Madison Wisconsin Real Estate News - Jolenta Averill

2020 (Deuces!)

Okay, I admit it. I love New Years! Hope rekindles, the calendar turns yet again, and it’s a perfect opportunity to “start over”. If nothing else, that fresh start is typically accompanied by a new Inbox entitled “2020” that, by definition, informs me by its empty status that I’m all caught up with my To Do list even though that clearly won’t last more than a day. Looking into the vast expanse of the 12 months that lie ahead, I’m excited and invigorated at the prospect of a brand new year and all the promise that it holds: friends and acquaintances old and new, each with varying motivations and circumstances for wanting to buy and/or sell real estate, and the unique challenges and opportunities involved with each one. 

Sooo, as my email Inbox…

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August Events in Madison

August 1

Concerts on the Square

It’s the last of the Concerts on the Square for the season - and one you don’t want to miss. This installment plays to the tune of “Music of the New World” and features the singing of baritone, Jubilant Sykes. Blankets can be laid on the Capitol lawns from 3 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The event is free and you can learn more at wisconsinchamberorchestra.org.

August 1 to 5

2018 Reebok CrossFit Games

Want to see what “fit” really means? You’ll definitely want to check out this year’s CrossFit Games, held over five days at Alliant Energy Center. This year’s event features 50 percent more seating than last year, but you’ll still want to book soon. Get your ticket and full schedule information…

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July Events in Madison

July 3 to 4

Monona Community Festival

Get out to Winnequah Park for some family fun with the kids carnival at the Monona Community Festival  - or, have a blast on your own with all the food, music, and art you can take in over this two-day event. At the very least, you may want to make out for the fireworks on the 4th. Learn more about the events at mononafestival.com.

July 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 26, 28, 31  

Madison Mallards Games

Baseball is just part of an American summer and you can catch plenty of action without spending a fortune when you head out to the Duckpond for a Mallards match. July holds a variety of daytime and evening games to match your schedule and tickets begin at just $8 for a single game. Get…

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June Events in Madison

June 1 to 3

Festa Italia

Indulge in your favorite Italian foods while the kids participate in games, face painting, and shows. It’s all happening over at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg. It’s just $3 to get in. Doors are open from 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Get all the details at fitchburgchamber.com.

June 1 to 10

Isthmus Jazz Festival

This year’s Jazz Fest spans a full 10 days and you’re going to love the lineup. Ticket prices vary (though some are free to attend), as do the locations, so you’ll need to plan your itinerary carefully. Luckily, you’ll find all the details you need at isthmusjazzfestival.com.

June 2

Parks & Trails Unite Festival

Looking…

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May Events in Madison

May 3

Black Violin

A mix of classical music and hip-hop played on string instruments? Yes, please! And that’s just what you’ll get from the talented duo of Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus (who’ve played with everyone from Tom Petty to Kanye West), as they play jams on their viola and violin. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Overture Center, but you’ll want to book your tickets (which begin at $30) at overture.org now.

May 4

Gallery Night

Whether you’re in the mood to purchase or you just want to sample the best of Madison’s local talent, you’ll want to clear your calendar for Gallery Night when dozens of galleries leave their doors open from 5 to 9 p.m. for special exhibitions. Begin your free journey of the arts at the Madison…

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April Events in Madison

April 1, 7, 8, 15, 22, 28, 29

UW-Madison Arboretum Walks

Put some spring in your step, quite literally, at any of the upcoming walks at the Madison Arboretum. Each walk features a different theme and last for 90 minutes. Daytime walks begin at 1 p.m. and there are two evening walks this month on the 7th (beginning at 7 p.m.) and on the 28th (beginning at 6:30 p.m.). Entrance is free, there’s no need to pre-register, and you can find complete information at arboretum.wisc.edu.

April 3 through 8

Les Miserables

You don’t want to miss this musical when it’s in town! It’s a story of love and passion, dreams and sacrifice, all set in 19th-century France. Not only is it a Tony Award winner, but after 32 years, it’s still the world’s most…

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March Events in Madison

March 5

Travel Adventure Film Series – “How to Travel the World for Free”

If you thought it was impossible to travel for free, comedian, Michael Wigge, is ready to prove you wrong. Watch his hilarious exploits at the Wisconsin Union Theater to find out how he ate, slept, and traveled to Antarctica without spending a dime of his own money.

Admission is $13 for the general public, with discounts available for students. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with an optional buffet ($18) featuring dishes from Wigge’s travels beforehand. For more information, visit union.wisc.edu.

March 6, 13, 20, 27

March Live Acoustic

Get your live music fix every Tuesday at the Radisson Hotel’s Twist restaurant. Between 5 and 7 p.m., local musicians…

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15 Questions to Ask Before Moving into Your New Home

A house is a complicated organism. Although you may have owned a home before, bear in mind that every house is different. Every house is unique and every house has its “quirks”. For first-time home buyers especially, there is a lot to know about your new home. That’s why we recommend that all our buyers attend their home inspection (using a WI registered home inspector) as an opportunity to learn as much as they can about their new-home-to-be. In addition to attending your inspection, it’s vital you study your inspection report and understand any recommendations your inspector makes regarding needed maintenance of your new home. You’ll want to make sure you also get answers to the following questions before you move into your new home:

1. How many…

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The FSBO Fallacy: Why Selling Your Own Home Won’t Save On Commissions

Although some people are very successful at selling their own home, the process can be a literal minefield. Not only can it be very time-consuming, there are many mistakes unrepresented sellers (FSBO’s) can make, some of which can cost more than the commission FSBO’s may think they’re saving by not listing with a Realtor. A recent study by Collateral Analytics (CA) shows that unrepresented sellers not only do not save money on commissions, in some cases they may actually net substantially less than what they would have had they listed with a full service, licensed real estate agent.

In the study, CA analyzed home sales statistics in a variety of U.S. real estate markets in both 2016 and in the first half of 2017. The data revealed several key…

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Selling your luxury home in Madison

Last night I read an interview with a luxury home sales agent in Southern California.

The part of the piece that really jumped out at me was when the agent told the interviewer about how she marketed a particular luxury home by placing an ad in an in-flight magazine, “. . . which I paid for myself . . .”

Now, why would that line in particular catch my attention?

Because I was appalled.

Who else did she expect to pay for it? She was hired to market a home and, especially since it’s a luxury home, she’ll be paid a hefty sum for doing so.

Unfortunately, this is how some real estate agents think.

If they even have a marketing budget, they’ll cut corners in it wherever and whenever they can. They may even expect you, the homeowner, to…

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