The West Side Club will be having it's first annual Spring Brats West Saturday May 3rd at the West Side Club from 10-5.The event will be a fund-raiser to assist the club in offsetting the rising costs of snow removal from this Winter.Bring your family by for Brats and Prime Rib sandwiches and help a Madison institution raise money at the same time!Every year the West Side Business Association hosts fund-raisers for:Family Service, Goodwill Industries, Wisconsin Badger Camp, Madison Area Literacy Council and Toys for Tots.The West Side Club is located at 437 Hwy M, on the corner of Mineral Point Road and M.  If you work or live in the area stop by for lunch and chat with our member volunteers, bring the family!It's a guaranteed good time and a chance to help us help Madison at the same t... 04/18/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending April 14 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1508613Active18  Appomattox Ct420102601$299,900.00 $309,900.00 01516206Active6406  Keelson Dr411102883$389,500.00 $389,500.00 01515951Active34  Grand Canyon Dr320101773$159,900.00 $159,900.00 01516177Active105  EVERGLADE DR530103048$425,000.00 $425,000.00 01508230Expired6406  Keelson Dr411102883$399,500.00 $399,500.00 01515422Offer-Show5517  Park Way210001587$184,900.00 $184,900.00 01508655Sold6  Merrill Crest Dr210001109$174,000.00 $184,900.00 351506850Sold402  Bryce Canyon Cir411102973$380,000.00 $399,900.00 54 04/14/2008

      Monday, April 14, 2008week#15Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses3234-6%Downtown Condos203339-40%West Houses794800-1%West Condos941975-3%East Houses5455097%East Condos4564355%Total Houses137113432%Total Condos16001749-9%Grand Total29713092-4%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate5.75%6.13%-6%Keller Williams Listings490550-11%# of showings on KW Listings154209-26%3 week trend153198-23%6 week trend133188-30%% of listings with showings31.43%38.00%-17%Av DOM for KW Listings182NANAClosings mtd 95329-71% 04/14/2008

I am excited, it is April.  The season where there some great events. Here are just a few of my favorite.April 17th.  UW Varsity Band Spring Concert.   You have likely heard of the UW band concert's 5th quarter. Well band conductor Mike Leckrone brings you an incredible performance and  each year it gets better and more impressive.  go to http://www.badgerband.com/ This is the event I met my wife, 26 years ago!!April 19th. Dane County Farmers Market.  Known to be the largest producer only farmers market in the country.  It is the start of the new season.  If you have never done it before, to stroll around the Capitol, coffee in hand, shopping the seasonal specialities is a lot of fun.   All Saturday mornings 6am-2pm through October.  http://www.madfarmmkt.org/April 26th.  CrazyLegs Clas... 04/13/2008

What I have come to learn as a Madison realtor is that most prospective buyers are not shopping for a house, they are shopping for a place to live, a place to call home. And there is quite a difference. Although the number of bedrooms, the square footage, and the condition of the hardwood floors may mean a lot when trying to sell Madison real estate, so is the surrounding community. Lucky for us living here in the Madison area, we have a community that would appeal to most. The Madison area community is unique, I find it to be filled with wonderfully creative and nurturing people, and the location itself is just a gem. It is one of the few places where can you be in a country atmosphere one moment and then in the city the next. Right here in the Madison area, we have great parks, museum... 04/11/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending April 7 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1515184    New6903  Old Sauk Rd211101398$174,900.00 $174,900.00 01515422    New5517  Park Way210001587$184,900.00 $184,900.00 01515268    New229  Frigate Dr411102187$329,500.00 $329,500.00 01514961    New5  N Kenosha Dr321002277$359,900.00 $359,900.00 01497729    Expired221  N Gammon Rd530104971$1,000.00 $1,000.00 01497728    Expired221  N Gammon Rd530104971$1,000.00 $1,000.00 01510652    A/O6334  Landfall Dr420103846$499,900.00 $499,900.00 01506850    Pending402  Bryce Canyon Cir411102973$399,900.00 $399,900.00 01479941    Pending511  N Gammon Rd421103895$535,000.00 $579,900.00 01496708    Sold6  N Kenosha Dr410101722$219,900.00 $247,9... 04/06/2008

      Monday, April 07, 2008week#14Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2731-13%Downtown Condos202331-39%West Houses787796-1%West Condos922945-2%East Houses55649313%East Condos428438-2%Total Houses137013204%Total Condos15521714-9%Grand Total29223034-4%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate5.88%6.13%-4%Keller Williams Listings477530-10%# of showings on KW Listings0222-100%3 week trend85195-56%6 week trend104175-41%% of listings with showings0.00%41.89%-100%Av DOM for KW Listings182NANAClosings mtd 61329-81% 04/06/2008

Isn’t it funny how as homeowners and local residents living in a community for years upon years, we often never realize all that our community has to offer.  We look at other areas, like coastal resorts, historic settings, or even other state parks, and think we would love to explore them.  Yet we often forget that when living in Madison we have some of the most interesting activities and areas to explore right in our backyard.  I am always searching on-line and in our local Madison publications so that I can stay on top of all the local events and activities in our community.  I think it is important as a realtor to be a community expert especially when working with prospective Madison buyers.  This week, while doing my research, I came across a really neat activity that combines two ... 04/04/2008

HOME FOR SALE, MADISON WISCONSIN!     This is such a nice part of town, tucked away between Monona and the south east Madison, close to the conservatory.  Yet super convenient to the main highways for a quick- we are talking minutes and miles - to work!Yes, we have been selected to place this home on the market by some very wonderful and discriminating owners.  They have done a lot of work to fix the place up.  The exterior is all new and low maintenance.  Inside, you have a very spacious home, with a large, bright living room.    The kitchen is well updated with newer floor, appliances, sink and counter top.  Just beyond is the eat-in kitchen      The bedrooms are very generously sized. And the bathroom has been totally updated and is a delight. And check out this area in the basement.... 04/03/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Mar 31 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1514098    Active325  Yellowstone Dr11000850$105,000.00 $105,000.00 01514516    Active6302  Mineral Point Rd211001140$124,000.00 $124,000.00 01514517    Active518  Isle Royal Dr421002829$399,900.00 $399,900.00 01499376    Expired518  Isle Royal Dr421002829$399,900.00 $399,900.00 01513354    A/O5521  Marconi St310101668$204,900.00 $204,900.00 01496708    Sold6  N Kenosha Dr410101722$219,900.00 $247,900.00 156 03/31/2008

      Monday, March 31, 2008week#13Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2627-4%Downtown Condos200327-39%West Houses766782-2%West Condos9061092-17%East Houses53648810%East Condos417443-6%Total Houses132812972%Total Condos15231862-18%Grand Total28513159-10%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate5.88%6.13%-4%Keller Williams Listings467489-4%# of showings on KW Listings157164-4%3 week trend122183-33%6 week trend129162-20%% of listings with showings33.62%33.54%0%Av DOM for KW Listings184NANAClosings mtd *208329-37% 03/31/2008

  This is a fantastic location for the urban family relocating to Madison for a quick bike, bus or driving commute to university, hospital or the capital.  It's 1 house from the Glenway golf course and several blocks from the bike trail.    This truly unique home has lots to love, including spacious living areas and floor plan.  A super laundry/mud entry room, leading to a fenced rear yard.   Love the bright and spacious front room and dining room with great views of the Glenway golf course.    The kitchen is well designed with breakfast bar.  This is the front bedroom, with hardwoods and ample built-in storage. This home represents a great value for someone wanting to create equity and have a larger family live here. It shows very well, yet some good updates would not be amiss.  So thi... 03/28/2008

In an earlier post this week we discussed home maintenance/improvement items that would be most likely to attract Madison area buyers in this competitive real estate market.  One of the items on the list, and probably the most important, was to keep your Madison property clean, uncluttered, and constantly in show ready condition.  This is crucial on the exterior of your home because it will be the first impression of your curb appeal that may prompt prospective buyers to want to view your Madison property.  It is therefore essential that attention has been made to your landscape and yard clean-up.I therefore wanted to let you know that Spring Leaf and Garden Waste Collection will begin in the city of Madison on April 7th and run through May2, 2008.  If you take a look at the cities site... 03/26/2008

I am often asked the same question by Madison area home sellers, "what home repairs hold the most value?"  It is a very natural question as everyone is trying to get the highest return on their investment.  Who wouldn't?  And with this same question that comes from seller to seller, comes almost always the same answer from me.  Buyers are looking for a clean, well-priced home with updated kitchen and baths.  Now please understand that I am not necessarily suggesting that everyone interested in selling their Madison area home run out and perform major renovations on their kitchens and baths.  I do understand that this is not necessarily realistic.  I can however offer some advice that may set you apart from your competition in this competitive Madison area real estate market. •1)      Ma... 03/24/2008

      Monday, March 24, 2008week#12Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2126-19%Downtown Condos200313-36%West Houses766774-1%West Condos9221072-14%East Houses54446417%East Condos415453-8%Total Houses133112645%Total Condos15371838-16%Grand Total28683102-8%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.00%6.00%0%Keller Williams Listings480490-2%# of showings on KW Listings99199-50%3 week trend112178-37%6 week trend123164-25%% of listings with showings20.63%40.61%-49%Av DOM for KW Listings185NANAClosings mtd152256-41% 03/24/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Mar 24 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1509322                Active238  GRAND CANYON DR310101740$149,900.00 $159,900.00 01513354                NEW5521  Marconi St310101668$204,900.00 $204,900.00 01513395                NEW5609  Elder Pl310001056$219,900.00 $219,900.00 01513806                NEW5601  Regent St310101668$249,900.00 $249,900.00 01479941                A/O511  N Gammon Rd421103895$535,000.00 $579,900.00 01501648                Sold5517  Tesla Terr310001653$189,900.00 $194,900.00 84 03/24/2008

Shoe Shopping!! and these two phrases are hardly what you think of, more like oxymorons.  In this day of the imported $20 dollar cheap imports piled high at the big box or discount stores.  In-fact, in my 15 years in the US, I really thought the idea of customer service was being walked to the shoe isle in some of the better big box stores.  And when I asked if a shoe was made in the US I was laughed at. Well, I am starting to have problems with my feet and was directed to Morgans Shoes a well known establishment in Hilldale Mall Madison Wisconsin. I was blown away.  First the sales staff are qualified and trained in feet and shoes. Then i was asked what i was going to use the shoe for?  I was measured for length and width.  Another new experience.  I was brought a shoe which was a perf... 03/20/2008

  (Graph from www.city-data.com)It is pretty easy to see by the  peaks - and valleys-in this graph thatMadison and Dane Co has housing choices for every home seeker!  What it doesn't show you is the coming year.With lower prices, good inventory,and location, location, location:Madison, WI and its surrounding suburbs like Middletonin Dane county are among the top places to live and work in the U.S.!-You should take a look at Wisconsin.Okay, we just had a record winter -But wait until you see Spring!SteveObeo WI:262-325-8687Obeo National:800-729-6236  03/19/2008

      Monday, March 17, 2008week#11Inventory20082007%ChangeDowntown Houses2130-30%Downtown Condos199321-38%West Houses734738-1%West Condos9261045-11%East Houses53344420%East Condos413441-6%Total Houses128812126%Total Condos15381807-15%Grand Total28263019-6%Market IndicatorsUWCU 30 Mortgage Rate6.13%6.00%2%Keller Williams Listings453475-5%# of showings on KW Listings0187-100%3 week trend85156-45%6 week trend110152-28%% of listings with showings0.00%39.37%-100%Av DOM for KW Listings185NANAClosings mtd103256-60% 03/16/2008

Activity Report for Crestwood, Glen Oak Hills, Merrill Crest, Hill FarmsWeek Ending Mar 17 2008MLS #StatusAddressBEDBaths SqFt Price  Original Price DOM1508655    Offer-Show6  Merrill Crest Dr210001109$184,900.00 $184,900.00 01496708     Pending6  N Kenosha Dr410101722$219,900.00 $247,900.00 0 03/16/2008