As mortgage rates have risen in recent months, many buyers are now turning to the Adjustable Rate Mortgage (or ARM) in order to lock in a low interest rate over a five, seven or ten year period. As many as 40% to 50% of all buyers are now choosing an ARM over a fixed-rate mortgage, based on our recent conversations with local lenders.

Why would you choose an adjustable rate mortgage?

An ARM allows you to lock in a lower monthly payment during the initial period of your loan. For example, with a 7-year ARM, during the first 7 years of your loan you would lower your interest rate by a full percentage point compared to the traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage. After the initial 7 years is up, your rate would adjust subject to market conditions

No doubt, there is some fear in the world of real estate right now: Fear about world events. Fear about inflation. And fear about higher interest rates, to name a few.

And because we're human, that fear can cause us to hesitate and put our dreams on hold. But on the flip side of fear, is opportunity. And the market does offer some real opportunities for those of us who are are able to hold onto our aspirations and keep working on our real estate goals.

For example

If you've been frustrated by a lack of supply, selection is improving...And you have opportunity.

If you haven't been able to compete, competition is decreasing...And you have opportunity.

If you need to sell in order to buy, home sale contingencies are back...And you have

Congratulations to our clients Beckie and Eli, who recently closed on a beautiful property so they can expand their Montessori school and childcare offerings starting this fall! This is the second time that agent Chris Venden has helped the couple secure additional real estate for their growing business on Madison’s far east side. 

The stars seemed to align over the last 7 years for all of these adjacent properties near Milwaukee St and Sprecher Rd, in part because each of the neighbors wanted their 5-acre parcels to remain wild, natural spaces as opposed to being developed when they decided to sell. Beckie and Eli share that philosophy when it comes to their educational programs, which “focus on a natural environment and the natural growth and

We all have our own ideas about our ideal home, location, and setting. And for many of us, it has a lot to do with a new stage of life. Have you been dreaming about a home for your next season of life? How many of these features are on your dream home bucket list?

Your dream location and setting

• A home near your friends and loved ones

• A home in your preferred school district

• A community that reflects your personal values

• A home near parks, green space, trails, and nature

• A home that’s walkable to restaurants, cafes, entertainment

• A fenced in yard with plenty of space for your kids or dog to play

• A condo with inspiring, panoramic views

• A home with acreage and plenty of peace and

Our circumstances in life are always changing. For example, the events of the world. The state of the economy. Changes in our family. And changes in our personal life, too. 

But regardless of what is happening in the world around us, we all need a place to call home. And more than that we all desire a place that truly feels like home. A home that enhances our sense of wellbeing and our feeling of belonging. That belonging could be the connection we feel with our neighbors, the connection we feel with our community, and the connection we feel with the natural world that surrounds us. 

Do you find yourself dreaming about your next home? A home that enhances your sense of wellbeing and belonging? We would love to explore the possibilities with you

As we return to a more balanced market, the art of negotiation is making its return, too. And it has been a long time coming. For the last three years, so many buyers have felt like they were at the mercy of sellers, where virtually every aspect of the offer to purchase was about buyers giving and sellers taking. But now, with the market mellowing, many buyers and sellers are realizing that they are on a much more level playing field when it comes time to negotiate. 

Now all of these terms are open for negotiation once again:

The price.

The inspection.

The appraisal. 

The home sale contingency.

And a host of other contingencies, too.  

Do you need help negotiating our changing market? 

Reach out to your preferred Mad City Dream

Do you need help with cosmetic updates and work around your yard and house? Here are 5 contractors who are serving our clients with excellence in 2022.

Luis Rios Yard Care (262-844-1768)

Luis does any type of yardwork you need in the spring, summer, and fall. This includes lawn mowing, gutter cleaning, leaf raking, mulch spreading, weeding, brush removal, and the removal of fallen tree limbs. Luis is also available for light home repair and painting projects. 

Hellenbrand Painting (608-220-8222)

We're receiving excellent feedback from our clients about Dennis and his crew. They've taken on some challenging projects this year and have completed all of them with skill and care. 

Wendy Broadhead, Color Consultant (608-235-8623)

We

How do buyers benefit in a more balanced market? Here are 5 big reasons why many buyers will enjoy shopping for their dream home in the summer of 2022.

Five ways buyers benefit in a more balanced market 

1) More selection

The selection of homes and condos is rising in Madison and across all of Dane County. So, if you're someone who hasn't been able to find your dream home yet, there is still hope for you this summer. You'll have more properties to choose from if you hang in there and stay committed to your search.  

2) Less competition

Fewer buyers are searching for homes and condos right now, which means we'll experience fewer bidding wars in the weeks ahead.  

3) Better terms

More selection and less competition will lead to better

Interest rates have been rising, but for those buyers who stay in the market, there will be many more opportunities to purchase for the remainder of the year. Inventory is steadily moving higher, and it's just a matter of time before Dane County breaks the 500 listing mark for the first time in 2022. 

At the same time inventory is rising, showing activity is decreasing. This means buyers will have fewer competing offers to contend with in the weeks and months ahead. 

The market is becoming more balanced.

And buyers will benefit by having more properties to choose from, more time to search, and more room to negotiate.

So, what questions do you have about buying a home in the Madison area? We would love to be a resource for you as more

Lately, many realtors in the area have been noting how the market appears to be a little less intense these last few weeks, and the numbers tend to agree. Here's some fresh insight into the Madison area real estate market with a quick look at listings, showings, and mortgage rates. 

First, the number of available listings is increasing.

In fact, inventory levels right now are the highest they've been all year. Buyers have more properties to choose from right now than in any other point in 2022. 

Competition is decreasing. 

As inventory has been increasing, the number of scheduled showings has been moderating. These two trends point to fewer competing offers in the weeks and months ahead. 

Interest rates have been rising. 

More