Mid Century Modern Wisconsin - Sheboygan

Mid Century Modern home for sale in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Ever amazed by where Mid Century Modern homes are hiding throughout our fair nation. Turns out one has been hiding in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. House appears to be a block off lake Michigan. Check it out.

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3310 N 7th St. Sheboygan, WI 53083 (map)

$250,000

Contact listing agent - Ann Nye






















Cheers,

-Baz

How beneficial is Home Warranty

By the name of it, many people misinterpret home warranty as some warranty that covers everything (including interior, house structure and even paint). In reality home warranty is merely an insurance for your home appliances (still, not that bad? The home appliances include fans, air conditions, heaters, oven, washing machines and other domestic devices. Home warranty mostly comes into the consideration at the time of sale, though it has no real implications, a home warranty from the seller or real estate agent can add to your peace of mind as a home buyer. Just because the name is heard mostly at the time of sale, it doesn't mean you can't have one for the houses you are living in for years.

As in the case of warranties, the home warranty issuing company is responsible for repairing or replacing the appliance that stops functioning properly. Of course, they have some charges that you must pay on yearly basis just like and other insurance, plus you have to pay a small fee every time you avail their services.

Pros & Cons:

As stated earlier, a home warranty doesn't cover everything; hence you are not freed from all the worries or uncertainties that turn up at the time of home purchase. Still, a good home warranty can provide you with considerable assurance because it may cover heating systems, plumbing or electrical systems along with all the major appliances. In addition to that, home warranty will be perceived as a bonus for buyer when you put your home for sale. Coming to the negative aspects, home warranty works only in case of normal deterioration (wear and tear), your claim will be rejected if the problem was caused by inadequate use or maintenance. If the company (the one providing the warranty) rejects your claim, there's hardly anything you can do, similarly you can't force them to replace some appliance even if it's breaking down every other day.

Some Advise:

First, home warranty is not necessary, it's specifically meant for those who find it extremely irksome to go through repairing or maintenance work on their own. If you have purchased a newly built house, and all the appliances, cooling or plumbing systems are in good shape then home warranty is an unnecessary burden that you should avoid. When you are convinced that you can benefit by having home warranty, you should choose the best service provider after reasonable research. Read the terms and conditions carefully, specially the part that tells what's protected under the warranty and what's not. Moreover, chew on the possible circumstances where your claim can be rejected.

Home Sale Safety: Protect Your Home, Your Agent and Yourself

Selling your home requires that you open your house to strangers and allow them access to areas that would normally only be open to trusted friends and family. Unfortunately, we can't trust everyone, even those who "look okay". Securing your home and property against crime is a good step to take, especially when you are allowing people you don't know to come inside. Protecting the interests of your real estate agent is also a big step in this endeavor.

One of the best things you can do is engage the services of a Realtor, who will escort people through your home and keep an eye on them. An experienced agent will screen people at the office and take precautions against criminals gaining access to your home. Real estate professionals are often in the business of escorting strangers through houses and many have become more knowledgeable about crime prevention in this situation. It's a smart thing to ask an agent what kinds of crime prevention policies they have in place before hiring them.

Many agents will not conduct an open house, house tour or meet people without first having an in-office interview and taking down information, such as a copy of the driver's license and perhaps the license plate number of the car. This is mainly to preserve their safety, but it can also help preserve yours and that of your home. More than one person at a house tour or showing means that there is less of a chance of someone trying to take advantage of as single representative. This also means that they are less likely to try to steal your property or vandalize your home.

There have been cases where agents have been killed and homes have been burned or otherwise damaged, so take what your agent does for safety seriously. Your agent deserves to be as safe as possible and anything you can do in that regard is well worth your time. In addition to the horror of having someone robbed, raped or murdered in your home, the stigma of being the site of a serious crime could make the value of your home come crashing down. Support your agent and encourage them to take all possible steps to secure their safety.

When your home is being shown, put all valuables away in secure containers. Some people go so far as to rent a storage locker for excess property when staging their homes; your valuables can go here as well. Otherwise, place them in inconspicuous containers and place them well out of sight. Make sure your agent knows all the entrances and exits from your home and property, so s/he knows where to check and what to secure after a showing.

Don't accept impromptu tours from strangers. Be friendly and polite, but insist that they go through your agent. Some unscrupulous people use a home sale to gain access to a home, either to steal, visit violence on the home's occupants or to scope the home out for a future burglary. Legitimate buyers will not have a big problem with going through your agent to see the property. If the person acts odd, insists that they 'need' to see the house immediately and/or gets violent or abusive, call the police.

Be extra vigilant when the For Sale sign is placed. Many criminals look for a home sale to check the house out for lack of security. Many people turn off their security alarms and leave things unlocked that are normally secured. If you surprise someone who doesn't belong on or around your property, call the police. Security lights can be a relatively inexpensive install that will also be a selling point for your house. Trim your bushes back; not only will it improve the landscaping; it will also make hiding and sneaking harder.

Security systems, barking dogs, guns, baseball bats and pepper spray are some popular methods of home security, but unless you know how to control that barking dog (and make him shut up once intruders leave), handle a gun safely, or where and how to apply a baseball bat to someone's head (keep in mind that unless it's very clear that you were acting in self-defense, you could be liable), these items are more likely to harm you or your family than they are to protect you.

As much as we would like to trust everybody, it's not a safe world. Taking precautions and encouraging your agent to do likewise is a smart home sales step. Your agent will appreciate your support and concern, you will be less likely to be victimized and your home will benefit from the extra attention.

By :  Ted Guarnero

Home Break In Quiz (or How Do Burglar's Think?)

How much do you know about the way burglars think? How would you profile a "typical burglar" type? Do security systems prevent home theft? Finally, is your super secret hiding spot, really going to fool anyone?

Find the answer to these questions and much more when you take the following quiz about home burglaries.

Questions:

1. The typical burglar is:

a) Professional male thief in his 30s to 40s
b) Inexperienced teenage male
c) Professional thieves working as a couple

2. The average thief never works close to home.

a) True
b) False

3. In the U.S., a burglary takes place:

a) Every hour
b) Every 85 seconds
c) Every 14.6 seconds

4. Home invasions on average occur between:

a) 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
b) 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
c) 12 a.m. and 2 a.m.

5. How much time, on average, do burglars remain in a home during a break in?

a) 8 to 12 minutes
b) 3 to 5 minutes
c) 15 to 20 minutes

6. How do thieves most often gain access to a home?

a) Basement
b) First-floor windows
c) Garage
d) Front door
e) Back door
f) Second floor

7. Most robberies occur in businesses rather than homes.

a) True
b) False

8. Homes with security systems have less chance of being robbed than those without.

a) True
b) False

9. Once in the house, where do burglars usually go first?

a) Master Bedroom
b) Family Room
c) Living Room

10. Deter burglars by planting shrubs and trees close to the house.

a) True
b) False

Answers:

1. b - Most homes are not robbed by professional thieves, but inexperienced male teenagers.

2. False - The average thief lives only a mile or two from the homes he burglarizes.

3. c - In the U.S. a burglary occurs once every 14.6 seconds.

4. a - Most home robberies occur during the day when home owners are at work.

5. a - The average burglars spends about 8 to 12 minutes rooting through your things.

6. d - 34% of the time thieves walk right in the front door. The next most popular points of entry include: First-floor windows - 23%; Back door - 22%; Garage - 9%; Unlocked entrances & storage areas - 6%; Basement - 4%; Second floor - 2%

7. False - 65% of burglaries occur in residential neighborhoods.

8. True - Not having a security system triples your chances of being robbed.

9. a - First stop - the master bedroom - where all the valuables are usually kept.

10. False - Trees and shrubs planted near the house will only give them additional places to hide. Large vegetation of this sort should actually be cleared away, along with ladders or tools that may be used to break windows or gain entry into your home.

Additional Precautions:

Burglars prefer to rob a home that is unoccupied, so anything you can do to make your home appear lived in will lessen your chances of being robbed. Install exterior motion lights, always have a car in the driveway, have radios and TVs on timers so that they may occasionally go on even when you're not home, and stop newspaper delivery when you're not around.

Burglars don't want to spend any longer than 60 minutes breaking in and getting out of your home. Your job is to make this as difficult as possible. Install deadbolt locks, bars on the windows, pins on sash windows, and place a 2 x 4 in the track of the patio door so that even if they get the door unlocked, it won't open. A barking dog, no matter the size, also helps to discourage break in's.

The most popular items for stealing include cash and anything else that is easy to sell, such as jewelry, electronics, silver, gold, and guns.

By :  Lauren Kline

How To Save Money By Having Better Security

In today’s economy finding ways to save money can really help the bottom line. Business and Homeowners insurance rates have been climbing for the last few years, however did you know that there may be discounts given for having specific security systems or security inspections?

Discounts for having an alarm system and/or a CCTV system have been around for many years, and they can be up to 15% or more. These systems and the available products have become much more reliable and user friendly of late. Wired, wireless, monitoring by cell phone or Internet are all available and affordable options.

* Some business policies may require one or both systems.

* They may require that they are monitored remotely.

* They may require that they be professionally installed.

* Homeowner’s policies may require monitoring and/or professional installation.

Discounts are being given by some insurance companies for both business and homeowner policies for having a security inspection.

* They may require that the inspection be done by a certified security inspector, check with your local police, look under security consultant, or call your professional locksmith, most insurance companies who allow this discount should accept these professionals.

Some insurance providers will allow discounts if you have a safe on your premises.

* They may require that you have a safe specifically rated for your particular risk, check with your professional locksmith, or a professional safe dealer, these folks are the authorities when it comes to safes.

* For businesses a particular safe or rating may be required just to have some risks covered.
Having these systems for the possible discounts is a good goal, however having them for the extra security they provide is a better goal.

A properly rated fire or media safe in your home can save important documents, invaluable photos and videos, or computer media. A properly rated burglary safe can take the worry out of keeping valuables at home. A properly rated gun safe can protect your gun collection from fire or theft and keep guns out of the hands of children.

Getting a security inspection from a qualified security professional is particularly important when you first move to a new home or business property. Locks should not only be changed, they should also be checked for proper grade, operation and function. The locks provided by the builder or ex property owner may have been selected based on price rather than their security rating or quality. The doors they are attached to should be inspected for proper grade, operation and function as well. Windows, lighting, landscaping are all areas that present unique risks, recommended changes should be made as quickly as possible.

When your home and/or business property is properly secured, not only will you enjoy possible insurance discounts, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that you have done what is necessary to protect your property. As a side benefit when your property looks well secured a possible burglar may just look for an easier target.

By : Jim Newell