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    <title>Lake Geneva Real Estate Blog</title>
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    <description>Real Estate News and Insight for Lake Geneva area</description>
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      <title>Lake Geneva Real Estate Blog</title>
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    <item>
 <title>Saturday Open House</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=40</link>
<description><![CDATA[I'm holding an open house today at unit 17-G in the Abbey Villas. This is a beautiful  unit, offered turn key with all furnishings and decore included. A first floor unit with two bedrooms, two baths, and a tranquil stream side location. I'll be at the Condo from 1 pm to 4pm today, May 10, 2008. Stop by to see me and take a look at this fabulous unit. Offered at $389,900.]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=40</comments>
 <pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 12:46:02 -0500</pubDate>
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 <title>Twilight Solutions Architectural Landscape Lighting</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=39</link>
<description><![CDATA[My friend Jon Adams started a new company a couple years back called Twilight Solutions and set about transforming the landscape lighting scene in Southeastern Wisconsin. His tag line "where science and art meet in the dark" may be a little campy, but his work speaks for itself. I've encouraged numerous clients to get a bid from Jon to see how his products can change the atmosphere of their entire property come nightfall. I had his guys install a basic walkway lighting system at my house in Geneva National, and couldn't be happier. This isn't the junk that you can buy at Home Depot, rather this is some pretty high quality copper lighting. He has myriad options available, and I'd encourage you to give him a ring and set up a consultation. Installing a lighting system like this not only adds to your overall enjoyment of your property, it sets the stage for maximizing profit in a resale situation as well.<br />
<br />
While I'm sure he's done some pretty unique installations, one of my favorite is the pier and lakefront lighting at the South Shore Club. Not only does the subtle lighting add safetly and improve visibility to night time pier goers and boaters, it truly is a thing of beauty.  Visit his website at www.twilight-solutions.com or call Jon direct at 262-903-3667. <a href="http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/media/2/20080501-SSC.jpg">South Shore Club Piers</a>]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=39</comments>
 <pubDate>Thu, 1 May 2008 09:20:07 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Cheapest House in Town!</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=38</link>
<description><![CDATA[I just listed a cute little cottage on Menominee in Williams Bay. It's officially the cheapest house on the market located in Williams Bay. A great little vacation cottage close to the lake, and bordering Cedar Point Park. Two bedrooms, full bath, forced air heat, and a nicely wooded lot. Needs a little TLC, but who doesn't?  <a href="http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/media/2/20080501-Piet revised 001.jpg">Cottage</a>]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=38</comments>
 <pubDate>Thu, 1 May 2008 09:13:27 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Unbuildable Lots</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=37</link>
<description><![CDATA[I've written about this before, but it's more relevant now than ever. The issue of platted vacant lots with assigned tax key numbers being labeled as "unbuildable" by local municipalities. These are not lots that were created by some crazy homeowner who divided his lot into two and now wants to sell half of it. These are lots that were platted years and years ago, by the city engineers, and lots that the municipalities have greedily been taxing since their inception. These lots should be buildable. They should be, but on paper, they aren't. Reasons as to why such a lot would be deemed unbuildable abound, but generally it's because they lack the total square footage required in a specific zoning district, or because they lack a certain minimum lot width or length. Williams Bay for instance, requires that lots me 60' wide to be considered "standard". Corner lots, many of which are pie shaped, cannot meet this requirement, through no fault of their own. <br />
<br />
Property owners mindlessly pay their taxes every year on these parcels, only to find out that they're unbuildable when they decide to sell them. There is a simple, quick fix to this problem. Apply the required setbacks to these lots, so that the setbacks match the zoning requirements. Then apply the zoning districts minimum home square footage requirements. If the setbacks are met, the size requirements are met, and the lot is part of an original plat, with its' own tax bill, it's BUILDABLE! <br />
<br />
If you feel the same way, reply to me in my comments section, by clicking on my name (David) at the headline. Tell me you support this idea, and we'll bundle the responses together along with a letter to the Village of Williams Bay, or any other County municipality that needs a little dose of common sense.  It's high time we gave some relief to property owners who are being taxed as though their lots are indeed buildable, and allow them to sell these parcels at their own discretion. ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=37</comments>
 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:40:34 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>New Abbey Springs Listing</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=36</link>
<description><![CDATA[I just listed a fabulous Alpine unit at Abbey Springs. It's tastefully updated and decorated, with new wrap around deck, bathrooms, paint, appliances and more. Abbey Springs is undergoing a massive renovation that will completely change the level of luxury at that private association. 18 holes of championship golf, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, rec center, lakefront beach, restaurants, yacht club and marina. It's a perfect vacation destination. <br />
<br />
We have some other tremendous values right now as well. A picture perfect Villa at the Abbey, offered 100% turn key for immediate summer enjoyment. I also just listed a two bedroom lakefront unit at the Bella Vista in Lake Geneva. There is no better view on the lake, particularly not for a low price of $359k! Call me today and set up a tour for one of these fantastic properties. <a href="http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/media/2/20080428-abbey springs1.jpg">Abbey Springs Golf</a>]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=36</comments>
 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:31:17 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Highway 50</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=35</link>
<description><![CDATA[If you've driven on highway 50, north of Williams Bay, this week, you've undoubtedly noticed the massive destruction of trees along that road. It's disgusting really. I live in Geneva National, and spanning from Geneva National all the way West nearly to Somerset Marine,  an overwhelmingly large swath of trees and brush have been cut down on both the North and South sides of the road. It looks terrible, and I hate it. I don't know exactly what they're doing to the road,  I assume they're widening the road to ease traffic congestion at the intersection of highways 67 and 50.  Whatever the end goal, the current aesthetics are ugly, and disgusting. I'm generally not a tree hugger, but I do find some irony in the fact that homeowners generally need to obtain special permission to cut down any tree of substantial size, yet a state can cut down hundreds of trees at will. I think it's lame, and if you've driven down 50 lately, I'll bet you agree. ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=35</comments>
 <pubDate>Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:07:24 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>I&apos;m alive</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=34</link>
<description><![CDATA[How embarassing that I find it so hard to write on this site regularly.  The market has been quite active over the past 8 weeks, and I've personally been quite productive over the past 4 or 5 weeks. The lakefront market is really moving right now, with no fewer than 8 lakefront homes either pending or closed in the past 9 weeks. That's really something.  I've listed some really great properties over the past couple weeks. Including a beautiful unit at the Abbey Villas, and a  lakefront condo at the Bella Vista.  Both offer very strong net returns, and both offer a very economical way to enjoy all that the Lake Geneva area has to offer. I promise I'll write more next week. In the mean time, what on earth are you waiting for? Prices remain stable, and activity is on the rise. Why not schedule some time to come up to the lake this weekend for a look around? ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=34</comments>
 <pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:35:39 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Vista Del Lago Sale</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=33</link>
<description><![CDATA[A three bedroom unit at Vista Del Lago closed this week. Asking price was $585k, sale price was $570k. Days on market= 27. Buyers!!! What are you waiting for? Prices are not dropping any further than they already have. Are you waiting for interest rates to increase? Are you waiting for summer 2008 to be over without so much as a boat ride or an early morning swim?  Let's go out looking. Let's find a deal, and let's get you and your family up to the lake for the first of many memorable summers. ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=33</comments>
 <pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:28:42 -0500</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>Lakefront Condominium Sales Statistics</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=32</link>
<description><![CDATA[I ran some sales reports for lakefront condominiums on Geneva this afternoon. It was eye opening to see how the market has changed over the years, and I went all the way back to 1999 (9 years ago!) to chart sales productivity in the multi-unit lakefront condominium buildings on Geneva. Included in my search was Vista Del Lago, Stone Manor, BayShore, Bay Colony, Bay Colony South, Fontana Shores, Harbour Watch, and the Fontana Club. I left out Geneva Towers, and the Bella Vista as they're not really lakefront. Although including the Bella Vista would have helped pad my lead!  Shucks, I foreshadowed the results. Since 1999, I lead all Wisconsin agents in total transaction sides involving those lakefront condominiums. I actually outpace the nearest competing agent by a rate of 2 to 1. I also lead in all transactions at Abbey Ridge since the opening of the place, with 5 transaction sides.  If you're looking to buy in one of those lakefront buildings, give me a call, as no one knows the ins and outs of those associations like I do. My sales stats also included several private listings, units that I hunted down for a specific buyer.  If you're an owner in one of those buildings, and you're looking to sell, let my results speak for themselves. I hope you'll give me a call this Spring to take advantage of the low market inventory. ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=32</comments>
 <pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:55:55 -0600</pubDate>
</item><item>
 <title>HA!</title>
 <link>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=31</link>
<description><![CDATA[I am officially about to lose my mind. My wife will tell you that I lost it years ago, but I think this time it's for real.  Not an hour after my most recent post, I read the headline on my yahoo homepage "Existing Home Sales Hit 9 Year Low". Not good, right? Keep reading the article. After telling everyone how teribble the market is, they throw this little nugget in.... <b>Sales were weak in all parts of the country except the Midwest, where sales posted an increase of 3.4 percent.</b>  So you mean to say that real estate really is all local? And you mean to say that prices here in the Midwest, where we live, are actually on the rise? Let's make that a headline next time "Sales Rise 3.4% in the Midwest, All Rejoice" ]]></description>
 <category>General</category>
<comments>http://www.genevalakefrontrealty.com/blog/index.php?itemid=31</comments>
 <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:44:57 -0600</pubDate>
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