Join me this sunday at my first ope house on this great home in Sunberry Downs of Germantown!  $289,000  3BR, 2.5 baths, Mint condition, finished lower level  A MUST SEE!   see all the photos on this slide show, then join me on sunday!  http://pattasker.shorewest.com/slideshow:1187737?pres_agent=4962 covering the suburbs of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee Counties Looking for a Realtor in the Milwaukee Metro Area?  Call Pat Tasker at 414-588-4907          Pat Tasker is your Milwaukee area Real Estate specialist.  Her knowledge of the Milwaukee area and surrounding communities allows her to thoroughly assist you in meeting all of your real estate needs and goals.Contact Pat if you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have addition... 03/04/2011

Germantown Happenings March 2011- Germantown Wisconsin The weather may have March coming in like a lamb, but our programming roars forward!  If you have questions on any of these events, don't hesitate to contact Lynn Grgich at the Chamber of Commerce office, 262.255.1812. Reminder:  If you haven't already done so, please complete the brief Membership Survey sent last week; deadline is 3/10/11.  Here is the link again for your convenience:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RLDW6QB  Thank you for your feedback; it is important. Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 11:30am-1:00pm Joint Leadership Luncheon a joint effort of Leadership Germantown and Leadership Menomonee Falls, to be held at Davian's Banquet Facility & Conference Center.  Menomonee Falls Chief of Police, Anna Ruzinski, will be the keynot... 03/01/2011

La Chimenea, a great Mexican Restaurant in Germantown Wisconsin When this restaurant first came to town we wondered why Mexican in a German based community? Well, the answer we unofficially got was because we don't have a Mexican restaurant in Germantown, Ok, works for me.  Since then, my wife (Donna) and I have been to La Chimenea many times and tonight we decided to visit again.  We went at 6pm on Friday and although the restaurant was full, we were seated immediately. Immediately is a word I could use frequently as the service was quick, fast and accurate.  Upon seating, we were served warm fresh tortilla chips and fresh salsa and dinner was sizzling Steak Fajitas and Shrimp Tequila. Our meals were fresh, hot and excellent.  We both couldn't help but notice how quick the wait and bu... 02/25/2011

DO YOU LIVE IN TREE TOPS IN GERMANTOWN? Be sure to attend the annual Tree Tops in Germantown homeowners association meeting, March 3, 2011  7pm at the Germantown Library.  Important discussion topics include: Annual Budget & Dues Voting results regarding rule changes for pools and satelite dishes Committe Sign Ups Board Member Election The good news is that the annual dues will remain the same at $325 for the year. A Special thank you to Del Abel, Jerry Bakula & Laurel Stadler, Tree Tops homeowners who have served on the board the past year.  It is virtually a thankless job and a lot of work and meetings, to keep things running smooth around the subdivision!  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIME THIS PAST YEAR! covering the suburbs of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwauke... 02/22/2011

This time of year, Ice Dams are a common occurance on some homes.  Here is an excellent article on ice dams by Tom Feiza Mr Fix It, a local home inspector in the Milwaukee Metro area. Ice dams are not a defect in the house, but more so a weather induced condition.  With certain style roof lines, gables and valleys, during a warm winter melt, the snow on a roof starts to thaw.  Once the sun goes down, and temps drop, the melted water starts to back up under the shingle edges.  Mr Fix Its article explains in depth the causes and solutions.  Ice dams can be temporarily solved by putting a nylon stocking filled with snow melt (not rock salt) on the icy gutter.  This sausage shaped tube will help melt a groove for the melting water to escape. A permanent solution can sometimes be achieved wi... 02/22/2011

First time buyers usually know exactly what they want in a new home.  The surprising thing, is that sometimes the list is quite long.  The idea of a "starter home" has been lost when it comes to the real estate market of today.  If you are a first time buyer, take a step back there are a few things to really consider: NOT PERFECT!  Your first home will not be a perfect home.  And it's ok!  A starter home is just that-a start.  It's your chance to get your foot in the door of homeownership.  To stop paying rent and start claiming a great tax deduction.  A chance to stop observing a quiet after 9 rule, and do what you please in your own domain! YOUR PARENTS HOME that you left is probably not their starter home.  They probably "moved up" from their starter home, into the home you left.  Th... 02/21/2011

The Germantown Wisconsin Historical Society Board of Directors at the 24th Annual Old Settler's Banquet. Held at Bub's Irish Pub in Germantown. Bottom Row: Gordon Bast, Eileen Denow, Carol Middle Row: Peggy Bast, Sandi Dhein, Mary Brunell Top Row: Kevin Nash, Jeff Dhein 02/20/2011

Germantown Happenings February 2011- Germantown Wisconsin   Here is what is going on in and around Germantown that may be of interest to you and your co-workers: Sunday, February 20, 2011, 11:00am-2:00pm 24th Old Settlers Club Banquet hosted by the Washington County Historical Society Join us for an afternoon of memories as we celebrate the heritage of Germantown.  The event will also include a special presentation on the history of Germantown.  This event will be held at Bub's Irish Pub, N116 W16218 Main Street, Germantown.  Cost: $17/person To make reservations, please call 262-335-4678. February 23, 2011 deadlineVendors needed for the 9th Annual Women's Fair hosted by Froedtert Health on Saturday, March 19th, 2011, 8:00am-2:00pm at Washington County Fair Park.  The Women's Fair, a ce... 02/17/2011

Yep, good thing I brought my boots! 02/02/2011

If you live in the Metro Milwaukee Area (or any snowy region of the country), you have had to put up with your share of snow, slush and slop!It's hard enough for some to live through winter and the lovely weather it brings to us.  If you have your home for sale, it brings even more challenges.  MSN has a great article on making the most of the winter showings you are lucky to get!    The one thing that is a challenge, not covered on this list is the MESS created by snow, slush and boots....My recommendation to all sellers is to have a large enough area rug at the entry door, so buyers and their agent have enough room to come in, and get their boots or shoes off, without the others in the party hanging out the open door.  One of my sellers was even so considerate to have a chair in a gre... 01/31/2011

  What is the value of a Home Warranty when selling your home?  Immeasurable in my eyes, having sold real estate for the past 22 years!  While the likes of financial experts, namely Clark Howard are not keen on buying a home warranty when selling your home, I totally disagree and have facts to prove their value. A home warranty when selling your home is not an insurance policy, which covers accidents.  A home warranty covers break downs and failures of mechanical components in a home, such as clogged drains and failed water heaters, HVAC breakdowns, appliance failures and sometimes roof leaks. Typically the price is anywhere from $350 - $550(depending on the deductible and coverage amounts), and covers for the home for a one year period. Home warranties are getting extremely popular as ... 01/12/2011

Are you buying a home in Germantown Wisconsin, then look out for other buyers An interesting thing has happened to me this last week. I've gotten a ton of calls on one of my homes for sale. Ordinarily this wouldn't be such a big deal because I want calls on my homes for sale so then why is this such a big deal?   First of all, there is an accepted offer on the home, so for all practical purposes, it's sold. But more importantly, it tells me that there are buyer's out there, lots of buyers! Could this mean that our market is heating up? If you are planning on buying a home this year there are several things you must do  and a few steps you need to take prior to seeing any homes. The number one aspect to understand initially when searching for a home is that there are other buyer's out th... 01/12/2011

PHOTO CREDIT:  PAT TASKER 2010   covering the suburbs of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee Counties Looking for a Realtor in the Milwaukee Metro Area?  Call Pat Tasker at 414-588-4907   Pat Tasker is your Milwaukee area Real Estate specialist.  Her knowledge of the Milwaukee area and surrounding communities allows her to thoroughly assist you in meeting all of your real estate needs and goals.Contact Pat if you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area.  Visit Pat's website - please consider it as your online source for local real estate information, and return often for the latest property listing updates 01/11/2011

If you build it, they will come. If it goes under, then what? Big Box Stores all across the country like Kmart, Sears and Circut City have come and gone and seemed liked the place to shop until  the "Great Recession" left many of them shuttered and left for dead.  Milwaukee has seen it's share of big box store closings but that has created some good opportunities. Milwaukee's Ray Petro has decided to make a mountain out of a mole hill, an Indoor Mountain Bike Park that is. Introducing Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park. This is a  former Menard's store on the northwest side of Milwaukee  which was an empty warehouse that is now  a maze of wooden ramps, bike lanes, dridges and boardwalks, there is even a contraption that resembles a draw bridge.  Trees, rocks and logs also add to the obstac... 01/10/2011

Compliments of the Germantown Chamber of Commerce Welcome New Chamber Members:  checkout the website:www.germantownchamber.org   and click onNew Chamber Members.   Why not give them a call, introduce yourself as afellow chamber member and meet to exchange business information.  Who knowswhere it might lead? Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:30am-9:00amWIN Washington County Interactive Networking is made up of the Germantown,Hartford and West Bend Area Chambers of Commerce.  This month's meeting willbe located at Aldo's Pizza & Pub, W156 N11058 Pilgrim Road, Germantown.Please be prepared to deliver a 30-second commercial to the group onyourself, your business or a special promotion you are offering.  Attendanceaverages 35-40 business representatives.  Cost: ... 01/09/2011

   BuBs Irish Pubin Germantown is the best Irish Pub in the metro area, according to some.  Bubs is located on the west end of the business area of downtown Main Street, the heart of Germantown.  Voted the best live entertainment, BuBs Irish Pub in Germantown has live music every Friday and Saturday night, with headliners like: The Toys, Chasin Mason, Sweet Tarts, Oil Can Harry.  Click herefor a schedule of entertainment and daily specials offered by BuBs in Germantown.  BuBs features specials daily, from Pizza & Pitcher, Girls Night Out, and Friday Fish Frys.    Some believe BuBs Irish Pub in Germantown WI to be the largest Irish Pub ever!  With 15,000 square feet, it features a full restaurant, large bar, gaming area, and banquet hall.  The Friday Fish Fry a Wisconsin staple, is very ... 01/09/2011

Can you guess the word of the year for 2010?  I bet when you hear it, you will smack your head and say "Oh yeah", in agreement!  Every year, the American Dialect Society takes nominations for a Word of The Year.  Then they go through them all and pick one that is most appropriate for the honor.  Last year, 2009 the word of the year was TWEET.  Once a decade the they pick a special honor for a Word of the Decade and it was GOOGLE for the first decade of the 21st century. SO WHAT IS THE WORD OF THE YEAR FOR 2010??  Drum rolllllll please:  APP, as in application, ie:  "There's an APP for that".   If you are around anyone with a smart phone, especially an Iphone or Evo, you hear it all the time!  I just saw it in some comments on AR this morning in fact.  My company Shorewest Realtors, has ... 01/08/2011

This beer bike in Koln, Germany is operated by the power of the riders.  They pedal and drink around town.  The bar tender is in the middle, and a non-drinking driver steers it.  The riders pay by the hour and 30 litres of bier are included for a 2 hour ride.   Milwaukee Wi had one this past summer, but could not get the approval to serve beer...so much for a bier bike.... PH0TO CREDIT:  ERIK TASKER JULY 2009 covering the suburbs of Greater Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee Counties Looking for a Realtor in the Milwaukee Metro Area?  Call Pat Tasker at 414-588-4907   Pat Tasker is your Milwaukee area Real Estate specialist.  Her knowledge of the Milwaukee area and surrounding communities allows her to thoroughly assist you in meeting all of your real estate needs a... 01/07/2011

As of February lst, Wisconsins new Carbon Monoxide Law requires all homes to have a CARBON MONOXIDE detectors. Some municipalities with code compliance requirements related to sales of properties may already have this rule in effect, but as of February lst, the entire state will fall under this new law.  Wisconsins new Carbon Monoxide Law is  an expansion of the current law that covers one and two family dwellings. The expansion now requires these saftey devices in the basement and all levels of the dwelling, except attic and storage areas of new and existing homes.  Wisconsin Department of Commerce has the details regarding this change in law.CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS will protect your family from potentially fatal poisoning from this odorless, tasteless and invisible gas. It seems lik... 01/07/2011

Pride of ownership shows in properties and indicates the love and dedication of an owner.  As an agent at Shorewest Realtors, I am proud of this company for several reasons.  One of them is their dedication to the community that gives us their business.  Every year, thousands of dollars are put back into the community in various ways.  One of them is our annual Christmas Is For Kids Christmas Party that hosts 400 needy kids.  Our Blood Drives, coat collections, United Way, United Performing Arts fun collections are others.  Here is an accounting of the charitable efforts over the past year.  I am proud to call Shorewest home! "Brookfield, Wisconsin.  Shorewest, Realtors® and its family of companies donated over $23,000 in 2010 through its monthly Casual for a Day days. Each month one of... 01/04/2011