January 07, 2024

Bruce's Team - Milwaukee Magazine - How Our Story Began, and How We Can Help!

January 07, 2024/ Erica Petri

I began my journey helping seniors and their families about 35 years ago. It started when I gave my first talk at a senior community to a group of seniors and their families. My talk encompassed the emotional aspects of making a move from their long-time as touching on the overwhelming emotions experienced prior to making their decision to stay or move from their homes. The audience was so very thankful for the information I provided, and let me know that I gave them the strength and courage to make their move which they wished to make.

March 20, 2023

Why is Housing Inventory at Record Lows in 2023?

March 20, 2023/ Erica Petri

There could be several reasons why homeowners have decided to stay put for the last 4 years.

The pandemic has certainly played a role in those deciding to wait for that perfect time to move. Are you one of those would-be sellers? If you are, here are some reasons based on my interviews with potential sellers:

January 18, 2023

Welcome 2023!

January 18, 2023/ Guest User

Every new year I assemble a vision board with inspiring graphics and goals that transport me into the realm of possibility. I know. It’s an idealistic venture, but it’s my personal opportunity to reconfigure in a hopeful way. And then there’s real estate. Each new real estate year brings some preparedness, but equal parts buckling up for total uncertainty. I once heard the saying, “if you can’t be good, be consistent.” Thus, 2023 is just another consistent year of riding the volatile market wave.

November 08, 2022

The Holidays and Real Estate…Friend or Foe?

November 08, 2022/ Erica Petri

The holidays are here and what is going through your mind right now? Are you anxious? Do you have unfounded fears that seep through your usually logical mind? Will family get along this year? Do you think you have changed in a way that makes you wonder how you will react when family gathers this year? Are you playing an old tape in your mind that is not who you are today? Does your current living situation reflect who you are both physically and mentally? What does the coming year mean to you? Is your current lifestyle a reflection of who you truly are today? Do you have a spouse or partner that has had health changes and assessing the future in both housing and needs?

October 17, 2022

Sales Down…Prices?

October 17, 2022/ Erica Petri

No matter where you go or who you talk to, everyone has a different take on the future of our money and direction of home prices. Any homeowner today, especially long-term owner, has had the fortune of watching your home equity rise over the last 14 years. It seems like yesterday, but the financial crisis of 2008 is over a decade in a half in our past! Remember as you grew up your parents would always tell you how time speeds up as you age. Boy was that true!

September 09, 2022

Do Rising Interest Rates Impact Home Sales?

September 09, 2022/ Erica Petri

I will begin this article by answering the title of this article…YES…MAYBE.

Many of us purchased our first home in the early 80’s. How can we forget the effect of rising interest rates as we secured our very first mortgage. Just to jog your memory of that very uncertain period, here is a rate sheet from the old First Wisconsin Bank:

May 03, 2022

Have We Reached the Peak? What Goes Up Must….

May 03, 2022/ Erica Petri

Anyone owning a home today is thrilled to see the incredible appreciation over the last 5 years. Just this year we have seen a 19% increase in home values! That can put a smile on your face but as we all know too well, what goes up must come down. That old saying holds true in every sector of our economy, including housing. Not too long ago, interest rates were at all-time lows at 2.8% for a 30-year fixed rate. We are now approaching 6% for that same 30-year mortgage. Imagine you are trying to buy your first home and not only rates have gone up, but home prices have skyrocketed. There is a breaking point where young buyers will back away from submitting an offer and wait for homes to become more affordable for their budget.

April 15, 2022

How Healthy Are You…Really?

April 15, 2022/ Erica Petri

Look, we all feel about 20-30 years younger mentally, but our true age is known by all body parts! You know what I mean. We make that turn, that move that we have done for most of our lives and ouch! Where did that come from. Next thing we know it’s rehab. My point is that when thinking about where we live, our homes should match who we TRULY are TODAY.

March 07, 2022

Sell Your Home…Then What!

March 07, 2022/ Erica Petri

By now, everyone reading this article has heard about the hot real estate market. But what does that really mean to you, a homeowner? When the topic of real estate comes up when I meet folks who know I am in real estate, the first thing I hear is, “you sure are lucky to be in real estate in this crazy hot market…must be great!” Now, ask anyone actually in real estate, and they will tell you how exasperating it is, and how difficult it is to find a buyer a home. Here is an example. A couple of days ago, a past client who is thinking of downsizing called me to look at a home in Waukesha County. It had just come on the market a day earlier, so we wanted to get there as soon as possible. When we arrived, we noticed on the counter the cards of the Realtors who had shown that home in the last 24 hours. There were at least 20 cards, and I was told so far 6 offers! Add to that the home would have sold in 2008 for about $300,000. Now it was over $500,000! What is cause of this overheated market?

February 16, 2022

Inflation and the Real Estate Market…What to Expect!

February 16, 2022/ Erica Petri

With our 24/7 news cycle, we are inundated with stories that just keep repeating causing nightmares and constant worry. How many times have you heard the word “inflation” in the last 6 months? Inflation is a loaded word with many implications. This article is focusing on the relationship between inflation and the home you own.

December 13, 2021

Time to Reflect

December 13, 2021/ Erica Petri

Holidays can bring cheer, generosity, and fellowship, but it can also stir up emotions that have lingered beneath the surface. My articles are bent toward real estate and how we can make better decisions when the situation calls for action. The same is true for what feelings lie beneath the surface as we begin to ponder our lives and well-being.

November 12, 2021

I Want to Move…What Choices Do I Have?

November 12, 2021/ Erica Petri

Well, now you have reached that age…you know, that number that says it can’t be you, must be your parents! It is you and now you have some very important decisions to make. Like all of us, with longevity comes issues which are financial, physical changes and financial challenges. We all want our money to last. None of us want to rely on others for our well-being. Staying independent for as long as possible is the goal.