Archive for tag Deborah benavides
June 24, 2011 at 02:46 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to receive a dozen cupcakes flown in from Georgetown Cupcakes (known as DC Cupcakes on TLC) for my birthday. How decedent! The frosting, the filling, the cake - yum, yum, and more yum.
My Chicago friends started bragging about their cupcake favorites (Sprinkles, Phoebes...). Chicago even has a Cupcake Crawl guide!
Well, a few weeks ago (sorry I've been busy licking my fingers) I discovered Milwaukee's trendy cupcake haven, Milwaukee Cupcake Company.
The frosting, the filling, the cake....yum (oh, you get the picture).
The hardest part is picking your favorite. But Milwaukee Cupcake Company made that easier with their "Minis" - so you can have "just a bite", or sample 3 or 4 but only have the guilt of eating just one. It is conveniently located in the 3rd Ward at 316 N. Milwaukee Street, so chances are you'll be walking off that one little cupcake anyway. Enjoy!
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Deborah Benavides
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June 20, 2011 at 08:50 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
First impression.....quick......don't have one?You are not alone. Unless you are from the Midwest, you probably don't know much about our (great) city. Listen to what these Medical College of Wisconsin graduate students discovered...
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June 14, 2011 at 02:32 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Usually, our heated pool is opened by April 15th and closes after a seven month season by November 15th. This year, we got a late start with the cooler weather here in the Midwest, but are making up for the lost month with extreme pool parties!
Last week, we hosted our first pool overnight with 15 kids. There is nothing better than coming home on a Friday night, throwing on some (Johnsonville) brats, and playing lifeguard until the Doritos and Twizzlers are gone. With our pool light, the boys did decide to do a little midnight swim...those poor chipmunks didn’t get any sleep! This past weekend, with air temps in the 60’s and guests on their way, we heated the pool to a comfortable 82 degrees and never wanted to get out!
Five years ago when we built our pool, we decided to go with a salt water generator. This chlorine generator converts salt to chlorine and has been so easy to maintain. Our last pool was a chlorine pool and the pump was constantly going to keep the algae and pH balance safe. Our salt water is easier on the swimmers eyes (with about 1/10th the content of the ocean – its like swimming in saline solution). The lack of chemicals helps preserve clothing and makes your skin feel softer. The kids think you can float better in it (not sure if that is true…)
So, if you are looking for a new home in Wisconsin, don’t be afraid to dive into one with a pool. Our swimming seasons are long enough, and it’s nice to know where your kids are and who their friends are too. A pool keeps everyone close to home.
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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June 06, 2011 at 08:57 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
In the April/May Issue of Realtor magazine, there was an excerpt from HomeGain’s 2011 Home Sale Maximizer survey on what is worth fixing up when selling your home. Looking for low cost values, home sellers might be interested in these low cost return on investments.
We all know that a good cleaning (you know the kind where you get out the toothbrush for those hard to reach corners) is a must, but did you know it could net you an additional $2,000 in income?
What about those that “don’t do windows?” Well, you might be missing out on an additional $1,550 to brighten up the place!
We all have heard about “staging” for the past few years. But sellers can spend approximately $550 on a few enhancers and expect to get back over $2,000. Happy shopping (is what I say).
Let’s go outside for a minute. Do you need a few bags of mulch this season to patch up a bed or hire a professional to trim back bushes and trees? You could see another $2,000 in your pocket.
So spruce up your landscaping, clean your carpets, and fix that leaky faucet. Sometimes it’s the little things that get noticed and can yield you a big payoff for your efforts.
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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May 19, 2011 at 08:44 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Buying a house across town versus across country may present a different set of criteria when choosing a home. For instance, you will already be familiar with roads and highways when moving across town, but not in a relocation situation. However, you will still want to know your commute time in either case.
After working with transferees for many years, there are a few items transferees always considered to be critical when choosing a new home:
- Schools– even if the transferee does not have children, school districts are considered for the resale of the home down the line. (For southeastern Wisconsin’s most recent school report, click here.)
- Commute Times– and I don’t mean miles to work. I’m talking about how much time it will it take to get to work. People living in Los Angeles “speak this language” when asked how far something is. They don’t say... "Five miles...” they say “20 minutes.” We need to be careful about quoting commutes in miles as it means something different in every city.
- Community/Lifestyle– what kind of community feel is important? A neighborhood with sidewalks? One with parks and grocery stores nearby? Or one in the country with horses you pass on the way home and deer tracks in your new flower bed?
- House– Okay – so did you notice we haven’t even talked about the house until now? Realtors are good at finding the perfect house for you…..that’s easy. But first, we need to know “where” you want to live. So, numbers 4-10 are about your dream house. You can fill in the blanks here…..# of Bedrooms, # of Baths, a swimming pool, a heated garage, price range. You name it.
And yes, you are allowed to change any of the above criteria and number them in the order of most importance to you. Once you get a “feel” of the communities, have done your "school" homework, know the path to your new job, the perfect house becomes yours. Enjoy!
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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May 11, 2011 at 04:01 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Yesterday, I was setting up an appointment with a client who wanted to meet outdoors to take advantage of the sunny afternoon. I called a few restaurants to make sure their patio seating was open for the season. Thinking that it would be more convenient to meet downtown, I called Water Buffalo along the river in the 3rd Ward. The hostess informed me the outdoor seating was indeed open, but it was a little chilly. Hmmm...that's interesting, I thought.
So, I called a few others near our offices in Brookfield, Wisconsin about 15 miles west of downtown and the lakefront, and several said they were open and it was nice enough to sit outside. We chose Bravo at Brookfield Square since it would be easy to find and park. To our surprise, the afternoon on their patio was perfect. The sun warmed while the shade cooled, but with a balance to make it comfortable for both to sit outside and have our meeting. The tables along the side of the building (versus toward the front) provided some nice privacy and you didn't even feel like you were at a mall with the parking hidden and the flowering apple trees in bloom.
Locals in Milwaukee have learned to appreciate "Cooler near the Lake" and enjoy the reprise of the lake breeze in the heat of the summer. So, as we venture towards our long awaited warmer weather, use your compass to help gage just how warm or cool you want to be as you head "Cooler near the Lake."
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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April 12, 2011 at 04:03 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
I receive many calls from newcomers who want to find out more about a particular community in the Metro Milwaukee area - and don't know where to find it. So, let me share a great resource with you. Click here and click on the "Relo Home Search" button - it has a tiny globe next to it.
Type in the neighborhood you are interested in researching (by the way...you can do for any city across the country). From here, you can get a narrated "Area Guide," demographic stats, a list of schools and their links, home prices, and (my favorite), a cost of living comparison for the city you are moving from.
So many have found this tool helpful - and I hope you do too. Just need to know where to look!
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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December 02, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
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With roundabouts appearing all over the state, Wisconsin residents have been weighing in on their likes and dislikes. Personally, I like roundabouts. They seem to keep the flow of traffic moving faster than stopping and starting at a four way intersection. And isn’t that better on our cars anyway?
Approaching roundabout signs and selecting a lane (quickly) can be daunting (see image below) - especially if the roundabout is new to your commute or route. However, these few safety tips can help:
Steps for driving a roundabout:
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- Slow down.
- Obey traffic signs.
- Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Yield to traffic on your left already in the roundabout.
- Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic.
- Keep your speed low within the roundabout.
- As you approach your exit, turn on your right turn signal.
- Yield to pedestrians and bicycles as you exit.
- Avoid stopping in the roundabout.
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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September 30, 2010 at 01:47 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
In 2008, Marie Claire named Milwaukee the Sexiest City in the United States. Now, Reuters, world’s largest international multimedia news agency has claimed the Calatrava’s “Mark” the sexiest Building in the World. Corporate executives and brides love to come here to have their picture taken between the curved partitions and unique angles. The “Mark” is a must see stop for photographers and art lovers. Make sure you add this amazing architectural feat to your itinerary next time you visit Milwaukee.
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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September 27, 2010 at 11:41 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
The New York Post recently wrote about Milwaukee and all the “hip” areas we have been writing about on this site! Well, I couldn’t have summed up better what your next visit to Milwaukee should look like. Hope you choose to surprise yourself with what our town has to offer. Click here to read the article.
Oh, and by the way…better hurry. The colors are starting to change now! You can’t imagine how majestic a single maple tree becomes in a full color transformation. When my daughter was about 4 years old, we were taking a drive on the Rock Freeway toward Lake Geneva. About 5-6 miles past the Mukwonago exit, there is a large valley. Approaching the top, about to descend, I warned my kids, “now watch, over this hill you’ll see some nice fall colors”. My daughter gasped in delight as she sighed, “Oh, its like a dream of nature.”
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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September 10, 2010 at 02:50 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Effective this coming December, 2010, Wisconsin will be the 25th state to ban texting while driving. Fines can be anywhere from $20 to $400. So if you are planning moving to Wisconsin and plan to venture out onto our roadways this winter, our message to you is not to text!
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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September 03, 2010 at 04:51 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
With weather in the mid 70’s - it is a perfect weekend to walk around outside.
My daughter is such a horse fan - we are planning to go to the Walworth County Fair. Country music fans will love this venue too!
My brother lives in Franklin and goes to the last weekend of St. Martin’s day fair. If you like to rummage around and eat your way through a crowd, this promises to be an interesting afternoon.
Temperatures might reach back up into the 80’s on Monday - so one last day of swimming for most Wisconsinites before closing backyard pools.
Whatever you decide - hope you get out and enjoy our beautiful State.
Happy Labor Day!
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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September 03, 2010 at 04:16 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Let Shorewest’s new innovative “Price Tracker” alerts tell you when there has been a price reduction. Its like having a stock broker tell you when to “BUY” or “SELL”! You can set alerts to be emailed to you as soon as a home’s price reaches your target amount.
Check out all the new features on MyShorewest at http://ow.ly/2xlvI
You define your neighborhoods, control your search parameters, and post comments.
“We are trying to make the process more efficient for home buyers and sellers with the new features on myShorewest,” explains John P. Horning, executive vice president of Shorewest, Realtors®. “It can be hard to keep track of all of the information collected during the process, so we have created a section of organizational tools.”
We hope you enjoy these new features and try them out yourself!
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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May 19, 2010 at 04:32 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Why would you want to live 30 miles from the downtown center? - or where the closest grocery store is 8 miles away?
The residents of North Prairie, a humble community nestled next to the Kettle Moraine State forest, say “we do”.
For two long years, our family lived in Crystal Lake, IL to be closer to our jobs. From there, it was a 30 mile commute to Northbrook and a 40 mile commute to Chicago, where our jobs were. Most days, this commute took me 2 hours, while it took my husband closer to 2 1/2 (3 on Friday afternoons). It was grueling and we couldn’t wait to be back home in Wisconsin.
In North Prairie, where we settled, I still have a 20 mile commute to my office in Brookfield, WI, but it only takes me 30 minutes. Along the way, I pass through part of the forest, along country roads lined with wild poppies and low flying cranes. The traffic moves at a 55 mph pace and I get to catch up with business acquaintances and friends during my windshield time.
Other North Prairie residents feel the same. A transferee whose family is moving out the area had this to say:
“We moved to North Prairie from Brookfield and initially, I really missed the noise and hub-bub of living in the city, the perceived closeness of all of the shopping in Brookfield as well as my impression of Brookfield being a quicker commute from Downtown than North Prairie. In the 8 years we have lived here our family would be hard pressed to move back closer to the city. We love living here and enjoy the peace and quiet of country living as well as the ability to see millions of stars clearly at night because the city lights are less intrusive. The other thing that surprised me was that while the largest shopping area is 8 miles away, it actually takes the same amount of time to get there because there isn’t as much traffic and we are traveling at 55mph with almost no stop lights. My commute from downtown was also a pleasant surprise. Most of the commute is highway so while the miles have increased but the actual time is about the same because I’m not fighting the traffic within the city to get home. The schools were also a very pleasant surprise, the principal at our school knows every student by name (there are around 300 students) and she stands in front of the school most mornings even in bad weather, greeting students as they enter the building. The teachers are wonderful as well, they take a personal interest in each student and will take additional time to ensure they understand the subject matter.
The actual neighborhood has also been great, we live in the Broadlands and while it is a golf course community you don’t have to golf to enjoy living here. There is a very active social committee that has organized many neighborhood activities like: holiday parties, a block party in the summer, monthly poker and bunko nights, bowling leagues, gourmet dinner club and golf leagues for men, woman and couples. There is also a park in the subdivision that has soccer and baseball fields as well as 2 play-set areas.”
Check out North Prairie homes for sale.
North Prairie is part of Waukesha county and the Mukwonago School District, North Prairie children attend Prairie View Elementary School, where the principle really does know every kid’s name and greets them every morning outside (rain or shine) as they enter school.
The Broadlands Park brings the community together on weekends where soccer and baseball practices and games are played. The 18 hole public links golf course and clubhouse hosts golf outings and weddings in its modestly modern facility.
Click here to check out great community information about North Prairie, WI.
Posted by: Deborah Benavides
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May 17, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides, Entertainment
Downtown Dining Week is June 3-10th. All week long - nearly 40 different restaurants are offering three-course meals for only $10 for lunch - and $20 for dinner (some have a choice of $30 dinners too).
Check out the complete list here. Call your friends and make your plans now - yum!
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