We couldn't be more excited for our clients, Patrick and Beka, who very soon will become proud homeowners of a sweet little bungalow on Clover Lane. "Clover" was the name of their beloved cat, who passed away about a year ago, so this home, this journey, feels meant to be. 

Patrick and Beka's home-buying journey began 3 years ago, when they were first introduced to Chris and Max. There were a few swings and misses and some disappointments along the way. But Patrick, Beka, Chris and Max all stayed patient and persistent until the perfect home came along at just the right time. 

Patrick and Beka's story is a good example of how we are by your side throughout your entire home-buying journey. Whether your particular journey lasts 3 days, 3 weeks, 3

We've been publishing monthly newsletters for our clients and friends for 9 years now, for well over 100 consecutive months. Some people wonder why we would go through the time and expense of writing our own articles, turning them into a newsletter, and mailing roughly 2,300 copies each month.

Our simple answer is that we have stories that we'd like to share with you: The people and organizations we see doing good work in the community. The latest trends we're observing out in the field. And what's working well for our buying and selling clients. Sent straight from us, directly to you. 

Ready to join our community? Here's where you can subscribe, and here's our latest issue, We'd love to connect with you.

Than to help our clients become proud homeowners. We love helping our first-time home buyers reach their big once-in-a-lifetime goal.

If you know an aspiring buyer who needs the assistance of a professional, please know we would love to help them. We're here to give your friends and family all the time, attention, education and advocacy they deserve in our competitive market. 

If you haven't found your dream home yet, right now is an excellent time to re-dedicate yourself to your search and hire a competent buyer agent. Supply is improving right now, price reductions are on the rise, and many sellers are eager to strike a deal. 

Call us with questions. 

It's Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kick-off to the summer season in Wisconsin. It's the season for family gatherings, outdoor barbeques, camping trips, Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market -- and yardwork. 

It's a special time of year here in Wisconsin, one that will be over before we know it. Soon the fall season will be upon us, with the arrival of cooler temps and autumn colors dotting the hillsides. 

Just like the seasons, our local real estate market is always changing, too. And right now our market is mellowing. This is the time of year when the competition for listings begins to subside, when prices become a little more "rational", and when some homes take a little longer to sell. 

For buyers, this means a window of opportunity

We couldn't be happier for our clients who just closed on their dream home. And what a treat it has been to be a part of their story: 

Mr. Buyer secretly schemed to purchase the home as a surprise birthday gift for his wife. There was a slight glitch in his plans, however. On the day that Isabella submitted the offer, Mrs. Buyer saw the listing online, and immediately fell in love with it.

Not knowing that her husband had just secured an accepted offer, Mrs. Buyer was disappointed to learn that the status of the home was "under contract". She kept checking the status daily, holding out hope, wondering if the offer might possibly fall through.

And then came the day of closing. Mrs. Buyer was absolutely floored when she learned the home was hers.

But is your realtor present with you? 

• Does you realtor spend as much time marketing your home as they do marketing their brand? 
• Do they respond to all of your questions with care and concern, with prompt and thorough answers? 
• Do they love their job? Are they dedicated to their craft?
• In your heart of hearts, do you trust that your agent will always have your back?

Pay close attention to your realtor's words and actions, and you'll have your answers to these questions. 

We have so many ways to get out of our homes and into our neighborhoods and make a positive contribution to our community. Here are two meaningful paths to consider in Dane County: 

Become a steward of the land

Join a “friends group” for the Ice Age Trail, The UW Arboretum, Groundswell Conservancy, a Dane County Park, or a Madison Park. These organizations welcome volunteers of all skill levels who want to help preserve our local green spaces. You'll enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while learning about the natural world in community with others. Whether it's helping with trail maintenance, removing invasive species, or assisting with educational programs, your contribution makes a difference. 

Help neighbors who are food insecure

Get involved

A few tried-and-true kitchen staging tips from our team:  

• Remove all "knick knacks" and refrigerator magnets. 
• Keep only a few curated items for your countertops. 
• Low-profile greenery is often a nice look. 
• Remember "less is more". 
• Deep clean your kitchen so every surface sparkles. 
• When in doubt, consult with a professional. 

This home, staged by Shelley, offers an excellent example of a well-staged kitchen. 

** Thank you as always to Step Inside Media for your beautiful listing photos. **

At Mad City Dream Homes, we make it easy for you to get a quick read on the market in your neighborhood or condo community. All you need to do is find your location guide on our website (we have hundreds of them), and then review the latest trends which are all updated real-time. 

The example below is from the Valley Ridge neighborhood on Madison' far west side. The current listings section offers a snapshot of what's on the market right now, while the sold listings section summarizes the sales activity in the last year. 

Of course we always recommend a consultation with a trusted realtor when you're getting serious about buying or selling. In the meantime, our location guides are an excellent resource that will help you gain a good initial