Exploring the Chippewa Valley in September 2024
Exploring the Chippewa Valley in September 2024 As the summer warmth begins to fade and the crisp autumn air settles in, September in the Chippewa Valley offers a variety of events that showcase the community's vibrant culture. Whether you're a resident or just visiting, these local events are a great way to experience what makes the Eau Claire area a special place to live. 1. Jaquish Farms Sunflower Maze - September 1 from 11am-6pm Explore the sunflower maze, take a wagon ride or check out the antique tractors at this fundraisere for Joshua's Camp to help support families with a child going through cancer treatments. $7 per person or $20/car W5725 State Road 85, Eau Claire. 2. Ben Bailey - September 6 at 7:30pm You may recognize Ben from The Cash Cab gameshow. He's also a comedian - so get your laugh on at the Pablo Center. Tickets required, visit PabloCenter.org for more info and tickets. 3. Artist Market of Eau Claire - Saturday's through October 12 from 7:30am-1pm Head to Phoenix Park to celebrate and promote our local artists and the creative culture they bring to our community. While you're there, be sure to visit the Farmer's Market. 4. Downtown Eau Claire Farmers Market - Saturdays from from 7:30am-1pm Phoenix Park hosts one of the best farmers markets in the region. Fresh produce, handmade crafts, and live music create a lively atmosphere perfect for a weekend outing. Whether you're looking for fresh ingredients or unique local products, the market is a must-visit. Visit ecdowntownfarmersmarket.com for more information. 5. UWEC Ropes Course - September 7 and 21 Test your agility and height tolerance 30 feet above the ground as UWEC opens its ropes course to the public. Registration is required, tickets $20 per person. Contact 715-836-5601 for more information. 6. 16th Annual Dancing with the Eau Claire Stars - September 12 at 5:30pm The Pablo Center hosts the area's top dancers as teams compete for the top prize while fundraising for Eau Claire Children's Theater. Tickets required, visit ecct.org for more information. 7. Young Love & Saturday Nights Tour - September 12 at 7:30pm Country music star Chris Young performs his hits at the all new Sonnentag Event Center. Visit axs.com for tickets and more information. 8. 2024 Eau Claire Fall Festival - September 14 from 10am-4pm South Barstow Street turns into a fall festival with music, food vendors, performances, kids activities and more. Visit downtowneauclaire.org for more information. 9. Oktoberfest 2024 - September 20-21 Head to Northern WI State Fairgrounds to experience family-friendly Germin heritage with over 30 entertainers, 4 stages, and plenty of food and activities. Visit gochippewacounty.com for more information and pricing. 10. Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild: "The Full Monty" - September 26-29 Experience the CVTG's adaptation of this hit movie and Broadway Musical as a group of unemployed steelworkers overcome fears and learn about friendship. Visit cvtg.org for tickets and more information. 11. Spidey - September 29 at 6:30 Experience "Make Believe - Magic of Your Mind" at the Pablo Center as Spidey brings you an evening of mentalism and hypnosis. Visit PabloCenter.org for ticket information. September in the Chippewa Valley is filled with activities that highlight the region's dynamic community spirit. These are just a few of the great events happening. Thank you to our friends at Visit Eau Claire and Volume One for putting together great event calendars. You can access the full event calendars by clicking: Visit Eau Claire or Volume One If your September includes thinking about buying or selling a home, the professionals at Homcentric® Real Estate, powered by Property Executives Realty are here to answer your questions and help you every step of the way. We're here for you, when you're ready.
The Ultimate Checklist for First-Time Home Sellers
The Ultimate Checklist for First-Time Home Sellers Selling your home for the first time can feel like a daunting task, especially in a dynamic market. But with the right preparation, you can navigate the process smoothly and achieve the best possible outcome. Here’s your ultimate checklist to ensure you’re ready to sell your home. 1. Choose the Right Realtor Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent is crucial, especially for first-time sellers. Look for a Realtor who knows the area well, has a solid track record, and communicates clearly. Your agent will be your guide through the entire process, so make sure you choose someone you trust. 2. Understand the Market Before you list your home, take the time to understand the real estate market. Look at recent sales in your neighborhood, understand current trends, and gauge the demand for homes similar to yours. This knowledge will help you set a realistic price and timing for your sale. 3. Set the Right Price Pricing your home correctly is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Overpricing can lead to your home sitting on the market for too long, while underpricing can leave money on the table. Your Realtor will help you determine the best price based on a comparative market analysis and the unique features of your home. 4. Prepare Your Home for Sale First impressions matter. Take the time to clean, declutter, and stage your home. Make necessary repairs and consider small updates that can make a big difference, such as a fresh coat of paint or new fixtures. A well-presented home will attract more buyers and may even lead to higher offers. 5. Market Your Home Effectively Your Realtor will create a marketing plan to showcase your home to potential buyers. This plan should include professional photos, a compelling listing description, and a strong online presence. In today’s digital age, many buyers start their search online, so having high-quality visuals and a well-written listing is essential. 6. Prepare for Showings Be ready to accommodate showings at various times, and keep your home clean and tidy throughout the selling process. The more accessible your home is to potential buyers, the faster it may sell. Consider depersonalizing your space so that buyers can envision themselves living there. 7. Review Offers Carefully When offers start coming in, it’s tempting to jump at the first one. However, it’s important to review each offer carefully with your Realtor. Consider not just the price, but also the terms, contingencies, and the buyer’s financing situation. A slightly lower offer with fewer contingencies might be more appealing than a higher offer with potential complications. 8. Negotiate Wisely Negotiation is a key part of the selling process. Your realtor will help you navigate counteroffers, requests for repairs, and other terms of the sale. Aim for a win-win situation where both you and the buyer are satisfied with the agreement. 9. Prepare for the Closing Process Once you’ve accepted an offer, there’s still work to do before the sale is final. The closing process involves inspections, appraisals, and final paperwork. Your Realtor and possibly an attorney will help you manage this process to ensure everything goes smoothly. 10. Move Out and Close the Sale After all the details are finalized, it’s time to move out and prepare for the closing day. Make sure the home is clean and any agreed-upon repairs are completed. On closing day, you’ll sign the final documents and hand over the keys to the new owner. Selling your home for the first time doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With this checklist and the guidance of a skilled Realtor, you’ll be well on your way to a successful sale. Remember, preparation and knowledge are your best tools—take the time to get everything in order, and you’ll be rewarded with a smooth and profitable selling experience. If you're ready to start this journey, contact Brad Bemowski today to get expert advice and support every step of the way.
Understanding the Changes in How Buyer's Agents Get Paid
Understanding the Changes in How Buyer’s Agents Get Paid The real estate industry is constantly evolving, and one significant area of change this August is how Buyer’s Agents are compensated. Recent shifts in industry practices and legal rulings are leading to changes in the agent compensation model. Whether you're a homebuyer or seller, it's essential to understand how these changes could impact your real estate transaction. TRADITIONAL MODEL: SELLER PAYS THE AGENT COMPENSATION When a seller lists their home, historically they agree to a compensation package to their real estate agent (the listing firm) as part of the listing agreement. This compensation is usually a percentage of the sale price of the home. Sharing the Compensation: The listing firm, with the seller's agreement to allow for "cooperation and compensation," offers a portion of that compensation to buyer's agents as an incentive for bringing a buyer to the sale and executing a purchase agreement for the property. This compensation split is predetermined in the listing contract, and historically was displayed in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as a "guaranteed" payment to the Buyer's Agent. Due to recent regulatory changes, the public display in the MLS is being prohibited as of August 17, 2024. As the buyer, under this model you generally don't pay the compensation directly out of pocket. As the buyer, you bring the funding for the home purchase to the closing via your mortgage and the required "cash to close" amount. The compensation is then dispursed out of the proceeds of the sale either directly to the buyer's firm, or to their listing firm, who then pays the buyer's firm according to the listing contract. ALTERNATE COMPENSATION MODELS MOVING FORWARD As a result of the regulatory changes implemented this August, there will be several ways Buyer's Agents could receive compensation from a real estate sale. Seller offers Buyer Agent Compensation: The seller commits in the listing agreement with their agent to offer compensation to the Buyer's Agent, similar to how it is done now. The main difference is that this cannot be communicated on the MLS. Buyer Negotiates Agent Compensation: If a seller does not offer compensation up-front, the buyer can choose to make the compensation to their agent part of the offer to purchase the home. This may become a negotiation - the seller could accept it, reject it outright, submit a counter offer for a lower amount, or perhaps agree to pay it if the buyer agrees to raise the purchase price by the same amount. Buyer Negotiates a "Seller Concession": The buyer may negotiate a "seller concession" or "contribution to buyer's closing costs" amount as part of their offer. The buyer can choose to use this amount to pay for any part of their closing costs, which could include loan fees, insurance premiums, down payment, or agent compensation for example. Buyer Pays Their Agent's Compensation: When a buyer hires a Buyer's Agent to work directly for them and advocate on their behalf, they will sign a representation agreement and agree to compensation for their agent as part of that contract. If a seller does not agree to contribute all or part of that agreed compensation, the buyer can choose to pay their agent out of pocket at the closing. This would be dispersed by the title company and will increase the amount of money the buyer will need to bring to the closing table. A Combination of the Above: There will be many different scenarios that could be presented during the process of selecting a home and deciding to write an offer. It's possible that agent compensation could be a combination of all of these scenarios. Whether you're a buyer or a seller, it's important to understand these changes and how the decisions you make regarding compensation could impact you during your purchase or sale. Having the right real estate agent by your side who will help you navigate these decisions is perhaps more important than ever. Are you looking for expert advice on navigating these changes? Contact us today to learn how we can help you make the best decisions in your real estate journey. Whether you're buying or selling, we're here to provide the insights and support you need. *Real Estate commissions and compensation are not set by law and are fully negotiable by agent and firm. Before signing a Buyer Agency Agreement or Listing Agreement, be sure you undersand and agree with the compensation model and services provided.
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