For all you city brokers and buyers out there you might be shocked to learn that when showing some properties in the country you just show up for an appointment. No need to call first. Why, because they don't use phones. If there is several days notice, I would then usually send a courtesy post card. What kind of sellers would agrees to this? Well these owners are Amish.
Presently I have 2 Amish Farms for sale. Yesterday when I went out to show both of them and one was vacant while I knew the other had a family still living there. When we opened the front house door, it was a total surprise to see a sea of plants evenly spread out across all the floors. It was easy to understand that they were being dried in the heat of the closed up house. Every room was filled with them. The buyers and I both joked, but could tell it wasn't Marijuana grass. 
However we really were not sure what it was. After looking over the outside of the house and all the outbuildings, we headed over to the other farm. The owner there was in and had no problem with our impromptu showing and agreed to lead us around his home. Again, we found in the second floor the same plants spread out to dry. We learned they were stinging nettles and many Amish families harvest nettles for medicine and tea. I learned from him that the season is short, you have to gather them up before they flower out. He continued to tell us, he sold most of his to a herb buyer.
If you have never gotten into a field of stinging nettles then lucky you. I have, and they do really sting. You would have to dress up for this harvest with work gloves and long sleeves and pants making sure to cover all exposed skin, or else! Apparently this noxious weed is also known among herbalist to be a plant that will heal all that ails you. I personally have never tried Stinging Nettle Tea but since learning about it, I think I just might have to give it a try.
The photo on top is a picture of the nettles spread out on the living room floor, the other one is of the buyers and the Amish fellow heading up to take a look at the cistern well powered by wind.
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call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-606-2999
About the author:
Mary Strang is the Broker-owner of RE/MAX Hill Country Realty located in Viroqua, WI. Home to Organic farming, a small rural city population of about 4000 and a great place to live! Copyright © 2009 by Mary Strang. All rights reserved... " Amish Tea" the blog post was written by Mary Strang is believed accurate but may not be guaranteed.
Wow... attractive and nicely maintained Brick Craftsman Style home. Looking for move-in-condition? This one has recently refinished original hardwood floors, great woodwork and an updated Kitchen. A newer over-sizedgarage with plenty of room is an added bonus. There is also an in-ground 17x37 pool for summer fun, Stop By For My Open House During the Holiday Weekend on Sunday!
Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin
Please Vote: How does a Realtor take a photo exactly like this?
basement of home built prior to the 1970's and as old as the late 1920's. I have seen ceiling tiles in basements and family rooms that contain it too. Older linoleum and sometime kitchen counter-tops are made with Asbestos. It gets even harder to spot in some other building materials such as joint compound, roof singles , and floor tiles. The Risk to ones health is real and exposure can happen to anyone. If you know you have asbestos in your home, read this blog post and take advantage of this opportunity to rid it from your home.
Many a builder has told me, that one of the most common construction blunders made by DIY'ers are the step's measurement on staircases. I'd bet most Realtors have been out to list or view a home and while either going up or down the staircase, the last step was off a bit. It is just automatic and without any thought that ones foot just steps down at a uniformed rate... until oops that last step was deeper or shorter than the rest. It's an opportunity for a twisted ankle of worse maybe a fall. This structural defect can be a really expensive slip-up to repair. In most cases this mistake usually doesn't get fixed ever. Often it will cause the home to last much longer on the market than it normally would if the steps were right.
At the most prominent ridge top point, along a winding country road lays a truly gorgeous property. Its location is just a few minutes from downtown Cashton or a short 20-minute trip to the city of Sparta. This is a head-turner of a property. As you are traveling along the panoramic ridge top, the incredible views will be sure to compete for your attention with this eye-catching log cabin home. 
Interior: The home has 3 levels; on the main floor is an open great room with a natural stone fireplace.
The fireplace has been fitted with an insert, which comfortably heats the entire home but the primary heat is the high-efficiency hot water boiler for the in-floor heating system. The flooring and woodwork throughout the house is of milled oak hardwoods. A central open stairway leads one up to the private and spacious master suite. It has plush carpet flooring, a large walk-in closet and half bath and 2 roof skylights. Back on the main level sharing the open spaces with the great room, is a gourmet kitchen. Top of the line stainless appliances such as a Jenn-air bottom freezer refrigerator, Firgidaire dual fuel slide in range with matching microwave and Bosch dishwasher are all included. The Beyers cabinets all have full depth pull out drawers. The island comes complete with a pot rack and 4 stools. The lower level of the home has full windows and walkout access. There is a second living space, ideal for a media room or family room and a second bedroom. The laundry and utilities are on this level.
Looking for seclusion and a peaceful setting?
share the full hallway bath providing space and privacy. Over in the kitchen the layout has a snack bar, which offers convenience, as well as a dining area, also there is a sliding patio door leading out to a rear deck. The kitchen cabinets are oak, and all the appliances are included. 
Here's a home, which was listed of $399,000, was on the market for 274 days back in 2002. A series of 5 agents followed over the span of 6 years only to see their listing expire unsold. The list prices never varied much over the years. The range price went from a low of $385,000 to a high of $435,000. Each agents average DOM was from 279 to 385; except for one, who had only 26 days. I have to guess something happened as it was then off market for the rest of that year.