Madison Wisconsin Real Estate News - Tips For Buyers

6 Tips on moving during winter in Madison

We could tell you that moving in the winter in Madison is challenging. We could also tell you that it’s messy. But, why would we? If you’re a native you’re not afraid of winter weather; in fact, you celebrate it.

Moving during winter in Madison is, however, a bit different than your typical spring or summer move, and if you aren’t using a professional moving company (something to consider since they typically discount their prices in the winter), you’ll no doubt need some tips to get the process done safely, smoothly and successfully.

1. Pack an essentials box

You’ll need a box or bag full of essentials and a spare spot in the trunk of your car for items that you may need during the move and during the first few hours in the new home. Leave…

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Put me in, Coach -- the backup offer

With so many folks wanting to buy homes and so few homes available to purchase, it’s tough being a home buyer in Madison’s current real estate market. It’s frustrating as well for us to watch our clients fall in love with a home only to find out someone else beat them to it.

There is a solution, however. While it doesn’t always work, it does often enough to consider it if you truly want the home: submit a backup offer.

What is a backup offer?

The actual backup offer consists of a contract to purchase the home and a backup addendum. When signed, these documents will automatically place you in first position should the current buyer not consummate the purchase.

While there are benefits to submitting a backup offer on a home you’ve fallen in…

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Even an amazing credit score may not be enough

Real estate horror stories abound on the Internet but, in reality, most transactions flow smoothly to a successful close. Sure, there are plenty of spots along the way rife with problematic opportunities and, if you’re buying or selling a home in a managed community, those opportunities abound.

At last count, there are more than 350,000 homeowner associations (HOA) in the United States. Collectively, this represents more than half of the owner-occupied households in the country, according to HOA-USA, Inc. So, the chances are good that the home you fall in love with may just be governed by a HOA.

The HOA, in a nutshell

A homeowner association is a legal entity, of which all homeowners are members. It is governed by a group of elected…

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3 things to consider about buying a second home in Madison

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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Busting 4 private mortgage insurance myths

One of the most frustrating issues I have with the Internet is that too many people think they’re experts. Especially when it comes to real estate and mortgage information and advice, novices have no business trying to counsel the public. So, after reading one particular article (on a real estate site, no less) that was filled with misinformation, I’ve decided to bust the common myths about private mortgage insurance.

First, an explanation

Private mortgage insurance, known as PMI, is a type of insurance that protects the lender if the buyer defaults. It is a requirement if you won’t be paying at least 20 percent of the loan amount as a down payment (unless you are using a VA loan, in which case there is no PMI required because the Department of…

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Is That House Really for Sale?

That’s a good question and one that I hear frequently. With the proliferation of websites that claim to offer up local listings and then the dashed hopes when one learns that the “big’ sites like Zillow don’t offer ALL the listings, or feature listings that don’t exist, is it any wonder folks are confused?

In recent months, our Madison MLS, officially known as the South Central WI Multiple Listing Service (SCWMLS), has made some important changes that actually service real estate consumers better. That was a very happy day for us and our site visitors who love our website design, our real-time MLS data feed, and the accurate information we strive to supply about homes for sale in Madison WI and throughout Dane County.

Before they made this change,…

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The 3 most expensive homes for sale in Madison

Even if you’re not in the market to buy a luxury home in Madison, it’s fun to take a peek into the high-end property market. The three most expensive homes for sale in Madison right now are stunning – each offering something the others don’t.

Blackhawk

From the custom cabinetry to the open floor plan, there is so much to love in this elegant West side home. Built in 2008, it offers 6 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms in 7,851 square feet of living space. The home sits on a .41-acre lot.
Our favorite features include the amazing shower in the master suite, the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in tons of natural light, the wine cellar and the theatre. Don’t miss the outdoor entertaining area.

This home is offered at $1,650,000. See photos by clicking…

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Which Home Buying Mistakes Should You Avoid?

When searching the Internet for home-buying advice, how many times have you been met with claims that the process is challenging, difficult, scary and complicated? It’s almost as if the agents who write these things want to scare you out of buying a home.

If you’ve chosen your agent wisely, the process of buying a home won’t be a mystery because you’ll know what to expect. Then, you can relax and enjoy the ride. This isn’t to say that there aren’t potholes in the road to homeownership, just that if you know about them ahead of time you can veer around them. So, today let’s take a look at mistakes uninformed homebuyers make so you can avoid them.

Buying the wrong home

One of the things I’ve learned in my business is that what many buyers…

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Life on Madison’s Fabulous Golf Courses

What’s not to like about a rolling greenbelt out your living room window? Life on or next to a golf course does have its perks. Even if you don’t eat, breathe and sleep golf, a golf course home may be for you. First, these homes tend to hold their value better than homes in other areas and, second, you’ll never have to worry about someone building a big box store next door.

If golf course living is in your future, Madison is your perfect location. Across the city you’ll find spectacular golf courses – both private and public -- on which to live and play. Over the next few months we’ll feature the various courses. Today, we start with one public and one private course and the fabulous homes that surround them. Next week we'll give you Part 2 with even…

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Why Should you Use the Mortgage Lender your Agent Recommends?

What comes first, a lender or real estate agent? That’s a common question and the answer is easy: a lender! Of course, that begs the question: How do I find a mortgage lender? If you have a real estate agent he or she will be happy to refer you to a lender that is well-versed in the type of loan program you're pursuing.  

Does the agent get a kick-back for referring a lender?

The answer is no, because this is not in sync with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, or RESPA for short. An agent cannot take any type of compensation for referring a potential client to them. This doesn't just mean monetary compensation, but anything of value. 

Why should a buyer take an agent’s recommendation?

Don't rely only on the agent's recommendation,…

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