Real estate practices are evolving quickly as we all adjust to a world with coronavirus/COVID-19. One new practice that is coming soon is the digital closing. In a digital closing, the parties to a transaction sign their paperwork via e-signature from the comfort and safety of home. To learn more about how a digital closing works for buyers and sellers, please check out this article from the Homestead Title real estate blog. Thank you Peter Zarov for being a leader in the real estate field and for helping to spread the word about this important development.
Buying Tips
Buying a Home in Madison & South Central Wisconsin: Real Estate Buying Tips
Seller and buyer safety during coronavirus/COVID-19
We're all adjusting to new ways of living, and for our clients and team, new ways of buying and selling real estate. During this period of social distancing, here are a few of the measures that we're evaluating and implementing in order to protect the health of our clients, staff, and the larger community. We understand we'll need to continually evolve our practices as we adjust to the events around us.
How we're practicing real estate and social distancing
Working remotely and meeting virtually
Our agents and staff are now working from home and using conference calls and Zoom to conduct our team meetings. We're also carrying out buyer and seller consultations with conference calls and Zoom.
Using technology to conduct staging consultations
…How to buy your dream home in 2020
Imagine a new property has just hit the market and you know as soon as you view it online it's the perfect house for you. It has the dream kitchen you've been waiting for, a beautiful and private yard, and the perfect location in your ideal neighborhood. The only problem is you know there are dozens of other buyers out there who are fawning over this house just like you. So how do you get your offer accepted when there are so many other buyers in love with the same property? Read on for our 5 tips that will help you successfully buy your dream home in 2020.
5 tips that will help you buy your dream home in 2020
1) Be the first to visit the property and the first to write an offer.
Sometimes getting your offer accepted is all about being the
…3 do's and don'ts for buyers in this year's hot spring real estate market
This year is another year of low mortgage rates and low inventory in Dane County, so 2020 is already proving to be another very competitive year for local home and condo buyers. With this in mind, here are our do's and don'ts for buyers in this year's fast-moving market.
Three don'ts for Madison area buyers in 2020
1) Don't wait for the weekend open house to tour a property
Instead, rely on your buyer agent to schedule a private showing as soon as each property hits the market. Many properties are selling right away and aren't lasting until the open house.
2) Don't call the listing agent to arrange a showing.
By the time you reach the listing agent, there's a good chance the property is already sold to another buyer. You're better off
…Thinking of buying or selling this spring? Three things to know.
The spring real estate market will be heating up soon. Are you thinking of making 2020 the year you buy or sell a home? There are things you can do now that will help you stay competitive in what’s expected to be another busy real estate market this spring. Read on for tips from our team for ways you can prepare, and then contact us for a consultation. We can help you achieve your buying or selling goals.
Looking to sell?
- If you’re thinking about selling your home, be proactive. You’ll set yourself up for a better home-selling experience if you begin planning and preparing right now. Many people feel stressed when they have to rush through the process, and planning ahead can make the whole experience much easier. Reach out to schedule a
Our predictions for the 2020 Madison real estate market
The month of December has arrived, which means it's time for our annual real estate predictions. Below we've identified 8 key market trends for the coming year. For a look back at our 2019 predictions, check out this article which we published at the end of last year.
Our 2020 Madison real estate predictions
#1: Mortgage rates will remain well below 5 percent.
We're not economists and we're not experts in the mortgage market, but we do know 2020 is an election year. Because of this we expect mortgage rates will remain near historically low levels throughout all of 2020.
#2: Inventory will remain low.
Dane County's growing population needs housing, but the pipeline of new listings and new construction homes isn't sufficient to meet the
…Case Study: Persistence Pays off When Navigating Loans and Condo Association Rentals
Jennifer and Jordan Hegerfeld worked with Maureen Moran as they were getting ready to buy their first home. The couple found themselves with an accepted offer on their ideal condo, but there were hitches with securing the mortgage. Read on for the story of how Maureen’s persistence helped these first-time homeowners successfully purchase their new home.
Ready to become homeowners
Jennifer and Jordan began searching for their first home in March of 2019. They were ready to have a place of their own with more space, in a great school district for their child. At first, they considered single family homes, but most of the properties in their price range were fixer uppers and not in move-in condition. They found themselves looking for condos, which
…Questions to ask before submitting your offer to purchase
Imagine you and your buyer agent have been looking for the right home for the past few months, and now you know you've found the right one. You're excited by the possibilities of owning your next home, but you realize you need guidance on how to structure and negotiate your offer to purchase. Here are five great questions to consider before you and your agent draft your offer.
5 questions to ask before writing your offer
1) What is important to the seller?
Having your buyer agent ask the listing agent this simple, open-ended question can reveal so much about the seller's priorities. And usually, you will learn there are factors very important to the seller that have nothing to do with price. For example, the seller may prefer a specific
…Opportunities for buyers and sellers in the fall real estate market
The fall season is a real estate market unto itself, with its own unique dynamics and opportunities. Below we share a few aspects of the autumn market that are good for buyers and sellers to know.
Opportunities for buyers in the fall market
Right now is a great time to be shopping for a home, and here are two big reasons why:
There are fewer buyers to contend with in the fall
Take a look at this chart below, which shows Dane County buyer activity throughout the calendar year. Right now there are roughly 40% fewer offers being accepted compared to the peak months of March, April, May and June. The pace of the market is slower in the fall, and easier on buyers.
There are fewer multiple offer situations and bidding wars in the fall
…"Ready, Set, Show!" Doreen Meland's staging service is for both sales AND daily living!
Sometimes your life’s work happens almost by accident. For Doreen Meland, designing and staging homes came naturally, even before she knew it could be a business. “I didn’t know I was doing it, but I was. A Realtor came through our home, and asked if I staged homes. After thinking about it, I decided it would be fun. My business has grown from there,” she says.
Doreen’s work covers a broad range of projects. She has a natural ability for interior design, and is a gifted landscaper. Both interior and exterior projects fill her portfolio. She has helped clients efficiently stage their homes for sale. But she has also worked with clients who require a more thorough decluttering.
Doreen loves organizing. Recently, she assisted clients who needed to
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