Thinking about listing your home? Before you renovate, over-stage, or overprice — find out what actually moves buyers, plus this week’s Madison events, a new rental listing, and a fall home maintenance tip from Elevate Properties.

What Sellers Think Matters vs. What Actually Sells Your Home

There’s a real gap between what sellers think they need to do before listing, and what actually moves the needle for buyers. Here are three of the biggest myths we see — and what to focus on instead.

Myth #1: You need to renovate the kitchen or bathroom before listing

What actually matters: a clean, well-functioning kitchen almost always beats a half-finished renovation. Buyers are checking whether things work and whether they can picture themselves using the space — not whether it’s brand new. A $30,000 remodel rarely returns $30,000 at closing.

Myth #2: Staging means buying new furniture to make it look like a magazine

What actually matters: decluttering and depersonalizing what you already have. An overly styled home can feel less relatable, not more — buyers need to picture themselves there.

Myth #3: A higher list price gives you room to negotiate

What actually happens: overpricing kills your first two weeks on market — when you get the most buyer traffic and leverage. A home priced right often sells faster and closer to (or over) asking.

RSVP: Day on the Farm — October 10th

Join us October 10th for our “Day on the Farm” event at Enchanted Valley Acres! A fun family event with food, activities, family photos, and on-the-farm fun.

RSVP HERE!!!

This Weekend In Madison

• Sunset Yoga — The Edgewater — FREE — Sept 17, 6:30pm
• Nature Walk — Hoyt Park — Sept 17
• Live Music — WI Brewing Co — Sept 18, 6pm
• Willy Street Fair — Sept 19–20
• Maple Fall Fest — Marshfield — Sept 19–20
• Movie at the Glen: Secret Life of Pets — Sept 20, 4–7pm
• Moon Over Monona — Oct 16 — RSVP required!

New Rental Coming Soon!!

Amazing single-family home with an independent mother-in-law suite! The main home is a 3-bed, 2.5-bath with tons of living space, an updated kitchen, craft area, and attached 2-car garage. The independent mother-in-law suite has its own walkway and front door, plus its own laundry, kitchen, and living space with a gas fireplace.

This is a unique rental — we’re hoping to find a generational household that wants to rent the entire space while giving some separation to those using the mother-in-law suite.

Andrew’s Home Maintenance Tip: Clean Gutters — Early Fall Edition

Leaves are beginning to fall in southern Wisconsin, and gutters can fill up fast. Clean them now to get ahead of peak fall leaf drop, and plan for a second cleaning in late October or November.

Overflowing gutters in fall can lead to foundation water intrusion, landscape erosion, and — once temperatures drop — ice dam formation at the roofline. Keeping gutters clear is one of the most impactful maintenance tasks for protecting your home’s structure.

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