Madison Spring Clean Up, Improve Your Curb Appeal

In an earlier post this week we discussed home maintenance/improvement items that would be most likely to attract Madison area buyers in this competitive real estate market.  One of the items on the list, and probably the most important, was to keep your Madison property clean, uncluttered, and constantly in show ready condition.  This is crucial on the exterior of your home because it will be the first impression of your curb appeal that may prompt prospective buyers to want to view your Madison property.  It is therefore essential that attention has been made to your landscape and yard clean-up.

I therefore wanted to let you know that Spring Leaf and Garden Waste Collection will begin in the city of Madison on April 7th and run through May2, 2008.  If you take a look at the cities site, you will be able to find specific collection pick up dates and times for your neighborhood, as well as directions on how to prepare the leaf piles.  So take advantage of this great Madison city offering and get your property show ready.  Give yourself the best possible advantage to effectively compete in this Madison real estate market. 

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.

How Eco-Friendly is Your Madison Home – A Tip to Appeal to the Madison Buyer

Most people know how important it is to you have your home “sell ready” before putting it on the Madison real estate market. Today’s market is quite competitive with a great deal of inventory available for prospective buyers to choose from. It is therefore very important to consider what home items are most important to Madison area buyers. It is essential that these items have been given consideration before putting a for sale sign in the front yard. When a Madison area seller has given consideration to the buyer’s likes and dislikes, I am seeing that these well maintained and well priced properties are selling rather quickly.An area that is becoming increasingly important to many Madison area buyers is the home’s eco-friendliness level. They want to ensure that they will not be wasting resources or money when making a home purchase. I found a great site that is sponsored by the Green Built Home Program in Wisconsin. It provides a quick point system to determine how eco-friendly your Madison area home is as compared to the standard. The site also provides tips on making your home more green.

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting some tips to appeal to area buyers in this competitive Madison real estate market. So Stay Tuned!!

What Will Spring Bring?

With all the uncertainty swirling just weeks before the spring market, we do know of a certainty that will definitely come with this year’s spring market. The Federal Reserve will cut the rate by at least a half point. This rate cut is expected to take place on March 18th, just 2 days before spring. There is a chance that the cut will be as large as ¾ of a point, although this is unlikely according to most expert analysts. When I heard the news of this cut, I started to wonder what the impact would be on the market. Will we get the jump in Madison real estate activity that we are all hoping for? What do you think? I would love to know your opinions. In a couple of days I will post an expert review of what all this could mean for you in the Madison real estate market, but in the mean time I would love to hear from you.

And the snow came down…

Well the snow storm came into Madison this weekend, just as expected. Even
though I know the storms sometimes cause a bit of havoc for some, I always
love being in Madison right after a snow storm. The city always looks so
beautiful, especially with all the holiday décor. I always look forward to
the outdoor activities that are possible once the snow finally hits the
ground. There are so many activities and parks in and around Madison to
choose from, but my favorite is snow shoeing at Yellowstone Lake State Park.
I love the quietness, serenity, and beauty that this portion of Madison has
to offer. It is just one of the many local tips that I get to share with
Madison home buyers moving into the area. The Madison area truly feels like
home to me, and I enjoy so much of what is offered, both man-made and
natural. I therefore love being a realtor in the Madison area. Having the
opportunity to share the best of Wisconsin while I help people buy and sell
Madison area real estate is great!