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Housing Market Predictions for 2022
The past 12 months have been quite a roller coaster for the housing market in our area, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the upcoming year. Record home prices, low inventory, and buyer competition were the themes that dominated our market. This caused many would-be home buyers (and sellers) to hold off on a new home until things calmed down. Experts say that market conditions should even out in the coming months, giving those that lost out a better chance. Home Prices Aggressive home price appreciation was seen throughout 2021. This caused concern for some people, who feared we were on the verge of another “housing bubble”,…
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Not Home for the Holidays? Keep Your Home Safe While You’re Away
Sometimes, going “home” for the holidays means leaving your own home empty for a period of time. With the number of people who travel over the holidays, it’s a prime time for would-be thieves to take advantage of your absence. Follow these tips to keep your most valuable asset safe while you’re away. SAFETY FIRST The risk of a break-in is only one consideration if you’ll be traveling in the upcoming weeks. Fire safety is a big concern during the holiday season. Dried out Christmas Trees make great kindling for fires – so make sure that yours is well away from heat registers or radiators, and unplug any lights that…
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Is a Condo Right For You?
There are pros and cons to owning a condo instead of a single family home. They aren’t the right fit for everyone, but many homeowners have found their “happy medium” in condo ownership. Read on to learn about some of the advantages of condo living. There’s a Style for Everyone When many people think of a condo, they think of an “apartment style” unit in a large complex. This can be off-putting for people who don’t want a lot of neighbors, or worry about the noise associated in large multi-unit communities. Condos come in many different styles though. There are the traditional multi-unit buildings, similar to apartments, but there are…
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Community Spotlight: Waunakee
The village of Waunakee has grown significantly since its early days as a train stop for North Western’s expansion. It’s now a vibrant community, just minutes to Madison and all the city has to offer. It’s claim to fame is that it’s the only Waunakee in the world! Waunakee is located 13 miles north of Madison, and is close to Hwy 19, Hwy 133, and interstate I/90&I/94 making commuting easy to almost anywhere. It’s also conveniently close to the Dane County Regional Airport, world class healthcare, UW Madison, and state/county parks for recreation. Waunakee is a great community for those looking fo the amenities of a larger city, with the…
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Non-Profit Spotlight: Clean Lakes Alliance
The Clean Lakes Alliance is a local organization, founded in 2010, that is dedicated to the preservation of our area lakes. They adhere to the motto “healthy lakes, healthy communities”. Madison is known for its lakes, which shape our city’s infrastructure and provide countless recreation activities for area residents. Our lakes are central to our community and taking care of them is a collective responsibility we should all share. According to the Clean Lakes Alliance their mission is “to continue building a community of people, businesses, organizations, and government agencies dedicated to improving and protecting water quality in the Yahara River Watershed and its lakes”. They accomplish their mission through…
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Market Update: January – June 2021
We’re now half way through 2021 and our market shows no signs of slowing down. More inventory has been added in recent months, which has slightly eased pressure on buyers. However, we are still in a “seller favored” market, and the supply of “entry level” homes under $200,000 remains very low. Home prices continue to rise across south central Wisconsin, with the highest increase seen in Dane County. Interest rates remain low, and likely will continue to hover around the 3% mark for the near future. Click here to see a full report for all of south central Wisconsin with statistical graphs from the RASCW and SCMWLS. So what does…
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Kitchen Design Trends 2021
We took a peek at the latest kitchen design trends from the 2021 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. While there were many innovative designs, we narrowed it down to the top 5 that you can integrate into your next kitchen update. Engineered Countertops If the past year highlighted anything for us, it was the importance of hygiene and disinfection. Our kitchens are high traffic areas, that see “bio-hazards” like raw meat on a regular basis. Engineered countertops, like quartz, provide a durable, attractive, and non-porous surface that can easily be sanitized and will resist stains and daily wear and tear. This year highlighted light colors in natural stone patterns, like…
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Are “Energy Vampires” Draining Your Bank Account?
The term “vampire appliances” refers to appliances that continue to draw energy passively, even when they are not in use. These appliances are not just a seasonal concern – items like computers, small kitchen appliances, and cable boxes will draw energy all year long. This can add up to hundreds of dollars each year on your energy bills, and wasted energy. Learn how to identify these “energy vampires” below and prevent them from draining your bank account. In the Kitchen Most of us have small appliances in our kitchens. Toasters, coffee makers, blenders, and counter-top ovens (like pizza or toaster ovens) are common. Since you use these appliances on a…
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Home Updates That Will Stand the Test of Time
Any major home improvement project requires planning and thought. Design, budget, timeframe for completion, and opting for “DIY” or choosing a contractor are common considerations. Something you might not consider (but should) is the update’s “universal appeal” down the road. At some point, you will likely sell your home and move to a new one. Potential buyers of your current home might not share your enthusiasm for uniquely colored walls, or a bold and trendy kitchen design. If you can’t get a good return on the investment into your home, it might not be a wise choice. Read on to learn about designs that will be appealing to a broad…
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Fall 2020 Market Update
Typically, we expect to see the housing market cool off along with the weather this time of year. That’s not the case this year though! We are seeing a strong seller’s market continue into the Fall months, outpacing the same time period last year. Despite the challenges that Covid has thrown our way, home sales (and prices) continue to climb. Home sales increased almost 26% percent over this time last year. Home prices increased almost 10% percent over this time last year. Surprisingly, there were more homes listed for sale during the last 2 months than the same time period last year, but higher home sales negated any possible inventory…
