Most people have seen it, few people can pronounce it. So what, exactly, is this winter-time theme that everyone keeps creating Pinterest boards for? Spoiler alert – it’s not actually something that you can buy. HYGGE ORIGINS Pronounced “hue-guh”, Hygge is a Danish word that is defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”. It’s the epitome of relaxed warmth and happiness… not a pair of fuzzy socks or an overpriced blanket. Some people have likened it to the feeling you get while drinking a warm cup of coffee on a quiet morning, or the cozy happiness of being snuggled under…

Sometimes, going “home” for the holidays means leaving your own home empty for a period of time. With the number of people who travel over the holidays, it’s a prime time for would-be thieves to take advantage of your absence. Follow these tips to keep your most valuable asset safe while you’re away. SAFETY FIRST The risk of a break-in is only one consideration if you’ll be traveling in the upcoming weeks. Fire safety is a big concern during the holiday season. Dried out Christmas Trees make great kindling for fires – so make sure that yours is well away from heat registers or radiators, and unplug any lights that…

Home Sales Home sales for the month of November maintained the slower pace that we expect from our fall market, but are up ever so slightly from last month. There were 359 new homes listed for sale over the last 30 days. Of those new homes listed, 161 of them were 3 bedroom single family homes – typically the most sought after homes in our market. The average days on market for a sold home is 48, so homes are still moving relatively quickly. Inventory Inventory in Dane County remains tight, favoring sellers, but has increased slightly over this time last year. There were 359 new homes added to our…

Winter in Southern Wisconsin seems to have arrived with a bang this year, and our homes are working overtime to shield us from the elements. Make sure you’re taking precautions to keep you and your home safe while we weather winters worst (and dream of Spring). Safety First! Space Heaters – Make sure you have a newer model with an auto-shut off button on the bottom to prevent fires if it is tipped over by a pet or child. Keep space heaters a safe distance from furniture, drapes, or other flammable materials, and do not run them near water (like the bath tub). Never leave a running space heater unattended. Generators –…

Known as “The Good Neighbor City”, Middleton, WI has grown into an award winning and thriving community despite its humble agricultural beginnings. Originally established by the construction of a railroad and shipping depot in 1856, Middleton officially incorporated as a village in 1905, and become a city in 1963. Today, the remnants of Middleton’s past have been replaced with a charming and vibrant downtown area and numerous residential and business developments. Money© magazine has consistently ranked Middleton as one of the best 100 places to live in America and almost 90% of its current residents rate Middleton as a safe community that they enjoy living in. Middleton is also part…

Home Sales Home sales for the past month are down slightly from last year, but with 663 homes listed for sale in October, just under 86% of homes listed are selling. Single family homes with 4+ bedrooms are the most frequently expired, with an average “unsold” list price of $403,631. This isn’t that surprising, since the market for more modest homes will always attract a larger percentage of buyers. Average days on market for a sold him is still hovering around the 30 day mark. Inventory Our months of supply climbed slightly last month, but still trends in favor of sellers. That’s not to say that buyers have no negotiating…

When you think of “Haunted Towns” Madison, WI might not be on the top of your list. It turns out though, that Madison has a pretty interesting history, with some spooky and mysterious ghost stories to go along with it. The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. The downtown location of the Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co, located at 123 E Doty St, has many reported ghostly encounters. The former location of the Fess Hotel, which stood for 130 years and stabled horses in its basement, may be the source of many present day encounters. From pool cues falling from the wall by themselves, to in-house phone lines ringing…

If you’re selling your home this Fall, you’re likely aware that home sales start to slow down this time of year. Any edge that you can get over your competition will matter, and that’s where staging comes in. Buyers want to “connect” with a home when they see it for the first time. Staging can help you create that connection and get more offers on the table. Start at the curb… Everyone’s heard the term “curb appeal” before, but very few sellers understand the importance of it. Your home’s appearance from the outside is the first impression that buyers will get when they see your home. If you have dead…

Home Sales The number of homes sold this past month has dropped off considerably as the market slows heading into the fall and winter months. Still, home sales for September this year have slightly exceeded the number sold last year. During the month of August, there were 810 new homes listed for sale and 718 new homes were listed for sale in September. Given that 817 homes were sold in August, and only 595 homes were sold in September, buyers will have a bit more to choose from if they start their home search during the Fall months.   Inventory Inventory of single-family and condo homes in Dane County improved…

Home Sales The number of home sales has trended slightly downward over the summer months. This is typical of our market and can result in better odds for buyers who missed out during the fast-paced and highly competitive spring/early summer months. Overall, there were slightly fewer homes sold over the past three months this year, than in 2018. The month of July is the exception, with equal numbers this year and last. Inventory Inventory in Dane County continues to hover around the “2 months of supply” mark. This is well below the average of 6 months of supply typically seen in balanced markets and indicates a continued seller’s market in…