Which price ranges are most competitive in the Madison real estate market? One way to measure the competitiveness (or popularity) of a price range is to look at the percent of offers within the range that involve competition from multiple buyers. In the Madison single family home market, our accepted offer data shows properties priced below $350,000 are in highest demand. Within this range, the most popular price category is $200k - $250k where a full 50% of all accepted offers involve competition from 2 or more buyers. 

In the Madison condo market, condominiums priced below $300,000 are most popular with buyers. Our 2017 data shows condos priced between $250k and $300k are in highest demand, with 43% of the accepted offers in this price category

Our newest listing at 540 Highway 92 just outside of Belleville has been a lot of fun to work on so far. This property offers some beautiful views and a countryside setting just 15 minutes from Verona and 30 minutes from Madison. Justin Lackner has done a great job capturing the natural beauty surrounding the property. Here are a few of Justin's photos. 

Outdoor Photos of 540 Highway 92

This 2 acre property is set up on a hill with mature trees. The lot is surrounded by fields and rolling hills on all sides. 

This shot of the surrounding countryside is taken from the front yard. 

Here's another great shot of the countryside setting - taken from the side lot. 

From this property you can see for miles in all directions. 

One of our 12 team values is to partner with reputable service providers who help our clients achieve their goals. Our partnership with Justin Lackner is a great example of this team value at work. Justin is one of our favorite photographers because he captures some amazing images for our listings. Whenever we have a client with a beautiful kitchen or a unique landscape, Justin is the photographer we call. Here are some recent examples of his work. 

Recent Listing Photos by Justin Lackner

This photo captures the simple elegance and charm of this nearly 100-year-old home in the Greenbush neighborhood. 

In this photo, Justin displays a beautiful interior and panoramic views from this Weston Place high-rise condo. 

This picture was a big

When it comes to selling your home, there's no substitute for planning and preparation. Our initial consultation is all about putting a good plan in place for your sale. During our planning meeting we learn why and when you plan to move. Then we outline the key steps for making your move happen.

For example, let's say your goal is to sell your current home and move into your new condo by August 15th. Your move plan could look a lot like this example below. 

Example Move Plan: Sell and Buy by August 15th

• Meet with our stager on June 1st
• Stage your home's featured space (for example a great room, sun room or kitchen) with our stager's assistance by June 4th 
• Mad City Dream Homes obtains professional photos of your featured space by June

If we were to choose one word to describe the spring real estate market, it would be "over-heated". The spring selling season has been full of bidding wars and huge price increases. If you know anyone who's bought or sold this spring, no doubt you've heard a few interesting stories about our crazy market. 

But real estate is all about the seasons, and right now our over-heated spring market is giving way to a more balanced summer market. As the graph below shows, buyer activity decreases in June from the peak months of March, April and May. Plenty of real estate gets bought and sold in the summertime, but at a slower pace compared to the spring season. 

How does this shift affect buyers and sellers?

If you're still planning to buy or sell in

Madison home and condo prices took a big leap in April. Here's a quick look at the April numbers. 

Home Prices

The price per square foot jumped by $22 from April 2016 to April 2017. That's an increase of 16%. 

Year-to-date, the price per square foot was up by $14 through the month of April - an increase of 10%. 

Condo Prices

The April condo price per square foot increased $16 year-over-year - an increase of 11%. 

Year-to-date the price per square foot was also up by 11%

What's driving prices higher? 

Increased competition. Amazingly, 47% of all single family homes that went under contract in March involved 2 or more competing offers. That's the highest percentage we've seen in the Madison market. Increased

As another entry in our series of neighborhood profiles, The Crossing, also known as Glacier Ridge, has earned the attention of families and professionals for its attractive setting within Madison city limits. Its appeal begins with the large amount of green space, and several large parks along its borders. The Crossing is the kind of neighborhood where you'll find residents strolling along the sidewalks each evening, and taking advantage of the expansive trail network along its western edge. 

The Ice Age Trail Park borders the community on the west side. This park provides beautiful space to hike and bike on wooded trails and natural prairies. We recently featured it here:

Mad City Dream Homes Neighborhood Tours - The Ice Age Trail from Dan

The market this year is playing out as expected. Inventories are historically low. Properties are selling quickly. And prices are rising rapidly throughout Dane County. Here's a quick market snapshot covering a few of the county's largest communities. 

Home Prices

We use the price per square foot to track the change in local home prices. Property values are rising rapidly and setting new highs in Fitchburg, Madison, Sun Prairie, Verona and Waunakee. We expect Middleton home prices to reach new highs within a few months.

Low inventories and strong demand are driving prices higher. Bidding wars and "escalation clauses" have become very common this spring, especially for listings priced under $350,000. 

Condo Prices

The condo market used to be

You’ve done your homework, worked with the stager, and made the improvements necessary to make your home attract buyers. You kept it perfect for showings, and generated great interest. Finally, you accept an offer, and believe you will soon move on to a new adventure. But then it happens. The buyer's home inspection report includes mold. What do you do?

We’ve walked many sellers through this predicament, and have found some excellent solutions. One of our favorite mold experts is Rapid Response Remediation. This company has effectively cleaned up several of our clients' properties, and has done it in a timely and affordable manner. Rob Mozgawa, managing partner of the company, says that people are more afraid of mold than they need to be.

“It's an

When is the best time to start your estate planning? Age 18. The reality for most people is that this planning doesn’t happen until much later, but Bob Nennig of Nennig Law Offices, LLC can help clients of all ages prepare for the future. Nennig knows that most clients aren’t experts on estate planning. He prides himself in walking them through the process, explaining the options, and making sure that they are both pleased and protected by the final results. You don’t have to be exceptionally wealthy to make plans. If you own a home and have a retirement plan, you're ready to make an estate plan.

Estate planning is different from financial advice. It is designed to look at your assets and then create the best possible way to share them with your loved