Husky Homes Blog

Solveig's Local Fall Guide

It's the best time of year (IMO). The air is crisp and fresh. The Maple Lattes are flowing. Life is good! But, there's more to fall in the Madison area than what meets the eye. This guide shares activities, food, drinks, decor, and tips to keep your entire family busy. Thanks to this guide, you'll never hear, "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do" this season. Let the fall festivities begin! Here's your guide to all things fall in Madison.

Like a pile of leaves, let's jump in!

Looking for more? Contact me for the full guide with even more to love in the Madison area this fall!

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Homeownership isn't a shortcut to wealth...it's a LONG GAME

In a world of streaming and Amazon Prime, we have gotten used to instant gratification.

So it's no wonder some first time home buyers hesitate before investing in real estate.

"I mean, aren't things really expensive right now?"

"Shouldn't I wait until interest rates go down?"

"My rent is about the same as my mortgage payment would be and I don't have to fix any broken appliances."

I get it. Instant, short term, quick wins are very tempting (and in a lot of cases, great options!)

But homeownership isn't a short game. It's not a shortcut to wealth. It's a long game.

You may not feel "wealthy" six months in...2 years in...or even 5 years in. But over time your home value will most likely appreciate significantly.

In fact,…

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Elphie's Favorite Local Spots! Your Dog Friendly Summer Guide

Elphie's Favorite Local Spots!

Your Dog Friendly Summer Guide

Elphie loves a good local road trip. Hop in the car, get the windows down and sniff, sniff, sniff. Madison has exploded with dog-friendly restaurants and shops in the past ten years. I remember when I moved back from New York and was shocked that I couldn't take my dog everywhere - even the city parks didn't allow dogs! Thankfully, much has changed, and here are some our favorite destinations:

In their great new spot on W. Main St. in downtown Stoughton, The Crazy Dog Mom has the cutest toys, treats and apparel for all the dog moms and dads. Owner Amanda curates and creates the products and also puts on the sweetest events - such as the upcoming Friendship Day Brunch on…

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Who do you know who's still renting?

It's no secret that rents, especially in the Madison area, are skyrocketing. The post-pandemic environment that created rapid inflation causing interest rates on loans of all kinds to rise, caused the same rise in rental rates. The average rent for a 2-Bedroom apartment in Madison in 2023 is $1,378/month, up almost 10% from only 1 year ago. The Madison rental market is now more expensive than 93% of other markets. 

Anecdotally, almost all of the clients who reached out to buy this year that were previously renting were doing so because their rents increased - by as much as $200 or more per month than the prior year.

When people ask, "Is now a good time to buy?," the answer is "If you're currently renting, yes. 100%." Getting into the market as soon…

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Mom's Weekend in Lake Geneva

I just had the most fun getaway with some fellow moms in Lake Geneva. 

One night, no kids, no husbands, just the ladies and a great mini vacay to one of the most popular spots within a few hours of Madison. I can't take the credit for planning - that goes to our fearless leader, Jen, but we had such a fun time, I wanted to share some of the spots we checked out so you can replicate your own weekend away from it all!

STAY

We stayed at a great Airbnb about 10 minutes outside of Lake Geneva. It was reasonably priced, was super clean, had everything we needed for an overnight. 3 large bedrooms and 3 full baths, large screen porch overlooking a small pond and kitchen stocked with all the necessities.

EAT

We started our weekend with lunch at…

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3 Farms to Visit Baby Barnyard Animals this Spring!

April in Wisconsin brings *hopefully* those first starts of green in the gardens and on the trees, but that's not all - it's baby farm animal season!

There are several great farms and events for the whole family to cuddle the sweetest barnyard critters. Here are my three favorite farms for lambing & kidding season!

Homestead farm Lambing Day | April 8

Brit McCoy's female-run sheep farm is brimming with lambs! She's hosting a Lambing Day at her Belleville farm on Saturday, April 8 from 9:00-Noon. The farmstand will be open to buy Homestead Farm's products, and Candance Dolan will be hosting photography sessions with the lambs. Check out Brit's IG page @homesteadwisconsinfarm for all the deets!

7743 State Hwy 69 – Belleville, WI

…

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Your Agent's Opinion is Useless: Find Out Way

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but your agent's opinion is useless to you.
Hear me out...as a real estate agent, my job is to best represent YOU. The whole transaction is about you and your best interest.
This is why I don't share my opinions with my clients.

???? Instead, I share facts based on our current market. ????
For instance, I may tell you that before you list your home, it would be best to paint your kitchen or pre-pack your collection of dog figurines.
It's not because I think your kitchen is ugly or because I don't like dogs (quite the opposite, really!) ????
It's because I know that buyers see certain paint colors as an obstacle that keeps them from picturing themselves living in your home.

It's because I know that pre-packing…

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3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Spring

Spring is Coming!

Here are 3 easy ways to make your home feel like spring this season!

1. Crack open the windows! Nothing screams spring like fresh air. This is also a great time to wash your windows and your curtains! (Have you gotten your copy of my Homeowner Checklist? Drop your contact info and I can send you this month's list of monthly tasks to maintain your home!)

2. Swap linens. Exchange your heavier, winter fabrics for light colored cotton. Throw pillows, throw blankets, hand towels, and your sheets are all great places to do this!

3. Purchase a fresh bouquet of flowers from a local florist, here are some great recommendations:

Daffodil Parker was my wedding florist and I'm obsessed. Modern blooms in unique arrangements that…

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Madison Date Night

Just in time for Valentine's and Galentine's Days, here are my suggestions for the perfect date night in Madison...

For the Girl's Night Out (aka Galentine's Day), I recommend the unique cocktails and killer vibe at Mint Mark. Then head to the square for an awesome dinner at the recently renovated Merchant and dessert (and more cocktails) at Lucille! Lucille late night brings in DJs for a great dance party to end the night!

For the Adventurers, check out the classic hole in the wall dive bar in Westmorland - Village Bar - try the Burger and don't forget the Fries. Next head to the West Side staple, Ultra Zone, for some lazer tag because "Why Not?" and end the night with drinks at the electric bar, Le Tigre Lounge off Midvale.

…

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12 Month Homeowner Checklist

Being a homeowner is a huge accomplishment. You get to do all the fun stuff like decorating your home and hosting parties...oh yeah, and keeping your gutters clear and your HVAC system in pristine condition, but that's what my 12 Month Homeowner Checklist is for! Contact me for a PDF version to hang on your fridge or in your office so you can refer to it each month to make sure you're taking great care of your best (real estate) investment! I also post reminders on Instagram all year long, so make sure you're following me @theonetheonlysolveig so you don't miss a thing!

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