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        <title>Mad City Dream Homes Real Estate Blog, Madison WI</title>
        <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/2024-04/</link>
        <description>Your Madison WI real estate blog. News &amp; views about Madison area homes, condos &amp; South Central Wisconsin real estate. Questions? Call 608-852-7071</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/nonprofit-spotlight-sunshine-place-offering-a-solution-to-rising-food-prices-and-our-communitys-esse.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/nonprofit-spotlight-sunshine-place-offering-a-solution-to-rising-food-prices-and-our-communitys-esse.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Nonprofit Spotlight: Sunshine Place </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Sunshine Place is proving we can accomplish more when we meet our neighbors’ needs with dignity and collaboration. This Sun Prairie-based organization is where families and individuals can come for help with food, housing, and other essential support. Sunshine Place is a “resource hub” for basic needs, offering its nine innovative programs plus subsidized space for other agencies. They currently host staff from Centro Hispano, Joining Forces for Families, RISE – Early Childhood Initiative (ECI), Dane County Madison Public Health, and Tenant Resource Center saving their visitors time, transportation, and childcare resources to access multiple services in one-stop. 


The largest of Sunshine Place’s programs is their Sun Prairie Food Pantry, open 6 days a week and offering a “grocery store-like” shopping atmosphere that emphasizes respect and dignity. Historically high food prices (among other systemic challenges) have led to an exponential amount of families being served. For instance, in January 2022, the food pantry welcomed 320 families and in January 2024, 1,180 families. While the need is great, so is Sunshine Place’s passion for helping our community in realistic ways. Check out sunshineplace.org to learn more about Sunshine Place’s impact in eastern Dane County, and check out their weekly social media posts if you’re interested in what items the food pantry is currently in need of most.





(Graph courtesy of Sunshine Place)
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:51:00 -0500</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/our-favorite-photographers.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/our-favorite-photographers.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Our favorite photographers</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
We've worked with many photographers over the years, and we're grateful for our current partnership with Step Inside Media, owned and operated by Kristine and Derek Marks. 


The Step Inside photographers are skilled in their craft. Just as important, their focus on communication and personalization is admirable at a time when many other companies are doubling down on automation and standardization. 


Thank you Step Inside for your approach to customer service. We appreciate you and your work 



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/a-new-dream-home-for-a-new-season.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/a-new-dream-home-for-a-new-season.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>A new dream home for a new season</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Seventeen years ago Chris helped her friends Dede and Dave buy their dream home in Fitchburg. And seventeen years later we're grateful to be helping Dede and Dave again as they prepare to move to their new dream home for their next season of life. 


Thank you to all of you who continue to trust us with your real estate needs. We appreciate each and every opportunity to serve. 



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:58:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/thank-you-cody.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/thank-you-cody.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Thank you Cody</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Recently, a friend needed some help diagnosing a roof leak. And so we referred her to Cody Helmer, one of our most trusted contractors. Our friend called Cody that morning, and Cody was there to help her by noon on the same day. 


We love working with Cody because he's the type of person who always strives to do the right thing. Cody and his team specialize in roofing, siding, home additions (including 3-season porches), and a variety of large home renovation projects.


If you're planning for a major home renovation that requires skill and craftsmanship, we encourage you to call Cody at 608-577-7041. You'll appreciate the peace of mind you feel when you partner with a solid, locally owned business like Cody's. Many of our clients have worked with Cody and have been very satisfied with his service and his work. 



 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 07:29:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/community-guides-for-you.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/community-guides-for-you.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Community guides for you</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Just a quick reminder that we have hundreds of neighborhood and condo association guides for you to peruse and use on our website. 





So, if you're in the mode of researching neighborhoods, our Madison and Dane County neighborhood guides are excellent resources for you. And if you're curious about condos, our city and suburban condominium guides offer a great introduction to hundreds of local associations.


If you'd like us to create a guide for your neighborhood or condo association, just let us know. We'd be happy to do this for you. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/doing-business-on-a-handshake.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/doing-business-on-a-handshake.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Do you know someone we should know?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Do you have a favorite contractor or business owner who you trust and respect more than any other? Someone who follows through with their commitments and always strives to do the right thing? 


We're always seeking to meet local business owners who know how to take care of their customers. So if you know someone we should know, we would love an introduction.


We appreciate you keeping us in mind, and wish all of you a happy spring 


Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:50:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/a-lofty-career-goal.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/a-lofty-career-goal.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>A lofty career goal</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Wouldn't it be wonderful to create the type of business where you didn't need to rely on expensive online ads, daily social media posting, and constant self-promotion? 


And wouldn't it be nice to have the type of business where you met most of your new clients because they chose to pick up the phone and call you? 


This is the type of practice that all of us at Mad City Dream Homes are striving for, and it's such a rewarding way to approach our work.  
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 06:51:00 -0500</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/why-you-might-consider-a-quiet-sale.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/why-you-might-consider-a-quiet-sale.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Why you might pursue a quiet sale</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you're a buyer, you love a quiet sale because with a quiet sale you don't need to compete. 


As a seller, you might choose a private sale if you'd prefer to sell your home to someone you know, or if you want the simplicity of working with only one buyer. 


BUT, if your primary goal is to maximize your return on investment, then fully marketing your home and exposing it to the entire market is the clear choice. Here's why. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:06:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/necessary-but-not-sufficient.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/necessary-but-not-sufficient.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Necessary, but not sufficient</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Being a nice person who strives to be of service to others may be necessary for a rewarding career in real estate, but it's not sufficient. You also need to have a plan that you're willing to embrace over the long run. 


If you're a realtor, and you'd like some help identifying a plan that's a good fit for you, please feel free to contact us. We'd be happy to meet with you and offer you a little outside perspective. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 05:10:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/madison-area-home-prices-up-listings-down-in-march.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.madcitydreamhomes.com/blog/madison-area-home-prices-up-listings-down-in-march.html</link>
        <author>contact@madcitydreamhomes.com (Dan Miller, REALTOR)</author>
        <title>Madison area home prices up, listings down, in March</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Dane County home prices continued to appreciate in March, as listings decreased. Here's our latest update on the Madison area single family home market. 


Dane County home prices 


The price per square foot increased from $218 in March of 2023 to $240 in March of 2024. That's a 10 percent increase year-over-year. Note the price per square foot is up 10 percent through the first quarter of the year, too. 


The median and average price were also higher in the month of March:




The median price jumped from $426,500 in March of 2023 to $467,700 in March of 2024 -- an increase of 10 percent. 


The average price moved from $483,519 in March of 2023 to $510,584 in March of 2024 -- an increase of 6 percent. 







 


New listings


After increasing each of the last 4 months, new MLS listings were noticeably lower in March. A total of 493 Dane County single family home listings entered the market in the month of March, which was a record low for the month. 





Active listings


Active listings (those without an accepted offer) are up slightly from each of the last two years, but listing availability is still much lower than where we want it to be. A total of 428 Dane County single family homes (or 1.1 months of supply) were available for sale on the MLS on April 9th, 2024. 


 


Accepted offers


Dane County contract signings were up slightly from March of 2023. Beyond that, they came in at the lowest total for any month of March in the last 13 years. 





Competing offers


The percentage of listings receiving multiple offers continues to run much higher than in the pre-pandemic market. This is one clear sign of pent-up demand in the Madison area, where the number of buyers exceeds the number of sellers. According to our preliminary data for the month of February, 45 percent of all accepted offers involved multiple offers in February of 2024, compared to 29 percent in February of 2019. 


Note how buyer competition varies by the seasons. Competition is highest in the springtime and early summer and lowest in the fall and early winter. 





Cash offers


Cash offers are also occurring more often in our post-pandemic market, which is another clear sign of pent up demand. The cash offer percentage jumped from 8 in March of 2019 to 15 in March of 2024. 





Days on market


Marketing times continue to trend near historically low levels -- yet another sign of pent up demand. 





Dane County home sales


Madison area home sales decreased slightly from March of 2023, and were the lowest for any month of March in the last 13 years. Low supply continues to limit home sales in Dane County. 





What to expect for the rest of 2024


Supply remains tight and our local population continues to grow. For these and other reasons, we expect the market will continue to be competitive and prices will continue to rise for the foreseeable future. 


Call us whenever you'd like to talk about the market. We're always available to talk real estate, and never with any sales pressure or spin. 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 05:54:00 -0500</pubDate>
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