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Connie Erickson

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Displaying blog entries 661-670 of 860

5 Low Cost Kitchen Re-Dos

by Connie Erickson
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5 Low Cost Kitchen Re-Dos

The kitchen is the focal point of many homes.  Here are 5 Low- Cost Kitchen Re-dos:

  1.  Hardware:  Replace cabinet hardware…handles, knobs, and hinges are a quick and easy update.  According to HouseLogic.com, an average kitchen is 200 sq. ft. with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, which equates to about 40 handles and knobs.  Costs per knob or pull is $2 - $20, making an investment of $80 to $800.
     
  2. Faucet:  There are numerous options.  Costs starting around $200.
     
  3. Lighting:  Adding LED under-cabinet light can have a dramatic effect for about $40.
     
  4. Organization:  According to Jamie Goldberg, a certified designer for National Kitchen & Bath Association, today’s Buyers choose functionality over elaborate decoration.  Practical storage like over-the-door-hooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall-hooks for pots and pans, and stackable shelves for cabinets will add appeal, typically for less than $100.
     
  5. Countertops:  Laminate can mimic the look of granite at a significant discount.  The approximate cost for an average kitchen (30 linear feet) of laminate countertop is about $1,575 compared to $2,400 for granite.

Source:  National Association of REALTORS, REALTOR Magazine (Mar/Apr 2012).

 

HOLLY DAYS IN EGG HARBOR!

by Connie Erickson
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HOLLY DAYS
NOVEMBER 23-24
IN EGG HARBOR


An exciting Door County winter weekend including breakfast with Santa, tree lighting, caroling, horse drawn carriage rides, children's elf hunt & mistle-dough contest!  DETAILS!

 

 

CAPTURE THE SPIRIT IN SISTER BAY!

by Connie Erickson
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CAPTURE THE SPIRIT
IN SISTER BAY
ON NOVEMBER 23 & 24


This is a fantastic way to get into the holiday spirit!  Enjoy a festive tree lighting at Waterfront Park.  Meet St. Nick and enjoy music and an art fair in the Village Hall.  DETAILS!

 

JACKSONPORT'S THANKSGIVING PARADE!

by Connie Erickson
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JACKSONPORT'S ANNUAL
THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE!!

DOWNTOWN JACKSONPORT
NOVEMBER 22


Bob and I NEVER miss this parade!  It is the BEST hometown parade of the year!

DETAILS!
 

 

CHRISTMAS BY THE BAY IN STURGEON BAY!

by Connie Erickson
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CHRISTMAS BY THE BAY
IN DOWNTOWN STURGEON BAY
ON NOVEMBER 16 - 18

This is a fabulous way to kick off the season in Door County!  There's a tree-lighting on Friday night with children's entertainer, Randy Peterson.  Don't miss the Santa Parade on Saturday at 10 AM and brunch with Santa on Sunday morning.  Plus there's tons of activities and hay rides!  DETAILS!
 

 

Cost vs. Value on Remodeling Projects

by Connie Erickson
google map to real pro systemsCost vs. Value on Remodeling Projects

According to the National Association of REALTORS in an article published in their March/April 2013 edition, exterior home improvement projects recoup the most at resale.  The article noted that siding replacement gave an estimated 78 percent return (based on replacing with new fiber-cement siding).  Replacing one’s entry door with a steel door will bring an estimated 73% return at the sale and a $20,000 kitchen remodel has an estimated 71% return.  These estimates are based on National statistics and will vary depending on individual market areas. 

 

Top 5 Returns:

Siding Replacement (new fiber-cement siding) – Cost: $13,461 / Resale Value: $10,493 / 78% Return

Entry Door Replacement (steel door) – Cost:  $1,238 / Resale Value: $903 / 73% Return

Attic Bedroom Addition – Cost: $50,148 / Resale Value: $36,345 / $72.5% Return

Kitchen: Minor Remodel – Cost: $19,588 / Resale Value: $14,120 / 72.1% Return

Garage Door Replacement – Cost: $1,512 / Resale Value: $1,087 / 71.9% Return

 

Source:  National Association of REALTORS, REALTOR Magazine (Mar/Apr 2012).

 

White Gull Inn Winter Folk Concert Series

by Connie Erickson
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WHITE GULL INN WINTER FOLK CONCERT SERIES
AT THE WHITE GULL INN IN FISH CREEK
NOVEMBER 7 AT 8 PM

Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys perform in an intimate and acoustic setting in the White Gull dining room.  Concert starts at 8, but best to have dinner at 6 (special selection by the chef)!  DETAILS!
 

 

Door County Master Gardeners Fall Seminar

by Connie Erickson
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DOOR COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS FALL SEMINAR
NOVEMBER 3, 2012
CROSSROADS AT BIG CREEK

The Door County Master Gardeners Club's fall seminar, "A NEW LOOK AT AMERICAN HOME GARDENS" is presented by Ed Lyon, director of the UW Allen Centennial Gardens.  The program begins at 8:30 AM and ends at 2:00 PM.  CALL 920.868.1749 FOR DETAILS!
 

 

New Property Owners Subject to Deed Scam

by Connie Erickson
google map to real pro systemsThe real estate market, it seems, is not immune to scams.  According to the Wisconsin REALTORS Association, new property owners are subject to a new deed scam.  In this scam, the new property owner receives an official looking letter in the mail.  This letter appears to be credible as it has the property owner's name, property address, legal description and other public information contained within it.  If further describes types of real estate conveyances and transfer of services.  The letter recommends that a new home owner obtain a copy of the recorded deed...and for $84.00 the scam company will send a copy of the recorded deed.

A new property owner does not need to respond this type of correspondence.  In the Door County real estate market, our transactions are typically closed by a title company.  After the closing of the real estate transaction, the title company delivers the deed to the Door County Register of Deeds and has the deed recorded.  After the deed is recorded, the document is typically returned to the title company, who in return sends the deed to the new property owner along with the property owner's title insurance policy.

If for some reason another copy of the deed is needed, the property owner can obtain a copy by contacting the REALTOR, title company, or the the Door County register of deeds directly.  There may be a small fee for a copy of the deed, but it will be much less than the $84.00 requested in the recent scam.

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Lake Michigan Water Level Dropping

by Connie Erickson
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LAKE MICHIGAN WATER LEVEL DECLINED 7 INCHES IN SEPTEMBER!  The Door County Advocate had in an interesting article on the declining Lake Michigan water level.  According to the October 13, 2012 article, Lake Michigan water levels are at the record low level set in 1964.  The article said the lake level has fallen 70 inches since 1986.  You may recall, in 1986 we saw record high levels.  The lake level fell 7 inches in the last month alone and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expect it to drop another three inches by mid-November.

The article sited the following as reasons for the declining lake levels:  
(1) The summer’s hot, dry weather and the mild winters of late as major reasons.
(2) The dredging of the St. Clair river channel.
(3) The billions of gallons of water a day taken from the lake by municipalities.
(4) The deep wells in the Chicago area.
(5) There are also more than 20 companies licensed to bottle water in Wisconsin…nearly half located within the Great Lakes watershed.

 

 

Displaying blog entries 661-670 of 860

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Connie Erickson
Door County Realty, Shorewest, REALTORS®
10580 Country Walk Dr., #12
Sister Bay WI 54234
920-868-3245

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