by Wena Roeloffze, REALTOR and Lifestyle Expert. Owner of Realty Club 74, brokered by Coldwell Banker Realty. Part of this article is a copy of a blog written by Rachel Smith - The 15 Coolest Houses in Wisconsin. All credits for her article is acknowledged.

The Midwest gets a bad wrap for the cookie-cutter homes some builders construct. However, I can assure you that there is far more to Milwaukee and the surrounding cities you might think. Imagine a lifestyle where tradition meets modern and where you will find a relaxed city vibe with exciting new restaurants satisfying all kinds of taste buds. Where the city is becoming a diverse and growing economic hub for entrepreneurs from all over the world, and of course, it also helps being situated next to the magnificent and glorious Lake Michigan.

I had the utmost pleasure of living on 3 different continents before settling in Milwaukee, and my work involves helping a lot of people relocate to this amazing city and surrounds. Working with so many different cultures, the requirements are always to find some unique feature in a home, having the ability to add a feature on a home or sometimes build the dream home. This lead me to start my “Home of the Day” feature on Facebook.

Every day I pick a home that is unique in some way. Some of the homes are not my listings and the intention is to highlight these properties to buyers around the world who is not currently working with a real estate agent and who wants to have independent advice and guidance from me when looking to purchase these unique properties. Of course they can also contact the listing agent who works on behalf of the sellers.

Last year, as part of the American Dream TV presenters, I had the pleasure of filming unique properties, one of which is listed as the No#1 coolest property (The Knollward Mansion) in Rachel Smith’s blog (see below). The TV feature is called Custom Made and it also features John McWilliam, owner and designer of Scathain, who designed, made and installed a feature in this gorgeous and historical home.

If you are reading this and would like to know more about unique and available properties in Milwaukee and surrounding areas, schedule private showings and receive inside information, get in touch with me to schedule your VIP Consultation. All consultations will involve 3 aspects:

• Detailed home requirement list: It is important to know what you are looking for and also what you can expect from living in Wisconsin. We will discuss all options and we offer free area orientation tours if you haven’t been here before;

• Financial planning and procedures: It is a common feature in Wisconsin to send proof of funds or pre-approval letters before private tours can be granted. We will discuss and prepare in advance for showings;

• Arranging showings and tours: You might be flexible to travel and see the properties when they get listed, but sometimes your schedule does not allow and we will discuss what the procedure will be for virtual tours and how you would would like to receive the information.

These days, it really doesn’t matter where you live, because work and meetings can take place virtually all or most of the time. If you are considering a move to have lake views, easy city commute, international airport conveniences, golf courses and more, get in touch to schedule your consultation. There is so much to Milwaukee - let’s talk about a move!

Rachel Smith: Wisconsin boasts deeply historical homes that are also architectural wonders. You will find houses built by the famous Wisconsin resident Frank Lloyd Wright and beloved family homes from across the state. Here are 15 of the coolest houses in the state! 

1. Knollwood Mansion, Oconomowoc, WI

The Knollwood Mansion was originally built in 1926 and was put on the market in 2014 for over $3.5 million. This French County styled home offers eight-bedroom, 15 bathrooms and a five-car garage. Overlooking Lac Le Belle, architect Thomas S. Van Alyea knew exactly where he was placing this beautiful estate in Oconomowoc. 

2. Maxwell Mansion, Lake Geneva, WI

The Maxwell Mansion was built in 1856 specifically as a summer home for its first residents. Now it is a boutique hotel located in Lake Geneva with five luxurious rooms available for rent. The Maxwell Mansion is a historical landmark for the town of Lake Geneva.

3. Fairlawn Mansion, Superior, WI

Fairlawn Mansion was built in 1891 as the home for the Pattison family. Today the Fairlawn Mansion is open for public viewing, tours, and events. The home has gone through many owners and has served as different staples for the community of Superior, like being a home for the less fortunate in its earlier years.

4. Taliesin, Spring Green, WI

Taliesin is the personification of famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright and his works. Visit and study the mind of Wright along with viewing his Wisconsin home. The Visitor Center is the heart of Taliesin. Overlooking the Wisconsin River and a great learning experience for those looking for inspiration. 

5. Chateau de Lac, Ellison Bay, WI

Chateau de Lac is among Wisconsin’s most expensive homes, busting the market in 2008 for $29 million. Not only is it the most expensive home but it is the largest home in Wisconsin with over 35,000 square-feet which includes a theater, indoor pool, spa, guest house, and seven bedrooms. There is a pier that jets out from the house on to scenic Lake Michigan.

6. Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien, WI

Villa Louis is a Victorian inspired landmark also known as the Dousman Mansion.  Home to the Dousman’s in the 1840s the family built their empire in Prairie du Chien along the Mississippi River. It has been passed throughout their family, remodeled, expanded, and finally offered to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

7. Seth Peterson Cottage, Lake Delton, WI

Seth Peterson Cottage is a two-room cottage built by Frank Lloyd Wright for Seth Peterson in 1958—this would later become known as his last Wisconsin building, he died before the project was complete. The cottage is a cute getaway for guests after it was given improvements and underwent a remodel.

8. Pabst Mansion, Milwaukee, WI

The Pabst Mansion is estimated to have costed $32.7million dollars when recalculated in 2011. The mansion is over 20,000 square-feet including 66 rooms and 10 bathrooms. After extended family sold the house in 1908 it was the center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for 60 years, then finally it was dubbed a National Register of Historic Places in 1979. 

9. Shake Rag Alley, Mineral Point, WI

Shake Rag Alley is located in Mineral Point Wisconsin and home to the Cornish miners. So much history lies in the area. The story states that the miner’s wives would shake a rag outside their homes to call their husbands in for dinner every night. Check out their historic little homes and settlements in Shake Rag Alley.

10. Octagon House, Watertown, WI

Tour Watertown’s Octagon House for $9. Visitors are astounded by the charm and the craftsmanship of this interesting house. The house itself was built in 1854 solely out of brick. It has five floors and is one of the largest pre-Civil War era, single family homes.

11. Ten Chimneys, Waukesha, WI

Ten Chimneys was the home of late Broadway actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Today it is open to the public as a resource for those in the arts.  Throughout the years, it has been carefully restored to keep its original beauty. 

12. Milton House, Milton, WI

The Milton House is famously known for its historic appearance as a stop along the Underground Railroad. In 1844, the Milton House was stagecoach inn, one of the highlights of the museum was an underground fugitive transport tunnel. It is the only Wisconsin stop along the UGRR that can be publically toured.  

13. Laura Ingalls Wilder Cabin, Pepin, WI

The cabin located in the Laura Ingalls Wilder’s hometown, Pepin, Wisconsin, is a reconstructed replica of the “Little House in the Big Woods.” There’s not much to see other than the small cabin itself but it is a cool feeling being able to pump water just like Laura had to!

14. Hixon House, La Crosse, WI

The Hixon House was built in 1859 by lumber boss, Gideon Hixon featuring an authentic Victorian design. The majority of the house is houses nearly all of its originally furnishings. The house was added to the National Register of Historic places in 1974.

15. Wade House, Greenbush, WI

The Wade House was originally owned by the Wade family, after six years is was converted to a stagecoach hotel, restored a couple times, and finally turned over to the Wisconsin Historical Society in 1953. The site is home to another nine structure that are all on the National Register of Historical Places.