No DYI for Real Estate

It certainly looks like summer has arrived in southern Wisconsin. Garden Center and Hardware stores are packed with shoppers gearing up for do-it-yourself projects that have been put off for months. However, a major project one should not attempt: A DIY Do-It-Yourself approach when selling a home. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), working with a knowledgeable and qualified agent maximizes every benefit of the process, including spending less time and obtaining the best price. That's because real estate professionals know where the buyers are, how to negotiate, and how to best expedite a sale to a successful closing.

Buyers are acutely aware of the benefits of working with a real estate professional also, as 87% purchased their homes through agents in 2015. As professionals, we have an intimate knowledge of where buyers are looking and what specifically they are looking for.

With fixed mortgage rates remaining low and nationwide unemployment less than 5%, it should be a great real estate year.  Give me a call and let's get started!

Dish on Monroe

Savor the flavors of Monroe St. during the Dish on Monroe event May 22nd through May 26th.  Enjoy signature dishes, appetizer's and beverages at participating restaurants and coffee shops along Madison's charming Monroe St.

With more than a mile of unique shops, restaurants and businesses lining Monroe St., it's a special place.  Throw in a few parks, Camp Randall and Lake Wingra and it just gets better.

So take your appetite and your pocketbook for some delicious cuisine during Dish on Monroe!  Best of all, proceeds from the event benefit Second Harvest Foodbank.

Boathouses Open for Business

Wingra Boats and Brittingham Boats have opened their doors for the season!  Both boathouses will be open from 1-8 pm Friday May 13 through Sunday May 15,
and next weekend (5/20-22).

Summer hours start Saturday May 28th.
8:30 am to 8:00 pm, with last boat out at 7 pm, 7 days a week.

Brittingham Park Summer Kickoff and MBNA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 14th from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Brittingham Boats

Join neighbors and friends for the Monona Bay Neighborhood Association annual meeting, the Brittingham Boats Summer Kick off, and the Grand Opening of Updraft - a project at the Brittingham Community Garden. This is an incredible opportunity to hear all the plans for this summer, the neighborhood, and Brittingham Park.

• 4:00 Brittingham Boats Welcome and Season Updates 

• 4:15 Monona Bay Neighborhood Association Welcome and Invitation to Join 

• 4:25: Parks-Playground Progress and Timeline, other parks developments 

• 4:45 UW-Campus Masterplan: focus on Storm Water Management effecting the Monona Bay and near to neighborhood impacts (Park Street Corridor; Kohl Center region; bike path connections) 

• 5:00 Supper and Conversation

• UPDRAFT GRAND OPENING (AT COMMUNITY GARDEN) 

• 5:45 Updraft Ribbon Cutting 

• 5:50 Cupcakes and Balloons 

Stop in and meet your friends and neighbors, have supper, gets some updates on neighborhood and park issues, and see Updraft come to life.

Sunset Hills House For Sale!

Nestled on a wooded lot in the Sunset Hills neighborhood, this well-loved and beautifully maintained home is a special place to call home!  Designed and built by an engineer, it is sold as a rock!  It has beautiful hardwood floors, beamed ceiling in the living room, expansive windows peek into huge screen porch that runs across the back of the house.  A lovely, flat backyard completes the package.  It's close to schools, parks, Sequoya Commons, Hilldale and the bike path.  It's a jewel in a treasured neighborhood.  Interested in taking a look?  Call me to arrange a showing at 608.333.4406.

March 2016 Home Sales

Here they are!  The home sales for the near West Side of Madison for early March, 2016.  Crazy Real Estate market this year!  Give me a call to find out what your house is worth!

513 N Blackhawk Ave Madison, WI

Sold: $280,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1938
Sold On 03/11/16	1420 sqft
Price/sqft: $197

460 Glenway St Madison, WI

Sold: $325,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 0
Sold On 03/09/16	1580 sqft
Price/sqft: $206

3906 Manitou Way Madison, WI

Sold: $410,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1940
Sold On 03/09/16	1763 sqft
Price/sqft: $233

340 N Allen St Apt 12 Madison, WI

Sold: $146,000

1 Bed, 1 Bath	Built in 0
Sold On 03/08/16	1004 sqft
Price/sqft: $145

3613 Gregory St Madison, WI

Sold: $267,500

3 Bed, 1 Bath	Built in 1935
Sold On 03/08/16	1180 sqft
Price/sqft: $227

2633 Stevens St Madison, WI

Sold: $265,000

2 Bed, 1 Bath	Built in 1926
Sold On 03/08/16	1616 sqft
Price/sqft: $164

714 Oneida Pl Madison, WI

Sold: $760,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1925
Sold On 03/07/16	2652 sqft
Price/sqft: $287

3545 Heather Crst Madison, WI

Sold: $227,400

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1947
Sold On 03/07/16	1724 sqft
Price/sqft: $132

814 Lewis Ct Madison, WI

Sold: $309,900

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1950
Sold On 03/07/16	1278 sqft
Price/sqft: $242

3912 Paunack Ave Madison, WI

Sold: $284,700

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1942
Sold On 03/04/16	1483 sqft
Price/sqft: $192

2808 Marshall Ct Madison, WI

Sold: $310,000

3 Bed, 3 Bath	Built in 1985
Sold On 03/03/16	2318 sqft
Price/sqft: $134

444 Hilltop Dr Madison, WI

Sold: $271,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 1960
Sold On 03/03/16	1724 sqft
Price/sqft: $157

506 S Midvale Blvd Madison, WI

Sold: $269,900

3 Bed, 1 Bath	Built in 1953
Sold On 03/02/16	1266 sqft
Price/sqft: $213

2242 West Lawn Ave Madison, WI

Sold: $328,000

3 Bed, 3 Bath	Built in 1925
Sold On 03/02/16	1607 sqft
Price/sqft: $204

625 N Segoe Rd Unit 503 Madison, WI

Sold: n/a

1 Bed, 2 Bath	Built in 2009
Sold On 03/01/16	1444 sqft
Price/sqft: n/a

2 Merrill Crest Dr Madison, WI

Sold: $175,000

2 Bed, 1 Bath	Built in 0
Sold On 02/26/16	1092 sqft
Price/sqft: $160

REAL ESTATE MARKET LOOKS TO KEEP SPRINGING AHEAD

Traditionally, sellers have waited until late spring to list a property. This year could very likely be different though, because of the mild winter. In 2016, we have seen an upswing in sellers listing before the late-spring curve which has increased their exposure to buyers in the market. And numbers don't lie. In February, total existing-home sales nationally came in at 5.08 million. That's a 2.2% increase over last year because sellers listed early.

When all is said, this spring seems like a perfect opportunity to assist both buyers and sellers reap the benefits of working with a real estate professional in the current super low interest rate environment. And by now, you have heard that the Madison Real Estate Market is CRAZY!  Low inventory, Seller's market, lots of Buyer's, multiple offers, you get the picture.  Probably best to work with a professional who can help navigate the process whether you are buying or selling.  Give me a call, I'm happy to help!

Shred Those Documents!

Warm weather means spring cleaning! Get rid of all those papers and documents at one of these upcoming local shredding events in April. 

The following Shred Events are free to the public, but are limited in quantity per person to up to three small boxes or five paper grocery bags or fifty pounds of paper. Paper products only (except for rubber bands, staples, and paper clips, which do not need to be removed). 

No three-ring binders, hanging file folders, credit cards, plastics, media items (CDs, tapes, x-rays, etc.), photos, or other on-paper products.

Saturday, April 16th
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
McFarland State Bank
5990 Highway 51, McFarland
**McFarland State Bank will also
be collecting food pantry donations.
www.msbonline.com

Friday, April 22nd
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Union Bank & Trust
Energy Fair at the School
320 Fair Street, Evansville
www.ub-t.com

Saturday, April 23rd
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
City of Fitchburg
Shred Event
Marketplace Drive, behind Oak Bank

Saturday, April 30th
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Better Business Bureau &
SVA Certified Public Accountants
1221 John Q. Hammons Dr., Madison
www.bbb.org
www.sva.com

Saturday, April 30th
8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
SVA Certified Public Accountants &
Better Business Bureau
In the Warner Park parking lot.
Enter from N. Sherman Ave
www.sva.com
www.bbb.org