Renee Downing, First Weber

06/25/2026

Something I've seen with first time home buyers is their selection of a mortgage company can cause emotional stress when a second opinion is encouraged. The second opinion comes back with a totally different response than the first, leaving the buyers wondering which one is correct, and why the first one didn't do a thorough research. This left the buyers, in reality, without the amount needed to finance the homes we had been looking at. Fortunately, the buyers decided they would continue renting until things worked out. This ended up saving a lot of embarrassment for them, had an offer been made and accepted, only to fall through in the end.
Remember, a second opinion is not always a bad thing!

06/24/2026

Ask yourself: Would a buyer be interested in my house?
Five things buyers look for
1) Lighting. Swap out those yellow bulbs for soft white LEDs and open up those drapes to let more light in.
2) Flooring. Do you need to replace, refresh, or deep clean?
3) Paint. Does the home have warm inviting colors? Think neutral colors
4) Finishes. The lighting and hardware. Could they use some refreshing?
5) Smell. It does matter! Do some deep cleaning and open up those windows for some fresh air
I'd be happy to walk you through some of these things and show you where you'll able to get the most return

06/23/2026

With Summer comes festival time!
Summerfest is a huge music festival, dubbed "The world's largest outdoor music festival" running Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays from June 16 til July 4. A variety of artists will be performing on 12 different stages. The festival will be celebrating it's 58th anniversary this year. Head on down to the Henry Maier Festival Park on the Lake Michigan shore and enjoy the music.

06/19/2026

There are so many summer activities in the area to enjoy. Here are just a few.

Cool Waters Aquatic Center is a great place for the kids to meet up with their friends on a hot day.

The Milwaukee Zoo with all the animals/exhibits, a chairlift ride across the zoo, Sky Adventure Ropes Course/Zipline, a petting zoo, educational shows, and the North Shore Bank Safari Train.

The Mitchell Park Domes where you'll find three domes showcasing three different ecosystems: Rainforest, Desert, and a rotating floral show dome.

And of course there are multiple playgrounds and picnic areas to enjoy as well.

Make it a great summer!

06/18/2026

When getting ready to sell your home, remember that buyers aren't looking at your home like you do on a daily basis. They're not looking at the scratches and tiny cracks, nor the outdated paint colors as long as it's not done in bright neons, the dated carpet as long as it's clean, nor the older appliances as long as they work.
They are looking for the potential to make it their own, so think like a buyer. Spend where needed: freshen up the mulch, power wash decks and siding, fix broken fixtures, water damage, and that missing trim.
Don't stress for perfection.
I'd be happy to help with any questions you might have or if you just need to toss some ideas around.

06/17/2026

Here are some Staycation options for your summer planning:

A visit to the Wisconsin Dells is always a fun time with plenty of waterparks, natural scenery, river tours, dining and shopping, and various activities for all ages.

Honey Berry Pancakes and Cafe is a great place for breakfast. Large portions and excellent service. I had pancakes for breakfast the next morning as well!

The Seven Bridges Trail in South Milwaukee's Grant Park is a fun 2-mile loop trail with creeks, bridges, stairs, ravines, and stone paths that lead to a beach. I enjoyed the peaceful hike, listening to the birds and to the waves at the beach.

06/16/2026

Let's play a game!
Two truths- one lie
Can you guess the lie?

1) I worked at a zoo for several years and was run over by a young giraffe when a gate failed
2) I rode in a hot air balloon
3) I badly bruised my tailbone showing a house

12/07/2021

Dreaming of a new home? This 2 BED, 1 full and 1 half BATH home might be the one you've been thinking of.

End unit, 2 story condo with 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Full basement that could be built-out for that She cave or Man cave. Near public transportation. Just around corner from Heyer Elementary with the playground and tennis courts. Laminate flooring on first floor and carpet on the second floor....

12/06/2021

Check out these tips for writing a great resume.

Resumes can let employers know in 20 seconds or less why you are a good fit for their company. Learn how to make your resume work for you.