How will you give back to Madison in 2017?

There are various ways to give back to the community and one of the best is by giving the gift of your time. Take a look at some of the following volunteer opportunities and see if you can find a way to squeeze some extra time out of your busy schedule in 2017 to help those in need.

Help save Madison’s pets

If helping animals is something near and dear to your heart, consider lending a hand at one of the many rescue organizations in and around Madison.

Shelter from the Storm – An all-breed dog and cat rescue, Shelter from the Storm is based in Madison. Aside from pet rescue, the group offers a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. The shelter, open only by appointment, only houses some of the animals, while foster families have the rest. Check…

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The 3 most popular homes for sale in Madison this week

Even if you aren’t house hunting, it’s fun to take a look at what is most popular on the current market, how home prices are faring and to take a peek inside other people’s homes. We’ve rounded up the three listings that are receiving the most attention on our website this week and, yes, two of them are condos but the third is a very interesting historic home in Hill Farms.

Canal Place Condo

The most popular home on the market in Madison this week is this garden-style condo located in Canal Place. Sure, the price ($239,900) accounts for some of this home’s popularity but so do the low association dues ($115 a month), the updated bathroom and kitchen and the new windows and carpeting.

Built in 1984, this home features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom…

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Madison expected to lead the Millennial pack in 2017

It’s about that time of year when experts in the various segments of the economy release their predictions for the coming year and Realtor.com’s is getting the lion’s share of the attention. Arguably, the Realtor.com® 2017 National Housing Forecast looks very much like their 2016 predictions, with the exception of some good news for the Madison, WI real estate market.

Expect your buyer to be either a Millennial or a Boomer

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has been touting their expected onslaught of Millennial homebuyers, despite other, negative economic indicators for this generation. The folks with the money, Baby Boomers, on the other hand, are largely responsible for the housing market recovery in several regions of the country,…

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Can’t miss December events in Madison

The countdown to the winter holidays is on now and we’ve gathered up some places to go and things to do to keep you in the holiday spirit (or maybe escape from it!).

Through January 1, 2017

Zoo Lights at the Henry Vilas Zoo

Time to ooh and ahh at holiday lights and Zoo Lights at Henry Vilas Zoo is just the place to do it. More than 200,000 lights and 300 displays will delight the kids while parents can visit the craft market place, enjoy live music and food and “see the zoo in a whole new light.” This event happens every week on Sunday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m. Visit the zoo’s website for more information.

Through January 2, 2017

Holiday Fantasy in Lights

Need more sparkle?…

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2 important factors that determine the value of a Madison home

Think of what buying a house would be like without a real estate agent. Oh, I know – that sounds a little self-serving, right? But imagine finding a Madison home for sale that you want to purchase – say it’s priced at $475,900. How do you know that it’s worth that amount of money?

Do you know how to determine the market value of a home in Madison? Nope. But your real estate agent does and any worth her salt will quickly compile a comparative market analysis (CMA) to determine if the asking price is accurate and save your hiney from overpaying for a house.

Before we jump into the nuts and bolts of this, keep in mind that there are many factors that influence home value. These include the current economy, the economic outlook, the job market and…

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Don’t feel like cooking this Thanksgiving? Try these Madison alternatives

After a couple of decades of the annual cook-a-thon known as Thanksgiving, most hostesses and hosts get to the point where they question whether or not they can do it again. Hey, it’s ok – take a break this year and get back to it next Thanksgiving.

Luckily, you live in Madison, where you can find take-and-bake alternatives, a lovely sit-down dinner where someone waits on you for a change (and cleans up after as well!) and even Thanksgiving brunch.

Read on for our alternatives to the crazy-making cooking marathon that will happen all over the country this November 24, 2016.

Take-out Thanksgiving dinner in Madison

Union South is offering Thanksgiving to Go, with a pre-cooked feast that includes all the traditional holiday favorites. These…

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Date night in Shorewood Hills

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just need a night out with your special someone, you can’t go wrong heading to the Shorewood Hills area for a romantic and relaxing evening. We suggest dinner, a movie and a moonlight stroll afterward on the bike path in Shorewood Hills.

New to Madison? Shorewood Hills sits on a bluff, west of downtown. Residents here love the quaint and charming streets, dotted with trees and vintage homes. They also like one another and find any excuse they can to throw a community shindig, like the Fourth of July celebration, the Water Ballet and Ice Cream Social and Gala on the Green.

Dinner in Shorewood Hills

Is recommending a sushi restaurant in Madison becoming trite? We hope not because one of our…

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11 can't-miss November events in Madison

Tomorrow is the first day of November and the month promises to be, as usual, a busy one with tons of events in Madison. If you need a breather choose from among some of the fun Madison events in our November calendar. 

November 4 and 5

Holidays Galore and More

Kick off your holiday shopping at Attic Angel Association’s holiday shopping event. You’ll find holiday décor, stocking stuffers, made-in-Wisconsin food treats and Green Bay Packer stuff as well. You won’t go hungry either because there will be a food table with local goodies, coffee baked goods and more. Proceeds from all this shopping help fund local groups that assist kids ages 3 to 5 in learning to read. Shop between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, November 4 and on Saturday,…

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Get creeped out at these Madison haunted attractions

While Lake and City Homes wouldn’t turn down a haunted listing, we think that in October it’s more fun to visit “haunted” houses and other spooky attractions. While we can’t list all of them, we’ve polled our friends, family and clients to determine which ones are the most popular. Here they are, just in time for Halloween.

Wisconsin Scaryland

Ever wonder what it feels like to be buried alive? You’ll wonder no more after you visit the Coffin Ride at Wisconsin Scaryland. In fact, they promise that “our job is to scare the living daylights out of you!”

Geared more toward teens and adults (although kids 12 and under are allowed in if accompanied by a paying adult), the nearly-20,000 square-foot Scaryland has been called “one of the freakiest and…

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4 Must-do October maintenance chores for Madison homeowners

Fall fell on us a month ago and it’s time to stop putting it off and get to those fall home maintenance chores. We just happen to have some information specific to Madison homeowners on what areas to focus on and where to find DIY tips or professional help.

Protect your family

When the weather chills we naturally turn to our fireplaces to help save money on heating bills. This is primarily why home fires occur more frequently during fall and winter. National Fire Protection Association studies show that 21 percent of deaths from home fires occurred because home occupants weren’t alerted by a smoke alarm. The moral of this story is to check your smoke alarm to ensure the batteries work and the unit is in operable condition. The American Red Cross…

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