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Madison WI Housing Market Report — 2026
Market data last updated: March 2026
TL;DR
According to Redfin (March 2026), Madison's median sale price is $453,500 — up 5.8% year-over-year — with 41 days on market. USA Home Buyers purchases Madison homes for cash in any condition, any situation. Written offer in 24 hours, close in 7–14 days. Call 888-274-5006.
Madison WI Market Overview
Madison is Wisconsin's state capital and home to the University of Wisconsin. The combination of stable state government employment, a major research university, and a growing technology sector creates a housing market that has consistently appreciated through economic cycles. The near-east and near-west neighborhoods feature large inventories of Craftsman bungalows and American Foursquares — well-located, often well-maintained, but frequently in need of updates after decades of single-family ownership.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $453,500 (+5.8% YoY) | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Median days on market | 41 days | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 100.9% | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Compete Score | 74 / 100 | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| Monthly homes sold | ~216 | Redfin (Mar 2026) |
| WI transfer fee | $3/$1,000 (0.3%), no local add-on | WI DOR / Wis. Stat. §77.256 |
| WI recording fee | $30 flat (Wis. Stat. §59.43) | Wisconsin Statutes |
| Foreclosure type | Judicial — Dane County Circuit Court (~12 months) | WI Statutes Ch. 846 |
| County | Dane County | — |
Madison Neighborhoods — Character Notes
| Neighborhood | Character |
|---|---|
| Capitol / Isthmus | Dense urban, condos and older frame homes, highest walkability |
| Marquette | Near-east Craftsman bungalows, arts community, established character |
| Tenney-Lapham | Victorian-era and early 20th century stock, near Capitol, high demand |
| Vilas | Near-west, Foursquares and bungalows, Vilas Park proximity |
| Nakoma | Established west-side, 1930s–1950s period revival homes, higher price tier |
| Dudgeon-Monroe | Monroe Street corridor, Tudor Revival and Colonial forms, highest price tier |
| South Madison | More affordable, mid-century ranch and Cape Cod, working-class character |
Note: Neighborhood price ranges fluctuate. Verify current values with a licensed real estate professional.
What Madison's Market Means for As-Is Sellers
In a competitive market with a 100.9% sale-to-list ratio, move-in-ready homes sell quickly at or above asking. But the older character housing stock — Craftsman bungalows, Foursquares, and pre-war duplexes — often requires $20,000–$60,000+ in updates to compete on the retail market. For sellers dealing with probate timelines, foreclosure pressure, divorce, or properties with deferred maintenance, the conventional listing path is slow and expensive.
According to the Dane County Circuit Court, probate is handled through the Probate Division at 215 S. Hamilton Street, Room 1005, Madison WI 53703. Wisconsin judicial foreclosure runs through the same court system (Ch. 846). A direct cash sale from USA Home Buyers can close well before a probate or foreclosure timeline forces your hand.
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