Coming up with a down payment can be a sticking point for aspiring homebuyers — even when the other pieces are in place. Below are some options to consider.

• Loan Programs: Many loan programs only require a 3% down payment, much lower than 20%, which is often cited as a rule of thumb.
   
• Down Payment Assistance (DPA): Check out this helpful overview of DPA programs in Dane County.
   
• Seller Credit: A credit from the seller cannot directly cover your down payment, but it can free up funds for your down payment.
   
• Your Home’s Equity: If you own a home, you can borrow against your home’s equity to purchase your new property, then quickly pay it off when you sell.

A mortgage is a big financial responsibility, and ideally one that can weather

Dane County home prices moved higher in May, as both new listings and accepted offers increased. Here's our latest deep dive into the Madison area single family home market. Note: All of our data is sourced from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

Dane County home prices

May Madison area home prices

• The price per square foot increased from $249 in May of 2025 to $265 in May of 2026, up 7 percent. 
• The median price increased from $491,000 to $500,000, up 2 percent. 
• The average price increased from $577,066 to $599,459, up 4 percent. 

Year-to-date prices through the month of May

• The Dane County price per square foot increased from $249 through May of 2025 to $257 through May of 2026, up 3 percent.
• The median price

There's a reason why we conduct a final walkthrough right before you close on your home: Sometimes the walkthrough uncovers an issue that needs to be addressed before the home is officially yours. 

Maybe the seller damages the walls during their move, or perhaps they don't clean the home after their move out. It's possible that some other defect, like mold in the basement, is exposed after all of the seller's contents are removed. 

When issues like these arise during your walkthrough, we immediately contact the seller and negotiate a fair and appropriate remedy. Whether it's having the house professionally cleaned, arranging for a quick repair, or negotiating a cash credit at closing, we're right by your side and protecting your best interests. 

The Rodney Scheel House is an admirable example of community on the east side of Madison. Not just one home, Rodney Scheel House is a group of 23 apartment complexes that house low-income residents who are living with HIV/AIDS, along with their families and caregivers. This found community was created in 1995 in honor of Rodney Scheel, a prominent gay rights activist in Madison in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Rodney Scheel House has a food pantry, on-site maintenance staff, a community room, and many support services through Project Home. Their website announces that the apartment homes are celebrated as “a place where a person can be the best [they] can be and receive help to accomplish what one can’t do alone.”

We encourage you to learn more or donate at

Dane County condo prices were mixed in May, while new listings and accepted offers both increased. Here's our deep dive into the May Madison area condo market. Note: All of our data is sourced from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

What questions do you have about buying or selling a condo in the Madison, Wisconsin area? Reach out to one of our condo specialists for a helpful consultation. 

Dane County condo prices 

May Madison area condo prices

• The price per square foot was $242, up 1 percent from $239 in May of 2025.
• The median price decreased from $335,500 in May of 2025 to $320,000 in May of 2026, down 5 percent. 
• The average price increased from $387,679 to $388,745, up a fraction of a percent. 

Year-to-date condo

If you're like most sellers, the thought of staging your home has you feeling a little intimidated and unsure of where to begin. You know you need to declutter, but beyond that you need guidance from a staging expert who will help your home look its very best.  

Here are some examples of how our experts help you create your own beautiful listing. The sellers highlighted below worked with Shelley and Isabella to implement their staging plan for their near east side home.  

Home staging tips from Mad City Dream Homes

The living room

Go for a clean look in the living room. Use accent pillows and greenery for a splash of color. Remove window treatments, and let the natural light flow in. 

(listing photos courtesy of Step Inside Media)

Are you thinking of selling your income property and moving up to a larger multifamily property in the Madison area? Our team is here to help you leverage your gains from your first property and roll them into a new property through a 1031 exchange.

The big advantage of a 1031 exchange? A 1031 exchange allows you to defer your taxes on your gains, and invest your proceeds into a new property that continues to build wealth for you.  

(photo courtesy of Step Inside Media) 

How can Mad City Dream Homes help you with your 1031 exchange? 

We're here to help you with these three important steps, and more. 

1) Identify your opportunity as a seller. 

We'll help you assess the multifamily market and perform a market analysis to identify your

These pooches may be cute, but they need a little space to sniff around and play and nap in the sun. If you're a dog-lover like us, you know what we're talking about. 

For all of us with pets, our furry friends truly are like family. Even when they wake us up in the middle of the night, counter-surf in our kitchen, and leave fur on our furniture, we'd do nearly anything for them — including buy them a pet-friendly home.

This is where having a pet-loving realtor can help. Whether you need a fenced-in yard for your pooch, good access to local dog parks, pet-friendly HOA rules, or sunny windowsills for your cat, we're here to help you find the perfect home for you and your companion.

Ready to buy a home your whole family — your pet included —

You know selling your home is in your future, but you're not sure where and how to begin. You've accumulated so many possessions over the years, and your home could use a little TLC, too. Just thinking about getting started has you feeling anxious and a bit overwhelmed. 

The good news? With the right plan and the right team, it doesn't have to feel this way. Here are some helpful tips from our team that will help you minimize your stress and approach your sale with calm confidence. 

(photo courtesy of Step Inside Media)

How to prepare your home for the market: five tips from our team

1) Begin a year or more before you need to move. 

Being proactive will give you the time you need to approach your sale thoughtfully and at a manageable

Madison area single family home and condo listings posted big increases last month. Here's our quick overview of Dane County listing activity for the month of May, 2026. Note: all of our numbers come directly from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

Dane County single family homes 

A total of 684 Dane County single family homes were listed for sale in May, up 10 percent from the 622 homes listed for sale in May of 2025. Year-to-date, single family home listings are up by 2 percent from the year before. The 684 homes listed for sale last month were the highest for any month of May in the last four years. 

Dane County condos

Condo listings increased for the fifth straight month in 2026. A total of 187 Madison area condos were listed for sale