Most people know how important it is to you have your home “sell ready” before putting it on the Madison real estate market.  Today’s market is quite competitive with a great deal of inventory available for prospective buyers to choose from.  It is therefore very important to consider what home items are most important to Madison area buyers.  It is essential that these items have been given consideration before putting a for sale sign in the front yard.  When a Madison area seller has given consideration to the buyer’s likes and dislikes, I am seeing that these well maintained and well priced properties are selling rather quickly. An area that is becoming increasingly important to many Madison area buyers is the home’s eco-friendliness level.  They want to ensure that they will not be... 03/11/2008

      Monday, March 10, 2008week#10Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2227-19%Downtown Condos195328-41%West Houses720735-2%West Condos9221042-12%East Houses54144821%East Condos420430-2%Total Houses128312106%Total Condos15371800-15%Grand Total28203010-6%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.38%6.00%6%Keller Williams Listings4764691%# of showings on KW Listings127149-15%3 week trend136140-3%6 week trend135148-9%% of listings with showings26.68%31.77%-16%Av DOM for KW Listings198NANAClosings mtd64256-75% 03/10/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Mar 10 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1511732            Active10  QUARTERDECK DR411103113$349,900.00 $349,900.00 01507355             ReList101  Horseshoe Bend421002878$349,900.00 $349,900.00 01503427             Sold6410  Offshore Dr311101690$186,000.00 $199,900.00 50 03/10/2008

My Assistant’s Thoughts on Moving!   The official start of spring is less than 15 days away and I have to admit that the moving itch has returned.  I love to move!  I would buy a new house every couple of years if it wasn’t for the fact that my family doesn’t share my same level of enthusiasm.  This is how my husband and I have come to feel very differently about spring.   He loathes the spring, while I love the spring.  You see, I am an open house addict!  And with the spring, usually comes more open houses than any other time of year. So, I tend to disappear for a couple of hours many Sunday afternoons, leaving my husband at home cringing.  He is just waiting for me walk through our back door and announce that I have found the perfect one.   I can’t think of anything that bothers me a... 03/07/2008

Wisconsin Home Sales Dip in 2007 But Prices StableState's housing news much better than nation Madison - Wisconsin housing sales decreased but prices increased in 2007, leaving Wisconsin's real estate market in much better shape than many parts of the Midwest and the nation, according to the year-end analysis of existing home sales conducted by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA).Wisconsin home sales declined in 2007 by 10.8 percent relative to 2006, but median prices actually rose 0.2 percent over the period to $164,000, according to the REALTORS®' report.  Here in Dane County, the median price actually rose 2.9% to an average of $218,000."It's a mistake to look at Wisconsin's housing market through the lens of national indicators," said WRA President William Malkasian. "Housing ... 03/05/2008

Wisconsin Home Sales Dip in 2007 But Prices StableState's housing news much better than nation Madison - Wisconsin housing sales decreased but prices increased in 2007, leaving Wisconsin's real estate market in much better shape than many parts of the Midwest and the nation, according to the year-end analysis of existing home sales conducted by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA).Wisconsin home sales declined in 2007 by 10.8 percent relative to 2006, but median prices actually rose 0.2 percent over the period to $164,000, according to the REALTORS®' report.  Here in Dane County, the median price actually rose 2.9% to an average of $218,000."It's a mistake to look at Wisconsin's housing market through the lens of national indicators," said WRA President William Malkasian. "Housing ... 03/05/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Mar 03 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1503427Sold6410  Offshore Dr311101690$186,000.00 $199,900.00 501496708A/O6  N Kenosha Dr410101722$219,900.00 $247,900.00 01504001Withdrawn113  ISLAND DR412103689$389,900.00 $389,900.00 0 03/03/2008

      Monday, March 03, 2008week#9Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2327-15%Downtown Condos191326-41%West Houses684729-6%West Condos9181054-13%East Houses53446315%East Condos407441-8%Total Houses124112192%Total Condos15161821-17%Grand Total27573040-9%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.13%6.13%0%Keller Williams Listings4644650%# of showings on KW Listings128131-2%3 week trend134              149-10%6 week trend138              147-6%% of listings with showings27.59%28.17%-2%Av DOM for KW Listings200               NA            NAClosings mtd0256-100% 03/03/2008

  *****     THE MAD CITY SKI TEAM!!      *****National Champions - Three of the Last Four Years!Being Champions Requires Dedication and Hard Work.While the Lakes are still frozen, the Mad City Ski Team is hard at work, preparing for the 2008 Season.  Show Co-Captains work diligently with the creative team, to plan and to write their upcoming show. Costume Design is underway for a WHOLE NEW EXTRAVAGANZA.  The new theme of this year's show remains a closely guarded secret.  The Award Winning 2007 Show:  A Tale of Two Ski Shows, wowed audiences at the State and National Championships, propelling the team to another National Title.   The Jump Team captured the Top Prize for their Heart Stopping Feats of Daring!   (see: jimsphotos.org, for a Spectacular Array of Photos for the team's magnifi... 03/01/2008

Keller Williams Realty West will be taking part in a service project which collects and distributes suitcases, duffel bags, and backpacks for foster children in the Madison area. Last year we had the most suitcases gathered from any single real estate office and we plan to do it again. All donations will be accepted from now until March 13th. Full information for the drive is included below. For more information on how to get involved in this Madison area charity, please give me a call. 608-444-6831. Thank You!!Returning to the Blitz: Suitcases for Kids"In 2006, RASCW joined the national service project designed to collect and distribute new and gently used suitcases, duffel bags and backpacks for foster children who are frequently forced to move from home to home. Since that time, we h... 02/26/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Feb. 25, 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1510652      New6334  Landfall Dr420103846$499,900.00 $499,900.00 01501648      Pending5517  Tesla Terr310001653$189,900.00 $194,900.00 01504782      Sold5725  FORSYTHIA PL310101872$207,000.00 $209,900.00 131445005      Sold6002  Galley Ct411102400$269,250.00 $269,900.00 21 02/25/2008

Madison area winters generally never fail to bring plenty of snow and cold, and this winter was no different.  Looking at the 10 day forecast for Madison on weather.com, you will see that 34 degrees is the warmest projected temperature, with 2 degrees being the lowest.  I am sure if we take a look ahead into the very near future, we will see that the daily temperature range will get even larger.  We will experience days in the 50’s with nights in the teens.  Here in Madison, this time of year and type of weather poses some maintenance issues for homeowners.  This is especially true with respect to the roof after a long winter of ice damning.  The effects of ice damning, if left ignored, can create some serious roof damage, gutter damage, water problems, and potential mold issues.  I th... 02/21/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Feb. 18, 2008                       MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1501648         A/O5517  Tesla Terr310001653$189,900.00 $194,900.00 01496149         Sold5513  Marconi St310101496$199,500.00 $214,900.00 851504782         Sold5725  FORSYTHIA PL310101872$207,000.00 $209,900.00 131486010         Sold5909  Driftwood Ave520102595$269,000.00 $289,900.00 1751509778         Active6621  Gettysburg Dr421004132$439,900.00 $439,900.00 01488093         Expired6621  Gettysburg Dr421004132$450,000.00 $450,000.00 0 02/18/2008

      Monday, February 18, 2008week#7Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses24240%Downtown Condos1771770%West Houses6936930%West Condos9149140%East Houses5455450%East Condos4054050%Total Houses126212620%Total Condos149614960%Grand Total275827580%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.13%6.25%-2%Keller Williams Listings4554570%# of showings on KW Listings120175-31%3 week trend133155-14%6 week trend136NANA% of listings with showings26.37%38.29%-31%Av DOM for KW Listings200NANAClosings mtd141198-29% 02/18/2008

      Monday, February 11, 2008week#6Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses24240%Downtown Condos1741740%West Houses6846840%West Condos9459450%East Houses5525520%East Condos4114110%Total Houses126012600%Total Condos153015300%Grand Total279027900%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.00%6.25%-4%Keller Williams Listings4504461%# of showings on KW Listings1281280%3 week trend141146-3%6 week trend129NANA% of listings with showings28.44%28.70%-1%Av DOM for KW Listings198NANAClosings mtd141198-29% 02/18/2008

There has been a great deal of Real Estate talk throughout the country and here in Madison with interest rates falling to a 2 year low.  Currently the 30 year fixed rates are averaging between 5.4% and 5.7%.  With a high level of inventory currently available there are some great opportunities out there for Madison first time home buyers and individuals wishing to buy second homes or investment properties.  Below is a quick recap of January's activity.  If you would like to discuss how your property may fit into the current Madison market, give me a call, I'd love to discuss it with you and provide a full market report and complimentary market analysis of your property. Madison Property TypeTotal     ListingsTotal New ListingsSold ListingsAverage Days on Market For Sold ListingsAverage ... 02/07/2008

Yes it is official, Times are a changing!The Realtor Board of South Central Wisconsin, has formally created a "Green committee".  Our first committee will be next week. Details of the group's website and the meeting go hereA group of Green Realtors representing a range of companies, have been meeting for about 6 months, we have canvassed the Board of Realtors, and have worked to have a Green say in how things are run.This will do a huge amount for the Environmental movement in Madison Wisconsin by promoting associated causes to the greater population and to the Realtor community alike.Real Estate Guy in Madison Wi is active in the Madison Green Realtors Group.  02/05/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Feb. 4, 2008StatusMLS #AddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOMExpired1500716 6  Merrill Crest Dr21000 1109 $199,900.00 $199,900.00 0Exp-New1508655 6  Merrill Crest Dr210001109$184,900.00 $184,900.00 0Exp-New1508136 6605  OLD SAUK RD421102314$280,000.00 $280,000.00 0New1508613 18  Appomattox Ct420102601$309,900.00 $309,900.00 0New1508230 6406  Keelson Dr411102883$399,500.00 $399,500.00 0New1508772 6217  OLD SAUK RD421103484$675,000.00 $675,000.00 0Sold1488513 401  N Rosa Rd411001733$202,000.00 $219,900.00 173Withdrawn1507355 101  Horseshoe Bend421002878$349,900.00 $349,900.00 0 02/04/2008

      Monday, January 28, 2008week#3Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2631-16%Downtown Condos172314-45%West Houses663699-5%West Condos8791033-15%East Houses55949812%East Condos419446-6%Total Houses124812282%Total Condos14701793-18%Grand Total27183021-10%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate5.88%6.25%-6%Keller Williams Listings4384185%# of showings on KW Listings0147-100%3 week trend91125-27%6 week trend79NANA% of listings with showings0.00%35.17%-100%Av DOM for KW Listings195NANAClosings mtd140259-46% 01/31/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Jan 28, 2008StatusMLS #AddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOMActive15081366605  OLD SAUK RD421102314$280,000.00 $280,000.00 0Active15082306406  Keelson Dr411102883$399,500.00 $399,500.00 0Pending15034276410  Offshore Dr311101690$199,900.00 $199,900.00 0Pending14860105909  Driftwood Ave520102595$279,900.00 $289,900.00 0Sold1488513401  N Rosa Rd411001733$202,000.00 $219,900.00 173Withdrawn1507355101  Horseshoe Bend421002878$349,900.00 $349,900.00 0 01/31/2008