If you're a homeowner in the Madison area, you've probably received a few postcards from realtors saying they've got a buyer for your home. The thing to remember is that for every postcard you receive, there are dozens of other buyers out there who would love to purchase your home, too (if only they knew it was available). 

Here are two other things to keep in mind about postcard buyers: 

1. The buyer benefits from the quiet sale, 
2. But the seller benefits from competition. 

So as the seller, you get to choose: You get to choose whether you want to participate in an open market or a closed market. Two very distinct options, with each option offering a different experience and a different outcome. Choose wisely. 

It's becoming more and more common for large real estate teams, and even entire real estate brokerages, to promote their private listing programs. The pitch for a private listing goes something like this: if you're someone who's interested in a discreet sale, the team or brokerage will help you by marketing your home to their buyers. 

But before you sign up for a private sale, it's important to ask two questions: 

1) What are the advantages and disadvantages for you, the seller, when you sign up for a private listing? 

2) And how does the brokerage benefit by promoting their private listing program? 

As always, focus on the financials. 

#1) A professional anticipates your needs and proactively communicates with you. 

#2) A pro is willing to tell you what you need to hear, even if it's not what you want to hear. 

#3) A pro is generous with their time and attention and always gives discretionary effort. 

#4) A pro is dedicated to mastering their craft and continually adapting to industry changes.  

#5) A pro is cool under pressure and helps you handle a surprise with creativity and grace. 

** Learn more here **

Recently, our friends reached out to us in a difficult situation. Despite their roof being only 12 years old, they discovered all of the plywood sheathing in their attic was rotting. The culprit? Their original roofer had installed the roof without proper ventilation.

Our friends made multiple attempts to contact the roofer, hoping they would fix the issue and stand behind their work. Unfortunately, the contractor ghosted them, leaving them with a deteriorating roof and mounting concerns.

So we connected our friends with Cody Helmer, whose crew quickly addressed the problem. They removed the old shingles and damaged plywood, then properly installed a new roof with adequate ventilation. Now our friends have peace of mind knowing they have a sound

Whether you're buying or selling a home, you shouldn't have to settle for status quo service—especially when you have so much riding on the results.

At Mad City Dream Homes, we practice these 10 customer service philosophies daily, each of which has become increasingly counter-cultural in today's real estate market:

• Focus over distraction
• Relationship over transaction 
• Listening over talking 
• Serving over selling 
• Effectiveness over efficiency 
• Mastery over mystery 
• Humility over publicity 
• Generosity over scarcity 
• Collaboration over competing 
• The right thing over the easy thing 

**Here's more about our approach to customer service, in the words of our clients** 

What's a fiduciary? A fiduciary is someone who's legally obligated to act in the best interests of another person, placing that person's interests above their own. 

At Mad City Dream Homes, we always have the mindset of a fiduciary, whether you hire us to legally represent you or not. 

This means we take responsibility for knowing the market and knowing our craft, so we're always prepared to offer you sound advice. We act ethically and honestly and always choose to do the right thing, even when no one else is watching. And above all else, we always give you our best, knowing that the consequences of our actions can have a big impact on your life. 

Call us when you're ready to consult with a fiduciary. It would be our pleasure to serve you. 

We're happy for our client, Carol, who just experienced a very successful sale of her condo in Northern Lights Village. Chris helped Carol buy her condo 9 years ago, and when it came time to sell, Carol turned to Chris once again.

This is a nice, real-life example: We all want to know that we have an honest and competent professional we can turn to when we need one most. Chris is that person. 

Photo and virtual staging by Step Inside Media.

Recently "our boss" at Realty Executives, Dan Spransy, received The Good Neighbor Award from the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin -- for his work with Before 16, a foundation that helps find forever families for international orphans before they age out of the adoption system. 

It was a touching moment to see Dan being recognized for all that he's invested into his non-profit. Through Dan's work and the work of many others, dozens of kids have found forever families here in the United States. 

We're inspired by Dan and the example he sets. At the same time we’re aware that we don't need to do something extraordinary -- like start a non-profit -- to be a good neighbor. Small acts of kindness and genuine care can make a big difference

Getting ready to buy or sell a home this spring? These 3 questions will help you assess the "momentum" in your target market:

#1) How many homes in your neighborhood are on the market right now? 

#2) Of these homes, how many of them are under contract with an accepted offer? 

#3) Going a level deeper, what percent of the homes under contract received multiple offers? 

Many Madison area neighborhoods have a high percentage of listings under contract right now, with many of these listings receiving multiple offers. Buyers in these neighborhoods will continue to experience strong competition this spring, while sellers will have a good opportunity to push the envelope with pricing.

Contact your Mad City Dream Homes realtor when you're ready for

This past weekend, I made an impromptu stop into Wisconsin Cutlery & Kitchen Supply. When I entered, I was quickly greeted by a friendly sales associate but felt the need to preface, "I have the worst knives, they are just random ones from online, I don't know much about all this." Immediately, the saleswoman pointed to a playful sign hanging over the counter that said "No Knife Shaming." 

She explained that no one is to feel embarrassed or ashamed of what kitchen tools they have; we all start somewhere! She was eager to teach me the basics and left me feeling confident about next steps I could take to maintain the knives I had and pursue a better set.

This interaction left me feeling that some aspects of our professions weren't so dissimilar.