Lake Geneva Odds and Ends

Have you ever noticed how many walking trails and parks there are in the Lake Geneva area? I haven’t really, but I know it’s a lot. There’s one big walking trail that you might know about. It circles the lake. It’s pretty popular, so perhaps you’ve heard of it. I’m on the committee that’s seeking to decide what happens with Hilmoor, now that the city has purchased that controversial property. It seems that people might want more walking trails. I don’t. I also think the taxpayers should monetize pieces of that large property. It’ll be a battle, so that’s something fun. If you have a thought as to what Hilmoor should become, I’m all ears.

They are tearing down Villa Hortensia this week. I didn’t sell it, but some of our new market participants like to confuse who sold what, so I’m not sure why I need to clarify my non-role in the sale. I had one buyer in particular who wanted to buy the property but talked himself out of it (repeatedly) because he didn’t want to be known as the guy who tore down Hortensia. The local market has reacted with some malice towards the demolition, so I suppose my buyer was right. It’s good to not be the person who tore down one of the last dozen or so iconic legacy estates that exist here. In that, it’s a sad day, and I’m glad I played no part in it.

Medusa is coming back to Lake Geneva. Our greatest restaurant is making a comeback, of sorts. The new space is that which Clock Tower Pizza recently vacated, or, if you’re actually a local like me and don’t need to pretend to be because you just arrived here due to the high real estate valuations, you might remember the spot as being Geneva Sports. That’s how I remember it, but that’s because I’m from here. The new Medusa is rumored to be purveying gelato and bakery items, but I also heard perhaps soups and salads. If you’ve had Chef Greg’s mushroom or roasted red pepper soup, you should, like me, be excited.

The old Kringle Company on South Lakeshore Drive is being renovated into the Big Foot Market. I am glad for that renovation, but I’ll have to see what the market offers before I proclaim the renovation a success. I hope they conceal the two ugly exhaust pipes that protrude from the east side of the building. That’s really my main concern here. If I lived in the South Shore Club, Shore Haven, Lake Geneva Club, Oak Shores, or Sybil Lane (to the brokers who just arrived here, those are associations on the south side of the lake), I’d be excited about this new market. Here’s to hoping it’s a winner.

The trend of misplaced valuations continues this spring, as I’ve recently heard from several would-be-sellers that I’m wrong in telling them what their comps are. I have only sold real estate for 27 years here, and I’m only the top agent in the state and the perennial top agent in Walworth County, but I guess I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m glad to be taught about the business of real estate valuations. Later today, I’m going to call my accountant to tell him about a loophole that I learned about today from a kid on Instagram who said he earned $700k trading futures this morning but won’t need to pay tax on it because he also bought a new G Wagon. I’ll let you know how that goes.

I’m excited to eat fish fry on Friday. I’m not sure yet where to go. I might just review my top 5 fish fries from the last time I did this, while mixing in a few new ones. Do you have an opinion on this? I’m also trying to be nicer to the restaurants, so I hope you can read through the lines and determine if I really liked a place or if I’m just being nice. If you have a place you’d like me to review, please shoot me a note and I’ll add it to the list. It’s not that I wanted to be the preeminent food reviewer in this market, but sometimes you don’t get to choose your fate. I do this because I don’t see anyone else doing it.

I’m glad it’s March, but am I? I think I hate the month of March. I have recently decided that I hate the month of April as well. In fact, they are the worst two months and no other months even come close. Winter is winter and summer is summer and fall is fall and spring is winter. I dislike it, and so I’ll be here doing what I can to figure out how to value real estate, and how to remind the market which houses I’ve sold, and also to wait with anxious anticipation for the day when I can once again have Chef Greg’s roasted red pepper soup. Until then, I’ll be here if you need anything.