What is working? Right now, people are looking for deals.   Look at Ebay.   A property that starts off at $1, picks up interest and by the day the auction closes, there are 10 buyers at Retail price.  We are adapting this process into real estate and calling it a Simulated Auction. We are among the first to do this and are finding enormous success.  It gets us into what we do best.  Negotiate.  To negotiate we have a variety of tools available.  Foremost are financing options, like seller buydowns and the feds first time home buyer credit of $7,500. We also have tools to bullet proof the transaction.  This means that once we negotiate the deal, we do not have to go back and renegotiate based on inspection or anything else.  We just want you to know that MadCityDigs Team is continually l... 11/22/2008

Looking to purchase a home? Feel free to put some extra money in your pocket at closing with our Buyer Incentive Program. This program is a win/win for all parties. Buyer receives proper representation and a nice cash-back incentive. Keller Williams Realty and the MadCityDigs Team receive a great new friend and client for life... There are no fees paid from you to Keller Williams Realty with this program as we will be compensated from the listing broker or seller directly. Receive a cash-back incentives by purchasing a home or other real estate using the services of the MadCityDigs Team of Keller Williams Realty... Here's how it works: 1. E-mail us at team@madcitydigs.com and state that you would like to use the Cash Back Rebates to Home Buyers Program. Call 608-661-7019. 2. Sign a Buye... 11/22/2008

I am almost out of space for this one, however, depending on interest I may schedule another seminar shortly after.  This is a hot source of business right now, if your phone isn't "ringing off the hook" right now you can't afford not to know how to negotiate with banks and go after pre-foreclosure listings. 11/19/2008

       Week Ending  17-Nov               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 25 28 -12%   Downtown Condos 211 220 -4%   West Houses 771 709 8%   West Condos 895 904 -1%   East Houses 520 597 -15%   East Condos 438 456 -4%   Total Houses 1316 1334 -1%   Total Condos 1544 1580 -2%   Grand Total 2860 2914 -2%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.13% 6.38% -4%   Keller Williams Listings 430 775 -80%   # of showings on KW Listings 61 155 -154%   3 week trend 48 133 -175%   6 week trend 52 134 -158%   % of listings with showings 14.19% 20.00% -41%   Av DOM for KW ACT Listings 232 179 23% 11/17/2008

  Madison, WI Weekly Report Nov 3 2008            Week Ending  3-Nov               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 25 29 -16%   Downtown Condos 202 224 -11%   West Houses 781 746 4%   West Condos 891 921 -3%   East Houses 553 629 -14%   East Condos 432 455 -5%   Total Houses 1359 1404 -3%   Total Condos 1525 1600 -5%   Grand Total 2884 3004 -4%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.63% 6.25% 6%   Keller Williams Listings 422 805 -91%   # of showings on KW Listings 39 111 -185%   3 week trend 48 139 -188%   6 week trend 53 133 -148%   % of listings with showings 9.24% 13.79% -49%   Av DOM for KW Listings 236 167 29% 11/03/2008

Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 27 30 -11%   Downtown Condos 218 226 -4%   West Houses 807 752 7%   West Condos 881 931 -6%   East Houses 554 614 -11%   East Condos 443 418 6%   Total Houses 1388 1396 -1%   Total Condos 1542 1575 -2%   Grand Total 2930 2971 -1%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.50% 6.25% 4%   Keller Williams Listings 440 801 -82%   # of showings on KW Listings 60 137 -128%   3 week trend 56 136 -144%   6 week trend 56 137 -144%   % of listings with showings 13.64% 17.10% -25%   Av DOM for KW Listings 229 165 28% 10/27/2008

       Week Ending  20-Oct               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 27 28 -4%   Downtown Condos 221 229 -4%   West Houses 812 754 7%   West Condos 879 918 -4%   East Houses 567 614 -8%   East Condos 438 428 2%   Total Houses 1406 1396 1%   Total Condos 1538 1575 -2%   Grand Total 2944 2971 -1%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.38% 6.38% 0%   Keller Williams Listings 429 796 -86%   # of showings on KW Listings 46 170 -270%   3 week trend 52 129 -150%   6 week trend 58 135 -132%   % of listings with showings 10.72% 21.36% -99%   Av DOM for KW Listings 232 162 30% 10/20/2008

  Ashley and I took a little time to sneak over to Olbrich Gardens.  The Autumn colors are so vivid, as the gardens prepare for their winter slumber.  Working with Mother Nature, the dedicated staff and volunteers continue to offer a wonderful odyssey of Nature's Glory. We decided we wanted a little bit of mother / daughter time, so one day after school, we visited the gardens. In the photo to the above left, Ashley stands next to a 'plant kaleidoscope.' The kettle dressed with foliage spins, while viewers can watch the shapes and colors tumble through two different scopes.  Above right is the observation tower in the Rose Garden.  Though the roses have gone to sleep, the scenery remains a sight to behold. Below are shots of the Thai Pavilion Garden.  The Pavilion was given by the peopl... 10/18/2008

       Week Ending  13-Oct               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 27 28 -4%   Downtown Condos 219 235 -7%   West Houses 820 737 10%   West Condos 880 916 -4%   East Houses 559 621 -11%   East Condos 443 432 2%   Total Houses 1406 1386 1%   Total Condos 1542 1583 -3%   Grand Total 2948 2969 -1%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.63% 6.38% 4%   Keller Williams Listings 431 782 -81%   # of showings on KW Listings 61 100 -64%   3 week trend 58 126 -115%   6 week trend 59 133 -127%   % of listings with showings 14.15% 12.79% 10%   Av DOM for KW Listings 227 161 29% 10/13/2008

The Olbrich Garden Fall Quilt Show approaches its FINAL WEEKEND! Take a chance, check out these ExtraOrdinary Quilts in the serene setting of Lovely Olbrich Gardens!   Ashley and I visited and photographed these marvelous works of art. The afternoon sun blazed through the glass, highlighting the vivid colors.     The Show continues through the weekend, open Saturday and Sunday from  10 a.m.  -  4 p.m. 10/10/2008

  The Mad City Ski Team held their 14th Annual Banquet at the Lake Wisconsin Country Club Despite incredible challenges posed by the flooding this Spring, the team perservered to win                     the Wisconsin State Championship, and then took the 2008 National Championship                                             for the Fourth Time in Five Years!! Winners honored at the Banquet include:     MOST VALUABLE FEMALE:  Kristen Block     MOST VALUABLE MALE: Paul O'Connor         MOST IMPROVED FEMALE:  Brea Imse         MOST IMPROVED MALE:  Russ Tiemann             SHOWMANSHIP FEMALE:  Lori Taschau             SHOWMANSHIP MALE:  Jimmy Hackbarth                   ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:  Hannah Zinck                   MOST DEDICATED:  Bugsy Hansen      SHOW DIRECTORS' AWARD: Matt Heilman... 10/04/2008

  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!              OCTOBER 18th !!! Talula Polooza, a restaurant on Atlas Ave.                                 (the pink building near Cottage Grove Rd. and Stoughton Rd.)                ***** COME ONE ***** COME ALL *****    to the Grand Opening Celebration  with a fundraiser to benefit Madison Mounted,  the non-profit supporting our Mounted Patrol Team and a local food pantry.                                2 PM up until  10 PM   Fun Family Activities, including an Inflatable Moon Walk,                                          Face Painting, Pumpkin Carving and Hula Hoops!    Two bands are Featured:                          Black Water Gin from 4p - 6p                                          and Honor Among Thieves from 7p - 9:30p    Mounted Patrol officers will ha... 10/04/2008

        1529237              Update:   SOLD!! List Price: $124,900,                              Sale Price $125,000     (YES, we had Multiple Offers) Exquisite penthouse in secluded location                                  in this prime condo association! Open floor plan with dramatic vaulted ceilings,                                     two spacious bedrooms & private laundry. All kitchen appliances are included.        Lovely Balcony overlooks the breathtaking greenspace. Underground heated garage and private storage unit.           Guest Parking Available on Two Sides of the Building. This is an Elevator Building, with Access to Pool and CLubhouse. Excellent location!      Close to Shopping and Interstate,                                      Convenient to Downtown and Cottage Grove 09/29/2008

       Week Ending  29-Sep               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 30 29 3%   Downtown Condos 218 247 -13%   West Houses 814 737 9%   West Condos 878 937 -7%   East Houses 570 612 -7%   East Condos 457 425 7%   Total Houses 1414 1378 3%   Total Condos 1553 1609 -4%   Grand Total 2967 2987 -1%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.25% 6.38% -2%   Keller Williams Listings 438 802 -83%   # of showings on KW Listings 66 160 -142%   3 week trend 64 140 -118%   6 week trend 64 141 -122%   % of listings with showings 15.07% 19.95% -32%   Av DOM for KW Listings 223 156 30% 09/29/2008

       Week Ending  8-Sep               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 25 27 -8%   Downtown Condos 215 237 -10%   West Houses 803 744 7%   West Condos 869 919 -6%   East Houses 565 589 -4%   East Condos 453 424 6%   Total Houses 1393 1360 2%   Total Condos 1537 1580 -3%   Grand Total 2930 2940 0%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.25% 6.38% -2%   Keller Williams Listings 434 737 -70%   # of showings on KW Listings 51 163 -220%   3 week trend 63 142 -126%   6 week trend 67 150 -124%   % of listings with showings 11.75% 22.12% -88%   Av DOM for KW Listings 217 153 29% 09/08/2008

You are not alone!!  Short Sale? More and more, we are coming across people who are in this situation.  Many have had a change in situation: job, divorce, illness and just can not make the payments.  and because home prices have stopped spiralling upwards, they are also what is called upside down in their home, meaning that there is more loan than home and there will be nothing after costs of selling to pay off the complete loan.    Add to this, the unability to pay the existing loan and you have foreclosure looming.   We know that this creates untold levels of stress.  Which can permeate all aspcts of an affected family.   We also know that there is a way out. We can help. It starts with a free consultation.   Often it is as simple as a phone call to us.  608 661 7022. Real Estate Guy ... 09/01/2008

       Month Ending  AUG 2008               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 30 32 -8%   Downtown Condos 206 260 -21%   West Houses 802 784 2%   West Condos 935 941 -1%   East Houses 568 588 -3%   East Condos 444 434 2%   Total Houses 1399 1404 0%   Total Condos 1585 1635 -3%   Grand Total 2984 3038 -2%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.38% 6.38% 0%   Overall MLS closings (pre-revised*) 283 409 -31%   Last month MLS closings revised 432 571 -24%   Keller Williams Listings avg 448 750 -40%   # of showings on KW Listings 359 734 -51%   Showings per listing 0.80 0.98 -18%   Av DOM for KW Listings 213 153 39%           *A high % of closings happen on the last day and may not be refected in the data yet           09/01/2008

       Week Ending  1-Sep               Inventory   2008 2007 %Change   Downtown Houses 29 27 7%   Downtown Condos 221 249 -11%   West Houses 794 760 4%   West Condos 860 933 -8%   East Houses 568 609 -7%   East Condos 456 441 3%   Total Houses 1391 1396 0%   Total Condos 1537 1623 -5%   Grand Total 2928 3019 -3%           Market Indicators                   UWCU 30 Mortgage Rate 6.38% 6.38% 0%   Keller Williams Listings 437 798 -45%   # of showings on KW Listings 72 130 -45%   3 week trend 71 145 -51%   6 week trend 78 156 -50%   % of listings with showings 16.48% 16.29% 1%   Av DOM for KW Listings 213 158 35% 09/01/2008

    OBEO! The experts in buyer behavior. Comin' in first The Medal Winners of the 2008 Real Estate Pacesetter Award, were voted by the Inman Real Estate Trends Group. Stefan Swanepoel, best selling RE author, outlined the rules for the Inman RE Olympics: 1. Innovative Web 2.0 company or user of Web 2.0 technology2. The size, need and demand for the companies/services3. The quality or uniqueness of their services.4. The potential impact of their services on the industry. From a field of 40 RE trend setting nominees to a slate of eight finalists, Obeo came out on top. Why? Our clients. Our company and our competition. Especially our clients: Realtors. And we want want to make sure our clients-have only the best on line tools, tech support and market knowledge to market their listings. Our... 08/24/2008

First Time Home Buyers Workshop - Madison, WI 08/21/2008