Buying a home can be an emotional roller coaster. The excitement. The stress. It brings about lots of feelings. You start by looking at listings online then you schedule showings. You finally find that one… the home that spoke to you and your partner. Everything felt right. You wrote a strong offer and beat out several other buyers. Your agent negotiated great terms on your behalf. And finally, you close and settle into your new home. 

The home felt like a blank canvas when you first saw it. Fresh neutral paint colors, no personal effects, lots of open space, etc… As you took possession of your new home and move your belongings into it, you begin to make it your own. Over time the process continues. You make some updates, some big, some small. Perhaps

Congratulations to our client, Jenn, who recently sold her beloved home on the east side of Madison. This was a bittersweet experience for Jenn. She loved her home, her neighbors, and the surrounding neighborhood. But she's happy for the new owners, who are elated to be laying down roots in this sweet little bungalow. 

Prior to selling her home, we helped Jenn coordinate all of her painting, lighting, and home repair projects. Then it was time for the professional photos, virtual staging, marketing, showings, and negotiation. 

In the end, all of the planning and preparation was worth it. Jenn received two competing offers, and a wonderful accepted offer for $20,000 above the list. 

Thank you, Jenn, for the opportunity to serve. It's been a true

How can you dramatically increase your home's value, and without breaking the bank? Usually, the answer involves low-cost, high-impact projects like paint, flooring, and light fixtures.

Are you looking for some low-cost ways to update your own home? 

Contact us for your own complimentary consultation. We'd love to visit you at your home and share our tips and advice -- and connect you with reputable and reasonably-priced contractors, too.  

If you're looking for someone to bring the natural beauty and character back to your hardwood floors, we highly recommend giving Jeff Shunk from Imperial Wood Floors a call. Jeff is the owner/operator who follows through on his commitments and is onsite when the work is done. 

He and his team recently brought this oak flooring back to life for one of our clients, and Jeff's work was a key reason why our clients sold their home quickly and for the full list price. You can call Jeff at 608-274-2821 for your own free estimate. We enthusiastically endorse Jeff for his service, communication, and dedication to his craft. Thank you Jeff! 

Each new client we meet is an opportunity to serve, and our recent sale in Middleton was the perfect example. 

Our clients, who lived two hours away, needed guidance and support as they prepared their condo for the market. So Mad City Dream Homes stepped in as project managers and oversaw the entire process.

Our list of projects included plumbing work, painting, flooring, lighting, carpet cleaning, HVAC replacement, window repair, and various small repairs throughout the condo. And in the end, all of the preparation and attention to detail was worth it. Our clients were elated to accept an offer for $11,000 above the list. 

We're glad we were there to serve our clients in their time of need, and we're here to serve you and yours when you need

Getting ready to sell? Here are ten potential projects that you should always consider as you prepare your home for the market. All of these are low-cost, high-impact projects that consistently provide a good return on investment. 

10 projects to evaluate as you prepare your home for the market

#1: Painting

#2: Light fixtures

#3: Flooring 

#4: Cabinet hardware

#5: Window treatments 

#6: Staging 

#7: Cleaning 

#8: Mulching 

#9: Weeding and trimming

#10: Exterior power washing 

What questions do you have about selling in today's market? 

Call us when you're ready for a helpful conversation. We're here to answer all of your questions and help you make your big move happen. 

We live in an anxious world where the future often feels uncertain. So it's only natural that you will feel some anxiety, too, when you make the decision to buy or sell. After all, you are bound to have some high stakes questions. 

On the buying side

Will interest rates go up or down from here? 

Will you find the type of home that you're looking for? 

If you do find the right home, how much will it cost you? 

And on the selling side 

How much work will you need to put into your sale? 

And what will be your return on investment? 

At Mad City Dream Homes, we understand the prospect of buying or selling a home can feel overwhelming. Which is why we're always focused on giving you all of the time and attention you need throughout

Even if you don't know exactly when you're going to sell, right now is an excellent time to capture photos of your yard -- when it's lush and in full bloom.  

Planning ahead is often a good thing, especially when it comes to real estate. Which is why we're always happy to help you prepare for your future. Months, or even years, before you intend to move. 

Done the right way, many home improvement projects are an investment in your home, not an expense, and it's all about buyer psychology: 

First, the right projects eliminate buyer objections. For example, think of the purple or pink bedroom. Painting the room a neutral color adds instant value to the home simply by removing a negative. 

Second, the right improvements offer buyers instant gratification. The truth is, many buyers are willing to pay a premium for the home that's move-in-ready and well-maintained. Especially in today's economy, when good contractors can be elusive and expensive. 

Are you ready for a cosmetics consultation for your home? We'd love to help you choose the projects that offer a great return on investment, and connect you

Recently we've had two friends work with Jimmie Copus from Lawn Arts Landscaping, and both friends have been very impressed with Jimmie and his work. Jimmie is available to work on virtually any aspect of your yard or lawn. His list of services includes landscaping, mulching, tree and bush trimming, spring and fall yard clean-ups, lawn mowing, and ongoing lawn care. 

Jimmie offers reasonable rates and he's easy to work with. For more information, we encourage you to call Jimmie at 608-205-7073.