Are you considering selling your home or property For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? Here are the main benefits you receive when you choose Trapp Real Estate. We have the time, expertise, experience, and knowledge to ensure you are getting the most for your property, with your best interests in mind.  Marketing One of the biggest advantages we offer is the extensive marketing that we can do for your home. We know and understand the market and how to reach potential buyers. We have access to both the Madison and Milwaukee MLS and can strategically promote the listing to other agents and on social media. We take care of the professional photography, signs, and appropriate print media for your property, at no extra cost to you. The first time a home is listed is most important and we want to make the best first impression. We know proper pricing techniques based on market data and conditions, and we will guide you on how to prepare your home for sale. Time Everyone’s time is valuable, so let us do the work for you. We have time to show your home safely, be accessible on a moment’s notice, devote to scheduling and managing showing appointments, and solicit feedback with the right questions to ask to elicit a response. We know how to handle items that are flagged as needing repair or replacement by an inspector. We have access to expert resources such as contractors, repair people, or other experts who can often come out at a moment’s notice due to our ongoing professional relationships. Negotiation Experience You receive an offer. Now what? How do you respond? What do you look for in the purchase agreement? Do you understand what terms and conditions could be disadvantageous to you as the seller? When you work with Trapp Real Estate, we take care of this for you. We know how to negotiate to keep the buyer in the game versus walking away. We know how to strike a delicate balance between protecting your interests as a seller and working with the buyer toward the goal of putting an agreement together. We can manage multiple offers and have professional negotiation capabilities. Transaction Management Once your home is under contract, you don’t have to worry about who will be handling the closing. We take care of all of that for you. We will keep you informed of the steps, so you don’t have to worry about what items need follow-up. We will handle challenges like the property not appraising for the contract sales price, things potentially derailing due to home inspection issues, or shaky financing. We understand and know the closing protocol in your area and the expectations. Selling a home without an agent can be a setup for disaster. The perceived savings of selling without representation can come back to bite sellers in terms of uninformed decisions and costly mistakes that — in the long run — end up costing more money than if you hired a real estate professional initially. Trapp Real Estate will protect your interests and manage the risks. Knowledge What you don’t know can absolutely hurt you, and it can come back to bite you even worse. Our knowledge is priceless. You don’t need to know everything about selling real estate if you hire Trapp Real Estate. We are experts in the area with up-to-date education and experience. Objective and Ethical A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you. We must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As our client, you can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. Source Material: REMAX.com Trapp Real Estate is committed to exceptional customer service and we assist our clients throughout the buying and selling process. Additional services we provide that are included when you work with us:  1. Take care of all listing paperwork, pictures, etc. 2. Make sure all buyers who see your home are pre-approved for a mortgage loan. 3. Present you with and help you negotiate any offer(s) you receive. 4. Work with your buyer’s lender. 5. Follow up on all dates and deadlines through the sale process. 6. Facilitate all title work. 7. Confirm the buyer’s appraisal has been ordered by the buyer’s lender and coordinate that with you. 8. Make sure all of the final documentation for closing is taken care of. 9. Attend closing with you.   

Now is a great time to start thinking about those home maintenance and yard projects you want to tackle this spring. Do you have any projects planned? Check Roof, Gutters, Downspouts Inspect Stone and Brickwork Check Hoses, Faucets, Sprinklers Fill Low Areas with Soil Seal Cracks in Concrete Touch Up Exterior Paint/Stain Patch Holes in Window Screens Clean and Service AC Unit

Happy Fall! Now is a great time to get those home maintenance projects done before the temperatures drop! Do you have any projects planned?  Clean Gutters Check Roof Service HVAC   Check Fireplace & Chimney Clean Dryer Vents Check Windows Seal Air Leaks Seal Cracks in Driveway Touch Up Exterior Paint/Stain Lawn and Tree Care

Are you looking for an investment opportunity? Look no further than 711 W Racine Street, Jefferson, WI! This turn-key establishment boasts multiple streams of revenue waiting for a new owner to showcase their skills. The listing price for this gem is $600,000, and it includes a bar and restaurant that has been established in the community for years. The current owner is ready to take a step back and retire, providing an opportunity for a new owner to take over this well-known business. The property features a huge banquet room, complete with an additional bar, making it the perfect space to rent out for any occasion. The possibilities for revenue generation are endless with this space, especially given the close-knit community of Jefferson. But that's not all – the property also includes two rental units on the second floor, each with two bedrooms and one bathroom. These units provide even more opportunities for passive income and make the investment in this property even more attractive. Don't miss out on this goldmine of an opportunity – schedule a showing today and see for yourself. Contact Kylee Roehl at 920-723-7705 or Kylee@TrappRealEstate.com

Whether you are a first-time buyer or not, we hope these steps and tips help you to understand what the home-buying process entails. Our team is here to help you through what is possibly your biggest investment and we look forward to helping you find your new home! 1.  Where do we start? The first thing to do is to get pre-approved for a home loan. If you have a relationship with a bank or lender already, that’s the best place to start. If you need other local recommendations, let us know. We have a great list of lenders my buyers have found success using. Getting pre-approved tells you what price range you can be looking in. If it’s higher than you thought it would be, it’s probably good to stay in your comfort range, so you feel most comfortable. You don’t want to be “house poor” and not be able to go out for dinner once in a while. 2. Who shows us homes?  We do! It’s best to have one realtor show you homes and guide you through the home-buying process. We can show you homes listed by other agents and companies, as well as for-sale-by-owner homes. 3. Do we pay you a commission? No, the seller typically pays the realtor commission(s) at closing. 4. What do we get from our agent?  Our services include representing you to the seller through their agent in any offer and negotiation process, throughout the lending process, and to your purchase of the home at closing. We will help you with your home search, give you our professional opinion about the homes you see, and help guide you through the whole process. 5. What is the home-buying process? 1. The Search 2. Questions You May Have for the Seller 3. Getting Ready to Make an Offer 4. Making the Offer 5. Earnest Money Deposit 6. Home Inspection 7. Appraisal and Loan Commitment 8. Title Search 9. Insurance 10. Final “Clear to Close” from your Lender 11. Notifying the Utilities 12. Final Walk-Through Before Closing 13. Wiring Funds for Closing 14. Closing 15. Taking Possession of Your New Home 6.  How do we make an offer? We will help you with that. Once you’re ready to move forward with an offer, we can talk about price, earnest money, home inspections, financing, and other things. We are here to get you the answers you need in purchasing a home. 7. What is earnest money? Earnest Money is a “deposit” (typically $1,000 or more for higher-priced homes), that you put “down” on the property, typically 5 days after your offer is accepted. That comes off the top of what you owe the lender at closing. 8.  Do we need a home inspection? We recommend that you do a home inspection. Even if you don’t ask the sellers to make repairs, it’s a very good thing for you to have for the future. You can have any inspector that you want to hire, but they need to be licensed by the State of Wisconsin as a home inspector. We have a list of recommendations if you need it. The typical cost for a home inspection is $350 - $400. We will explain how asking the sellers to make repairs works. 9.  What is radon and do we need a radon test? Radon is a cancer-causing gas that comes up out of the ground from the lowest part of the home. We do find some high readings in the area. Anything over a 4.0 is considered dangerous per EPA standards. If you want a radon test done, the typical cost is $150.00. The buyer does the test, but if the reading is high, the seller is usually asked to mitigate and return a safe reading after installation. 10.  What are our closing costs? This is something you can talk to your lender about. We see closing costs range from $2,500 to $6,000, depending on the type of loan. Some buyers ask the sellers to give them credit for half or all of the closing costs. If you decide to do that, you’ll need to list a dollar amount. 11.  Do we get a home warranty? Many buyers ask for the sellers to provide them with a home warranty. That covers everything that is “running” in the house for the first year. So it will cover the cost (minus a deductible) of repairing or replacing all appliances, the furnace, water heater, AC, and water softener. They do not cover multiples of those things or pool/spa equipment, etc., but you as a buyer can add them for a cost. Most home warranties run $500 - $600. 12.  Where do we get homeowners' insurance? You can use the same company that you use for your vehicle(s) and perhaps get a “bundle” price. Your lender will require that you have proof of insurance before closing. They will talk to you further about it. 13.  What is a title search? The sellers hire a title company to run a history of the property to make sure there are no liens on the property. They now search the buyers, as well, so if anything comes up that needs to be cleared before closing, everyone has a chance to do so. Your lender will not allow the closing to happen until any issues are cleared up. Once we get the title search back,  we will go over it with you. 14.  What is a walk-through? The walk-through is one last showing that you do before closing. We recommend waiting until the last minute so everything is out of the house. If there are any issues that you want to address with the sellers, we can do that then. 15.  When do we call the utility companies? We will remind you to do that and recommend that you wait until we have the date and time of closing set up. Even a day or two before closing is fine. 16.  What do we bring to closing? You will need your driver’s license. Your lender may be required to send a wire transfer for your down payment, or you may be able to bring a cashier’s check. We will find that out and let you know. You will get to see the closing statement prior to closing, so there shouldn’t be any big surprises, just a lot of paperwork for your signatures. 17.  How do we make house payments? Your lender will instruct you on this. Some lenders instruct you to set up monthly with drawls from a bank account and others will send you monthly bills or a coupon book. Your principle, interest, any private mortgage insurance, and your prorated taxes will be included in your monthly payment. 18.  When do we get to move into our new home? You will get the keys to your new home at closing and you can start moving in afterwards. You will not have access before then unless otherwise agreed to with the sellers.

There are lots of questions about listing your home. Here are our answers to the top questions we get asked about selling a home. We hope this helps you to understand what the process entails. If you have any other questions, please let us know. We'd love to help you!  1. When am I officially “on the market?” Your home will be entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system within 24 hours of us getting all the paperwork in order. If it’s a weekend, it may take a little longer. Being entered into the system means that any agent that has access to the MLS system can access your home listing. We utilize both the Madison and Milwaukee area MLS sites, giving your home even more exposure. If a buyer is searching for a new listing with the special features your home has, it will pop up in their search. Most agents also have their clients set up on what is called auto-email, so your listing will automatically be emailed to buyers who are looking in your price range, area, and for a home with your features, as well. Your listing will also show up on both MLS sites “hotsheet” for the first 24 hours. Most Realtors check this at least a few times every day. 2. Can I let people who drive by into my home to show it? No! It is best to have them call us so we can show it to them. You don’t need to go through the hassle of having your home “show ready” all the time. It’s important for people to set up an appointment so we don’t inconvenience you more than we already are! Also, we prequalify people who show interest in your home so that we don’t waste your time showing your home to people who can’t afford to buy it. 3. Can any agent or other company call me to show my home? No! Only the agents from our office will contact you to request a showing. If anyone else does, please refer them to us. This helps you to know that we are pre-screening people and an official appointment has been made. 4. Should I be away from my home for showings? If possible, it’s always best to leave the home and take any pets with you while the showing is taking place. That gives the buyer a chance to move around and talk freely with their agent. Remember, we want them to feel comfortable in your home like it could be their home. Also, the time frame for a showing is usually an hour, but we suggest being away from your home at least a half-hour before and after showing time, if possible. Many times, agents take their buyers on multiple showings, so delays are bound to happen. 5. Should I leave the lights on and the doors unlocked for showings? We will arrange for a lockbox to be placed at your front door, or whichever door we agree on. You can lock your doors and the agent showing the home will do the same after they are done showing your home. Lights on in the house are a great idea so that people can see things clearly, but if the showing is during the day and you’re gone at work all day, please don’t feel that you have to turn all of the lights on. If you do have a showing scheduled though, it’s a good idea to leave a comfortable temperature in the home so that you make potential buyers feel comfortable. 6. Should my house always be “show ready?” If possible, it’s always a good idea to have your home in tip-top shape for showings. If someone calls on the spur of the moment while you’re gone during the day and your home isn’t as presentable as you would like it, we’ll let you decide to allow the showing or ask the showing agent to schedule another time. 7. How often will you personally show my home? Many homeowners use this as a barometer to judge whether an agent is doing a good job or not. It’s a very good chance that another realtor will bring buyers through and perhaps they’ll even make an offer on your property. If you ever have any questions about that, please contact us anytime. Please remember, we want to get people into your home to see how great it is. What matters is that buyers are viewing it. 8. Do I need to allow for an Open House? We have found that open houses rarely bring serious buyers. Lots of times, the neighborhood “looky-loos” tend to show up out of curiosity or nosiness. So, it’s up to you whether we have an open house. If you choose not to and things are moving slowly with showings, we can always schedule one at a later date. 9. Do I need to be available for you to contact me at all times? Yes! Well, sort of. You don’t have to worry about us calling you late at night or early in the morning for showing requests, but we will need to be able to get in touch with you throughout the selling process. We’ll also need to know if it’s okay for us to contact you at work. If voicemail, text, or email is the best way to communicate, that’s fine too. Just let us know what works for you and we’ll put that in our company’s showing instructions. Please note: Don’t forget to let us know if you’re going away for the weekend or if you’ll be gone on vacation, so we can get special showing instructions from you. 10. One final note: When you get your home ready to show, please place any valuables, jewelry, cash, guns, etc. away from view. It is best and safest to be careful with those types of personal items. If you think of any other questions, please contact us anytime. We are here to work with you. We know that this process can be difficult at times, but by working together, we can hopefully get your home sold quickly!

Looking for a tranquil and picturesque setting to build your dream home? This beautiful two-acre lot in Farmington is a rare find in today's real estate market, boasting a serene and rural location that is perfect for those seeking peace and privacy. The gently sloping lot may make a walk-out lower level possible, providing even more living space and potential for customization. And while the location is off the beaten path and tucked away on a quiet town road, it's still conveniently located near the interstate for an easy and quick commute. One of the standout features of this property is its stunning surroundings. You'll enjoy expansive views and will have plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the great outdoors.  It can be challenging to find available land in this desirable area,  Don't miss your chance to own a prime piece of real estate in Farmington, WI, and create the home and lifestyle you've always wanted. For more information on this stunning property, be sure to contact Jammie Trapp today.