Heidi Uhrig

Save your gas and Save Your Money, Get There Green in Madison!

There is no question that gas prices both nationally, and here in Madison, are through the roof! Everyone I know is relying a little more heavily these days on public transportation. I am therefore providing a great link which is a complete reference map for alternative transportation in Madison. This site is sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Madison Environmental Group. It has an interactive map with all your public transportation options in Madison.

Utilizing public transportation is a great way for Madison homeowners and residents to save money on gas as well as live a little green! The fact that Madison has such great alternative transportation options is also a great reason to consider Madison and its surrounding towns as your next place to live. If you are interested in learning a litte bit more about the Madison real estate market, just send me an email and I will gladly send you a link with some great real estate buys in the Madison area.

So the weather is great, everyone is a bit happier and without a winter coat (FINALLY!!)! Another highlight, the Madison real estate market is picking up.

All the signs are pointing to the start of the spring/summer season. With this season, comes the yard clean ups that are so very important in protecting your Madison real estate investment, your home!

Performing your yard clean up is important for all homeowners, but especially important if you are trying to sell your Madison home. I would encourage all Madison homeowners to take advantage of the Spring Leaf and Garden Waste Collection that is being provided by the city of Madison. It will continue until May 2 and pick up times are dependent upon your Madison property address. Take a look at Madison's site for more details.

If you happen to miss the pick ups or have a need to drop off the waste yourself you can do that as well. There are 3 locations available to Madison city homeowners;

• EAST: 4602 Sycamore Ave.
• SOUTH: 1501 W. Badger Rd.
• WEST: 402 South Point Rd. (Brush will not be accepted)

All three locations accept the following;

• Leaves,
• Grass clippings,
• Garden debris,
• Flowers and other plant waste. The sites will also accept
• Shrub trimmings shorter that 18". Tree and shrub trimmings longer than 18" are considered brush. Brush is accepted at the 1501 W. Badger Rd. and 4602 Sycamore Ave. sites only. Do not bring brush to 402 South Point Rd.

Good Luck and Enjoy the Warm weather while performing your Madison yard clean up! And for all the home sellers in the Madison real estate market right now, don't forget the importance of curb appeal!

What I have come to learn as a Madison realtor is that most prospective buyers are not shopping for a house, they are shopping for a place to live, a place to call home. And there is quite a difference.

Although the number of bedrooms, the square footage, and the condition of the hardwood floors may mean a lot when trying to sell Madison real estate, so is the surrounding community. Lucky for us living here in the Madison area, we have a community that would appeal to most. The Madison area community is unique, I find it to be filled with wonderfully creative and nurturing people, and the location itself is just a gem. It is one of the few places where can you be in a country atmosphere one moment and then in the city the next. Right here in the Madison area, we have great parks, museums, restaurants, theaters, and events!

I am bringing all this up because I believe the Madison area should be celebrated and preserved in all of its wonderfulness. Just as we all will celebrate the Earth on Earth Day. Thankfully, the Habitat for Humanity Restore program, who has already done so much for the Madison community and Madison real estate, has planned a great event at their location on Grove St. It will be held on April 19th from noon to 4 and will include a number of auctions, festivities, and educational booths. So come and visit the Habitat for Humanity Restore and celebrate the earth, celebrate our Madison area community, the place we all live and call home.

Isn’t it funny how as homeowners and local residents living in a community for years upon years, we often never realize all that our community has to offer. We look at other areas, like coastal resorts, historic settings, or even other state parks, and think we would love to explore them. Yet we often forget that when living in Madison we have some of the most interesting activities and areas to explore right in our backyard. I am always searching on-line and in our local Madison publications so that I can stay on top of all the local events and activities in our community. I think it is important as a realtor to be a community expert especially when working with prospective Madison buyers. This week, while doing my research, I came across a really neat activity that combines two of my favorite things. Films and music!

Yesterday began the start of the 10^th annual Wisconsin Film Festival. It will run through this Sunday, April 6^th. There will be many local Madison establishments involved in the film festival for movie showings, release parties, and receptions. The movies are shown at 10 different Madison theaters all within walking distance to one another downtown. Entering and exiting the movies you will find areas to sit and enjoy the music of some of the movies. You can also go to one of the many parties to see live music including some great local Madison talent. So if you are looking for some fun this weekend or interested in seeing a great side of Madison, check out the Wisconsin Film Festival this weekend.

Keller Williams Realty West will be taking part in a service project which collects and distributes suitcases, duffel bags, and backpacks for foster children in the Madison area. Last year we had the most suitcases gathered from any single real estate office and we plan to do it again. All donations will be accepted from now until March 13th. Full information for the drive is included below. For more information on how to get involved in this Madison area charity, please give me a call. 608-444-6831. Thank You!!

Returning to the Blitz: Suitcases for Kids
"In 2006, RASCW joined the national service project designed to collect and distribute new and gently used suitcases, duffel bags and backpacks for foster children who are frequently forced to move from home to home. Since that time, we have donated more that 700 suitcases and just under $1,000 to foster care programs throughout Dane, Sauk and Columbia counties. We will once again be collecting donations at Blitz 2008 and distributing them throughout the three counties. Please remember to bring a suitcase to the Blitz on March 13, 2008." (http://www.rascw.org/)

Any contributions will be greatly appreciated and will be stored at the Keller William West real estate office until March 13th.

Thanks so much in advance on behalf of those without.