Wonderful things happen when preparation and opportunity meet, which is certainly true for our home-selling clients who are focusing on the fundamentals during this year's favorable market. Here are three quick examples that show how our clients are experiencing some amazing results in early 2021. All three of these examples show how skilled staging, pricing, marketing, and negotiation always lead to the best results.

6 Shiloh Ct

Sold for $60,000 above the list. 

2205 Town Hall Rd

Sold for $25,000 above the list. 

805 Swallowtail Drive

Sold for $15,000 above the list. 

Skilled marketing, multiple offers, and effective negotiation

For each of these listings we worked closely with our clients to create a beautiful listing

When it comes to hiring the right realtor, it can be very beneficial to reflect on a few good questions before choosing your agent. By asking the right questions upfront, you can feel confident that you've chosen the right agent to guide you along your buying or selling journey. With this spirit in mind, here are 4 key questions buyers and sellers should be asking before partnering with a realtor in this year's complex market. 

Four key realtor interview questions in 2021

1) As a seller, how should I price and market my home in order to take full advantage of this year's market? 

2) As a buyer, how can you help me find my dream home when supply is so low? 

3) What strategies do you recommend for writing an offer to purchase in this year's

It’s no secret that many real estate agents are on call days, nights, weekends -- sometimes even while on vacation -- especially when the market is hot. 

That’s why it’s so important for agents to find a self-care routine and get in a groove that works best for them so they can best serve their clients and themselves, too.  

For Chris Venden, early mornings are for quiet, calm, and quality time with her spouse and dog. Even if she’s up late writing offers, Chris is an early riser and time blocks a couple of hours to prepare her schedule and set the tone for a positive, productive day.

As soon as Chris is awake she’ll do a quick check of her emails and texts, and if nothing is urgent she’ll ease into her morning routine at her countryside

The snow hasn’t all melted, but the spring season feels well underway for many community supported agriculture (CSA) farms. That’s because many farmers who are endorsed by the FairShare CSA Coalition have already sold out of their spring and summer shares of produce (either certified organic or in transition to organic certification). 

In the CSA model, purchasing a "share" in advance of the growing seasons helps to cover some of the farm operating costs, so members are directly supporting the farmers who grow their food. Consumers also seem to be eyeing up fall and winter holiday shares already, too. So if you’ve been on the fence about joining a CSA for the first time or selecting a new farm this year, best to snap to it. FairShare, a Madison-based

Madison area real estate prices are rising at the fastest pace we've ever seen, so your home or condo could be worth much more than you think -- even if you've only owned your property for a year or two. Check out our local price update below, and contact us for a complimentary market analysis. We can tell you how much your home is worth in this year's fast-moving market. 

Dane County home prices

February home prices rose 10% year-over-year and 9% year-to-date. Low inventory and high demand have been fueling price growth at an accelerated pace. 

Dane County condo prices

Condo prices jumped 13% in February and 8% year-to-date. With only .6 months of supply in the market, condo prices are poised to rise significantly throughout all of

Dane County home and condo listings continued to enter the market at a slow pace during the month of February, and a scarcity of listings is contributing to an unprecedented rise in prices (we'll be sharing more info on prices real soon). Here's the scoop on new MLS listings during the month of February. 

Single family home listings decreased 27% last month.

Only 440 new MLS listings entered the market last month, which was the lowest February total since at least the year 2000. 

New condo listings were down 30% in February.

Only 112 new condo listings entered the market in February, which was the third lowest total on record for the month. 

Our clients are accomplishing their dreams and goals in 2021. 

Even though inventory is

Having weathered a year of the COVID pandemic, it's not hard to see the many ways our lives have been affected. For some homebuyers, job changes or furloughs may have decreased the amount of home they can afford. Other potential buyers have shifted to more self-employment work and aren't sure how that affects their financing. Patrick Averill of Thompson Kane has been helping many of our clients secure financing during this unique time. He recently shared a few insights with us about the current lending climate.

Q: How has the lending market changed with COVID? Is it more difficult to secure a loan?

Patrick: Due to COVID, underwriting guidelines have become more strict than they used to be. More up-to-the minute income information is required

In our November nonprofit spotlight, we highlighted the beautiful and thought-provoking work of Madison artist Lilada Gee, who created several murals downtown and launched the Defending Black Girlhood podcast in 2020. You can view photos and articles about her State Street artwork in the pdf of this book, "Let's Talk About It," published by American Family Insurance. 

We are thrilled to share that Lilada joined State Rep. Shelia Stubbs and Shyra Adams in receiving the 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award, presented to those who have demonstrated incredible leadership and volunteerism in the Madison area and reflect the values, beliefs, and actions of Martin Luther King, Jr. Lilada said in her January 18th acceptance speech (around

At Mad City Dream Homes, we're always in learning mode. One of the ways we’re honing our craft this year is by participating in “market analysis mastermind” sessions. In preparation for each session, each agent performs an independent market analysis for an upcoming listing. Then we meet over Zoom to share our individual price opinions and form a consensus on the best price for the property. 

We're noticing two nice outcomes from our sessions. First, our mastermind sessions are resulting in some great discussion and helping all of us stay sharp in this year’s fast-paced market. Plus, each session allows us to tap into our collective expertise as a way to add value for a home-selling client.  

Are you someone who needs help pricing your home in

We love connecting our friends and clients with trusted businesses. This is just one of the ways we strive to keep serving you day-after-day and year-after-year. So please reach out to us anytime you need a referral to a reputable service provider. We’ll do our best to connect you with a business who’s a good fit for your needs. 

With working by referral in mind, we want to remind you we’re never too busy to serve your friends and family whenever they need real estate help. And as you already know, we'll always give your referrals our best service and advice -- and never with any sales pressure.  

At Mad City Dream Homes, the majority of our clients are repeat and referral customers. This is our sweet spot -- helping and serving others. We