“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn
Quote of the Week
February 10th, 2012Apple’s iPhone is now Bigger than ALL of Microsoft
February 7th, 2012Hard to believe? Here is a great post from Mark Perry:
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2012/02/apples-iphone-alone-is-bigger-than.html
Just How They Drew It Up
January 13th, 2012Quote of the Week
January 4th, 2012The Relationship between Property Taxes and Property Values
December 22nd, 2011“When you buy a house, you’re not just committing to a mortgage. You are also promising to pay the future property taxes on that house. What drives those local property taxes are the future costs of paying state and local workers and retirees, particularly retirees’ pensions and health care. These costs are going in one direction: up.
Unless state and local governments take steps now to reduce future costs, or unless they plan on suddenly repudiating their promises to their public-sector work forces one day, every dollar in unfunded pension and health-care costs is up to a dollar less in the future value of a house.”
~Nicole Gelinas, NRO article “How Taxes Drive Down Home Values“
Why NOT to Mountain Bike in Africa
December 22nd, 2011Google’s Year in Review Video
December 18th, 2011Flash Mob Breaks Out Xmas Carols at Univ. of Minnesota
December 15th, 2011Wisconsin’s 7 Prohibited Residential Lease Provisions
December 6th, 2011
These items are not allowed in your Wisconsin leases. There is a link at the end of the post that will provide additional detail.
1. You cannot authorize the eviction of a tenant from the property other than by the judicial eviction process.
2. You cannot require the acceleration of rent payments if the tenant defaults or breaches the rental agreement. Meaning you cannot require that the tenant immediately pay all future rent through the end of the term.
3. You cannot waive the landlord’s duty to mitigate damages ie trying to re-rent the unit.
4. You cannot require the tenant to pay the landlord’s attorney’s fees or costs that are incurred in any legal action or dispute arising under the rental agreement.
5. You cannot relieve the landlord from liability for property damage or personal injuries caused by the landlord’s negligent acts or omissions. To put it simply, if the landlord causes damage or injury to a tenant then the landlord will be responsible for it.
6. You cannot impose liability on a tenant for injuries or damages which are clearly beyond the tenant’s control or any damage caused by natural disasters or by persons other then the tenant or the tenant’s guests.
7. You cannot waive your responsibility to provide the tenant with an apartment that is liveable and safe. A landlord also has the responsibility to repair and maintain the property to insure that it remains safe and liveable.
Click here to find more detail on these prohibited transactions via Tristan’s Landlord-Tenant Law Blog.
Two Reasons To Rent Before Buying in a New City
December 6th, 2011People relocate to Wisconsin for work all the time. These people usually owned their homes in their previous city so they think they need to own here right away too. Here are two things to consider before heading down that road.
1. It takes time to learn the city and its neighborhoods
Buying real estate is a commitment to the home and the area. You can’t be an informed buyer unless you’ve spent some time exploring the neighborhoods. Take a year to learn the different parts of town and the characteristics of the various neighborhoods. Each week, explore a new restaurant in a different part of town. Go for a walk or do your grocery shopping in another. Also, take time to learn about city politics and government, to check out the local board of education and school districts (if you have kids), and to explore the parks and playgrounds. Once the year is up, you’ll be in a much better position to make the commitment.
2. Moving to a new city causes enough stress; why add to it?
Moving is never easy. So much happens at once, especially when you’re relocating to a new town. You have to say goodbye to your friends and family, pack up the house, close out your work, and hire movers — and then do most of the same on the other side, including finding a new place to live.
Too much change at once is hard to deal with, and focusing your energies on finding a home to buy leads to additional stress and anxiety. On the other hand, renting a home can give you flexibility and simplicity. The stakes are so much lower, because you know that wherever you chose to live is only temporary.
