Tag: real estate

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Decorating or Remodeling Your New Madison Home – Go Green!

One of the parts of being a Madison realtor that I love is helping people find a home they love and watching their anticipation and excitement about furniture placement and decorating plans.  You can see them envisioning themselves starting a life in their new home through the home buying process.  This excitement brings such joy. 

I have just recently bought a home here in Madison and can tell you that I love experiencing this “moving joy” myself.  For me, decorating and making plans for this new home is wonderful, because it gives me the opportunity to make my new place in Madison reflect my personality, a place that I am going to look forward to coming home to each day. 

While making these plans for my house I have come across a great site where you can purchase green, eco-friendly products for the home.  I thought I would share this site with you because spring tends to be a great remodeling time.  So if you are planning a spring remodel of your Madison homes, you may want to check it out, the mod green pod.  They offer curtains, slipcovers, paint, wall papers, and more, all made of organic materials.  Happy Decorating your Madison home!!

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Cleaning Up Your Yard in Madison, Important to Your Real Estate Investment

So the weather is great, everyone is a bit happier and without a winter coat (FINALLY!!)! Another highlight, the Madison real estate market is picking up.All the signs are pointing to the start of the spring/summer season. With this season, comes the yard clean ups that are so very important in protecting your Madison real estate investment, your home!

Performing your yard clean up is important for all homeowners, but especially important if you are trying to sell your Madison home. I would encourage all Madison homeowners to take advantage of the Spring Leaf and Garden Waste Collection that is being provided by the city of Madison. It will continue until May 2 and pick up times are dependent upon your Madison property address. Take a look at Madison’s site for more details.

If you happen to miss the pick ups or have a need to drop off the waste yourself you can do that as well. There are 3 locations available to Madison city homeowners;
• EAST: 4602 Sycamore Ave.
• SOUTH: 1501 W. Badger Rd.
• WEST: 402 South Point Rd. (Brush will not be accepted)

All three locations accept the following;
• Leaves,
• Grass clippings,
• Garden debris,
• Flowers and other plant waste. The sites will also accept
• Shrub trimmings shorter that 18″. Tree and shrub trimmings longer than 18″ are considered brush. Brush is accepted at the 1501 W. Badger Rd. and 4602 Sycamore Ave. sites only. Do not bring brush to 402 South Point Rd.

Good Luck and Enjoy the Warm weather while performing your Madison yard clean up! And for all the home sellers in the Madison real estate market right now, don’t forget the importance of curb appeal!

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Preserving Madison, A Place to Call Home!

What I have come to learn as a Madison realtor is that most prospective buyers are not shopping for a house, they are shopping for a place to live, a place to call home. And there is quite a difference.
Although the number of bedrooms, the square footage, and the condition of the hardwood floors may mean a lot when trying to sell Madison real estate, so is the surrounding community. Lucky for us living here in the Madison area, we have a community that would appeal to most. The Madison area community is unique, I find it to be filled with wonderfully creative and nurturing people, and the location itself is just a gem. It is one of the few places where can you be in a country atmosphere one moment and then in the city the next. Right here in the Madison area, we have great parks, museums, restaurants, theaters, and events!
I am bringing all this up because I believe the Madison area should be celebrated and preserved in all of its wonderfulness. Just as we all will celebrate the Earth on Earth Day. Thankfully, the Habitat for Humanity Restore program, who has already done so much for the Madison community and Madison real estate, has planned a great event at their location on Grove St. It will be held on April 19th from noon to 4 and will include a number of auctions, festivities, and educational booths. So come and visit the Habitat for Humanity Restore and celebrate the earth, celebrate our Madison area community, the place we all live and call home.

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First Quarter Madison Real Estate Report

There has been a great deal of Real Estate talk throughout the country and here in Madison with interest rates falling again to near historical lows. Currently the 30 year fixed rates are averaging between 5.7% and 5.9%. With a high level of inventory currently available there are some great opportunities out there for Madison first time home buyers and individuals wishing to buy second homes or investment properties. Below is a quick recap of the Madison real estate activity we have seen this first quarter of 2008. If you would like to discuss how your property may fit into the current Madison market, give me a call, I’d love to discuss it with you and provide a full market report and complimentary market analysis of your property.

Madison Property TypeCurrent Total ListingsSold Listings 1st QuarterAverage List PriceAverage Sold PriceAverage Days On Market
Residential1149283$287,013$244,82495
Condo1288104$244,967$210,840133
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Worthwhile Renovations When Preparing to Sell

I am often asked the same question by Madison area home sellers, “what home repairs hold the most value?” It is a very natural question as everyone is trying to get the highest return on their investment. Who wouldn’t?

And with this same question that comes from seller to seller, comes almost always the same answer from me. Buyers are looking for a clean, well-priced home with updated kitchen and baths. Now please understand that I am not necessarily suggesting that everyone interested in selling their Madison area home run out and perform major renovations on their kitchens and baths. I do understand that this is not necessarily realistic. I can however offer some advice that may set you apart from your competition in this competitive Madison area real estate market.

•1) Make your home show ready by always keeping it clean inside and out. This is a must in every market, but it is extremely important during a time when Madison real estate inventories are high. Buyers have a lot to choose from and you don’t want them to get turned off because you fell behind on your spring cleaning.

•2) Bold colors are in this year. With a little bit of money, you can give your Madison home a little makeover with bold colors on the exterior and interior. Since the appearance of your kitchen and bath is generally the most crucial to your sale with a Madison buyer, start with a paint job in those rooms first.

•3) Madison area buyers are “greener” than ever! If you do decide to renovate your kitchen or bathroom, research eco-friendly materials that will set your renovations a part from your Madison real estate competition. In the bathroom you can put in a green faucet and shower head that conserve water and give your bathroom a luxurious modern look. You can also use recycled eco-friendly glass tiles. They come in bold colors and are usually made form 100% recycled glass. An extra bonus…they also clean easier that most other tiles. Another cool touch you can add is recycled glass door knobs. They also come in great bold colors that will compliment those recycled glass tiles.

You can check out GetWithGreen.com for more great tips and eco-friendly home repair materials.