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Yes, it’s true. Madison is going to the dogs. And the dogs are going to the parks! Under a warm February forecast, the local ice rinks are closing for the season, so what better way to spend time outdoors than to take your four‑legged friend out for a stroll? You won’t be alone.

Consider this: Madison’s population is 233,209 as of 2017. That translates to 102,516 occupied homes in Madison. And according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is an average of just over 1.5 dogs per each U.S household. So, the question is this — how many dogs are going to the park? The correct answer? A lot.

And when you include the population of Madison’s greater metropolitan area, along with the number of both dogs and dog parks there, well, this is a match made in heaven. Most area residents are aware of Madison’s great reputation when it comes to bikes and bike trails, but just ask one of the many area dog owners and you’ll soon find out that Madison is pretty doggone pet-friendly too.

While the Dane County Farmer’s Market prohibits dogs for many understandable reasons — the crowds, the kids, the food and the pet owner’s control (or lack thereof) — dogs are welcome at many “regular” parks. And of course, there are numerous dog parks created just with dogs and dog owners in mind.

Whether you’re a biker, jogger, dog owner or parent, if you’ve ever been to one of the local Madison area parks, you might assume that dogs are welcome in all of them. Guess what? That wasn’t always the case. Until recently, there were just 12 local parks that allowed dogs on leashes to be on or within 6 feet of paved park paths. In fact, it was just this month (yes, February, 2017) that the Madison City Council created a committee to review an ordinance that would add 14 more parks to this original list.

If you were unaware or confused about this policy, you aren’t alone. The rules were rarely strictly enforced — and over the past 16 months a pilot program did allow dogs on park paths on a trial basis. Dog parents — especially those that have been using these parks unaware, or in spite of, the policy — will be happy to know that 77% of dog owners obeyed the leash laws, resulting in 84% of park users surveyed indicating their support of making the additional parks official.

These parks are great for taking a nice walk with Fido — and the dogs you pass look pretty content. But for real doggy fun, there are plenty of actual dog parks where dogs can run free, chase balls, catch freebees and sniff out a few new friends. In fact, with 8 dog parks right here in Madison, the city ranks 4th in the country for the number of dog parks per resident. And that doesn’t even count those in the neighboring communities. Just so you know, you’ll need both a dog license and a dog park permit to enjoy a day at the dog park with your furry friend. Check out the details here: Madison’s Dog Off-Leash Parks

Start with Your Realtor

Real estate agents have experience working with various neighborhoods all the time. They know the amenities. They can tell you the school district. They’re familiar with the crime reports, bike trails and nearby parks. Most of all, they know the neighborhood “vibe.”

What’s Most Important to You?

It’s easy to find out which neighborhoods are the trendiest. Just look at the ones getting their asking price (or more) with the fewest days on the market. But while a trendy neighborhood may be popular with the masses, that doesn’t mean it’s right for you — for a variety of reasons. The price might be more than you can afford. Maybe it’s too far from work. Or these homes could be too old — or too new — to suit your tastes.

Is There a Sense of Community?

Find out if there’s a homeowner’s association. What about a men’s or women’s club? Meeting your new neighbors and getting involved are great ways to get acclimated to your new home.

Is the Neighborhood Kid-Friendly?

If you have children, you might want to know if there’s a neighborhood park. Parks are great gathering places for moms and dads as well as the little ones. Parents can meet other parents while the kids play. A school within walking distance is a great perk, but bus information could be important too. If they’ll be riding a bus, how close is the stop? How long is the ride? If your child is a first-grader, will he or she be riding with high-schoolers?

What About Safety?

Have there been any recent crimes in the neighborhood? Any burglaries or known drug or gang activity? How close is this neighborhood to other less safe areas?

Safety isn’t all about crime. Are there busy streets to cross? Bike paths? Unfinished construction? Train tracks, steep hills or fast-moving streams that could be dangerous for kids?

Is the Neighborhood Attractive?

Keep in mind that when it comes to homes — and neighborhoods — beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do you like mature trees or would you prefer not to rake? Are you attracted to brand new construction or homes with “character?” How big are the yards? Do multiple cars and toys clutter the streets and driveways? Are the yards nicely landscaped and the homes well-maintained?

Resident Age Range

The best neighborhoods may be those with residents that span the generations. But it’s also a good idea to be aware of the typical age. For instance, neighborhoods that were once teaming with young kids may have “aged out” of the kid zone once those toddlers headed off to college making them perfect for other empty-nesters, but not the best choice for young parents.

Consider Affordability

All the other items on your wish list become irrelevant if you can’t afford a house in the neighborhood. Talk to your realtor about the price range of homes in various areas and find out in advance the loan amount you qualify for. Then limit your search to neighborhoods you can afford.

Consider the proximity to places you frequent. Is the neighborhood convenient to work, church, grocery stores, restaurants, your family and your friends?

The Bottom Line?

Find out all you can about possible neighborhoods before you make any offers. Talk to your realtor. Search online for more information about the areas you may be interested in. Drive through the neighborhood at various times of the day to see if there are any red flags such as more traffic after school or at rush hour, late night parties, train whistles, and local bar or restaurant parking or noise. And finally, consider talking to the people who live there. Park your car and take a stroll. If there are walkers or people working in their yards, stop and ask them what they like most about the neighborhood.

Careful consideration and a little homework will help you choose the neighborhood that’s best for you. If chosen wisely, your new neighborhood may be all it takes to turn a nice house into the home of your dreams.

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New or Relocating to Madison? Get to Know Our People, Places & Things

Living in a Dementia-Friendly City

After all, thousands of UW students can’t be wrong! Moving Day in Madison, Wisconsin is epic — with a proverbial musical chairs of apartment-hopping in mid-month, leaving students just enough time to get settled before school starts.

But you don’t have to be starting school to make a move in the fall. In fact, it may just be the perfect time to buy a new house.  Here’s why.

Sellers want to sell.

Of course, people with houses on the market any time of year are hoping to sell them. But when fall rolls around, sellers are serious about selling. Many people choose to list in the spring when the house and yard look great and they have a solid few months of good weather to entice buyers to buy. But buyers that decide to list in the fall? Or sellers that still have their homes on the market by fall? They’re more likely to be motivated to sell. With winter just a few months off, you may be able to negotiate a good price and flexible terms.

Lower prices.

The real estate market tends to slow down as autumn takes hold. And that could mean getting a better price for that house of your dreams. Houses that have been on the market for a while now, or sellers that have their own accepted offer on a new house, or need to move for a job are likely to be more willing to accept an offer below asking price.

There’s less competition.

For the same reasons that sellers like to list in the spring and summer, buyers like to buy then, too. Especially buyers with families. Once school is back in session, parents often prefer not to uproot the kids from their schools and neighborhoods and friends. Never mind juggling all the after-school activities. So that leaves you less competition for those houses that are on the market.

Closing dates may be more flexible.

Motivated sellers are more apt to work with interested buyers to ensure that the deal goes through.

Home sweet home for the holidays.

Most buyers want to be settled in their new home in time for the holidays. Luckily for buyers, most sellers feel exactly the same way. No one wants to serve a family turkey in a room filled with moving boxes. Fall means good timing for both parties.

Fall might be a better bet for negotiations.

In addition to price and closing date, sellers that want to close before the holidays may be more willing to compromise in regard to other terms as well.

Tax breaks.

Buying a home in the fall could lead to some enticing tax breaks for homebuyers. Deductions for mortgage interest, mortgage insurance premiums and property taxes are all allowed by the IRS. And in addition, any prepaid taxes or premiums that are paid at closing can also be deducted.

But what about home sellers?

Well, fall might bring a few advantages your way, too. Take a look.

Lower inventory.

With so many people thinking spring and summer when it comes to listing their house, it only makes sense that by the time fall rolls around, there will be less homes left on the market. And less inventory means less competition for those buyers to choose from.

Buyers want to buy.

Just like sellers are often more serious in the fall, so too are buyers! Many times, they’re buying in the fall for a reason — whether it’s moving for a new job or to be closer to family, going through a divorce, or simply because their own house sold sooner than expected and they need to find new digs fast. In fact, many realtors will tell you that while spring may bring out lots of lookers, fall is more apt to attract a few good buyers. And it only takes one!

Good timing.

Closing times can vary due to location and circumstances, but on average, they’re usually set for roughly 30 days from accepted offer. So a fall sale generally means a fall closing — and both parties can be happily settled in time for the holidays.

They say timing is everything but buying — or selling — a house is a personal decision so there is no hard and fast “good” time or “bad” time. Sellers have a lot of reasons that inspire them to sell at any given time. And buyers? Well, it might be a necessity that causes them to buy at a certain time. But then again, any season is the perfect one if you manage to find your dream home. And it could just be fall.

Not surprisingly, many of the most common mistakes involve money.  Even the ones that don’t seem to be about money at first glance, often end up incurring additional or unexpected expenses down the road.  

Here are 6 things to keep in mind to avoid mistakes when buying a home:

1 - Know what you can (really) afford.

Your mortgage lender may tell you that you’re “approved” for a certain amount.  Wow.  Sounds great, right?  But what many people forget is that you don’t have to spend that much!  Have you ever noticed that many of the HGTV shows tell viewers the amount that the house hunters are approved for – and the figure they’d prefer not to exceed?  The truth is, you’d be wise to follow their lead.

Committing to monthly payments at the top of your comfort zone can be a recipe for disaster.  So yes, talk to the lenders – this is, after all, their expertise.  But then take your own look at your regular income and expenses.  Do you plan to make any career changes that will affect income?  Do you have any new expenses coming up in the near future?  Will your child be going to daycare or starting college?

2 - Get pre-qualified for your mortgage.

Although it’s important to do your own budget calculations, it’s still very important for you to see a lender before you start your home search – and get preapproved for a home loan.  That lofty number in your head might not match the amount the bank feels comfortable giving you! A new job, poor credit, past financial issues or a lot of expenses could affect the amount of money the bank feels comfortable lending. If you wait until you make an offer on your dream home, you might be unpleasantly surprised – and embarrassed when you don’t qualify.  Preapproval lets you know upfront what price range is within your means.

3 - Don’t make any unnecessary financial changes or extravagant purchases right before you close on a house.

“Oh, it’s okay – I’ve already been approved” you may say.  Well, yes.  But remember, that approval was based on your financial status at the time of the credit check.  What does this mean?  Before closing, do not buy a luxury car or charge $12,000 worth of furniture.  Ironically, moving can involve a lot of expenses.  In fact, the majority of people buying a new home will increase their spending right before they move.  Makes sense – after all, there are a lot of things you’ll need. But what you need to remember is that the loan isn’t a done deal. No matter the figure that you were originally quoted, the lender will monitor your income and spending right up until the closing. And that goes for quitting or even changing your job – because that changes what the original number was based upon.  And yes, sorry to say, it could actually cause the deal to fall through. 

4 - Don’t tour the unattainable!

Just like you wouldn’t – or shouldn’t – try on a wedding dress you can’t possibly afford, don’t tour a home that you know is outside of your budget. Chances are, you’ll fall in love with it and then no other house could possibly measure up – leading to either disappointment or overextending yourself.

5 - Watch out for fixer-uppers.

Now that we told you not to reach outside your comfort zone, we should warn you not to go off the deep end at the opposite extreme.  Everyone loves a deal and it can be tempting to scoop up a house that’s “priced right.”  All those “little” things can be fixed with all the extra money you saved on the purchase price, right?  Well maybe.  But maybe not.  Don’t start mentally tearing down walls, remodeling the kitchen, adding a 3rd bath and installing a pool without having an expert tell you what all this will cost.  You don’t want to start renovating your bargain house only to run out of money halfway through.

 Related Article: Money Pit or Fixer-Upper? 

6 - Don’t forget the little expenses.

They will add up – quickly.  Getting all new furniture?  Painting?  New landscaping?  And don’t forget to figure in the cost of heating, lawn care, HOA fess and property taxes.

But with just a little forethought, you can prevent these potential nightmares – and get the house of your dreams. 

#homerocks

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My guess is, if you are a new agent and chasing an internet lead, the lead was given to you by a team leader or some other more experienced agent that has decided this lead isn’t worth their time. That’s fine…they have earned the ability to pass on opportunities similar to experienced agents giving up “floor time” in the old days. Of course, in the remote event you are able to chase down this lead and actually close the low-priced sale, the team leader receives a share of the commission and you just netted minimum wage in the name of earning your stripes. Again, that’s fine…”earning while learning”, right?

My point is, you are in business, an independent contractor, a sole practitioner in real estate sales. You are paying a broker (or in some business models, a team leader) for their brokerage administration and structure, their consultation, advice and leadership. So, what should you expect with leads that will potentially produce a decent wage at the end?

I feel it is a responsibility of a real estate broker to have a formal leads program in place, that includes affinity and broker-to-broker referrals from other parts of the country, as well as the ability to cultivate internet leads before assigning to an agent. Why should you be expected to waste your time even on one phone call to an uncommitted inquiry? You are better off making personal contacts and spending time with your SOI. Let experienced relocation professionals cultivate internet leads and you be on the receiving end of a qualified lead where the chances of you earning a respectable commission increase substantially.

I have heard plenty from agents who have been promised leads by brokers and team leaders, but the results have primarily been significant windshield time, for low compensation. You are not a chauffeur service…you are helping people buy their most expensive asset. You are expected to conduct yourself as a professional, and provide a valuable service on behalf of your broker and company. In return, you should expect to receive qualified leads from your broker, regardless of their origination.

Third party listing portals promote the fact they send out tens of millions of leads to their paying subscribers, yet there are only 5-6 million home purchases each year in comparison. Make sure qualified leads are being directed your way. And as important, keep in mind you are in business from the first day you walk in the door, your time and expertise should have a fair price tied to both. The fact is, floor time went away because it was not profitable for the agent…the same holds true with internet leads.

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And then remember your grandmother’s best etiquette advice and go old school—write the sellers a letter. A personal letter. Why? Because sellers are people, too. They aren’t just the anonymous people holding the keys to your (possible) future home. These are the people who lived in this home, took care of it, and made lifelong memories there. They want to pass this house on to someone who’ll appreciate all it has to offer. And that could be you.

Make it personal

Be friendly.

Begin with a warm greeting, using the sellers’ names if possible. You’ll want to be respectful, but not impersonal.

Keep it short.

Don’t ramble on or you’ll lose your readers. In just 3-4 paragraphs, explain why they should accept your offer.

Here’s why.

Simply put, because you love their house. Here’s you chance to tell them why. Just make sure that you’re sincere.

Compliment them.

If you’re ready to make an offer on this house, there are obviously things you like about it. Tell them in a way that will resonate—and make them feel good. For instance, instead of saying, “We like houses that use color” or “We were looking for a big back yard,” tell them they how the soft yellow in the bedroom makes you feel warm and cozy, or how the you can already see yourself having weekend barbecues on the patio while your kids play in the backyard.

Don’t talk about changes!

You may already know what changes you’d make if you get the house, but whatever you do, do not spell it out in this letter. The last thing you want to do is hurt their feelings—which you may do if you talk about changing this and adding that. Everyone knows that once they sell, the sellers will have no control over what the buyers do, but knowing that you’re planning major changes to what they “built,” will make it hard for them to choose you if there are other options.

Write it right.

You don’t have to use big words or be a writer to express what you feel about this house. In fact, here’s your chance to let your own personality—and sincere interest in the house—shine through. But that doesn’t mean being sloppy. Be sure words are spelled correctly and used appropriately.

Good neighbors.

Mention how much you like the neighborhood and why. Use your words! Tell them you grew up in the neighborhoods (if you did) and remember walking to the nearby school and playing ball at the park with your best buddies. Tell them you really want that for your kids.

Be resourceful.

Show that you have the financial resources to buy this house. Are you pre-qualified for a mortgage? Do you have a good job that you’ve had for a while? Can you make a cash offer with no contingencies? Mention those things—but do it matter-of-factly, not boastfully. I know—it’s a paradox, where they want to know you’re financially sound, but don’t want to see you bragging about money!

Don’t beg.

You may want them to know that you truly love the house, but that doesn’t mean begging, telling them about other houses you’ve lost, or that they’re your last hope. Don’t make them uncomfortable or irritated. Speak from the heart because what you say is true—and that will make them feel good.

Sum it up.

End on a positive note. Mention your favorite things and stress how much you’d really love to live there. Thank them sincerely for reading your letter. And tell them that you’d truly be honored if they accepted your offer.

In a sellers’ market, sellers often find themselves with multiple offers on the table. A high offer is certainly important, but sometimes it’s that personal touch, that extra connection with a potential buyer that sets them apart and whispers to the seller that this buyer is “the one.”

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Most people go into their house hunt with a wish list of some sort. Sometimes it’s a concrete checklist written down on paper – things (you think) you can’t live without. Sometimes it’s just an imaginary tally in the back of your mind that you’d really like to have if possible.

And to complicate matters, many people are buying this new home with  a spouse or significant other.  If you’ve ever watched HGTV, you know that the wish list of house-hunting couples is rarely aligned.  She wants an in-home office; he wants a 3-car garage.  He can’t live on a busy street.  She wants to be in the heart of the city.  Take a chance on a fixer-upper or splurge on a place that’s turnkey ready?  And, of course, neither of them is willing to settle for a house with  just one bathroom.

So if you passed on a house because it was missing something on your list (or your partner thought it was), it’s human nature to want it even more.  That’s fine – but just like a past love, don’t romanticize the one that got away. It’s easy to single out the good things after the fact, but if you didn’t pick it, there were probably some glaring problems as well. Dwell on those for a while. And just like stalking an old boyfriend or girlfriend, don’t do it! Don’t drive by. Don’t think about it.  Just let it go!

But what if it wasn’t your decision? Maybe the house was over budget. Or you didn’t decide fast enough and someone else swooped in with an offer before you did. Or another other offer won out because it was higher or didn’t have contingencies.  Now, that’s a house of a different color.

If you already moved on and bought another house, once again, let that other one go! Think of your new house as a blank canvas – something to decorate, renovate or remodel to make it your own. Learn to love the things you have to work with. You may find that you like this floor plan better, or that it’s great to be so close to work.  Just like when dealing with a lost love, think of the negatives presented by that other house.  Believe me there are some. Don’t fall into the trap of glamorizing the one that got away.

But what if you’re still looking for the perfect house? Well, that’s a little harder because once you’ve seen (what you think is) your dream home, it’s almost impossible not to compare everything else to that house.

So here are some things to remember as you try to put your loss behind you and continue your search with an open mind.

How to Search with an Open Mind

Don’t get swept up by the staging.

Take a good hard look at the bones of the house – what it has to offer in terms of layout, structure, etc. You can add your own personal touch and decorating style to any house.

Be ready to make an offer.

It’s still a seller’s market out there, so while you never want to make a rash decision, buyers should be ready to make an offer on something that they really like.

Don’t get caught up in a bidding war.

Give serious thought to how much you really like a house. Don’t offer more than it’s worth or more than you can comfortably afford just to get a house because someone else wants it.

Accept that some deals just weren’t meant to be.

If you lose out on a house, think of it like a lost love or job you didn’t get. There’s something better out there.

Be willing to make compromises.

Just because a house doesn’t have one thing on your wish list, don’t write it off. I bet your “dream home” didn’t meet all of your criteria either.

Let your real estate agent be your matchmaker.

Tell them what you liked best about the one that got away, what you really, really need in a house and where you’d be willing to compromise. Then let them work their magic – your real dream house is probably still out there waiting!

Coldwell Banker Success is your matchmaker! Contact us today and we’ll guide you to your dream home. Let the fun begin!

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