Chances are you know someone who sold their home a few years ago because they were convinced the market had peaked and would be crashing soon. On the flipside, you probably know someone who has been waiting to buy for the last several years -- believing that falling prices are right around the corner. 

Just like the stock market, timing the real estate market is really hard to do. At the same time it's also plain to see that Dane County home and condo values are poised to rise over the long run. 

So, we recommend you make your real estate decisions based on your life goals and your aspirations. Avoid the trap of trying to time the market, and remember that real estate is a buy-and-hold investment. Your investment will pay off over the long haul.

Does the realtor care about you and your individual needs? 

Is the realtor clearly competent? 

Is the realtor a person of strong character?  

You can't go wrong when you hire for character, competence, and care.  

It seems Americans are becoming more reactive and less patient over time. We're quick to judge and blame the other person, while we often struggle with listening and constructive conversation. 

Unfortunately we're seeing a lot of these same dynamics play out in the field of real estate. It’s not uncommon for some realtors to overreact and under-communicate during a challenging negotiation, when what is called for is level-headedness and open communication.

And so some transactions do end up being filled with unnecessary drama, and some even needlessly canceled, due to the actions of a realtor. 

This is why we place such a strong emphasis on communication in our professional standards. Being present, being patient, over-communicating, and always

One of our clients recently found themselves in a jam. They had just accepted a nice offer for their home, but the ensuing inspection revealed a significant defect. The buyers still wanted to proceed with their purchase, but they wanted the sellers to repair the defect prior to closing, and the closing was only 3 weeks away. 

So Mad City Dream Homes hit the phones and was able to schedule quick estimates from two different companies. Company A's quote came in at a hefty $11,000.  While Company B's quote came in at a much more palatable $2,600. Even better, Company B (a reputable one) was able to complete their work in time for the closing. 

This is a great example of why it pays to do your due diligence and seek multiple opinions whenever you face

Spend a few minutes on social media, and it's plain to see our culture is obsessed with the spotlight and individual achievement. 

And yet the simple truth is, we do our best and most rewarding work when we step out of the spotlight and work as a team in service to others. 

This explains why we choose to work together to take care of you. Stepping out of the spotlight and collaborating as a team is our sweet spot, and how we will continue to serve you for years to come. 

Our office on Monroe Street is in Suite #1, the first office door you encounter when you walk inside the building. Due to this, we regularly have people in the community (e.g. interviewees for our neighbors' businesses, delivery drivers, vendors) peek their heads inside and ask:

"Am I in the right place?"

We're happy to help these visitors. And we often get a similar question in our line of work from new potential clients. If you're unsure where to start in the home buying or selling process, you can always contact us. We'll always point you in the right direction - whether that be a lender, contractor, financial advisor, etc. - to make sure you're in the right place to successfully reach your goals. 

Last week we were reminiscing with a client about her home purchase 4 years ago. Four years ago, she wrote her offer for $15,000 over the list after we performed an extensive amount analysis to ensure she wasn't overpaying for her home. 

Our concerns about overpaying almost seem a little silly in hindsight. Dane County home values have grown by more than 40 percent over the last 4 years, which means our client's home is now worth about $250,000 more than what she paid for it. 

Our client's story is just the latest reminder that buying and holding real estate continues to be a time-tested way to build wealth. It isn't necessarily easy to buy in this market. But if you can find a way to buy the right home for your current stage of life, it can be

Here's our simple graphic that lays out how pre-agency, sub-agency, and buyer agency work. In the big picture, not much has changed in the State of Wisconsin, because we've had buyer representation in place for many years. Yes, some of our forms and contractual language have recently changed, but for many clients the home buying experience will be the same as it has been for decades. 

If you're thinking of buying in the near future, you're likely to have questions. Reach out to your Mad City Dream Homes realtor for some sound guidance. We'll answer all of your questions for you and help you make sense of the new rules. 

Property showings are typically light during the Labor Day weekend, which is great news for anyone looking to buy a home with little or no competition. And remember, selection is improving and rates are trending lower. 

So, if you won't be on vacation during these last few days of summer, you might take a shot at buying your dream home instead. Who knows, this could end up being one of your best holidays ever. 

As real estate agents, we often get asked for our opinion or advice followed by (the polite caveat) ".. but I'm not ready to buy yet." However, at Mad City Dream Homes, our help is not predicated on you being ready to tour homes or sign an agreement. We are ready to help at every step of process, often months or years before our you intend on making a move. 

If you are unsure about where to start the home-buying process, reach out. We're happy to help put you on the path to success, no matter your timeline.