Free/Cheap Resources for Homeowners in Dane County

A roundup of free and low-cost resources for Dane County homeowners, plus this week’s fall events and a winter-prep tip on preventing ice dams from Elevate Properties.

Five Free or Cheap Resources Most Dane County Homeowners Overlook

Here are five free or low-cost resources that a lot of homeowners in Dane County never take advantage of. None of them are complicated, but together they can save money.

1. The Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit

If you own your home and it’s your primary residence, you may be eligible for a state credit that comes straight off your property tax bill. It’s often a couple hundred dollars. It’s based on whether you owned and lived in the home on January 1st, and your tax bill arrives in December, so check it when it shows up.

If the credit isn’t on there and you think it should be, call your county treasurer. And if you bought this year, make a note to get it set up for next year’s bill. You can find the details on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s lottery and gaming credit page.

2. Focus on Energy

Focus on Energy is the program run through Wisconsin utilities. It offers a free online home energy assessment, free energy-saving products shipped to your door, and rebates on things like insulation, air sealing, and heating and cooling equipment.

My tip: before you spend money on any energy upgrade, check their rebates first.

3. A Radon Test

If you bought a home within the last 5-6 years, you likely did NOT perform a Radon Test when you bought your home. It’s a contingency that sellers hate and it just wasn’t going to fly. Public Health Madison & Dane County sells short-term radon test kits for about $10. Roughly half of the Dane County homes that have been tested came back with high radon levels. It’s an invisible gas you can’t smell or see, and a test is the only way to know.

Winter is actually a good time to test, since homes are closed up. To order a kit, call the South-Central Radon Information Center at 608-243-0392, or read more on the Public Health Madison & Dane County radon page.

4. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore

There are two ReStore locations in Dane County, and they sell furniture, appliances, and building materials at a fraction of retail. If you’re remodeling, they’ll pick up donations for free and even offer free kitchen tear-outs, where they remove your old cabinets. The money goes right back into building affordable housing here. It’s hit or miss when you go and each store will have different things but before spending top dollar on tile for backsplash, it can be worth checking out to see if there is something similar here.

5. Paying Your Mortgage Off Faster

You don’t need to buy anything. Your lender’s website probably has a free calculator, or you can use any online amortization calculator to see what an extra payment does. Even a small extra amount each month can cut years off a loan.

Two things to check first: make sure the extra goes toward principal, and make sure your loan doesn’t have a prepayment penalty. And skip any paid “biweekly payment” service, since you can usually do the same thing yourself for free.

Questions about any of these, or want a recommendation for a local pro? Reach out and I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

This Week in Madison

• GLEAM at Olbrich Gardens — 6:30–10:30pm
• Schuster’s Haunted Forest — Oct 22–24
• Dane County Farmers’ Market — Capitol Square — Oct 24, 6:15am–1:45pm
• Candlelight Hike & Open House at Nelson Park — Oct 24, 4–9pm

Andrew’s Home Maintenance Tip: Check Attic Insulation Before Winter

Inadequate attic insulation is the number one cause of ice dams, a costly and damaging winter problem for Wisconsin homeowners.

Head up to your attic, usually through a scuttle hole in the ceiling of a bedroom closet, and check that insulation is evenly distributed and at adequate depth. For Dane County’s climate zone, R-49 to R-60 is recommended.

Also make sure insulation isn’t blocking your soffit vents. You need that airflow to keep the attic cold and prevent the uneven snow melt that causes ice dams.

If you don’t want to climb up there (and let’s be honest, nobody enjoys it), reach out. I can connect you with an inspector I use to check things out, take a video so you don’t need to go up there ever again, and show you how well your attic is insulated.

Two New Rentals

510 N Meadow Ln, Madison WI – $2,750/Month

Phenomenal west side location! This beautifully remodeled home, updated within the last 5 years, is ready for its next caretaker! With multiple living spaces, modern updates and appliances, and a gorgeously landscaped front and back yard, this home balances convenience with privacy exceptionally well.

Inside, you’ll find 4 bedrooms with a 5th room in the lower level that does not have egress, 2 full bathrooms, 2 spacious living rooms, a large kitchen with a dedicated dining area, a 1-car attached garage, a laundry room, and an additional storage room providing plenty of space for families, working from home, or simply enjoying extra room to spread out.

Step outside to a fully fenced backyard with a 6-foot privacy fence, creating the perfect place to relax or entertain. The yard features a beautiful paver patio with a built-in campfire area, ideal for evenings with family and friends, while the grassy area offers room for children to play, pets to enjoy, or gardening. The paved driveway accommodates up to five vehicles, making parking easy for both residents and guests.

Located in one of Madison’s most desirable neighborhoods, this home is just minutes from schools, parks, shopping, restaurants, UW Hospital, and the University of Wisconsin campus. Whether you’re looking for extra space, a peaceful backyard, or a convenient location close to everything, this home has it all!

829 Hawthorn Dr, Sun Prairie WI – $3,100/Month Available December 1st

This charming single family home offers the perfect combination of spacious living, nearby amenities and a quiet location in the Meadow Crossing neighborhood. The large backyard is great for entertaining or relaxing outside.

Only 7 years old and well taken care of, this home has 3 beds, 2.5 baths, Flex Room, 2 car garage, a spacious unfinished basement, and many high end upgrades throughout.

The open floor plan on the main level is great for entertaining and the large island with solid surface counters allows plenty of space if you love cooking. Main floor laundry (washer/dryer included) and mud room keeps the mess out of the way.

The primary on-suite has a double vanity, walk in shower and spacious closet. Gas fireplace in the living room adds an extra coziness to the home.

Located near a park, shopping, restaurants, nature paths and all the amenities Sun Prairie has to offer, this home gets you the best of both worlds by being conveniently located but out of the way.

View the Full Listing on Zillow

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