Looking back on 2018, we're grateful for another year of growth at Mad City Dream Homes. Thank you to all of you who have referred us to your friends and family in the last year. Our families thank you! We genuinely appreciate the trust you place in us, and we promise we'll keep working to earn your trust in the years ahead.

Looking ahead to 2019, we're excited to share our team is growing in a number of positive ways. Here are a few of the exciting changes we're working on right now at Mad City Dream Homes. 

Positive changes at Mad City Dream Homes

1) We're growing with great people

We're very fortunate to have Maureen Moran, and Tracy Kapela join our team in 2018. Both, in their own way, are making us a better and more complete team.

Last year we predicted 2018 would be a clear seller's market in Madison and Dane County. This year we're predicting 2019 to be a more balanced market, characterized by rising inventory and moderate price growth. You can get all of the details by viewing our 10 predictions for the 2019 market below. 

Our 2019 Madison Real Estate Predictions

#1: Foreclosures will rise. 

Foreclosures have been quietly rising in 2018, and we expect more of the same in 2019. This means more distressed properties will become available for sale in the coming year, but not enough to appreciably impact inventory in the Madison area.

#2: New home and condo construction will plateau. 

Madison area housing starts have been flat in 2018, and this trend will continue

Who you hire as your buyer agent can make all the difference between success and failure in Madison's low inventory real estate market. Here are six ways a skilled buyer agent (or buyer agent team) can help you succeed in the months ahead. 

How a skilled buyer helps you succeed in a competitive market

1) Your buyer agent connects you with a reliable, local lender who goes the extra mile. For example, some local lenders will contact the listing agent and vouch for your financial stability when you're submitting a competing offer. Lenders who deliver personal service like this are worth their weight in gold. 

2) Your agent finds properties before they hit the market. A good buyer agent will identify "coming soon" listings before they hit the

We've been asked this question a lot lately.

The flooding we experienced in August and September has negatively impacted single family home sales this fall, but overall sales activity remains strong for this time of year. Inventory remains low, and we expect it to stay low for the foreseeable future. As Dane County's population continues to grow, new homes and condos aren't being built fast enough to keep pace with demand, and prices continue to rise. 

Mortgage rates have risen slightly this year and are expected to rise more in 2019. For this reason we expect prices to increase at a more subdued pace in the coming year. Stay tuned for our upcoming predictions for the 2019 real estate market, which we'll be releasing soon. In the meantime, here's a

This year has been the most competitive real estate market we've ever witnessed in Madison. Due to persistently low inventory, many buyers have missed out on their dream home and are still searching for the right property, in the right location, and at the right price.

Fortunately the upcoming holiday season offers a window of opportunity for buyers who stay engaged with their search. That's because the market slows noticeably during the holidays, as fewer offers are written in November and December than in any other month of the year. Over the years we've identified two other market trends which show the opportunities available during the holiday season. For more information, read on below... 

1) Competing offers are less common during the

Each year the Madison real estate market slows down in September due to the Labor Day holiday and the back-to-school rush. We see this slow-down in both the single family home and condo markets. As an example, see the graph below which shows the number of accepted offers in the Madison condo market for each month in 2017. Notice how market activity dipped significantly in September and then bounced higher in October. This is a pretty typical pattern for our market. 

As expected, this pattern is repeating itself in 2018. The first half of September was a slow time for real estate, but now we're seeing market activity pick up again as we approach the month of October. 

October = Opportunity for Sellers

If you have a home to sell, you now know

Late last year we published our predictions for the 2018 real estate market. So far 2018 is playing out largely as expected. Here's our quick overview of this year's predicted and actual trends.

Prediction: Madison condo prices will rise by at least 8 percent. 

Actual: The average Madison condo price is up by 9 percent through the first 7 months of the year; the price per square foot is up by 7 percent. 

Prediction: Madison home prices will rise by at least 5 percent. 

Actual: Both the average price and the price per square foot are up by 4 percent through the first 7 months of the year. 

Prediction: New home construction will remain low. 

Actual: Housing starts remain low by historical standards. Building permits are up by only

There are pleasant surprises around every corner at 5818 County Road KP in the Town of Berry, located between Middleton and Mazomanie. This gorgeous countryside property is tucked away from view, providing a secluded setting within the Driftless Area while just a short drive from local amenities.

Towering trees line the winding driveway, offering ample shade and room to meander through the expansive yard -- perfect for hosting family events, corporate gatherings, and even weddings.

Situated atop the hill is the nearly 4,000-square-foot home, its stone accents blending beautifully into the natural landscape.

Adding to the serenity of this property are the plantings and cascading waterfall on both sides of the paver walkway leading up to

We've just completed our mid-year home and condo updates, and the latest numbers show the seller's market is alive and well in the city of Madison. Here's our quick overview of the latest trends in the Madison real estate market. 

The Madison condo market

Madison condo supply is historically low and driving prices higher. Take a look at the graph below, which shows how the number of available condo listings has changed from July, 2015 to July, 2018. Amazingly, active condo listings have decreased by 48% over the last 3 years. 

Over the same 3-year stretch condo supply has dipped to well below 2 months of inventory. This historically low number is indicative of a very strong seller's market. 

Condos are also selling much more quickly

Although many price points and locations in the Madison area have become long-term seller's markets, the month of July offers a good window of opportunity if you're still looking for the right home or condo in 2018. The reason is buyer competition decreases predictably in July, as the graph below shows. 

In fact, buyer activity will be much more subdued for the rest of the year compared to the feverish pace we experienced this Spring. Many families will be focused on their summer vacation, the coming school year, and the holiday season before their attention returns to real estate. Then buyer demand will rise predictably again in early 2019. 

More balance means more opportunity for buyers

A more balanced market means there will be fewer