An effective negotiation isn't about winning and losing. It's about coming to an agreement that all parties can support.

But far too often a win-at-all-costs mentality ends up with both parties in a stalemate, and missed opportunity for everyone. Too many buyers and sellers fail to connect because they can't agree on how to address minor differences. 

There is a better way. By opening the lines of communication, seeking first to understand, throwing in a little sugar, and sprinkling in a little conversation, we create the conditions for a win-win agreement. 

Our 4 fundamentals for effective negotiation: 

Open the lines of communication: The more we communicate with the other party, and encourage communication in return, the more likely we'll

Usually we don't associate the months of November and December with buying a home, but the holiday season is actually one of the best times of year for buying Dane County real estate.

That's because there's less competition from other buyers in November and December, and some sellers become very motivated during the holiday season. Plus, new listings do enter the market each week, even when it's cold outside and when most people are focused on the holidays. Last, there's the added bonus of lower moving costs. Many moving companies offer better pricing when business slows each winter. 

Have you been dreaming about a new home? 

Give us a call and tell us more about your dream home. We'll send you a few listings to add to your wish list, and if

Dane County home prices increased once again in October, although by smaller amounts than in previous months. 

Dane County home prices

On a year-over-year basis:

• The price per square foot increased from $218 to $228 (4 percent). 
• The average increased from $470,079 to $482,742 (3 percent). 
• The median price was even at $415,000. 

Through the first 10 months of the year:

• The price per square foot increased from $213 to $225 (5 percent). 
• The average increased from $467,547 to $498,938 (7 percent). 
• And the median increased from $415,000 to $439,554 (6 percent). 

New listings

Prices remain high because listing activity remains low. Only 379 Dane County homes were listed for sale in the month of October, which

Here's our newest look into the Madison area condo market, starting with the price trends for October, 2023.

Dane County condo prices

On a year-over-year basis:

• The price per square foot increased from $208 to $223 (7 percent). 
• The median price increased from $262,450 to $303,000 (15 percent). 
• The average price increased from $308,198 to $344,720 (12 percent). 

On a year-to-date basis:

• The price per square foot increased from $203 to $215 (6 percent). 
• The median price increased from $266,100 to $300,000 (13 percent). 
• The average price increased from $300,421 to $334,778 (11 percent). 

New Dane County condo listings

One big driver of high prices is the low supply of fresh listings. Only 87 Dane County

We'll release our October real estate reports real soon. In the meantime, here's our early read on new listings in the Madison area. 

Single family homes

Listings continued to enter the market at a slow pace. Only 382 Dane County single family home listings were posted to the MLS in October, which was the lowest for any month of October on record.

Condos

Listing activity in the condo market was also light. Only 87 condos were listed for sale in October, which was the lowest for any month of October in the last 21 years.

With listings continuing to enter the market at a slow pace, we expect prices to remain elevated for the foreseeable future. Stay tuned for our more comprehensive market reports -- including price, sales, and days on

Recently we helped our client sell his family's longtime home on the westside of Madison. This was a unique sale, because our client lived outside of the area, and the home needed some attention before it went on the market. 

So Mad City Dream Homes stepped in as the project manager and oversaw all of the work that would benefit the sale. In all, we contacted and coordinated work with 9 different contractors who worked on projects that included plumbing, electrical, chimney, gutter, landscaping, and a handful of cosmetic updates. 

In the end, our client closed with a fast and full-price offer, thanks in part to the work of so many excellent contractors. 

Whether you need nine contractors for your own home or only one, we're happy to help you make

One big benefit of being on a multigenerational team is our opportunity to retire gracefully: When it's time for us to retire, we have teammates who are ready to step in and capably serve our clients and friends.

A referral partnership like this is unique and win-win for everyone:

The client wins by working with a group of true professionals. The team wins with each new client it serves. While the retiring agent benefits by receiving referral income well beyond her working years. 

Best of all, the team carries on the retiring agent's tradition of creating goodwill in the community. A tradition that gets passed on to the next generation, and beyond...

In just the click of a button, a website like Zillow will give you access to all of the latest listings in Dane County. But the thing is, in a fast-moving market like ours, a website like Zillow won't get you into your dream home. 

But a good plan with a skilled agent will. And a good plan always begins with a conversation. A conversation that centers on your goals and a clear set of next steps. 

Call us when you're ready for a conversation. We'd love to help. 

We’re excited to announce that Amanda Verbrick has joined Mad City Dream Homes! 

Amanda has a unique background that includes real estate sales, real estate operations, and non-profit operations. Prior to working in real estate, Amanda worked for 6 years with the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation.

Amanda brings a wonderful skill set to our team, where she'll be focusing her time on marketing, operations, and helping her clients with their buying and selling goals. When she's not working, Amanda enjoys camping, reading, spending quality time with loved ones, and trying new recipes. 

You can learn much more about Amanda here. 

None of us has all the right answers. But within the context of a supportive and well-rounded team, we have access to a lot more of them. This is the beauty of working with a multigenerational team.