Technology makes it so easy to connect with friends and family. But there’s something really special about receiving an old-fashioned, handwritten note. When we receive a personal note, we feel supported, appreciated, and cared for. The words mean a lot to us when someone takes time to put pen to paper and share their good wishes with us.    

Try a 30-day personal note challenge.

If receiving a handwritten note is something you really appreciate, then why not get in the habit of sending personal notes yourself? For the next month, try this daily challenge: Send one personal note each day to a friend, a client, or a loved one. Be genuine and generous with your words. Then take time to notice how this habit impacts you and your relationships. If

If you're thinking of selling your home in 2021, now is the time to put your home on the market, even though we're in the middle the winter season. Here's why: so far this year new listings are entering the market at an extremely slow pace. And with so much demand in the marketplace, many sellers are receiving multiple offers and selling for tens of thousands of dollars over the list. 

For a little more context, here's a quick look at how new MLS listings are trending in early 2021. 

Dane County new single family home listings

New single family home listings reached a new low in January and fell by 32 percent from January of 2020. Last month was the only January on record to log fewer than 400 new listings. 

Dane County new condo

Are you looking for a home in an established neighborhood, but can’t seem to find any options? We rounded up a selection of established neighborhoods that consistently have a good amount of inventory available. From communities with historic bungalows to houses in growing neighborhoods with a wide variety of inventory, these neighborhoods have options for many types of buyers. Check out the neighborhood profiles for each community to see all the latest listings.

Are you searching for your perfect home? Contact one of our experienced agents for a consultation. We would love to help guide you through the process of buying your dream home!

Birchwood Point - Located on the far west side of Madison, Birchwood Point is near shops and dining in Madison

It may seem hard to believe, but there are some real dangers for sellers to be aware of in this year’s real estate market. If you’re planning to sell your home this year, these 3 tips will help you avoid the pitfalls that some Madison area sellers are experiencing in 2021. 

Our 3 big tips for Madison area home sellers in 2021

#1: Don't get caught up in the hype. 

These days it’s so easy for sellers to read the news headlines and social media hype and be lulled into overconfidence. Perhaps you’ve come across a few of these sellers. These are the folks whose listings are sitting on the market, with no real prospect of selling, because they’ve underestimated all that is required for a successful sale.

#2: Remember to focus on the

In one way or another, we each live in a bubble. And as we encounter new experiences, that bubble may widen so we are able to see beyond our own viewpoint. Like many others in my mostly white sphere, we were seeing the world through rose-colored glasses...until 2020. 

"The death of George Floyd woke more people up who weren't tuned into the atrocities that the black community has been enduring for centuries," said Vanessa McDowell, CEO of YWCA Madison. "We at YWCA Madison are glad people are starting to wake up and learn about racial injustice and want to do something about it, but quite frankly, it is about time."

Vanessa is a Madison native and the first Black woman to lead the 111-year-old nonprofit, which addresses challenging issues such as

We're excited to announce that Jake Johnson has joined our team as a full-time and full-service realtor! Jake brings with him 15 years of experience in customer service and people-focused industries, while serving 10 of those years in leadership roles. 

Jake is a former client of our team, so he knows all about our focus on community, relationships, and real estate. He has a strong work ethic, a knack for building positive relationships, and a sincere appreciation for mastering the fundamentals of our business -- as he applies them in ways that are authentic to his personality and his strengths. And Jake has certainly hit the ground running. He's already adding a ton of value to our clients. 

We're grateful to have someone of Jake's caliber join our

If you're buying in 2021, your offer to purchase will likely be up against offers from other motivated buyers. Below are 26 ways you can make your offer stand out from the competition and be the one that gets accepted. Of course the strategies you use will depend a lot on the type and condition of the property, your level of motivation, and how much competition you have from other parties. 

26 Ways to Write a Winning Offer

#1: Submit your mortgage pre-approval from a reputable, local lender. A pre-approval from an out-of-town or big box lender can create doubt in the mind of a seller. For example, we've seen sellers disregard offers from buyers who are pre-approved by an internet lender. Give your seller every reason to believe your pre-approval is

The Madison area condo market was very active in December, as condo closings and accepted offers increased big-time to close out the year. Here's our latest market update along with our commentary on what to expect in the year ahead. 

Madison area condo sales

Despite low inventory, Dane County condo sales grew to the second-highest total on record for the month of December. Sales increased 29% year-over-year and 14% during the calendar year.  

Accepted offers

Local condo buyers were very active last month and almost set a new record for the month of December. Accepted offers increased 28% from the prior December and 14% during all of 2020. We expect strong sales totals in January based on the number of contracts signed in December. 

After years of in-person and hands-on staging with Debbie Lea of Showcase Home Stagers, our team quickly adjusted to doing business virtually because of the pandemic in order to prioritize everyone’s safety. 

Because of Debbie’s incredible eye for design -- even through video chats and emailed photographs -- and close collaboration with our nimble agents and marketing staff, our sellers continue to reap the benefits of home staging services (free of charge as part of our complete marketing plan). 

In a previous post we shared what sellers can expect during a virtual staging consultation with Debbie. As a follow up to that blog, Debbie and agents Ann Raschein, Maureen Moran, and Shelley Lazzareschi reflect on the importance of making a great first

A great perk of living the condo lifestyle is that you can swap outdoor chores like snow removal and yard work for getting outside for fun. There are many great conservancies and parks with endless opportunities to hike in the Madison area, and some condo communities are lucky enough to have them right outside their door. For some buyers, having easy access to beautiful outdoor spaces is a must-have item on their wish list. Below is a roundup of some of our favorite condo communities that happen to be a short walk to a conservancy or hiking spot.

Do you need help finding a condo that best suits your lifestyle? Contact one of our experienced agents.

Harbor Village - Explore the oak savanna and wetland prairies at Pheasant Branch Conservancy,