Did you know that many of the listing photos we see online are actually produced overseas? Sure, the pictures are taken by a local photographer. But what many people don’t know is that in many cases the photo editing is outsourced overseas before the final images are published online.  

The same goes for virtual staging. Many of the virtually staged images that we see online are actually produced by people who live halfway around the world. 

From an economic perspective, this approach to photography is beneficial to the consumer. It leverages cheap, overseas labor to efficiently deliver an affordable product. 

But in the bigger picture it comes at a cost -- because it bypasses an opportunity to create meaningful work and support our economy right

It’s no secret that many real estate agents are on call days, nights, weekends -- sometimes even while on vacation -- especially when the market is hot. 

That’s why it’s so important for agents to find a self-care routine and get in a groove that works best for them so they can best serve their clients and themselves, too.  

For Chris Venden, early mornings are for quiet, calm, and quality time with her spouse and dog. Even if she’s up late writing offers, Chris is an early riser and time blocks a couple of hours to prepare her schedule and set the tone for a positive, productive day.

As soon as Chris is awake she’ll do a quick check of her emails and texts, and if nothing is urgent she’ll ease into her morning routine at her countryside

At Mad City Dream Homes, we're always in learning mode. One of the ways we’re honing our craft this year is by participating in “market analysis mastermind” sessions. In preparation for each session, each agent performs an independent market analysis for an upcoming listing. Then we meet over Zoom to share our individual price opinions and form a consensus on the best price for the property. 

We're noticing two nice outcomes from our sessions. First, our mastermind sessions are resulting in some great discussion and helping all of us stay sharp in this year’s fast-paced market. Plus, each session allows us to tap into our collective expertise as a way to add value for a home-selling client.  

Are you someone who needs help pricing your home in

We love connecting our friends and clients with trusted businesses. This is just one of the ways we strive to keep serving you day-after-day and year-after-year. So please reach out to us anytime you need a referral to a reputable service provider. We’ll do our best to connect you with a business who’s a good fit for your needs. 

With working by referral in mind, we want to remind you we’re never too busy to serve your friends and family whenever they need real estate help. And as you already know, we'll always give your referrals our best service and advice -- and never with any sales pressure.  

At Mad City Dream Homes, the majority of our clients are repeat and referral customers. This is our sweet spot -- helping and serving others. We

Technology makes it so easy to connect with friends and family. But there’s something really special about receiving an old-fashioned, handwritten note. When we receive a personal note, we feel supported, appreciated, and cared for. The words mean a lot to us when someone takes time to put pen to paper and share their good wishes with us.    

Try a 30-day personal note challenge.

If receiving a handwritten note is something you really appreciate, then why not get in the habit of sending personal notes yourself? For the next month, try this daily challenge: Send one personal note each day to a friend, a client, or a loved one. Be genuine and generous with your words. Then take time to notice how this habit impacts you and your relationships. If

We're excited to announce that Jake Johnson has joined our team as a full-time and full-service realtor! Jake brings with him 15 years of experience in customer service and people-focused industries, while serving 10 of those years in leadership roles. 

Jake is a former client of our team, so he knows all about our focus on community, relationships, and real estate. He has a strong work ethic, a knack for building positive relationships, and a sincere appreciation for mastering the fundamentals of our business -- as he applies them in ways that are authentic to his personality and his strengths. And Jake has certainly hit the ground running. He's already adding a ton of value to our clients. 

We're grateful to have someone of Jake's caliber join our

As we approach the end of 2020, we'd like to say thank you to Ann Raschein for her dedication to affordable housing initiatives here in Dane County. As an affordable housing advocate, Ann volunteers her time and energy as a member of the board for both the Home Buyers Round Table and Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Ann has also helped 5 families receiving down payment assistance achieve the dream of homeownership in 2020.

Ann's commitment to affordable housing is just one of many ways that she serves her community. If you've worked with Ann on the purchase or sale of your home, you've come to know her as someone who truly goes the extra mile to help you achieve your real estate goals. As a leader on our team, we've come to know her as someone who

Tammy,

It’s hard to believe you have been working with us for the last 7 years! The time has gone by so fast, and now you’re off to your next stage of life in Minnesota. We will all miss your positivity, energy, and enthusiasm that you brought to our team and to our clients. You have made our lives a little easier and a little brighter. Thank you for 7 great years! We wish you all the best in Minnesota!

Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes

Tammy Steiner's exuberant personality and strong work ethic are evident in the reviews she's received from clients through the years, too. Here are just a few examples. 

• “Tammy was such a pleasure to work with. She was able to see our vision and embraced it, offering her own vision and ideas as we

In 2017, when I made a career switch from journalism to two part-time positions in real estate marketing with Mad City Dream Homes and communications with a Madison-based environmental nonprofit, I had no idea what to expect. In that time, I have learned so much about these fields of work as well as what I find fulfilling each day. And what fuels me most is finding creative ways to connect with others to help them achieve their goals. Thanks to the support of Dan Miller and this amazing team, I will be able to do more of what I love with people whom I respect. 

I am excited to announce that my role is growing on the Mad City Dream Homes team! In November, I will transition to a full-time position as a marketing and community outreach specialist to

At Mad City Dream Homes, we’re committed to using our business as a platform to create a stronger community -- and we’re always looking to hire people who believe in our cause. 

Over the years we’ve learned community-oriented people tend to make great team members. Because they place a high value on serving others, they excel at customer service and supporting their peers on the team. Plus, they seem to always have a way of causing us to stretch and grow in some new and exciting directions.

Do you know someone who might be a good fit for our team? Please keep us in mind as you encounter positive, community-oriented people within your world.

Thank you for helping us carry out our mission and for all of the support you’ve provided us over the