Buying a Home | Stapleton Realty

Industry Changes

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-08-27T11:39:48-05:00August 27th, 2024|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, Lake Homes, News, Oconomowoc, Selling a Home|

Industry Changes The real estate industry is undergoing significant transformations, with widespread changes initiated by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). These adjustments reflect the evolving landscape in which we operate, and they impact how we, as Realtors, engage with our clients. However, while the industry may be shifting, our unwavering commitment to our buyers and sellers remains the same. Our primary goal has always been—and will always be—to help people. We guide our clients through one of the most important decisions of their lives: buying or selling a home. This is more than just a transaction; it’s a partnership built on trust, expertise, and a shared goal of achieving the [...]

Interactive Touchscreen

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-08-27T11:36:00-05:00July 26th, 2024|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, Lake Homes, News, Oconomowoc, Selling a Home|

Interactive Touchscreen Premier Media chose Stapleton Realty for the placement of their innovative interactive touch screen because of our prime location in downtown Oconomowoc and our long-standing reputation in the industry. This collaboration underscores how technology is revolutionizing the real estate sector. In today's digital age, technology is playing a pivotal role in advancing the real estate industry. Interactive touch screens, virtual tours, and augmented reality tools are transforming the way properties are marketed and experienced. Potential buyers Save can now explore properties in immersive detail from anywhere in the world, making the home-buying process more efficient and engaging. At Stapleton Realty, we recognize the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology into [...]

How a “Dry January” Mindset Can Get You Closer to Buying a Home in 2024

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-01-25T12:17:42-05:00January 25th, 2024|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, News|

The “dry January” challenge of giving up alcohol for a month got us thinking about kicking some other bad habits that might be holding us back. We’re not talking about giving up carbs for a month or an afternoon latte, but the not-so-great things you might be doing as a wannabe homebuyer. Not to point fingers here, but many home shoppers fall prey to a faux pas or two when making what’s likely the most significant purchase of their lives, especially in today’s brutal housing market. To help you get closer to your homebuying dreams, consider taking the month of January to hit the reset button and think about the strategies that aren’t working in [...]

Unlocking Opportunities: Embracing Homeownership Despite the Interest Rates

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-01-25T12:10:24-05:00January 25th, 2024|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, News|

Buying a home is an important financial decision and rising interest rates are giving many prospective home buyers and sellers pause. The historic picture of interest rates show that interest rates today are middle low end. In the 1970’s, interest rates were in the teens and often high teens. It does not negate the cost increases today of higher interest rates, nor what a buyer can afford, but it is meant to show the temporary nature of rates. There is an old real estate adage, “marry the house, date the rate!” When interest rates fall in the future, buyers at today’s interest rates will have an opportunity to refinance if it [...]

Winter Energy Saving Tips

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-01-25T11:23:27-05:00January 25th, 2024|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, News|

Wisconsin winters can be challenging, but with a few unique energy-saving tips, you can cozy up without worrying about sky-high heating bills. Let's explore ten innovative strategies that will help you stay warm and cost-conscious during the colder months in the Badger State. Harness the Sun's Warmth - Wisconsin winters provide ample sunshine. Make the most of it by opening your curtains during the day. Sunlight streaming through your windows can naturally warm your living spaces. Smart Thermostats to the Rescue - Invest in a smart thermostat that adapts to your schedule. Program it to lower the temperature when you're away or asleep and raise it when you're at home. This simple tweak [...]

Realtor Etiquette: 5 Unwritten Etiquette Rules Home Buyers Might Not Even Realize Are a Big Deal

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2024-01-25T11:22:01-05:00September 22nd, 2023|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, Lake Homes, News|

Thinking of buying a house, you’re probably eager and excited. That’s fine, but just keep in mind that in this heightened emotional state, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment and behave, well, not perfectly. This can lead to trouble as, just like anything else, buying a home comes with its own set of rules. Some may be fairly obvious, since they’re outlined in all that real estate paperwork you’ll soon be signing. But some of these rules are the unwritten, etiquette-based kind. And if you break ’em, it could still stop a real estate deal in its tracks. For instance, “If a Realtor shows me a house, do I have [...]

Proper preplanning leads to success.

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2023-09-22T11:04:50-05:00September 22nd, 2023|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, Selling a Home|

Deciding to buy a new home involves so many considerations and priorities, not to mention emotions. Where should you begin? The notion of looking for a new home came from some situation or thought that came up, start there. What are your reasons for looking for a new home now? Is this a good time for you to look at the considerations in your life? The chances that you are going to do serious long-term damage by making a purchase of a home that is overpriced or that you have an interest rate that is too high is why you use professionals in your process. It is important to find a [...]

Will Waiting to Buy a Home Actually Save You Money? Let’s Look at the Numbers.

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2023-09-22T10:45:52-05:00September 22nd, 2023|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, Lake Homes, News|

Mortgage interest rates: it seems like all anyone can talk about these days. And with good reason. The basic equation of housing affordability boils down to just two main factors: home price and interest rate, which together make up that seemingly overwhelming number that is your monthly mortgage payment. One of the things we hear almost daily from the homebuyers we work with is, "I hear that rates might be coming down, and I think I should wait." But while current interest rates might not be as enticing as they were two years ago and are expected to fall as the economy goes through a correction, that doesn't necessarily mean you should [...]

Eco-Friendly, Energy-Efficient Homes Attract Buyers

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2023-09-22T10:44:22-05:00September 22nd, 2023|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, News, Selling a Home|

Are you planning to sell your house? If so, you may be surprised to hear just how much buyers value energy efficiency and eco-friendly features today. This is especially true as summer officially kicks off. In fact, the 2023 Realtors and Sustainability Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 48% of agents or brokers have noticed consumers are interested in sustainability. So, if you’re considering selling your house, why does this matter to you? It helps you know what you can do to make your house even more appealing to today’s buyers. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and VP of Research at NAR: “Buyers often seek homes that either lessen their environmental footprint or reduce their monthly [...]

Why Do I Need a Realtor?

Bonnie Lewis-Tschannen2023-09-22T10:42:43-05:00September 22nd, 2023|Buying a Home, First-Time Home Buyers, General, Lake Homes, News, Selling a Home|

Most of us will buy and sell a home or property at some point in our lifetimes. When the market is “hot”, we might be tempted to think we could sell it easily to the neighbor or put a sign out in front and have it sold quickly. It might be easy to get interest in your home in an active market, but a Realtor helps you value your home, so you are getting the most for your home. They help you to choose the offer with the most benefit in your situation and timeline. Most importantly, they help you to disclose all that is legally required of you and structure [...]