You may have a lot more equity than you think.

If you bought your home in the Madison area just seven years ago, its value has increased by roughly 60 percent. That means a home you purchased for $400,000 in 2019 has gained approximately $240,000 in value — and that's before factoring in the equity you've built through seven years of mortgage payments.

(listing photos courtesy of Step Inside Media)

So what can you do with your equity? 

You could take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC) as a rainy day fund for unexpected expenses, or to finance a future home improvement project. You could also use your HELOC as a down payment for your next home. If you've been dreaming about more space, a different neighborhood, or that forever home,

Coming up with a down payment can be a sticking point for aspiring homebuyers — even when the other pieces are in place. Below are some options to consider.

• Loan Programs: Many loan programs only require a 3% down payment, much lower than 20%, which is often cited as a rule of thumb.
   
• Down Payment Assistance (DPA): Check out this helpful overview of DPA programs in Dane County.
   
• Seller Credit: A credit from the seller cannot directly cover your down payment, but it can free up funds for your down payment.
   
• Your Home’s Equity: If you own a home, you can borrow against your home’s equity to purchase your new property, then quickly pay it off when you sell.

A mortgage is a big financial responsibility, and ideally one that can weather

There's a reason why we conduct a final walkthrough right before you close on your home: Sometimes the walkthrough uncovers an issue that needs to be addressed before the home is officially yours. 

Maybe the seller damages the walls during their move, or perhaps they don't clean the home after their move out. It's possible that some other defect, like mold in the basement, is exposed after all of the seller's contents are removed. 

When issues like these arise during your walkthrough, we immediately contact the seller and negotiate a fair and appropriate remedy. Whether it's having the house professionally cleaned, arranging for a quick repair, or negotiating a cash credit at closing, we're right by your side and protecting your best interests. 

These pooches may be cute, but they need a little space to sniff around and play and nap in the sun. If you're a dog-lover like us, you know what we're talking about. 

For all of us with pets, our furry friends truly are like family. Even when they wake us up in the middle of the night, counter-surf in our kitchen, and leave fur on our furniture, we'd do nearly anything for them — including buy them a pet-friendly home.

This is where having a pet-loving realtor can help. Whether you need a fenced-in yard for your pooch, good access to local dog parks, pet-friendly HOA rules, or sunny windowsills for your cat, we're here to help you find the perfect home for you and your companion.

Ready to buy a home your whole family — your pet included —

School is almost out and vacation season is right around the corner, which means we're officially entering a new season for real estate, too. Here's our quick preview of what buyers and sellers can expect from the June Madison area real estate market. 

 (Wingra Boats on the near west side of Madison) 

Expectations for buyers this June

New listings will continue to enter the market at a brisk pace, and buyers will benefit from a decrease in competition. Now that we're on the other side of the Memorial Day Holiday, competing offers and bidding wars will moderate over the course of the summer. Some properties will undergo price reductions and begin to sit on the market a little longer -- making this an excellent time for buyers to remain patient

Researching online reviews can be an incredibly helpful exercise before choosing your Madison area realtor. Approached the right way, they offer insight into an agent's skills, work ethic, and character.

Unfortunately, reviews can sometimes be misleading, too. Here are a few tips that will help you effectively use online reviews as a helpful realtor selection tool. 

What to look for when researching online reviews

1) Stories that offer insight into the realtor's skills, work ethic, and character 

Numerical ratings can be informative, but we recommend paying more attention to the actual client testimonials. Look for reviews that share stories of how the agent specifically helped the client. What themes emerge from the stories? Do the stories

Madison area home supply is tracking below last year's levels; condo supply is running higher. Here's a quick inventory snapshot for May 6th, along with a preview of how growing supply will impact buyers and sellers this summer. 

Dane County single family homes

As of May 6th, 582 homes were listed for sale (without an accepted offer), compared to 608 homes at the same time last year. Currently, 1.4 months of supply are available for sale in the Dane County single family home market. 

Dane County condos

As of May 6th, 208 condos were listed for sale (without an accepted offer), compared to 190 condos at the same time last year. Currently, 1.8 months of supply are available in the Dane County condo market. 

How will supply

Looking for a bike-friendly neighborhood in the Madison area? Whether you love to road bike, mountain bike, commute by bike, or simply bike for fun in a beautiful setting -- Dane County is a wonderful place to call home. Here are just a few of the bike routes and trails that make Greater Madison a true biker's paradise. 

(the Lower Yahara River Trail, managed by Dane County Parks) 

The Lake Monona Loop

The Lake Monona Loop offers 13 miles of scenic views through the city of Monona, Downtown Madison, and Madison's near east side. You'll find many places to stop and enjoy the surroundings along the way, including Monona Terrace and a handful of parks with panoramic views of the lake. 

The Lake Wingra Loop

Another classic Madison bike

We're well into the spring season, which means we'll soon notice signs of a mellowing market as the Memorial Day Holiday nears. Here's our quick preview of what buyers and sellers can expect from the May Madison area real estate market. 

 (Pheasant Branch Conservancy in Middleton) 

Expectations for buyers this May

Buyers will continue to see a large number of properties entering the market. But the pace of the market will begin to slow as we approach the summer season. Showings and competing offers will remain high, but begin to gradually moderate as the Memorial Day Holiday nears. Some properties will begin to sit on the market a little longer, making this an excellent time for buyers to stay actively engaged with their search. 

Expectations

How quickly are new construction homes being built in Dane County? According to our latest housing start data through the first quarter of 2026, the pace of new construction is at pre-covid levels, and more the 50 percent below the levels from the early 2000s (see the chart below). 

How does the new construction pace impact the broader 2026 market?

A slower home-building pace suggests we'll continue to experience a tight market for single family homes here in Dane County. A tight market, in turn, points to rising prices in the year ahead.  

Where can you learn more about new construction neighborhoods? 

Our recent blog post provides a nice overview of 50 new construction neighborhoods in the Madison area, including two new larger