What are the keys to a successful negotiation? Here are our tried and true philosophies for negotiating a great price and great terms on the sale of your home. 

Our six negotiation tips for sellers

1) Create a beautiful real estate listing. 

One of our first goals early on in the listing process is to create a solid partnership between you, our stager, our photographers, and our creative team. Working together, we create a beautiful real estate listing with eye-popping photos and plenty of marketing materials which highlight the benefits of your home. Beautiful listings receive more online interest, more showings, and more offers - all of which give you more leverage when it's time to negotiate. 

2) Ensure your listing receives full

For many of us the holiday season is a time for reflection and resolutions. It's also the season when we start making our homeownership plans for the coming year.

What are your real estate goals for 2024?

Do any of these goals speak to you? 

#1) You have some home improvement projects in mind and you need recommendations for reputable contractors. You'd also like some insight into which home improvement projects offer the best return on investment.

#2) You've been dreaming of a new home and you need some guidance on how to make it happen. Inventory is tight right now, and you need help finding the home that's the right fit for your lifestyle and your stage of life.

#3) You'd like to meet with an expert about your home's current market

For many of us, the approaching winter season invites reflection and celebration. Shorter days naturally create breathing room in our social calendar and encourage us to take inventory of our past gratitudes, future hopes, and issues deferred. We look inward, but we also look around homes: 

 “I’m happy we finished the basement; Packer parties have been so much fun. How much value did we add to our home?” 

“I wonder what it would cost to build that third garage stall now that our son is driving.” 

“Would we feel safer if all the kids were sleeping on the same level as us?”

“Where will mom stay if she does end up moving in with us after all?” 

“The deck was chipping a lot this summer. How much will it cost to repaint it come spring?”  

Our

An effective negotiation isn't about winning and losing. It's about coming to an agreement that all parties can support.

But far too often a win-at-all-costs mentality ends up with both parties in a stalemate, and missed opportunity for everyone. Too many buyers and sellers fail to connect because they can't agree on how to address minor differences. 

There is a better way. By opening the lines of communication, seeking first to understand, throwing in a little sugar, and sprinkling in a little conversation, we create the conditions for a win-win agreement. 

Our 4 fundamentals for effective negotiation: 

Open the lines of communication: The more we communicate with the other party, and encourage communication in return, the more likely we'll

Recently we helped our client sell his family's longtime home on the westside of Madison. This was a unique sale, because our client lived outside of the area, and the home needed some attention before it went on the market. 

So Mad City Dream Homes stepped in as the project manager and oversaw all of the work that would benefit the sale. In all, we contacted and coordinated work with 9 different contractors who worked on projects that included plumbing, electrical, chimney, gutter, landscaping, and a handful of cosmetic updates. 

In the end, our client closed with a fast and full-price offer, thanks in part to the work of so many excellent contractors. 

Whether you need nine contractors for your own home or only one, we're happy to help you make

Even if you don't plan to sell until next year, this fall offers an excellent window of opportunity to capture exterior and aerial photos. Plan ahead by gathering some beautiful shots this fall, and next year you'll be glad you did.

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!