After years of in-person and hands-on staging with Debbie Lea of Showcase Home Stagers, our team quickly adjusted to doing business virtually because of the pandemic in order to prioritize everyone’s safety. 

Because of Debbie’s incredible eye for design -- even through video chats and emailed photographs -- and close collaboration with our nimble agents and marketing staff, our sellers continue to reap the benefits of home staging services (free of charge as part of our complete marketing plan). 

In a previous post we shared what sellers can expect during a virtual staging consultation with Debbie. As a follow up to that blog, Debbie and agents Ann Raschein, Maureen Moran, and Shelley Lazzareschi reflect on the importance of making a great first

At Mad City Dream Homes, we like to think of every listing as a luxury listing. We believe every property - no matter the price point - deserves beautiful photos. That's why we work so closely with you on your cosmetic updates, your staging, and your photography. We've learned from experience that all of our up front planning and preparation pays huge dividends when your home hits the market. 

For example, here are some beautiful photos from 10 of our recent listings, all of which were priced at $300,000 and under. Each property sold quickly and for a high market price, and most received multiple offers. Thank you Shelley Lazzareschi, Chris Venden, Maureen Moran, Alan Feder, Ann Raschein, Tracy Kapela, and Debbie Lea for your contributions to these

You are ready to sell, and you want to get the best price possible. This means showing your home at its best. We suggest a few simple updates that can be done both quickly and affordably. Take a look at our top 5 ways to increase your home's value without breaking the bank. All five of these recommendations are low cost solutions that provide a great return on investment. 

Step 1: Hire a professional home stager

In real estate, first impressions mean everything. A professional will help you stage your home so buyers fall in love with your listing when they view your home online. Depending on your needs, your stager will also recommend new paint colors, new flooring, and new light fixtures which dramatically improve your home's mass appeal. If you're

Low appraisals have become more common over the last few years, particularly in the condominium market, where prices are rising rapidly. A low appraisal can potentially sidetrack a transaction, resulting in either a negotiated price reduction or even a canceled offer. 

Fortunately there are a few things you can do to protect your listing from appraisal issues. Below we share 7 ways you and your real estate agent can work together to prevent a bad appraisal from derailing your listing. 

7 ways to protect your listing from a low appraisal

1. Choose a listing plan that's designed to attract multiple offers. Your odds of receiving an offer with no appraisal contingency go up significantly when buyers compete against each other for your listing. When

The home inspection contingency is a critical moment in almost every transaction. After all, more offers fall apart during this contingency than at any other time -- so how you and your agent negotiate your inspection can either make or break your sale. Below we offer 4 practical tips for sellers who have a home inspection contingency written into their offer. These are tried and true tips that come from experience earned over hundreds of transactions. 

4 inspection negotiation tips for sellers

Before the home inspection

Setting the stage for a successful negotiation actually begins well before the inspection takes place. Start by hiring a listing agent who has a pricing and marketing strategy that will attract offers from at least 3

When Nancy Breden bought her Spring Harbor bungalow along Lake Mendota six years ago, she saw its potential for being a “really cute place to live” -- especially with its cathedral ceiling, loft, boathouse, and spectacular view of the sunrise. 

In that time, Nancy has made some sweet updates to this 2 bed/1.5 bath property on 47 feet of waterfront, including wood flooring throughout the house and swapping out the garage door for French doors in the boathouse (which could be used as an office, art/yoga studio, or exercise room). 

“I've received so many comments from boaters passing by,” she said. “I think both updates helped with the appeal of this home.”

This fall she approached REALTOR Chris Venden to sell her home, who enlisted

If you're like many sellers these days, you probably feel overwhelmed and a bit panicked when you think about all of the challenges confronting you. Our team is here to help you address all of these challenges and replace your feeling of overwhelm with a sense of calm and confidence. Below we cover a few of the common stressors that many sellers experience, and how to address each one of them. 

Commons stressors during the home-selling process

Home repair and cosmetic updates

Most homes have some wear and tear that should be addressed prior to sale, and some homes need a few cosmetic updates. We can help you prioritize the projects that will provide the best return on investment -- and connect you with reliable contractors, too. Be proactive

September was a great month for Madison area home and condo sellers, as the Dane County real estate market set a number of new records last month. Here's our short summary of the latest market trends from the month of September. 

The Madison area single family home market

New MLS listings increased by 16% in September and reached their highest level since 2008. 

Buyers responded to the new supply of listings by writing a record number of offers. Accepted offers increased by 27% year-over-year and set a new record for the month of September. 

Home sales also reached a new high and increased by 40% from last September. 

Madison area home prices set a new record last month, increasing by 9% year-over-year. 

The Madison area

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions in your life. With so much on the line, you owe it to yourself to hire a REALTOR who is personally invested in you and your aspirations. How can you tell if you're working with an agent who is highly committed to you? It’s really about the way in which your agent shows up each day, attending to all of the details of your purchase or your sale, that has a huge impact on whether or not you achieve your goals.  

Here are 8 signs you're working with an agent who is personally invested in you.

• When you’re pricing your home, your agent does their homework and clearly articulates their reasons for their recommended list price. Your agent also recommends simple cosmetic updates that will

We're getting asked this question a lot these days, and here's our take: Although there are no guarantees about the state of the market in 2021, we do know the Madison area real estate market is very favorable for sellers right now. Here's what we're seeing in the market as we approach the month of October. 

The fall real estate market in Madison, WI

For starters, mortgage rates are historically low, and buyers are buying. Dane County home buyers are writing offers at a much faster pace right now than they were during the same time period in 2019. 

Dane County home prices are trending favorably for sellers, too. Many properties are receiving multiple offers right now and selling for well above the list. Home prices are on pace to set