The home inspection contingency is a critical moment in almost every transaction. After all, more offers fall apart during this contingency than at any other time -- so how you and your agent negotiate your inspection can either make or break your sale. Below we offer 4 practical tips for sellers who have a home inspection contingency written into their offer. These are tried and true tips that come from experience earned over hundreds of transactions. 

4 inspection negotiation tips for sellers

Before the home inspection

Setting the stage for a successful negotiation actually begins well before the inspection takes place. Start by hiring a listing agent who has a pricing and marketing strategy that will attract offers from at least 3

When Nancy Breden bought her Spring Harbor bungalow along Lake Mendota six years ago, she saw its potential for being a “really cute place to live” -- especially with its cathedral ceiling, loft, boathouse, and spectacular view of the sunrise. 

In that time, Nancy has made some sweet updates to this 2 bed/1.5 bath property on 47 feet of waterfront, including wood flooring throughout the house and swapping out the garage door for French doors in the boathouse (which could be used as an office, art/yoga studio, or exercise room). 

“I've received so many comments from boaters passing by,” she said. “I think both updates helped with the appeal of this home.”

This fall she approached REALTOR Chris Venden to sell her home, who enlisted

If you're like many sellers these days, you probably feel overwhelmed and a bit panicked when you think about all of the challenges confronting you. Our team is here to help you address all of these challenges and replace your feeling of overwhelm with a sense of calm and confidence. Below we cover a few of the common stressors that many sellers experience, and how to address each one of them. 

Commons stressors during the home-selling process

Home repair and cosmetic updates

Most homes have some wear and tear that should be addressed prior to sale, and some homes need a few cosmetic updates. We can help you prioritize the projects that will provide the best return on investment -- and connect you with reliable contractors, too. Be proactive

September was a great month for Madison area home and condo sellers, as the Dane County real estate market set a number of new records last month. Here's our short summary of the latest market trends from the month of September. 

The Madison area single family home market

New MLS listings increased by 16% in September and reached their highest level since 2008. 

Buyers responded to the new supply of listings by writing a record number of offers. Accepted offers increased by 27% year-over-year and set a new record for the month of September. 

Home sales also reached a new high and increased by 40% from last September. 

Madison area home prices set a new record last month, increasing by 9% year-over-year. 

The Madison area

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions in your life. With so much on the line, you owe it to yourself to hire a REALTOR who is personally invested in you and your aspirations. How can you tell if you're working with an agent who is highly committed to you? It’s really about the way in which your agent shows up each day, attending to all of the details of your purchase or your sale, that has a huge impact on whether or not you achieve your goals.  

Here are 8 signs you're working with an agent who is personally invested in you.

• When you’re pricing your home, your agent does their homework and clearly articulates their reasons for their recommended list price. Your agent also recommends simple cosmetic updates that will

We're getting asked this question a lot these days, and here's our take: Although there are no guarantees about the state of the market in 2021, we do know the Madison area real estate market is very favorable for sellers right now. Here's what we're seeing in the market as we approach the month of October. 

The fall real estate market in Madison, WI

For starters, mortgage rates are historically low, and buyers are buying. Dane County home buyers are writing offers at a much faster pace right now than they were during the same time period in 2019. 

Dane County home prices are trending favorably for sellers, too. Many properties are receiving multiple offers right now and selling for well above the list. Home prices are on pace to set

Thinking of selling your home in the coming year? Below are 10 low-cost home improvement projects that add real value to your home. Over the years we've helped many sellers completely transform the look of their home by implementing these and similar projects. In some cases clients have increased their home's market value by tens of thousands of dollars through their sweat equity and only a minimal financial investment.   

10 low-cost home improvement projects

1) Replace dated bathroom mirrors, towel bars, and towel rings with newer and inexpensive pieces. This one simple change can dramatically improve the appearance of a dated bathroom. Our amazing stager, Debbie Lea, can show you which products to buy and where to buy them. Remember, we offer

Does your home offer a truly special setting? Then use drone photography to sell your property's unique location. Below we share some great examples of aerial photography from a few of our recent listings. 

We have only a short window of time before the weather turns cold and the snow starts flying. Right now is the perfect time to capture some colorful aerial photos in preparation for your upcoming real estate listing. Contact your favorite Mad City Dream Homes agent to discuss your marketing strategy. 

A luxury home in Middleton Hills

This high-altitude shot shows the close proximity of Pheasant Branch Creek and Lake Mendota to our latest luxury listing in Middleton Hills. 

A waterfront home located along Spring Harbor Cove

This drone

A recent listing in Middleton was located on a quiet cul de sac on a large lot that backed up to a wooded conservancy. It was a perfect backdrop for a cozy and inviting home. However, the home was somewhat sparsely furnished. It needed additional furniture and decor to help it show to its full potential. This is a scenario where staging can make a huge difference.

REALTOR Shelley Lazzareschi worked with the seller to develop a staging plan that worked best for them and their budget. The seller decided to hire Brook Furniture Rental to provide furniture and decor while the home was on the market. Brook Furniture delivered and set up the furniture - they even hung the artwork! Debbie Lea of Showcase Home Stagers worked alongside with Shelley to finish

This year's real estate market is unlike any we've ever experienced. It's been a year of uncertainty, anxiety, and surprises. It's been a year that has tested our resilience and challenged our assumptions about how property is bought and sold. We've learned a lot over these last few months, and we know we'll learn a lot more as we adjust to the world around us. With this spirit in mind, we'd like to share a few home-selling tips that are based on our lessons learned in 2020. 

5 lessons learned for Madison area sellers in 2020

#1) Read beyond the headlines. 

Although recent world events may be discouraging, there are reasons to be encouraged by the world of real estate. The Madison area real estate market has been very active in 2020. More