Madison Area Real Estate News

See Team Is First Weber's Top Realtors

2011-07-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

The See Team has been named #1 out of the top #100 realtors at First Weber Group for the third straight month. Madison, Middleton, Fitchburg, Verona, Wisconsin are all prime real estate territories that have been bucking the downward trend in the real estate market.

The See Team has been the leader in sales and listings for the better part of 2011 for the south central Wisconsin First Weber market. We specialize in single family and condo sales.

For information on finding real estate, including the perfect home in the Madison, Middleton Wisconsin areas, consult the See Team: http://www.seemadisonrealty.com

Saturday, May 21, 2011

2011-05-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

2nd Annual Children's Dyslexia 5K Walk
Henry Vilas Park Shelter House
7:30 am Check-in/Registration
8:30 am Start
Event Day, On-Site Registration Fee $20.00
www.walkfordyslexiamadison.org

This event is to raise money to support the Children's Dyslexia Center-Madison and its purpose of helping children with dyslexia learn to read and write.

For information on finding real estate, including the perfect home in the Madison, Middleton Wisconsin areas, consult the See Team: http://www.seemadisonrealty.com

Best Wisconsin Towns? What's your picks?

2011-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Wisconsin Trails came up with their list of Wisconsin's best towns through an online survey of readers. Do you agree with the list below? Have other suggestions? Please let us know in the comments. And please share this post with anyone you think might be interested.
1. Best Green Town: Madison
Madison has one of the best urban bicyle systems in the country. Its residents are environmentally conscious. Runner-up: Bayfield
2. Best Outdoor Activities Town: Wausau
Rib Mountain skiing, Wisconsin river boating, Ice Age Trail hiking are just a few of the outdoor activities that readers mentioned. Runner-up: Eagle River
3. Best Harbor Town: Bayfield
Set on Lake Superior, Bayfield offers historic lighthouses, sea caves and Apostle Island National Lakeshore. Runner-up: Manitowoc-Two Rivers
4. Best Arts & Entertainment Town: Milwaukee
Summerfest, the Milwaukee/Calatrava Art Museum, a theater district, professional baseball & basketball and so much more. Runner-up: Madison

5. Best Foodie Town: Madison
The diverse university population leads to a unique mix of restaurants. Their farmer's market is said to be the nation's largest producers-only market. Runner-up: Milwaukee
6. Best Picture-Taking Town: Fish Creek
Thanks to picturesque views of Peninsula State Park, sunsets over the waters of Green Bay and small town charm, Fish Creek comes out on top. Runner-up: Bayfield
7. Best History Town: Mineral Point
Mineral Point was the first Wisconsin town to be listed on the National Registry of Historic places. High Street offers a wonderful mix of old buildings now housing numerous art galleries and shops. Visit Shake Rag Alley and Pendarvis for a look at Mineral Point's mining past. Runner-up Cedarburg
8. Best Shopping Town: Appleton
Appleton's mega-mall, the For River Mall, has 180 retailers and more in the surrounding area. Appleton has the highest concentration of retail outlets in Wisconsin. Runner-up: Lake Geneva
9. Best Family Get-Away Town: Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells was the clear winner with something for everyone: Waterparks, natural sights on the Wisconsin River and the casino nearby. Runner-up: Green Bay
10. Best Small Town: Egg Harbor
Just 250 people live here, though the visitor population surges in summer in this popular shopping town with unique shops, excellent restaurants and a marina on Green Bay. Egg Harbor is easy to enjoy by foot. Runner-up: Spring Green
11. Best Weekend Away Town: Kohler
Different from the family get-away, Kohler is a place to enjoy world class golf, dining, arts and the luxurious American Club. Runner-up: Kenosha
12. Best Up-North Town: Eagle River
Wisconsin's Northwoods offers lakes, lakes, lakes. Eagle River is surrounded by the largest chain of inland lakes in the world. Unique shops and restaurants add to the small town charm. Eagle River narrowly won over runner-up Minocqua.
So what do you think? Does that list make you want to do some Wisconsin traveling of your own? We hope you do get to enjoy the many wonderful towns in Wisconsin. If there's a place you really enjoy, chances are First Weber sells real estate there. Let us know if you'd like to look at vacation homes in your favorite Wisconsin spot.

For information on finding real estate, including the perfect home in the Madison, Middleton Wisconsin areas, consult the See Team: http://www.seemadisonrealty.com

Madison, Wisconsin Area Buyers Market Best in Recent History

2011-04-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

http://rismedia.com/2011-03-17/first-time-home-buyers-prepare-for-best-buyers-market-in-recent-history/

While affordable housing prices, ample inventories, and historically low interest rates signal 'buyer's market' for the investors or move-up buyers in many U.S. markets, inexperienced first-time buyers may not know if the time is right to make a move into real estate. "It's not about timing the market. It's about time in the market," says Steve Berkowitz, chief executive officer at Move, Inc., a leader in online real estate. "Once you know how long you expect to own a home, look at the historical value performance of properties in the neighborhood. Be confident about your own job security, down payment resources and tolerance for upkeep, as well as the lifestyle you want today and in the near term. While homeownership may not be for everyone, it is the right choice for hundreds of thousands of people. Today's housing market, especially for first-time buyers, makes it almost impossible not to think about the possibilities." To help first-time buyers know if they're ready to look for the home of their dreams as we head into this year's home-buying season, the experts at Move have created a 'reality checklist' designed to help them decide if the time is right.
Get Your Financial House in Order
Before you decide to buy a home, it's essential to make sure your credit is in good shape and repair any damage previously done. Know your credit score: thirty-five percent (35%) of successful buyers recently reported they didn't know their credit score when they went house shopping, according to a national survey fielded by MortgageMatch.com. Having enough money set aside for a down payment is a key component to making sure you are ready to purchase a home. Also, it's important to not put all of your money in the down payment as other fees or unexpected expenses often arise after closing.
Don't Fall in Love with a House You Can't Buy
Find out how much you can afford: establishing your purchase power up-front, including how much money will be required for a down payment and closing costs, is a must for first-time buyers. Look for special loans available for FHA and government sponsored loans for first-time home buyers that reduce the amount of money required to get into a home.
Learn the Lingo
Since first-time buyers are new to the market and will finance a significant portion of their purchase, it's important to get familiar with the process and terminology associated with home-buying.

For information on finding real estate, including the perfect home in the Madison, Middleton Wisconsin areas, consult the See Team: http://www.seemadisonrealty.com

Looking to add some flavor to your life? Why not check out the Madison Craft Beer Week?

2011-04-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

www.madbeerweek.com

Madison Craft Beer Week is April 29th, 2011 through May 8th, 2011 throughout Madison, Wisconsin and the Greater Dane County area.

Madison Craft Beer Week is an annual celebration promoting Madison’s thriving craft beer culture, enhancing beer knowledge and appreciation by sponsoring a ten-day (two weekend) countywide festival that attracts beer tourism, fosters knowledge of our regional brewing heritage, and serves as a showcase for the Madison area’s breweries, restaurants, pubs, caterers, retailers, entertainers, and other businesses with ties to the craft beer community. Craft beer lovers will have the opportunity to attend events ranging from beer dinners and food pairing to beer walks, bar promotions, brewery parties and plenty more!

Madison, WI and Surrounding Area Is A Great Place To Buy A Home!

2011-04-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

Madison, WI listed #7 as best place to buy a home

Where is the best place to buy a home in 2011? The real answer is wherever you want to buy. The location has to work for YOU. However, some national polls suggest places from time to time and when areas of Wisconsin are mentioned it is a nice thing. Wallet Pop chose their top 10 places to buy a home and Madison, WI made the list at #7 as a "Best College Town".
Madison's population is listed as over a half million people with a median home price of $209,400. Madison earns points for being located between two lakes, home of the state capitol and a Big 10 university offering a "never ending supply of renters" for those who may want to purchase investment property.

For information on finding real estate, including the perfect home in the Madison, Middleton Wisconsin areas, consult the See Team: http://www.seemadisonrealty.com

photo credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_benson/1451628689/

Add Value To Your Madison Wisconsin Area Home While Helping the Environment

2011-04-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Article from HouseLogic.com

Trees don’t ask for much—dirt, water, sunlight. Yet they provide a wealth of benefits: They improve the air you breathe, cut your energy bills with their shade, provide a home to wildlife, and add beauty and value to your home.
But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy. Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That’s why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by

Caring for the trees in your yard

Supporting tree-planting activities in your community

Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world’s trees and forests, and American Forests, which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Calculator to determine your carbon footprint. Then, make up for your emissions by donating to a forest restoration project.

Why should you care about trees? Bankable benefits

The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Trees save energy two main ways. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.

The National Tree Calculator estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on your energy bills; the same tree in Atlanta would save you $11.89 annually. The calculator also breaks down other dollars and cents benefits of your tree, like decreasing storm water runoff, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and increasing property values.
In our elm example, the 12-inch tree adds $40.23 to the Omaha home’s value and a $57.33 to the one in Atlanta. And as trees grow larger, they can add even more value.
A 2002 study by the USDA Forest Service pegs the value a single tree adds to a property of about $630. Of course, tree value depends on size, species, location, and condition.
Adds Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston, “On a $100,000 home [in my market], as much as $10,000 of its value could be associated with mature trees.”
That’s peanuts compared with the role trees play as the lungs of the planet. A report by the Trust for Public Land estimated that one mature tree takes 48 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere each year and returns enough oxygen for two human beings.

Plant your tree in the right spot

To get the full benefits from your trees, choose the right one and put it in the right location. Planting a deciduous tree on the west side of a house provides cooling shade in the summer. In winter, after it loses its leaves, the same tree lets in sunlight that cuts heating and lighting bills. On the other hand, an evergreen on the west side blocks sun all year long, making a home colder and darker in winter. Rather plant evergreens, a great choice for blocking icy winter winds, on the north side of your home.

If you’re planting a new tree, think about its fully grown size and shape before you dig. Branches from a tree located below power lines can cause outages as it grows. Roots from a tree located too close to a home can damage the foundation or block sewer lines. The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home’s appraised value if it’s deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

Tree costs

Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree, such as a katsura or evergreen. The same tree at 15 feet will cost $100 to $200, according to Brad Swank of Molbak’s Nursery in Woodinville, Wash. The Arbor Day Foundation sells saplings for as little as $8-$15, or less if you’re a member.

Since trees cost money, be cautious about any home construction work. “Tree failure can happen seven to 10 years after construction, primarily because the root system fails when the soil is compacted,” says Thomas Hanson, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists from Kirkland, Wash. Also watch for diseases or pests that can threaten trees in your yard and community.

Become a tree advocate

Ensuring that your community has lots of healthy trees doesn’t have to be more complicated than a trip to the nursery and a hole in your backyard. Dig it twice as wide as deep. Let kids push in the dirt and help water weekly until the tree is two years old. The Arbor Day Foundation will tell you how to select the right tree for your needs and climate, where to plant it, and how to maintain it.

The foundation also is a great place to look for community and educational programs.

Its Tree City USA initiative provides expert advice and national recognition to cities and towns that want to establish tree-management plans.

Its Arbor Day Poster Contest for fifth-graders gives teachers a fun way to help students learn the importance of trees.

Its nationwide list of volunteer organizations lets you search for tree care opportunities in your state.

Considering everything trees do for you, it’s the least you can do for them.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/plant-trees-save-energy-grow-value/#ixzz1IaUJLPDF

Get Thee to Olbrich Gardens for the Spring Show

2011-03-16T14:34:00.000-07:00

Naturally, we're going to use our blog to write about real estate -- to provide our advice and council that's based on over 60 years of combined experience - but we also want to highlight events in our community that makes living here so special.

Although the four seasons are one of the best reasons to live in the Madison Wisconsin area, like everyone else, at this time of the year, we're yearning for greener pastures. That's why I'm visiting Olbrich gardens this weekend - the final weekend for their spring show: Tour de Fleur

March 5 - 20, 2011

Instead of the Tour de France, Olbrich’s theme for the 2011 Spring Flower Show is bikes and flowers with the Tour de Fleur, incorporating sustainable transportation by bicycle into stunning displays of spring flowers. Step into Olbrich’s Atrium, filled with the sights and smells of spring.

Colorful daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths are among the spring flowers that bloom in this indoor show of spring at its finest. Raffle to win Bamboo Road Bike or Racing Jersey.

Suggested $2 donation.

See you there!