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Executive Times November 2019

Let’s C e l e b r a t e Anniversaries Heidi Grebe Mike Lessila Lisa Oertel Debbie Sievert Kevin Schmidt Dennis Alsteen DJ Campbell Terry McCreary Charlie Smart Nicole Wendt Laurie Boviall Marietta Ticali Peggy Wester John Plavsic Bob Starchevich Zlatko Vujnovic Nick Wachal Karl Fechner Dave Krebs Marnie Ripple Sue Lucas Bruce Nemovitz Jeanne Nemovitz Sue Rozeski Cathy Liebert

1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years 5 Years 7 Years 9 Years 9 Years 9 Years 9 Years 10 Years 10 Years 10 Years 15 Years 22 Years 22 Years 22 Years 24 Years

Birthdays Joanette Sum Dale Schaechterle Adam Poehlman Erna Russert Nicole Johnson Steve Bergelin Peggy Bodway Heather Henry Tom Pehowski Gaylene Davis

November 4 November 5 November 8 November 13 November 14 November 21 November 23 November 23 November 26 November 27

November Holidays N o v e m b e r 1 1 t h | Ve t e r a n ’s D a y N o v e m b e r 2 8 th | T h a n k s g i v i n g All offices will be unstaffed

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Honoring a Generation, a Gentleman and a Peer This month, I have been gifted an incredible opportunity to accompany one of our family members on his Honor Flight. It humbles me to the core to be able to share his story of courage, profound respect and honor of his country and tireless commitment to the men and woman in uniform each and every day. On November 9, Dave Delahunt and I will embark on a journey to pay tribute to the countless men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in preservation of the freedoms we enjoy each day. The Honor Flight Network is an organization dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure. Over 200,000 veterans have been flown since 2005, representing WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Dave’s history with service to his country began in 1960 with the United States Air Force. An interesting fact during his service time, was that he served under three Presidents. Having entered the intelligence branch of the USAF during an election year, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was just leaving office as the newly elected Commander in Chief, John F. Kennedy took office. Sadly, just 3 years into his term, JFK was tragically assassinated, which prompted Lyndon B. Johnson to become the 36th President of the United States of America. As a member of the intelligence branch of the USAF, Dave was stationed at a “listening post" in a defunct Nazi bunker off a remote airstrip in Turkey. One of his most memorable moments came while flying an RB-47 (known as a reconnaissance bomber) on a Cold War mission over the USSR, when the craft took cannon fire over the Caspian Sea. Dave said it sounded like “kids banging on metal garbage cans.” After his honorable discharge in 1964, Dave’s passion for his country and brothers-in-arms didn’t stop there. Actively involved with the American Legion post in Mequon, as the Salute Editor, he tirelessly champions for Veteran’s organizations such as the Wisconsin Homeless Veteran’s Initiative. One of his biggest successes for first responders was his pivotal role in bringing a K-9 unit to the Mequon Police Department. He and his wife Luan, endlessly fundraised to be able to provide officers with a K-9 cop to assist in narcotics detection, handler protection and area searches. These flights are possible because of the generous donations made by people like you. Interested in giving? You can visit https://www.honorflight.org/donate-now to make a donation and pay tribute to a service hero.

I would like to personally invite you to welcome home these most deserving heroes and join us at the airport the evening of November 9th. Our veterans have earned that honor and deserve our respect. November 2019 will forever be a life changing month and a personal journey for us both. This is a flight for Dave and for my Dad, a Vietnam vet who will be with us in spirit. Dave, you’ve given me a gift that I would have never gotten to experience with my dad…I’m honored to be your guardian for the day. -Dana Keegan

Donate Online - Honor Flight Accredited Charity. The Honor Flight Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has a 4 star rating with Charity Navigator.

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H ow t o I n c re a s e Yo u r

People are always asking how they can get more money for their house when they put it on the market. While some of the things that determine your home’s value are out of your hands (location, age, layout), many buyers are willing to fork over a little more when certain upgrades have been made. Below are some suggestions for projects and improvements that can increase your home’s resale value.

Invest in Energy Efficiency It’s the 21st century, and green is the name of the game! Not only do energy-efficient updates help protect the environment, they also save you more money by reducing utility bills. Now we’ve all heard of those little energy-saving hacks like unplugging your phone charger and washing your clothes in cold water — but those aren’t the kinds of things that are going to add value to your home. If you want a greater resale value, you have to think bigger. Consider one of these upgrades: §

Make your home a smart home by adding security systems and thermostats (can be purchased online for under $100) that you can control from your smartphone.

Add extra insulation to walls, floors, attic, and basement and crawl spaces.

Replace your heating, cooling, and water heating systems with innovative, high-efficiency models.

Replace your roof with a cool roof that reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat.

Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. Bonus: Most cities offer incentives and rebates for people who invest in Energy Star units.

Energy-efficient windows help filter heat and light for lower cooling costs.

Make Roof Repairs If you don’t plan on replacing the roof, you’ll still need to make sure it isn’t in need of major repairs before selling. A well-maintained roof can mean a quicker sale, since potential buyers will notice its appeal during showings. It’s best to hire a contractor to inspect the roof and give you an estimate for any necessary repairs. If your budget allows it, definitely schedule for the repairs. If not, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth leaving the roof as-is, keeping in mind that it can affect negotiations with the buyer and result in a lowered home price.

Remodel Your Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of a house. Giving it a modern and functional remodel instantly makes it more attractive to buyers. The average cost for a minor kitchen remodel is $20,800. It can be a costly upgrade, but remember you can expect a 60 percent to 120 percent return on investment from those costs when you put your home on the market. Keep these tips in mind:

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Home’s Resale Value §

Don’t go over the top. While you want your remodeled kitchen to be modern and functional, you don’t want it to look out of place in your home.

Start with a fresh coat of paint. According to an analysis released by Zillow, painting the kitchen blue is your best bet for attracting a higher offer.

Energy-efficient appliances are also a great place to start (see above).

A designer back-splash adds a bit of style to the room.

Look for upgrades that add function to the kitchen: touch-sensitive faucets, under cabinet lighting or butcher block countertop are great places to start.

Don’t Forget the Great Outdoors People love outdoor entertaining. Adding a deck to the backyard or any kind of outdoor living space is an easy way to attract more buyers. It’s not exactly the cheapest update — depending on what materials you use, it can cost upwards of around $10,000. However, if you fancy yourself quite handy, you can save some money by foregoing a contractor and doing it yourself. §

Outdoor living spaces get more use when they are covered. Not only do they provide much needed shade in the summer, a covered deck or patio also protects the furnishings underneath it.

Pick a focal point — an outdoor sofa or a work of art — and plan the rest of the area around that.

Establish borders with walkways and shrubbery.

Make sure there is plenty of light so the outdoor space can be used once the sun goes down.

A fire pit adds a rustic touch. Plus, when in use, the smoke helps to deter mosquitoes and other bugs.

If you want to add resale value to your home, always keep function in the forefront of your mind. Energy efficiency makes the house greener and saves money on utility bills — all very attractive to potential home buyers. A wellmaintained roof can help the house sell more quickly. Renovating your kitchen is a big project, but it has a guaranteed return on investment. Finally, don’t underestimate the appeal of an outdoor living area to attract buyers. Article Courtesy of: Realty Executives International Blog

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MASTERMIND ROUND UP

r e b o t - Oc al

n o i g e R W RA & s y a w a e k a T e c n e r e Conf Join us in November as we discuss 2020 Vision Planning

Some of the takeaways that I got from the regional conference and the mastermind sessions are: visibility trumps ability. Be a master of the market you are farming. 67% of the sellers will go with the first agent through the door. Stay in contact with your sphere of influence. Constantly add to your customer base.| Neil Miyashita â€˘ Lake Country Office

See page 16 For calendar with times, dates & locations for our November Masterminds! The convention was a great reminder to me that videos have become key tools for us in multiple ways, whether it's to share my listings, introduce myself to prospective clients, vlogging, market updates, and more. Another key factor that I was reminded of is the follow-up process with sellers or buyers AFTER a home is sold is crucial. Simple steps like create an expectation with the seller or buyer before the closing. "I can't wait to talk to you after you install your new bathroom!". Ask if I can follow up with them on a certain matter in a certain time frame. Maybe follow up on a vacation they had, a bathroom remodel, or whatever. Find a reason to call them to follow up on a matter. Follow through and put that date on the calendar - treat like an appointment! That moment I contact them is the time to connect and ask for business! | Jodi Olson â€˘ Lake Country Office

Stay connected to your business, but vacay WELL with these tips! For most real estate professionals, the idea of a vacation seems unimaginable...but it’s not. Everyone needs time to unplug and unwind to recharge the batteries. With these 6 simple tips, your next vacay can be enjoyable...not overwhelming. 1. Make sure your clients know you’ll be OoO (out of office)

This is a courtesy that pays dividends over time, plus it shows you care. Take it a step further by offering a backup contact if something goes awry. These are simple easy ways to forge stronger relationships with your valued clientele.

2. Be clear about what licensed and unlicensed staff are allowed to do

If you are like me and have a team of people who help you in your daily operations then you must be a clear on how everyone is to proceed while you are away. This includes being very specific about what unlicensed staff is allowed and not allowed to do. The last thing you want is an unlicensed member of your team handling contracts or important client accounts when they aren’t qualified and it violates licensing law. Be proactive, delegate to the right people, and clearly outline your plans so you will have no worries whatsoever while you’re away.

3. Set up check-in times with your team

Following up with staff is just as important as giving them the appropriate responsibilities. In real estate, most needs or issues can be addressed in the morning or afternoon. This could be as simple as a quick five-minute phone call, FaceTime chat or group text to ensure everyone is on the same page.

4. Only respond to REAL fires

Every time I leave the office or am out for a vacation, inevitably something happens. Someone needs my assistance, response, expertise, etc. There will always be fires to put out, whether you are in the office or a thousand miles away. But not eversituation requires your attention, and it can often be addressed when you return. Only get involved with issues that are absolutely necessary. Also, take notes about your team and how they are performing and handling the business while you’re gone. Then look for ways to improve the process for future trips.

5. Work on the plane

This one is a biggie folks, and it has helped me tremendously. Why sleep on the plane when you can work on the plane? Being forced to sit on a plane for hours on end is a great opportunity to catch up on final tasks and tie up loose ends before the fun begins. For me, I enjoy having these pre-vacation hours to tick all the boxes on my OoO to-do list and triple check that all of my clients are well-informed and taken care of while I’m away.

6. Wake up before the family for POWER HOUR

Another little trick I have up my sleeve is my own personal power hour. If I feel the need to touch base with a client, have a meeting with my team or catch up on some work while on vacation, I simply get up before everyone else and use those precious morning hours to get things done. It’s easy to want to sleep in, but if you get up earlier in the morning, you’ll have a clearer mind and be free to spend more time with your family during the day. Article courtesy of Troy Palmquist is the founder and broker of The Address in Southern California. To access the COMPLETE article online visit: https://www.inman.com/2019/10/11/how-i-survived-10-days-on-vacay-and-ran-my-business/

! s r a e Y 5 1

g n i t a r b Cele Happy Anniversary Sue!

Approximately 20 years ago I was looking for a part time job after taking a several year break from working as a real estate appraiser. My sister mentioned that an agent at Realty Executives Integrity (Cathy Liebert) was looking for an assistant. I was not thrilled at the prospect of working in “real estate sales”, after all, who would want to do that? Crappy hours and you had to “sell”.

I assured myself that

I would just do the 15 to 20 hours a week, go home and not give the sales part another thought. Surprise! Almost immediately after starting to work with Cathy, I knew I loved this business. It wasn’t selling, it was helping!

I also knew I found a home in Realty

Executives Integrity. Everyone in the office was always helping me to help others. The systems and staff have always been amazing. Through the years, my business has grown to include my husband Jeff and our son Ryan. The freedom to run our business as we choose has helped us tremendously. All of it has been made possible by the support we receive from our Realty Executives Integrity family.

Love, love, love it

here! – Sue Lucas | Lake Country Office

9th Annual Trees Of Hope WI Celebration, Auction & Gala

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Saturday November 23rd, 2019 | Radisson Hotel—Mayfair 2303 N Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa Benefiting: Children’s Hospital of WI, Blood Center of WI/Versiti, Blood Cancer Research & Local Patient Services through Kathy’s House

Breakfast With Santa

9:30-11:30AM | Breakfast $15/Adult | $15/Child 3-12 | $10/Under 3 A popular addition to our event—Enjoy a Pancake breakfast amidst the shining trees and decorations! Get pictures with Santa, Entertainment provided by Magician Jeffrey Campbell. Feel free to participate in activities, raffles and more!

Festival Of Trees

VISIT OUR WINTER WONDERLAND! 11:00AM-4:00PM | $5/adults

Very Special Evening Gala

Enjoy the glittering lights, beautifully decorated themed Christmas trees, showcases of dazzling treats, joyous music, and family-friendly activities. Stroll through and absorb the Holiday sights, sounds, and spirit. You have the opportunity to view/ bid or purchase any of our displays. Our goal this year is $50,000. With your help we can meet and exceed that goal!

4:30-10:00PM | Radisson Hotel – Grand Ballroom $100/Person or Table Sponsor: $1000/Table of 10 ($50 of each ticket is a donation) Join us for an inspirational and joyful evening to culminate the event. This is a semi-formal, sit-down dinner. You’ll hear from our 2019 Ambassadors and learn about some exciting updates on advancing research. We’ll have an Auction of Special Items and a finale of the Tree & Silent Auction! Gala Sponsor: Realty Executives Wisconsin Region

Learn More At: www.TreesofHopeWI.org | Facebook/Twitter/YouTube: Trees of Hope WI Email: Karen@TreesofHopeWI.org | Phone: 414-750-1989 Lindsay’s Voice is a registered Non-profit 501(c)3 public charity in Wisconsin TAX ID 38-3894820

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Advice From a Master: Be ‘Violent’ With Your Routine Way back in 1996, I was finding my way in the world. Newly licensed in real estate, I was terrified and excited. I was also broke, in debt and thrilled to receive my first pager. It feels like yesterday, only today I’m very different. My lessons and experiences, my research and circumstances, my failures more than my successes, have gotten me closer to the person I’m capable of being, and I’m not close to done. Here are a few key lessons I’ve found as truth along way…

J’aime Nowak Master Trainer Buffini & Company

The good life takes hard work, grit and hustle. Passively waiting for leads to call is not the way to build a fundamentally sound and lasting business. The great thing about this principle is that we each have control over our daily activities and attitude, and these choices directly impact the prosperity of our business. There is power and promise in that. When I’m anxious or frustrated that I’m not achieving my goals fast enough, I’ve learned that positive action in any area creates momentum, feelings of empowerment and eventually, results! The bottom line? Real estate rewards action. Lasting success is built on good habits practiced consistently over time. Many years ago, as I was preparing to cross North America teaching folks how to build their business by referral (a system I’d implemented with great success as a broker myself), Brian Buffini gave me some excellent advice. He told me to be “violent in my routines.” “Violent?” I said. “That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?” “Not at all,” he said. “It’s the difference between success and failure in all that we do. If you major in the minors of life and business, you won’t go very far.” We all know this, but many times, we behave very differently. We get caught up in stuff that doesn’t really matter. I paid attention to what my mentor shared with me. I answered the question: What are the things that really matter? I made the list. My health and wellbeing, my family and relationships, and doing good work that helps people were at the top of my list. What time and activities did I need to devote to this list? If we are intentional on where we focus our time and energy, then our priorities won’t become casualties. While in pursuit of the good life, expect adversity. No matter the challenge or circumstance, don’t give up. I’ve found that some of my greatest blessings have come from my biggest adversities. You never know how close you are to that next blessing, that next victory. Keep moving one step forward even if you’re thrown two steps back; there is always hope. You are stronger than you think. Gratitude is the way to happiness. I start every day with “Thank You.” Even on my roughest days, I find my list of blessings is too long to get through. It’s easy to fall into “Facebook envy.” We look at people’s carefully curated posts, thinking they have everything in order, and compare ourselves. Realize that what you see isn’t the whole story! It’s the one made for the public. Relationships are the pulse of life and business. These crucial connections are the lifeblood of our business, the strength of our families and the fabric of our lives. We must invest time and energy in them so they blossom and grow. One of the best ways to serve your clients is to get to know them better. To help, Buffini & Company has created a free resource for you, ”The Client Connection List”. (reach out to Claire Zastrow for this list of 39 essential questions to ask your clients ) As I look back at over 20 years in the real estate business—first as an agent, then as a broker and now as trainer—these lessons have been rich and painful, sobering and beautiful. I hope you took a few nuggets from what I’ve shared and I invite you to take stock of what you’ve learned over the last five, 10 or 20 years. I promise, it’ll be staggering. And now, let us look forward with hope and ambition, dedication to the right things and people, and a powerful vision of all we want to do and become. Forge ahead with the conviction that no matter the mistakes, success and lessons lie ahead.

How We Give Back

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November 11th celebrates what was formerly known as Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I in 1918. It is now known as Veterans Day – a national holiday observed annually which honors Veterans who have served honorably in our nation’s Armed Forces. Be sure to thank a Veteran for his/her service the next time you see him or her. We must never take the luxury of our freedom for granted. Two of our Executives are quite actively involved in serving a significantly challenged segment of the Veteran community through their association with GMAR’s Veterans Service Committee and its intimate relationship with – and support for Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI) www.mkehomelessvets.org. U. S. Air Force and Cold War/Vietnam Veteran Dave Delahunt serves as the founding Chairman of the Committee and our own Marietta Ticali very generously serves on that committee. In addition, Marietta participates quite selflessly and tirelessly on the Board of Directors of MHVI. Both Executives report experiencing very emotional highs and lows – the joys and heartaches - through their involvement. MHVI has been finding and helping homeless and at-risk Veterans (men, women and their very young children) to reach and maintain their highest levels of independence for over 10 years. To date roughly 4,000 Veterans and their families in southeastern Wisconsin have been served and the need to do so continues. Those of us who are reading this most likely woke up today in a warm bed in a warm home with good food and warm clothing. These souls have been found living and shivering in cars, vans, boxcars, tents, under bridges, etc. The mission of MHVI is to help provide them with shelter, food, very basic furniture, household items, winter clothing, kids’ school supplies . . . the very basics of life that we often take for granted. YOU can help by being aware of these basic needs and by calling MHVI at 414-257-4111 to make tax free donations of basic furniture, household items, food, bicycles and winter clothing which MVHI will gladly pick up. We also hope to have collection barrels in each of our offices soon. For further information on this wonderful initiative, please contact us: Dave Delahunt: Email: Dave@DaveDelahunt.com Phone: 414-405-7777 Marietta Ticali: Email: TicaliRealEstate@gmail.com Phone: 414-801-8028

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g n i r o Ment e t u n i M With Success Coach Morgan Sampson

Whatâ€™s Happening This Month This month we are focusing on the new Offer to Purchase, and navigating our exciting new contract and the ins and outs of the improved version. We are also focusing on best practices for showings, and the process from first meeting a buyer and the buyer consultation to making that offer and purchasing a home. We are also setting goals for 2020 and preparing for the new year and what our businesses will look like. What an exciting time! If you would like to learn more about Morganâ€™s Success Coaching or join the class, please contact Becky Wilde. Email: BeckyWilde@RealtyExecutives.com or Call: 262.369.8915

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Our Charitable Organizations

At Realty Executives Wisconsin Region, we believe community support and outreach is incredibly important. We actively support the following charitable organizations and each one is connected personally with a member of the Realty Executives Wisconsin Brand. We make it easy for our Executives to support these charities by allowing them to make donations directly from their closing checks. Outside of financial contributions, our leadership team and Executives also donate their time and energy to work events associated with these charities.

• Before 16 is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit foundation built to care for orphans. • They strive to get children hosted by a family who is either considering adoption or will advocate for adoption. • Their hope is that the hosting process can provide the avenue to find a loving family for each child. They are dedicated to rescuing as many orphans as possible before they turn 16 are out the system. Learn more at www.Before16.org • Habitat for Humanity builds and renovate homes for families • JR’s Pups-N-Stuff began with one in need of goal in mind: to save animals from sustainable life-threatening situations. housing. • It was built by a network of foster • Mission: Bringing parents in the Milwaukee area. people together in • It is “a little rescue with a big heart.” homes, Learn more at www.JRPupsNStuff.org communities, and home. • “We envision a world where • SALS offers freedom with accountability for everyone has a men and women who are serious about their decent place to sobriety. live.” • They provide non-institutional sober living Learn more at with a unique balance of independence and www.Habitat.org structure. • They are committed to providing safe, comfortable, and modern Recovery Houses for all. Learn more at www.SALShouses.org • Lindsay’s Voice was created as a way to celebrate the life of Lindsay (Wenzel) Lopez, a 32 year old wife and mother, who lost her 14-month battle against Leukemia on 11/22/10. • Mission: Raising awareness for Leukemia, Lymphomas, and blood Cancers, along with raising funds to support patient services and ongoing local research. • “Until there’s a day that nobody has to hear the words, ‘it’s Cancer,’ we continue to fight.” Learn more at www.TreesOfHopeWI.org

Looking for Help Designated Realtors John Plavsic | Brookfield (262) 364.0555

Career Development

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Dale Schaechterle Dale@RealtyExecutives.com

Accounting

Dana Keegan (262) 618.2575 DanaKeegan@RealtyExecutives.com Arlene Nesta (262) 369.8985 arlene@wirealtyexec.com Nicki Wendt (262) 369.8986 nicole@wirealtyexec.com

Certified Marketing Executives Claire Zastrow | All Locations (262) 369.8959 | Claire@wirealtyexec.com

Locate Us Brookfield 13005 W. Bluemound Road Brookfield, WI 53005 P: (262) 783.7080

Franklin 9130 W. Loomis Road, Ste 1000 Franklin, WI 53132 P: (414) 235.5777

Cedarburg W61N306 Washington Avenue, Ste 203 Cedarburg, WI 53012 P: (262) 377.6099

Germantown N112W15568 Mequon Road Germantown, WI 53022 P: (262) 250.0995

East Troy 2887 Main Street East Troy, WI 53120 P: (262) 642.3363

Hartland 810 Cardinal Lane Hartland, WI 53029 P: (262) 369.8900

North Shore 4655 N. Port Washington Road, Ste 300 Glendale, WI 53212 P: (414) 906.4500

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