Market Spotlight
Why Homebuyers Are Choosing Mid‑July Over Spring
- Better Inventory Mix: New listings in July often include homes with fresh upgrades—like newly painted interiors or refreshed landscaping—thanks to sellers prepping post-spring.
- Less Rush, More Leverage: With fewer buyers in the field, negotiations have shifted, giving serious buyers more room to request credits or repairs.
- Refinancing Frenzy: Locked-in low rates from spring are encouraging homeowners to sell and downgrade/upsize without fear of skyrocketing interest.
Smart Move: For sellers, staging now and listing mid-July can help showcase home features with less competition—and for buyers, this is your time to find value without bidding wars.
Home Tip of the Week
Seal Those Driveway Cracks Before Winter Hits
- Summer heat expands cracks; sealing them now prevents water damage and saves you from more expensive winter repairs.
- Quick DIY kits cost $20–30 and take under an hour.
- A maintained driveway not only looks good—it shows future buyers your attention to upkeep.
Recipe of the Week
Beer Brats
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow or Spanish onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the pan
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 8 links raw bratwurst sausage (1 1/2 to 2 pounds total)
- 2 (12 oz) light lager or pilsner beer, such as Stella Artois
- 8 potato, hard, or pretzel hot dog rolls, split
- Spicy German mustard or other favorite condiments, for serving
Instructions
- Halve and thinly slice 2 large yellow onions (about 7 1/2 cups).
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, until fragrant and beginning to soften and brown, about 4 minutes.
- Add 2 (11 to 12-ounce) bottles light beer and stir to combine. Nestle 8 links raw bratwurst into the onion and beer mixture and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the brats are just cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Oil the grill pan lightly with a paper towel dipped into vegetable oil. Using tongs, transfer the brats to the grill pan in a single layer. Cook until deeply browned all over, about 2 minutes per side. Meanwhile, using tongs, add about half of the onions to the grill pan as well to char slightly. (If your grill pan is not large enough, brown the brats first and then cook the onions.)
- Return the brats and the onions to the beer mixture. Cover and let simmer over low heat for at least 5 minutes or up to 1 hour. Taste the onions and liquid and season with kosher salt as needed. To serve, spread a split hot dog roll with spicy mustard or your favorite condiment. Place a brat in the bun and top with a generous amount of the onions.
This Week’s Laugh​
Where do polar bears keep their money?
In a snowbank.
Local Happenings
Discover five fresh, standout events just for this week:
🎧 Rainbow Summer Concert & Market (Milwaukee)
🎆 U.S. Navy Week & Airshow (Milwaukee)
🍻 Milwaukee Night Market (Milwaukee)
🎪 Waukesha County Fair (Waukesha)
What summer projects are you planning for your home?
Share your ideas by replying to this email!
And don't forget to forward The WIRE Newsletter to friends and family interested in real estate insights, home tips, and local events.
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Upcoming Events:
🌸 Summer is here, and so is your perfect photo opportunity! 📸
Lake Country Photography is now booking summer photo sessions — and you’re going to want to grab your spot before they’re gone!
Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy indoor session in our beautifully designed studio or want to take advantage of the stunning outdoor backdrops around Waukesha and Milwaukee County, we’ve got the perfect setting for your story.
✨ Now Booking:
- Family Sessions (yes, even the wild ones!)
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- Cap & Gown Celebrations 🎓
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- ...and truly anything else you can imagine. If you can dream it, we can capture it.
Every session is customized to bring out your personality and preserve the moments that matter most. If you’re looking for photos that feel natural, fun, and you, Lake Country Photography is the place.
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See you next week! -Joseph Singsheim
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