two area property management firms haven’t been struggling to collect money. “I’m surprised there haven’t been more late or non-payments,” said Brad Lois, a coowner of Fox River Property Management, which operates as a division of Bear Realty in Burlington. “We’ve made sure there aren’t any major problems. The banks have allowed people to defer payments on loans.” Lois said firm serves the tri-county area of Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties. They have worked closely with several organizations to make sure they’re addressing needs of tenants who are in search of assistance. With people losing jobs due to the pandemic, tenants may be forced to miss a rent payment or apply for government assistance. “With the eviction moratorium, it must be fair,” Lois said. “The government said we can’t kick anybody out if they can’t pay. We have worked hard to make sure landlords could pay mortgage.” “The government has done a good job helping us.” According to the Centers for Disease Control, which implemented the eviction moratorium, here are a few conditions tenants must meet in order to qualify for assistance: • They have used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing; • They either expect to earn no more than $99,000 in annual income for calendar year 2020 (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return), were not required to report

James R. Taylor and Sons, Inc. owners Stevie and Jim Taylor (at left) celebrate the completion of the new roof on veteran Russel Gale and family’s home in 2020 with the employees who worked on the house. The East Troy construction company’s Putting Our Military on Top program, each year, gives away a free roof, free labor included, to a nominated veteran in need of one. To nominate a veteran, visit www.jrtaylorandsons.com after the first of the year. SUBMITTED PHOTO Homes

Remodelers, builders face uncertain year But even with rising prices, 2020 was a good year for them

building and/or remodeling has risen dramatically. “Price affects everybody,” Hackbarth The housing market is red hot at the said. “People still have budgets and interest moment with home sales up even with the rates are good, but if they can’t do it uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic because the pricing is unstable they just contributing to a shortage of houses to can’t do it. I used to be able to guarantee buy. And while the pandemic has caused my prices for 30 days but now, with so issues with supply and demand, one area much instability, it changes daily. That has builder saw a good year with new home never been that way and I’ve been in the construction in 2020. business for over 40 years.” “Last year was great because we didn’t Hackbarth added that between get shut down. Material prices went through manufacturing plants cutting down on the roof and there was such a shortage of the number of employees working with things, but the demand was there,” said COVID-19 to the issues with shipping John Hackbarth, owner of Hackbarth from Canada and overseas, just getting the Builders Inc. in East Troy. Jim and Stevie Taylor are third-generation owners needed construction materials has been Hayley Taylor, head of marketing at at James R. Taylor and Sons in East Troy. The difficult. James R. Taylor and Sons in East Troy, said company serves all of southeastern Wisconsin “And yet, I had a great year last year,” the shortage of materials was an issue all with roofing, siding, windows, remodeling, he said. “I was surprised at how good a year year long. additions and new home construction. I had. Sure, I had some issues with people “We’re doing much more remodeling SUBMITTED PHOTO Homes wanting to come to work with the risks, than new homes right now,” Taylor said. but we had some really nice jobs. I do a lot and scheduling around when we will have “Supplies are limited because of COVID of lake-related stuff and a lot of people in them.” and the process has been longer because Illinois wanted to come up here.” With materials at a premium, both of that. People understand and have been For Taylor and Sons, the majority Hackbarth and Taylor said the cost of very patient. We’re waiting on materials of its 2020 work was remodeling and By Tracy Ouellette

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

FEB. 2021

SECTION EDITOR

additions along with a couple of new home construction projects. “We haven’t done a lot of new builds, per say, but we’ve done some extensive remodels,” Taylor said. “We’re still seeing a lot of interest in projects for this coming year, too. It hasn’t slowed down. We have a lot of people coming in. With people spending so much more time at home, I think they’re looking to remodel and expand their living spaces.” Taylor added that they see many people are looking more toward remodeling than building new simply because of the cost. “The timing is off right now for many people,” she said. “They might want to build new, but they just can’t afford it. The prices have gone up a lot.” Hackbarth said he’s still seeing interest in remodeling and new home construction, but being winter, it has slowed a bit, like any other year. “I don’t think anybody knows what next year is going to bring,” he said. “I do think that because interest rates are good, a lot of people might be looking at something different because they’ve been spending so much time at home.” Both Taylor and Hackbarth agreed that 2021 would be an “interesting” year in the world of home construction and remodeling. “Anything can happen,” Hackbarth said. “We just don’t know at this point, there’s a lot of uncertainty.”

Kitchen remodeling options are varied and vast at James R. Taylor and Sons. FILE PHOTO Homes

“We’re still seeing a lot of interest in remodeling out in this area, so we think that will continue,” Taylor said. “As for the rest, we’ll just have to see what happens.” Hackbarth Builders can be reached at

www.hackbarthbuilders.com and 262-6429601. James R. Taylor and Sons can be reached at 262-642-7970 and www. jrtaylorandsons.com.

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Housing market set records in 2020 Rebound from pandemic restrictions was quick

The red-hot Wisconsin real estate market of 2020 was a tale of two halves, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association. The pandemic-induced economic lockdown ushered in a national recession that hurt home sales over the first six months of 2020. But home sales surged in the second half to set new records for both sales and prices in the state, according to the year-end analysis of existing home sales by the WRA. December sales were especially strong. Fueled by record-low mortgage rates, existing home sales increased 22.5% in December compared to December 2019, and median prices rose 9.7% to $215,000 over that same period. For all of 2020, existing home sales rose 7.3% to 88,685 total homes sold, which is the highest annual sales amount recorded in the state since the WRA revised its data collection methodology in 2005. The previous record was set in 2017 when sales totaled 83,984. Median prices also set a high-water mark in 2020, rising 11.4% to $220,000. This is the first year in which the annual median price eclipsed $200,000. “To suggest that this has been an up and down year would be a significant understatement, but it’s great to see us closing out 2020 with such strong growth,” said new WRA Board Chair Mary Duff, of the Stark Company of Madison.

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A big rebound

After a solid first quarter, the economic lockdowns caused sales to slide 10.2% on an annualized basis in the second quarter. However, once the economy began to reopen, home sales grew at a very robust pace. Sales increased relative to that same quarter in 2019, by 11% in the third quarter and 22.7% in the fourth quarter of the year. “Relaxing the (pandemic-related) restrictions was part of the reason for the surge in sales, but a huge factor is the historically low mortgage rates in 2020,” said Duff. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 2.68% in December, which is a new record low. To put this in perspective, that rate is a full percent lower than 12 months earlier and almost two percentage points lower

The number of existing homes sold in Southeast Wisconsin in 2020 was up 6.5% over 2019 and median prices in the same comparison were up more than 9%. SOURCE: WISCONSIN REALTORS ASSOCIATION Homes

than two years ago. All regions of the state experienced an increase in sales during 2020. The strongest growth was seen in the North region, up 14.7%. There were four regions – Central, South Central, Southeast and West – that saw home sales grow between 6.5% and 7.4%, and the Northeast region grew by 4.6% in 2020. “This sales growth has really put a strain on inventories,” said WRA President and CEO Michael Theo. Inventories have been falling throughout the year, and they dropped sharply the last three months of the year.

Supply remains tight

In September, there were 3.9 months of housing supply, well below the benchmark of six months that characterizes a balanced market. By December, statewide inventory levels had dropped to just 2.2 months, which is the lowest level since the WRA began tracking this indicator of supply in 2009. Homes are moving homes at record pace, but that cannot continue indefinitely. In December, Wisconsin recorded 7,117 home sales, but only added 3,994 new listings to the overall inventory of homes for sale. “Eventually overall inventory gets so low that it leads to flat or even falling home sales,” said Theo. The other consequence of strong demand and weak supply is higher prices. “When demand far outpaces supply, like it did this year, you get double-digit price increases, which is what we saw in 2020,” said Theo. However, record low mortgage rates have kept the state’s housing relatively affordable. The Wisconsin Housing Affordability Index shows the fraction of the median-priced home that a buyer with median family income qualifies to buy, assuming a 20% down payment and the remaining balance

financed with a 30-year conventional mortgage at current rates. The index was 209 in December, which was nearly unchanged from December 2019. “We’re still in good shape on the affordability front, but we can’t expect mortgage rates to continue to fall, especially once the economy has fully recovered,” Theo said.

Recovery tied to vaccine

“The prospect of a recovery is closely tied to the successful rollout of COVID-19 vaccines,” said David Clark, Marquette University economist and consultant to the WRA. Nationally, the labor market had shown consistent signs of improvement after the economic lockdowns were relaxed beginning in May 2020, but nonfarm payroll employment fell unexpectedly in December as the virus spiked in the last two months of 2020. “The good news is that vaccines are now being administered to the most vulnerable, and widespread COVID vaccinations are on the horizon, which should generate a significant boon to the economy,” said Clark. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank surveys business and academic economists each quarter about their predictions of the overall economy. The latest survey indicates they believe the economy likely contracted 3.5% in 2020, but they are predicting 4% growth in real GDP in 2021. “It will be good to settle into a stable period of economic growth, and hopefully our inventory situation will improve,” said Theo. He noted that this is an ideal time to sell a home. “The housing shortage means that homes are moving quickly.”

When it comes to creating a healthy home sanctuary, taking steps to manage the most common indoor air pollutants should be a top priority. Interior by Lisa Tharp. PHOTO BY MICHAEL J. LEE Homes

Tips to improve indoor air quality and breathe better at home

Monitor carbon monoxide This potentially deadly gas can be emitted by a faulty gas-burning home appliance. Monitor for carbon monoxide using detectors placed in major areas of the home, especially the bedrooms.

Make the switch to VOC-free Most paints and stains, along with aerosol sprays, air fresheners and other household products, contain Volatile Organic Compounds, which emit gases

Eliminate moisture from the air Moisture promotes mold, which can cause serious health problems when left unabated. Reduce moisture by eliminating sources of water leaks, installing exhaust fans in kitchens, using air conditioning, and positioning dehumidifiers in high-moisture

rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements.

Keep airborne dust to a minimum Dust carries a variety of contaminants, including bacteria and allergens. Mop and dust often using a wet mop and dust cloth. Vacuum often as well using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which traps small particles.

Reduce airborne particles Install an air purifier to trap irritating particles, including mold, pollen and pet dander, which are particularly bad for people with respiratory problems like asthma. Brush pets often -- outdoors if possible -- and give pets regular baths.

Decrease dirty air Replace HVAC filters regularly. While the optimal frequency that you perform this task depends on the type of filter, the number of pets at home and other factors, a good reference point is the manufacturer’s guidelines. (STATEPOINT)

FEB. 2021

that can result in respiratory problems, headaches and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, among other health problems. Take a cue from forward-thinking institutions like the Getty Museum and Google and swap out conventional paints in your home interiors for an eco-friendly, non-toxic alternative such as ECOS Paints. The brand, which has a 35-year history of offering VOC- and odor-free paints and stains in virtually any color, uses sustainable ingredients and can deliver directly to a home or business. To learn more, visit ecospaints.net. “We want people to feel good about what they are bringing into their homes. This is why we are transparent about ingredients and VOC testing results,” says Julian Crawford, ECOS Paints CEO.

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With more of life centered at home due to cool weather and social distancing, it’s time to ensure the space where your family spends the majority of its time is healthy and safe. What many people don’t know is that concentrations of air pollutants can typically be up to five times higher inside one’s home than out, and sometimes far more, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, there are many simple actions you can take to breathe better in your home:

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Should I DIY?

3 questions to determine if it’s best to renovate on your own

A do-it-yourself mentality has taken hold in millions of households across the globe. Popular television channels like HGTV and DIY Network as well as accessible home improvement content on apps like YouTube has inspired many homeowners to tackle renovation projects around their homes. Taking such initiative is admirable, though it also can prove costly if homeowners end up biting off more than they can chew. Home improvement videos and television shows have a tendency to oversimplify renovation projects, potentially giving homeowners a false sense of confidence in their DIY abilities. A concerted effort on the part of homeowners to determine if it’s best to renovate on their own or hire a professional should always be the first step of any renovation project. No two homeowners are the same, but the following three questions can help homeowners determine if DIY is their best option.

Do I have the time?

Homeowners must determine how much time they have to complete a project before deciding to do it themselves. No one wants to spend months staring at an unfinished renovation project. Homeowners who are already pressed for time may not be able to complete projects in a timely fashion, which can make homes less comfortable and even less safe.

Homeowners who have never been at their best with a hammer in hand should not be ashamed to leave the work to the professionals. STOCK PHOTO Hojmes

Can I pull this off?

DIY projects can instill homeowners with a sense of pride in their homes, but it’s imperative that homeowners considering the DIY option conduct an honest assessment of their skills. A lack of renovation experience does not necessarily mean a homeowner cannot successfully complete a DIY project. But in such instances, it may be best to start

with small, straightforward projects and then gradually move up to bigger, more complicated projects as skills are fine tuned. Television shows and online tutorials can make renovations appear easier than they actually are. Homeowners considering DIY renovations can ask themselves a handful of questions to determine if they’re ready for the challenge of renovating their homes on (METRO CREATIVE) their own.

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Professional home improvement projects are costly for a variety of reasons. Materials can be costly, but so are the tools and labor necessary to do the job right. Homeowners may not have the tools necessary to complete complicated projects. Specialty tools can be expensive to purchase or even rent, and the cost of acquiring such tools should be included in any DIY project cost estimates. Labor also factors heavily into professional projects, and for good reason. Talented contractors have unique skills that have been developed and perfected over many years. Those skills can ensure projects are completed quickly and correctly. Labor may seem costly, but such costs may ultimately prove to be a bargain compared to the cost of fixing DIY mistakes. Projects that are minor in scope and don’t require the use of potentially costly specialty tools may be better suited for weekend warriors than more complicated renovations.

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• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

chances including surveys and financing. They should also be prepared for other things that might come up,” he added. For those looking for a deal by way of a foreclosure, it’s slim pickings right now, Beers said. “There are still some of those around but not nearly what there were five or six years ago. Foreclosures are probably 2 or 3% of the market right now,” he said.

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Tricky time to sell

While some people might choose to sell now because of the high demand market, going that route can be a little tricky, according to Beers, because homes are selling so quickly and there are not a lot of homes for sale. “The market is good so they can get top dollar for their home right now. If they do decide to sell, one of the things they should do to make it more attractive to buyers is all of the little fix-up things ahead of time,” he said. The other side of the equation to sell now, Beers said, is once the home sells, the sellers will then need to go out and find a house, not an easy task with the limited homes available currently. He said potential sellers – who will quickly become potential buyers once their home sells – might want to scout the market ahead of time, Beers said. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get into some homes and see them in person or do some serious looking online, just because homes are selling so quickly right now,” Beer said. He said the low interest rates likely will rise but when that will happen is hard to predict. “Right now is a good time with interest rates being under 3% so people can get more value for their dollar. I would predict in the coming year interest rates will go up so they can buy more now with the current market,” Beers said.

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Cell: 262-215-4000 Office: 262-275-2185

RESLER & ASSOCIATES, LLC 3238 Main St., East Troy 53120 (262) 642-3483 722 W. Main St., Suite 105, Lake Geneva, WI 53147 (262) 248-4239 208 N. Main St., Walworth, WI 53184 (262) 275-2777 www.reslerandassociates.com

Insure carefully, dream fearlessly.

388677

387445

THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN 2020. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR IN 2021!

387494

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

FEB. 2021

5550 State Road 50 • Delavan, WI 53115 262-949-5025

home and property sales Here is a listing of recent single-family home, condominium and vacant land sales in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties. The information is provided through the Multiple Listing Service.

Burlington • 517 McHenry St.........................$ 200,000 • 3204 Fischer Dr.........................$ 173,500 • 410 N Front St............................$ 195,000 • 140 Paul St................................$ 212,000 • 34116 Oakdale Ct......................$ 217,000 • 34310 Euclid Dr.........................$ 225,000 Caledonia • 9420 Riverview Ln.....................$ 164,900 Union Grove • 1009 White Oak Dr....................$ 295,000 • 3532 Britton N Rd......................$ 355,000 Waterford • 30926 Kramer Dr.......................$ 360,000 • 31217 Red Oak Ln.....................$ 389,000 Racine • 2047 Blake Ave..........................$ 105,000 • 2513 Kearney Ave......................$ 115,000 • 2012 Hickory Grove Ave............$ 110,000 • 613 William St............................$ 110,000 • 1020 Isabelle Ave........................$ 90,000 • 3208 Kinzie Ave.........................$ 110,500 • 623 West Blvd............................$ 112,000 • 1235 William St..........................$ 113,000 • 4802 Erie St...............................$ 117,000 • 4512 17th St...............................$ 118,500 • 4007 Seventeenth St.................$ 122,500 • 1426 William St..........................$ 105,000 • 1709 Polaris Ave........................$ 115,000 • 4603 N Saint Clair St.................$ 150,000 • 2117 Mount Pleasant St............$ 129,000 • 1725 Grange Ave.......................$ 123,000 • 1013 Sheraton Dr........................$ 95,100 • 1352 Deane Blvd.......................$ 137,900 • 309 Freres Ave...........................$ 129,900 • 1623 Orchard St........................$ 140,000 • 1541 Flett Ave............................$ 125,000 • 4612 Freeland Cir......................$ 137,500 • 2613 Hamilton Ave.....................$ 135,000 • 1900 Mount Pleasant St............$ 138,900 • 1524 Arthur Ave.........................$ 140,000 • 2014 Green St...........................$ 138,500 • 1024 Cedar Creek St.................$ 135,000 • 2131 Carlisle Ave.......................$ 140,000 • 3517 Lindermann Ave................$ 135,000 • 1922 Marquette St.....................$ 138,000 • 1624 Phillips Ave.......................$ 141,000

CONDOS Mount Pleasant • 994 Stratford Ct 101...................$ 180,000 • 4226 Taylor Harbor W 5.............$ 190,000 Burlington • 3405 S Browns Lake Dr 28........$ 169,000 Racine • 6926 Dale Dr 13.........................$ 144,000 Sturtevant • 1503 92nd St 11........................$ 151,000 Waterford • 639 Annecy Park Cir..................$ 322,900

VACANT LAND Racine • 5911 Indigo Dr Lt74.....................$ 94,900 Wind Lake • Lt47 Whippoorwill Ct..................$ 100,000 Franksville • 2404 Queens Brook Ln Lt18.....$ 115,000

WALWORTH COUNTY SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES Lyons • 1470 Park St................................$ 53,000 Delavan • 4106 Mulberry Ave.....................$ 175,000 • 4106 Mulberry Ave.....................$ 175,000 • 516 Alder Ave.............................$ 201,000 Genoa City • N1611 Orchid Dr........................$ 162,000 • W1048 Florence Rd...................$ 175,000

Whitewater • 141 N George St........................$ 150,000 • 281 N Park St.............................$ 161,500 • 412 S Summit St........................$ 175,000 Lake Geneva • W1379 W Forest Rd..................$ 236,500 • 425 Oakwood Ln........................$ 264,000 • N3235 Nymph Rd......................$ 295,000 • W3617 Park Dr..........................$ 305,000 Elkhorn • 202 N Church St........................$ 197,500 • N4365 County Road H..............$ 245,000 • W5629 Lake Shore Dr...............$ 251,900 • N7614 Bayshore Dr...................$ 247,500 • 215 W Sunflower St...................$ 309,900 Pell Lake • W1380 Birchwood Rd................$ 270,000 Williams Bay • 122 Sunnyside Ct......................$ 256,000 • 510-D Prairie View Ct................$ 333,000 East Troy • 2531 Chelsea Ct........................$ 285,000 • 2820 Austin St............................$ 290,000 • 2820 Oakmont Dr......................$ 335,000 Spring Prairie • W512 Kearney Rd......................$ 457,500 Walworth • 630 Baker St Lt32......................$ 299,900 Darien • 2471 N Sheldon St.....................$ 294,000 Fontana • W4664 Border Dr.......................$ 377,000 Mukwonago • 1407 Applewood Cir..................$ 379,000

CONDOS Lake Geneva • 1713 Cottage Dr 7-35................$ 145,000 • 838 Kendall Ln 5C.....................$ 145,000 • 703 S Lake Shore Dr 1F............$ 182,000 • 110 West St 8.............................$ 210,000 • 1833 Woodland Cir 12-05..........$ 210,000 • 129 Curtis St 311.......................$ 220,000 Delavan • 2142 Newbury Ln.......................$ 225,000 Genoa City • 1400 Hunters Ridge Dr 34.........$ 163,000 Whitewater • 351 S Wisconsin St 11...............$ 241,900 Elkhorn • 622 E Market St 103..................$ 224,000

FEB. 2021

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

Kansasville • 3211 S Beaumont Ave...............$ 223,000 Mount Pleasant • 3228 Alvilda Ct...........................$ 225,000 • 49 Oregon St.............................$ 225,000 • 2321 Green Haze Ave...............$ 224,000 • 6248 Green Ridge Dr................$ 236,000 • 1307 Scott Dr.............................$ 224,000 • 6144 Independence Rd.............$ 242,500 • 4223 Garden Dr.........................$ 265,326 • 304 S Green Bay Rd..................$ 250,000 Sturtevant • 14329 Braun Rd.........................$ 225,000 Franksville • 8505 Trudeau Trce.....................$ 320,000 • 3928 Wild Ginger Way...............$ 309,000

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

RACINE COUNTY

Fontana • 19 Abbey Villa Cir E...................$ 362,000

VACANT LAND Lake Geneva • 1800 Prestwick Dr 19-31.............$ 45,000 • 1771 Prestwick Dr 19-29.............$ 69,000 Elkhorn • W6543 North Lake Shore Dr.......$ 60,500 East Troy • Lt42 Troy Hill Estates...................$ 85,000 Walworth • 882 Red Hawk Dr 24.................$ 119,900 Darien • Lt0 Sweet Rd.............................$ 680,000

KENOSHA COUNTY

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

FEB. 2021

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES

Salem • 6432 235th Ave..........................$ 204,900 • 6112 243rd Ct............................$ 229,900 Twin Lakes • 636 Outlook Dr...........................$ 255,000 • 616 Bayhill Ave..........................$ 245,000 • 710 Barry Rd..............................$ 263,500 • 817 W Main St...........................$ 342,200 Trevor • 11106 269th Ave........................$ 246,000 Wheatland • 6605 375th Ave..........................$ 401,000 Randall • 38953 89th St............................$ 235,000 Kenosha • 4015 53rd St..............................$ 132,300 • 7541 33rd Ave............................$ 148,000 • 6727 37th Ave............................$ 139,000 • 6838 29th Ave............................$ 142,900 • 7607 30th Ave............................$ 144,000 • 4102 Harding Rd........................$ 155,000 • 7417 26th Ave............................$ 145,000 • 4714 29th Ave............................$ 145,000 • 7417 23rd Ave............................$ 150,000 • 3723 16th Ave............................$ 155,000 • 3709 21st Ave............................$ 165,000

• 6730 24th Ave............................$ 156,000 • 6328 38th Ave............................$ 160,400 • 4613 28th Ave............................$ 153,000 • 7433 20th Ave............................$ 165,000 • 7840 33rd Ave............................$ 160,000 • 7826 14th Ave............................$ 180,000 • 3538 21st Ave............................$ 169,000 • 7811 8th Ave..............................$ 159,000 • 3217 102nd Ave.........................$ 166,000 • 6417 38th Ave............................$ 170,000 • 8704 17th Ave............................$ 179,900 • 7816 20th Ave............................$ 182,000 • 1711 25th St...............................$ 180,000 • 4502 58th St...............................$ 170,000 • 1642 16th Ave............................$ 180,000 • 5303 65th St...............................$ 165,000 • 7124 27th Ave............................$ 172,000 • 8955 39th Ave............................$ 170,000 • 7535 14th Ave............................$ 182,000 • 6037 57th Ave............................$ 185,000 • 1908 17th Ave............................$ 188,900 Bristol • 12937 80th St............................$ 400,000 • 16335 84th St............................$ 540,000 Pleasant Prairie • 9020 Lakeshore Dr....................$ 324,000 • 7927 107th Ave..........................$ 349,900 • 4040 110th St............................$ 339,000 • 3321 109th St............................$ 374,500 Wilmot • 11309 306th Ct..........................$ 299,000

CONDOS Pleasant Prairie • 8330 Lexington Pl 6...................$ 155,000 Kenosha • 7304 98th Ave K........................$ 165,000 • 1254 Village Centre Dr 3...........$ 175,000 • 418 56th St 215.........................$ 215,000

VACANT LAND Kenosha • 1811 57th St.................................$ 13,000 Pleasant Prairie • 8322 87th Ave............................$ 110,000 Wheatland • Lt0 P Hwy...................................$ 140,000

CLASSIFIEDS CALL 262.728.3411 TO PLACE YOUR AD FOR RENT Burlington Apartments LARGE 1 & 2, BDRM. APARTMENTS STARTING AT $675 + $775. INCLUDES HEAT/HOT SOFT WATER. No Animals/No Smoking. Modern, clean, quiet w/fresh decorations, carpeting & appliances ETC. Nice neighborhood. Lease, background checks. Burlington & Waterford Schools. 262-7638202.

Twin Lakes Apartments ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT For those 62+ or disabled of any age. Available now in Twin Lakes! Elevator and laundry in building! Call 800-944-4866 ext: 1120. Equal opportunity provider and employer. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Houses/Town/Condos 2BR, 1BA HOME in Wind Lake on the lake. $1,600. mo + sec. text only. 414-828-4886. TOWNHOUSE WINDLAKE 2BR, 1ba, GA, appl., no smokers/pets, $775/mo. plus utils. One yr. lease & sec. 262-895-2790.

Storage Rental STORAGE AREA/PELL LAKE For rent 2,800 sq.. ft., large overhead door. $600 per mo. Call 262-215-3796

Attention: Local Area Home Owners To Get Opportunity of the Year…

No Obligation Even after I completely explain the installation, there is absolutely no obligation. If you decide you don’t want to take advantage of the spectacular savings… that’s okay. I will give you a surprise gift worth $60 because you are kind enough to read this ad and give me a chance to solve my problem. I want you to think well of Master Services Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, even if you don’t buy. You Can Buy With NO Cash You don’t even have to pay me right away. I have set up a bank rate financing plan. Consider this. If you decide to make monthly investments instead of paying cash the entire amount of your payments might be more than offset by the savings on your utility bills. It’s like “having your cake and eating it too”. Ironclad Guarantee I’m so confident that you will save at least 25% on your cooling and heating bills (I’m projecting more like 35% +), that I will pay you Double The Difference for two years if you don’t! I’ll show you exactly how this works. There is no way you can lose. Your lower utility bills will help you save big. And I will even double your savings if you save less than 25%. If these premier systems were not among the best on the market, I couldn’t afford to make such a promise. Why This Offer Can’t Last You must act before April 15th. Here are two reasons why. 1. I only have a limited amount of pieces of equipment. When all of the air conditioners are sold and all the furnaces are “given” away, that’s it. There are no more at this price. 2. If I have any of these systems that are left on April 15th (although I doubt I will), this offer still ends. Here’s why. The only reason I am making this virtually no-profit (for me) offer is because of the “killer months”. My business always picks up about May first. Since these furnaces cost me so little, I can sell them at last years prices next November and December and still come out ahead. Give me a call now at 248-2103 and I will set an appointment for your no-obligation survey.

HOMES & DESIGN • HOME BUYER, OWNER & RENTER

(This is the ”Hottest AND Coolest Deal of the Year” … especially if your furnace is over 10 years old) Yes, it’s absolutely true. You can actually replace your old (and probably very inefficient) furnace and air conditioner as a package for at least $1,876 less than you would have to pay at any other time. Let me explain. Every year, the months of January, February, March and April can “Kill” my business. I end up losing a ton of money during these “Killer” months and it can take me the remaining eight months to make up for them. And I’m looking for the same thing to happen this year. My Problem Is Your Opportunity I’ve decided to give up trying to make a profit during the “killer” months. If I can only minimize my losses during January, February, March and April I will come out ahead in the other eight months. Here’s how this (admittedly daring) offer came about. Every year, the big manufacturers of air conditioners have to guess how many to build to meet the demand. Of course, they’re never exactly right. So, they always have some inventory they must hold over until the next summer season. I went to one of my distributors and they allocated 44 premier air conditioners and furnaces. And, because of the quantity and time of year, I was able to buy them at drastically reduced, dirt cheap, out-of-season prices. They are brand new 2020 models. And they are NOT the seconds or “blems” or standard “builder” models. They are factory-fresh, premier air conditioners and furnaces and have a full factory warranty. Here’s How You Can Get A Furnace For Peanuts By putting this furnace and air conditioner package together (then “Jaw-Boning” the distributor) and committing to a do-or-die purchase agreement of these systems, I was able to buy both the furnace and the air conditioner for less than anyone should have a right to pay! So, if you buy one of these normal new, premier air conditioners, I am “giving” you the furnace and all I ask for is the $1,275 it costs to have your furnace installed. Here’s How Just call me at 262-248-2103 anytime. We will come out and measure your home (and determine the availability of the proper size). Don’t forget, I only have a limited amount of matched systems. When they are gone, this remarkable offer ends also. I will show you the real world price on the air conditioner that fits your home. Then, I will show you the substantial savings now. And it will include all labor and installation materials. Nothing is left out. The Concept Is Simple Really By letting you win big now, I will win at the end of the year. I’m betting that if I make you an offer that is “irresistible” (at least it should be if your furnace or air conditioner is over 10 years old) and I barely mark it up above the price I paid, I will accomplish two things: 1. I will cover my rent, utilities, insurance and taxes in the “killer” months. 2. I can pay my professional staff and technicians to work instead of paying them to sit at home. If I can accomplish these two objectives, I will minimize my losses and the rest of the year, I can be a winner.

Keith Nissen King of Comfort

Lake Geneva WI 262-248-2103

FEB. 2021

Frustrated Contractor is “Giving Away” $3,151 Furnaces for $1,275 with Off-Season Central Air…

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