To our Friends, Neighbors and Clients,

In a year full of personal challenges and lifestyle changes, homeownership provided many with security. The way we view our homes changed when they became our office, school, recreation center and so much more. Shorewest, REALTORS® is proud to have served our community’s housing needs for the past 75 years, and we are committed to continue giving excellent service as we recover from this global pandemic.

This year, Shorewest, REALTORS® is honored to celebrate the milestone of 75 years of business. Over the past seven and a half decades, the company has grown to 26 offices and over

1,000 sales associates. Even with exponential growth, the fact remains: we’re a family-owned business, and continue to provide outstanding personal service. We are proud that through three generations, Shorewest has remained the prominent name in real estate.

While virtually every sector of the economy felt the effects of the pandemic, the housing market skyrocketed in the fourth quarter of 2020. The year recorded the highest level of sales ever, coming in at 22,445 units in the four-county Metropolitan Milwaukee market. December showed home sales were up by 26% in Southeastern Wisconsin.

In the seven-county Southeastern Wisconsin market area, the average price of a home was $308,494, up 9.6%. Prices continue to rise, which is not surprising considering the lack of inventory throughout the area. A balanced market is considered to have six months of inventory. We are seeing only two months of residential listings. However, we have seen an increase in listings the last five months of 2020, which is very promising. Working with a Shorewest REALTOR® will give you the upper hand in today’s highly competitive market. With a network of over 1,000 agents and hundreds of listings each month, you’ll have exclusive access to listings before anyone else.

At Shorewest, we understand the importance your home holds, especially now. If you are looking for a new home because your work or living situation has changed, we’d love to help. Let our team of knowledgeable professionals serve as your trusted advisors to safely guide you to achieving your real estate goals.

Joe and John Horning Third Generation Leadership Shorewest, REALTORS®

MARKET TRENDSWisconsin’s Largest Home Seller™

shorewest.com

75 Years Shorewest Shorewest, REALTORS® is celebrating 75 years! Throughout the past seven and a half decades, we have served Wisconsin families with their housing needs while providing excellent customer care. We are proud that through three generations, Shorewest has remained the prominent name in local real estate.

John A. Horning started on his mission to establish Wisconsin’s premier real estate company in 1946. Conducting business under the name Wauwatosa Realty out of his home office, Horning aimed to provide his clients with exemplary customer service that extended beyond a transaction. He looked to instill a familial relationship with each customer, imparting Midwestern values of hard-work and dedication. In 1951, Wauwatosa Realty became Wisconsin’s Largest Home Seller™.

Second generation, John E. and Don Horning, son and nephew of John A. Horning, continued to grow Wauwatosa Realty. They opened more sales offices, and created a family of companies made up of Heritage Title Services, Wisconsin Mortgage Corporation, Shorewest Insurance, MyDwelling and the Real Estate Institute. Shorewest, REALTORS® now offers families a complete in-house experience when buying or selling their homes.

In 1997, after 51 successful years, we had grown beyond our roots and the Wauwatosa Realty name. We adopted the name Shorewest, REALTORS® — indicating our presence from the shores of Lake Michigan to all points west.

Even with exponential growth, the fact remains: we’re a family-owned business, and we provide outstanding personal service. As the President and Executive Vice President, Joe and John P. Horning, uphold the same values their grandfather championed from the outset.

Today, they continue to lead the company with innovative marketing and advanced technology like convenient mobile apps and a comprehensive website with instant home value estimates. Shorewest leads in using technology to elevate customer service. Shorewest, REALTORS® also specializes in marketing fine homes. As a founding member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, it is a part of Luxury Portfolio International®, which features the most comprehensive marketing program and network of luxury-tier properties throughout the world.

With the power of over 1,000 agents, Shorewest has grown to include 26 locations and a family of in-house relocation, property management, rentals, mortgage, title and insurance services. In 2020, we were named a Top Workplace for the ninth consecutive year. Shorewest currently controls more than 20% of the metro-Milwaukee real estate market, according to Metro Milwaukee MLS. We are the most trusted realty company in Wisconsin and outperforms their competition in homes sold, market share and resources.

Shorewest is more than a family legacy, it is a testament to its people and their dedication to helping people find the best home for their family and making the process as smooth as possible. We are proud to celebrate the milestone of 75 years of business. Thank you!

Benefits of Being a Homeowner

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you may ever make. It affects not only your finances, but also your lifestyle. While it can be an intimidating process, homeownership provides a number of benefits.

Long-term InvestmentProperty is one of the most secure investments you can make. Although there is no guarantee, buying a home and living in it for an extended period of time is a relatively safe investment. Even if the home itself depreciates, the land it sits on may increase in value.

Build EquityOne of the most important financial assets you can have is home equity. Simply put, equity is the difference between what you can sell your home for and what you owe on it. There are two ways you can acquire home equity. One being, as the value of your home increases equity builds up. Another way is by paying more and more of your mortgage. Unlike renting, every month that you pay your mortgage you own more of your home.

Rent-Free RetirementRent is a huge monthly expense. Inflation will cause both rent and home prices to increase in the future. Buying a home now gives you the opportunity to pay off a mortgage so you can live rent-free and worry-free in retirement.

StabilityOwning your own home gives you the stability to stay in one place for as long as you want. There are few opportunities for renters to have a locked in rate on their rent, forcing many people to prematurely find other housing options when landlords increase rent. Enjoying stability in a home can also lead to more community connections and greater social engagement.

Make It Your OwnAs a homeowner, you have the freedom to make both cosmetic and functional home improvements. Making upgrades in a rental property doesn’t provide any monetary gain to the renter, but investing in updates on a home you own can pay off in the long run. Here is a breakdown of which home renovation projects will give you the best return on investment.

6 Tips For Prepping Your Home For SalePreparing to sell your home requires a thoughtful approach, especially since it is one of your largest financial assets. Most buyers today are looking for a home they can move into without doing a lot of work. That’s why you’ll want your home in prime condition, looking the best it can be so your home won’t slip through the cracks. You only get one chance to make a first impression! Use these six tips to whip your home into shape and position yourself for a successful sale.

1. Refresh LandscapingThe exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see. Curb appeal is crucial when putting your home on the market. Poor curb appeal could discourage potential buyers from even coming inside. Weed your garden, plant flowers, prune your bushes and mow the lawn to give your yard a fresh and manicured look.

2. Deep CleanGive your home a good cleaning, inside and out. Clean the gutters and pressure wash the exterior of the home, driveway and walkways. Give the interior a thorough cleaning and really pay attention to the details. Get your carpets professionally cleaned, wipe down windows and polish appliances. A clean appearance will reassure buyers that the home has been well-maintained.

3. Freshen Up the Front DoorAs the entrance to your home, your front door requires some extra attention. Replace faded house numbers so they are visible from the street. Invite buyers in with a new welcome mat. Give the door a fresh coat of paint and choose a color that is a nice contrast to the color of your home.

4. Depersonalize and Remove ClutterYou want potential buyers to envision themselves and their belongings in your home. Remove photos and personal items. Messes and clutter are not only aesthetically unappealing, but they also give the impression that your home does not have enough storage. You may even consider renting a storage unit to temporarily get items out of your home while it’s on the market. You can even get some packing materials to start packing up items you won’t need before you move, like seasonal items and knick knacks.

5. Eliminate OdorsAfter you give the interior a thorough cleaning, which is sure to help with odors, spray a neutralizer. Hide any litter boxes, pet beds and any other items that can contribute to unappealing odors in the home. Before showing the home, put out fresh flowers and bake cookies to give off a pleasant and inviting aroma.

6. Address RepairsDo you have any repair projects you’ve been putting off? Now is the time to check those off your to-do list. You want your home to be in the best condition possible. Take care of any scuffs, marks and loose screws that may turn off buyers. Don’t ignore the more costly repairs like windows, roof and HVAC — these upgrades generally give a great return on investment when selling your home.

Selling your home can be a lot of work, so let a Shorewest, REALTOR® assist you through the process. Our knowledgeable agents are eager to help you get top dollar for your home! d ROI.

Is Your Home Meeting Your Needs? The global pandemic has caused a total lifestyle change for a lot of us. Many Americans are looking to relocate as a result of more permanent work from home situations.This trend is being referred to as the “Large Migration,” motivated by people no longer confined to the city where their job is located. The emerging trend is going to have a dramatic impact on the local and state economies.

Today, your residence serves as a home, office, school, recreation center and so much more. You may feel like the home that once worked well for your family is no longer meeting your needs. It’s not just about buying a bigger home; it’s about buying a more functional one. Now is the time to take advantage of low interest rates and find a home that will allow you and your family the space and amenities necessary to thrive in this new lifestyle.

Selling Your Home to Buy One That Fits Your Needs.

So, if you need to sell your existing home before buying, now is a great time. While today’s real estate market is unlike anything we’ve seen before, there are still many reasons why now is a good time to sell. Many buyers are looking to buy today so they can take advantage of the low interest rates. In today’s climate, you can expect to be dealing with serious buyers who are ready to make an offer.

Another result of the global pandemic is the increase in online home searching, which gives sellers more market exposure. Our real estate team keeps your listing top of mind, especially on social media through paid advertising and search engine optimization. We’ll help you attract more people to your listing.

Are you interested in seeing what your home is worth? You can use our home valuation tool to get an instant estimate. Our sales associates can provide a free, no-obligation Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). This will give you an idea of how your home is in perspective by offering pricing reference points based on similar homes and competition within the area.

Safety is top of mind for you and your family when selling your home. Meeting with a real estate professional has never been easier. Zoom, FaceTime, Messenger and other video apps make it easy to meet from the comfort of your home. We will be with you every step of the way, even if it is through your computer!

At Shorewest, REALTORS® we understand how important home is, especially now. If your home is no longer meeting your needs, or you are ready to relocate because your work situation has changed, we can help. Let one of our team serve as your trusted advisor to safely guide you to achieving your real estate goals.

Market Statistics

Learn what’s happening in your market area by visiting shorewest.com. You’ll find helpful information, including a year-to-year and quarter comparisons of new listings, closed homes, median sales price and average days on the market.

Insurance Associates, LLC

WISCONSIN MORTGAGECORPORATION

©Shorewest, REALTORS® EHO 4015