Parade of Homes!

WIN tickets to the Parade of Homes! We’re giving away 10 tickets for the Parade of Homes, which begins this weekend.

All you need to do is head over to our Facebook page and reply to the Parade of Homes ticket giveaway contest post with a movie that was either filmed in Dane County or references a place in Dane County. Go!

The Community of Bishops Bay lot for sale

Calling all design junkies & open house addicts! (You know who you are..) The Parade of Homes begins this Saturday, June 11, and it's not to be missed. The theme of this year's Parade of Homes has be described as vintage, farmhouse and rustic (some of my personal faves!)

The Community of Bishops Bay lot for sale

As you may know, I recently toured all of the available homes in The Community of Bishops Bay, then I told you all about that exciting new development here and shared a video interview with one of the residents. As a lover of charming old houses, I was a little surprised at how much I was digging so many of these brand spanking new homes! Their vintage, farmhouse charm was definitely speaking my language. I love the distressed wood, mismatch cabinetry & furnishings, painted cabinets, barn doors, beamed ceilings plus bead board & wood flooring on the ceiling??! So cool. These homes are a beautiful marriage of old and new; I think just about anyone will appreciate the design and decor. So what are you waiting for? Come get inspired!

While you're out and about, check out our lot listings at 5020 & 5028 Augusta Dr in Middleton! Nestled in The Community of Bishops Bay (where you'll find a handful of parade homes!) these large lots are in incredible VALUE! Priced at less than $11 a sq ft (!), it's hard to believe that this prime real estate offers up views of the Bishops Bay Golf Course AND slopes for rear exposure. The brand new pool/clubhouse/fitness center has broken ground *just* down the street. This is a great opportunity to be a part of the EXCITING Community of Bishops Bay, where 7 distinctly different neighborhoods will satisfy the nature lover, urbanite, & everyone in between. Seller is offering a $10,000 lot incentive if you choose to build with the reputable Design Shelters, but you are welcome to bring your builder.

Madison WI: Living in the City of Playgrounds

It is such a pleasure to re-welcome fabulous guest blogger, Jessica Becker, to introduce our readers to her exciting new project, Madison Playground Review. Jessica is a community outreach professional raising two daughters with her husband in an old house on the isthmus. She wakes early to practice yoga, she cooks dinner for her family, bikes most places she goes, and believes that happiness is a life skill. So much of the business of real estate is about making this place home, and so we hope you join us in exploring this cool resource!

Parks, and if you have kids, playgrounds, are nice to have nearby. When thinking about where to live, it may not be on your 'non-negotiable' list, but over the long haul it will probably affect your quality of life quite a bit.

Madison has more parks and playgrounds per person than any other city in the United States, by far. There is not a close runner-up. It is too rarely mentioned, in my opinion, as part of the ongoing conversation about why this is such a lovely place to live.

Having all these parks and playgrounds to maintain is a big job. The Madison Parks Department is not flush with the kind of budget that the park-rich status warrants. This, at least, is my understanding for why the park playgrounds around town are growing ever-more similar. There are some variable features, but these features are ordered from catalogs and designed to come together as a recognizable-looking playground.

However, despite the somewhat cookie-cutter nature of play equipment in the U.S. these days, there are differences among playgrounds. After working with neighbors to select playground equipment for a park near my house, I’m noticing the nuances more and more. With my two young kids, ages three and five, I am seeking out variety and adventure.

Traveling beyond our immediate neighborhood for our park trips, we have become playground tourists. I am learning from my kids what they like, and how the different settings influence their play. I am also regularly googling things like ‘nature-based play’ and ‘playable sculpture,’ following a growing movement inspired, in part, by Paige Johnson’s site Play-Scapes, and coveting more things like the ‘Swing Time’ in Boston and the Holten Bridge swings in Milwaukee.

This summer, I launched Madison Playground Review: Adventures of Playground Tourists. This is my own playspace, an online project that gives me a place to explore my growing curiosity and share some insight. I hope it is both inspiring and useful.

We tend to like playgrounds set in spots that serve to jump-start further exploration. For example, playgrounds near a trail into a woods, such as Heritage Heights Park. The kids ‘warm-up’ in a familiar way, then we meander into unchartered territory with our energy up.

We also like playgrounds with interesting geographic features, like hills, boulders or ravines, like Glenwood Children’s Park. Naturally assets like trees are also really important, and they seem to psychologically make play flow more naturally. In these cases, the play equipment encourages community to gather. A playground in the middle of the field, like a car abandoned on a highway, is not very fun for anyone when the sun is burning hot.

Playgrounds where things are built to a scale that allows adults to play with kids are, in my experience, really fun. One example is the Henry Vilas Zoo children’s area. There are also places that defy category, such as landscaping that makes you want to move around or art that invites climbing. These ‘playable spaces’ are the future of healthy public life.

As Playground Tourists, I hope we can also be instigators for innovative parks and play spaces that break the cookie-cutter mold. In this city with so many playgrounds, we have so many opportunities to invest in what I would call ‘postcard-worthy’ public places. Madison Playground Review is meant to be part of this conversation.

You can read more of Jessica's writing and ruminations at Between Two Lakes and a Hard Place.

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.

The Rental Market is Hot!

Looking for The 16 Critical Questions Every Seller Needs To Ask When Hiring A Realtor? Click Here!

The Rental Market is HOT!

As the Madison real estate market has continued to heat up, so has the rental market. Local rents are soaring as vacancy rates remain well under the national average. This has prompted some homeowners to buy their next home now, while renting their current home out. If you’ve considered the same, you may want to run your holding costs & potential income through a Rental Analysis Spreadsheet to determine whether or not the numbers work. Since the value of income property is measured differently than single family, owner-occupied property, you’ll want to be sure you’re looking at the right data when determining whether or not your home works as a rental. Need the spreadsheet? Email us for a free copy!

Thinking about buying income property? You may be interested in checking out our Investment Property Comparison Guide, consisting of active & sold properties, which is used to compare properties via cap rate, GRM, & cash return. Ask us for a free copy.

The Greenbush & Mansion Hill/James Madison Park TIFs offer great opportunity to both buyers & sellers. These amazing incentives are offered by the City to assist buyers in the rehabilitation of 1-8 unit buildings that are currently being used as rentals. Buyers must owner-occupy to qualify.

Final thought: There are literally thousands of new apartments being built in Madison this year, so sooner or later the market will balance out, and rents will probably soften up a bit. No big deal if you know what to look for in your next investment, but if you’re new to the game, be sure you’re taking all of the facts into consideration (current & future neighborhood development, neighborhood market trends, etc.).

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.

Get Local! Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

As Realtors, we are helping members of our local community every day. Our work is very personal and hands-on, and our connection with the people around us and the place we live is what keeps us inspired. As residents and as business owners, our happiness and success depend on the vitality of the community around us. Ready access to fun shops, great restaurants, local entertainment and culture, and strong community resources are some of the big draws that motivate people to want to buy a home in a local neighborhood. These are the same things that make us love calling this area home!

At Roost, we are committed to supporting other local businesses at every turn. We use a local graphic designer and blogger for our one-of-a-kind materials and a fantastic local print shop for all of our mailings, business cards and print marketing. We have our own branded (and delicious!) coffee from Just Coffee Cooperative to give to our clients, and often gift City Tins to clients to say thank you and to treat themselves to a favorite local meal or encourage them to try a new nearby restaurant. Every chance we get, we source food locally for our open houses and events. Plus, check out our online resource for local finds to furnish your home in style!

Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to your local economy than one spent at a chain (Source: Dane Buy Local). Please join us in supporting our local community, and let us know if we can help you love where you live a little more!

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.

Vilas Neighborhood Pop Quiz!

The Vilas neighborhood is one of near-west Madison's best spots. It has it all - fun and loveable local shops on Monroe Street and South Park Street (not to mention a slew of great ethnic restaurants); beautiful, eclectic houses along tree-lined roads; and numerous outdoor attractions (I’m talking Lake Wingra, Henry Vilas Zoo and the UW Arboretum to name a few). Just blocks from several hospitals and healthcare facilities and within a mile of the Memorial Union and UW campus, Vilas is a popular place for students and professionals of all ages to call home. The Vilas area is truly a one-stop shop kind of spot that can easily meet the interest of any visitor; a unique quality for such a compact space. Although Vilas is a well known and loved area in Madison, a recent stroll through the Henry Vilas Zoo and Vilas Park got me wondering how many people are aware of the rich history and fun facts that dwell there…

DID YOU KNOW that when Henry Vilas Zoo first opened in 1911, only the following animals were in attendance: nine deer, three ground hogs, three wood chucks, two guinea pigs, two rabbits, two white rats, one raccoon, one eagle, one squirrel and one toothless red fox (http://www.danenet.org/vilas/history.html)? Man, a lot has changed!

DID YOU KNOW that the elaborate and somewhat decrepit marble water fountain at the end of Erin Street was only in pristine condition for a mere six years (http://www.danenet.org/vilas/history.html)? Work on the fountain finished in 1925 and by 1931 vandals destroyed parts of the fountain. No restoration efforts were ever attempted.

DID YOU KNOW that an over 227-year-old tree sits on the edge of Vilas Park? In 1987 the National Arborist Association and the International Society of Arboriculture recognized the tree as having lived there at the time of the signing of our constitution. WOW!

DID YOU KNOW that Lake Wingra was originally surrounded by an expanse of wetlands that served as a favorite hunting and fishing spot for the Winnebago Indians (http://www.danenet.org/vilas/history.html)?

DID YOU KNOW that the origins of the shoe slide in Vilas Park, a long time Madison icon, were a complete mystery up until last year (http://host.madison.com/news/local/100-objects/vilas-park-slide-was-gift-and-work-of-tradesmen/article_ee34ef0b-b47c-57c4-81fa-9386b40e6b1c.html)? The Wisconsin State Journal was contacted by those who had firsthand knowledge of the slide’s construction after including the slide in a series called “Madison in 100 Objects.” Who knew!

Do you have any fun facts or historical tidbits to share about the Vilas area? If so, please comment or email us!

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.

Vintage Gems for Sale!

Over the last few weeks, we have been featuring fabulous bloggers who have graciously agreed to contribute to our dear blog, Live. Love. Roost. While the topics have been straying from what’s near and dear to our heart, Madison real estate, they are all in line with our deep love for great design ideas and all things homey. Please enjoy our final featured blogger in this series, Sarah Mullins, co-owner of the fabulous Monona-based vintage, reclaimed and custom rental warehouse A La Crate! Sarah knows her stuff when it comes to vintage chic and talks about a great opportunity for you (and a great charity) to benefit from her impeccable taste! Are you ready?! Garage sale season is FAST approaching. Mark your calendar for Friday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and be prepared to rummage out on our loading dock located at 2619 Industrial Drive, Monona, WI 53713.

We're selling some gems of pieces that we know you'll love at killer prices and all for a great cause. All of the proceeds will benefit Artworking, a local non-profit that is near and dear to our hearts. Artworking provides professional art mentorship and training for adult artists with cognitive disabilities in our community. As an added bonus, they will be selling some of their artwork at the sale as well!

Three other local businesses will be adding to the sale: Oak + Olive, the owner of which was recently featured in this very guest blogger series, The Cozy Home and The Ironstone Nest!

Here are some examples of pieces that could be yours:

[slider]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BarCart1.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BarCart2.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Beads.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BlueChest.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Chair.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Chairs.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Chest.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Cloth.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Compact.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Coquet.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Fireplace.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/FoldingChairs.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IroningBoard.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lace.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Leg.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Picture.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Pinecones.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rings.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RollingChair.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SPShakers.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Table.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Table2.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tea.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/TennisRackets.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/TinBucket.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tray.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="250" image_height="166.5" alt_text="Vintage Sale Items" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tripod.jpg[/slide]

[/slider]

Vintage Elementary School Chairs: Use one in a child's room for a reading area!

Materials: Pinecones, barn wood, lace, beads, fabric, you name it! Use the pinecones to make a wreath for your home; the beads to make a necklace; lace for garland and vintage fabrics for table settings or sewn together for pillows! I varnished and suspended large embroidery hoops to create a light fixture in our home. You could too!

Furniture: A bar cart in your home could be used to hide beverages and a variety of chairs/tables. The andirons could house a stack of books or an ironing board could be used as a console table behind your sofa. It’s the perfect height!

Trunks: They make great coffee tables and can hold keepsakes.

Odds and Ends: Sometimes these are the best finds! Take for example our stack of burgundy lunch trays! Imagine taking them and making a pattern on the wall. A tripod would make an awesome lamp base! Now that would be cool and I would be jealous!

The sky is the limit, friends, for what you can do with vintage found objects in your home. Get creative and have fun! We’re here to help with ideas.

See you at the sale!

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We’ll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We’ll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams – because we know a home is so much more than a house.

Where to Love Madison in the Spring

It's funny how stepping out of your usual surroundings, if only for a few hours, can give you a new sense of clarity and energy. Now that it's nice out, I find myself dying to get outside any chance I can. For some reason it's a stronger pull than in years past, so I made a promise to myself to get outside every day. While I've missed a couple days here and there, I'm happy to report I’m doing pretty well! A couple weeks ago, I visited the Cherokee Marsh Preserve on the north side of Madison. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Accessible nature is one of the things that makes Madison, Monona, Shorewood Hills, Middleton and our surrounding communities so wonderful. The walk was beautiful, as always, and I had the pleasure of experiencing one of the coolest wildlife encounters. Quietly making my way through the forest, I came across four deer emerging from the woods and onto the path. As soon as I spotted the first one, I froze. She was about to run but instead came closer. Her eyes met my gaze or so it seemed. I've heard that deer don't have great eyesight, so she could have thought I was a stubby, branchless tree trunk, I suppose, but it really felt like we were having a “moment.” Anyway, I remained still, camouflaged in my brown skirt and jacket, and we stared at each other for about a minute before she ran into the adjacent woods. One by one the rest of the deer followed suit. It was truly amazing.

Last week felt a little more chaotic and stressful than usual. Abiding to my promise to get outside daily, I decided to take a leisurely stroll through the Lakeshore Nature Preserve (home of our beloved Picnic Point). While everyone says that Madison is at it's best in the summer, I somewhat disagree. As the ice on our lakes begin to melt and the trees stand leafless against a crisp blue sky, it's hard not to appreciate a different array of urban and natural views that you simply don't get once the leaves fill in. Since I had my camera and nothing but time, I spent my morning on the trails admiring the beauty that is literally steps from the urban bustle of the university and UW hospitals and tucked behind the coveted Shorewood Hills neighborhood.

[slider]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore1.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore2.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore3.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore4.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore5.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore6.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore7.jpg[/slide]

[slide image_width="500" image_height="333" alt_text="1439 Rutledge St" auto_resize="true"]http://www.roostinmadison.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Lakeshore8.jpg[/slide]

[/slider]

Three hours later, I found myself back at the trailhead. Grounded and energized, I grabbed a late lunch and got back to work with a new sense of love for the city I call home. Sure, it may be “small” and imperfect like any other place, but it's a space for anyone and everyone to work, play and find nature. If you find yourself itching to get some fresh air, check out what the Madison area has to offer!

Roost Around Town: Exploring Hidden Gems

Exploring all that our neighborhoods have to offer is one of my favorite parts of being a Madison Realtor. Since our family loves getting outside, a healthy roster of outdoor destinations is a must. Luckily, the communities in the Madison area provide many chances to escape the daily grind year round. Whether you have 45 minutes or an entire afternoon, the Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy is always a good place to escape and recharge. Forest, prairies, natural springs, wildlife and Native American burial mounds are just a few things you’re sure to appreciate about this 500-acre site.

If you’re looking for a little more action, swing by the the adjoining Orchid Heights Park (along the outer path of the conservancy on the eastern edge) where you’ll find a seasonal ice skating rink, a baseball diamond, play structures and soccer fields as well as basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

As you may suspect, expansive, natural delights such as Pheasant Branch aren’t easy to come by in urban areas, making the conservancy a valuable asset to Middleton residents as well as the local real estate market. Nestled between several coveted Middleton neighborhoods (Middleton Hills, Conservancy View, Northlake, Pheasant Branch Ridge and Orchid Heights, to name a few), the conservancy serves as a place for children and adults to explore, learn, play, exercise, spot wildlife and hone their photography skills.

Whether you’re walking, running or biking, you’re sure to enjoy your time in this dynamic natural space! Likewise, if you're in the market for Middleton or Madison real estate and you want nature, outdoor fun and urban amenities at your fingertips, I urge you to explore this fine Middleton locale.

Listing a home? Net more with Roost Realty! We'll market your home with style, vision and boundless energy. Looking to buy? Let us be your property matchmakers! We'll get you in the community, lifestyle and home of your dreams - because we know a home is so much more than a house.

All About CSAs

A number of years back, I heard about something called a CSA from some of my book club friends. Not having heard of this before, I was curious and wanted to know more about it. They explained to me that a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) essentially meant joining a local farm by buying a share and having a box of fresh produce delivered on a weekly (or biweekly) basis. The catch was that you had to pick up the box from a delivery site and you got what you got in your box, whether or not your family actually liked (or ate) what was in it. I was all about trying new veggies so I did some research and signed up for what sounded like the best fit for my family the next season. We have had a CSA ever since and rave about it to people who either haven’t heard of it or haven’t yet tried it. There are so many benefits to having a CSA. It supports local farms, challenges us to eat much more of a variety of healthy foods, and reduces the miles between where our food comes from and our plate. Living in the Madison area, we have the luxury of having loads of farms to choose from.

When it comes to choosing the right CSA there are numerous factors to consider:

• Size of the farm
• Price of the share
• Size of the share
• Number of delivery weeks per season
• Location of the pick up sites
• Types of produce offered (most CSA sites have a list of what they grow)
• Other food items offered (eggs, bread, fruit, meat, etc)

Having a CSA has opened our eyes to the importance of eating local and, in a good way, forced us to try things we never would have bought at the grocery store. Consider sharing a CSA or signing up for a biweekly share if you’re not feeling confident you can get through all the produce in a week. Sign up now to get your pick of farms and help your local farmers with some early season seed money. Soon you’ll be raving to all of your friends!

Glenwood Park, Dudgeon Monroe

On these chilly yet tolerable days of fall, I’m always looking for reasons to get out and enjoy our fine Madison neighborhoods before the temps take a nosedive. Some time ago I stumbled upon the hidden gem that is Glenwood Children's Park in the Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood. Discoveries like these always come in handy on those rare occasions that our family has a free day with no place to be. Camera in hand, we set out to enjoy a fantastic fall afternoon. Glenwood offers plenty of great photo ops as well as an endless amount of possibilities for crawling around in weird places, building forts and general goofing off.

It goes without saying that spots like these are few and far between in urban areas, making Glenwood an attractive asset to the Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood and surrounding real estate. Not only does the park offer a peaceful place to contemplate the finer points of life, it also provides hours of creative outdoor play and exploration.

Growing up in the country, I spent countless hours playing in the woods. I would build forts and tree houses; find cool rocks, sticks and hiding spots; and, of course, make the occasional and important discovery of an animal bone, which was always exciting. It was refreshing to share that experience with my teenager and see her genuinely enjoy our time together in this urban forest.

If you're in the market for Madison real estate and enjoy walking to urban amenities, taking scenic bike rides, participating in water sports and/or letting yourself (or your kids) run loose in the forest, then you simply have to check out the Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood and Glenwood Children's Park. You won't be disappointed.

If you would like to browse properties currently available in the Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood, please click here.

Pie, Me Oh My, I love Pie

One of my favorite parts about being a Madison Realtor is discovering the hidden gems within the neighborhoods that I work. A couple weeks ago I found a new favorite, Humble Pie, tucked just off of Regent Street in the University Heights neighborhood. Folks, I hold no degree on the matter, but I do like to think of myself as somewhat of a “dessert connoisseur.” This means that I not only have a deep love for all things sweet and sugary, but I also enjoy them regularly and tend to analyze and compare their tastiness. I can tell you where to find a mean lemon blackberry ricotta muffin (4&20 Bakery & Cafe in the Emerson neighborhood), a killer doughnut (Greebush Bakery on the edge of the Greenbush and Vilas neighborhoods), a fantastic brownie (Collectivo Coffee in downtown Madison) or the best ice cream cone in town (Babcock Hall at the Union Terrace). I digress... Back to the subject at hand: PIE! I had the seasonal Blackberry Stack, which was quite literally the best dessert I’ve ever had. (And have I mentioned that I am a former Norske Nook employee? That place is kind of a big deal in pie world, people.)

Heed my taste bud expertise! The next time you are craving a delicious, moist, buttery explosion of amazingness, go to Humble Pie. Enjoy your treat at the shop to fully soak in the good vibes that can only be created by true pie wizardry. And while you should never feel guilty about enjoying a truly fantastic piece of pie, ride your bike, if you must, and work off those extra calories as you enjoy the towering trees and sheer bliss of some of the finest Madison neighborhoods on the Southwest Commuter path.

Do you have any favorite go-tos in the Madison area when it comes to desserts? If so please share!

Garage apartments, granny flats, and "tiny houses"

All about the cool phenomenon known as "Accessory Dwelling Units"

From converting a garage into a rental unit, to adding a second home on your lot for an aging parent -- "accessory dwelling units" are popping up across Madison!

In January 2013, changes to the City of Madison's zoning ordinance allowed residents to legally construct accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Not only are ADUs helping some homeowners make better use of their existing space, they're also tapping into the increasingly popular "tiny house" movement.

According to the national experts at AccessoryDwellings.org, ADUs are "a really simple and old idea: having a second, small dwelling right on the same grounds (or attached to) your regular single-family house, such as an apartment over the garage, a tiny house on a foundation in the backyard, or a basement apartment."

So -- you have a garage you'd like to convert, or addition you'd like to make. Where do you start? Well, any legally added ADU will need a permit. Here's a quick list of first steps from our friends at the City.

Ten steps for planning and permitting an ADU:

1. Brainstorm your project goals and scope 2. Talk to the Madison Zoning Department about the project to determine its feasibility 3. Rough-sketch your ideas -- get creative input from family and friends 4. Identify your architect and consider potential builders (unless you're going the DIY route) 5. Work with your architect to create and refine a schematic design 6. Talk with your neighbors -- community buy-in is important, especially when adding density to already-dense areas 7. Choose a builder 8. Develop permit-ready (or construction-ready) drawings 9. Apply for your permit -- permit issued! 10. Break ground

Want to learn more? Here you go!

Green Accessory Dwelling Unit Initiative - resources for Madison homeowners who want to build environmentally friendly ADUs

10 Steps to Permitting an ADU - a quick reference guide for Madisonians interested in building (and permitting!) their own ADU

Design Coalition - design support for Madison-area residents who want to design and build ADUs

AccessoryDwellings.org - a volunteer-run resource guide on how to design, build, and get approval for your ADU, complete with zoning ordinances by state

ADUs in Madison - a Facebook page where Madisonians can share advice and resources related to ADUs

Time to Build - sample ADU floorplans, plus words of wisdom when thinking about your own ADU

Madison Zoning Department - who to contact when you're ready to get started!

Related links:

The Hottest Home Amenity: In-Law Apartments, Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2014.