Archive for tag Colleen kuchta
July 01, 2010 at 06:44 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation late yesterday (June 30, 2010) that would allow qualifying Buyers to still receive the Tax Credit. Under the new Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623), home Buyers that had an accepted offer prior to May 1, 2010 that was scheduled to close prior to June 30, 2010, can breath a little easier if their closing has been delayed. They now have until September 30, 2010 to close on their new home. The U.S. Senate also passed, unanimously, The National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act (H.R. 5569). This important piece of legislation will extend the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. Without the extension, Buyers looking to purchase a home in a Flood Zone were unable to obtain Flood Insurance. Consequently, lenders couldn’t approve mortgages without the necessary Flood Insurance, and many Buyers and Sellers were left disappointed. Please enjoy a safe and happy 4th of July! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen.
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June 21, 2010 at 04:08 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
There has been a lot of talk about the expired Tax Rebates, and current Real Estate conditions. What is happening in the Real Estate Market? Are Buyers writing offers? Do Sellers need to lower their prices? Are the rates still low, or have they gone up?
Talk around the office & in the field shows a general slowing down in activity. Buyers are still visiting Open Houses, but only the serious Buyers - at well priced homes. Many Sellers have come to realize that they are not going to get the amount of money they would like for their property, but even the realistic sellers are not getting the number of showings they would like. Buyers have gotten more demanding since the expiration of the Tax Rebate. In many cases, they want to see every home available that meets their criteria. Once a house has been chosen, they are offering much less than the Seller is asking. If the offer does not get accepted, they are moving on to the next house on their list. Once their offer is accepted, negotiations seem to begin again after the home inspection. Today’s Buyer wants their home to be in tip-top shape before they move in! All gone are the days of “I can fix that myself after we move in”. They know that most Sellers would rather fix the problem, than have to start over looking for a new Buyer, and have to disclose any past issues.
Sellers are being to realize that it is truly a Buyer’s Market. If they don’t know it when they first come on the market, they learn it all too quickly. Lack of showings, or even worse, many showings with negative feedback from Buyers often serve as a strong dose of reality. If the Seller priced the home low enough to compel a Buyer to write an offer, they still run the risk of more concessions after the inspection. In some cases, Sellers simply cannot afford to make another $5,000 in concessions. This would push them underwater, forcing them to arrange the sale with the bank prior to a successful closing. Even the lowest interest rates we have seen in decades are not doing much to persuade Buyers to write offers. Loan officer, Denise Hoernke, states that Wisconsin Mortgage Corporation is offering 4.75% for FHA Mortgages, and 4.625% for a Conventional mortgage. This is great news. Everyone knows that the lower the interest rate, the more house you can afford.
So, where are we at in the Real Estate Market? Let’s recap: Rates are under 5%, prices are incredibly low and Buyers are looking for a deal. All things considered, I would say we are doing our best to recover. When will this recovery finally take place? Only time will tell…One thing is for certain, we are in it for the long haul! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen.
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June 17, 2010 at 07:36 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
The Village of Menomonee Falls has one of the largest parades in the area to celebrate Independence Day. Every year people come from all around to watch the floats, dancers, clowns & members of local businesses march down Appleton Avenue. The 2010 parade will be held on July 3, beginning at 7pm. The Village of Menomonee Falls allows spectators to ‘reserve a spot’ up to 24 hours ahead of time. The ‘reservation’ is confirmed by roping or taping your preferred area off. Tarps and furniture are not allowed, and will be removed.
In years past, spectators would wait patiently in local parking lots & on village streets until they were allowed to reserve their spot. Once 7pm on July 2nd rolled around, people would make a mad dash to reserve their desired spot. This year, the village of Menomonee Falls will be closing Appleton 
Ave between Woosencraft Drive & Elm Lane on July 2nd between 7-7:30pm. The closing of the road is to ensure public safety. Also new this year, any persons entering the roadway/median outside of the 30 minute window will be fined. The fines range from $68.10 up to $807.00, so keep that in mind! Happy a safe and happy Independence Day celebration! As always, THANK YOU to all who serve! God Bless! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen http://www.thekuchtas.shorewest.com
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June 09, 2010 at 07:00 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
Over the Memorial Day weekend, my husband, Kelly, and I were invited to a house warming party. I wanted to bring something to eat to the party, but did not have the time available to cook or bake. I decided that cheesecake would be a good choice. Boy was I wrong - IT WAS GREAT! We ordered an 8” Turtle Cheesecake for $28.95. I thought the price seemed a little high, but ordered anyway. The next day, when we picked the cheesecake up, it weighed at least 5lbs! When we arrived at the party, the cheesecake received oohs & aahs, but the real praise came when we tasted it - simply amazing!
The Cheesecake Store is located on Main Street in Menomonee Falls, just north of the water fall. They sell cheesecake by the slice, on a stick or as a whole cake. There are lots of other goodies there, too. Check out their website, then stop in, and have a bite. You won’t be disappointed…mention that you heard about them from The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen!
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May 05, 2010 at 10:45 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
A Realtor friend of mine recently had a final walk-thru with one of her clients 2 days prior to their closing. They were walking through the house, taking note that all of the tasks that needed to be addressed had been completed. When they walked into the back yard to check the grading, they noticed that there was a large amount of dirt displaced around the porch. A critter had dug a hole, and was residing under the back porch. After a little research, they learned it was pretty easy to get rid of the unwanted guest without causing any physical harm to the animal. The Wisconsin Humane Society said to use the rule of three!
- Soak an old towel in ammonia and place it in the hole for 3 days. The smell will be offensive to the animals.
- Tune a radio to a talk radio station. It doesn’t have to be blasting, just loud enough to hear before they get inside. Animals don’t want to come into an area where humans are hanging out.
- Place a light in the hole. It can be a flashlight, or any light that will remain lit for 3 days. This is very scary to those creatures of the night.
Put all 3 items in the hole that the critter has claimed as their new home. Within 3 days your unwanted guest will be gone - hopefully far away. No harm done! For more great advice on how to deal with pest visit: www.wihumane.org. They can help you with pets, too. In the end, the buyers closed on the home, and their unwanted guest moved out. The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen Posted by:
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April 13, 2010 at 07:00 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
We all know that holding an Open House is a great way to attract buyers to your home. An Open House is also a great way to attract people that are not looking to buy. Recently, there have been reports of people attending an Open House to rob the Realtor holding the house open, or the owner of the property. One easy way to avoid becoming a victim, is to keep valuables locked up. Never leave jewelry or money out for people to see. These items can tempt even the most honest person. Instead, keep these items in a safe deposit box, a personal safe or pack them away for safe keeping. You are planning on moving once you receive an offer, so it would not be unheard of to get a head start on boxing things up. Prescriptions are also becoming a popular item to steal. If you do not have a medicine cabinet that can lock, I would recommend you bring your medications with you. If you have more medication than you wish to carry, put the medicines in a safe place where they are not easily detected. Remember, when buyers attend an Open House, it is not uncommon for closets & cabinet doors to be opened. Don’t become a victim - plan ahead and keep your family safe. For more tips on staying safe, contact The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen!
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April 08, 2010 at 04:08 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
If you are playing with the idea of buying a new home, but can’t quite make a decision, maybe this will help you decide. I have 5 great reasons for you to buy now.
- Home Buyer’s Tax Credit - The Federal Government is offering a tax credit of $8,000 to eligible first-time home buyers. There is also a $6,500 tax credit to eligible move-up buyers. The tax credit is available to buyers that have an accepted offer on a property on or before April 30, 2010 and successfully close on that same property on or before June 30,2010. To find out if you qualify for the tax credit go to http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/home.html.
- Low Mortgage Interest Rates - When I checked my rate sheet from Wisconsin Mortgage today, the rates for an FHA Mortgage were 5% and Conventional Mortgage rates were 5.25%. The interest rates are still pretty low considering they are no longer being backed by the Federal Government. Remember, the lower the interest rate - the lower your monthly payment will be!
- Supply & Demand - The number of homes for sale is high. In Real Estate, just like any other market place, when there is an over-supply, then prices are driven down. Low prices, along with low interest rates could mean that your monthly mortgage payment is the same or less than a monthly rent payment.
- Real Estate is Still a Great Long Term Investment - Although prices continue to fall in the current market, the day will come when the value of properties climbs above todays values. In the long run, real estate will offer a great return
on your investment. Even in the past decade, real estate has been a better investment than the stock market.
- A House Becomes Home - There is no better feeling than being able to walk through your front door and know in your heart that you are home.
Whether you own a condo, a modest single family home or a large extravagant home; your house is quickly filled with happy memories and becomes your home - your refuge from the outside world.
Ready to start your journey to purchase your new home? We are here to help! The Kuchta’s, Kelly & Colleen: www.thekuchtas.shorewest.com
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March 23, 2010 at 10:18 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
By now I’m sure that you have heard plenty of stories about short sales, and how they should really be called ‘long sales’. You may have even written an offer on a property that is in a short sale situation, only to be disappointed by the amount of time you had to wait for an answer.
Well, some of what you are hearing is true. There is a longer wait to have an accepted offer with a short sale. The owner of the property can accept your offer right away, but the offer is not binding until the lender gives the final approval. The wait for bank approval can take anywhere from 2 weeks up to 9 months, or more!
This does not mean that you should avoid all properties that are in a short sale situation. Your Buyer’s Agent can do a little bit of leg work before you decide to dive in with an offer. A call to the Listing Agent is a great place to start. Your Buyer’s Agent can ask a few questions like:
- Has the Listing Agent ever done a short sale?
- Are there other offers?
- Has the bank given approval for a short sale, or do they need an offer before giving that approval?
- Has the bank given a time-line as to how long they expect approval to take?
- How many lenders are there? (if there is more than one lien holder, that will slow the process)
Although there may be a longer wait, there are a few benefits to purchasing a short sale property. You can usually buy the home for a discounted price, and you can get away with a lower earnest money deposit as well.
Two more bits of advice: Be sure to include the Short Sale Addendum to the Offer (SSO) when drafting an offer. There is specific verbiage in the SSO that addresses the issue of bank acceptance and deadlines for inspections & earnest money. You should also try to set your closing date for 45 days after the date given for bank acceptance. This will give you enough time to get your home inspection completed. Remember that the sellers usually do not have extra money for repairs that come up during your inspection, you could be purchasing the home as-is. Some buyers chose to do the inspection prior to bank approval to avoid last minute surprises.
As always, if you have questions or need help buying or selling, give us a call! The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen 262-894-6512 or www.thekuchtas.shorewest.com
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March 02, 2010 at 04:16 PM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
Have you hired an agent to represent you for the purchase of your new home? Most buyers are unaware that when an agent is showing a home, the agent is actually working as a sub-agent of the agent that has the property listed. Many times a buyer will call or email the listing agent to request a private showing of the property, as well. In both cases, the loyalty 
of the agent lies in the seller’s best interest. This means they should be working to get the most money at the best terms possible for the property.
A sure way to have someone on your side during the biggest purchase of your life is to hire a Buyer’s Agent. Kelly & I are part of the Shorewest Realtors team. When you hire us, there is no charge for the peace of mind in knowing that we are putting your needs above even our own. We are Accredited Buyers Representatives with the ability to show all of the properties that are for sale. Whether this is your first home or you need a refresher, we will guide you through the transaction so that you know what to expect every step of the way!
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February 23, 2010 at 10:56 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
On Thursday, February 18, 2010, the Feds raised the discount rate to 0.75%. It was previously at 0.5%. What is the discount rate? It is the rate that the Federal Reserve charges to banks for borrowing short-term funds.
So how does that affect you? Mortgage rates are on the rise. When there is an increase in the interest rates being charged to banks, you can be sure that the banks will follow suit and increase the interest rate being charged to consumers. Another thing that will be driving interest rates up is the fact that as of March 31, 2010, there will no longer be help from the government to keep mortgage rates under control. When lending money, banks typically create giant pools of home loans and turn them into securities that can be traded on the open market. Normally, investors buy these mortgage-backed securities, providing a stream of money for lenders so they can make loans at relatively cheap rates. When the financial crisis struck, many investors pulled out leaving the housing market in a panic.
That is when the Feds stepped in. The current interest rate is low because they became the only major buyer of the mortgage-backed securities; this gave them control of the rates being charged to consumers. The Treasury stopped buying mortgage securities this past December, and as of March 31st, they will no longer be purchasing securities.
What does this mean for rates? Some officials are saying rates will rise modestly. Still, others warn that mortgage rates could shoot up, perhaps to 6 percent or higher because private investors buying securities would demand a greater rate of return than the Fed. We will just have to wait and see.
Want to take advantage of these low rates? Contact The Kuchta’s – Kelly & Colleen at 262-894-6512, or just send us a quick email to ckuchta@shorewest.com . Don’t miss out on your opportunity to reach the American Dream of owning your own home!
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February 11, 2010 at 08:31 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
If you are looking for a great place to settle in and call home - The Village of Jackson may be just the place for you. 
Jackson is located just 15 miles north of Milwaukee and 6 miles south of West Bend via Highway 45 in Washington County. This community has a small town feel and offers plenty of beautiful rural countryside.
There are two parks in the Village of Jackson. Jackson Park offers baseball & little league fields, tennis courts, basketball, 2 playgrounds, sand volleyball, soccer, concessions and covered pavilions.
Hickory Lane Park offers several soccer field geared to different age groups, playgrounds, a softball/little league field, basketball court, concessions, and sand volleyball courts.
The brand new Community Center focuses on family togetherness and is a great place to play, get fit, or take a class. The Community Center adult classes include: photography, jewelry making, sewing, various fitness classes and more. Youth classes include: cake decorating & cooking, painting, rocketeering and a Red Cross babysitting course, too. Several Fridays a year the Community Center offers a ‘family fun night’ with movies, dinners, parades, or Mardi Gras themes.
Whether you are looking for an apartment, a single family home or condo; you will have great neighbors. Home prices range from $84,000 for a 2 bedroom condo up to $1,060,000 for a 5 bedroom home in an exclusive subdivision. The Village of Jackson is a tight knit, family friendly community. The Village of Jackson is one of the fastest growing communities in Washington County. You can take a look for yourself at the village web site: www.villageofjackson.com. Need help finding a place to settle in? Let us help you! The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen, 262-894-6512 or thekuchtas.shorewest.com. We are happy to help.
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February 04, 2010 at 03:57 PM
Luxury can be defined as very rich, pleasant and comfortable surroundings. Luxury can also be defined as The Glen at Blackstone Creek in Germantown. This magnificent community offers a private clubhouse, outdoor pool, a fitness room, open air amphitheater, a putting green and walking trails among tranquil ponds.
The Glen at Blackstone Creek condominium development features ranch homes situated on the Blackstone Creek Golf Course. These luxury ranch homes can be free standing or side by side units with private patios. Home features include open floor plans with dramatic ceiling heights, hardwood floors, granite counters, 6 panel doors and custom millwork throughout.
There are currently 9 homes available for immediate move-in. All available homes feature 2 bedrooms and a minimum of 2 full bathrooms.
These luxury homes range in square footage from 1,570 - 2,623 and offer full basements, all plumbed for a full bath, some with full size windows and walk-outs.
Future homes will also feature open floor plans with dramatic ceiling heights, hardwood floors, granite counters, 6 panel doors and custom millwork throughout. These upcoming luxury homes will range in square footage from 1,594 - 2,008 and offer full basements, all plumbed for a full bath, some with full size windows and walk-outs or can be built as slab on grade.
The Glen at Blackstone Creek is an Epcon Community, featuring quality built homes that are distinguished by visually exciting interior and exterior design elements and superior construction materials. There are choice lot and home packages available for you to customize. Call The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen (262-894-6512) for more information, or check out our website: thekuchtas.shorewest.com today! More information is just a ‘click’ away.
Isn’t it time to stop shoveling and cutting the grass and start living your life? Make the move to a luxury condo at The Glen at Blackstone Creek - your new life awaits!
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January 21, 2010 at 11:52 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
You should already know that Uncle Sam is offering tax credits to homeowners that improve the energy efficiency of their primary residences.
There are a few things you should be aware of before you tackle any projects. The improvements must meet IRS efficiency standards. Not all products that carry an Energy Star label qualify. Remember to save your labels and receipts; you may need them later to get the tax credit. If you are having a contractor make the improvements, ask that your bill be itemized showing materials and labor separately because labor is not an allowed cost on smaller jobs.
Homeowners can re-coup 30% of the cost, up to a total of $1,500, for projects completed in 2009 & 2010. Here is a list of those projects:
- Replacing older windows & doors
- Adding insulation
- Upgrading HVAC systems
- Put in a newer water heater
- Install efficient biomass stove
- Fix a worn roof
Labor can be included in the credit for bigger jobs like HVAC, stoves & water heater. Only the cost of materials is allowed for insulation, roofs, windows & doors.
There are a few projects that don’t have a cap because they involve using alternative energy sources. Homeowners can recoup 30% of the costs, and the credit runs through 2016. These credits can be claimed on your primary residence as well as secondary homes. Rentals do not qualify. Here’s the list:
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Small residential wind turbines
- Solar energy systems
IRS Form 5965 must be completed to claim your rebate. For further instructions & guidelines a tax advisor should be consulted.
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January 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
I’m sure that you have heard it a thousand times, but it cannot be stressed enough: De-clutter if you are trying to sell! I was showing properties to a buyer this weekend, and they were thrown off by the amount of ‘stuff’ that was left lying around. Books, clothes, shoes, toys, the list goes on & on. Even holiday decorations can be seen as clutter if there are too many, or they are not well placed.
Before we set up the appointments, my buyers and I made sure the homes we selected met all the criteria for bedrooms, bathrooms, location, etc. I know that if the buyers could have seen past some of that ‘stuff’, we would have been writing an offer last night instead of searching the internet for the next group of houses to see.
One easy way to make your house appear tidy is to purchase a few large plastic storage bins. When you know that you are having a showing, toss the items you see laying around into the bins. Buyers will think you are organized & will be impressed rather than thrown off.
Although buyers may not say it out loud, they believe that if your home is well organized & tidy there is a better chance that you have been performing routine maintenance. When buyers see clutter, they sometimes think household tasks are being overlooked.
Do yourself a favor & tidy up before a buyer comes through. You might be pleasantly surprised by an offer if you do!
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December 16, 2009 at 10:12 AM · Posted under Colleen Kuchta
As you may well know, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended and expanded. The IRS has also issued a few guidelines for you to follow. Number one on the list: if you have purchased a new home since November 6, 2009 and you qualify for the tax rebate, you will need to wait until a revised Form 5405 is issued by the IRS later this month. The IRS has made changes to the old form and added instructions on claiming your Tax Rebate check. If you purchased after November 6th, and sent in your request for the Tax Rebate, it will be in vain. The IRS issued a bulletin before Thanksgiving that clearly states all rebate request must be made on the NEW Form 5405 - which will be coming out later this month.
Not sure if you qualify for the credit? Here it is in a nutshell:
You must be a first time home buyer (haven’t owned a home in the past 5 years) OR if you have owned a home for 5 of the past 8 years, and are buying a new home, the new home must be used as your principal residence.
The tax credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price with first time buyers receiving a credit up to $8,000, and current home owners receiving up to $6,500.
The new home must be under contract by April 30, 2011 and the transaction must be closed by June 30, 2011.
Members of the Armed Forces and diplomatic personnel serving in foreign countries will get an extra year to purchase a home. They will be given until April 30, 2011 to have a home under contract and until June 30, 2011 to close the transaction.
The new home cannot cost more than $800,000.
Single family homes, multi-family homes and condominiums are included in the credit, provided the purchaser occupies the property.
No one under 18 can qualify for the credit.
If you are able to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes, you will not qualify for the credit.
There are income restrictions, $125,000 for a single person and $225,000 for persons filing jointly. A single person making between $125,000-$145,000 and joint filers making between $225,000-$245,000 may qualify for phased down credit amounts.
Finally, if you are thinking of co-signing, but are unsure if this will effect the eligibility of a first time buyer. The IRS states that the ineligible co-purchaser does not effect the tax credit for the first time buyer, as long as none of the credit goes to that person.
Questions or concerns about the credit OR just want some help and guidance with your new home purchase? Contact The Kuchta’s - Kelly & Colleen at 262-894-6512 or send us an email to ckuchta@shorewest.com. We are both Accredited Buyer’s Agents and are happy to go the extra mile to help you find the home that is right for you. Visit us online at thekuchtas.shorewest.com
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