Friday, February 24, 2017
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Read up on Heidi Buchberger w/ our office- What she LOVES about her job!
Happy Valentines Day to you all!!!
Today I'm writing a blog on "What I love About My Job" as another fun holiday challenge between the agents at our RE/MAX Realty Center office!
It is nice to hear a personal experience in the home buying process that will show you WHY I really do LOVE my job as a Realtor at RE/MAX Realty Center in Oconomowoc, WI!
Just last month, January 2017 I had the pleasure of helping two of my friends purchase their FIRST home together!! It was such a HAPPY day for them... here's a picture to prove it, look at the smiles on their faces!!
It gives a feeling of happiness right?? This is just ONE of the reasons I love my job, seeing people be happy, and making people happy !! That has always been a quality of mine, and I hear it often from others.
They chose to work with me because of my knowledge of the real estate market, and knowledge of the entire home buying process. They looked to me for answers to their questions, and at one point Heather texted me and said "I am SO SORRY for all the questions..." and my response was "PLEASE don't be sorry, this IS my job, and what I love doing, I am the expert, not you! hehe, I want you to ask me as many questions as possible so you understand everything!!" This is another reason I love my job, I like helping others understand the home buying process, even when this is not their forte. From a nurse, to a construction worker, both rely on me to teach them and help them with one of the biggest purchases of their life.. and I want to help, teach, and share my knowledge all the time!
These two were WONDERFUL to work with, they were very organized with requests from their mortgage lender, scheduling inspections, signing documents, and making sure they were involved as much as possible. Their communication was 100% on at all times!!!
Today marks their first Valentines Day in their new home.... DO YOU FEEL THE LOVE!!?!?!
I hope to help many other friends, family, and strangers, purchase or sell homes this year!!! I promise you won't be disappointed with my services!!
Contact me for a great experience and knowledge of the process,
Thanks for reading my blog today!
**photo credit-Heidi Buchberger, thank you for letting me share your story Wes & Heather!!
Saturday, December 31, 2016
5 Trends We Can't Wait to Say Goodbye to In 2017
5 Trends We Can't Wait to Say Goodbye to In 2017
The past year brought us new home design trends that we absolutely love (bold wallpaper and colorful kitchens, for example), but some are in need of a refresh. Check out which trends our editors feel have had their time in the spotlight and need to evolve in 2017.
Lindsay Pennington
Jim Tschetter
Courtesy of the manufacturer
By: Ryan Reed
Amber Castonguay
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
www.AmbersHomeFinder.com
http://www.ambershomefinder.com/blog/
http://ambercastonguay.blogspot.com
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Connect With Me
Search ALL Homes Here!
Click here to download my personal RE/MAX App! AGENT KEY: ambercastonguay
Friday, December 30, 2016
How to Choose the Right Paint Color
How to Choose the Right Paint Color
Posted in Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey on December 26, 2016
Photo courtesy: Dunn-Edwards Paints
A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most affordable home improvement projects to tackle prior to a home sale that can make a big difference.
Sara McLean, color expert and blogger for Dunn-Edwards Paints, offers some of the following tips on how to choose interior colors that will appeal to the biggest buyer pool:
Don’t go too monotone. McLean cautions on painting everything white or beige. The home might end up looking more like an apartment, rather than an upscale home. An occasional accent wall in a darker or complementary shade may add appeal.
Stick to earth tones and natural-based colors. Warm browns and milky tans – think latte. Light greens and blues are classy, and even some reds and oranges. Warm grays are popular now, rather than cool grays, she says.
Take into account flooring. Lay the color chips along the flooring to see how well they pair together. Warm tones tend to look better with most hardwood. Whereas tile, terrazzo or carpet may make you want to opt for other colors.
Give a room life without getting personal. “Many people have a visceral reaction to bold colors and buyers’ first thought is that they will need to repaint,” McLean says.
Brighten up kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens and baths work well with brighter colors that can help make them look fresh, clean, and inviting. In the kitchen, soft buttery yellows with slight brown undertones are popular and cheerful colors. “Olive and sage greens, make it feel garden-y and fresh,” McLean notes. ” If you don’t have a tile backsplash, create one with an eggshell or semi-gloss paint — either a solid color or with a decorative stencil.”
Photo courtesy: Dunn-Edwards Paints
Try brighter color palettes in smaller rooms. Baths, laundry room, and powders may benefit from brighter colors because they’re smaller. Oranges and reds are trending now and through next year, as well as teal and turquoise.
Test it out before you commit. “Once you have chosen a color, pick up a few samples and paint a section of the wall, near permanent structures like fireplaces, flooring and cabinetry,” McLean recommends. “Live with the samples at least a full a day to see them in all light sources. What looks light and bright in the morning, may look dungeon-y at night.”
Photo courtesy: Dunn-Edwards Paints
Choose the right gloss level. Flat, velvet or eggshell are good for interior walls, while a higher sheen looks pretty on trim and in kitchens and bathrooms. The higher gloss levels are easier to clean so they tend to be more ideal for high traffic areas. Look for trim paint that is water based but with the upscale look of oil based.
Amber Castonguay
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
www.AmbersHomeFinder.com
http://www.ambershomefinder.com/blog/
http://ambercastonguay.blogspot.com
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Connect With Me
Search ALL Homes Here!
Click here to download my personal RE/MAX App! AGENT KEY: ambercastonguay
Monday, December 19, 2016
TRICKS THAT HELP HOMES SELL FASTER DURING THE HOLIDAYS
TRICKS THAT HELP HOMES SELL FASTER DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Amber Castonguay
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048Fax: 866.211.2826
www.AmbersHomeFinder.com
http://www.ambershomefinder.com/blog/
http://ambercastonguay.blogspot.com
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Connect With Me
Search ALL Homes Here!
Click here to download my personal RE/MAX App! AGENT KEY: ambercastonguay
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
SOLD in 30 days! 2896 W Oak Rd Ixonia, WI
SOLD in 30 days! 2896 W Oak Rd Ixonia, WI
This home had Multiple offers giving my seller options and they got over asking price! If you are waiting to put you home on the market, there is no reason to wait. I can do a FREE no obligation market analysis of your home and help you get moving today! Visit www.AmbersHomeFinder.com or Call/Text: 920.988.0048 #wirealestate #wihomeseller #remaxhttp://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/mainmenu.cgi?cmd=url+other/run_public_link.html&public_link_tech_id=183danm1059i&s=19&id=1&san=50989&cid=1
Amber Castonguay
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
RE/MAX Realty Center
357 W Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Connect With Me
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
RE/MAX Realty Center
357 W Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Click here to download my personal RE/MAX App! AGENT KEY: ambercastonguay
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
9 Super Easy (But Often Overlooked) Ways To Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal
9 Super Easy (But Often Overlooked) Ways To Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal
By Lighter Side Staff |
When we think of home upgrades, people automatically think of the ones that need to be made inside the house. Our minds go right to the basics of painting wall colors neutral, replacing old knobs and drawer pulls on cabinets, getting rid of clutter, and making the home appealing for a would-be-buyer.
But stop for a minute and think, what is the first thing potential buyers will see? It’s not the wall color or dated vinyl floors. Did you know that people will make assumptions on a home just by driving by? If the outside is unflattering, dated, and needs repairs, they may drive right by without even stopping to look at the inside. The outside can even bring down the value of a home.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to make the outside of your home look as good as the inside. Not sure where to start? Keith Sacks, Vice President of RubberMulch, shared his best tips on updating your home’s exterior this spring, whether it’s to get it ready to sell or just to make it look more appealing.
1. House Numbers
A super easy and affordable update is to replace house numbers. Today’s house numbers come in a wide variety of styles. Think chic, modern looking styles or utilize your DIY skills to make a rustic type that are attached to wood and hung on your home.
2. Front Door
If your front door is in good condition but needs an update, skip purchasing a brand new door by applying a new coat of paint. With a good coat of primer and a couple coats of exterior paint, your door will look new and striking at first glance. Research shows that a home’s value can increase as much as $8,000 just by updating the front door. Take a look online for some of the more trendy door colors such as canary yellow, kelly green, and shiny black. And if you really want to go all out, you can completely transform your front door like this guy did.
3. Exterior House Cleaning
Realtors suggest a good, thorough cleaning of the front of your home can increase the value from $10,000-$15,000. If you stand back and look at the front of your home do you see mold, mildew, dirt and grunge? Pick up an exterior home cleaner or make your own recipes along with a brush to scrub the dollars back into your home.
4. Mailbox
Wobbly, dented and outdated mailboxes are an eyesore and unattractive to potential homebuyers. Replacing your mailbox will not only add more curb appeal to your home, but will also give it a little personality as well.
5. Gutters
Since plugged gutters shout “poor home maintenance,” clean out the leaves and weeds and make any necessary repairs. Plugged gutters can also lead to long term problems with the home and many buyers are warned to look for this problem and avoid a home that hasn’t had gutter upkeep.
6. Windows and Trim
Replace broken glass, scrape and paint the trim, and clean the inside and outside of the windows until they shine. Brackets and decorative moldings can also really make your exterior pop and are easy to install. Add a couple of window boxes to offer a cottage-like, homey appeal.
7. Roof and Chimney
One of the last things a home buyer wants to see is a roof and chimney that needs work. This is an investment and deters many buyers from a home. It may cost you a bit to repair now but if you don’t, it will come off the bottom line of your home value. So make the repairs now for a better sale.
8. Light Fixtures
Strategically placed exterior lighting goes a long way. Exterior lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to add beauty and security to your home. Not only does it highlight your beautiful landscaping and all the upgrades you’ve made to your home, but it also enhances the photos a realtor takes of your home when putting it on the market. Think about adding lighting to the landscaping and walkway, a hanging pendant light to the front doorway. and additional lighting near the garage. Find styles that complement your home.
9. Landscaping
This is the time to make an investment in some perennials, trees, and bushes for your home if you haven’t already. Most plants you find at your local big box store or local nursery are typically easy to care for and right for your state. Finish off your garden beds with a nice border and quality mulch or rock. You’ll be amazed at how a little work on landscaping goes a long, long way.
Rubber Mulch is the original and environmentally responsible mulch made from 100% recycled rubber used in gardens, playgrounds and sustainable landscaping. Rubber Mulch is weather resistant, durable, cost effective, and is specifically designed to protect children from falls on the playground.
Amber Castonguay
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
RE/MAX Realty Center
357 W Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Connect With Me
Direct: 920.988.0048
Text: 920.988.0048
Fax: 866.211.2826
RE/MAX Realty Center
357 W Wisconsin Ave
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Office: 262-567-2455
Click here to download my personal RE/MAX App! AGENT KEY: ambercastonguay
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