Husky Homes Blog - Alison Crim's Blog

‘Tis the season! While our team doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon, we’ve certainly seen the seasons change and the holiday spirit start to flow. Our office is decorated, we have industry holiday parties scheduled every week, and we are rolling out a series of events for our incredible Husky Pack throughout the month of December to show our appreciation to all of you for a great year.

 

We hope you’ll join us this Sunday the 8th to allow us to wrap your holiday presents for you! We will have an assortment of holiday paper, bags, and beverages/food to snack on; let us help you take one more thing off your checklist! The week after that, we will be launching the 10 days of giving; 10 days in a row of opportunities to win some awesome…

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October was a record-breaking month for Husky Homes! While the rest of the real estate sales market is down somewhere between 2-10% depending on what micro-level you are looking at, our team’s sales are up a shocking 265% year over year (comparing October sales in 2023 to 2024), and 105% month over month (September vs October 2024). In a market with SO much volatility due to rising inventory, rising interest rates and election hopes and fears, our team has vehemently persisted in helping our clients find successes.


Despite this excitement, we are still seeing very real challenges for many buyers and sellers. Yes, inventory is rising, but it seems to be rising in pockets that don’t necessarily need inventory – certain municipalities are seeing a surge…

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As fall approaches, many hopeful homebuyers start planning their goals for the upcoming year. It’s tempting to follow the crowd and wait for the spring market, but there are key advantages to moving sooner rather than later. While the herd mentality drives most homebuyers to wait until spring, that predictability doesn’t always work in a buyer’s favor.

Why Fall is the Right Time to Buy

This fall presents a unique opportunity for homebuyers. After a slower-than-expected summer, with many homes lingering longer on the market, buyers now have the upper hand. Interest rates have declined, bringing increased purchasing power for buyers, while homes that have been sitting unsold for longer periods present great negotiation opportunities. Simply put, this…

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The local real estate market has offered both challenges and opportunities this summer. Here are the current market trends that we have been seeing throughout these hot few months.

1. Stable Home Prices

In August, home prices in Madison had been relatively stable. Yes, there are always exceptions, and a listing that far exceeds the expectations due to an unbelievably cute back yard or so much move-in-ready appeal that it sells for far more than it is worth, but according to recent data, the median home price remains relatively consistent compared to the past few months. Currently, the median price hovers around $420,000 for all of Dane County, a slight increase from last year but not indicative of the dramatic shifts seen in other markets. This…

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Are we finally starting to see signs of relief for buyers? Yes! This summer, the market has been a little particular in the greater Madison area. While competition is fierce in some neighborhoods, it is stale in others. While some sellers are seeing multiple offers and ideal terms, other sellers are struggling with an increased time on market and buyers nitpicking their home with negative feedback. 

As of the past few weeks, we've finally seen some decreasing (positive!) movement with interest rates; the market has already been pricing in expected rate cuts for September. Rates are in the mid 6's today, and expected to continue dropping. Overall in Dane County, homes are selling for 20% faster than they were in July 2023; this is likely due to the…

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Did you know that Wisconsin has more top-rated golf courses than any other state in the country? While Dane & surrounding counties may not house all of these top-rated courses, it certainly has a plentiful variety of courses for all skill sets. As I’ve been golfing more the past few years, and I’ve toured so many of our golf course communities in the area, I am here to share my amateur guide of favorite beginner level courses and communities in the area.

There isn’t a home course that I belong to, so I have had the pleasure of playing several different types of courses. I would consider myself a true beginner, so please take this all with a grain of salt as I’m sure a seasoned golfer would vehemently disagree with my perspective on these public…

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July Broker NoteWe've been experiencing an abundance of rain in our area lately. Whenever we endure days of torrential downpours and storms, my anxiety spikes as I think about my current and past clients. My immediate concern? Wet basements. Over my years in real estate, reviewing hundreds of inspection reports and learning from inspectors has taught me a lot about keeping basements dry. Here are some crucial steps homeowners can take:

  1. Check Your Gutters! Clogged gutters filled with leaves and debris obstruct water flow, causing it to spill over the sides and pool near the foundation. This exacerbates any existing vulnerabilities, potentially leading to water intrusion.

  2. Inspect Your Downspouts! Bent or improperly functioning downspouts, or missing…

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New Construction Broker NoteThe new construction home market in the greater Madison area is thriving, offering abundant opportunities to bring your dream home to life at various price points across diverse communities. With a persistent shortage of inventory spanning over a decade, homebuilders are actively bridging the gap, presenting hopeful homebuyers with enticing ownership prospects.

In select areas, the entry point for new construction homes may begin in the mid $300s, particularly on the outskirts of Dane County and extending into neighboring communities like Edgerton and Belleville. These competitive price ranges cater to buyers with specific budgets who prefer to avoid or are unable to engage in the competitive landscape of existing inventory.

When delving into new…

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Finding Opportunities for Hopeful Homebuyers

Hope Lies Ahead for Homebuyers

The real estate market for homebuyers since the beginning of 2024 has been challenging for several reasons. The obvious reason for this is affordability due to rising interest rates; this isn’t a new topic. Rates peaked over 8% in Q4 of 2023, and while they haven’t yet gotten back to that level in 2024, the rates are still significantly higher than they were 12 months ago, and they haven’t yet dropped like economists forecasted them to. This has a considerable impact on a buyer’s monthly payment and affordability; what they could once afford, they can no longer. However, hope lies ahead!

The result of the increasing rates in Q3 and Q4 of 2023 – paired with decreasing seasonal inventory – was pent up demand as we…

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If you follow any major publication, you know that real estate and real estate commissions have been a hot topic as of late. However, the headlines aren’t always what they seem, so my goal with this month’s blog is to help you understand how to decipher the real-world vs the headlines.

One major discrepancy in how the media is reporting on the news about real estate commissions is that they are saying real estate commissions have been set unfairly and are regulated by the National Association of Realtors. However, real estate commissions have always been negotiable. In Madison alone, there are firms where you can spend a very nominal flat fee to “list” your home on the MLS – this flat fee includes only the MLS input, and not anything else (professional…

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