Although many in the real estate industry like to pretend that the younger generations are in control of the real estate market it’s not true. Boomers, as usual, are large and in charge.

Take the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) annual Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report, for instance. In the 2015 report, NAR claims that since 32 percent of homebuyers come from the Millennial generation, they comprise the largest pool of homebuyers in today’s real estate market. The fact is, at least according to their report, Baby Boomers comprise 31 percent of today’s homebuyers. If those were election stats we’d say there is no statistical difference, right?

When it comes to sellers, Boomers rule, representing 43 percent of home sellers.…

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Jan 2016 Housing Stats - Dane County WI

The January 2016 housing market results are in for Dane County and the picture remains clear: we are in a strong seller’s market in many areas of Dane County, Wisconsin. Prices were up almost 7% year-on-year in January 2016. Listings (single family homes and condos combined) were down almost 22%. And yet sales for January 2016 were up a little more than 6% year-on-year despite less inventory to choose from. Breaking it down into a bit more detail, inventory was down over 20% for single family homes and almost 25% for condos when comparing January 2016 to January 2015. That’s a big change from what we were seeing not that long ago. Average DOM (Days on Market) was also down from January 2015. This January in Dane County, WI it took about 64 days on…

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There’s no denying that Madison has the best of the world wrapped up in one gorgeous city. And that’s the way we like it. That also makes it difficult to ignore a restaurant that goes by the name Madison’s (as if it’s our city’s own favorite).

Madison’s isn’t a college bar, but it’s not exactly fine dining either. This restaurant falls somewhere in the middle with terrific food and fabulous service. There’s a definite Midwest sports bar appeal to the place, as if it were a neighborhood establishment.

The menu isn’t huge; there’s a fair amount of appetizers and light plates including Poutine and Brisket Sliders. The entrée menu features burgers, fish tacos, and delish Winter Squash Carbonara. But, you absolutely need to try the tots when you…

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Having fun in Madison doesn’t have to cost a fortune and, if you have kids, you know that it can get expensive entertaining them. We’ve found five fun things to do during February that won’t cost you even one cent. Check them out!

Arctic Passage

This one is especially good for parents looking for fun things to do with their kids. It’s the newest habitat at the zoo and it features grizzly and polar bears and harbor seals. You can watch the polar bears underwater and maybe get lucky enough to see a grizzly fish for lunch in the stream. Head to the east side of Henry Vilas Park Zoological Society and you’ll find Arctic Passage across from the George Fait North American Prairie display. The park is located at 702 S. Randall Ave. in the Near West…

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We recently worked with a couple who just couldn’t find a house for sale in Madison that fits their needs. We looked for months, one house after the other, but none of the floor plans were just right.

I finally suggested we look at fixer uppers, otherwise known as "fixers" in the Madison market. This is a scary suggestion for many homebuyers who instantly get visions of beater houses dancing in their heads. My clients, on the other hand, were at the point where they were more than willing to entertain the suggestion, especially after I explained to them how they could finance the purchase and end up with the home of their dreams.

Like my clients, you may not know just how easy it is to get a loan for a fixer and, if you get the right loan, it…

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December 2015 Housing Market Stats - Dane County, WI

Results are now available for Dane County, Wisconsin home sales for December 2015. The median sales price for December 2015 rose a hefty 6.22% year-over-year while total active residential listings were down more than 21% year-over-year. Total sold residential listings were down only fractionally over the same period. Buyers clearly remained undeterred by the winter weather with traffic remaining solid throughout one of Wisconsin’s coldest months. It should be pointed out however, that with the exception of a handful of days the weather has been unseasonably warm this winter by any measure and snow has only fallen in moderation.

Inventory for both single family homes and condos in Dane County WI was down considerably in December 2015 compared to…

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