How do I check for flood zones before I buy a house?

FEMA flood map. And make the offer contingent on not being a flood plain. Your insurer should be able to tell you if it is.

I want a fixer-upper - what are deal breaker, don't buy redflags for fixer uppers?

If you're not handy, why look for one? Unless it just involves paint & flooring. Then it should be OK

How does the NAR settlement actually affect me as a seller?

What it means is that you can negotiate directly via the contract re the BA fee. Don't plan on refusing to pay ANYthing, because no buyer, no sale. One of my sellers needed a certain net amount, so we negotiated the BA fee & purchase price to be a certain amount vs what he asked for. If you're in a state with SUBagency, it's only fair to offer that agent something...because no buyer, no sale. (Subagents' fiduciary duty is to the seller by default, so they are working for you not the buyer).

Can I sell as-is if I still owe a lot on my mortgage?

You can list as-is, but plan on an as-is price. It's possible a buyer's lender could refuse to fund it if these are bad enough. But you can escrow to have the work done after closing and see if they'd accept that.

Is it dumb to buy a house without seeing it first?

Have a good agent that will take their fiduciary duty to you seriously. I do video walk thru quite a bit, and I comment on how it smells, what the street is like, if I think the place is just weird, etc

Does adding a granny flat actually increase my home value?

It might affect buyers' willingness to take on something like that. No matter how it appraises

How can I determine the value of my single-wide mobile home?

Is it on its own land? If not, it won't be worth all that much, and is not considered "real estate" because that term refers to the land. I.e., the dirt is the real estate, and anything on it is considered "improvements." You might want to explore places that sell mobile homes. If, however, it sits on e.g. an acre of land, it'll be worth a lot more and an agent can list it.

HOA saying I can't have my work truck in driveway

I am so sorry that you weren't explicitly warned/informed about their rules. Almost all/all HOAs have rules like this. Were you given the HOA documents prior to closing? They should have been provided in the MLS. Did you read them? Did your agent point them out to you? (If you had an agent). A Buyer Agent has a fiduciary duty to their client. That rule should have been stressed.

How do I make my home look brighter?

What color is your paint? White paint always helps. How many lights do you have? Try increasing the number of lamps, have them all on when showing, and use "daylight" bright bulbs/LEDs. Use light-colored furniture/spreads/throws. Light colored area rug.

Short answer...YES. people will see it as "something they'll have to remove," and anything in poor repair is a drawback.

Will removing a closet to create a dedicated home office hurt my resale value?

If you removed a bedroom, it IS a 3-bed. Have your agent do comps for 3-beds vs 4-beds and look at the price differences. That will show you how much that 4th bedroom is worth, according to market data.

Does repainting the exterior and updating landscaping help a home sell faster?

Absolutely. With peeling paint, any buyer with any govt loan probably won't even look at it. Overgrown yards cost plenty in terms of buyer interest. I had a $925K listing that went for $905K because the yard was a jungle. All the buyers hated it, and many drove by without booking a showing because of it.

Will unpermitted DIY bathroom renovations cause issues during the buyer's home inspection?

What are your municipality's rules? Some don't require permits for anything under $4000; some require permits for everything, in my area. If you establish that you should have got a permit, then you can retroactively apply for one, or follow the municipality's advice if that's not possible. Does your state's Condition Report have a question about un-permitted work? Answer it truthfully. A home inspector is not a code inspector. Their job is to report what they see & flag defects and safety hazards. They won't look up records of permits, at least in my state. Appraisers' job is to determine the market value so if the buyer defaults, the lender won't be stuck with more money lent than what it's worth. I doubt they bother to look up permits as a rule. They look up comps, measure sq footage, and determine condition compared to the comps. Short answer: make sure you disclose this on the condition report.

Trying to find a real estate lawyer who will help with the deed of the property that is trying to be

You would be wise to contact a probate attorney. They can guide you as to your goal. Depending on the laws in your state, it might be difficult to do what you want, because of the laws of succession. The state statutes (which define these laws), should be online, and you can research those. If you had any premarital agreement, bring it when you talk to the lawyer.

Should we wait for mortgage rates to drop before selling our current home?

I always say to sell when it fits your needs https://studio.youtube.com/video/iu0qEPfN0-s/edit

Should we wait for mortgage rates to drop before selling our current home?

Sell when it fits your needs & timeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu0qEPfN0-s (Bad link in previous answer)

Is spring actually the best time to sell a house, or should I list it this winter?

Short answer: yes, they will, and open houses serve two purposes: 1. Get lots of feedback fast 2. Saves time for buyers & their agents The selling season starts surprisingly early in WI (not sure what state you're in). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ7frOYdous

Should I sell my aging house as-is right now or wait until I can afford to update it?

This is a personal decision. If you want to renovate, can you do a home equity loan or LOC? If you do renovate, find out what the cabinet, countertop, flooring, etc people are selling the most of, which will give you an idea of popular trends. https://homesellasis.com

Is it too late to switch mortgage lenders after I've already received a pre-approval?

You will probably be better off going with a local credit union. "Big national banks" are notoriously difficult to deal with for the people actually involved in the transaction, and rarely keep to deadlines as they ought to, in my experience. Put this another way: if I receive 2 offers, one where the buyer has a trusted local lender & one where the buyer has a "big national bank," I'm going to tell the seller they'll have less trouble with the local lender.

Can I get a mortgage with only 3% down if I have a strong income but low savings?

Theoretically, yes. But talk to a mortgage broker.

How can I buy a house with no money down I am a senior citizen

At this stage in your life, it might not make sense to try to buy a house. Can you try Section 8? If I had a prospective tenant who was a senior citizen who had Section 8, I'd jump at the chance to have them as a tenant. Is there any housing that's specifically for low-income seniors available? There is in my area. What about a condo? There are some economical condos also in my area. But to your question. Yes, VA & USDA loans are 0% down. Talk to a mortgage broker.

I want to buy a cheap place under2000

Do you mean $2000/month or purchase price? Even tax sales are usually not that cheap. Even bare land is not that cheap. The worst & cheapest foreclosure I was in, had part of the roof in the bath tub & sold for over $40K. In WI, not some expensive place like NY or CA. If you are looking for cheap property, try going to sheriff sales, usually held in the county courthouse. This will be a way of educating yourself on that process. Or go online & search tax delinquent sales in each state. Note, each state has different rules re. tax sales. Some are liens, some are deeds, and some are redeemable deeds. And you have to know the laws & rules pertaining to the sales.

How do I choose between a local mortgage broker and a large national bank for my first home loan?

I don't like to see pre-approval letters from big national banks. And what they advertise may not be what you'd get. Try a mortgage broker: they can shop rates for you. Or find a local lender that can provide a deal. Consider an ARM with a long term, because most people move anyway before the balloon payment would be due.

I got an eviction notice and need help

Do you have a lease or are you MTM? If the landlord sold the building, then it would be the new owner doing this, right? Landlord-tenant laws vary from state to state, but it doesn't make sense that you'd owe rent "due May 1" when it wasn't even sold til after that. (I assume you paid May 1?) It sounds as if you need a lawyer!

My mom and 2 aunts got a house from my grandmother when she passed away and 1 aunt wants to sell..

Short answer, no. Not if the deed is in all their names. If one person is a personal rep or trustee, that person technically could list the property without input from the others. But in my experience with probates, they usually WANT to be in agreement, to avoid family feuds. Bear in mind, state statutes would be where you'd want to start doing your own research. And talk to a lawyer.

Want to sell my home to my granddaughter and her husband

PLEASE have a lawyer draft an agreement for you that protects your interests and clearly states their obligations. Don't bother using a real estate agent; we can't practice law and something like this requires a lawyer.

Can you recommend an appraisor?

Each state should have a list of appraisers. Find one that knows your market.

Will garage conversion hurt or help home value?

This is very market-specific. Is there any other garage? Carport? In WI, homes without a garage sell for less.

How does flood zone status affect buying a home in South Florida?

I'd always advise a buyer to pass on flood zones, because the insurance would be prohibitive. And they could raise it at any time. PLEASE, just don't go there! You have no idea what you could end up paying in 1, 3, or 7 years.

Privacy fence on my property?

That is encroachment. It would need to be disclosed on the condition report. Did you know where the lot line was before they put it up? IMO, it would need to be addressed before listing.

What would you advise if I were your client ?

"Cash is King." They say that for a reason. I tell my clients , "Never trash cash." Usually rent-back is done to try to help the sellers. Was a monthly price mentioned? If not, then maybe the buyer is just trying to sweeten the offer. I'd plan on finding someplace to live in case the house you want doesn't materialize. I know it sounds like a hassle, but you will be in a super-strong position as a buyer, because then you won't have a house to sell. Bear in mind that if you rejected a full price cash offer with no contingencies in WI, you'd still owe compensation to your listing firm.

Should I renovate my kitchen before selling?

You can sell "as-is" but expect an as-is price. "Renovating" can be as simple as painting cabinets. That's cheap and it works wonders. It can generate a lot more buyer interest which can drive up price. If the counter tops are beat up, they can also be painted. I've seen this in homes that I showed.

Parking on street legal?

What do the HOA rules say? If it's a city street, you can't stop people parking, but you could talk to them and ask if they'd refrain when you have an open house.

I'm already on hud how can I buy a hud home

I presume you have signed up for one of those "hud home" websites, hoping to find a foreclosure. The BEST way to find cheap houses is to go to sheriff sales. If you need to borrow money, get in touch with a lender & real estate agent: you'll have better luck. And, BTW, I've never seen a nice foreclosure. Usually they stink & can have part of the roof in the bath tub, etc. Takes experienced rehabbers to tackle those.

What type of home loan do I need to buy a mobile home in a park?

Chattel mortgages. Many trailer parks have info on where to find lenders. Usually pretty high interest rate.

Agent want me to pay for professional cleaning before photos

You don't need to hire professional cleaners to address odors. You can use an ozone generator, but everyone, including pets, must be out of the place while it runs. The agent mentioning odors is being honest, not rude. There are other odors buyers also object to: smoke, plug-ins, cats, dogs, musty, fish, grease...and we have to let the owners know that buyers will object. It's our job, to help them get the highest price. Telling a cat owner they have a problem with a cat smell, is not "being rude to cat owners." It's being practical. So...if there IS a spice odor that most buyers won't appreciate, take care of it if you want top dollar. It doesn't hurt to have a professional do a deep clean & shampoo carpets before listing. You want to make your house the best it can possibly be. Besides, lots of buyers want professional cleaning. But find & hire your own. I know cleaners that are a lot cheaper than that.

Looking for: HUD registered broker to bid on a home in NY. Other than HUD.

Any agent can ask their broker to sign up on the site, and then they can access it. It has to go through the broker

What is the quickest way to sell a mobile home in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? Should I hire a realtor?

There are companies that can buy & sell mobile homes. Will the manager of the park buy it? Real estate agents may not be able to help. In my state, we are allowed to list one per year. (Unless it's on its own land).

Emily Matthews

Q: 1. What advice would you give a buyer trying to purchase a home?

Please do not start looking at homes, even online, before you know "how much house" you can afford. That is calculated by determining your monthly payment-what you are comfortable with-and then working backward to determine loan amount. Remember, you are buying a monthly payment, not a sticker price!

Q: 2. What advice would you give a seller trying to sell their home?

My role is to give you information data) & advice so you can make a wise decision regarding how to list your property. I give you a 'menu" of marketing options to pick from, and I advertise heavily on social media to draw attention to your home.

Q: 3. What types of clients have you worked with?

I have served first time buyers, downsizers, people with slim budgets, and people that could afford a million-dollar property. Everyone gets full attention and my best efforts to see a contract through from acceptance to closing.

Q: 4. Describe a recent transaction you are fond of. How did it go?

Once a lender was not doing their job & two business days prior to closing, claimed they needed another whole month. I tracked down the highest executive in the company that I could find & called them, explaining the situation & basically said (politely), "You caused this problem. You need to fix it." And we closed only one day late.

Q: 5. How did you get started in Real Estate?

I became interested when I was assisting my son to buy his first home. During that process, i realized that this was something I had a passion for.

Q: 6. Do you have any special education or training that will benefit your clients?

Getting the Senior Real Estate Specialist, Military Relo Professional, Accredited buyer's Rep, Pricing Strategy Advisor, plus other designations has benefited my clients because of the extra level of knowledge & training involved.

RE/MAX Universal Realty

8 Years of Experience

(3)

$34.7M

Total Sales Last Year

Years of Experience

Recent TransactionsTransactions from the last 3 years

$227.3K

Average Price Point

Service Areas

Brillion, WI Cascade, WI Chilton, WI Cleveland, WI Collins, WI Glenbeulah, WI Greenbush, WI Hilbert, WI Kiel, WI Malone, WI Manitowoc, WI New Holstein, WI Newton, WI Plymouth, WI Potter, WI Reedsville, WI Saint Nazianz, WI Sheboygan Falls, WI Sheboygan, WI Sherwood, WI Valders, WI Waldo, WI

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About Emily Matthews

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC233NIOSNKHyHoS5dKzhcsA

Community Involvement

As a Homes for Heroes agent, I am able to have my clients receive Hero Rewards. I also volunteer in the WI Nurses Honor Guard

HOBBIES/INTEREST

In the summer, you can find me in my garden if I'm not working

FAMILY

With 5 kids & a 20+ year history of ER nursing, I am able to handle any difficulty that arises during your real estate journey

Credentials

LICENSE

Real Estate - Wisconsin - # 85555

Designation

PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor)

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Specialties

Buyer's Agent
Listing Agent
Residential Real Estate

Awards

2026
TOP AGENT
Sheboygan, WI
2026
TOP AGENT
New Holstein, WI
2026
TOP AGENT
Manitowoc, WI

Other Awards

Executive Club

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Emily Matthews's Reviews & Ratings

3 Reviews

(5/5)

Note: Reviews may include other agents on their team

What clients say about this agent....

Communicative
Professional
Knowledgeable
Responsive

Ederjamesj2

Review for Member: Emily Matthews

August 5, 2026

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

Zillow
Review

Emily was a pleasure to work with in buying our new home and selling our home of over 20 years. She is very know knowledgeable and thorough with selling and listing. Could could not have ask for a better process and realtor. We definitely recommend her to anyone buying or selling. Thank you for getting us in to our forever home.

Mach1monte

Review for Member: Emily Matthews

April 3, 2026

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

Zillow
Review

Emily did a great job of selling my house quickly and negotiating for a fair price. Her knowledge of the negotiation and offer/counter offer process was great. She helped to achieved the goals that I had in selling my property. The REMAX Realty participation in the Hometown Heroes Program was an added bonus as well!

Wjborgwardt

Review for Member: Emily Matthews

October 31, 2020

Local Knowledge

Process Expertise

Responsiveness

Negotiation skills

Zillow
Review

I couldn?t be happier with the service Emily provided me. My home sold in two days and I got my asking price. Emily helped me stage my house and took care of every detail of the sale. She was always available by phone or text. She was friendly, professional and thorough. I highly recommend her!

FAQ

1. What advice would you give a buyer trying to purchase a home?

2. What advice would you give a seller trying to sell their home?

3. What types of clients have you worked with?

4. Describe a recent transaction you are fond of. How did it go?

5. How did you get started in Real Estate?

6. Do you have any special education or training that will benefit your clients?

Answered Questions

Should I get more than one home inspection?

In theory, a person could do that. But it makes more sense to have follow up specialized inspections based on what the inspector finds. Just make sure you have enough time to get them done. You might need an extension of the inspection contingency

Answered by Emily Matthews | Albany | 439 Views | Working With an Agent | 7 months ago

What is the first step in buying a home?

Get pre-approved. And don't just go by the amount the lender tells you; work out what a comfortable monthly payment would be, and ask the lender to calculate from that. That way you know what your price point is.

Answered by Emily Matthews | | 2072 Views | Working With an Agent | 7 months ago

Will my Facebook marketplace sale kill my loan?

If there are unexplained deposits, underwriters do not like that. Get receipts for everything

Answered by Emily Matthews | Chicago | 149 Views | Working With an Agent | 7 months ago

I got an inspection - there were a lot of things. How much should i ask the seller to fix?

Best idea is to get your own estimates from contractors you trust & propose having the seller fix using that contractor. Cracked heat exchanger is serious! Leaking roof is serious!

Answered by Emily Matthews | Cincinnati | 592 Views | Working With an Agent | 7 months ago

Do smart homes have higher resale value or does it hurt?

NOPE. "Cost does not equal value." Will an appraiser allow more value for a specific thermostat or lock? Highly unlikely. What "get points" in WI are: HW floor, FP, patio, finishes (e.g. nicely done rec room vs one with paneling & ceiling tiles), number of bathrooms, replacement windows, new roof...

Answered by Emily Matthews | Madison | 263 Views | Working With an Agent | 7 months ago

Contact Information

Location

513 Water StSheboygan Falls, WI, 53085

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