Downtown Third Ward Condo Tour

Get Your Running Shoes!

This weekend is a condo tour of First Weber's condo listings! You can get a list of the open properties and maps from my website: http://bestmilwaukeehomes.com/.

I will be holding open my gorgeous Soap Works condo from 12-2pm. This 1,870 sq ft condo is filled with classic loft details: high ceilings, cream city brick, huge wood beams, hardwood floors, open & flexible space, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, granite tile counters, stainless appliances, in-unit laundry and a natural fireplace!

View Details: 418 N. 3rd St, #320

Hey! Where'd that cool stuff go?

Archaic MLS rules force agents to withhold information

Until recently, my site had a cool feature that I pulled from my MLS - sold properties, days on market, average and median prices, photos, etc. All that important stuff that buyers and sellers are looking for on the web.

Yesterday, my broker called me frantically, "You have SOLD properties on the web! That's ILLEGAL!"

"Illegall?" I replied. I had visions of being carted off to County for my infraction. "You mean against the rules?"

"Yes!" she said. "It's a HUGE fine!" She went on to say that I must remove that information from all the sites I designed.

Dutifully, not wanting to get nor cause anyone "HUGE FINES," I removed the information. Now, my web visitors must email me for the information. Then I can email them a link to the exact information that was previously posted on my site. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

This "hiding" of information makes no sense to me. Web searchers can find sold information other places on the net - from non-Realtor sites like jsonline.com, tax assessors sites and zillow.com - yet the system which holds the most comprehensive information (Metro MLS) does not allow this information to be shared with consumers.

It harkens back to old-school real estate policies and a lack of understanding of how the web works and what people really want. For example, our MLS was pretty quick to get an online presence of current listings, yet still prohibits individual agents from having their own access - they must "frame" their broker's IDX (internet data exchange) on their websites.

My broker informed me that the MLS will soon allow broker websites to reveal this sold information, but not individual agents. And a kind associate from another MLS area informed me, after reading my post in Inman.com this morning, that their MLS does NOT exclude them from IDX feeds. So it is just the Milwaukee area MLS which does this.

So what is the deal here? To access our MLS, you must be a Realtor. To be a Realtor, you must join a few associations - national, state and local levels. The association dues cost us over $500 a year and I pay $360 a year in MLS fees. Why am I not allowed to utilize that information to build my business and give the public what it wants? I understand that the brokers "own" the listings and MLSs control the listing information, but aren't the agents the bread & butter that brings those listings in the door? And being a card-carrying, dues-paying member, shouldn't I have the same rights as any other member ie., broker-owners? (Don't get me wrong - I really love my broker and wouldn't go anywhere else - but I think we are taking the wrong path.)

The answer is that our association and MLS believes that our worth is in being gatekeepers to the information - something we were a long time ago. But now this same information is out there - albeit difficult to track down on hundreds of different websites - and being offered by non-Realtors. They believe that consumers will have to come to us and request the information. This shows how naive they are about what the consumer wants on the internet. The consumer wants information and then the ability to choose when to contact an agent. By forcing contact, they push away the very consumer they hope to attract.

So, for now, I have to play it their way. But I can only hope that they will see the error of their ways and realize that sharing this information will make agents and brokers destination sites for consumers. Right now, they have to go elswhere for their real estate needs. Is that really what we want?

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public Today

REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls..... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS!

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take 30 seconds of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

Hot Property

It's not your grandmother's old electric fireplace.

Something that many new to the Milwaukee real estate market find odd are all of the homes with artificial fireplaces. I have to explain to them that previous generations found electricity to be a luxury. So was a central heating system. Affluent homes didn't "need" a fireplace for heat, therefore, decorative fireplaces were a sign of wealth. Today, a real fireplace is the luxury.

So now, we have beautiful homes, filled with hardwood floors, leaded glass, Craftsman details and...a fake fireplace. What to do with this empty hearth in the middle of our lovely living room? How do we bring an artificial fireplace to life during an open house or increase resale? Not to worry - there are so many options available - from cheap to expensive budgets.

The cheapest route is candles. They add warmth and a bit of the flame feel. However, be careful that the ceiling of your fireplace opening is not flamable! You can add various candle holders, a fireplace screen with votives, beautiful fireplace candelabras or an actual log insert.

























The most obvious solution is to insert electric logs made for these fireplaces. They are still pretty much the same as grandma's logs, except new models offer realistic logs and fabric or foil "flames" that add a bit of realism from a distance. They are a bit cheesy, but kind of nostolgic and definitely a conversation starter!





The most expensive option is a zero-clearance gas fireplace.

This is good if the artificial fireplace is on an exterior wall. The opening is fitted with a firebox, which is vented to the outside with a small vent - about the size of your dryer vent. A natural gas line is run to the firebox, along with an electric on/off switch. The logs are set behind sealed glass, so no fumes escape into the house. No chimney is needed. This option gives real flame, convenience and heat - for about $1,000 to $5,000. This option will definitely pay off in resale value!

If your budget doesn't allow for a zero clearance fireplace, there are actually two other affordable fireplace insert options many people are not aware of - gel fuel and electric. A gel fuel fireplace insert has a metal firebox and ceramic logs for about $300. Or you can use a free-standing log set if your fireplace is fireproof. The cans of gel fuel (similar to cooking fuel cans) are hidden behind the logs. When lit, they pop, crackle and produce heat like a real wood fire. The drawbacks are that the fireboxes come in limited sizes, so your opening may need to be customized, the fuel cans can be expensive ($50 - $100 for 24 cans) and the gel fuel is not entirely odorless - in spite of manufacturer claims.



The electric inserts of today may surprise you. I know that I was amazed when I went to replace my bedroom gel fuel fireplace. After shopping around, I decided on a Dimplex Deluxe insert, which fit my fireplace. It uses a hologram technology and LED lighting to simulate a wood fire with glowing logs and shimmering embers, for about $350. It also comes with two heat settings. The only thing missing was the sound and smell, so as you can see in the video, I added another product called a Kracklebox sound system, about $50, which is great for gas and electric fireplaces.

And this is just the base model - Dimplex offers a larger, high-end insert called Multi-Flame, that offers brick interior, screen, glass doors & adjustable flames/embers for even more realism. And their new Optimyst insert (not yet available in the States) uses holograms and water vapor for stunningly realistic 3-D flames. Add a bit of firewood-scented incense and this is definitely NOT your grandmother's old electric fireplace. I've been so happy with my electric, I want to get another one for the living room!



So, next time you are out house shopping and find a perfect house, but with a fake fireplace - don't be disappointed! There are a lot of new and exciting products out there to warm up that empty hearth. And if your home doesn't have any fireplace at all, consider a free-standing electric fireplace or build one in - it can add value when it comes time to sell!


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