Party!

Looking to have a unique party?  I have the place!

I attended a birthday party a few weeks ago at Flambe Gourmet on Sherman Terrace near Tenney Park on the near east side.  What a treat!  If you are not familiar, I'll explain.

Flambe Gourmet is a "public" kitchen.  They offer group cooking classes, cooking parties, or corporate events.  The party I attended was Mexican themed, starting with wonderful Margarita's and ending with fried ice cream.  The main course was fish or steak tacos with all the fixin's.

The distinctive part of the experience is that it's hands-on.  We breaded the ice cream, chopped the cilantro and grilled the steak.  Don't feel like cooking?  Fine. You can sip your drink and watch.  And you still get to eat!  You might even learn something fun.

Owner Angelo Cattanco is a full-time chef at Epic Systems  and has held positions at Sardine and The Blue Marlin, winning several culinary awards.  He works Flambe Gourmet on nights and weekends.  The company also has a full-service catering business for weddings and other events.  

Plans are underway to open a second location on the west side near The Marriott.  I can hardly wait!

Creativity in Real Estate

Sometimes you have to get creative!  If you saw the April 12 Wisconsin State Journal article on Real Estate agents getting creative, you know what I'm talking about.  That's the norm in this crazy spring market we are in!

In recent weeks, I have sold a young family a house that was an expired listing, it was on the market last year and didn't sell.  It has now!

I have also found two houses for another buyer that she was able to see before they hit the market. Neither one of them worked for her, but she had the chance to see them before the flurry of activity that has become common when a new listing hits the Multiple Listing Service.

I also found another "unlisted" house for a third buyer.

My point is, in a crazy, unpredictable market, many buyers and sellers don't see the value in using a Real Estate agent.  Heck, we can do it ourselves and save tons on money, they think.  In some cases that's true.  But the reality is that this is our profession.  This is what we do every day.  And with 88% of buyers using a Real Estate professional when they purchase a home, we must be doing something right.  Especially since that figure has increased 20% in the last 10 years!

So, put me to work.  If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, let me get creative for you!