Congratulations to our clients, Kelsey and Ted, on the purchase of a beautiful home in Stoughton! Over the last few years, agent Ann Raschein has worked side by side with them to both buy and sell as their family has grown and their needs have changed. 

In February of 2018, Kelsey contacted Ann that she and Ted were ready to become homeowners. They started looking at homes – mostly on the eastside of Madison – right away, at the same time of year that many other homebuyers were, too. Then in June, Kelsey and Ted saw a home on Waunona Way and were instantly drawn to the big yard, the proximity to the lake, and the idea of being on the bike path! 

The house was also loaded with charm that included arched doorways, original hardwood floors, and a

Do you consider yourself a generous, hardworking, and humble person? Do you love learning, helping people, and serving your community? And do you have solid daily habits along with a long-term mindset? 

If these traits describe you, then we would love to talk to you about a career in real estate. Please reach out to Dan for coffee and a conversation. Tell us about your goals, and we'll explore how we can work together and help you achieve them. 

Not too long ago, I published my 500th article to the Mad City Dream Homes blog. As I reflect on my writing, I admit my first article was nothing spectacular, and I've published plenty of unspectacular articles since then. 

What I've learned, though, is that writing as a daily habit has served me well -- and in some subtle and surprising ways. Writing as a daily practice has forced me to ask questions, to think, to research, to struggle a little bit, and to publish. Most important, embracing my practice has helped me to clarify my philosophies, and challenged me to keep learning. 

So, is there a daily practice that you've been meaning to start? I believe you have everything to gain by going for it. Just like me, you may not become world-class in

Here's our take on 2023:

Demand will remain strong relative to most other markets across the country -- due to Dane County’s growing population and reputation as a wonderful place to live, work, and play. 

Supply will gradually grow and will provide more options for buyers in 2023.  

Prices will remain strong. 

Dane County will continue to be an excellent place to build wealth through real estate -- for those who have the means and make the decision to buy in. 

You can learn much more about our predictions by contacting our team or by reading the full article on our blog. 

If you could imagine a better future for you and your loved ones, 

If you could envision peace of mind, 

And if you could afford it right now,

What would you do?

Would you buy your dream home today? Or would you delay your purchase and wait for a different kind of market?

We're always available to talk about your future and the future of real estate, too. So please reach out to our team whenever you're in need of a real estate conversation. We'll share our honest insights and opinions with you, and help you choose the path that's the right one for you. 

We recently shared 5 simple cosmetic updates that add instant value to your home and help it sell for a tremendous price. Another simple and very effective update is to deep clean your home. Specifically, these four things:

Clean all of the hard surfaces inside your home. 

Your home will shine when you clean your countertops, your cabinets, your appliances, and your hardwood and tile flooring.

Clean your windows

Spotless windows let the light pour and make each room feel bigger and brighter. 

Clean your carpets

Clean carpets help buyers see your home as one that has been properly cared for and well-maintained.

Clean your siding

A good painting company will wash your siding for an affordable price and add instant curb

Are you getting ready to sell your home in 2023? There are so many simple and affordable ways to improve your home's value. For starters, here are 5 quick updates, which when done in the right way, always provide a great return on investment:

#1) Brighten your space with a fresh coat of paint. 

#2) Replace dated flooring with a modern and inexpensive flooring product.

#3) Jazz up your kitchen with new cabinet hardware. 

#4) Swap out old light fixtures with new and affordable light fixtures. 

#5) Remove dated curtains and blinds and let the natural light pour in. 

We're always available for a complimentary cosmetics consultation. And we're here to help you select finishes, choose colors, and connect you with quality contractors, too. Just

What's trending in the Madison area condo market? Our latest Dane County condo update offers a nice summary of all of the latest trends, and without any exaggeration or spin. 

Madison area condo prices

The median price for a Dane County condo increased by 12 percent year-over-year while the price per square foot increased by 20 percent. Why do Dane County condo prices continue to rise? One big reason is the recent slowdown in new MLS listings (covered in the next section below). 

New condo listings

Only 78 Dane County condos were listed for sale in November, which was the second lowest total on record for the month, and a decrease of 24% from the number of new listings in November of 2021. Mortgage rates have increased in 2022, which has

Two years ago, our team made a commitment to become more intentional about the ways in which we spend our money and time on a local level. As we reflect on another year of investing in the communities we serve, we wanted to share a few updates from some of the organizations that we’ve volunteered for, collaborated with, donated to, sponsored, or highlighted in our monthly nonprofit articles in 2022. 

Several of the nonprofits that we partner with focus on promoting social and racial justice, providing affordable housing, and protecting the environment. This year, the impacts of the pandemic and inflation led us to spotlight even more organizations that address ending hunger, homelessness, and social isolation. 

Foundation for Dane County Parks:

With so many confusing headlines in the world of real estate, it can be hard to know who and what to believe. Our latest market update offers plenty of insight into the Madison area real estate market -- and without any of the spin. Here's our single family home report for the month of November, 2022. 

Madison area home prices

The price per square foot increased 13 percent year-over-year, while the median price increased 10 percent. Why do prices continue to post double-digit increases? One big reason is fewer homes are being listed for sale, which we cover in the next section below. 

New MLS listings

Only 235 single family homes were listed for sale in the month of November, a decrease of 33% from last November, and the lowest total on