Archive for tag Deborah benavides
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!
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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!
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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.
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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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May 14, 2010 at 11:12 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides, Entertainment
www.radiomilwaukee.org
Tune into a community-based station on 88.9 (88nine) FM to hear some great happenings around town. They describe their playlist as "Diverse music for a diverse city" and it couldn’t ring more true. Hope you enjoy this alternative station. And make sure you stay tuned for the news - always great bands playing around town can be heard here first!
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May 05, 2010 at 12:00 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
What is happening with interest rates? Are home values going up?
You can find the answers in Shorewest’s latest newsletter.
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April 06, 2010 at 06:56 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Some say Mayor Henry Maier (1918-1994) made Milwaukee Famous, while others say
it was our beer. If you are visiting Milwaukee, you’ll definitely want to take a tour of one of our Breweries like Miller-Coors, or a micro brewery like Sprecher to experience our city’s history. But if you are planning on moving to Milwaukee, now you can purchase a home that was PART of Milwaukee’s history.
The home Henry Maier lived in is for sale! Located in a pocket of Milwaukee that is surrounded by the city of Glendale, this modest home on a quiet cul du sac is full of charm and history. After a quick lunch on a sunny Friday afternoon at one of Bayshore’s trendy restaurants Ovation, I followed the homeowner back for a quick tour. She usually walks to Bayshore Mall, but on this day, we had a lot of things to discuss, and she had lots to do to prepare for her move out of state.
Well manicured lawns and mature trees describe the short drive into the neighborhood just off Silver Spring Drive. Within minutes you are away from the hustle and bustle of the sprawling mall walkways, and whisked into a quiet established community. The tri-level home has many conveniences (closets galore and a built in china hutch), but my favorite room of all is the study. I can imagine the Mayor working in this room after hours preparing statements and thinking about city concerns as he was a true advocate of the American city.
The homeowners have added a few modern upgrades in the kitchen and flooring throughout the house, as well as taken great care in restoring the metal window panes and hardwood. There is a cozy sunroom in the rear of the home to enjoy the greenery within the private fenced in back yard.
Most signs of our local dignitary are gone (the “red phone” and the tracks of phone jacks in the basement the previous homeowner told stories of). But as you walk through the home, you can’t help but to feel like this was an important sanctuary for an important person in Milwaukee’s history. Even the current homeowner is leaving her mark as one of the Conservatory of Music’s beloved teachers and administrator. Maybe you’ll be next?
For more information on this home, Click Here
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April 02, 2010 at 05:06 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Our Brewers are back in town! For the next two days, they will be warming up and playing their final pre-season games at Miller Park. Then, on Opening Day Monday, April 5th - the Brewers fans will start the real celebration. With a breeze coming from Lake Michigan, you will be able to smell the charcoal burning as far west as 84th Street as the tailgaters rev up the grills and bring out the brats and beer. With a forecast of 63 degrees and sunny - the stadium roof looks like it will remain open as we welcome the Colorado Rockies for our first home opening game since 2007.
Our famous Klements Racing Sausages will be mingling with fans in the parking lots (check out their wins below!) Aside from the popular Bean Bag Toss and Ladder Golf, you will see unique (drinking?) games mixed in with your potato salad and baked beans. Whether you are just visiting Milwaukee - or a new home team fan - we hope you get to enjoy a game soon at one of the best MLB venues in the country! Play Ball!
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March 30, 2010 at 09:32 AM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
When you hear the first robin in Wisconsin, even if you are still wearing gloves and a scarf along with your heavy coat, you know its coming. The golfers come out, Harley’s start roaring, and then - finally - the first crocus emerge from their winter slumber. I get so excited - it’s like the equivalent of kids seeing the first snow fall every year.
This weekend, I did my outdoor “spring cleaning.” The hostas and day lilies are popping through the leaves that never got raked last fall. My forsythia buds are waiting their turn as they bloom after the tulips and daffodils. (Although, you can wait until a few weeks before Easter to trim the bushes and bathe them in a warm-water soak to imitate a spring rain. They will bud in about a week so you can time a fresh yellow Easter arrangement!)
Pachysandra babies are everywhere and ornamental grasses are a mix of tan and green. Ahhh…spring. Life is pushing its way into the stems and buds. Soon, the berries (wild raspberries, serviceberries, and mulberry tree) will produce our one or two jars of wildberry jam (which my husband adds a pinch of ground black pepper to bring out the sweetness and flavor). The jam is gone in a week - as word spread and it gets spread on everything good.
I really enjoy Wisconsin for its seasons - but spring is my favorite of all, especially now that I have a home with sunny spots to grow all my favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The smells, colors, and transition into our warm summers gets me so excited for things to come!
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March 29, 2010 at 06:23 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
If you are visiting Milwaukee for a meeting, and instead of donuts or bagels, someone brings in Kringle - you are lucky to experience one of our areas Danish delights! Kringle, an oval shaped ring of filled pastry, topped with a white icing, is a Sunday morning favorite in our house! 
My father-in-law drove through Racine, WI (home of the Kringle) and stopped at the Bendtsen Bakery- oh how yummy! I thought I tried all the local favorites including O&H Bakery and Racine Kringle (you can the full size and find smaller pieces of them sold in gas stations and grocery stores around town). There are nut filled Kringles, like almond, fruit filled like cherry, and gourmet flavors like cranberry nut.
My kids just brought home a Racine Kringle fundraiser flyer - just in time for Mother’s Day (how clever - what Wisconsin Mom doesn’t just love the cheese Kringle - and supporting her kids school).
For those of you who only take a half donut when its your turn - the great thing about Kringles is you can cut as big or little of a piece as you want (just don’t let them see you going for seconds…).
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March 19, 2010 at 05:43 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
While my favorite urban place to ride has always been along Lake Michigan’s downtown lakefront stretch, there is a new series of trails nestled in Brookfield what need to be ridden! According to Lisa Mellone, District 7 Alderperson for the City of Brookfield, The Greenway Trail Corridor is constantly being expanded. “Each year we add multiple lane miles on both the Greenway Trail Corridor and paths along arterial roads.” For those new to the area who want that “walking neighborhood” feel, and are considering Brookfield, these recreational improvements may be exactly the ticket home!
Favorite rural mountain bike trails are west in the Kettle Moraine State Park - both the John Muir and Emma Carlin trails are an adventure. (Best to pack up and go during the week - they are not so well kept secrets!)
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February 19, 2010 at 10:23 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
The Flower Lady Delivers - Service and Quality
So Valentine’s Day is over - but the need for flower giving is year round. Meet my favorite florist - Deb Karpfinger - The Flower Lady.
What I love about The Flower Lady is the innovative and fresh ideas that keep coming out of the shop! Deb participates in competitions to keep her edge and it shows! Located in Wauwatosa, you never have a large delivery charge as they are very centrally located, west of Downtown, close to the expressway, and very reliable.
Ordering on-line is easy- but if you get a chance to stop in her store - you can find the perfect gift you didn’t know you needed!
Village of Wauwatosa
1460 Underwood Ave
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
(Click here for map)
Phone: 414-259-0999; Toll-free: 866-259-0999
Enjoy!
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February 19, 2010 at 03:50 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
The “shadow inventory” describe the speculated future of the real estate market; what the forecasters expect to see enter in the months ahead. The shadow inventory consists typically of homes in serious delinquency or beginning stages of foreclosure but are not yet listed in the MLS and not part of the mix of homes currently available. However, these ”homes coming on the market in the near future means increased supply and lower prices.” Read more on how to price your home now in Shorewest’s quarterly newsletter
.
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December 16, 2009 at 04:43 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Two Gifts in One for Home Buyers!
If you are a first time homebuyer - where do you start? Let’s keep this simple:
- First find out if you qualify for the tax credit by clicking here
or here.
- Find out what interest rate you qualify for click here.
- Talk to a Realtor® about what you can afford.
A recent Business Week article put it very bluntly: “If You Don’t Buy a House Now, You’re Stupid or Broke” (kind of a rude but truthful wake up call). The author points out “pay more attention to the interest rates than the price of the home. If you have a steady job, good credit, and the down payment, then you really are being offered the gift of a lifetime.” To read the full article, click here
After helping a few family members in the past months with their first home purchase, I realized how important it is for first time home buyers to have someone to talk to. Still waiting to make the first move? Then call me or someone you know in real estate - we are happy to help you get the present you deserve.
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December 07, 2009 at 06:02 PM · Posted under Deborah Benavides
Many cities have officially named sections of their interstate highway: The Jersey Turnpike, the Kennedy in Chicago. Even Madison, Wisconsin has the “Beltline” (think of Wisconsin as Santa and the Beltline would be right where the shinny black belt buckle goes) running east/west across the metro area. These names show up on road maps and are officially registered names.
But not Milwaukee’s highways. Historically, the traffic reporters began to give highway segments nicknames – The Rock Freeway, Plainfield Curve. But you won’t find these labels on any AAA maps.
So, if you are traveling in town with your radio on and hear about an accident at a particular interchange - here’s a key to their whereabouts:
Plainfield Curve – after arriving in Milwaukee at Mitchell International Airport and heading north towards downtown on I-94, you will come to a short stretch of highway that curves right then straightens back to the left, known as the Plainfield Curve. (Growing up in Milwaukee – but never seeing this on a map – I always thought the announcers were calling this the Playing Field curve).
Marquette Interchange – OK – this one is fairly easy to spot as you travel west from downtown past Marquette University. It’s our newly renovated artery serving the downtown connections, surrounding Marquette University’s east and north sides
Zoo Interchange - intersection of 894 and I-94 at the northwest corner of 894 (with multiple exits leading to Milwaukee County Zoo grounds)
894 Bypass – bypassing downtown on 894 from the Airport Interchange to the Zoo Interchange
Hale Interchange – Southwest corner of 894 (with exits to Hales Corners) and the start of the
Rock Freeway - the portion of road extending from 894 heading southwest to Rock County (or Rockford, IL)
Hoan Bridge – the Bridge over the Summerfest Grounds or 794 leading south out of downtown along Lake Michigan
Another tip: I-94 comes up from Chicago, past our airport, then heads west from Milwaukee to Madison and continuing across Wisconsin. When you are traveling on I-94 in Milwaukee, you will see signs that say I-94 East (towards downtown or the lakefront) or I-94 West (towards Madison). However, if you are heading to Chicago – you’d look for the East signs – even though you are heading south!
Click here for a site does provide a map with highway labels.
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