When we begin the listing process with each seller, we customize a marketing plan for their home. One of the most exciting tools we have is creating a virtual “dollhouse” tour with the help of Step Inside Media.

Click on the “Virtual Tour” link when you browse our listings at madcitydreamhomes.com/listings.php

This type of virtual tour allows you to “walk through” the home as if you were touring in person, room by room. You can turn around and view your surroundings in 360 degrees. This is a useful tool for buyers who are out of town or for serious buyers who want to look through the property again before making an offer.

Check out one of these virtual tours, in collaboration with Maverick Homes, with some spooky

Many of the best contractors are the small, mom and pop businesses run by owners who started their business from scratch. All of these contractors got to where they are today because they have a strong work ethic, because they take pride in their work. 

These are the exact traits that you want from the people who work on your home. And yet, it can be hard to find one of these contractors. And when you do find one, it can be even harder to get on their schedule. The truth is the best contractors are often the busiest ones, too. 

This is where we can help. 

At Mad City Dream Homes, we've been cultivating relationships with trusted contractors for the past two decades. Over the years we've helped hundreds of friends make connections with contractors

We'll be releasing our 2026 Dane County real estate predictions real soon. In the meantime, we can share that we do see the growth in local home and condo prices moderating in 2026. 

Why do we predict slower price growth in 2026? Inventory has been quietly and steadily improving over the last two years, and the city of Madison will be adding two new large subdivisions in the coming year. Both of these are positive developments that will make homeownership more accessible to more people in the year ahead. 

In the long run we do expect our growing population to continue to fuel more price appreciation over the next few decades. One recent study projects Dane County's population to grow to 887,000 residents by the year 2050 (more than 325,000 residents

At Mad City Dream Homes, we continue to enjoy serving you as a team, so you receive the real estate service and expertise you need, when you need it: 

When you're buying, our entire team is here to serve you, so you always have a professional by your side for all of your showings, for your home inspection and negotiation, for your final walk-through, and for your closing.

When you're selling, we work collaboratively to help you repair and update your home, stage your home, price your home, market your home, and conduct open houses. 

And when you need the assistance of other reputable service providers, we bring in other collaborative professionals (lenders, title companies, insurance agents, contractors, stagers, and photographers) who work with

Amanda’s clients, Brent and Rachel, closed on their new home this summer. For these first-time homeowners, one of the most exciting parts of moving was having a yard for their adorable dog, Max. After years of apartment living, Max was ready to frolic on his own turf as he pleased, and the beautiful home they purchased on Madison’s west side allows him to do just that. On closing day, Max explored his new outdoor digs, complete with a fenced yard.

If you’re considering a new home, we’d love to help you find the right fit for your whole family - including your furry friends like Max.

We love helping our Madison area clients invest in long-term buy-and-hold real estate. And one very helpful tool we offer our clients is our multifamily property analysis spreadsheet (see example below). Our clients use our tool to evaluate a property's financial performance based on different purchase price and financing scenarios.

Contact us for your own spreadsheet, or for a conversation about your real estate investing goals. It would be our pleasure to assist you. 

Comparing income property performance -- 3 scenarios

For many of our neighbors in Dane County, the answer to this question depends on more than their symptoms. For low-income, uninsured Madisonians, receiving specialized medical care could result in bills high enough to topple their monthly budget, leaving families to decide whether to pay rent that month or treat an ailment. It goes without saying that this unfortunate dilemma leads to our community members delaying - or altogether foregoing - treatment that could significantly improve their lives, or even save them.

Specialty Care Free Clinic is a nonprofit specialty clinic funded entirely by donations that has been addressing this need since 2001. It was founded by three local doctors who saw these disparities reflected in their

When it comes to selling your home, there is no substitute for planning and preparation. And we have a number of clients who are signing up right now for our fall exterior and aerial photos, which we'll be using for their spring sale.

The autumn colors in Dane County are optimal right now, perfect for capturing some beautiful neighborhood shots. Thank you Step Inside Media for the photos below; we love partnering with you. 

Cardinal Point Estates

Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood

Downtown Madison Isthmus and Skyline

Goals can be a great thing, but when they become unbalanced and extreme they can be fraught with unintended consequences. In the field of real estate, these unintended consequences often begin as relatively benign events.

Two common examples are occasionally working longer hours, and working with people who don't realize we have family lives, too. They're a part of helping our clients reach the finish line. They come with the territory. 

But if the pressure to sell ramps up and goes unchecked, the occasional long hours and late work night can turn into a regular affair. This is when the more serious unintended consequences can pop up and reveal some uncomfortable truths.

Like the truth that we're short-changing our own wellbeing, and some of our

Our sellers are loving our partnership with Elle Maven Homes, who is proving to be a tremendous resource for staging vacant properties. Elle Maven is an excellent choice for our clients who need furniture, artwork and accessories for a showcase listing and a "parade of homes" type of look. 

Our collaboration with Elle Maven is one of the many ways we customize our marketing according to the needs of each client. To receive a customized marketing plan for your own home, just reach out to your preferred Mad City Dream Homes realtor. It would be our pleasure to meet with you and offer you our honest, professional advice. 

Photo: staging by Elle Maven Homes with photography by PG Creatives.