Our next post in the Live Green, Vive Verde series is all about saving on your energy bills through landscaping!  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can "improve your home's comfort and lower your energy bills" with the right landscaping, tailored to your home, your needs, and your geography! The Department of Energy also has an awesome infographic with quick tips on exactly how you can consume less energy with simple landscaping tips! Here are some of our favorites:

Help Save Water by...

1) Grouping plants with similar watering needs together

2) Using mulch to keep plant roots cool and prevent quick evaporation of water

3) Raising your lawn mower cutting height to reduce the amount of water needed to maintain your lawn

 

Help Save Energy by...

1) Planting trees and shrubs that add shade to your home

2) Planting ground cover, which will help to cool air before it hits your home

3) Using trellises with creeping or climbing vines to add visual interest and cooling shade to a deck or patio

 

 

If you'd like to improve your landscaping this year, and explore some of the options you have to make a more energy efficient green space around your home, check out our recommended local experts page for landscapers to call in the Madison area.

JUST LISTED in Eastmorland! 3801 Paus Street is a nicely remodeled 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath ranch home. Add legal egress to the bonus master suite in lower level and make it a four bedroom! Large fenced yard, two- tiered deck, new shed, garden beds, perennials, and screened porch that attaches the over-sized one car garage to house. Nice flow with open floor plan. Kitchen features new stainless kitchen appliances, marble back splash and butcher block storage unit. New interior doors and trim, newer windows & vinyl siding, roof 2004. Great location near bike path, schools, Lake Monona, Olbrich, and Atwood!

• 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath
• 1 car garage, attached
• For current price, more information, and photos: 3801 Paus Street

Property Features and Updates

• Hardwood & tile floors
• Newer windows
• Newer interior trim and doors
• Updated kitchen: new stainless steel appliances, painted cabinets, marble back splash, butcher block unit
• Added new full bath to  basement with custom tile shower
• Newer siding
• Fenced yard
• Deck (less than 4 years old)
• Screen porch- recently painted and re-screened
• New shed (painting will be completed)
• New landscaping with many perennials and vegetable gardens
• Roof replaced in 2004

Eastmorland Neighborhood

Eastmorland is a residential enclave of about 3,400 homes bordered by Milwaukee Street, Stoughton Road, and Cottage Grove Road. Built in the 1950s as a community of starter homes, the average house has about 1,000 square feet of living space on the main floor. Well-made homes, with oak floors and cabinets, make this a highly desirable neighborhood for purchasing an affordable, quality starter home. What can't be seen on a drive-through (or bike-through) of the neighborhood is the tremendous spirit of this area. The Eastmorland Community Association (ECA) began in 1957 and has been instrumental in working to improve the neighborhood and to build relationships among neighbors.

School District Information

• Schenk Elementary School
• Whitehorse Middle School
• La Follette High School

 

This home is listed and marketed by April Johnson, Broker Associate - The Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling or buying a home of your own, please contact April at 608.358.7481 or April@TheAlvaradoGroup.com

JUST SOLD! 7837 Wood Reed Drive, Madison sold on June 13, 2017 for $303,450. 4BD, 2.5BA, 2066 SqFt  The beautifully landscaped private backyard with patio deck off of the kitchen is ideal outdoor dining space that nicely compliments the large kitchen with eat-in breakfast area and formal dining room. Congratulations to the buyers and sellers!

This home was sold by Carlos Alvarado, Principal Broker - The Alvarado Real Estate Group. To discuss buying or selling your home, please contact Carlos at 608.438.6757, or carlos@thealvaradogroup.com

JUST SOLD! 530 Rosewood Avenue sold on June 15, 2017 for $264,900. This 4BD, 2.5BA, 2424 SqFt home has a gas fireplace in the family room, formal dining room and separate living room. Master bedroom has laundry chute, walk-in closet, vaulted ceilings, and a Jacuzzi tub. Congratulations to the buyers and sellers!

Photo Courtesy of Keller Williams Realty

This home was sold by Brett Larson, Broker Associate- Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling your home or buying a home of your own, please contact Brett at 608.575.4123 or brett@thealvaradogroup.com.

JUST SOLD! 5206 Whitcomb Drive sold on June 9, 2017 for $360,000. Updated gourmet kitchen with Wolf dual fuel range, walk-in pantry, two fireplaces, tongue & groove pine walls in family room, three season porch, beautiful newer oak floors, updated baths updated, and so much more. Congratulations to the buyers and sellers!

This home was sold by Kate Weis, Broker Associate - Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling your home or buying a home of your own, please contact Kate at 608-213-4203 or kate@thealvaradogroup.com.

JUST LISTED in Nakoma! Historic Colonial. Beautiful brick 3 bedroom 3.5 bath home with classic details including hardwood flooring, crown molding, wood-burning fireplace in living room and formal dining room. The renovated kitchen has a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking stove, double ovens & granite counter-tops. Light-filled family room & sun room with wood-burning stove and skylights open up to backyard. The master suite has a full bath, walk-in closet and bonus room that could be used as an office/4th bedroom. Additional full bath w/jetted tub, LL finished room w/sauna. Showings start 6/3/17.

 

• 3BD, 3.5BA, 2876 SqFt
• 2 car garage, attached
• For more photos and property information: 754 Miami Pass

Property Features and Updates

• Beautiful brick home
• Sub-Zero refrigerator
• Viking stove
• Thermador double ovens
• Granite counter-tops
• Sauna
• Jetted tub
• Finished lower level area with full bathroom
• Master bedroom suite

Nakoma Area Neighborhood Features

Nakoma was platted in 1915 and was one of the most prestigious neighborhoods of its time as it is today. Some of the finest examples of Colonial, Greek, Tudor Revival, French Provincial, and Prairie style homes are located in Nakoma. This historic neighborhood is also home to Thoreau Elementary School, Nakoma Country Club, and easy access to the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. Resident driven activities and charitable endeavors are spearheaded by The Nakoma League, which includes all residents of the neighborhood's 800 homes, and continues its mission "to promote neighborliness and friendliness among its members and to contribute to the welfare of the community."

School District Information

• Thoreau Elementary
• Cherokee Heights Middle School
• Madison West High School

This home is listed and marketed by Susan Stoehr, Broker Associate / Relocation Specialist - The Alvarado Real Estate Group. To discuss buying or selling your home, please contact Susan at 608.251.6600, or susan@thealvaradogroup.com

JUST LISTED home in desirable Community of Bishops Bay. Top of its class in energy efficiency, design and quality, this "like new" home has the features you have been looking for at a great price. Open floor plan with gourmet kitchen, cozy family room and bright morning room together on the back side of the house. There is a large mud room with generous storage off the 3 car garage. A butlers pantry leads to the formal dining and living areas. All four bedrooms are on the second floor as well as the laundry. Open air deck that leads to a custom fenced backyard. HOA fees include use of pool and clubhouse.

Listing Details

• 4BD, 2.5BA, 3192 SqFt
• 3 car attached garage
• For more photos and current price: 5018 Sawgrass Terr

Property Features and Updates

• Open floor plan
• Gourmet kitchen
• Mud room
• Butlers Pantry
• Formal living room
• Family room with fireplace
• Breakfast Room
• Formal Dining
• 3 car garage
• Fenced Yard
• Community Pool and Clubhouse
• Master Suite
• 2nd Floor Laundry

Community of Bishops Bay

From the Community of Bishops Bay: "A place full of happiness and fresh out of stereotypes. We offer a unique combination of homes and dynamic neighborhoods so you can choose the one that fits you perfectly. And we don’t hem you in with people and activities that are all the same. Interesting people have eclectic tastes. Different generations find each other captivating. And no one wants to be surrounded by other houses that look just like their own. By mixing things up, we’ve found a way to bring people together. So look around. Get comfortable, and make yourself at home."

School District Information

• Waunakee Community Elementary Schools (Arboretum, Heritage, Prairie)
• Waunakee Community Intermediate School
• Waunakee Community Middle School
• Waunakee Community High School

This home is listed and marketed by Brett Larson, Real Estate Consultant - Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling your home or buying a home of your own, please contact Brett at 608.575.4123 or brett@thealvaradogroup.com.

This condo was sold by Brett Larson, Broker Associate - Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling your home or buying a home of your own, please contact Brett at 608.575.4123 or brett@thealvaradogroup.com.

JUST SOLD! 301 N. Main Street, Pardeeville, WI sold on May 24,2017 for $141,112. The home is situated on a non-motorized lake for a peaceful setting, perfect for spending the day canoeing, fishing or soaking up the rays. Congratulations to the buyers and sellers!

This home was sold by Emma Bohrod, Real Estate Consultant - The Alvarado Real Estate Group. To discuss buying or selling your home, please contact Emma at 608.575.8769, or emma@thealvaradogroup.com

JUST SOLD! 6642 Gettysburg Drive, Madison, WI sold on May 23, 2017. 5BD, 2.5BA, 3378 SqFt for $535,000. We know the new homeowners will enjoy this updated and incredibly bright all brick Parkwood Hills beauty with five large bedrooms, two main floor living areas with a fireplace, and private fenced yard with paver patio. Congratulations to the buyers and sellers!

This home was sold by Kate Weis, Broker Associate - Alvarado Real Estate Group. If you'd like to discuss selling your home or buying a home of your own, please contact Kate at 608-213-4203 or kate@thealvaradogroup.com.