Marianne Rigby, Associate Broker

Where did you grow up? What was it like?
I was born in Chicago and still love the city, I grew up enjoying the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, The Shedd Aquarium, the Planetarium, Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo and Navy Pier. I learned to shop (a pleasure I still enjoy) in the beautiful Marshall Fields Store on State Street...we also wandered up Michigan Ave! There is no where on the planet for better food than "Chicagoland"! Actually I grew up in the suburbs so we took the train downtown. I am an only child but stay close to my cousins and my best friends from grade school! You could say I was a child of the 50's and a teen of the 60's! A much simpler time for a kid (Barbie was my last doll and a good investment) and the best time for a "teen" (who doesn't love the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones?) Yes...life was good!

Why do you live in the Hayward Lakes Area? What do you like most about it?
What do you like most about it? My husband was a resort kid and my mother was originally from Central Wisconsin - I have always loved being in Wisconsin. Living in WI was always in my plan. I love the quiet and all the activities we enjoy...it is always good to go to the city to visit and shop, but there is no place like home!

What is your favorite lake? Why?
Wow, there are so many! There is Long Lake in the Webb Lake area - that is the lake my husband grew up on and our son learned to swim and boat on! We enjoyed a lot of happy times at the family resort. Birch Island Lake in the Voyager Village area has always been one of my favorites as it has some of the most scenic shoreline and many stories about the history of some of the cabins (it is also one of the best kept secrets for good fishing!). I can tell you why I love many of the lakes and the reasons why the lake owners love them! Right now we live close to Shell Lake and love our time on the pontoon. Lake life is Oh So Good!

What is your favorite part of working in Real Estate?
After 30 years of selling real estate I have worked with Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad and now the "kids". It is the best feeling when you know that your buyer has found the right property to enjoy...and your seller is happy to let that piece of there life go. I love smiles at the closing table!

What is the most unusual thing you have encountered while working in Real Estate?
What happens while selling real estate at the lake stays at the lake!

Why should someone choose you as their real estate agent?
I try to listen to everything you tell me as a buyer or seller. Your goals, your wants, your needs. Buying and selling a property is a very big step and I want to make sure that you have all the information necessary to make the right decision. We need to work together and keep communication open. Being primarily a second home and recreational property market, we tend to be a little more relaxed (most sellers do not have to sell; and buyers do not need to buy but they have reached a time in their life that says "it is time to part with the cabin" or "now our family would enjoy a cabin"). I just want to see more happy families and smiling faces at the closing table!