Viroqua Wisconsin: March 2008

In the rural area were I live and work, all the county roads are named by letters.  Numbers identifies the State highways.  While the town roads are known to be named by words and names. Sometimes a town road will be named after a famous resident, a locations or places. It takes a while to get accustomed to this way of naming and identifying roads, streets and highways but over time it seems to be a logical and a normal way to sort out all these winding country roads and quaint country names.

Today I was with some buyers in an area called Gillingham; we had just finished looking over a country farm. The next place on our list to view was just a few miles over to County E. We were able to determine from our map that if we just drove down County Z, it would be easy to get over to county E. So with that in mind, we took off to County Z, with out much more thought.  As we traveled a few miles down Z until we could reached E, we soon realized it was not that easy to get from Z over to E.  We somehow, on a curve, got lost and ended up on A. We never did figure out how we went from Z to A!!  Welcome to the country!

Are you searching for homes in Viroqua or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Down on the farm there are always plenty of sweet animals. Some just have personality plus; many are at present, farm stock and future food. As this lovely cow posed for my camera lens, she was especially curious and hopeful that I just might have a bucket of grain. Which brings up a question; do you know were your food comes from? Are you at the least, as curious as this cow about food production?

Seems lately that organic farming is now a big business and my marketplace is ground zero for anything organic. In 1987 a small company started up in a little town called La Farge, WI. At the same time I opened my first Real Estate office,  Organic Valley opened too, and they grew into a huge multi-million-dollar company.  I have done well too, but they have obviously done better. Being now the largest organic co-op in our nation, I am hopeful that many of you have seen their label. It is the red barn on the milk carton? Perhaps many of you have even bought their dairy products?

But back to this sweetie of a cow, she resides on an 82-acre Amish farm that I have just listed.  She is temporarily residing there with approximately 25 other cows in a Beef cow/calf set up. You don't need a large acreage farm to operate a cow/calf operation. Running 20 to 25 head is possible on this size acreage. In case you are not farm-folk, Beef cows are large animal, and often weight 1200 pounds or more. You need good fences, lots of pasture and water. A typical cow/calf operation will breed the cows in spring, to take advantage of the pasture grassland in spring and summer. Then selling off the male calf stock at the end of the season, while always holding back some female stock for the following year. This farm has an old 4-bedroom farmhouse. If you have never been in an Amish farm home, many do not have bathrooms or indoor plumbing, but this one does, hurrah!  There is 3 to 4 good out-building. What exactly is a good out building?  I would have to say that is one that is still standing and serviceable.  They generally are places to store the hay, repair the tractor and equipment and occasionally get the cows out of the weather. Oh... many are also places to store all that stuff farmers cannot part with and hang onto for a future farm auction or to make country Realtors earn their keep when city buyers want them cleaned out.  There is a 60x60 shop building, a 25x60 pole shed and a 40x80 old dairy barn. The barn is no longer used for dairying but is being used for hay storage. This property also has numerous cold-water springs and streams crisscrossing the front of the pasture-land.  

If you enjoyed this farm tour then the next time you shop at your local farmers market for those fresh organic veggies, brown eggs or to buy a huge organic T-bone steak, gosh think a minute... that steak could be this Sweetie!  Please support our heartland, our organic farmers that are busy making your food and me, your rural country Realtor!

Are you searching for homes in Hillsboro or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

The rural countryside of Cashton, WIis well known for being home to one of the largest Amish settlement in this part of Southwestern Wisconsin.  It is a very common sight to see Amish horse and buggies coming and going around this picturesque city of approximately 1005 folks. Besides Amish, Cashton is also now recognized for being Green.

That is Green as in Environmentally Green.  With the recently opened Green Industrial Park, which is now home to a new distribution warehouse of Organic Valley, and a bio-diesal plant of BEST BioDiesel Cashton. Both companies are located in the 127 acre new Cashton Greens Business Park.

In addition to being Green, the city is also known for its excellent medical care center, the Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers. This clinic strives to serve the local community with affordable fee health service. It is located in an outstanding new clinic building on Front Street. Another highlight of town is the Ages of the Past B&B. The location was a former Catholic Rectory building which has undergone a full restoration restoring it back into its turn-of-the-century grandeur.  

Are you searching for homes in Monroe or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

I guess we all know the number one thing that kills any real estate sale is a wet basement.  The only other thing that can run off a buyer faster than a wet or damp basement is perhaps a basement that has standing water. Like 2 feet deep, with stuff floating around in it. Yep, that should end the sales tour pretty quickly! 

This particular property has been vacant for most of the winter. It appears that the water-line froze up and burst inside the home and it is not known how long this water has been there. The furnace is ruined and under water, as is the hot-water heater. I could see a large crack on the front foundation wall of the basement where the water line came into the basement from the street. In this type of a problem, you really need to investigate a little further to really determine the full scope of work needed here. At this point this home may also have mold in the basement as well as within the walls of the home. Maybe there will be numerous split pipes in the walls which also contributed to the flooded area in the basement.  This kind of issue really scares most buyers and the property will most likely have to be sold to an investor or rehaber. In my career, I have sold this exact home 2 times. It looks like maybe I will have the chance to sell it a third time, but this time it will most likely be for much less of a price.

Are you searching for homes in Virqoua or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

If you have ever travel through Soldiers Grove, you cannot help but glance over at the old Grand Mansions in Grove. They are along Church Street and along Pine Street. Anyone who has been to this picturesque little river town along the Kickapoo will recognize the Old Oak Inn. It has been an establish bed & breakfast and restaurant-lounge for more than 20 years. Recently another home over on Pine, which appears to be a twin in architecture to the Old Oak building, has been freshly painted and rehabbed into The Roth House, B&B. After a year or so of intense work, this historic home looks like it is just about to open up for guests sometime this spring.  The Peterson home, also on Church Street, was originally the residence of a local prominent physician. I had the privilege of selling this lovely home to its 3^rd owner only last year.  Another great home, of which there seem to be no available information, is right next to river. Like they say, if only walls could talk, as there was nothing written about this one, of which I could find!

Are you searching for homes in Crawford or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Viola Wisconsin is a small quiet town located right on the county line. It proudly has ½ of the Village in Richland County and the other ½ in Vernon County. It would be interesting to know some of the fact and history as to how and why the Village developed this way. It just seems like this could cause some problems and extra expenses to keep it all-straight.

Viola is well known for an annual event that has over 78 years of history; it's the Horse & Colt show.  This event features old time country fair with truck pulls, horse pulls, horse shows, parades, truck raffles, concessions, carnival rides and more. Admission  is free, and it is located right on the main street, which is Commercial Street, each year around the middle of September.  

Another important part of life in Viola has been the location of a well-known manufacturing company, S&S Cycle. They have been there since the early 60's and employ many who live in the area.

Equal to employment in a small town are the schools and Viola has an outstanding school system.  It also has a great in-door swimming pool, which is open to the public for in-district free swim and at a very nominal charge to those out of the district.  

Are you searching for homes in Crawford or Vernon County call Mary Strang at the R teamRE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

Not your ordinary raised ranch... this one is superb and sitting up high on the hill just on the edge of town. It offers sweeping vistas and privacy which unfold from every room. Contemporary and well designed, this newly built home has an open and airy floor plan; it simply conveys a sense of the spaciousness expected. Each room is bright and fresh with a flood of all the natural sunlight that beams in though all the wonderfully large windows. This well orientated home also has a south facing exposure and 2 walkout levels.

Home Features : There are 2 decks; the front veranda style deck adds a cozy stylish flair, while the back deck is certain to be the gathering place. Each deck has access off the main level. The great room, dining area and kitchen are combined into a Greatroom that is large and open. Down the center hallway are the 3 bedroom, with the master having a private bath. Down the staircase, the lower level is completely finished off with a large family room, laundry room and half bath. This area could be also used as a 4th bedroom. There is a 2 car tuck under garage with plenty of storage.

Just take the picturesque winding lane that leads you back to this totally quiet and private property as soon as you can! This may become your own country home located right on the edge of town.

For an appointment to view this newly built home:
   Contact Mary Strang 608-606-2999 or www.therteam.com  Listing Price $155,900

I had an interesting snow day, of which I had originally planned to take off. But as the realty world demands, I had to eventually head into the office this morning.  The forecast called for 12, sloppy, wet more inches, which turned out to be about 5.

 Anyway, I showed a client a home, poor girl; she may be more confused now than she was last week. It seems after looking at many, many, homes we are finally down to the final 3 choices. Each is so different from the other; it is all over the charts. As a Realtor, I'm usually accustom to a buyer having 3 similar homes. The job at hand is typically to determine which one of the 3 is the best buy for the dollar. This case is not the norm. Home One is a city home, Home Two is a subdivision home and Home Three is a sure enough country home. Hummm what to do?

So, I don't think it is time to introduce any more houses to this mix. It is time to point out the fact that this is all over the map here! It is judgment day... like make a decision please. It certainly is time to rejoice in the fact that she likes everything, a job well done on my part. But... As they say, we have reached the end of the Internet please pick one, as my job is done and it is time for me to get paid. May I Punch your Ticket Please?

Attention Horse Lovers... A whole lot of country for a limited budget! Get off to a fast start in this affordable rural horse property located just a short horse back ride off the riding trails. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve Land is at the edge of this land. There are over 5,000 wilderness acres to explore and 37 miles of trails to ride.

This property includes 20 acres of rugged land, of which, 10 acres is pasture-land and the balance is wooded hillsides. There is a terrific workshop building ideal for parking the horse trailer, ATV or the tractors.  The homes is an old mobile used for a weekend retreat, with a well, and septic system in place. This will make someone an ideal get-way location for those who love to ride the hills of the Reserve Land! $112,000 Contact Mary at: 605-606-2999

                              Open House this coming Wednesday 3/26/2008 from 4:30 pm until 6 pm

Value has an Address and it is... 405 Elm Street Viroqua.

If you have been searching, but are unable to find the most ideal affordable home, then you haven't seen this home yet! Take a quick look and discover for yourself what both value and great conditions are like in this Viroqua home!

The Interior: is spic and span; not much work required in this home. On the main floor is a good sized living room that features attractive woodwork and large sunny windows. The floor plan is open between the kitchen dining area and living room and the floor treatments gleam in both rooms. There is a master bedroom on the main level with refinished wood floors. A convenient half bath is also located on the main floor. Upstairs you can find 2 rooms, a landing used as a bedroom and a private second bedroom. Additional there is a full bath with tub-and-shower. A full basement completes this home adding plenty of room for storage and/or potential for a rec-room or workshop space.

The Exterior: This home is situated on a lovely corner lot with several mature trees and attractive landscaping. There is a private drive at the back side of this home and a one car carport. The homeowners have replaced roof in 2005. Vinyl siding was completed sometime by a prior owner, adding additional value for years to come. The home also has central A/C. This home is a joy to see, so simplify your life call today.

For details contact Mary Strang at 608-606-2999

Price is: $92,000