My family moved to Germantown when I was starting the 2nd grade.  That was about 33 years ago.  I lived there until I got married in 1991.  During that time, Germantown has grown significantly both in size and in population.  The population in 1980 was 10,729 (I still remember the signs announcing it along the roadsides).  By 2000, it had grown to 18,260.  They call themselves the Gateway to Washington County.  Neighbors to Germantown include Mequon, Menomonee Falls, Richfield and Milwaukee. SCHOOLS - Germantown now has four elementary schools, one middle and one high school serving almost 4,000 students.  You can visit http://www.germantown.k12.wi.us/ for more information about the school system. BUSINESS - The Village of Germantown is home to several business parks.  The most recent o... 12/03/2008

The GOOD NEWS IS:  Germantown has experienced increasing sales for 4 out of the last 6 months.  The numbers for September and October were slightly below the 2007 sold numbers. October Sales in 2008 were 5.  This was a slow month.  The election may have had this effect.  The stock market tanking may also have had a little to do with it. New listings in the last 3 months were down form last year.  Since January we have seen 18.5% fewer homes coming on the market than 2007. This indicates the market is getting better, with fewer homes in inventory and a little quicker sales for the properties that are on the market. Current inventory is  52 homes on the market.  This means that there is more than10 months of inventory on the market currently indicating that it is still a "buyers market" i... 11/28/2008

While the world does seem to be topsy turvey, Thanksgiving will give EVERYONE a chance to sit down with family and friends and count their blessings!  This year I am thankful for many different things.  Most importantly family and friends. Our grandkids are the cutest!  For everyones good health, yes some are challenged, but nothing life threatening.   I am thankful for the great career I have.  Moving offices this fall, I am thankful for everyone at my old office who helped me grow my business to a large group of happy buyers and sellers.  I am very grateful to my new office for the warm welcome, and tremendous espirit d'corps.  They are a great group of agents and staff that truly care about each other and their success!  I am very thankful for my assistant Mary, who has gotten me to ... 11/26/2008

We had our first real snow today!  Now, many people shudder at that thought...I love snow, well at least til Jan 31st, then it gets alittle old!  But it was so gorgeous this morning...and the snow hung on the tree branches most of the day....you have to look at this photo!         This is what we love about the winter, the sheer beauty!  (the cold is what makes those snow birds fly south!) So now, I have also changed my personal photo here reflecting the new season....'SEASONS CHANGE, SO DO HOUSING NEEDS!"  Can I help you or someone you know make a "change"? 11/24/2008

YES!!!  I was lucky enough to meet Michael Symon Iron Chefs this past Tuesday evening.  We met at a meet and greet at the Hotel Palomar in downtown Milwaukee.  The project is a luxury boutique hotel being launched by Kimpton Hotels....they have several others around the country.  The complex will be a mix of high end retail, hotel, condos,and restaurants that will break ground late 2009. Michael Symon is newest of the IRON CHEFS on the popular Food Network Channel.  Michael has midwest roots, and is excited about coming to Milwaukee and opening the restaurant within the future Hotel Palomar.  Milwaukee being the hometown of Harley Davidson is a bonus that he isreally EXCITED about!  The yet to be named restaurant will use a "farm to table" theme  featuring Wisconsin products.  Just comi... 11/21/2008

The annual Germantown Christmas Parade was a success this year...but missing all the snow from last year!    Our Theme was "we can sell anything!"  We had an amusing float with an outhouse....one of the kids was sitting inside reading "Shorewest Luxury HOMES" magazines - he must be dreaming of his new home?, We had an old sleigh on the float, and a for sale sign on each side with a SOLD SIGN on it....Participating agents from our office were dressed as elves and handed out goody bags,candy, drawing slips and fun stuff.  I handed out holiday pencils....You get further in life with a pencil than a bunch of candy that rots your teeth :)   More photos to follow, please check back! 11/15/2008

The stock market has been disappointing, the real estate market is too, now the Christmas Tree suffers a devasting event....what more could go wrong around here? You won't believe what happened today when the City went to cut down the giant Christmas tree for downtown!  Every year it is a big event, covered by local tv channels, interviewing the family who donated some giant fir tree from their yard...."we planted it when Susie was a baby, and look how big it is now!" the owner would proudly say....This year it wasn't quite so idyllic.  Watch this video, most entertaining is the reporters play by play, and reaction to the "event":                                                      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOU2-brZkLE                                                               ... 11/13/2008

I think about him alot...but being Veterans Day today, I have thought of him often!  On the radio you could call in and pay tribute to a veteran.  Most people had a touching patriotic story.  Seeing that my dad was somewhat of a comedian, I always think of his "veterans story"...it goes like this... My Dad, Herbert Christopher Gust (1925-1998) was in the Navy right out of school, so I would guess that would have been 1940's. He was stationed on the USS STOCKHAM, a navy destroyer, in the Pacific.  Well, my dad had a deformed finger tip.  It was the result of some accident...when we would ask him what happened, he told the "story" of how he saved the Admirals life one day.  He was on deck, as was the Admiral, and a bullet came flying by.  He held his hand up in the air so the bullet would... 11/11/2008

Join in the "Winter Fun" of the annual Christmas Parade in Germantown Saturday November 15th, 2pm. Will it be mild weather like we had in late October and early November, or will it be  a repeat of last years "winter wonderland"?  If you were there, you will remember it was a BLIZZARD!!!  It was great fun for all.  Whether you were on the curb watching the parade entries, catching candy thrown to the crowds or you were in the parade it was just plain fun.  How perfect for a Christmas parade?  A full all out blizzard that never let up.  It was still fun then...by February we would be sooo sick of snow, and by season end we'd have a record all time 99 inches of snow for the season. See you all at the annual parade, I will be there dressed as an elf in the Shorewest entry! A comical adapta... 11/11/2008

A MUST SEE PHOTO BELOW! In a bi-partisan expression of hatred of the press, Barney the white house dog took a bite out of a reporters hand this week!  It seems Realtors arent  the only ones sick of the negative reporting, the gloom and doom of the market...Let's start reporting on some of the good news out there in this market!  Low rates, great selection of inventory, tempered prices all mean a great time for buyers to get out there and write offers!  Take that you negative reporters!                                    HOW DO WE GET POSITIVE PRESS? If your paper is like ours and they only seem to find negative stats, stories and comments, YOU could write a guest editorial for the paper!  Has anyone tried that? 11/08/2008

Apparently, not very smart at all...YOu won't believe this video from our local news tonite: http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/33745859.html It is really unbelievable!  Shouldn't you know most of the answers to these questions?  Don't you think if you graduated from high school you should be able to answer these quesitons?  I guess that is what makes America so great, it is for ALL, educated and uneducated, rich (soon not to be any longer) and poor (soon to be richer!).... 11/03/2008

  It seems most people are planning on voting..Many have already voted either in person or by absentee. We thought we'd outsmart the crowds and vote absentee...so we got the forms, filled them out, sent them back last week.  I got home at about 6pm tonite to find a message on our machine from the village clerk.  Seems something wasn't signed on one part, and we had til 5 pm today to come in and sign... Hmmmmm....well, now what? I have a feeling we are out of luck, as we didn't get in there today, and if we cant do it tomorrow....and I think I heard that if you order an absentee ballot, you CANNOT go in person tomorrow to the poll. Not only is it a big presidential race, we have a very heated state senate race, and a big village referendum!  I think our votes won't count....  Hmmmm..anyo... 11/03/2008

WEll, it happened today.....we saw it....that sign that summer really is over, and fall might be too!  SNOW... We were eating with family at a brewery restaurant in Potosi Wi, located on the MIssissippi River, and we saw some snow flurries! I love fall, and am not ready for the white stuff!  Come on the kids are trick or treating on Friday....isn't it a little early? 10/26/2008

do Broker opens ever pay off more than the usual lunch, treats, or gift card drawings?  YES-and offer for the seller! My broker open from Tuesday just got an accepted offer from an agent who saw it during the broker open!  It was a dynamite house that you had to see in person!  sometimes photos just don't show how great a home is!  First you have to get the agents in the door by tempting them with lunch, treats, or a drawing for a gift card.  But by getting them in the door, they see just how nice the house is, and think of a buyer who would love it!  Voila!  A showing, and then an offer. While some agents poo poo these events, saying that photos on the internet are enough these days to introduce a property to agents and buyers, really getting them in the door is the key!   10/24/2008

If you love:  Beer, German food, German decor, German novelties, have I got a place for you!  Right in our back yard.  THE VON ROTHENBERG BIER STUBE right on Main Street in Germantown!  A unique Fachwerk (plaster & timber) building, the inside is charming.  Many German items decorate the interior, a hand carved bar, stained glass windows, and cozy seating areas.  But the featured item is BEER! Most restaurants have a wine list, well here you get a bier list with over 200 bottled beers from around the world and 6 German draught beers.  All served in the proper glass from a mug or a pilsner to "DAS BOOT"... A small menu will please you with some German favorites including Leberkase (my husbands favorite-reminds him of his childhood years in Germany).  In summer there is an outdoor beer ga... 10/22/2008

Reporting on sales and activity for Germantown Wisconsin for the month ending September 30, 2008.  September sales in Germantown show as 17 closings.  In 2007 data shows 9 sales for the same time period.  Year to date there have been 125 sales, in 2007 there were 158 for the same period. There are currently 84 active listings in Germantown.  That is a little over 5 months supply on the market.  This indicates we are in a better market than we have seen in 2 years!  When inventory is at 5 months or less, it is considered a "sellers" market. Sales are up from 2007 - that is a good sign.  Inventory is down, this too is a very good sign for the real estate market. NATIONWIDE: Building permits across the country are down to just under a million, historically this is an INDICATOR that we have... 10/18/2008

Be sure to make it out to The Oktoberfest Celebration at Dheinsville Park in Germantown. Admission:  FREE Parking:  FREE Enjoy dancing under the large tent, relax to the sounds coming from the hexagonal pavilion or enjoy some food! One specialty to make sure not to miss is the "kastuffel puffer" (potato pancakes).  Sales by the high school's German honor roll students. There is also a silent auction with traditional German gift baskets.  The baskets are on display at the Bast Bell Museum located on the corners of Maple., Hwy 145 and Holy Hill Roads.   More information is available on the Bast Bell Museum here. Oktoberfest is on September 27 and 28th from 12 noon to 9 pm, located at the intersections of Holy Hill Rd, Maple Rd and Highway 145. Bands will be playing during the festivities.... 09/27/2008

Since there are so many restaurants out there that are more than willing to take your money and throw some food together for you I thought it would be good to highlight the exceptional local restaurants. Today's Main Dish - Ribs! For the local consumer, the main place to go for a great rack of ribs is Jerry's Old Town Inn of Germantown, WI.  Whether you are dining alone, celebrating an anniversary, or having a get together with good friends Jerry's Old Town Inn can accommodate almost any occasion. With a friendly and skilled staff on hand they take care of all the details of the night with ease. The main event is a Thursday Night Rib Special were people come from afar to delight in the "Famous Ribs" that are served in huge portions for an affordable fare. Jerry's offers a full bar as we... 07/24/2008

Picture Profile of Germantown, WI (aka Dheinsville, WI) Historical Marker Map of Location Village Hall Local Church and Museum Historical Building Kinderberg Park GTown Football Jerry's Old Town Inn Water Tower First Financial Bank Even a new convenience... Walmart Germantown offers the old world atmosphere with some modern conveniences as well. 07/11/2008

Located in southeast Washington County, the beautiful village of Germantown, Wisconsin has been in high demand lately due to its convenient location to larger cities and commute times. The local economy has experienced a steady increase since the 1960s. Many retail and service-oriented businesses have capitalized on the increasing population. Many of the area's residents are employed in the social services, education and health fields. The Germantown School District is in charge of the public education of the city's children. Germantown residents hold their history dear to their hearts as well. Many of the original buildings in the area have been meticulously preserved for future generations to enjoy as well as those of today. The Shrine of Mary at the Bascilica of the Holy Hill is a te... 06/17/2008