Robust Recent Home Sales

You have probably heard the Madison Real Estate Market has been robust this year.  Heck, you probably heard me say it here!  And it's true.  While things have slowed somewhat as we enter the end of August and a new school year is upon us, the market is still strong.

Wondering how strong and what the recent home sales have looked like?  Below is a synopsis of sales on the near west side of Madison from mid-June through early July, 2013.  Not a bad list!

Address                                                               Sold Price   Closing Date

203 N Allen St	Madison, WI 53726	$320,000	07/03/2013
2441 Norwood Pl	Madison, WI 53726	$365,000	07/03/2013
246 Alden Dr	Madison, WI 53705	$225,100	07/03/2013
5302 Manitowoc Pkwy	Madison, WI 53705	$295,900	07/03/2013
477 Woodside Ter	Madison, WI 53711	$287,500	07/02/2013
421 Berwyn Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$245,000	07/02/2013
306 N Blackhawk Ave	Madison, WI 53705	$243,000	07/02/2013
122 Shepard Ter	Madison, WI 53705	$400,000	07/01/2013
2103 Keyes Ave	Madison, WI 53711	$469,900	07/01/2013
413 Shepard Ter	Madison, WI 53705	$327,000	07/01/2013
2557 Chamberlain Ave	Madison, WI 53705	$315,000	06/28/2013
465 Caromar Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$285,000	06/27/2013
844 Woodrow St	Madison, WI 53711	$275,000	06/27/2013
319 Larkin St	Madison, WI 53705	$168,000	06/26/2013
2035 University Ave	Madison, WI 53726	$185,500	06/26/2013
2722 Kendall Ave	Madison, WI 53705	$250,000	06/24/2013
515 Briar Hill Rd	Madison, WI 53711	$295,000	06/24/2013
434 Hilltop Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$215,000	06/24/2013
3630 Odana Rd	Madison, WI 53711	$280,000	06/21/2013
722 Huron Hl	Madison, WI 53711	$980,000	06/21/2013
555 S Midvale Blvd Unit 321	Madison, WI 53711	$243,000	06/21/2013
518 Clifden Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$328,000	06/20/2013
502 Clifden Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$285,000	06/20/2013
2431 Commonwealth Ave	Madison, WI 53711	$404,228	06/20/2013
4818 Bayfield Ter	Madison, WI 53705	$330,000	06/20/2013
703 Glenway St	Madison, WI 53711	$212,000	06/20/2013
5113 Door Dr	Madison, WI 53705	$250,000	06/20/2013
621 S Segoe Rd	Madison, WI 53711	$148,849	06/19/2013
524 S Owen Dr	Madison, WI 53711	$80,000	06/19/2013
2802 Regent St	Madison, WI 53705	$320,000	06/18/2013
217 Richland Ln	Madison, WI 53705	$248,000	06/18/2013
2366 West Lawn Ave	Madison, WI 53711	$570,000	06/18/2013
402 N Franklin Ave	Madison, WI 53705	$290,000	06/18/2013
3538 Heather Crst	Madison, WI 53705	$148,000	06/18/2013
115 Vaughn Ct	Madison, WI 53705	$250,000	06/18/2013
4317 Tokay Blvd	Madison, WI 53711	$158,000	06/18/2013
2513 Chamberlain Ave	Madison, WI 53705	$416,000	06/18/2013
2114 West Lawn Ave	Madison, WI 53711	$610,000	06/17/2013
555 S Midvale Blvd Unit 216	Madison, WI 53711	$278,907	06/17/2013
701 Gilmore St	Madison, WI 53711	$262,500	06/17/2013
2305 Kendall Ave	Madison, WI 53726	$481,000	06/17/2013
4714 Ames St	Madison, WI 53711	$222,000	06/14/2013
2252 Monroe St	Madison, WI 53711	$279,500	06/13/2013
212 N Allen St	Madison, WI 53726	$190,000	06/13/2013

The Last Hurrah!

It can’t really be the beginning of August already?!? As the commercials and store shelves stocked with back-to-school supplies will have us believe, summer is over.  Not so fast!  There is still plenty of time to enjoy the last hurrah of summertime.  Below are some ideas to get you started.

 

AUGUST EVENTS AT MADISON PARKS

Moonlight Movies

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/moonlightmovieseries.cfm

The Madison Mallards and Madison Parks are teaming up to host the Moonlight Movie Series celebrating the Madison Parks Foundation’s 10 years supporting our community’s parks. Join us for outdoor screenings of family-friendly movies, sponsored by Zimbrick Honda. Bring your family and a blanket out to the parks to enjoy the warm summer nights and family classic movies you’re sure to love!

 

August 9, 7p.m. – The Sandlot, shown at The Duck Pond at Warner Park. Gates open at 6:30p.m.

August 23, 8p.m. – Madagascar 3, shown at Goodman Pool. Gates open at 8p.m. and the movie starts at 8:15p.m.

 

Ride the Drive – Westside

August 18, 10a.m.-3p.m.

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/RideTheDrive/westside/

Join Madison Parks and the City of Madison for a car-free, care free event with activities, food and entertainment!

 

“Learn to” Series

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/play/learnto.cfm

Learn to Stand Up Paddleboard!

Wednesday, August 7, 6-7pm  (Rain Date:  August 8, 6-7pm) at Vilas Park Beach

Join Madison Parks and Wingra Boats for this free introductory workshop  on stand up paddle boarding.  The fast-growing sport of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is a fun, easy way to go play on the water.

 

Learn to Play Disc Golf

August 3, 10a.m.-noon, Heistand Park

August 4, 10a.m.-noon, Elver Park

Glide, a Madison area disc golf pro shop, is offering a series of free clinics for aspiring disc golfers of all ages. These clinics are intended for all skill levels and will include a brief history of the game, basic overview of the rules, demonstration of equipment and throwing techniques, and an opportunity for individual and group instruction.

 

Madison Meet & Eat

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/madisonmeetandeat.cfm

You still have a full month to enjoy this great event that brings a collective of Madison's food carts and vendors to local neighborhoods to encourage friends, family and the community to connect and enjoy a night out. Those who attend have the opportunity to purchase and enjoy eclectic and delicious menu items while enjoying the company of friends and neighbors. In August, you will two options each week.

Continuing on Thursday evenings (August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29), Meet and Eat is held on the Westside near the Meadowood Shopping Center and starting August 6, the event will be held on Tuesday evenings (August  on the northside at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2126 N. Sherman Ave.

 

Discover Madison’s Wildside

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/parks/conservation/tours.cfm

Madison Parks is hosting free monthly tours of Madison Conservation Parks.  The tours are led by a Madison Parks staff member and co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society.  Each tour will focus on a different park and unique natural feature of that park.

 

August 3, Saturday, 8:00am

Cherokee Marsh, School Rd boat landing, Upper Yahara River Tour

Bring your own canoe or kayak and meet the boat landing.   Enjoy the breath taking beauty of thousands of American Lotus water lily’s in bloom.  Learn about the crucial role these plants play in a decade long effort to protect and restore habitat in the river.

 

Walk with a Doc

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/celebrate/walkwithadoc.cfm

Walk with a Doc is a free program for anyone interested in taking steps for their health by enjoying a refreshing, rejuvenating walk in the park. 

 

Saturday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. – Topic: Parathyroids, Calcium, and YOU

Edna Taylor Conservation Park

Physician: Dr. David Schneider, UW Health Surgery, is a board-certified surgeon who specializes in endocrine surgery and treating diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. Join us on our walk with Dr. Schneider through Edna Taylor Conservation Park, and explore Madison’s wild side with us as we learn about the function of parathyroids and their role in our body as regulators of calcium.

 

Tuesday, August 27, 6:30 p.m. – Topic: Achieving a healthy heart through the Mediterranean diet

Starting at Warner Park, followed by Madison Meet & Eat at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

Physician: Dr. Matthew Wolff, Meriter Health Cardiology, specializes in interventional cardiology, which involves minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment for heart disease. Outside his medical practice, Dr. Wolff enjoys yoga, and organic farming and boarding horses at his 36-acre farm. Join us and Dr. Wolff as we learn about the newest diet craze – the Mediterranean diet! As we walk, discover the benefits of the diet and how to achieve a healthy heart from Dr. Wolff. We will end the walk at Madison Meet and Eat to enjoy a fun night out with delicious, ethnic, and heart-healthy food at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church!

 

 

Goodman Pool Family Fun Days

http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/pool/FamilyFunDays.cfm

Goodman Pool guests can expect a line-up of extra good times as Madison Parks presents Goodman Pool Family Fun Days. Come to swim and stay for the fun! In August swimmers will be treated to Disc Golf Day, Watermelon Day, Healthy Lifestyles Day, Family Lu-WOWs and Golf Madison Parks Day. Check the website for details!

 

 

Middle School Dance

In recent weeks, I have had several clients wondering if the rise in interest rates has had an impact on the robust Real Estate market of the last few months.  Are we in a slow down?  Is this the "Dog Days of Summer"?

The interest rate increase has done a few things to the marketplace.  First it has spurred on sellers who were on the fence about selling.  Inventory is up slightly on the near west side of Madison.

But it's done something else, too.  It has slowed the number of buyers searching.  There are fewer buyers looking at houses and they are being a little more particular than they were in March and April.

What's happening is sort of like the first middle school dance you attended.  Remember how the boys and girls would gather on opposite sides of the gym, with few venturing to the dance floor?  They were all waiting, to see what the "other side" did.  Those middle-schoolers would take an extra trip to the punch bowl, to survey the surroundings.  In the end though, the dance floor is full of happy people.

The same is true in the housing market.  The gym walls are lined with buyers and sellers, a little shy about the first step toward the other.  The rise in interest rates has made the move to the "dance floor" a little more tentative.

But interest rates are still at incredible levels.  And the dancers will meet in the middle.  It just may take a few more trips to the punch bowl to assess the situation.

Is it Still a Good Time to Buy a House?

With mortgage rates up nearly a full percent in the last  several weeks, buyers are beginning to ask, "Did I miss the market?" and "Should I wait until rates come back down?" The answers are no and no.

To check this theory, look in a mirror and say loudly, "I think an interest rate of 4.5% is too high!" When you get done laughing, remember that interest rates have been as high as 17%!  Interest rates may have risen, but they continue to be very affordable.

As far as the other question goes...waiting until rates come back down to 3.5%....well....the last time that happened was 1971....so....based on historical data, as long as you are content with the idea of paying rent for another 42 years or so...yes...by all means wait it out. However, if the idea of paying off someone else's 30 year mortgage entirely, and then possibly waiting another 12 years doesn't appeal to you, then it is absolutely a good time to buy a house.

That "Mayberry" Feeling

You've heard the old saying about Real Estate; location, location, location.  In reality, the three criteria that sell Real Estate are location, condition and price.  You noticed that location is still listed first!

Buyers are willing, in many cases, to discount condition -  and within reason - price, to purchase a home in the right location.  So what makes a location popular?  Of course there are the tried and true criteria such as schools, plus proximity to conveniences such as parks, bus lines, bike trails, grocery stores, coffee shops and restaurants.

But there is also the nebulous parameters that are hard to measure.  The "feeling" of a neighborhood.  Is it friendly?  Are neighbors out walking dogs and strolling children?  Do neighbors watch out for each other?  Does the neighborhood have that "Mayberry" feeling?

I just listed a house is a neighborhood that is all "Mayberry" and more.  It's tucked away on a quiet court that few in Madison are aware of.  It surrounds one of Madison's "pocket parks" that is a gathering space for residents.  It's a neighborhood where kids bring you homemade cupcakes to let you know they think you are "sweet" and impromptu summer kickball games are commonplace.  It's a special place.

So while condition and price may dictate the sale of some properties, this little house will be sold on location. 

Jazz in the Park

The Annual Jazz in the Park festival is just around the corner!  The event is scheduled for Saturday June 15.

Help clean up the treasure that in Lake Wingra from 10 a.m.-noon.

Fun family activities such as log rolling, arts & crafts and an appearance from a Madison Fire Department Fire Engine begin at 3 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the music starting at 3 p.m.

3:00-4:00 p.m. - Jazz All Stars
4:00-5:00 p.m. - Edgewood Jazz Ensemble
3:30-7:00 p.m. - Cliff Frederickson
7:30-9:00 p.m. - Madisalsa

Don't forget the picnic basket, or purchase food from the Wingra Boat House.  It promises to be a great event! 

Just Stuff

I'll admit, I've been a bit negligent in contributing to this blog.  My apologizes...crazy spring!

A few things have caught my eye in recent days and I thought you might be interested:

It's Fine Arts Week at West High School!  Among other happenings this week, the high school is having a pottery sale on Friday May 24 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the school.  Check out the art work from students and perhaps buy a piece or two!

Looking for an alternative to Tuesday night dinner?  Food carts line Midvale Boulevard on Tuesday evenings near Midvale Elementary School.  A great way to get out of the house...and get out of cooking!

A new bead store will be opening at Sequoya Commons in the coming weeks.  Located between Luigi's Pizza and The Market, the store boasts classes and a wide assortment of beads and jewelry making accessories. 

Just some stuff worth sharing.