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# Elsafy Real Estate Team

Making Good Things Happen

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://elsafyteam.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://elsafyteam.com/blog/)
- [The Most Important Room](https://elsafyteam.com/spring-market-in-february-3/) - The Most Important Room Your home has lots of rooms. Each one serves a specific purpose. Some are private spaces like bedrooms. Others are public spaces like the living room. Have you ever thought about which is the single most important room? While its function hasn’t changed over the many decades since our homes were built, how
- [Katie Gnau Knows](https://elsafyteam.com/spring-market-in-february-2/) - By: Katie Gnau, Elsafy Team Job interviews, new babies, big kids leaving the nest, changing relationship status … if any of these feel familiar to you, you may be thinking about a home sale. Dealing with these life transitions is a big job. I can help to make it easier by managing the steps in
- [Frozen Pipes?](https://elsafyteam.com/frozen-pipes/) - Now that we’re in the thick of winter, I thought I’d share a few tips for keeping your pipes flowing smoothly during the colder months. To prevent pipes from freezing… 1. When freezing temps are forecasted, let cold water slowly drip through faucets served by exposed pipes. This is especially important if your kitchen sink
- [Designers' Best Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors](https://elsafyteam.com/designers-best-kitchen-cabinet-paint-colors/) - If painting your kitchen cabinets has been on your mind.... this post is for you! Read the article below for tips and tricks on painting existing cabinets and determine which colors the designers recommend as the best cabinet paint colors. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/best-kitchen-cabinet-paint-colors-according-to-designers
- [Summer Backyard Fun!](https://elsafyteam.com/summer-backyard-fun/) - We've come up with a list of some pretty awesome things you can do in your backyard to make summer even MORE exciting! Build a fairy garden. Bury the trampoline and then... Combine that in-ground trampoline with a SPLASH PAD. Play a game of kick croquet using hula hoops. Create a giant bubble with plastic
- [7 Places You Can't Miss This Winter in Wisconsin](https://elsafyteam.com/7-places-you-cant-miss-this-winter-in-wisconsin/) - This snow has us thinking of all the ways we need to embrace our Wisconsin winter! Check out this article featured on Travel Wisconsin's website: https://www.travelwisconsin.com/article/winter-activities/7-places-you-cant-miss-this-winter-in-wisconsin
- [3 Reasons to Consider selling before spring](https://elsafyteam.com/3-reasons-to-consider-selling-before-spring/) - You don’t have to wait until spring to put up your “for sale” sign! Even though interest rates have increased and post-pandemic demand has steadied, you don’t need to wait to sell if your home no longer meets your needs. Here’s why now *might* be the right time for you to start the process: 1)
- [Negotiator or Dealmaker?](https://elsafyteam.com/negotiator-or-dealmaker/) - Negotiation is an important part of a real estate transaction. Protecting the interests of your client is a fundamental duty. Realtors are often hired to get the best deal possible. Clients expect you to be tough. They expect you to be firm. “Your job is to stare down the other side”, I was once told. Which I did, and then
- [Practical ways to refresh your home](https://elsafyteam.com/practical-ways-to-refresh-your-home/) - New year, new home? Or maybe just a refresh? Here are 7 simple things you can do around your house to help it feel like a "new home" again: Rearrange Your FurnitureLook for another arrangement in a room that you spend a majority of your time in. Maybe that's your living room. You won't even
- [Let's get out the crystal ball...](https://elsafyteam.com/lets-get-out-the-crystal-ball/) - There is no question that 2021 was an exciting year in the real estate market. Overall home prices were up 12% in Whitefish Bay according to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). That’s the highest single-year value increase in my 24 years as a Realtor. Many homeowners sold their home in days and achieved prices above their asking price. It’s
- [Are you ready to take the plunge?](https://elsafyteam.com/are-you-ready-to-take-the-plunge/) - Thinking of buying a house? Welcome to the shark tank! By now I’m sure you’ve heard stories of homes getting multiple offers. Five, ten, or fifteen offers on a single home are not unusual. First let’s understand why this is happening. Then let’s consider important lessons for both buyers and sellers. What’s Fueling the Fire It’s not complicated. Low inventory and
- [Getting Ready to Move](https://elsafyteam.com/getting-ready-to-move/) - Congratulations! You sold your home. Now comes the difficult task of packing and getting ready to move. Where do you start? Here’s some to advice to get you on your way. Secure Movers Early If you’re going to employ the help of professional movers or rent a moving truck, then your first step is to secure them early. These services
- [How's the Market You Ask?](https://elsafyteam.com/hows-the-market-you-ask-2/) - There isn’t a week that goes by when I don’t bump into past client or friend at Sendik’s who asks, “hey Essam, how’s the market”? It seems like a simple question. But the answer is a bit more nuanced than you might think. The answer depends on whether you are seller, buyer, investor, lender,
- [Spring Market in February?](https://elsafyteam.com/spring-market-in-february/) - February isn’t exactly springtime in Milwaukee. But if you’re considering selling your home, now is precisely the time to think spring. Sure, your grass will be greener, the trees will look prettier, and the gardens will start to come alive in May and June. But it’s also the time when there’s a whole lot more competition. The best outcomes
- [The Elsafy Real Estate Team](https://elsafyteam.com/the-elsafy-team-at-shorewest-realtors/) - Business Profile - Whitefish Bay Living Magazine - March 2025 The Elsafy Real Estate Team works with great care to help clients make sound and informed decisions in a dynamic real estate market. With a sharp understanding of the market, the team provides expert guidance and personalized advice – to help families achieve their goals Business Profile - Whitefish Bay Living Magazine - March 2025 The Elsafy Real Estate Team works with great care to help clients make sound and informed decisions in a dynamic real estate market. With a sharp understanding of the market, the team provides expert guidance and personalized advice – to help families achieve their goals
- [Have You Read the Headlines?](https://elsafyteam.com/have-you-read-the-headlines/) - They go something like this… “The 6% commission is gone” – CNN “How NAR settlement could lower home prices” – Fox News …and my favorite, “Real estate agents are going extinct” – Fortune At the heart of the kerfuffle is compensation. I would argue that the Realtor compensation model is superior to others in similar
- [Thinking About Selling Your Home in 2024?](https://elsafyteam.com/thinking-about-selling-your-home-in-2024/) - Seller - Spring - Preparation
- [Learn More About Our Team](https://elsafyteam.com/spring-market-in-february-3-2-2/) - The Elsafy Team at Shorewest Realtors works with great care to help clients make sound and informed decisions in a dynamic real estate market. With a sharp understanding of the market, they provide expert guidance and personalized advice that helps families achieve their selling or buying goals with confidence. The foundation of every successful real
- [Moving is Hard.](https://elsafyteam.com/spring-market-in-february-3-2/) - I’ll just come right out and say it, moving isn’t easy. The thought of packing up years of accumulated possessions and putting them in box is daunting. And that’s not the hardest part. It’s what to do with family heirlooms, kids’ third grade artwork, and all your memories is what makes the process especially difficult. We all know that

## Pages

- [Home](https://elsafyteam.com/) - Get social with us!
- [Buying](https://elsafyteam.com/buying/) - Our Buying Process
- [Selling](https://elsafyteam.com/selling/) - Our Selling Process
- [Our Team](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/) - Enjoy the power and resources of our team while getting one-on-one attention. You’ll always work directly with a skilled Realtor who’s your partner throughout the entire process. In addition, our client care team provides background support to ensure all the details are handled in a timely manner so we have a smooth closing. Giving Back
- [2000 Kathlynn Ct.](https://elsafyteam.com/2000kathlynn/)
- [Contact Us](https://elsafyteam.com/contact-us/)
- [Sample Page](https://elsafyteam.com/sample-page/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet... Home Valuation We provide creative marketing ideas that maximize exposure to the largest qualified buyer pool and help identify the right one that’s a perfect match for your home. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Smart Preparation Making your home as emotionally appealing for buyers is our goal. Preparing the right
- [Features](https://elsafyteam.com/features/) - Sed scelerisque nisl nunc, quis dictum turpis semper faucibus. Cras elementum, nisi vitae semper lacinia, enim lectus pellentesque massa, quis congue urna nulla id purus. Ut tempus scelerisque tellus, sit amet blandit lacus laoreet quis. Maecenas neque lorem, aliquam id lacus fermentum
- [Terms of Use](https://elsafyteam.com/terms-of-use/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://elsafyteam.com/privacy-policy/) - Who we are Suggested text: Our website address is: https://essamteam.com. Comments Suggested text: When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a

## Testimonials

- [Katie- Mark P. Wallner and Mary E. Wallner](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/mark-p-wallner-and-mary-e-wallner/) - We had a great experience with the sale of our home of 30 years. All the credit goes to our Shorewest agent, Katie Gnau. Katie brought marketplace expertise, professionalism and a collaborative mindset to the entirety of the process. As there was much to be done to prepare for sale Katie's skills with project management
- [Essam- Deborah A. Strand](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/deborah-a-strand/) - The Elsafy Team and Essam were wonderful to work with during what was a very smooth house selling process. There were excellent pointers for getting the house market ready. Steps, process and my responsibilities were clearly explained and he made sure nothing seemed overwhelming. Based on his market knowledge and referrals, he was able to
- [Team- Jean Heffernan](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/jean-heffernan/) - Elsafy Team sold our house during a difficult time of year and they were so helpful the entire way. We needed a lot of coaching through the process and they gave great advice because they truly know this market. Highly recommend!
- [Essam- Diane Zeni](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/diane-zeni/) - Of the many realtors that we have worked with over the years, we found Essam Elsafy to be the most professional, competent, helpful and reassuring. He listened and responded to our needs, kept us informed, offered advice and clearly explained his listing and pricing strategy to us. He helped us prepare our property for sale,
- [Essam- Jim Froemming](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/jim-froemming/) - Having Essam list my mother’s home was a wise move. After interviewing several listing agents, I came away with the clear choice of Essam Elsafy and have been impressed with the entire process. Essam initially put me at ease with a professional calmness through his detail-oriented itinerary of how a successful selling process would take
- [Jenny- Kelsey Wagner](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/kelsey-wagner/) - Jenny was absolutely fantastic! This was my first time buying a house so I was very nervous and not sure what to expect. Jenny went above and beyond and made me feel comfortable throughout the whole process. I was confident that she knew what she was doing and was looking out for my best interest.
- [Jenny- Marianne B. Krzykowski](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/marianne-b-krzykowski/) - Jenny was outstanding. This is our second time working with her and each time she provided excellent service. Communication was very timely and she is always available for input, questions and feedback. She made the stress of selling property much more palatable. Jenny is clearly a very knowledgeable and talented professional.
- [Katie- Michaela Bear](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/michaela-bear/) - Katie was so wonderful to work with. She was always timely, insightful, and flexible. We loved her personality as she worked with us, but also her data-driven and cunning insight as we put together the best strategies and ultimate offer to get our house. We would definitely recommend Katie to new homeowners, or use her
- [Essam- Mike B](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/mike-b/) - Essam represented us with regard the sale of our house and purchase of another. As an attorney, I am experienced in residential real estate deals. I have had numerous transactional interactions with agents over the years. My wife and I were thoroughly impressed with Essam. He is knowledgeable, experienced, calm, perceptive and responsive. Our experience
- [Tarpey Franz- Neil S. Siegel and Terri A. Siegel](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/neil-s-siegel-and-terri-a-siegel/) - Working with Gayl and Dawn was a pleasure. They fully understood our needs and worked within our criteria. We were more than pleased with the outcome of the sale of our house. We would highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in buying or selling a home.
- [Jenny- Paul and Amy Weisbrot-Seifert](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/paul-and-amy-weisbrot-seifert/) - We live in Olympia, WA. On my Shorewest app I saw a house in Glendale WI & jumped on it within hours of its being listed. I contacted Jenny and had a knowledgeable friend in Milwaukee make an appointment with her to view it. After the favorable viewing Jenny was of inestimable help in putting
- [Tarpey Franz- Paul Baron](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/paul-baron/) - Gayl and Dawn and the whole team at Shorewest were incredibly effective and helpful selling my father's home in Shorewood. What could have been a difficult process was streamlined by people who knew how to remove obstacles and then position us for a tremendous showing and a successful close. The marketing strategy was spot-on and
- [Tarpey Franz- Paul J. Alexander and Melissa E. Alexander](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/paul-j-alexander-and-melissa-e-alexander/) - All around 5-start rating for the Tarpey Franz team!! Wonderful people first of all. And they do the job with such professionalism. In our case, the bidding strategy guidance they provided was critical and a key to us getting our dream condo. We are forever indebted to Dawn and Gail! Paul and Melissa Alexander
- [Jenny- The Ritter Family](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/the-ritter-family/) - Jenny was always punctual, accessible, and pleasant, yet she clearly knew the business of real estate. She didn't hesitate to offer suggestions and opinions; I really appreciated this because I knew little to nothing about selling a house! She kept her word, and was easy to work with; I wouldn't hesitate to work with her
- [Katie- Erin Gabriel](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/erin-gabriel/) - I reached out to Katie, and we connected very quickly--She understood what I was looking for/preferring in selling my house. Everything from paperwork, staging, photos and approving showings was easy, flexible and I felt included in the process--very much a team effort, which led to selling the house quickly! I would recommend Katie anytime, and
- [Tarpey Franz- Emily Martin](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/emily-martin/) - Dawn and Gayl are the absolute best realtors we could have asked for! As first-time home buyers, we did not know what to expect during this crazy housing market. Dawn and Gayl took the time to help explain and educate us on the home buying process. When we went on tours, they made sure the
- [Katie- Deborah](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/deborah/) - As out of town buyers, we needed someone comfortable and competent to help us navigate the process of buying a home in Milwaukee and Katie fit the bill perfectly. Because of the strong market, we ended up purchasing our property with the help of a live walk through video and negotiations were completed while we
- [Essam- Claire Mehringer](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/claire-mehringer/) - Essam and his team were wonderful from the start of the process to the very end. For a newbie home buyer in this country, this was exactly what I needed. From the amazing staging and preparing my home to sell, to the end of the buying process the team were truly amazing. Essam and the
- [Katie- Cassidy S and Jacob B](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/cassidy-s-and-jacob-b/) - As young, first time home buyers Katie made us feel so calm in our search. We definitely took our time in finding the perfect home and Katie was so patient with us. She worked diligently to schedule tours to fit our crazy schedules and kept us level headed and realistic with each house we saw.
- [Essam- Carrie](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/carrie/) - Essam is very kind, attentive to detail, available, mindful and knowledgeable of all aspects of real estate. I wouldn’t want to be without Essam if I am buying or selling my home.
- [Tarpey Franz- Beth and Andrew M](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/beth-and-andrew-m/) - We had the absolute best experience working with Dawn and Gayl! We met them by chance when we walked by an open house and decided to take a quick look. This look led us to falling in love with the house and wanting to put in an offer. Through the expertise of Dawn and Gayl,
- [Katie- Amanda Gilman](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/amanda-gilman/) - My family started working with Katie Gnau last spring when we began our search for a multi-generational duplex home in Shorewood. Katie truly listened to feedback from all three generations of us and found us the perfect place. Then, once we moved into the duplex, Katie and the Elsafy team started working on the sale
- [Team- Christopher J. Stoye and Julie A. Tokarz-Stoye](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/christopher-j-stoye-and-julie-a-tokarz-stoye/) - You all did a wonderful job from start (10 years ago) to finish. With so much going on in life, we were able to trust your team, without reservation, to completely manage our Real estate experience. When we see the Shorewest sign displayed anywhere in our community, there lies an assurance that all will be
- [Essam- Joseph Sweda](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/joseph-sweda/) - Essam and Team went above and beyond throughout the entire home buying process! From sage advice on walkthroughs of houses to negotiating, Essam always had the right answer time and time again. As a first-time homebuyer, I could not be more appreciative of everything Essam and Team brought to the table. If you are looking
- [Katie- Eric J. Salter and Heidi R. Salter](https://elsafyteam.com/testimonials/eric-j-salter-and-heidi-r-salter/) - Katie Gnau and the Shorewood team made selling our home so easy! She took extra care to ensure we had a successful sale with no unexpected issues. The whole team was great!

## Team

- [Essam Elsafy](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/essam-elsafy/) - Meet Essam Selecting the right Realtor is a big decision. Like all healthy relationships the Client-Realtor bond must be grounded in important bedrock principles like trust, honesty, mutual respect, and the secure knowledge that my partner will look out for me. I’ve been married for 26 years to an amazing person, and together we have
- [Rachelle Davis](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/rachelle/) - Meet Rachelle Aliquam finibus vulputate efficitur. Nam in sagittis nisi. Donec condimentum ullamcorper mi id ultrices. Suspendisse ut mattis metus, elementum laoreet nibh. Aliquam vulputate est ut tortor hendrerit aliquet. Fusce in diam mi. Duis sed condimentum dui.
- [Claire Higgins](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/claire/) - About Claire Donec tincidunt, diam a gravida laoreet, felis lacus iaculis nisi, ut condimentum est sem et lectus. Suspendisse gravida magna id metus volutpat ullamcorper. Suspendisse potenti. Maecenas sagittis, velit ac imperdiet sollicitudin, mi massa consequat nisi, a pellentesque ipsum nisl nec metus.
- [Katie Gnau](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/katie-gnau/) - Meet Katie The catalyst to my Real Estate career was a whirlwind 6 months in 2014. During that time my husband and I (1) sold our Chicago condo, (2) sold his childhood home, and (3) bought a duplex to house our newly formed multigenerational family. Through my experiences as a Seller and Buyer, I realized
- [Julie Olson](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/julie-olson/) - Meet Julie Hello! I offer full-service Real Estate services whether you're buying your first home, selling to downsize in life, or looking to make your mark as an investor. I've been an agent since October of 2016 and LOVE my job. I'm an out-of-the-box thinker, a skilled negotiator, but also a friendly and fun person.
- [Jenny Jansen](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/jenny-jansen/) - Meet Jenny It is not about seventeen years of real estate experience or an in-depth knowledge of Milwaukee and surrounding counties. It is about you, the Client. Everyone is different and has their own unique situation and priorities. I customize the process of buying or selling a home to meet your needs. “Trust - Caring
- [Dawn Tarpey + Gayl Franz](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/dawn-tarpey-gayl-franz/) - Meet Dawn + Gayl We have set a standard for ourselves in the Real Estate business which requires daily attention to market conditions, quick response to customers and clients and a desire to attain the best possible transaction for everyone involved. We value honesty and integrity and promise a cheerful and enthusiastic attitude at all
- [Gretchen Menard + Cathy DeMuth](https://elsafyteam.com/our-team/cathy-demuth-gretchen-menard/) - Meet Cathy + Gretchen As lifelong Wisconsin residents and dedicated advocates/fundraisers for our children's schools and communities, we've naturally transitioned into successful real estate careers. Our past involvement and experience, as well as our transactional skills give us the confidence to intuitively understand a need and effectively set a plan in place to achieve a

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://elsafyteam.com/category/uncategorized/)

## Tags

- [For Buyers](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/for-buyers/)
- [For Sellers](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/for-sellers/)
- [Staging](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/staging/)
- [Market Update](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/market-update/)
- [Tips and Tricks](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/tips-and-tricks/)
- [Travel](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/travel/)
- [Katie Gnau](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/katie-gnau/)
- [Homeownership](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/homeownership/)
- [Our Team](https://elsafyteam.com/tag/our-team/)

## Titles

- [Realtor](https://elsafyteam.com/team_title/realtor/)
- [Client Care Specialist](https://elsafyteam.com/team_title/client-care-specialist/)
- [Realtors](https://elsafyteam.com/team_title/realtors/)