8 Hillside Sells
The lakefront market has been on quite a run of late. You know this. I know this. The Chicago media knows this. The run appears to have come out of … Read more
South Shore Club Sells
Around 2012 I was hired by the developers to take over the marketing of the South Shore Club. The prior attempts were fine, but my angle was different. It seemed … Read more
Lake Geneva Lake Access Market Update
In a way, it would be easier to do this job if I didn’t have any experience. If I just started selling real estate in the last decade, maybe because … Read more
South Lakeshore For Sale
Here’s perhaps the most seldom available type of property on Geneva Lake: A brand new home. This stylish lake house boasts luxury finishes and wide open spaces on 160′ of … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
The lens through which I view the business of real estate and the economy as a whole is heavily influenced by a variety of smart people with whom I speak … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
Well, the market has spoken. I’m Hot. That’s what it said. It said it doesn’t care about things it used to care about as long ago as May. It said … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Inventory
Well, we’re about to engage in a rather interesting experiment. I’m engaging in it more than you are, but we’re all involved. Sort of. If you’ve paid attention to the … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
It seems like it might be a nice time to remind you that not every sale is reflective of the actual market. This is true during all markets, but it’s … Read more
Open House King
Two open houses this weekend, both on Creekside Lane. Noon to 2 pm, Saturday, August 2nd. Stop over and buy one of them, or both of them. There will not … Read more
Academy Estates For Sale
At the end of a long private driveway is where you’ll find this beautifully maintained lake house. Immense privacy (lot size 1.4 acres) combines with a deep water boat slip … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
I don’t have any lakefront deals pending this morning. I say that because over the past 15 years, there haven’t been very many days when that statement was true. Oh … Read more
Brandy’s Old Fashioned Fish Fry Review
Cooper Flagg, a basketball player from the state of Maine, was the number one pick in the NBA this year. He was only 19 when he played in his first … Read more
700 Club Sells
If you’re a member of the Lake Geneva Country Club and you’d like to live on the lake, there’s a spot for you that’s rather perfect. In this spot the … Read more
Lake Geneva Most Expensive Sales
It’s probably a good time to think about valuations. Specifically, how valuations should be viewed in light of comparable sales. One year ago, I closed on Aloha Lodge. Aloha Lodge … Read more
Public Lands
A long, long time ago I was enamored with the trout in a particular stream in the Wisconsin Driftless. This stream and its native trout, were, as best I could … Read more
North Creekside
Academy Estates is home to this brand new Michael Abraham designed residence, replete with everything you haven’t been able to find. The architecture is stunning, with high end fit and … Read more
Summer Homes For City People
If you were at the lake this past weekend, I’m hopeful you noticed the newest issue of my magazine. If not, that’s okay, it’ll be available through August anywhere similarly … Read more
Memorial Day Weekend
It’s a tradition unlike any other: An Upper Midwest Memorial Day Weekend carried out amidst the hindering malaise that is cold, rainy, cloudy, and otherwise unpleasant weather. Add in the … Read more
Conference Point Sells
You likely read about this one in Crain’s last week, but I guess I might as well lay claim to the deal. While this house was built in 2011 or … Read more
Geneva National For Sale
Take a look at this magnificent estate on the Trevino Course in Geneva National. Lowell built this home to his exacting standard, but a recent renovation with interior design by … Read more
George Williams College Sells
I suppose that’s an inaccurate headline. The college didn’t sell, but the land that once hosted the YMCA camp and later Aurora University’s Williams Bay operations, has sold. I have … Read more
South Lakeshore Drive Sells
Earlier this month I closed on the house behind Casa Del Sueno for $3.175M. That house with a private shared pier and pool was a rare offering at the lake, … Read more
April Lake Geneva Market Update
If you had to pick the worst month of the year, please list the reasons why it is, without any doubt, the month of April. It’s dark and it’s cold, … Read more
Sidney Smith Sells
I remember well the days I felt as though I had discovered a unique arbitrage in the lakefront market. The play way back then was to buy a lot for … Read more
Interesting
In a particularly important segment of the television show “Seinfeld”, George’s friend Gary Fogel confesses that he has been living a lie. Unbothered by the admission, George responds, “Just one? … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
On one hand, I know that market corrections are common. I know that they’re necessary. I know that the money that evaporates isn’t really evaporated unless I sell. I know … Read more
Hockey Guy
It’s been often said that there was a time when you went outside to play with your friends that was the last time you would ever do that. The last … Read more
Lake Geneva Real Estate Market Update
Let’s pretend we’re in the business of selling used cars. In order for this pretend situation to barely hold up to my intended comparison, we’ll need to assume the used … Read more
2024 Lake Geneva Lakefront Condo Market Review
Once upon a time in Lake Geneva, I had a call from an owner in Vista Del Lago. This was around the time when I was selling lakefront condominiums at … Read more
Eastbank Sells
When you’re considering condominiums on Geneva, you essentially have two options. You can either buy a regular condo, or you can buy an Eastbank townhouse. We should probably allow Somerset … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront 2024 Market Review
The equity market rally from 2023 and a slow decline in long term interest rates should set up 2024 to be another solid year for the lakefront market here. Buyer … Read more
Beach Road
Wooddale has, over the past decade, been a rather significant beneficiary of the lakefront and lake access gentrification. A lakefront that was once populated with cottages has become something else. … Read more
Merry Lake Geneva Christmas
A note from my family to yours during this festive time of year. It is not lost on me that I have found an incredible community of clients and friends … Read more
Chapin Road Sells
If you’re an owner on the southern shore of Geneva Lake, you will readily offer up the reasons that you find the south shore to be the superior shore. Chief … Read more
Casa Del Sueno
While not commonly known by the market, there are a handful of single family homes that exist behind Casa Del Sueno that are part of the subdivision known as the … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
There’s something fascinating about the vacation home market here. On any given Tuesday it can feel like a tomb. Lifeless. Stale. A market so terrible that I consider opening the … Read more
George Williams College Part Two
My last post regarding the George Williams College redevelopment plan was met with some interesting replies. While a vast majority of Williams Bay property owners and local stakeholders I’ve spoken … Read more
Winterizing Your Lake House
Ah, but I’ve already tricked you. Because the headline, for 99.85% of those reading this, doesn’t apply. There were olden times where we’d use our lake houses in the summer … Read more
George Williams College X Topography
In the winter of 1996, during my senior year of high school, I stole a prop sign off of the George Williams College campus during the filming of the Keanu … Read more
Outing Sells
This was a nice little sale for the buyer and the seller and the market. My most recent lakefront sale, this of a classic cottage (with updates) on Outing on … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
I take no pleasure in the storms that have battered Florida. Not for the storms from the years before this year, not for the storms this year, and certainly not … Read more
Pier 166 Sells
I think a lot about my clients. I think about the buyers and the sellers, the new to the market types and the long time owners. I think about the … Read more
8 North Lake Shore Sells
Sometimes, sellers sell and move away. They had their fill and then they push away from the scene and slink into the night. Enough, they say. They move to the … Read more
Lake Geneva Representation
Let’s think about the way a typical buyer or seller finds their agent. Someone knows someone who knows someone they should call. This referral might be based on some sort … Read more
Circle Parkway Sells
What is it that you want? Do you want a sanitized existence smothered in perfection? Do you value things and places that make you feel sterile and secure? Do you … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
Oops I did it again. That’s what she said in that song and it was intended to be light hearted and flirty, I think. It was supposed to be fun. … Read more
Bay Colony Sells
This time of year is pretty interesting when it comes to the commitment levels of vacation home buyers. It’s easy in September to take the view that summer is over. … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
I find it difficut to write this summer. In part, it’s because I see a dislocation in the market that I’d rather keep between me and my clients. Want to … Read more
241 Circle Parkway
Just look at this place. It’s amazing. It’s available. It’s looks like what summer feels like. And it’s only $899k. If you love beautifully restored cottages near the water you … Read more
Aloha Lodge Sells
I’m pretty happy to report my latest lakefront sale. This one is of yet another iconic property, making it the latest in a long line of iconic lakefront properties that … Read more
8 North Lake Shore Drive
In the olden days it was decided that a home on the lake might as well have an address that was their pier number and a Lake Shore Drive that … Read more
Basswood Vacant Lot
Here’s something brought to market by my agent Karen Rappaport that you might want to know about… Smack dab in one of the most esteemed neighborhoods on the south shore, … Read more
Bay Colony South Condominium For Sale
As you likely know, my dad sold real estate part time for most of his adult life. That job led to an accumulation of random keys in his office, which … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
No one in their right might would ever suggest that summer is nearly over on July 11th. But here I am, wondering about my mind, thinking that July 11th might … Read more
Lake Geneva Independence Day
Sometimes, when my neighbors are lighting off fireworks at all hours of the night, I like to close my eyes and pretend that those fireworks are bombs. Like real bombs. … Read more
Gimmick Central
There are several ways in which I’m aware of my age. For starters, when I play tennis on a Monday I’m still sore on a Wednesday. That’s not entirely unique, … Read more
Williams Bay Tornado
That was quite a storm last night, perhaps the worst one I’ve seen here. Some meaningful tree damage on the village lakefront in Williams Bay and around the lake, but … Read more
Lake Geneva AI Launch
Well, I can’t keep it a secret anymore. It’s time to share with you the thing on which I’ve been working. It’s groundbreaking. It’s transformational. It’s otherworldly, really. And lest … Read more
Lake Geneva Price Reductions
The Lake Geneva market has hit its summer stride. A few sales, a few bits of inventory, a few new contracts, and a massive outpouring of constant and considerable price … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
I’m tired of the rain. It’s been sunny and then it’s been rainy and once it’s a little sunny it’s immediately a lot rainy. The rain is necessary, I suppose. … Read more
Memorial Day Weekend
Well, my 17th issue of Summer Homes For City People is finished. You should be able to find it around the lake this weekend, although the rainy day today is … Read more
Lake Geneva Inventory Study
In the spring and early summer of 2023, the lakefront market introduced a meaningful supply of new inventory priced between $3.2M and $7M. Historically that price range would not operate … Read more
Science, Pfft.
In a matter of days, they’re coming. I mean, they’re already here, they’re just sleeping. Or they’re not even alive, but they will be, and soon. Any day now. The … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Sales
The lakefront market has had itself a nice little week. Inside of the last seven days we’ve had two lakefront sales and another fresh lakefront contract. Spring is springing and … Read more
Another Off Market Lakefront Sale
Last year 58% of all known lakefront transactions traded off market. The reason this matters is rather simple. If you’re a seller, it’s a trend that cannot be ignored. There … Read more
Salesmanship
I once wrote a description about a house that angered the owner of the house, my client. He read my description and told me he was disappointed in me. Mr. … Read more
The Village Supper Club Fish Fry Review
My dad is the cheapest man on planet earth. Lots of people say this about their dads, but those people would be wrong. Did your dad ever order a TV … Read more
Lake Geneva Lakefront Market Update
March it says. March. It doesn’t mean stroll. It doesn’t mean you should saunter or dawdle or wander. It says March. It’s a command, dammit. March! Such an aggressive month, … Read more
Lake Geneva Commissions
Well, that just about does it. The National Association of Realtors settled the BOMBSHELL commission lawsuit last Friday and now everything has changed. Six Percent Commissions Are Toast, some of … Read more
Summer Regret
A man called me last spring about this time. He had spent his childhood here and now that he was growing quite old he felt an oddly powerful desire to … Read more
Lake Geneva Market Update
The year is still young, but it’s March 1st and that means the year isn’t quite as young as we think. With two full months of 2024 under our belts … Read more
Stick Season
There’s a marginally popular song today where some guy whines about how it’s stick season in Vermont and that he’s sad because his friends are gone and his girlfriend dumped … Read more
Pier 501 Sells
I’m thrilled to have completed the transaction at pier 501 in Fontana. This sale is the fourth lakefront sale on Geneva to close over $9.5M in the past eight months, … Read more
2024 Lake Geneva Outlook
In early January of 2023 I wrote my market forecast and suggested that inventory would remain tight in 2023 and that pricing would be difficult for buyers. I added that sellers … Read more
Lake Geneva Average Lakefront Sales Price
Even as the market normalized during 2023, we still managed to keep our average sales price in line with the prior year. One of the many reasons I don’t like … Read more
Lake Geneva Cash Deals
While some are busy struggling to explain how property taxes work, let’s discuss the actual Lake Geneva market. Maybe someday I’ll write an article on how property insurance works, but … Read more
Lake Geneva Off Market Deals
If you pay attention to our lakefront market, you know there is a rather heated debate about the persistence of off market transactions. While many market participants decry the practice, … Read more
Summer Homes For City People
The new winter issue is now available. Perhaps you’ve grabbed a copy around town, or perhaps a mailed copy has found its way to your mailbox. If neither of those … Read more
George Williams College
By now you’ve read the articles in Crain’s and the Tribune, so I don’t need to tell you that Aurora University has found a buyer for their cherished George Williams … Read more
Lake Geneva Total Front Feet Sold
Something the market doesn’t discuss very often is the relationship between the lakefront homes sold and the total addressable market. You can see the total front feet sold tends to … Read more
Lake Geneva Price Per Square Foot
Average and median price per square foot held in the $650-800 range for the four years of 2017 to 2020. In 2021 both the average and median gapped above the … Read more
Lake Geneva Price Per Front Foot
Lake Geneva’s favorite metric continues to be one of my least favorite: The Price Per Front Foot. I generally disapprove of the importance that the market places on this defining … Read more