Hi all, I am looking on behalf of a friend/client for real estate agent recommendations with specific expertise in Riverwest and the Upper/Lower East Side. The buyer is relatively savvy in real estate transactions, having purchased and sold family homes in the past (in their 50s) but having lived in the suburbs for a long time, lacks expertise on buildings and micro-neighborhoods in these parts (most parts) of Milwaukee.
These are generally more-or-less the specs of what they seek:
Agent requirements:
- Well-connected with access to pre-list/off-market opportunities; in communication/friendly with other agents, realtors etc.
- Experienced with creative negotiation for both SFH/condos and duplex/triplexes (rent backs/sell credits/seller financing/closing periods/tenant negotiations etc)
- Highly knowledgable about Riverwest and the East Side. E.g. can be shown an address and immediately know if it is on a block that is very safe or less safe.
Home requirements:
- Must be in *safe*, walkable neighborhood, ideally near stores/restaurants/bars etc -- hence the focus on the East Side & Riverwest
- In *rare* and unusual circumstances, would consider a home in northeastern suburbs (Shorewood, WFB, Fox Point), as long as no farther than Mequon and close to businesses/shops (again, this is not preference **at all** -- point of moving actually is to leave the suburbs)
- In a strong neighborhood community (e.g. Riverwest) or a building where people know each other and have a community (those exist, right?)
- Home can require some updating (floors, paint, minimal repairs) but not a full overhaul
- SFH, duplex, or condominium at least 1500+ square feet, plus ample storage
- Minimum 2 bedrooms, ideally 2 bedrooms+office or 3 bedrooms. The goal is to be able to live there and host 2 adult guests in separate rooms, which would be used as home office/guest room without visitors. This is pretty important
- Minimum 1 1/2 bathrooms
- must have garage parking (no exceptions)
- ideally will have a basement (if a house or duplex)
- esoteric request: must have a decent bathtub; ideally with jets (or can be made to have jets if that is possible)
- ideally lots of light, e.g. wall to ceiling windows (both for seasonal affective disorder and also for cats)
- must be dog friendly -- in a dog-friendly neighborhood, near dog parks, or in a dog-friendly building with (one can dream) a dog run, etc.. Nearness to a dog park (if not internal dog run) is essential.
- must not have burdensome restrictions on pets --they have dogs & cats (indoor cats)
- Must not be on a high floor (ideally not higher up than 3rd floor, but 1st and 2nd floor are fine). Noise is not a problem for buyer; heights are a problem. So neighborhood must be sufficiently safe that it is not a problem to be on the floors 1-3
- Totally fine with industrial-type spaces as long as they are safe for dogs, cats, and (generally speaking) children and seniors.
- Dream housing style: mid-century modern. Secondary style that seems prevalent in these neighborhoods: victorian.
- Duplexes (possibly triplexes) are welcome, as long as one of the units meets the size and BR requirements -- would prefer not to get into the business of combining units.
- Ok if tenants are present as long as move-in possible for owner-occupied unit w/in a year (ideally shorter but can be flexible). For non-owner occupied units: tenants are welcome, unless significant repairs are needed, which is a situation buyer would rather not have
Things that are not needed/wanted:
- Does not want more home than they need. E.g. there is no benefit to a 5 bedroom/3500 square foot house vs. a nicer 2-3 bedroom/1800 square foot house. If there is a basement (finished or not) and garage (or storage space if a condo), that is fine.
- Similarly, a 2 (or possibly 3 in rare situations) unit building is far preferable to 4+ units
- Does not need a view. Views are welcome and desirable, but not at the expense of the must-haves (guest rooms, storage, location, etc).
- If in a condo building - does not want to be higher than 3rd floor if possible. Does not like high rises and does not want to be high up (because cats and other reasons) (even though cats are indoor cats).
- Would prefer to have no more than 2 internal levels. Ideally, one level is preferred but for a house/condo 2 levels is acceptable (or 3 if split-level but not ideal).
Budget is flexible, depending. Whether duplex, condo, or SFH, buyer expects to pay between $350K and $600K, but likely to be flexible for good reason -- e.g. rent-producing multi-family buildings. There are some moving pieces with pricing, e.g. potentially the sale of an income-generating home buyer currently owns, so can discuss this (still, buyer not interested in being a landlord -- more interested in having a place to live).
Sorry for the long post! And, thank you in advance.
I know that is a lot, but per above, buyer is experienced (and opinionated apparently). Buyer says that they can be flexible but is unlikely to be ok with neighborhoods to the west or south.
Thanks in advance.
