Termites

When it comes time to write an offer, your realtor is going to ask what contingencies you want to put in it.

Every situation is different, and there is no such things as a standard offer. Many people do put in a financing contingency. If the buyers have a house to sell before they can close, they usually put in a home sale contingency. Most people these days put in a home inspection contingency.

The Offer to Purchase contains a home inspection contingency that allows for a qualified home inspector to look at the house for defects. There is also the word "and" followed by a blank line. This is where the buyer writes in any specific inspections they want: electrical, plumbing, radon testing, etc.

If you are buying a home in Monroe, I would encourage you to have your realtor write in a termite inspection. Long ago, there were lumber yards in Monroe, and this portion of our history has left us with termites in town.

Termites do not discriminate when it comes to age of home, location or price. A termite inspection will cost you the buyer somewhere around $100. Termite treatment is costly, and they can do serious damage to a home. A termite inspection can be money well spent when you are buying a home.

Things to Do around Monroe, WI

Wednesday is always Things to Do day here at Cheese Country Realtors. What is happening in the area in the upcoming week?

~ Put on your dancing shoes! Line Dancing with Marlene starts on Thursday in Monroe at the MTG's Stage building from 6:30 until 7:30 pm. This five week classes is only $10 for MTG members, $15 for non-members.

~ The Green County Entrepreneurs and Inventors group has their monthly meeting on Monday, March 3 from 6:30 until 8:30 pm in the New Glarus room of the Monroe Clinic. This month's topic is "Myths & Realities of Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights." Free to the public, refreshments are provided.

~ Cherokee Rose is playing country music at the Roadhouse on the south side of Monroe on Saturday evening.

~ The New Glarus Hotel is also having live music this weekend. Badge is playing solid gold rock and roll on Sunday from 4:30 until 8 pm.

~ The Freeport Visitors Center is running an Alternative Energy Expo until March 22. The Expo features designs and ideas from local alternative energy companies. The Center is on Rt 20, just east of Freeport. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 am until 7 pm, Friday and Saturday from 8 am until 8 pm.

~ The young thespians at Shakespeare Project are starting their new year Thursday evening. Stay tuned for a more detail post on this great group in the future, but do consider contacting them if you would be willing and able to help with creation of costumes or scenery. Their annual performance is going to be in June, and the Shakespeare on the Edge core company is doing another Piazza event in September.

Lego-land, Green County-style

What happens when a child tells his parents that he loves Legos, he knows that lots of other kids do too, and he thinks there should be a club for kids like him?

You get the Monroe Lego Club.

I just love the spirit of people around here. The Monroe Lego Club is a the newest addition to the groups in Cheese Country. The group is for people of all ages who simply enjoy playing with Legos. Come to the Community Room at the Monroe Public Library any time between noon and 3 pm on the third Saturday of March, April and May. Lego enthusiasts 10 and under must have a parent or guardian in the library at all times.

Bring your cool designs to display to the group, but please do not bring your Legos to build with to avoid mixing up sets. There will be ample Legos provided for building opportunities. There is no cost for the building sessions.

If you would like further information, you can contact Lisa Kivirist at 608-329-7056.

Local business you may not know about

There are so many businesses in the Green County area that are well known outside of the area, but little known here.

One of these businesses is Nicki's Diapers. Nicki's Diapers opened up a retail storefront in New Glarus last year under the name Planet Wise, but they have been operating online for considerably longer than that. Nicki's Diapers and Planet Wise show the half-hidden environmentalism that is surprisingly strong here in the Green County area.

As a cloth diaper user myself, the opening on Planet Wise made it even easier to keep my money local when shopping. They carry a large selection of cloth diapering necessities as well as the splurges that make cloth diapering more fun. Cloth diapering has been experiencing a quiet resurgence in recent years as people start to realize how easy it is.

However, Nicki believes in diversification and she features so much more than just cloth diapers and diapering supplies. There is something for every baby and toddler here. The adorable Baby Legs line of leg warmers. Flexible soled shoes by Pediped, Jack and Lily, Shoo Shoos and Pedoodles. Baby carriers by Ergo, Hotslings, New Native, Ellaroo, ZoloWear and more. Lots of wooden toys. Swim diapers and sun hats. Train sets. Diaper bags. Even lollypops made with pure sugar and free from food coloring.

Nicki's and Planet Wise are here to be part of the community as well. The front of the store is devoted to a community area with sofas and toys for toddlers and preschoolers. They offer classes once a month to help people learn about babywearing and cloth diapering. If you are curious about either, the next class day is March 7. Cloth Diapering 101 is from 10 am until 11 am, and Babywearing 101 takes place from 11 am until noon. Both are free.

You can find Nicki's Diapers at 405 2nd St in New Glarus. Call the store at if you need directions. They are open Monday through Thursday from 9 am until 5 pm, Fridays from 9 am until 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 10 am until 3 pm.

What makes my job great

One of the best parts of my job is the people I get to work with. I have gotten to know some incredible people over the last three and half years.

I love the way people stay in touch even after the home buying process is finished. There is the great couple who dropped off a bag of cucumbers for me last summer. I made them in to pickles, and every time I open a jar, I think of Jay and Ann.

There is the couple who invited us to watch the annual Cheese Days parade from their new front yard. We had family over and couldn't go, but I really appreciated Nancy's invitation.

One former client who lives a few hours away called me today because a friend of his will be playing boogie woogie piano at Baumgartner's tomorrow evening, Saturday, February 21. Michael thought we might enjoy it, and he is right. That type of music is right up my alley.

Zoila and Mario bought Girl Scout cookies from my daughters, and I enjoy seeing their toddler grow up as we run into them around town.

I am truly lucky to have had so many wonderful people enter my life or to be able to get to know them better through the process of helping them buy or a sell a home. It really is one of the things that makes my job such a pleasure.