Your inspector should use the latest technologies, such as a thermal imaging camera. A thermal imaging camera can detect moisture problems that can't be seen by the naked eye.
Your inspector should also document all defects with a digital camera. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Sellers are more likely to agree with a finding when a picture clearly exposes the defect. The photos will help your buyer agent advocate for your goals as you negotiate the follow up to your inspection.
Do you have questions about buying a home in Madison? Feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to sit down with you and offer our thoughts on how you can move forward with this very exciting milestone in your life.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
The Westmorland neighborhoodis one of the most popular neighborhoods on Madison's Near West Side. One key reason is its proximity to downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin. Westmorland is known for its very active neighborhood association, which creates a strong sense of community within the neighborhood.
You can begin your search for a Westmorland home by clicking the map below. Or visit the neighborhood search feature at www.SearchDaneCounty.com.
When you have your financing plans in place, then it's time to look at homes. This is where your buyer agent comes into play. A great buyer agent will help you in a number of different ways. These include:
Simplify the home buying process by implementing a plan that keeps you focused and saves you time, as you go about the process of finding the right home at the right price.
Introduce you to the communities and neighborhoods that are of interest to you.
Schedule and coordinate all of your showings.
Help you obtain answers to all of the questions you may have about an individual property and the home buying process as a whole. You will have a lot of questions. A great buyer agent will provide you with all of the answers you need throughout the entire process.
Keep you up-to-date on the latest market trends in your neighborhoods of interest.
Draft your offer to purchase for you, and negotiate on your behalf once you've found the perfect home at the perfect price.
Manage and track all of your contingencies, including your earnest money, financing, inspection and testing, and any other contingencies that are a part of your offer.
Attend your home inspection with you, and assist you with any further negotiations that are required based on the results of your inspection.
Be your guide throughout the entire process, from the time of your first showing, to the day of your closing and beyond.
We recommend you "test drive" your buyer agent before you sign a buyer agency agreement. This will give both you and your agent some time to work with each other, to ensure you have a good working relationship before you move forward with your home purchase plans.
Do you have questions about buying a home in Madison? Feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to sit down with you and offer our thoughts on how you can move forward with this very exciting milestone in your life.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
If you are a first-time home buyer seeking to buy a home in Madison, one of the first things you should do is get your mortgage pre-approval. As you go about this your lender will educate you on the home loan process, and you will learn about the home loan programs that are a good fit for your personal situation.
The question is which lender should you choose? The answer depends a lot on your personal finances and the type of property you wish to buy. There are many excellent lenders to choose from, but you will want to select a lender who has the experience and the knowledge to deliver the loan program that is the best fit for you.
For example, if you are someone seeking down payment assistance, you will want to select a lender who is well-versed in the variety of down payment assistance programs available in Madison and Dane County. Similarly, if you are seeking a low down payment loan program, you should select a lender who has the ability to educate you on your many options and help you choose the program that is the best fit for you.
If you are buying a condo, we highly recommend you select a lender who has a strong track record of successfully closing many condo loans.
If you are buying a duplex and using your rental income to pay your mortgage, you should choose a lender who has experience with income properties in our market.
If you are veteran, you'll want to work with someone who is well-versed in the VA Loan program.
The list goes on...
Choosing the right lender is an important first step in your journey toward buying your first home. If you are in need of a lender, we'll be happy to refer you to one who is a good fit for your goals and individual situation. Feel free to contact us, and we will promptly assist you.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
Click to contact the DaneCountyMarket.com real estate team.
Parkwood Hills is one of the most popular neighborhoods on Madison's West Side. One key reason is it is one of the only neighborhoods in Madison where families can easily walk to all three neighborhood schools - Muir Elementary, Jefferson Middle School and Memorial High School. The neighborhood association in Parkwood Hills is very active. Parkwood Hills is also home to the Parkcrest Pool, a great recreational resource and meeting place for the residents of the neighborhood.
You can begin your search for a Parkwood Hills home by clicking the map below. Or visit the neighborhood search feature at www.SearchDaneCounty.com.
Click the map for all Parkwood Hills homes for sale, Madison WI.
Dane County and Madison WI home buyers, here are some great reads for you. These articles are especially helpful if you're in the process of buying your first home.
Our map search tool is another great resource, which you'll find at www.SearchDaneCounty.com. You can begin your home search by clicking the map below.
Click the map for all Dane County and Madison WI homes for sale.
Dane County home and condo sales increased in February, and this trend will continue throughout the Spring buying season. Our latest pending home sales report shows Dane County pending home sales are up 38% from last year. Pending condo sales are up 15%.
Much of the new momentum in this year's market is coming from the first-time home buyer. Consequently many homes priced at $250,000 and under are receiving multiple offers from competing parties - and selling very quickly.
If you are in the market for your first home, be prepared to act quickly. Get your mortgage pre-approval, and work with a full-service buyer agent who will implement an organized and efficient home buying plan for you. Otherwise you risk missing out on the home that is the perfect fit for you.
According to our recent review of MLS data, the peak year for Dane County home prices was 2006. In 2011, the average Dane County home sold for 11.6% less than its 2006 value.
The results of our study also include the following:
Prices continued to trend lower in 2011. Home values in 2011 decreased by 2.2% from 2010.
The average bank-owned foreclosure sold for 28.4% less in 2011 when compared to its previous sale price.
The average short sale home sold for 24.7% less in 2011 when compared to its previous selling price.
Price trends vary a lot by location.
Prices have been very stable in some areas. For example, home values in many of Madison's near-west side neighborhoods have held up very well.
You can view the full report here, as well as download an Excel spreadsheet which allows you to see how prices have changed by subdivision and MLS location. We view this report as the best representation of price trends in our area, because it's based on how prices for the same properties have changed over time.
Stay tuned for our condo price report - coming soon.
