Real news We have plenty of real estate insights and views to share with you, so all of the content you see in our newsletters and on our blog will continue to be created by members of our team -- not someone, or something, else. 


Why does this matter? 


First and foremost, writing about real estate keeps us current on all of the latest industry trends. We're better realtors because we're constantly studying and communicating what's going on in the market. 


Another motivation is clarifying our values. When we invest time into articulating our philosophies -- in other words why we do what we do -- we become more clear on the type of professionals we are choosing to be. At the root of it all, we're professionals who choose to serve others and invest in long-lasting relationships. 


But perhaps the biggest reason we create our own content is that we simply enjoy the nature of the work. So why go ahead and outsource work that we genuinely enjoy doing? 


Sure, outsourcing our content would be more cost-effective and efficient. It's where the industry is going. But in this case we're choosing to buck the industry trend. 


Your feedback lets us know that you value our vendor recommendations, market updates, non-profit spotlights, and real estate tips. So we'll keep sharing our news and views -- and enjoying every minute of it. 
https://www.madcitydreamhomes.....com/blog/real-news.h

Tips for hiring the right realtor When it comes to hiring a realtor, or any type of professional, the words "trust but verify" are wise words to follow. But how do you know that the realtor you've been referred to is someone you can trust? Here are a few simple tests that can help. 


6 simple realtor tests


1) The profile test: When you google the realtor, what do you find online? Has the agent written a professional bio for their website? Does the agent have an up-to-date profile on Zillow, realtor.com, and other sites? 


2) The review test: As you continue your online research, are you finding plenty of genuine reviews from real clients that affirm the realtor's work ethic, communication skills, expertise, and professionalism? 


3) The eye test: When you examine the realtor's listings, what do you see? Are the properties beautifully staged, and does the realtor invest in professional photos? Is it clear that the realtor invests some time and thought into writing their listing descriptions? 


4) The phone test: When you call the realtor to schedule a consultation, do they pick up the phone and engage you in a conversation? If they don't pick up the phone, do they have a professional voice mail message and return your call promptly? 


5) The interview test: When you meet with the realtor, are they clearly listening to learn more about your wants and needs? Do they ask good questions that lead to an action plan with next steps and a timeline? 


6) The follow-up test: After your meeting, does the realtor promptly and professionally get back to you with all of their follow-up action items? For example, their market analysis, marketing plan, and lender referrals? 


Choosing your realtor


A good realtor treats their business professionally and puts their clients first. If you can answer "yes" to the questions above, then that's a sign that you may have found the right one.


Beyond these simple tests, we encourage you to talk to references and follow your intuition. Very often it's your conversations with past clients and your intuition that will help you make the right (and final) call. 
https://www.madcitydreamhomes.....com/blog/simple-real

Showing activity update for November, 2025 We've updated our buyer traffic data from Showing Time for the month of November, 2025: 


Single family homes 


This chart shows the number of showings per listing per month in South Central Wisconsin. Single family home showings in 2025 (the green line) are trending slightly below the number of showings in 2024 (the blue line). Showings per listing dipped from 3.76  in November of 2024 to 3.69 in November of 2025, a decrease of 2 percent.  





 


Condos


For South Central Wisconsin condos, the decrease in showings is more pronounced. Showings per condo listing dipped from 3.34 in November of 2024 to 2.79 in November of 2025, a decrease of 16 percent. 


 


 


The big picture


Dane County single family home inventory is up 14 from the year before and condo inventory is up 37, so the decrease in the number of showings per listing is not unexpected. These trends of more listings and fewer showings per listing are signs of the Madison area market becoming more balanced, with buyers and sellers operating on a more level playing field. 


The seasonality of the market is also making its presence known right now. As the graphs above show, the months of November and December are traditionally the slowest months for showings in the Madison area. That means buyers who are in the market right now have less competition and a better ability to negotiate than any other time of the year.


What questions do you have about buying or selling a home in the Greater Madison Area? Reach out to us for some honest real estate advice. We're here to be a resource for you, and never with any sales pressure or spin. 
https://www.madcitydreamhomes.....com/blog/showing-act

Relationships are the heart of our business This year, the majority of our clients came to us through referrals -- friends recommending friends and loved ones to us. That means everything to us, because it says you believe we'll treat the people you care about with the same honesty and care we've shown you.


Working by referral allows us to do what we love: spending our time helping people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. We get to focus on serving and truly understanding what matters to each client.


As we head into 2026, we want you to know how much we appreciate your trust in us. If someone you care about mentions thinking about buying or selling in the year ahead, we'd be honored if we came to mind. We promise to take care of them the same way we've taken care of you.


Thank you for making our work possible.


-- Your friends at Mad City Dream Homes 
https://www.madcitydreamhomes.....com/blog/referrals-a

An early read on November listings New MLS listings were mixed last month. Here's a quick look at Dane County listing activity for the month of November, 2025. 


Dane County single family homes 


A total of 249 Dane County single family homes were listed for sale in November, down 9 percent from the 273 listed for sale in November of 2024. Note single family home listings are up one percent through the first 11 months of the year, but remain low compared to most other years this century. 


 


Dane County condos


A total of 86 condos were listed for sale in November, which was up 13 percent from 76 condos in November of 2024. Through the first 11 months of the year, condo listings are up 2 percent from the year before. 


 


What to expect for 2026


We're forecasting a moderate increase in Madison area home and condo supply in 2026. Check out all of our 2026 predictions here.


Stay tuned for the rest of our updates on the November market which we'll be publishing real soon. In the meantime, reach out to our realtor team with any questions you have about the market. We're always available to be a resource for you.  
https://www.madcitydreamhomes.....com/blog/an-early-re