Thursday, November 13, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
Nothing says “home for the holidays” quite like the scent of fresh evergreens and the joy of crafting your own festive decoration. All across southern Wisconsin, you can find fun and creative holiday workshops perfect for a cozy date, a family outing, or a friends-night-out to kick off the season.
Here are some of the best local classes to check out:
Upcoming Wreath & Décor Workshops
Holiday Wreath Workshop – Atmospheric Floral
The Tinsmith, Madison
November 30, 2025 | 1:45 – 3:00 PM
$149.81
A luxury wreath experience featuring premium dried florals and hand-dyed silk ribbons—perfect for a modern, elegant holiday look.
Holiday Wreath Making Workshop – Allen Centennial Garden (with Working Draft Beer Company)
Working Draft Beer Company, Madison
November 22, 2025 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM
$55 (includes all supplies + a drink)
A fun, casual workshop with local brews and plenty of creative cheer.
Evergreen Holiday Wreaths & ...
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Wednesday, November 12, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
The Huemmer Home Team - Your Madison Real Estate Experts
First-Time Homebuyers Face Historic Challenges in Madison and Beyond
If you're trying to break into the Madison housing market, you're not alone in feeling frustrated. Recent data from the National Association of Realtors reveals a troubling trend that's affecting aspiring homeowners across Wisconsin and the nation: first-time buyers are being squeezed out of the market at record rates.
The Numbers Tell a Stark Story
The latest housing report shows that first-time buyers now account for only about 20% of all home sales, a historic low and roughly half the percentage from a generation ago. Even more striking? The average age of first-time buyers has climbed to 40 years old, while the typical homebuyer is now 59.
"These statistics reflect real challenges we're seeing right here in Madison," says Amber Huemmer. "Young families and professionals who should be building equity are instead stuck renting, watching the mark ...
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Monday, November 10, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
The housing market conversation just got a lot more interesting. President Trump recently floated the idea of introducing a 50-year mortgage option for American homebuyers, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency is reportedly working on making it a reality. For families in Sun Prairie and the greater Madison area struggling with affordability, this could be the breakthrough they've been waiting for.
What Is a 50-Year Mortgage?
Similar to how President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the 30-year mortgage during the Great Depression, a 50-year mortgage would extend the loan repayment period to five decades. William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, called the proposal a "game changer" and confirmed his agency is actively working on this new mortgage product.
Lower Monthly Payments, Greater Accessibility
The primary benefit of a 50-year mortgage is simple: lower monthly payments. For a $400,000 loan at 6% interest, a 30-year mortgage would cost $2,398 p ...
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Friday, October 31, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
What the Fed did & how it affects mortgages
Imagine that banks lend money to each other overnight, and that rate is set by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”). Yesterday the Fed dropped that key overnight rate by 0.25% (25 basis points). In very simple terms: the Fed made it cheaper for banks to borrow money.
Now: does that mean your mortgage (which is a long-term loan like 30 years) goes down by exactly 0.25%? Not automatically. Here’s how the process works:
Because banks can borrow more cheaply, in theory they might pass some of that savings to borrowers (people like you getting a home loan).
But 30-year fixed mortgage rates aren’t tied directly to the overnight Fed rate. Instead, they follow long-term interest rates and investor expectations (for example the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds) because lenders want to know what the money they lend now will cost them for many years.
So when the Fed cuts its rate, sometimes mortgage rates ...
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Tuesday, October 28, 2025 / by Ryan Huemmer
When you’re preparing to sell your home, it’s natural to wonder what projects will help you get top dollar, which might just drain your wallet. While both home improvement and home maintenance matter, they serve different purposes in protecting and increasing your home’s value. Knowing the difference and which investments make the biggest impact in Southern Wisconsin’s real estate market can be the key to a faster, more profitable sale.
Understanding the Difference
Home improvement refers to upgrades or enhancements that improve your home’s appearance, comfort, or functionality beyond its original condition. Think of it as elevating your home’s appeal, updating a dated kitchen, adding new flooring, or enhancing curb appeal with fresh landscaping. These projects often attract more buyers and can help your home stand out in a competitive market.
Home maintenance, on the other hand, involves the repairs and upkeep needed to preserve your home’s ...
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