When you have a schedule that accommodates staycations far better than vacations, you may be the perfect candidate for a second home in Madison. Think “Lake Mendota” instead of “Lake Como,” and you’ll see where I’m going with this. Not only will you not need to learn to speak Italian, but you’ll be lounging around your lake home instead of spending hours in an airplane.

Many Americans with the means to do so are finding that “getting away” doesn’t have to mean “far away,” according to the Wall Street Journal’s Candace Taylor. The trend toward buying a vacation home in the same general area as the permanent home makes perfect sense to some. “They say the key to relaxation is a change of scenery, even if it’s just a few miles from where they normally…

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I was asked recently what area of town I’m asked the most about and without hesitation, I answered “Middleton, WI.” It seems as if most of the clients I work with want to live there and, really, it’s not surprising. From the responsive city leadership to the acclaimed school system, there’s a whole lot to like about Middleton. If you attended the annual Good Neighbor Festival last month you, too, probably have Middleton on your mind.

There’s no doubt about it, Middleton has led a charmed life. Many cities across the country owe their birth to the railroad and, yes, Middleton is among them. But, as fortune would have it, the city was also a major wheat producer at its founding nearly 170 years ago. Good fortune piled on good fortune over the ensuing…

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Autumn is officially underway and there are lots of ways to get out and enjoy it in Madison. 

Through October 31

Wisconsin Scaryland

It’s the month of scariness and it kicks off in Madison at Wisconsin Scaryland, billed as the state’s only “professional haunted house.” There are, in fact, three “houses” to this one: Hotel Fuego, Mineshaft and Carnival of the Damned. One ticket gets you into all three and the creators have created a seamless transition from one to the other so you won’t have to wait in line three times. Get the details online, at wisconsinscaryland.com.

October 1

Badger Childhood Cancer Superhero Run

Keva Sports Center (8312 Forsythia St.) in Middleton plays host to this benefit run to raise funds for the Badger…

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Well, hallelujah! Yet another survey lists the top family-friendly cities in the U.S., factoring in everything from crime rates to school rankings and, despite our somewhat dismal performance on the latter, Madison not only made the list, but came in at number two.

Naturally, we took the number one spot when it came to the number of playgrounds per 100,000 residents (72.96, in case you’re wondering). And Madison landed in the number two spot overall. Here’s how we scored:

  • 21 points in the availability of “family fun” 
  • 8 points for health and safety
  • 4 points for education
  • 9 points for affordability
  • 21 points for socioeconomic environment

Yes, we could certainly do better in the educational rankings (the low score comes…

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There are people that wouldn’t dream of living in anything but a house and then there are those who’ve discovered condo living and will never go back. If you’re among the latter, you need to meet the homes for sale at 100 Wisconsin in Madison. In fact, read on for five reasons you will love this community.

1. It’s architecturally interesting

Yes, it’s a bit of a box in shape, but the huge windows on the upper floors make the building appear to be made entirely of glass. You'll get the same feel from inside the homes, with floor-to-ceiling windows from which to take in some fabulous views. I don’t know about you, but I want my home to be attractive.

2. The layouts are brilliant

The homes at 100 Wisconsin were built about a dozen years ago, so…

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Cities that live in the shadow of a big “sister” or “brother” have a tough row to hoe. They are typically not given credit for being a city in their own right, but treated as Hollywood’s stereotype of step-kids – relegated to “suburb” status. Fitchburg is one of those cities, sitting snugly to the south of Madison.

But, check this out: How many suburbs do you know of that have their own police, fire and emergency medical services and departments? It may be Madison’s lil’ sis, but Fitchburg, the second largest city in Dane County, boasts these services and more.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting out of the city and yearn to buy a home that’s still within 10 minutes, consider shopping among the homes for sale in Fitchburg.

Schools…

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Judging by how packed September’s event calendar is, we’re trying to eke out every last drop of Summer, 2016.

September 3 and 4

A Taste of Madison

If it’s Labor Day Weekend, it’s time for A Taste of Madison. Now in its 33rd year, it’s your chance to enjoy bargain-priced menu items from more than 80 local caterers and restaurants. The two date fete also offers three stages, hosting live music all weekend. Who needs to travel on Labor Day Weekend? A Taste of Madison runs from Saturday (2 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.) and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., in Downtown Madison. Find details online at tasteofmadison.com.

September 10

Ironkids Fun Run

This is Ironman Wisconsin weekend and one of the events is set aside especially for kids – age 3…

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There was a time, not too long ago, when we counselled our luxury home listing clients to be prepared for a long, slow trip to the closing table. Much has changed in this niche of the Madison real estate market over the past year and now, when asked how long the home will take to sell, we answer with “It depends.”

Don’t get us wrong, although the high-end property owners who took our advice last fall and listed their homes for sale did so during a seller’s market, since then, conditions have changed and, since July, demand for these properties has declined slightly. Nationwide, more than 40 percent of luxury listings experienced a price reduction, according to Altos Research.

It’s still a good time to sell your Madison luxury home, but it’s…

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According to a recent ranking of the 100 largest cities and their park systems, Madison sits at number 10 in the nation. The Trust for Public Land was impressed with Madison’s 6,358 acres of parkland, sure, but they really like the fact that, regardless of age or income, access to our city parks is shared pretty much equally by all.

How about some fun Madison park trivia to impress your friends with at your next get together?

  • The median size of a Madison park is 4.7 acres
  • There are 7.3 playgrounds per 10,000 Madison residents
  • We have 4.2 dog parks per 10,000 residents
  • The oldest municipal park in Madison is Orton, which was established in 1850
  • Our largest park is Cherokee Marsh, with 1,299 acres
  • The most popular park (the most…

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Young couple and baby

Aside from the basics of decent price, desirable location and the home’s condition, have you stopped to consider what else a Madison homebuyer may be looking for? Better yet – what type of buyer your particular home appeals to? This is important information because it allows you to stage your home to subtly appeal to that buyer.

A good way to come up with the answer to this is by using buyer demographics. For instance, younger cell phone shoppers will head straight for the latest, most innovative smart phones, while older folks generally just want something that has a screen with big fonts and the capability to place a basic phone call. It’s the same with houses; younger and older homebuyers have their preferences as well.

Be aware that although…

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