When it comes to hiring a realtor, or any type of professional, the words "trust but verify" are wise words to follow. But how do you know that the realtor you've been referred to is someone you can trust? Here are a few simple tests that can help. 

6 simple realtor tests

#1) The profile test: When you google the realtor, what do you find online? Has the agent written a professional bio for their website? Does the agent have an up-to-date profile on Zillow, realtor.com, and other sites? 

#2) The review test: As you continue your online research, are you finding plenty of genuine reviews from real clients that affirm the realtor's work ethic, communication skills, expertise, and professionalism? 

#3) The eye test: When you examine the realtor's

We have plenty of real estate insights and views to share with you, so all of the content you see in our newsletters and on our blog will continue to be created by members of our team -- not someone, or something, else. 

Why does this matter? 

First and foremost, writing about real estate keeps us current on all of the latest industry trends. We're better realtors because we're constantly studying and communicating what's going on in the market. 

Another motivation is clarifying our values. When we invest time into articulating our philosophies -- in other words why we do what we do -- we become more clear on the type of professionals we are choosing to be. At the root of it all, we're professionals who choose to serve others and invest in

This year we've been intentional about prioritizing in-person over online interaction, and we've really enjoyed staying in touch with you:

We started the year off with an evening of learning and fun at the Planetarium, and a wildflower plant giveaway with Tend Native Plants. Then gatherings at Garver Feed Mill, Ethical Trade Company, and Drumlin Ridge Winery. And most recently, our Thanksgiving pie giveaway with Just  Bakery. 

Beyond our gatherings, we've heard from many of you seeking advice on home improvement projects and recommendations for contractors to do your work. Of course we're always happy to visit you at your home and help you make a good contractor connection. 

We're looking forward to staying connected and hosting more

The month of November continues to be a very fruitful month for our buyers, even during this Thanksgiving Holiday Week. It's another reminder to us that we are all capable of accomplishing our goals when we work as a team on a shared vision. 

Thank you for trusting us with your real estate dreams and goals. We love our jobs, and we love working with you. Wishing all of you a Thanksgiving Season full of family, friends, and rest.

-- Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes

Thinking of selling your Madison area home or condo in 2026? Here are 3 time-tested principles that will help you achieve a successful sale in the year ahead. 

 Mad City Dream Homes listing photo by Step Inside Media 

Three principles for a smooth and profitable sale 

#1) Be proactive. Seneca said it well, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." When we look back on two decades of selling Dane County real estate, we know these words to be true. The sellers who plan ahead tend to experience the best results. 

#2) The details matter. Many considerations go into achieving a successful sale: The pricing, timing, and negotiations; the staging, repairs and updates; the photos and the marketing -- to name just a few. How you

Have you been wondering what you need to do for a smooth and profitable sale in 2026? Here's our home-selling process broken down into 5 simple steps. 

Mad City Dream Homes listing photo by Step Inside Media 

5 steps for selling your home in 2026

#1) Planning: We'll tour your home with you and discuss the activities and timeline that support your goals. After our visit, we'll deliver our market analysis, marketing plan, and action plan so you have everything you need to move forward with confidence. 

#2) Preparation: As we prepare your home for the market, we'll work closely with you to address your decluttering, staging, home repairs, and cosmetic improvements. As needed, we'll bring in other trusted professionals (contractors, movers,

This is how our recent client, Heather, described what it was like to buy her first home with Chris as her realtor. Heather’s feedback serves as another excellent reminder: You can't go wrong when you hire an agent who exhibits character, competence, and care. 

These are the words that our client Alliee wrote in her Zillow review after working with Amanda on her recent purchase and sale. In her review, Alliee also praised Amanda for her professionalism, communication, and positive attitude throughout the buying and selling process. 

At Mad City Dream Homes, we work hard to make every real estate experience feel just like Alliee's. We're personally invested in helping you reach your goals -- through our actions, words, and a positive attitude -- so you feel fully capable and supported throughout your journey. 

Let us know when you're ready for a helpful conversation about your real estate goals. We'd love to be a resource for you. 

We’re grateful for our Director of Agent Development, Matt Doyle, at our brokerage; he’s always providing insightful, synthesized statistics. Here’s the latest regarding final sale prices – by price range – for single-family properties that received accepted offers between September 1st and November 7th in Dane County.

Homes that were listed...

• Between $200,000-$399,999 sold for an average of .5% under list price.
• Between $400,000-$599,999 sold for an average of .9% under list price.
• Between $600,000-$999,999 sold for an average of .9% under list price.
• At $1 million and above sold for an average of 1.1% under list price.

The takeaway? Home values in Dane County continue to grow, but sellers would be wise to price a

There are some very user-friendly real estate apps available right now that for some of us can even be a little bit addicting. Apps where we can easily search for listings, track favorite properties, research property histories, and request personal tours. They're well-designed and offer many useful tools in one easy-to-use interface. 

But using these apps can come with some caveats:  

Caveat #1: lead conversion

For starters, these apps very often funnel you toward a small number of realtors who pay to be advertised alongside property listings. Oftentimes, these agents are highly-incentivized to convert you from a "lead" into a "client". So don't be surprised if you end up receiving a flood of calls, emails and texts from agents when you request