Madison Area Real Estate News

Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA), 2013 April Home Sales Report,  May 20, 2013 Wisconsin existing home sales jumped 9.2 percent in April 2013 compared to April 2012, representing 22 straight months of positive sales growth in the state. Median prices climbed by a solid margin, growing 7.8 percent over the past year to $138,000, according to the most recent statistical report released by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA). "This is a solid but sustainable pace of sales," said Renny Diedrich, chairman of the WRA board of directors. This continues the modest growth established in the first quarter of the year nationally in which sales were up 9.8 percent, as well as for Wisconsin, where revised figures show that sales rose 11.7 percent compared to first quarter of 2012. "It looks like the first quarter trends are continuing into the prime selling period of the year, which is very encouraging," Diedrich said, noting that in a typical year, about 60 perc

Wisconsin REALTORS® Association (WRA), Latest News, HousingWire, Real Estate, S&P/Case-Shiller: Home Prices Continue to Strengthen,  by Megan Hopkins, April 30, 2013 Home prices continued their upward trajectory according to data released in the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. With prices appreciating throughout the country and buyers facing multiple offers on homes, many are wondering if we are in another bubble. Redfin's Chief of Real Estate Operations, Scott Nagel, says this is a question his agents are constantly asking. "The catastrophic bubble that popped five years ago was plagued with faulty loans," said Nagel. "In contrast, today's rapidly rising home prices are largely driven by the abundance of all-cash offers and a lack of inventory. And when the home purchases are financed, appraisals and other tight lending practices are keeping home prices more in check." Analysts at Econoday agree, noting that the Case-Shiller report onl