Neighborhood Snapshot: Vilas Neighborhood

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We're lucky to have so many neighborhood gems in our city. One of our favorites is the Vilas neighborhood on Madison's near-west side.

Today, the Vilas neighborhood is the kind of quintessential community that makes Madison so special -- bustling with activity, multi-generational, and just a few steps from downtown, UW, and Edgewood. It's hard to believe that when it was founded in 1889, Vilas was a "get-away" for Madison residents wanting a quiet alternative to busy life on the Isthmus.

At the turn of the century, Madison's electric streetcar line was expanded from Breese Terrace to Monroe Street, inspiring new interest in the Vilas neighborhood. Easy access to public transportation suddenly transformed this sleepy suburb into an increasingly popular place to live. And the Vilas neighborhood we know today began to take shape.

Today, Vilas is bordered by Lake Wingra to the south and the popular Monroe and Regent streets to the north. It's a thriving, historic community, with a lively artistic and intellectual atmosphere, and deep roots in Madison's history. The beautiful Vilas Park and the beloved Monroe Street Library Branch provide popular gathering spots for area residents. Other popular amenities including the nearby UW Arboretum; the Henry Vilas Zoo; the local shops, restaurants, and boutiques along Monroe Street; and, in the warmer months, boating on Lake Wingra. Vilas is an easily walkable neighborhood and is both bike- and bus-friendly, with easy access to the UW Campus, Edgewood College, and downtown Madison.

From the Vilas Neighborhood Association: "A consistent appeal of the Vilas Neighborhood has been the small-town atmosphere created by area businesses. Many of the businesses are within walking distance of most residents."

Vilas: A Real Estate Snapshot

Interested in buying or selling a home in the Vilas neighborhood? This real estate snapshot is for you. The table below shows you how many homes have sold within the last 3, 6, and 12 months, as well as the rate at which they’re selling now — otherwise known as “months of inventory.”

A quick primer: 6 months of inventory is considered a “balanced market.” More than 6 months of inventory is considered a “buyer’s market”. And less than 6 is considered (yep, you guessed it!) a “seller’s market.”

Let’s take a closer look at Vilas… In the last 12 months, homes that sold in Vilas spent an average of 71 days on the market. In the last 12 months, the average sold price for homes in Vilas was $423,841.

Here’s a breakdown of the numbers:

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