Check out 910 N. Thompson Dr. #4 on Madison's East Side!!

Attention first-time buyers! Grab this one before it's gone! This two bedroom condo on Madison’s east side features private entry, an open floor plan with beautiful hardwood flooring, lots of counter space and cabinets in the kitchen, an attached garage, and even a deck! Upstairs you’ll find two large bedrooms with lots of closet space, a convenient linen closet, and a second bathroom. The home is situated in a quiet neighborhood, but has all the stores of East Towne Mall just blocks away!



For more information about this home or to schedule a private showing contact Nicole at (608) 513-0021!

New Listing! Virtual Tour of 2605 Wentworth Drive, Madison, WI 53719

A Four Bedroom Ranch in Scenic Heights!

Come take a look at this perfect 4 bedroom, 3 bath ranch! Impress your guests with vaulted ceilings and a newly tiled kitchen floor. The dining area has great light and a breakfast bar, and walks out to a large deck and green space. The finished lower level holds a huge family room, a 4th bedroom perfect for an office, a large storage room, a laundry room, and a large spa-like bathroom complete with jetted tub. This move-in ready home in the desirable Scenic Heights neighborhood is waiting for you!



For more information about this home or to schedule a private showing please contact Nicole directly at (608) 513-0021!

Virtual Tour of our New Listing - A Beautifully Maintained Tri-Level in Sandstone Ridge!

6314 Urich Terrace, Madison, WI 53719

MLS #1604648

Located just minutes from Epic, TDS, Hwy 151, Super Target, and all the west side hot spots, this beautifully maintained 3 bedroom home is the one you've been waiting for! Chef's eat-in kitchen w/large island & plenty of cupboard space, wood lam floors, lots of windows (including skylight!), newly tiled bathroom floors, deck & patio, finished lower level & 4th level sub basement leaves plenty of room for storage! Nicely sized tree edged lot backing up to large neighborhood park! Gorgeous fireplace & more!



For more information on this home or to schedule a private showing contact Nicole Charles directly at (608) 513-0021! And Happy House Hunting!

Dane County Rate of Sales in the Last 6 Months

Madison Area Waterfront Properties under $300k!

To view all waterfront, single-family home properties currently available in the Madison area under $300,000 click here!

(photo courtesy of Ebbe Realty)

5246 Ridge Oak Dr on Madison's East Side!

Come take a look at this beautiful transitional on a quiet east side cul-de-sac! The home has been meticulously maintained, inside and out. The sunny kitchen offers custom cabinetry and the dining area features a patio door leading to the large deck. The finished lower level is perfect for movie-watching and even has an exercise area. The lower level patio door leads to a screened-in porch looking over the large, green lot. Upstairs, you'll find a oversized master bedroom, and a second bedroom offers hardwood flooring.

To learn more about this property for sale

contact Nicole directly at (608) 513-0021!

What is a "Cream Puff" house?

"So what is a cream puff house, anyway?"

"A Cream Puff house is one that is move-in ready, has loads of charm, and is in unusually good condition. Sometimes people also use the term 'Doll House.' It's a great compliment!"

Corn Fest 2010 - Aug 19th thru 22nd

Join us for the 2010 Sweet Corn Fest August 19-22 at Angell Park!!

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin will host the annual Sweet Corn Festival Thursday, August 19 through Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Angell Park, near the intersection of Highway 19 and Highway N.
For the low cost of $1.00 admission on Saturday and Sunday per person for gate walk-in, attendees can enjoy free entertainment, children's activities and more. Children age 6 and under are free admission, and if you park on the grounds admission is included in the price. Buttons are $1.50 for unlimited entrance to the Festival. Parking is $5.00 per vehicle and includes admission.

Over 100,000 people from around the Midwest attend the event which serves over 70 tons of sweet corn during the weekend! Steamed sweet corn is available on Saturday and Sunday only from noon to 7 pm. A tote of corn is $6.00 and single ears are $1.50. Uncooked corn is available to purchase on Saturday and Sunday for $5.00 per bag.

This event features a carnival-midway complete with rides and games, food booths, live bands, craft show, petting zoo, kiddie korner with large inflatables, family entertainment and much more. Thursday and Friday night are carnival wristband nights with unlimited rides from 6-10pm for $20.

Thursday night kicks off the event with the parade down Main Street at 6:00 pm. Festival grounds feature the carnival, booths, and beer tent Thursday and Friday nights after 6 pm. All activities are in place on Saturday and Sunday when the park opens at 11:30 am.

403 Lance Lane, Madison, WI 53716

Check out this absolute cream puff from your huge deck with pergola overlooking almost a half acre private lot on a cul de sac, in the city of Madison! This is almost unheard of! Beautifully maintained and move in ready, this bright and sunny three bed, 2 bath home with tons of windows will be hard to beat. The home features hardwood floors, a fieldstone fireplace, a finished basement with rec room and extra storage, and a 2-car extra deep garage. Updates include invisible fencing, newer appliances, newer roof, and brand new gutters. Come take a look before it's too late!

Chilled Avocado-Cucumber Soup

It's just too warm to turn on the oven. Why not make your family a chilled soup for dinner?

Chilled Avocado-Cucumber Soup

from MarthaStewart.com

Ingredients
1 English cucumber, peeled and diced
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 scallion, white and pale-green parts only, coarsely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1 jalapeno, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions
1.Puree ingredients in a blender. Divide soup and reserved cucumber and avocado among 4 bowls. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

(Photo and recipe from http://www.marthastewart.com/)

Dane County home sales up again in June, but dip expected in July

Early reports for June home sales in Dane County are coming in positive, with sales of single-family homes up compared to last year for the 11th time in the past 12 months and condominium sales up for the 10th straight month.

But these increases -- according to a preliminary report, about 17 percent from last June and 24 percent year-to-date -- could represent very nearly the last gasp of the federal government's home buyer tax credit, which expired for new contracts on April 30.

Home buyers originally had until June 30 to close those sales, so the final June sales report should be the last monthly tally to show strong influence from the government incentive, which was worth up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for some repeat buyers.

(A last-minute extension of the closing deadline to Sept. 30 by the federal government means a few more incentive-related sales could dribble in before the October report, but local agents believe the majority of the last incentive-related sales here closed in June).

Out in the field, meanwhile, some local agents say they've definitely noticed a drop in buyer activity since the end of April.

"Showing activity and web activity are lower now," said Dan Miller, a Keller Williams agent who tracks sales figures from the South Central Wisconsin MLS at DaneCountyMarket.com.

"And even though interest rates are the lowest in history, many buyers are shopping at a very deliberate price," Miller added. "This is in sharp contrast to the buyers from March and April who were rushing to make their offers and close on their homes before the tax credit expired."

(Note the Campbell Communications home buyer traffic survey, released June 21, which shows how home buyer traffic across the country has clearly declined since April 30. The survey was based on responses from 3,000 real estate agents nationwide.)

Locally, preliminary figures also show the median combined home-and-condo price in Dane County was up 3 percent in June but down 1 percent year-to-date.

(Article by Karen Rivedal, http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/real-estate/ )

Upcoming Events this Weekend in Madison, WI: 6/23/10 to 6/27/10

Wednesday, 6/23

• Hilldale Farmer's Market, Hilldale Mall, 7am to 2pm
• American Red Cross Blood Drive, State Office Building GEF III at 125 S. Webster St., 8:15AM to 1:00PM
• Parade of Homes, Tour 26, 3pm to 7pm
• "Family Camping: Destinations on One Tank of Gas," Free, 7pm to 8 pm, West Towne REI Store

Thursday, 6/24

• Free T'ai Chi Class, Monona Terrace, 12pm to 1245pm
• Free Capitol City Band Concert, 7pm to 8pm, Rennebohm Park
• Blues and Rock Concert, Monona Terrace Rooftop, 7pm to 9pm
• Mallard's vs. Green Bay Bullfrogs baseball game, Warner Park, starts at 7:05pm

Friday, 6/25

• Stoughton Farmer's Market, 7am to 1pm, Stoughton Plaza Shopping Center on Main St.
• "Looking Down Town" kite aerial photography of Madison exhibit, displayed at the Alicia Ashman Branch of the Madison Public Library on High Point Rd., 9am to 9pm
• Bluegrass Jamboree, High Noon Saloon, starts at 9:30pm
• Anna Wang and the Oh Boys, the Come Back Inn, starts at 9:30pm

Saturday, 6/26

• Dane County Farmer's Market on the Capitol Square, 6am to 2pm
• Native American Artificact and Antique Show, free admission, Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo, 9am to 5pm
• Quilts, Fabric, and Fibers Art Show, mustic by Moo Grass Band and the Swamp Bottom Boys, 12pm to 8pm, LA Rossing Building in Argyle, WI
• Sand Castle Building Contest, prizes for Most Original, Smallest, Roundest, and Best In Show, register at 266-6345, hosted by the Madison Public Library Central Branch
• Fish Fry, serving 4pm to 9pm, music by the Greg Anderson Band, Adam's Firehouse in Argyle, WI
• Atlas Improv Comedy Show, 8pm and 10pm, Electric Earth Cafe on West Wash
• Headliner Mike Merryfield at the Comedy Club on State, 8pm and 10:30pm

Sunday, 6/27

• Garden Tool Donation Collection Benefit, benefits the Community Action Coalition, donate tools at the Northside Farmer's Market, 8:30am to 12:30pm, Northside Town Center and Sherman and Northport
• Ice Age Trail Restoration, the prairies and Table Bluff need your help to remove invasive weeds and shrubs, 9am to 12pm, Table Bluff Rd. in Cross Plains, bring water!
• Tame Cat Adoption Fair, 2pm to 4pm, Sly's Place Shelter on Post Rd.

Want to know what else is going on around here? Visit http://calendar.madison.com/

Home Decorating Design Inspiration

Need some home decorating inspiration? Here's a Sneak Peak at the home of Hilda Grahnat, a 23 year old graphic design student from Sweden who has a fantastic eye for collage and all things vintage.

(Photos from designspongeonline.com)

Un-Pinking a '50s Kitchen - From the DIY Network

What's Eggshell Paint? What Color Should I Pick?

Thinking about painting the living room? Watch these first!

Report shows May home sales, condo prices up

Total Dane County home sales were up in May compared to a year ago for the 10th time in the past 11 months, with activity remaining heaviest in the $100,000 to $250,000 price range.

The South Central Wisconsin MLS this week reported 676 house and condominium sales for Dane County in May, up 18.4 percent from 571 in May 2009. The median county price in May was down 2.4 percent from a year ago, or $200,125 compared to $205,000 in May 2009.

(See the full MLS report in the attached PDF. It includes sales numbers and listings for counties throughout the region and a breakdown of additional statistics for May. Among other things, the additional data shows how people financed new homes in May -- the number paying cash vs. a conventional mortage vs. WHEDA, FHA, etc., as well as reports showing the number of current listings by price range and the number of sold listings by price range and number of bedrooms.)

Year-to-date through May, Dane County saw 2,170 sales, up 28 percent from 1,696 in the same period last year. The median price through May was down 1.7 percent, to $199,500 from $203,000 in the same period last year.

Kevin King, executive vice president of the MLS, attributed the increased sales and lagging median prices to the "flurry of activity" generated by the federal first-time home buyer tax credit for purchases signed by the end of April and closed by June 30.

First-time buyers generally buy lower-priced homes, helping to keep the median price down, among other factors such as increased foreclosures and depressed values from the housing market collapse.

King also noted pending federal legislation -- first reported in Property Trax here -- could extend the closing deadline to Sept. 30, in the face of reports that many home buyers using the credit may not be able to close by June 30 because banks are so busy processing all the new purchase agreements.

Looking at houses and condos separately in Dane County, the MLS report showed sales of houses in May up 20 percent from last year and sales of condos up 12 percent. The median sales price for houses alone was $215,000, down less than 2 percent from May 2009, while the median price for condo sales in May rose 2.3 percent to $145,000 - for only the second time this year.

Dan Miller, a Keller Williams agent who analyzes market data at DaneCountyMarket.com, called May's sales report "good," but maintained the local housing market has already started changing from what it was in May, with noticeably less buyer activity.

"Now that two years of stimulus programs have come to an end, buyer web traffic and buyer showings have slowed," Miller said. "Buyers are still out in the market, but in lower numbers."

"Sellers, it's important for you to understand the market has shifted," Miller added. "Buyers, you have plenty of opportunities in this new market."

(You can see Miller's report of the May numbers here and his blog analysis here.)

Miller also predicted that June sales would continue to be good, while the July housing report would show a drop in sales.

In other counties throughout the region, results in May were mixed, the MLS reported.

Increased sales were seen in Dodge, Green and Rock counties, while Grant County sales in May matched the tally a year ago and sales were down in Columbia, Iowa and Sauk counties. Year-to-date through May, sales in all counties were up from 2009, except in Grant County, where they were down less than 4 percent.

King said "key indicators" suggest continued moderate sales in the coming months, amid cautious optimism by analysts that the market is finally "on its way to normal."

"Inventories are still ample in most locations and price ranges," King said. "Prices continue to be relatively stable, with no major fluctuations in any direction. Interest rates are even lower today than in April, when the tax credit was winding down."

(Article by Karen Rivedal, Wisconsin State Journal Reporter)

3927 Highway JJ in Vermont, WI 53515

This beautiful Hawthorne Hill Estate sits on a private hilltop surrounded by the natural beauty of Dane County. This 5 year old all-brick home sits on +/-125 acres with woods, pasture, tillable land, and a small pond. The interior features five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, formal living and dining spaces, a library, a study and a wine cellar. The main level owner suite has a private sun room, double walk-in closets, tile shower & pajama bar. The additional in-law suite features separate laundry facilities. The home boasts an impressive heated 4-car garage, and the highest quality materials were used through every aspect of construction.

- 5 bedrooms
- 6.5 baths
- Built in 2005
- 6600 square feet
- Wisconsin Heights School District
- $1,995,000
- 56 days on market as of 6/14/10
- MLS #1591287

To schedule a showing of this property

call Nicole at (608) 513-0021!

(Listing information and photos courtesy of Mad City Homes.)

Effort begins to extend tax credit closing date

A bill introduced last week in the U.S. Senate could extend the deadline from June 30 to Sept. 30 for closings on homes purchased using the federal tax credit.

The credit -- valued at $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers -- prompted a rush of sales this spring timed to beat the April 30 deadline for signed purchase agreements.

But now the June 30 deadline for closing on those sales is looking more and more problematic for many buyers, precisely because that rush is making so much extra work for bank officers and home appraisers who have to sign off on the paperwork.

Buyers trying to use short sales to purchase a house also are seeing weeks or months of delays as those often difficult transactions work their way through the involved lenders.

(In a short sale, a lender agrees to let a struggling homeowner accept less than what's owed for the house as a compromise seen as preferable to letting the home lapse into foreclosure. But it can take a long time and much documentation to get permission from the mortgage holders to do a short sale and then still more time to negotiate an acceptable price with the buyer.)

According to a blog entry sponsored by Total Mortgage, the National Association of Realtors says nearly 180,000 potential buyers who signed agreements before April 30 to get the credit could lose it because they won't have time to close before June 30.

As a solution, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, last week co-sponsored a measure that would extend the closing deadline to Sept. 30. It's difficult to know if the measure will be approved, though, because it's been attached to another bill containing some controversial tax initiatives.

What do local agents, buyers and sellers think about extending the tax credit closing deadline? Is there a need for it here? Are you having trouble getting your deal closed by June 30?

(Article by Karen Rivedal, reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal)

Five Waterfront Homes For Sale in Madison, Wisconsin!

To read more information and view more photos of the homes listed below please visit: http://u.nu/94xda

1305 Nishishin Trl., Monona, WI 53716

$499,900, on Lake Monona

MLS #1588933, Courtesy of Prudential

4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2371 square feet

2933 Camp Leonard Rd., Dunn, WI 53558

$499,500, on Lake Waubesa

MLS #1576868, Courtesy of Re/Max

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2350 square feet

2157 Middleton Beach Rd., Middleton, WI 53562

$459,900, on Lake Mendota

MLS #1587427, Courtesy of Stark Company

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1288 square feet

5720 Tecumseh Ave., Monona, WI 53716

$419,900, on Lake Monona

MLS #1584032, Courtesy of Stark

3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1790 square feet

1118 Birch Haven Cir., Monona, WI 53716

$299,900, on Lake Monona

MLS #1593007, Courtesy of Restaino

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1950 square feet

What will $300,000 buy in the Madison, WI area?

Downtown-Near West

• 6 Lathrop St., Madison, WI 53726
• $319,900, $170 per square foot
• MLS#1531532, Courtesy of Madison Property
• 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1882 square feet
• Hardwood floors, original woodwork, screened front porch, two car detached garage, walk-up attic, full finished basement, 1 block from Camp Randall Stadium

Downtown - Near East

• 1225 Sherman Ave., Madison, WI 53703
• $299,900, $165 per square foot
• MLS #1592377, Courtesy of Re/Max
• 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1821 square feet
• Near Tenney Park, oak trim, hardwood floors, many stained glass pieces, woodburning fireplace, 3 season porch, deck, 1 car detached garage

West Side

• 3725 Ross St., Madison, WI 53705
• $299,000, $145 per square foot
• MLS #1585323, Courtesy of First Weber
• 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 2068 square feet
• Woodburning fireplace, lots of storage spaces, screened porch, large deck, fenced yard, finished attic, tile floors, 1 car attached garage, skylights, central air, formal dining room

East Side

• 265 Kensington Dr., Maple Bluff, WI 53704
• $319,000, $180 per square feet
• MLS #1592844, Courtesy of Fair Fee Madison
• 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1777 square feet
• Historic neighborhood, updated but retained classic charm, vintage decorative hardware, large deck, many parks and swimming pier nearby, 2 blocks from Maple Bluff Country Club, formal dining room, solid surface counters, wood burning fireplace, 1 car attached garage, central air, wood flooring

Middleton

• 8630 Stonebrook Cir., Middleton, WI 53562
• $299,900, $146 per square foot
• MLS #1591126, Courtesy of SellBuildBuy.com
• 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2053 square feet
• Cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, open cathedral ceilings, large deck, custom tile shower, brand new carpet, custom blinds, newly refinished hardwood floors, central air, gas burning fireplace, 9 years old, full walkout finished basement, 2+ car attached garage, tile floors, skylights

Verona

• 1103 Hemlock Dr., Verona, WI 53593
• $309,900, $118 per square foot
• MLS #1578645, Courtesy of Re/Max
• 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 2624 square feet
• Granite countertops, custom cabinets, vaulted ceilings, finished exposed basement, updated lighting, large master suite, screened porch, 2 car attached garage, breakfast bar, gas fireplace, 9 years old

Sun Prairie

• 1832 Stonehaven Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590
• $309,900, $83 per square foot
• MLS #1593614, Courtesy of First Weber
• 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3732 square feet
• Ranch style, 3 car garage, huge kitchen, 2-sided gas burning fireplace, main level laundry, sun room, fenced yard, wetbar in finished lower level, new carpet, central air, tile floors, walk-in closets, hardwood floors

Cottage Grove

• 724 Chestnut Crest, Cottage Grove, WI 53527
• $314,900, $79 per square foot
• MLS #1587086, Courtesy of Liaison Realty Group
• 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4000 square feet
• 2 laundry rooms on main floor, indoor spa room, two gas fireplaces, one fireplace is 2-sided, tile and hardwood floors, ranch style, breakfast bar, 3+ car garage, full partially-finished basement, walk-in closets, vaulted ceilings, skylights, large deck

Waunakee

• 608 Augusta Dr., Waunakee, WI 53597
• $309,900, $135 per square foot
• MLS #1592028, Courtesy of Re/Max
• 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2300 square feet
• Cathedral ceilings, large kitchen with cabinets galore, gas fireplace, 3+ car garage, split level deck, landscaped yard, breakfast bar, central air, wood floors, walk-in closets