The Dane County real estate market isn't completely predictable, but there is one thing we can predict: the rise and fall of inventory (the number of homes for sale) throughout the year. 

As the graph below shows, inventory gradually rises as we enter the colder months and bottoms out in spring. This happens every year, and this general trend is predictable.

High inventory means buyers have more choices, and offers may face less competition. To stand out, sellers need to price correctly and choose an agent with honed marketing efforts. Low inventory means buyers have fewer choices and may have to make more concessions to obtain the house they like, leading to an easier and more lucrative sale for the seller.

Inventory is rising; what does this mean for your

National data from Keeping Current Matters (KCM) recently reported that 63% of buyers consider a “good” interest rate to be less than 5%. So, what is a good interest rate from a realtor’s perspective?

One way to approach that question is to look at average rates over time. Mortgage interest rates have been between 5% and 10% nearly sixty percent of the time over the last 50 years (KCM). Current rates reflect a return to “normal” in a balanced real estate market. There’s definitely some “good” in that.

The other way to look at the question is what works for you and your family. Do current interest rates help you meet your goals, financial and otherwise? Do they work within your budget? “Good” may be a personal opinion, and in

Dane County home prices were mixed in July, as new listings, accepted offers, and home sales all increased. Here's our in depth review of the Madison area single family home market for July, 2026. Note: All of our data is sourced directly from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

Dane County home prices

July Madison area home prices

• The price per square foot decreased from $267 in July of 2025 to $257 in July of 2026, down 4 percent. 
• The average price decreased from $604,755 to $594,449, down 2 percent. 
• The median price increased from $505,000 to $514,900, up 2 percent. 

Year-to-date prices through the month of July

• The Dane County price per square foot increased from $254 through July of 2025 to $258 through July of 2026,

Dane County condo prices were mixed in July, while new listings and accepted offers decreased. Here's our in-depth look at the July Madison area condo market. Note: All of our data is sourced directly from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

What questions do you have about buying or selling a condo in the Madison, Wisconsin area? Reach out to one of our condo experts for a helpful consultation. 

Dane County condo prices 

Madison area condo prices were mixed in July.

• The price per square foot was $256, up 10 percent from $233 in July of 2025.
• The average price increased from $373,515 in July of 2025 to $392,174 in July of 2026, up 5 percent. 
• The median price decreased from $345,000 to $335,250, down 3 percent. 

Year-to-date

New home and condo listings came in as expected in July. Here's our quick overview of Dane County listing activity for the month of July, 2026. Note: all of our numbers are sourced directly from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

Dane County single family homes 

A total of 597 Dane County single family homes were listed for sale in July, up 2 percent from the 585 homes listed for sale in July of 2025. Year-to-date, single family home listings are up by 4 percent from the year before. 

Dane County condos

Condo listings were even with last July's total. A total of 184 Madison area condos were listed for sale in July, the same as in July of 2025. On a year-to-date basis, condo listings are up 6 percent. 

Check in soon for more market

We have just one more month until the beginning of the new school year, which means just one more month of the summer real estate market. Here's our quick preview of what buyers and sellers can expect from the Dane County market this August. 

 (Lunney Lake Farm County Park - Prairie Learning Center) 

Expectations for buyers this August

New listings will enter the market at a more moderate pace in August, but available inventory will continue to grow due to fewer homes going under contract. This means buyers will find some real opportunities to purchase a home from more flexible sellers — with less competition, and for a fair price.  The second half of 2026 will offer some excellent opportunities for buyers who remain patient and persistent

You might be wondering this based on recent national headlines that mention rising and surging foreclosures across the U.S. These headlines are a bit startling, but here in Dane County the numbers paint a slightly different picture. 

According to our latest Dane County foreclosure report, Madison area foreclosure filings are up 9 percent through the first six months of the year, but remain low compared to most other years this century — see the chart below. 

This is just another example of how all real estate is local, and why it's always beneficial to have a trusted, local resource to rely on for insight and advice. At Mad City Dream Homes we're here to be that resource for you. Reach out whenever your have questions about the Madison area real

It's July in Dane County, which means we're in the thick of the summer real estate market. And perhaps the most predictable trend we can count on each summer is rising home and condo supply. The summer of 2026 is no exception. 

As the charts below show, home and condo inventory is steadily rising this summer, and will continue to rise well into the fall season, as it does each year. 

Chart 1: Madison area home supply is rising this summer. 

Chart 2: Madison area condo supply is also rising. 

What does rising supply mean for Madison area buyers? 

Along with having more properties to choose from, buyers will enjoy a more relaxed market this summer. Generally speaking, competition from other buyers will lessen and many sellers (not

We're midway through the 2026 sales cycle, which makes it a good time to review some of the key themes we're observing in this year's real estate market. If you're planning to buy or sell this year, here are a few key trends for you to be aware of. 

(Brittingham Boats in Madison)

Condo inventory is more plentiful than single family home inventory. 

According to our July market snapshot, 2.5 months of condo supply are available for sale in Dane County, compared to 1.8 months for single family homes. 

Competing offers are more common in the single family home market. 

In the month of May, 37 percent of all single family home contract signings involved multiple offers, compared to 25 percent for condos. This is consistent with the pattern

Dane County condo prices were mixed in June, while new listings decreased and accepted offers increased. Here's our deep dive into the June Madison area condo market. Note: All of our data is sourced directly from the South Central Wisconsin MLS. 

What questions do you have about buying or selling a condo in the Madison, Wisconsin area? Reach out to one of our condo experts for a helpful consultation. 

Dane County condo prices 

 Th

June Madison area condo prices

• The price per square foot was $256, up 8 percent from $236 in June of 2025.
• The median price decreased from $329,250 in June of 2025 to $325,000 in June of 2026, down 1 percent. 
• The average price increased from $366,065 to $377,877, up 3 percent. 

Year-to-date condo