All Purpose Search Tools

At Mad City Dream Homes we're pleased to share a number of powerful tools which give you many of the same search capabilities as a licensed real estate agent. All of these tools are available on our real estate search page. Below are a few tips for using some of the most popular features on our site. Of course you can always contact us 24/7 with any property search question. We'll get back to you ASAP with an answer.

Search Open House Listings

This is one of our most popular search features. See this post for an example of how to use this tool.

Search By Location

This tool offers several different search options. You can search by one of more MLS numbers as in the example below. 

Search one or multiple cities. 

You can also search by zip code. Searching by zip code offers a quick and easy way to focus your search on a particular side of town. This example shows a zip code search focused in Verona (53593), Middleton (53562), and Madison's West Side (53717).

OR 

General Guidelines for Searching by Zip Code

• Downtown Madison = 53703
• Madison's West Side = 53705, 53706, 53711, 53717, 53719
• Madison's East Side = 53704, 53714, 53716, 53718

Search By Garage/Parking

This is a great tool for both single family homes and condos. Use this tool to identify properties that meet your parking and garage needs. 

Search for Waterfront Properties

Use this feature to identify properties located on a lake or river.

Note you can view the Amenities section of our detailed listings for a quick overview of any waterfront property on our site. For example, our listings will display the lake or river upon which the property is located, as well as the amount of frontage offered by each property. See the screen shot below for a quick example.

Search for Golf Course Listings

This tool identifies homes and condos located on or near a golf course.

Search by Year Built

Use this filter to target properties from a specific era. Whether you prefer old or new construction, this tool will help you narrow your focus. 

Foreclosure Search

This tool helps you focus your search on REO/bank-owned properties.

Short Sale Search

Here's another great tool for locating distressed properties. This option targets short sale listings. 

Keyword Search

Our keyword or "wildcard" search allows you to search listing descriptions for a term or combination of terms. For example, you would use the keyword search below if you were interested in finding listings that are being advertised as "mid-century" or "mid century modern" homes. 

Here's an example of how you would use this tool to identify listings which describe the seller as "motivated". 

Last, here's an example of how you would locate listings that are described as "fixer-uppers" or in need of some "TLC". 

This is a great tool to use for any niche property searches which can't be accomplished through more traditional tools. 

Search Accepted Offers

You can use this tool to exclude properties with accepted offers from your search. If you wish, you can also focus your search on properties which have an accepted offer. See this post for more details. 

Search Sold Listings

Use this tool to learn more about the market in your specific area of interest. See this article for more information. 

Search By MLS "Area" or "Zone"

The South Central Wisconsin MLS has created a map which divides the city of Madison into different geographic "areas" or "zones". You can use the map to identify your geographic area of interest, and then you can use our search tool to focus your search on that area. For example, the screen shot below shows a search that is focused on the W14 MLS area, which is located on the near west side of town.

General Guidelines for Madison Area MLS Zones

• Downtown = E01, W01
• Near West Side = W11, W12, W13, W14
• West Side = W03, W06, W07
• Far West Side = W05
• Southwest Side = W08, W09
• South Central = W10, W15-W18, E15-E16
• Near East Side = E05, E09, E10
• East Side = E04, E06, E11-E13
• Far East Side = E07, E08
• North Side = E03
• Maple Bluff = E02
• Middleton = W04
• Monona = E14
• Shorewood Hills = W02

Search for New Listings

Use our "days on website" filter to focus your search on properties that are new to the market. 

We'd love to hear your ideas for creating better and more useful search tools. Please share your feedback with us!