Buying Tips

Buying a Home in Madison & South Central Wisconsin: Real Estate Buying Tips

Found 218 blog entries about Buying Tips.

Let's have a quick look at the numbers: Last year, Dane County's population grew by almost 8,000 people, and yet we built just under 1,300 homes. This is a very familiar pattern in Dane County. As the chart below shows, new home construction has been subdued for the last 18 years, even though our county has consistently ranked as one of the fastest-growing regions in the state. 

madison area housing starts 2000 to 2023

What does the future hold for Dane County?

While many counties in Wisconsin are experiencing population declines, it's important to note that Dane County's population is projected to grow by another 200,000 people over the next 30 years. For this and a host of other reasons, we fully expect local home values will continue to appreciate for the foreseeable future. 

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Rates for a 30 year mortgage were approaching 8 percent just a few months ago, but now they're much closer to 6.5%. What new possibilities do lower rates create for you? Now is a great time to explore your opportunities with a trusted local lender. Contact your Mad City Dream Homes realtor for a referral to a lender who will help you understand your options and make good financial decisions. We'd love to help. 

New mortgage rates for the new year

 Chart and data are provided courtesy of the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. 

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It's true, buying a home can be a real challenge in this market. But with the right mindset and the right people supporting you, you can achieve your dream of homeownership. Here are 4 tips from our team that can help you make your homeownership dreams come true. 

#1) Invest in your personal and professional growth. You'll improve your mindset, your career opportunities, and your income when you're intentional about learning and growing each day. 

#2) Partner with an employer who will invest in your future. Yes, there are plenty of dead-end jobs out there. There are also some excellent employers in the Madison area who will fairly compensate you for your character and your work ethic. 

#3) Save and invest your money with the help of a financial

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Would you have peace of mind?

Would you have financial peace? 

And would you be excited? 

We often ask our clients these 3 questions as they consider a big purchase. When they answer "yes" to all three, then that's a sign that they're about to make the right decision. 

These questions are a reminder to us that we all have important questions to address in every season of life. And there's no time like the present to reflect on the ones that help us choose a new and better direction.

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It comes down to 3 essential reasons:

#1) Availability: When you work with Mad City Dream Homes, you won’t ever miss out on seeing a property or writing an offer on your dream home. Our entire team is here to give you the support you need, when you need it. 

#2) Shared expertise: You may need help with a price opinion, an offer or negotiation, or solving a challenging problem. We share our collective expertise with you so you always receive the guidance you need to make smart decisions. 

#3) Depth of service: We are by your side and advocating for your best interests throughout your home-buying experience. We attend to every detail for you, and we’re always available to answer your questions that pop up along the way. 

Call us when you're

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According to research by Buffini & Company, we have 8 major motivations for buying real estate: 

1) The desire to be close to family 

2) A need for more space

3) A realization that it's time to downsize 

4) Job relocation 

5) A major life change, such as a marriage, birth, death, divorce, or entering the workforce  

6) A desire to be in a different neighborhood 

7) A goal to invest in real estate 

8) A desire to own a vacation home 

What's motivating you to buy a home, condo, or investment property in 2024? We'd love to learn more about your needs and help you create a plan for your goals. Contact your preferred Mad City Dream Homes realtor to get started. We've helped hundreds of clients purchase real estate in our competitive

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For many of us the holiday season is a time for reflection and resolutions. It's also the season when we start making our homeownership plans for the coming year.

2022 real estate dream home

What are your real estate goals for 2024?

Do any of these goals speak to you? 

#1) You have some home improvement projects in mind and you need recommendations for reputable contractors. You'd also like some insight into which home improvement projects offer the best return on investment.

#2) You've been dreaming of a new home and you need some guidance on how to make it happen. Inventory is tight right now, and you need help finding the home that's the right fit for your lifestyle and your stage of life.

#3) You'd like to meet with an expert about your home's current market

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The holiday season is one of the better times to be buying a home, and now lower mortgage rates are adding to the holiday the cheer. Rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage were recently in the range of 8 percent. Now, a 30-year mortgage is available for around 7 percent. 

Check out the chart and data below from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, which is updated each Wednesday.  

What questions do you have about buying or selling Dane County real estate? Call us whenever you need a little guidance and advice. We're here to help! 

current mortgage rates 

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Here are our tips for finding a great buyer agent in another market:

#1: Research agent reviews on Zillow and Google. Focus more on the written comments than on the numerical ratings. Look for agents who consistently receive high praise from grateful clients. 

#2: Review each agent's recent listings. Do the listings consistently display beautiful photos of well-staged properties? The quality of an agent's listings can offer insight into each agent's standards and level of professionalism. 

#3: Interview each agent and ask all of the questions that are most important to you. In the end we encourage you to follow your intuition and choose the agent who you believe will offer you the best working relationship. 

Of course you can also ask your Mad

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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

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