Merry Christmas 2021!
Aromatically Festive
Bring the beauty and fresh scent of evergreens to the front hall by filling a planter with cut boughs and pine cones. Add a couple of ornaments, festive bows, or drape with a strand of miniature lights, and let your arrangement sparkle!
Holiday Greetings
Don't let your mailbox hang out to dry while decorating the rest of the house. Wrap garland or tie a big red bow around it for some festive cheer. Just make sure it doesn't impede your mail carrier from delivering your Christmas cards and packages.
Inviting Front Porch
Want to add some traditional color? You can't do much better than a potted poinsettia—or two or three or more. Cluster a group next to the door, place them on steps, or line a walkway with the blooms. The bold red and green coloring makes them instant accents with a long holiday tradition.
Liven up the front door and share your holiday spirit with the whole neighborhood this year!
Whether you plan to wrap string lights around the house, hang illuminated icicles from the eaves, or install glowing blow-up figures in the front yard, it doesn't take much to whip up some amazing holiday curb appeal at your entryway. Here are several ideas to motivate you to decorate the outside of your house for the holidays.
Traditional Elegance
Garland is another easy way to add elegant holiday flair to your front entry. Use it to wrap around columns, drape over railings, and frame in doorways. You'll find fresh varieties at your local nursery and garden center, or you can go the DIY route.
Where did the term "bubbler" come from, and are we the only ones who say it?
Our love affair with the spirit and fruity old-fashion's isn't as old as you might think.
Brandy is expected in Wisconsin. But don't expect to get brandy out of Wisconsin, without ordering it specifically
Average homeowner in state will see 3% reduction.
Here is some holiday cheer: as prices of everything go up amid inflation and supply-chain worries, there may be some savings coming your way in the property tax bill that will soon be in your mailbox.
The last, best estimate by the Legislature’s budget office says the after-credits property tax bill on a median-valued home will be $3,214 — a $101, or 3%, decrease from the bill that homeowner opened last December.
We look forward to sharing the 2021 Cookie Book with you this holiday season.
This year’s edition is “celebrating military service” with recipes from veterans and active service members, as well as special sections highlighting Wisconsin’s own 128th Air Refueling Wing and organizations that support our troops.
U.S. homes prices were up by a record amount in August compared with a year earlier, as Americans continued to bid up house prices.
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index soared 19.9 percent in the 12-months leading to August. That’s the largest price jump in records going back to the 1980s.
The roof is one of the most essential features of a home, yet it’s commonly overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance.
A roof can sustain some wear and tear, but if a homeowner wants to avoid costly repairs, they should conduct frequent checks. Here are five ways to keep your roof in good condition.
Check for leaks.
To prevent a major roof leak, regularly check for water damage in your attic and on your ceilings. Some telltale signs of roof leaks include moldy smells, liquid stains on the ceiling, or interior wall bulges.
Trim those trees.
A tree can do a great deal of damage if it falls on a roof, but it’s also important to make sure no branches are scratching your shingles. Over an extended period of time, this can damage the protective top layer, so make sure to trim the trees around your house.
Check your shingles.
One of the most important parts of roof maintenance is making sure your shingles aren’t deteriorating. If you see any shingles that are missing, cracked, or curved, it may be time for some repairs.
Clean your gutters.
Although it can be one of the most dreaded household chores, cleaning your gutters regularly can help preserve your roof. Gutters filled with debris can prevent water from draining properly and result in liquid seeping under your roof. This can affect the roof’s integrity and cause water stains.
Hire PROS.
Design experts weigh in on the best color combinations for 2022. The pallet includes:
Which of these six coordinating colors from the "Colormix® Forecast" would you pair with the "Color of the Year", Evergreen Fog?
Sherwin-Williams has named its "Color of the Year" for 2022, and this time it’s Evergreen Fog...
...a tranquil gray-green hue that takes inspiration from nature.
The paint color was selected by the company’s global color and design team, which reportedly analyzed an assortment of trending colors.
According to a press release from Sherwin-Williams, Evergreen Fog was the leading color in its annual Colormix Forecast.
"Evergreen Fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade," said Sherwin-Williams’ Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden, in a statement. "Evergreen Fog inspires us to begin again and is a great choice for modern interiors and exteriors."
Two new buildings are more in line with historic neighborhood development pattern than most new construction.
Developer Ryan Konicek has twice moved to create more housing on a Bay View corner lot, all while not demolishing the house that has stood on it for 111 years.
In May 2019, Konicek bought the two-story bungalow at the corner of S. Logan Ave. and E. Otjen St. for $145,000. A small, one-story building, formerly used by a cobbler, at the southern portion of the 0.17-acre site was demolished and Konicek secured approval in 2020 to construct a new two-story apartment in its place. The new building uses the same foundation as the prior building, keeping its footprint...
Oak Creek Acquired 46.7 Acres of Near-Lakefront Property
Oak Creek is purchasing land near the lakefront, more than doubling the size of city-owned parcels abutting Lake Michigan.
However, it's unclear what the city plans to do with it.
“Right now, we do not know what the future land use of the property (will be), and there won’t be any immediate development,” City Administrator Andrew Vickers said, adding the city will be conducting "due diligence" on the parcel.
A huge Drexel Avenue streetscaping project could highlight Oak Creek as a "city on the lake"...
A wave of light could flow down Drexel Avenue in Oak Creek along new walls, plantings and past freshly planted trees as part of a new streetscaping concept designed to highlight the city's proximity to Lake Michigan.
An engineering and consulting firm based in Milwaukee, presented a conceptual streetscape design to the Oak Creek planning commission. The goal of the plan, which reaches from Ikea Way to Howell Avenue, is to “re-envision the current existing condition of Drexel Avenue. The plan made use of this and tried to encapsulate elements of Oak Creek’s Lake Vista Park design into the streetscaping.
By the way... this is likely the quickest and easiest DIY project you will ever complete!
Do magnetic garage door windows and hardware work? Absolutely!
But please keep in mind, this type of hardware only works on steel and steel core doors. Magnets do not attach to wood or aluminum. If a refrigerator magnet will stick to it, so will the windows and hardware.
Both the garage door hardware and the window panels come in various styles, not to mention different price points. You will find lots of options online at Amazon.
It comes out of nowhere: All of a sudden, you hate the color of your walls. Or your bathroom sink. Or your kitchen countertop.
There's no question about the power of a renovation to boost your home value. But unless you've got piles of cash lying around, you may be wondering how to pay for improvements. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to finance a home renovation without upending your monthly budget. Whether you're planning to sell your house, expand your space or are simply craving change, here are a few ways to finance the renovation projects on your list.
4. ENTRY DOOR REPLACEMENT
While smaller than a garage door, an entry door has just as much of an ability to be your home’s main focal point. Since the front door is one of the first parts of your home a buyer interacts with, it can leave a lasting impression. Replacing an old, shabby door with a sturdy, eye-catching steel one can improve your curb appeal and resale value.
For an added boost to your ROI, consider replacing your entry and garage doors together with complementary designs. You might want to consider working with a vendor that offers entry doors that complement your garage door.
3. MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER INSTALLATION
As an alternative to siding, stone gives your home a natural look. You’ll find some surprisingly authentic options available with manufactured stone veneer. Manufactured stone comes with a lower price tag than real stone, and generally places less stress on your structural frame. Since it looks attractive to buyers without as high of an investment, artificial stone is an excellent choice.
You can apply a stone veneer in many places in your home, from a fireplace mantle to a shower backsplash. For the highest ROI possible, install it on your residence’s street-facing exterior, where it can increase curb appeal. When you replace about one-third of your home’s front-facing siding with a manufactured stone veneer, the project will cost about $10,777, on average, in Minneapolis. You’ll earn back an average of $7,300 at resale for a 67.7% return.
It comes in many styles, such as warm, earthy tones or cool slate grays. You can find veneers that replicate rectangular stone blocks or create a more organic pattern with a rougher texture.
2. SIDING REPLACEMENT
Like garage doors, new siding can increase your curb appeal and attract buyers. As a result, it’s the second-highest ROI renovation in our location. Since siding covers a lot more area, you should expect to invest more upfront. The more expensive fiber-cement has a higher ROI. The average siding renovation will cost $19,964 upfront and recoup $13,667 at resale in Minneapolis. The average ROI for a fiber-cement siding job is 68.5%, making it one of the best home renovations.
Siding can give your home’s façade a refreshed look. If your current siding has taken a beating from harsh weather, this can be an important upgrade for those looking to sell their home. It also presents the opportunity to select a new color for your house.
1. NEW GARAGE DOOR INSTALLATION
Replacing your garage door with a high-quality attractive model is one of the best overall investments you can make for your home. Why? First, exterior renovations tend to have a higher ROI because they increase curb appeal. A visually appealing outer appearance gets more buyers in the door and raises a home’s perceived value. A garage door makes up a good portion of that outer layer and ties the exterior together to create a focal point.
Investing in a new garage door also comes at a fraction of other exterior renovation projects, such as roof replacement, landscaping or deck additions.
Besides its high resale value, a garage door can provide other savings in the form of energy efficiency. Replacing a non-insulated garage door with an insulated one can help your home retain heat in the colder months and keep hot air out in the summer. As a result, your home’s heating and cooling system doesn’t have to use as much energy for climate control, and you can take advantage of excellent savings. We offer a variety of insulation options to meet your desired energy efficiency goals and budget.
A garage door is also a long-lasting investment. If you install one with quality construction and continue to maintain it, it will last 15-30 years. While you’ll need to replace the spring every 10,000 cycles — or openings and closings — and other hardware as required, the door itself will last a long time and continue appealing to buyers years after your investment.
Houseplants are great natural decoration pieces to occupy a corner, window sill, table, or shelf, but they also offer many health benefits that can enhance your physical well-being.
Air quality
In the late 1970s, many buildings were constructed with limited fresh air exchange and ‘superinsulation’ in an attempt to minimize energy costs. However, occupants began to report various health problems. This phenomenon, known as ‘sick building syndrome,’ was caused by the lack of fresh air entering the building and emissions of ‘various organic compounds’ from synthetic insulations. In 1989, NASA conducted a study to counteract ‘sick building syndrome’ and their results were nothing short of remarkable. They found that certain houseplants can absorb pollutants in the air through their soil and improve air quality dramatically. The study found that plants, such as Chrysanthemums, peace lilies, English ivy, and focuses', do a great job combating indoor air pollution.
Decreasing stress
According to a 2015 study conducted by scientists at Chungnam National University, interacting with plants “can reduce physiological and psychological stress.” During the study, half the participants completed a task on a computer while the other half repotted a plant. They found that working with plants inspired comfortable feelings and reduced more stress compared to completing the computer task.
Sleep
The 1989 NASA study discovered certain plants have the ability to remove pollutants from the air and this natural process could improve your sleep. We release a lot of carbon dioxide when we are sleeping, but plants like aloe vera or snake plants can absorb that carbon dioxide and replace it with oxygen.
Welcome Back, Summerfest 2021 Opening Days!
This is the largest music festival on the shores of Lake Michigan!
Click here for all the details...
Some of the new spots around Milwaukee for a great sandwich have a laserlike, sandwiches-R-us focus.
At others, sandwiches are just one facet of the menu. The restaurants in the list include carryout-only pop-ups, food hall stalls and counter-service shops, all built to accommodate "take home"or "take to the park"....
They begin May 1 with the West Allis, Brookfield, Delafield, New Berlin, Waukesha and Oconomowoc farmers markets. Then they start opening fast and furious, more than three dozen of them in and around Milwaukee. The last debuts come in July.
Not all the markets will be back yet, however. The Westown Farmers Market, for example, will be on hiatus again this year. Organizers cite reduced foot traffic downtown because of the pandemic, as many office workers continue to work from home.
Remember, almost all of the markets stay open until October, so there's still lots of time to enjoy all the great produce and products.
Pets bring so much joy to our lives, but over time they can also cause a lot of damage around the home. Even the most well-behaved pets can create some mischief every now and then, but there are many ways to diminish the damage that your furry friends can cause.
One of the biggest homeowner pet peeves is their cats or dogs scratching floors, doors, or furniture. Besides training your pets early in their life, one of the most efficient ways to decrease scratching around the home is to regularly trim your pet’s nails. This may be a difficult task depending on the animal, but you can always enlist the help of a groomer. You should trim your pet’s nails at least once a month. You can also protect your furniture with scratch guards.
If your pet has an accident in your home, the only way to really clean it up and rid yourself of the smell is by using an enzymatic cleaner. Enzyme cleaners usually come in a spray bottle and contain bacteria in the solution that feeds off the organic material of pet waste. You can usually find these cleaners at the hardware or pet store.
It’s important to make sure your pet stays active because they can build up a lot of anxious energy if they get bored. Dedicate at least 30 minutes a day to exercise with your pet so it can stay healthy and prevent frustration and possible mayhem around the house.
Buying a home of her own became a priority for Kelly during the pandemic, as she began to feel cramped in her Indianapolis apartment.
"Last fall having to stay home so much, that really made me decide that it is time to buy a house," she said. Among the top amenities she was looking for: outdoor space and more privacy.
Further motivated by record low interest rates, she set her sights to buy in the spring when she expected more properties would be available. It would also give her time to get her finances in order.
"But by the time I got pre-approved and started seriously looking at homes, the market got crazy" she said.
With a budget for $250,000, but in her market -- the suburb of Greenwood -- homes began selling within days, with as many as 10 competing offers, and sometimes going for $100,000 over the asking price.
A home is the single biggest purchase most people make in their lives — and periodic repairs are an important part of protecting that investment.
Repairs and home improvement projects can be expensive, but you might be surprised what you can accomplish yourself with the right equipment. Whether you’re a relative beginner or a dedicated DIYer ready to tackle demolition and other major jobs, it’s essential to have a few basic tools on hand. The good news? You can get the ones you need without making another substantial investment.
Here are 11 essentials under $40 that every homeowner should consider.
Home prices are climbing at the fastest pace in history, eclipsing even the boom in the days leading up to the Great Recession. Bidding wars have become common, many are forced to pay all cash and some bids are coming in $1 million over asking.
It's all sparking fears that the United States is in the middle of another housing bubble that will end in a terrible crash. Industry executives and economists agree this explosion in home values is unsustainable, as home prices can't go up 20% year-over-year forever.
The 2021 Wisconsin State Fair will run from Aug. 5 to 15 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, will open at 11 a.m. daily and close each night at 11 p.m., 10 p.m. on the final night of the fair.
The parking lots will open at 10:30 a.m., and agriculture and other competitions and shows scheduled to start earlier will still happen, but food vendors, rides, shops and other buildings won't be open until 11.
Minimalism has been a dominating theme in design and architecture over the past few years. What started as an art movement in the 1960s has become a mainstay for interior designers that create peaceful, eye-catching spaces with limited furnishings and selective decorative pieces.
Minimalist décor is focused on the concept of ‘less is more’ and this idea places a lot of importance on functionality, tidiness, and organization in the home.
Here are a few tips to bring minimalism into your home.
Eliminate the Clutter
There are many things homeowners keep around the house on the off-chance they are needed, but usually they never are. Take control of your space by throwing away any loose papers, magazines, or trinkets that aren’t getting any use and do a weekly check to see where clutter is piling up.
Choose Decorations Wisely
It’s a natural inclination to try to fill all the empty space on a wall, but in many cases, this design style can become a bit overwhelming and noisy. Instead, try to find a defining piece of art or décor that can act as a focal point or centerpiece. Then, the empty space surrounding it will accentuate the piece.
Focus on Function
When you're deciding on whether or not to keep something in your space, just ask yourself, “Do I actually use this?” If it’s an item that is used daily, it makes sense to keep it, but if you can’t remember the last time you used it, it might be better to toss it. If something is used intermittently, you can still clear your space by finding a cabinet or drawer to keep it out of sight.
When you borrow money to buy a home, you will have a monthly mortgage payment to make. But it may come as a surprise that your payment can actually be made up of four separate costs.
Here are the four costs that can make up your monthly mortgage payment.
Here are the four costs that can make up your monthly mortgage payment.
1. Principal
Principal is the amount of money you borrow from a mortgage lender when you take out a loan. So if you get a $280,000 mortgage, your principal balance is $280,000. The payment you make toward the principal goes toward reducing your loan balance. For example, say you borrowed $200,000, and $1,000 of your monthly payment goes to principal. In that case, you would reduce the amount due on your principal and would owe $199,000 after making your payment.
Typically, when you start paying your loan, very little of the monthly payment goes to the principal. That's because the bulk of your early payments goes to interest, and most of the principal is paid off during the later years of your loan.
Still, over time, as you make principal payments, your loan balance will slowly drop. And your loan payment is structured so you pay off the entire principal balance over the repayment timeline (which is usually 15 or 30 years). If you make extra principal payments, you can accelerate this process and pay off your mortgage early.
2. Interest
Mortgage interest is a percent of your loan balance. You pay interest as a cost of borrowing from a lender. It's money that the bank gets to keep, and your interest payments do not reduce the principal balance you owe.
The higher your mortgage interest rate, and the more money you borrow, the more interest you'll owe each month.
When you own a home, you typically have to pay property taxes to your local municipality. These taxes are collected by your local government. But lenders often don't trust that you'll be able to come up with a large lump sum to pay those taxes and may require you to put money into escrow each month to cover the cost.
An escrow account is a dedicated account the lender holds for you where it collects the monthly money you pay and keeps it until the property tax bill is due. That way, the lender doesn't risk you losing your home to a tax lien, which would make it difficult for it to get repaid.
Your lender will figure out how much you'll owe in taxes, divide that amount by 12, and tack that amount onto your monthly mortgage payment. When you send in this money, it's put into your escrow account. Your property tax bill will be sent to your lender and paid from this account.
4. Insurance
Homeowners insurance works much the same way as taxes, and you may be required to pay for it monthly along with your mortgage. Although insurance is paid once per year, lenders will divide the amount due by 12 and collect a payment for it each month. The money is also put into your escrow account and used by your lender to pay your insurance bill.
Lenders will take these four components of your payment – principal, interest, taxes, and insurance – into account when determining if you can afford a mortgage. You should also consider all of them to see how your loan will fit into your budget and to ensure you're making a smart financial choice when borrowing. To figure out how much you might owe in these categories, use a mortgage calculator to play around with the numbers – that way, you won't get caught off guard when it's time to make your payments.
When planning your next Door County getaway consider a day trip or maybe an entire weekend... there's lots to do for the entire family.
Peninsula State Park's Eagle Tower in Door County includes a 850-foot access ramp to the upper deck. Click the link below for slideshow...
There'll actually be some big concerts in Wisconsin this summer. Check out these 18 shows through August. Summer 2021 will again be like no other. But it won't be anything like summer 2020.
It'll be undeniable by September, if plans hold. That's when a delayed Summerfest is set to take place — a headliner lineup with 100 acts was announced May 6 — on top of a few rescheduled shows at Fiserv Forum.
But those won't be the first major concerts in Milwaukee, or in Wisconsin. The summer concert season, traditionally packed with thousands of shows across the state, will certainly be light this year, but there are some big acts planning to play Wisconsin from Memorial Day through August.
2021 WISCONSIN STATE FAIR
will have shorter hours, cashless for parking and admission
The 2021 Wisconsin State Fair is still a go, but it will have shorter hours and will make parking and admissions cashless experiences, fair officials said Thursday.
The fair, which will run Aug. 5 to 15 at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, will open at 11 a.m. daily and close each night at 11 p.m., 10 p.m. on the final night of the fair. The parking lots will open at 10:30 a.m., and agriculture and other competitions and shows scheduled to start earlier will still happen, but food vendors, rides, shops and other buildings won't be open until 11.
