At Mad City Dream Homes, we have a clear set of philosophies when it comes to buyer representation and serving our buyer clients. Here's how the Mad City Dream Homes approach compares to the approach of a more traditional buyer agent.  

(Thank you Step Inside Media for this photo and for all of the photos that you produce for our clients.) 

Buyer agency contracts

• The traditional approach: The traditional approach requires you to commit to a long-term buyer agency agreement before the agent will assist you. 
• Our philosophy: We believe you should be able to "test-drive" our services before you decide to work with us, so we won't ever require you to sign a long-term contract. 

Teamwork

• The traditional approach: The traditional

A new construction home offers one of your best opportunities for buying in our low inventory market. With a new construction home, you get all of the latest features and finishes. Plus, there's the added benefit of less competition. Whether you're seeking a turnkey home or a custom-built home on the lot of your choice, Dane County has a few dozen neighborhoods for you to choose from. 

(Thank you Step Inside Media for your beautiful photography!) 

Here's our list of 60 emerging neighborhoods in Dane County: 

The properties linked below include new construction homes and buildable lots. You can also visit this page that's always up-to-date with the latest new construction listings. 

Belleville 

We're seeing some encouraging signs that condo selection is improving in the Madison area, thanks in part to the addition of several new developments across Dane County. A few of these newer developments include: 

• Besa Monona in Monona
• Calliope Cottages in Middleton
• Happy Place Condominiums on Madison's East Side
• Lacy Ridge Condominiums in Fitchburg
• The Ridge at Fox Hill in Deforest
• Wild Oak Condominiums in Stoughton 

If you're in the market for a new or newer condominium, please free to contact us for a helpful consultation. We'd love to help you. Or check out our guide to new construction condos below. 

We have no way of accurately predicting if and when mortgage rates might drop below 6%, but let's assume at some point they do.

When this happens, we do expect more homeowners who are locked into a low mortgage rate to list their home for sale. It's reasonable to expect that supply will increase when mortgage rates fall. 

At the same time, we also expect many more buyers -- enticed by lower rates -- to enter the market. Demand will rise when mortgage rates fall. 

So very likely, the net effect of lower rates will be more upward pressure on home prices.

The bottom line for you: If one of your life goals is to become a homeowner, it's important for you to know that there is a cost of waiting for a lower rate. So rather than wait for a lower rate

Seventeen years ago Chris helped her friends Dede and Dave buy their dream home in Fitchburg. And seventeen years later we're grateful to be helping Dede and Dave again as they prepare to move to their new dream home for their next season of life. 

Thank you to all of you who continue to trust us with your real estate needs. We appreciate each and every opportunity to serve. 

Just a quick reminder that we have hundreds of neighborhood and condo association guides for you to peruse and use on our website. 

So, if you're in the mode of researching neighborhoods, our Madison and Dane County neighborhood guides are excellent resources for you. And if you're curious about condos, our city and suburban condominium guides offer a great introduction to hundreds of local associations.

If you'd like us to create a guide for your neighborhood or condo association, just let us know. We'd be happy to do this for you. 

If you're a buyer, you love a quiet sale because with a quiet sale you don't need to compete. 

As a seller, you might choose a private sale if you'd prefer to sell your home to someone you know, or if you want the simplicity of working with only one buyer. 

BUT, if your primary goal is to maximize your return on investment, then fully marketing your home and exposing it to the entire market is the clear choice. Here's why. 

Recently I started helping my friend who has been looking for a cute little condo on the west side of town. And we came across the perfect match. Two bedrooms. Full of natural light. And walkable to all of the shops and restaurants in the area. 

And we wrote a great offer, too. But unfortunately there were 8 other offers and my friend's offer was the runner-up. 

This was a huge disappointment to my friend...BUT...after we absorbed the setback, we came out of our conversation with a little more knowledge and a renewed commitment to her goals. 

Next up, we'll be sending letters to all of the owners at my friend's favorite condo development. With a little persistence and patience, my friend will find the right condo. We will get her into a new

One clear sign of someone who's devoted to their craft is their willingness to do the inconvenient thing. Not because they have something to gain by doing it. But because it's worth it to them. Because in their mind doing the inconvenient thing is the right thing to do. 

For example: 

• The crossing guard who greets each kid with a hello and a smile. 

• The teacher who works everyday to build community in the classroom and make learning fun. 

• The doctor who attends to her patients with kindness, empathy and patience --  knowing that her patients may be worried or concerned.  

• And in real estate, the agent who helps her clients solve problems, and stay focused and positive, when they encounter a setback.

For some

Lane Manning recently met an aspiring buyer, Michael, who was in search of a condo on the westside of Madison. As Lane and Michael talked more about Michael's needs, they determined that the Marbella Condominiums would be an excellent place for Michael to land. 

And so Lane and our team sent out a letter to every owner in the association, which resulted in a response from Meghan and Shawn. Within a couple of weeks, Michael and Meghan and Shawn were all under contract with an official accepted offer.

Michael is happy. And Meghan and Shawn are happy, as Lane guides both parties to closing.