This is a short sale in the North Ave./Humboldt area, in a relatively new construction, pet-friendly building.
One bedroom, one bath, approx 730 sq. ft. with one underground parking space.
Includes central air, in-unit laundry, balcony, walk-in closet, and association exercise facility.
Please call Paul for an appointment to view or to discuss details. 414 – 807 – 7599
A new Best Condo Buy! Everything everybody wants in a condo!
What’s that? The big three: garage parking, a balcony, and a washer/dryer.
And it can be yours for $135,000. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you can also qualify for the tax credit if you have this deal in place by the end of April. This is an FHA approved building. The monthly condo fee is $202 and includes common area maintenance, insurance, and replacement reserve, plus water, sewer, and trash. There’s an elevator and a secure lobby entrance. This unit is on the 3rd floor.
There’s everything you need, and all in approx. 750 sq. ft. in a warehouse conversion development, with gas forced air heat and air conditioning. The 2009 taxes were approx $4274.
In this pet-friendly building, you can have two pets (no more than 60 lbs. each). There’s an additional storage space that comes with the unit. This building also offers a big common area rooftop deck with spectacular 360 city views. 
The loft’s approx. 16′ x 17′ open concept living area features 12′ high, exposed beamed ceilings, very large windows with window blinds included, and the balcony that has room for a grill and overlooks a green space.
In the wood-floored, approx. 14′ x 9′ kitchen, there’s a granite countered island with a breakfast bar (including two stools), a stainless sink, GE Profile appliances, plus pendant lighting.
The carpeted, approx. 13′ x 10′ bedroom has a ceiling fan and large closet.
In the ceramic tiled floor bathroom, there are Kohler fixtures, a wood vanity, and a stacked Bosch washer and dryer in a separate closet.
For a private showing, call Paul 414 – 807 – 7599
(An exerpt from The Adventures of RealtorMan. For more of his ongoing adventures around Milwaukee, visit the Resources page on this site.)
R.M.’s tour with Shel and Michelle was now in the Third Ward. He was pointing out its various places of interest.
“We’ve actually been in this part of town before.” said Shel. “Lots of restaurants.”
“Lots of shopping.” added Michelle.
“Lots of condos.” chimed in R.M.
“So do you sell more here than anywhere else? Is it your preferred location?”
“Not necessarily. I mean, I wouldn’t try to talk buyers into one area over another. It’s more likely that I would talk somebody out of a unit than into one.”
“How’s that? What about when you work on one of those projects, what then?”
“Employees of those projects sometimes sign a contract stating that they won’t show a customer who visits the project any units outside the project itself. But, as I was telling you before, an agent who is not an employee is not subject to that contract. He is simply representing the project at a property showing or an Open House. He can show a buyer any listed unit anywhere, and it is professional to do so. Let the buyer choose.” R.M. emphasized. “So, one of two things will happen. One, it will confirm that the project is desirable and good value, or two, the customer will prefer something else in another location.”
“So, you wouldn’t try and talk us into something? What about those special bonuses agents get for selling?”
“It’s true that sometimes there’s what’s called a selling bonus offered to the selling agent, over and above a commission, usually for a sale made within a specific time frame. When this is the case, in the interests of full disclosure, I inform the buyer, especially if it’s a unit I think he should take a look at, because a buyer should know and come to a decision regardless of whether I earn more or not.”
“That sounds fair at least.”
“It’s not my job to coerce an offer. I really take issue with the sales effectiveness training mentality of “overcoming objections”. This is not a pair of shoes under consideration. It’s a major purchase. And anyway, why bring a buyer into an association, into a community, who will be disgruntled later?”
“Angry lawsuits to follow, you mean?” joked Shel. “So get back to coercing an offer. You were saying..?”
“When it comes down to actually making an offer, I would hope to have already introduced the whole gamut of what’s available in all areas and developments at the buyer’s price point. And in spite of the misconception out there that there are too many condos available, it often turns out to be not as many as an individual buyer might think. Taking into consideration the amenities a buyer wants, it gets narrowed down rather quickly. It’s my job to advise, up to a certain point, but when it comes to the actual offer it’s not my money. It’s the buyer’s money.”
“So you don’t advise an offer amount?”
“We can discuss the proposed amount. I can give you facts about recent sold prices, days on market, what condo fees cover. I can compare a unit in one development to another. I encourage the buyer to choose in his or her own best interest. I do explain the three results any offer might bring, but the buyer must decide on the price that goes on the offer.”
“OK, I’ll play. What three results?”
“An offer can come back rejected. It means that the offer was unacceptable to the seller, most often because of the offered price. The seller chooses to not negotiate with this buyer. If the buyer wants to pursue the property, he will have to begin with a new offer.”
“The language of offers, like the language of flowers?” Michelle asked. “Rue, for regret?”
“Paper roses only, in real estate. Verbal offers mean nothing. Now in the second case, the offer is countered by the seller. One or more of the conditions of the offer is altered to the benefit of the seller. The seller is now negotiating with the buyer. This can be about any number of things but is most often about price, financing, closing date, special allowances, or inclusions.”
“What are those?”
“Inclusions, or exclusions, are literally what’s included or left out of the property for sale. They are given in the listing information. Sometimes it’s about who keeps trees or plants on the property, in the case of houses. In condos, its more likely to be about window treatments, sound systems, shelving, or other fixtures, but something very specific to the unit.”
“And special allowances?” Shel remembered to ask.
“”This refers to specific costs of replacing an item in the property, such as worn carpeting, or to what we call ‘deal sweeteners’, seller or developer assistance with closing costs or a period of condo fees, for instance.”
“And in the third case?” Michelle prompted R.M.
“In the third case, the offer is accepted and, at closing, you become the proud new owners.”
“End of shopping?”
“At least that kind of shopping, yes. Did you know there’s another kind of shopping in this business.”
“What do you mean?”
“Cast your minds back to The Bend in the River project, as an example. The developer hires a secret shopper to evaluate and grade the sales performance of an employee or a representative. It’s called ‘being shopped’. They assess on punctuality, degree of sales polish, positive attitude, that sort of thing.”
“So, it ends up like a normal work evaluation but you don’t know you’re being watched? That’s creepy.”
“It’s also unfair. Suppose you are a legitimate customer coming into a sales trailer looking for information. I am there for Open House that day and an tied up talking with another customer, the secret shopper, who of course is only pretending to be interested. You either have to wait for me, if I am alone, or you start talking with another agent working there that day. Remember procuring cause? Then I completely miss the opportunity of working with a legitimate buyer because I’m being shopped.”
They had come to a cul-de-sac and R.M. paused before turning back. They were out at the end of Erie Street. The Summerfest Festival grounds were just to the north.
Michelle asked,”About this Buyer Agency contract you mentioned before. Would we have to pay you anything upfront, or any other time?’
“No. I would have you waive any other costs when you sign the contract. That’s just the way I work. And the seller still pays the commission when you buy.”
“Sounds to me like it’s in our best interests to have you represent us. It’s a more complicated business than we thought.” Shel commented.
“In other words, we’ll be sticking to you like glue.” interpreted Michelle.
“Well thank you for that. See those fishermen over there? They’re on traditional fishing grounds. You see the marriage before you of the pricey condo owner and the the locals. There is a development up in Port Washington where the same thing occurs. Condo owners look out the windows of their expensive units and see, shall we say, ‘traditionally dressed’ fisher-folk passing by, then watch and smell as traditional fishing continues steps from their door.”
“Do the locals eventually get forced out?”
“In an area like this, there has to be some rubbing of elbows, some give and take of neighborhood usage. Call it charm, call it nuisance, this is still a river entrance to a city harbor even though much of the warehousing and industry has moved and left opportunities for housing, in its wake, if you’ll pardon the expression.”
This condo is back on the market, in one of the more prestigious buildings along Prospect. It offers lake and marina views from the balcony and full views from the lakeside terrace plus concierge services and well-equipped workout facilities.
2 BR, 2 full BA, plus a heated underground parking space, all for $200K.
Gas fireplace, in-unit laundry, balcony, breakfast bar, and whirlpool tub.
For a private showing, call Paul 414 – 807 – 7599
Although fairly unusual, here in downtown Milwaukee there are a number of former coach houses that have been converted into condos. Each one offers something unique – definitely not a “cookie-cutter” condo. Here is an example of one currently on the market.
This building, on the lower east side, houses three units. The one for sale now, for the first time in twenty-five years, at $279K, has approx 1400 sq.ft., 1BR plus den, 1BA, and 2 surface parking spaces, plus three outside seating areas. The unit itself has many upgrades added, including granite, upscale appliances, a spa type bath with a step-in shower, and custom lighting.
There is a private outside entry into a formal foyer plus a brick walled, formal courtyard with a tiled path, a wrought iron surround, garden beds, and a seating area.
The vaulted living room features exposed brick walls with a natural fireplace. Off the wood-floored dining room there’s a balcony through a restored coach door in another exposed brick wall. 
Th office/den room upstairs is under a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams. There is a large, semi-enclosed deck. The bedroom/spa bath offers a cathedral ceiling, double closets, and skylights.
For a private showing, call Paul 414 – 807 – 7599
There’s only one unit left for sale in this new construction, six-unit townhouse development on the east side. It’s the only condo development in Milwaukee to earn the Energy Star rating! This rating is given to homes designed to be at least 15% more energy efficient than is standard.
This condo consistently tests close to 25% more efficient, according to results furnished by an independent inspector and includes the following items: 96.6% efficiency gas forced air furnace, and high efficiency air conditioning, gas water heater, appliances, insulated exterior walls, attic insulation, windows, exterior doors, and light fixtures.
These features are designed to bring you long-term benefits and savings. With over 2,000 sq.ft.of living space, the condo itself is well worth a look! It’s a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2 garage, with one attached and one detached space included in the $314,500 asking price. There is private street level entry into a foyer and a first level office ( or 3rd bedroom) with direct access to the very large, attached garage space.
The next level offers wide bay windows, great room, eat-in kitchen, half bath, and balcony. Upstairs, there is a second bedroom with its own bath, a laundry area, and a master suite repeating the wide bay windows and leading up to a huge, private rooftop deck offering a panorama of views.
For a private showing, call Paul 414 – 807 – 7599
There are some real advantages to widening a condo search beyond the downtown area, if that is an option for you, because typically your dollar buys more space and more amenities.
If space is what you seek, consider this exceptional value at Nicolet Parc in Glendale, about a fifteen minute (by car) commute from downtown and only minutes to the new Bayshore Town Center. A newer construction, NE corner, private front entry townhouse with 2 car attached garage offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths plus a full basement! The unit has vaulted ceilings, a skylight, all new, neutral carpeting throughout, a larger, semi-enclosed balcony, and is cat-friendly.
Price reduced to $169,900.
Take I-43 to Silver Spring exit eastbound,
Port Washington Road north to Bender Rd.,
turn west to Nicolet Parc
If you would like to pre-view this unit in person,
please call Paul @ 414 – 807 – 7599
Occasionally, a unit comes on the market that is remarkable in some respect. Here is a unit on the east side, one of five in an 1890’s, architecturally interesting, corner building on the national historic register.
Four extraordinarily large bedrooms, two full baths plus a half-bath, full dining room, living area plus family room, and a cook’s kitchen comprise this ten room condo.
At 3100 sq. ft. over three floors, plus a spacious basement, this is a relatively huge condo for the downtown area while the sq. ft. price works out to be in the average range. At $419K, it is not for everyone, and is missing some of the amenities expected at that price, including garage parking-there is one surface space. However, there is a laundry area and a deck.
The unit amenities however are noteable: original, refinished maple flooring and solid maple staircase, custom maple cabinetry, 10′ and 9′ ceilings, third floor master suite with cathedral ceilings and a walk-out, semi-enclosed deck.
For a private showing,
call Paul Kurensky 414 – 807 – 7599
If you’ve always longed to be able to just let the dog out back, here’s the place for you. This unit uniquely has a ground floor, 20 x 30 enclosed patio right outside the door. The area also includes a hot tub for your own enjoyment, and an opportunity for your green thumb to take hold too. 
Right across the street from the Milwaukee River in the East Pointe area north of Brady, this converted building features high ceilings, exposed timber beams and brickwork, tall windows and wood floors. This unit is a 2 BR, 2 BA, plus other room, and also includes two deeded indoor parking spaces in the reduced (to 2006 era) price of $264,900.
The kitchen has an island sink in a granite breakfast bar, maple cabinets and stainless appliances. There is an in-unit laundry. The condo fee includes heat and cooking gas.
Take Brady to Water, turn north under the bridge.
Street parking for Open House.
For a private showing, call Paul, 414 – 807 – 7599
Open House this Sunday, August 30, 1 – 3.
From Humboldt & North, take North west to Hubbard, Hubbard south to Reservoir.
Street parking for Open House.
What makes this loft style unit special? For the price, $139,900, you get garage parking, an in-unit laundry, plus a balcony that actually overlooks some green space.
It’s a 1 BR open concept unit with exposed beams, wood floors, stainless appliances, and granite island with breakfast bar. Besides the private balcony, this building offers a huge common area roof-top deck with 360 city and lake views.
For details, call Paul, 414 – 807 -7599