Waterloo, WI- Duplex-Watch for this NEW Listing-Great Property! Concord, WI-Single Family Rural Property on 1 Acre-Newer Home with an Extra 24x36 Garage. Sullivan WI- Single Family home on 1/2 acre, great Starter home
Dodge County WI
Reeseville, WI - Duplex, Great property on a nice lot, Stay tuned for this rare opportunity!
Waukesha County WI
Town of Waukesha, WI- Great 4 Bedroom house on an Acre with an extra 2 car Garage in very Desirable Neighborhood!
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!
A smart remodeler ballparks the costs and
adds a 15% to 20% contingency. Image: Anne Canright
When it comes to home improvements, knowing what you want is the easy
part. The tougher question is figuring out how much you can afford.
Follow this four-step plan to arrive at the answer.
1. Ballpark the costs. First, get a
handle on how much your remodeling dreams will cost. In general, major
upgrades, such as a bathroom remodel or a family-room addition, run $100
to $200 per square foot.
“Remodeling” magazine’s 2015 “Cost vs. Value Report” gives national averages for 36 common projects. You’ll find many of those project costs and other good info in our Cost vs. Value section. 2. Figure out how much you have to spend. Once you’ve zeroed in
on a project, the next question is whether you have the money. If you’re
paying cash, that’s easy to answer. But if you’re borrowing, you need
to assess how much a bank will lend you and what that loan will add to
your monthly expenses.
There are three basic types of loan options:
For the vast majority of homeowners, the best way to borrow for a home improvement is a home equity line of credit. A HELOC is a loan that’s secured by your home equity, which means that it qualifies for a lower rate than other loan types, and you can deduct the interest on your taxes.
Because a HELOC is a line of credit
rather than a lump-sum loan, it comes with a checkbook that you use to
withdraw money as needed, up to the maximum amount of the loan.
For help shopping for a HELOC, download our free worksheet.
The catch is that the minimum payment on a HELOC is just that month’s
interest; you’re not required to pay back any principal. Like only
paying the minimum due on a credit card, that’s a recipe for getting
stuck in debt.
Instead, establish your own repayment schedule. You can do this by
paying 1/60th of the principal (for a five-year pay down) or 1/120th
(for 10 years) in addition to the monthly interest. If you can’t afford
that much, then you should reconsider your project. Related:6 Ways to Pay for a Remodel When You Can’t Tap Home Equity 3. Get quotes from contractors. Before seeking bids, determine
exactly what you want, right down to the kitchen countertop material and
the type of faucet. By specifying these details up front, you ensure
that prospective contractors are all pricing the same items.
Get recommendations for at least three contractors from friends,
neighbors, and other tradesmen who you trust. Give each one your project
description and specific product lists and request an itemized bid. To find the right contractor:
Ask to see their recent work
Check references
Look at online sites that provide peer reviews of contractors
Related:5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor Reality Check: Cost Overruns
Take the winning contractor’s bid and add a 15% to 20% contingency for
the unforeseen problems and changes that occur on every project. Is the
total still within your ability to pay? If so, you’re ready to get
started. If not, it’s time to scale back your plans. 4. Set priorities and trim the project to fit your budget.
Dreams and budget not in alignment? Carefully scale down your dream —
chances are you’ll end up satisfied and solvent. Enlist your contractor
for suggestions on cutting costs — that way, he’ll be an ally in helping
you stick to your budget.
Possibilities include:
Low-cost alternatives. For example, specify laminate countertops instead of granite.
Keeping older items that are still in working condition. Appliances, furnaces, and lighting fixtures can be upgraded later.
Making the project smaller. Trim that bathroom addition from 100 square feet to 80 square feet.
Buy it yourself.
You’ll save up to 20% on your project costs if you buy materials and
appliances yourself. Be sure to coordinate your BIY efforts with your
contractor
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!
5 Types of People Who Should Visit the Apostle Islands
After spending five days exploring the Apostle Islands, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are five groups of people who need to visit this area of Wisconsin. Now, if you’re looking for over-commercialized shops, chain restaurants, and ginormous waterparks; you won’t see yourself on this list. So give these descriptions a read and see if the Apostle Islands appeal to you for your next vacation.
Big Bay State Park KayakersAdventurer. The 22 islands that make up the Apostle Islands (21 of them are part of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore which is Wisconsin’s only National Park) offer unlimited areas to explore. Getting to the islands is half of the adventure itself. Once you’re there, you may find some trails and primitive campsites, but for the most part, you’re left to your own devices. If you enjoy open water, there’s plenty of that to paddle, but what I think makes Lake Superior unique are the caves you can kayak in, around and through. Sea caves are located on the mainland portion of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, but also around Sand Island and Devil’s Island – which I would say were the most breathtaking. And even if you’re just planning a trip to Madeline Island, leave your vehicle on the mainland and explore places like Big Bay Town Park and Big Bay State Park by bike or moped – rentals are conveniently located just blocks from the ferry dock.
Raspberry Island LighthouseSite-seer. So you’d like to see some of the things I described above but would prefer to do it from the comfort of a guided tour. Perfect. There are many tours to choose from. During our trip, we took an Evening Grand Tour and a Glass Bottom Boat Tour from Apostle Islands Cruises, based out of Bayfield, WI. Our captain took us past numerous eagles and talked about bear sightings on recent tours (we weren’t as lucky to see one for ourselves). Depending on the route the captain takes, you’d also see a few of the 8 lighthouses on the islands. Note: The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has more lighthouses than any other national park in the country. I was amazed by the captains skill at piloting the boat right alongside the sea caves… at one moment, I thought he was going to drive right into one. During our glass bottom boat tour, we were able to see one of the many shipwrecks in Lake Superior. With deeper water and recent storms, it wasn’t possible to see the wrecks that were below 15 feet deep during our trip. There are other tours where you can get off the boat and stretch your legs as you visit the Raspberry Island Lighthouse or discover the Singing Sands of Julian Bay on Stockton Island.
Plein Aire PainterArtist. Whether you’re a professional artist or just an admirer of the arts, make your way to the Apostle Islands. It’s impossible to NOT be inspired by this place. Sunrises, sunsets, sea caves (and ice caves), lighthouses, northern lights, wildlife, wild flowers, even a storm passing over Lake Superior can be moving. On Madeline Island alone, over 100 artists are represented in galleries and shops. I was told that there are more galleries on the island than bars… and in Wisconsin, that’s saying a lot. We also discovered the Madeline Island School of the Arts, or MISA. National and internationally renowned artists are brought in to conduct 5-day workshops in media ranging from watercolor painting and photography to quilting and writing. And since you stay right on site, you’re able to mingle with the artists throughout your stay – even when not in class.
Devil’s Island Sea CavesGeologist. Barrier spit, cuspate forelands, sand spits, tombolos and beaches. To many, those words may not mean much (except for beaches – who doesn’t love catching the sun on a beach), but they describe the five “sandscapes” that appear on the Apostle Islands. The sand on Julian Bay has a “musical” quality that can only be found on 10% of beaches in the world – referred to as the Singing Sands. Some of the most notable geological wonders of the islands are where land and water meet. Rock pools have been found on Bear, Devil’s and Stockton Islands – each sustaining a micro-ecosystem for a variety of creatures. And we already discussed the sea caves and ice caves where centuries of wave action sculpted the sandstone shoreline on some of the islands and mainland of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Madeline Island Historical Museum
Historian. For over 400 years ago, Native Americans, fur traders, and missionaries have inhabited Madeline Island with the flags of three nations flown on its shores. It’s hard to imagine that just about as the same time as the pilgrims were landing on Plymouth Rock, Etienne Brule, a French explorer visited Madeline Island. Just the maritime history of sailing and boating on the Lake Superior could have you immersed for years. Even the lighthouses on 6 of the islands have unique stories dating back to 1856. Today, you can tour the lighthouses and stop by the Madeline Island Museum which includes the only remaining building of the American Fur Company complex built at La Pointe in 1835. Planning your visit in summer, the museum’s “Connecting Cultures” historical encampment demonstrates everything from ink making, stone carving and smoking lake trout over a campfire.
So if you truly, I mean truly, need to get away from it all, get yourself on “island time” and make your way to the Apostle Islands. And be sure to catch the premiere of “The Island Life: Apostle Islands” Feb. 14-15 on Discover Wisconsin. (For air times, visit our broadcast guide.)
Madeline Island School of the Arts
Lupines on Madeline Island – Gary Knowles
Boat on the Water – Don Albrecht
Plein Aire Painter
Devil’s Island Sea Caves
Big Bay State Park Kayakers
Madeline Island Sunset
Beach Life at The Inn on Madeline Island
Big Bay State Park
Sea Cave Kayaking
Madeline Island School of the Arts
Madeline Island Historical Museum
Raspberry Island Lighthouse
Sea Cave Kayaking
Big Bay State Park
PHOTO CREDITS: AJ Marz, Chad Diedrick, Lois Carlson, Ros Nelson, Kiki Annis, Dustin Scholl, Steve Renne, Marty Curry, Gary Knowles, Dave Meiss, Don Albrecht, Steve McHugh, Hannah Hudson, Wisconsin Historical Society, August Johnston
Chad Diedrick is the managing producer for the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. In his 12+ years of discovering Wisconsin, Chad has seen virtually every corner of the state. Between filming breaks, you’re likely to catch Chad trying his hand at a round of disc golf at a local course. (His goal is to hit every disc golf course in Wisconsin!) Watch Discover Wisconsin Saturdays at 10 a.m. on FSN Wisconsin’s outdoor block.
If you have Family, Friends or Neighbors that are struggling with their mortgage there are options! Contact Amber Castonguay, your local CDPE & SHORT SALE EXPERT to see what your options are!