Category: Featured Resources

The following article is sponsored by Accord Realty.

Picture yourself in this 2,400-square-foot modern home on Lake Wisconsin.

A secluded, scenic drive leads you to an electronically-controlled, cedar plank and weather-resistant stainless steel private gate. The gate opens into a private courtyard framed by lush gardens, glass door garages and a porte-cochère connected directly to the home. The home’s architecture is modern, minimalist and linear and maximizes the exterior’s natural beauty and green space while also bringing the outdoors in.

With 180-degree views and 270 feet of beautiful Lake Wisconsin frontage, this property lends easy access to lakefront activities such as boating, Jet-Skiing, swimming and sailing.

Unwind and relax on the lakefront, the home’s three patios, outdoor grill area or private sauna.

Inside the home, you’ll find a master suite and two guest suites. The luxurious master suite features a gas fireplace, a custom Move closet system, a master bath with Dornbracht and Duravit fixtures, and lake views. Both downstairs guest suites feature a walk-out private patio, custom Move closets, private ensuite baths with Italian marble tile and Duravit fixtures, and custom cabinetry.

At this home, simple beauty in combination with modern luxury proves that great design is truly timeless.

MLS data sheet and 3D Tour are available online. To schedule a showing or to learn more about this property, click here.

The following article is sponsored by Fearing’s Audio Visual Security.

Outdoor living spaces have become more and more popular, incorporating outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, audio, video and lighting. Fearing’s Audio Visual Security provides the outdoor lighting, audio and video to lend your outdoor living spaces a lovely atmosphere, along with added security and safety.

Quality sound is much different than just sound. Beautiful sound shouldn’t just be confined to your home—whether controlled from your smartphone or integrated into your existing home audio system, Fearing’s audio technology, design and installation can be tailored to fit your outdoor environment. The same can be said for your video systems, with a perfectly placed TV or projector outside, you can enjoy movie nights with the family or the big game.

“Why should home automation be stuck indoors? Outfitting your outdoor living spaces with smart audio, video and lighting technology enhances the natural ambience Mother Nature already provides,” says Andy Blakey, home automation expert with Fearing’s Audio Video Security. “And you can control it all from one app on your mobile device.”

Creating areas outside your home to enjoy by yourself or with loved ones adds to the livable square footage of your property. In addition to outdoor sound, landscape lighting in the living spaces outside of your home is an investment in pleasure, safety and curb appeal.

However, outdoor living in Wisconsin comes with a particular set of weather challenges, to say it mildly. Because of this, Fearing’s installs Coastal Source lighting and audio because of the unique bronze fixtures that will not corrode or rust in the elements. Interestingly, the fixtures naturally change color over time due to patination as the bronze oxidizes.

But, Coastal Source fixtures don’t just hold up in the elements—they pack in quality too, providing high-end, great-sounding audio and versatile, soft lighting. The lights and sound integrate with your mobile device so you have complete control of the system in the palm of your hand.

Do you have an outdoor space that would become more beautiful and safe with well-placed lighting? A space that would become even more friendly and relaxing with an outdoor audio and video system? Fearing’s is equipped and ready to make your lake views even better and your time outdoors even sweeter.

With Fearing’s, you’ll never again have to visit a big-box store for technology or spend time on hold with customer service for any of your AV or security technology needs. Contact Fearing’s Audio Video Security home automation experts today not only to discuss your dream projects, but to gain a technology partner for all your audio, video, security, wiring, network and automation needs.

Fearing’s Audio Video Security is a total source provider for residential and commercial audio, video, security, low voltage cabling and automation based in Madison, Wisconsin. For over 20 years, Fearing’s Audio Video Security has provided expert consultation, system design, delivery and support. Fearing’s Audio Video Security customers are happy customers, with 95% giving an 8, 9 or 10 out of 10 for customer satisfaction. Learn more about Fearing’s Audio Video Security at fearings.com.

The following article is sponsored by Tour Greens Wisconsin.

Every Tour Greens installation is built to exact specifications producing the most attractive, high-performing practice surface available. Their revolutionary infilled synthetic grass system looks and reacts just like a real grass putting green but without the daily maintenance. Green speeds and contours are engineered to your preference for challenging practice and play.

The Benefits of Tour Greens Solution

Advantages over Natural Grass Greens

• Low Maintenance: Only two to three hours of maintenance a year
• Durable: Manufactured and installed with weather-resistant materials and techniques
• Long-Term Affordability: No water, chemicals or fertilizers needed
• Customizable: Can be designed to your specific landscape

The Tour Greens Advantage

Built for Golfers

Designed with custom features just for the specific client, then carefully constructed to precise dimensions by Tour Greens certified installers.

Premium Fibers

Tour Greens turf options feature finer fibers and up to 36% more fibers per square inch than those in other artificial greens.

TruRoll Infill System

• RQS
  Made from a specially formulated blend of clean and uniform, round quartz sand designed to keep short game putting surfaces consistent and receptive for the life of the green. RQS is shipped from our facilities or from one of only two mines in the U.S. where it is naturally available.
• Colored Top Dressing
  Colored Top Dressing is a specially formulated blend of black and green acrylic-coated quartz sand. This layer gives the green a deep rich luster that makes it uniquely Tour Greens.

DuraFlo® Backing

This exclusive and innovative backing system is 100% recyclable.

• Permeable
  Our non-perforated Duraflo is up to 50% more permeable than typical urethane backed products and won’t clog like hole-punched systems.
• Polyolefin Backing
  Absorbs no moisture and thus minimizes expansion and contraction, resulting in less stress on seams.

Superior Base Systems

One of the key elements related to the performance and longevity of a backyard putting green is the quality of the base system. At Tour Greens Wisconsin, they take the time to construct bases properly using specific types of stone and proven compaction methods. They also offer the SureBase system for applications in colder weather climates or for applications requiring minimal excavation.

Expert Design & Installation

While the quality of Tour Greens materials is second to none, it is the design and installation process that truly differentiates Tour Greens from other backyard putting green solutions.

Ongoing Service & Maintenance

One of the greatest benefits to owning a Tour Greens golf green is the minimal maintenance that they require. Of course, weather and other environmental factors can affect the performance of your green. As your local dealer, Tour Greens Wisconsin provides ongoing service and maintenance plans to keep your green performing optimally.

Design & Installation

Their 4-Step Process will guide you from turf and base selection all the way through to design and installation.

Golf Solutions

Tour Greens Wisconsin supplies, designs and installs a wide variety of golf turf solutions:

• Short game greens
• Outdoor putting greens
• Indoor putting greens
• Tee lines
• Golf hitting mats

The Choice of Pros

Tour Greens® is the most realistic, high performing synthetic turf system on the market today. Some say it’s the next best thing to natural grass. Others say it’s better. Several members of the PGA Tour have chosen Tour Greens® over real bent grass greens.

Learn more about the Tour Greens process.

The following article is sponsored by Josh Lavik & Associates.

Do you own a home on the lake and are thinking about selling your home? Maybe the maintenance costs are too much or it’s just time to move to a different property. After 13 years in real estate brokerage, here are a few things we’ve learned about selling luxury and waterfront homes in the Madison area.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

When we list any property for sale, we prefer to take at least two to four weeks of preparation time before starting any showings. By taking that extra time, we’ve been able to really hone in on the key features and benefits of our listings that will attract the most number of potential buyers. And as a result, achieve the best results for our clients.

LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS

Selling a waterfront, luxury or other unique property with skill takes a keen eye on what aspects best sell the property. In fact, it’s really about psychology and creating a series of positive impressions that lure the buyer in and increase the level of desire. Thinking critically about the lifestyle around the home, within the community, and amenities can often make a difference between selling or not. All of these lifestyle experiences add up to some perceived value. If an agent does well, then the buyers see the value and a deal is made.

However, sometimes a home goes on the market and then it sits month after month with no offers. In fact, you’ve probably seen some of the homes in these prestigious communities that seem like they have been on the market “forever.” Why aren’t they selling? Now, that’s a good question. Sometimes even the best homes don’t sell right away and often just take a little extra thought, consideration and effort to actually sell the property.

DOING A LITTLE EXTRA

When we list a home for sale we believe that we should do everything possible to attract the right buyer. There’s much more that goes into it than putting a sign in the yard and hoping that someone else sells it. We’ve found that the best results come from a variety of online and offline activities. It starts with proper home staging and packaging the home in the best way possible to determine what the value should be. Are you selling it with new carpet or old carpet? Updated fixtures or older fixtures? Proper pricing takes all of that information into account.

After determining the best staging and pricing strategy, you’ll want to make sure your home looks its very best during photo time. Just like family portraits, make sure everything is perfect before the photographer even comes to the door. After that, determine your marketing plan and what efforts will be done. We have found that the more people that you reach with your marketing equals a greater number of potential buyers willing to make an offer, and as a result, will net you the best possible price.

PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER

After your home is on the market, not all of the work is done—you’ll need to field inquiries and coordinate showings. Then, comes negotiations with offers. Excellent communication skills can truly make all the difference when putting together an offer. Learn about our philosophy on selling waterfront or other homes in the Madison area by visiting us at ​www.JoshLavik.com​ or contact us at 608-620-4234. Or, email us at ​[email protected]​.

Josh Lavik & Associates is a powerful real estate team within Keller Williams Realty and based in Monona, Wisconsin. They have been refining their home sales process with one thing in mind, to create ​A Better Real Estate Experience™. This means going the extra mile with a positive attitude, high energy and a learning-based perspective.

The following article is sponsored by Dream House Dream Kitchens.

When you work with Dream House Dream Kitchens for a house remodel, addition or new construction project, we make the process easy, informative, fun and inspiring. Interested to learn more? Here’s how we partner with you to make your dream home come to life.

Site Visit and Budget Discussion

All projects begin with a site visit, where your design team will travel to your home to check out the space. Your designer will take photos and measurements of the area, while a Dream Kitchens Sales Director will talk with you one-on-one about what your dream vision is for the room. We will work together to create a list of wants and needs for your dream project, and work together to establish a budget.

Conceptual Drawings and Pricing

After the budget assessment is complete, your design team will take all of the notes from the site visit and begin creating space plans and design concepts that are in line with your vision, stylized to your personal tastes, fully functional and completely customized for your family’s needs.

Project Presentation

Why wonder what your project will look like—let us show you! We invite you to our showroom to enjoy a refreshment and we’ll present to you the design concepts we’ve created for your space. Watch your dream room come to life, as we show you a full presentation of your dream room, complete with full-scale, photo-realistic 3-D drawings of the designs.

Continuance Agreement

Once you fall in love with the designs we create for you, we ask that you sign a continuance agreement saying, “Yes, please! Let’s move forward with my dream room!”

Final Design

Edits and updates to your design will be made together with your designer, ensuring that everything is perfect for you. We’ll tweak the design and layout until your dream room is both functional and styled to your personal tastes, wants and needs.

Selections

Selections can be overwhelming on your own, which is why your designer will assist you through every step of the selection process. From cabinetry and countertops to paint colors and hardware, your designer will help you choose the best products to suit your style and needs.

Project Management and Schedule

Get acquainted with your project management team who will create a timeline for your remodel project, allowing you to see the week-by-week breakdown of the schedule. This is the “Dream Team” that will manage your remodel process from demolition to completion.

Remodel Start

Finally, your remodel is underway! At this point, you will rest easy knowing that the best team in town is taking great care of you. All that is left for you to do is sit back and watch as your old room is transformed into the room of your dreams.

5117 Verona Road | 204-7575 | Dream-Kitchens.com

The following article is sponsored by The Bay Lofts.

The Bay Lofts offer a distinct living opportunity in highly sought-after Door County. This 37-unit apartment development on the shores of Lake Michigan combines luxury finishes, a great location and a maintenance-free space to call your own. Explore what vacation living can be without the responsibilities of home ownership.

Fantastic and Desirable Location

The Bay Lofts Apartments are located just southwest of the Sturgeon Bay Steel Bridge and west of the Door County Maritime Museum. The location is everything: it’s within walking distance of all that downtown Sturgeon Bay has to offer: churches, diners, fine dining, walking, bicycle paths and the bay itself.

Emphasis on Community

The design team has worked hard to create a home environment at The Bay Lofts that will embrace its residents for years. Everything encourages connectivity within the apartment community and the Sturgeon Bay community.

Incredible Amenities

Exercise with health club-quality equipment in the on-site fitness room, gather in the top-floor community room or relax on the vista roof patio and take in the views. These are just a few of the perks located within the building that residents have full access to. Additionally, the building has a heated parking garage with a reserved space for each resident.

Each home is outfitted with luxury plank floors in a grey weathered finish in the living areas and designer carpet in the bedrooms. The kitchens feature a full stainless steel appliance package, quartz countertops and LED focal point fixtures. Every home also comes with a full-sized washer and dryer.

The Ease of Living

The Bay Lofts are perfect for those who like the idea of having a home in a vacation-like setting without the responsibilities of home ownership. Everything is taken care of and the thought of an expensive home repair will never become a reality when you’re living at The Bay Lofts. Just kick back, relax and live.

Check it out!

Visit thebaylofts.com to view availability and pricing information. Or, call 920-333-1942 to speak with the staff and schedule a tour of your future home! The building and leasing office are located at 49 N Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.

The following article is sponsored by Waubesa Shores Condominiums.

Have you heard of Waubesa Shores Condominiums yet?

Waubesa Shores Condominiums combines luxury finishes with expansive lake frontage. All of the 29 condominiums in the development have beautiful views of Lake Waubesa. A premier lakefront development, the private paradise is set on the perfect two-acre parcel with 341 feet of lake frontage that is part of the Madison chain of lakes (Over 18,000 acres of accessible lakes). The site is only 12 minutes from downtown Madison and two hours from Chicago.

Amazing Views…

Enjoy the three-tiered terrace facing the lake. The top plaza area is where you can relax and enjoy sunrise/sunset views. It’s just a few steps down to a fire pit and patio area and then a couple more steps down to enter the hot tub and pool area. Exclusive boat slips are available for all owners as well.

Incredible Amenities…

You also can watch the sun rise or set from your private balconies, which walk out from the living room and master bedroom. All condo balconies have remote-controlled power screens for shade, privacy and wind/bug control. Finishes that are standard at Waubesa Shores would be add-ons elsewhere. They include solid core doors throughout, hardwood floors, fireplaces, Kohler fixtures, high end stainless steel appliances and granite and quartz throughout. The exterior will be finished with imported Italian stone porcelain, Nichiha cement board siding and steel.

Four of the condominiums have three bedrooms and the other 25 are two-bedroom homes. They range in size from 1,360 to just over 2,000 square feet and feature 10 to 12-foot ceilings, heated underground parking and storage rooms. Adding to the spacious feel of the condominiums is a 900-square-foot community room/clubhouse with a lounge area, wet bar, pool table, fireplace and TV. Other amenities include a fitness center and a convenient dog wash station.

…All in a Carefree Setting!

Waubesa Shores offers a vacation-like setting with some of the best ice fishing in the colder months and lakeside fun in the sun during the warmer months. You can walk on a path around the two-acre parcel or take a longer walk or bike ride on the new Lower Yahara River Trail, which is just a three- minute bike ride away. At the same time, condominium living means minimal upkeep and no yard work or snow shoveling, which makes it easy to get away and travel if you desire.

For More Information

For more details, call 608-220-1453. www.WaubesaShores.com. The Info Center located across the development site at 5611 Lake Edge Road.  Open House schedules will be available online and are also available by appointment.

Waubesa Shores Condos – Relax, Boat, Live!

The following article is sponsored by FORM Wealth Advisors.

ASK TYSON RAY AND LUKE KUCHENBERG, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ PROFESSIONALS.

With over 20 years experience, Tyson and Luke of FORM Wealth Advisors help people make better financial decisions, and in doing so, live better lives. We talked with them about preparing for retirement.

Why is retirement different today from when our parents or grandparents retired?

The big difference for people facing retirement today is most people don’t have a pension to replace a steady paycheck like their parents did when they retired. Today, retirees are responsible for creating their retirement income from what they have saved. Many people do not feel capable of handling this responsibility, nor want to go it alone, so they hire us to advise them on how to help fund their future.

Is that why some people are hesitant to retire?

We meet many people who are afraid to retire because they fear running out of money. There are a few ways this can happen: they retire too soon, they spend too much too early in retirement or, during market downturns, they sell investments either in a panic, or because they didn’t plan their cash needs in advance. Our Compass Approach helps clients navigate through these financial fears and points them toward what is possible in retirement.

What does the FORM in FORM Wealth Advisors stand for?

FORM represents Family, Occupation, Recreation and Mission. As advisors, we have to understand the FORM of a client’s life so we can manage their wealth around that FORM. Our Compass Approach is all about helping clients discover what they want to do in retirement and what legacy they want to leave behind, then working with them over time to see their goals come to fruition.

What sets FORM Wealth apart from other financial advisors?

Our Compass Approach is what makes us stand out from other advisory or brokerage firms. We start with a blank piece of paper — not questionnaires about risk tolerance and net worth. We sit down and have a long conversation with prospective clients about the FORM of their life. As we get to know them and what is most important in the years ahead — their “north star” if you will — that blank piece of paper fills and becomes the foundation of a financial plan for their future. And that conversation repeats regularly through the years as their life changes.

Do you have any advice for area visitors who dream of retiring here?

We grew up in this area, and we’re raising our families here, so we understand the attraction. We built our office here to be close to our retired clients. A number of our clients found us after deciding to move to this area. Many recognized the benefit of being able to easily talk face-to-face with us when they wanted to. Because we’re local, we can also introduce newcomers to our network for the other advice they need, including attorneys and accountants who are knowledgeable about the nuances of Wisconsin law to help them with estate and tax matters.

Who should seek your guidance?

We help a select group of individuals and couples who are close to retirement, or have been forced into retirement by circumstances they couldn’t control. They’ve accumulated the wealth they need to retire, but now realize that living off their wealth — moving from saving to spending — may be hard emotionally. The best prospect is one who is truly seeking our guidance to help them navigate their financial decisions and transform their wealth into the income needed to purchase the memories they want to create in retirement.

431 Geneva National Ave S.
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 686-3005
formwealth.com

FORM WEALTH ADVISORS IS INDEPENDENT OF RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES AND IS NOT A REGISTERED BROKER/ DEALER. SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., MEMBER FINRA/SIPC. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES ADVISORS, INC. ANY OPINIONS ARE THOSE OF TYSON RAY AND LUKE KUCHENBERG AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF RJFS OR RAYMOND JAMES.

The following article is sponsored by Timeless Flooring.

Timeless Flooring is a family owned business founded in 1995 by Todd Krause, a lifelong resident of southeastern Wisconsin.  We sat down with Todd to discuss his business.

Why Timeless Flooring?

We pay attention to every customer’s specific situation, preferences and environment to ensure complete satisfaction with the finished floor. We are proud to serve our customers every step of the way, assisting with wood and finish choices that result in a surface that will stand the test of time. Timeless Flooring has a reputation for the highest quality craftsmanship.

Tell us more.

We specialize in custom wood floor installation and refinishing for your home or business. Our experienced staff works with homeowners and contractors to determine the best wood species and flooring plan for your lifestyle.

What services do you offer?

We offer everything from installation, sanding & refinishing, and repairs.  From stairs to porches to entire homes, we can handle it.

Where are you located?

We are located in Lake Geneva, WI and serve all surrounding communities.

Where can we find out more?

Visit us online at www.timelessflooring.com or stop by our office at 750 Veterans Parkway, Suite 110 in Lake Geneva.