Mastermind, REALTORS®
Buying
Find Your New Home
How We Can Help You
Home Buying Experts
When you’re looking to purchase a home, you can enjoy peace of mind working with Mastermind, REALTORS®, the industry leader in service and experience.
Our agents have a passion for real estate and can help make your home-buying transaction easy and successful.
Home Buying Tips
It’s essential to shop around for mortgage rates and terms. A difference of even half a percentage point can make a huge difference in how much you pay over the course of a loan. For example, the difference in the monthly payment on a $100,000 mortgage at 8 percent vs 7.5 percent is about $35 per month. Over 30 years, that’s $12,600.
After touring each home, write down what you liked and didn’t like. Develop a rating system that will help you narrow the field down to the house that’s the best for you.
Mastermind, REALTORS®
Home Buyer Services
Prequalify for a Loan
Being prequalified for a loan determines how much house you can afford. It also allows you to move more swiftly when you find the right house, especially when you aren’t the only interested buyer.
Features that Help or Hurt Resale Value
In some areas, a swimming pool can actually detract from your home’s value and makes it harder to sell. In neighborhoods with two-car, attached garages, a single-car or detached garage may impact the home sale and future value. A Mastermind, REALTORS® Buyer’s Agent can point out features that hurt, as well as those which help the resale value of a property.
Resources for Active Duty, Retired, and Vets
As a military service man or woman, you’re entitled to some very special benefits that are not offered to the general public. Specifically, one of the main benefits that you are entitled to is the VA Home Loan Guarantee program.
Learn More
Using a Buyer’s Agent
A Buyer’s Agent is legally responsible for representing the buyer’s interest in a real estate transaction. Generally, the Buyer’s Agent is compensated by the seller at the time you purchase a new home. There are some limitations to using a buyer agent, however. Before you decide, let Mastermind, REALTORS® explain the advantages and disadvantages of using a buyer agent.
Explore The Area
Communities
About Racine WI
On the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, you will find the 5th largest city in Wisconsin, Racine. If you’re looking for Racine WI homes for sale, you’ll find that Racine is a city of history, architectural design, low cost living, job opportunities and an overall comfortable lifestyle.
History
With a population of 82,009 (2009 census), and situated 30 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago, Racine was arrived at by French explorers traveling via canoe in 1699. These were the first-known Europeans to visit the area. They started a trading post that evolved into a settlement and then in November 1834, Captain Gilbert Knapp came to the area from Chicago by horseback and founded the settlement of ‘Port Gilbert’ in this same area. Indigenous people had previously referred to the area as Kipi Kawi and Chippecotton. The name ‘Port Gilbert’ did not stand and the village of Racine was incorporated in 1841. Racine is French for “Root”, seemingly named because of its location at the mouth of Root River. It was later incorporated as a city, from a village, in 1848.
Jobs, Transportation, & General Info
Some of Wisconsin’s most famous companies are located in Racine. Having been a factory town nearly from the start, and being located near large scale metropolitan areas, Racine opens the door for jobs and an array of career opportunities.
Racine offers a low cost of living and transportation via train, trolley, bus, taxi or, for trips, via General Mitchell International Airport.
Racine Homes For Sale
The neighborhoods here are full of character and architecture. Homes for sale in Racine include ranch style homes, updated/upgraded homes, luxury homes and an array of floor plans to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a cozy home for yourself or an immaculate home for your family, Racine has something for you.
Education
Schools here fall into the Racine Unified School District. Post-secondary schools in the area are the University of Wisconsin-Parkside which lies on the border of Racine and has 33 different undergraduate programs and several graduate programs; Carthage College, a private college of liberal arts and sciences; and Gateway Technical College which offers programs both on-campus and online.
Things To Do In Racine
Racine offers endless entertainment within an hour’s drive including the Historic Wind Point Lighthouse, Racine Zoological Gardens, Historic Hansen House; shops and restaurants downtown; its beautiful harbor and more.
Other Interesting Facts About Racine
- Malted milk was invented in Racine in 1887
- Architect John Hammes of Racine invented the garbage disposal in 1927
- Known for its Danish pastries, several local bakeries in Racine have been shown on the Food Network
- Racine is known for its huge Prom celebration; students from all of the high schools attend an after-prom party
- USA Today named Racine as one of the “Top Ten Places to Fly Your Patriotic Colors”
- In 1871 or 1872, one of the world’s first automobiles was built in Racine
If you’re looking for a place to call home that offers a low cost of living yet a nice lifestyle for both singles and families, access to things to do for everyone, job opportunities, and a place with history, Racine welcomes you home!
Make sure you find the right Racine, WI home for sale. Contact us and take advantage of our expertise and local Racine real estate market knowledge to make your next real estate transaction a great one.
About Kenosha WI
On the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan is Kenosha, the 4th largest city in Wisconsin and the 4th largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan. With a population of 98,187 (2009 census), Kenosha borders Bristol, the Town of Somers, and the Village of Pleasant Prairie.
History
The now Kenosha area is one of archeological interest; pre-historic settlements are approximated to date back to the Wisconsin glaciations era.
Settled by Paleo Indians at least 13,500 years ago, the Potawatomi originally named the area “gnozhe” (“place of the pike”) and the community was known as “Pike” in 1836. In later years it was renamed “Southport” and the southeast-side neighborhood, elementary school, park and a few businesses. The city gained its current name in 1850, often referred to by Kenoshans as “K-Town” and “Keno”.
These are only small morsels of Kenosha’s history; 21 of Kenosha’s locations and 3 districts are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Further, Kenosha has been recognized for the following:
- Named on Inc. Magazine’s May 2006 “Hottest Midsize Cities” list
- Money listed Kenosha on its list of “Best Places to Live” in 2005 (in US communities survey)
- Named on “Best Performing Cities” list (among largest 200 Metro areas in US) by the Milken Institute in 2005
- Ranked 2nd place by Readers Digest in 1997 for “Best Places to Raise a Family”
- Rated among the “Best Cities for Relocating Families” in the 500,000 to 250,000 metro population category by Worldwide ERC
Jobs, Transportation, & General Info
Located between Milwaukee and Chicago, Kenosha offers job opportunities both within the city and outside the city in one of these metropolitan areas or other bordering areas. In June, 2009, the Milken Institute did a study and named Kenosha as one of the National top 50 high-tech economies.
Tourism in Kenosha places it within the top 20% of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, which also creates job opportunity.
With a passenger train, a 2 mile street car line serving downtown and Harbor Park, buses and taxis, there are plenty of transportation options to get you back and forth to work or just out and about around town. If you’re looking to travel there’s nearby General Mitchell International Airport.
Education
Schools are within the Kenosha Unified School District. Post-secondary schools in the area are the University of Wisconsin-Parkside which lies on the border of Racine and has 33 different undergraduate programs and several graduate programs; Carthage College, a private college of liberal arts and sciences; and Gateway Technical College which offers programs both on-campus and online.
There are also several university branches in Kenosha including National-Louis University, Concordia University Wisconsin, Cardinal Stritch University and the new Herzing University.
Arts, Music, And Things To Do In Kenosha
Kenosha offers an array of cultural activities, performing arts, music, parks, golf, cycling and more. No matter your taste, age, or entertainment preference, there’s sure to be plenty for you to enjoy!
With a variety of specialty stores, outlet stores, and malls there’s also plenty of shopping opportunities.
If you’re looking to wine and dine, Kenosha provides a variety of fine dining options as well as comfortable cafes and coffee shops, pubs, grills, and more.
Homes For Sale In Kenohsa
With an array of home styles to choose from that include Ranch, Bungalow, and Executive, Kenosha has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for cozy or spacious, immaculate or just comfy, we’ll help you find the perfect place.
This history-packed, pleasant city is waiting with open arms for you to call it home. With friendly residents, a thriving economy, plenty of educational options and tons of things to do you can’t go wrong with Kenosha.
Are you ready for more information or looking at homes? Contact us!
Relocation Support
Keeping you in control of costs. Keeping you in control of your life.
An employee’s productivity during a relocation is often directly linked to the ease with which that employee’s family leaves a home in one community – and starts feeling at home in another. That’s why no matter how you look at it, the essence of relocation is real estate.
That’s what it takes!
It takes control to beat the stress and cost of relocating. Our REALTORS® have worked with numerous relocation companies and are quite familiar with the rigors of corporate relocation and the sale of a property. At Mastermind, REALTORS®, we aim to take the stress out of your employee’s relocation through a range of customized processes and service delivery. With emphasis on providing a single point of contact, the sole focus is on providing the knowledge, commitment, consistency, and flexibility that best serve your needs.
If you’ve been wishing there were more reliable, cost-efficient alternatives to your current relocation services, consider your wishes fulfilled.
For more information, contact us today.
Resources for Active Duty, Retired, and Vets
As a military service man or woman, you’re entitled to some very special benefits that are not offered to the general public. Specifically, one of the main benefits that you are entitled to is the VA Home Loan Guarantee program. Essentially what this does is allow you to purchase a home with little or no money down at all. The links and resources below will provide you with a vast amount of information in your home search.
Additionally, We’re here to guide you through the home buying or selling process step-by-step. Sometimes the process can seem somewhat overwhelming and confusing. We specialize in the home buying and selling process specifically for all Active Duty, Retirees, and Veterans.
Contact us to request your free “Welcome Aboard/Relocation Package” and we’ll be happy to get you your FREE “Welcome Aboard/Relocation Package”, at no cost or obligation to you. This is a great resource and has plenty of very helpful information about the area, schools, jobs and employment, and of course the abundance of available homes on the market.