Marisa Voelkel

"We want 5 acres out in the country."

I hear this often from folks looking to move out of Madison or Janesville. But as a homesteader and real estate agent who actually lives on 10 acres, I always stop and ask my clients one very important question:

"Do you want 5 acres, or do you just want privacy?"

Because 5 acres means buying a tractor. It means beating back the Wisconsin black raspberry vines, dealing with downed trees after storms, and giving up some of your weekends to property maintenance. If you want to homestead, it is 100% worth it. But if you just want to sit on your porch and not see your neighbors, we can find you a heavily wooded 1-acre lot that gives you absolute peace—without becoming a second full-time job.

If you own acreage right now, what is the ONE thing you wish you knew about land maintenance before you bought it?

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

Wisconsin summers can swing from gorgeous to 95°F and miserably humid in a day. Heat is actually far more dangerous to backyard chickens than our freezing winters.

Putting on my Registered Nurse hat for a second: chickens don't sweat. They pant to regulate their core temperature. Once it hits about 85-90 degrees, they are at serious risk for heat stress and a massive drop in egg production. Last year I even set up a fan to get the air circulating for them (my hubby thought I was crazy, but it worked!).

If you are managing a flock this summer, here is my extreme heat protocol:
🚫 Stop feeding cracked corn (it raises their body temperature).
🍉 Give them frozen watermelon or berries in ice blocks.
💧 Add a 3-day cycle of electrolytes to their water to replace what they lose from panting.
🌳 Ensure your coop run has deep shade on the west side for the afternoon sun.

What is your flock’s (or rather, YOUR) absolute favorite way to cool down when the midwest humidity hits?

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

I grew up on a farm, but actually raised our kids in suburbia. Why? Because I remember having to beg for time to see friends, and I didn't want that constraint for my own family while the kids were young.

It wasn't until after they graduated high school that we finally bought our 10 acres—our private woodland retreat we call "Havenwood" (yep, the team is named after my oasis). I absolutely love the gardening, the canning, the building, and the peace out here.

But here is the hard truth about homesteading that nobody puts on Instagram: You must ruthlessly schedule your time, or the land will own you.

Every year is an exercise in balance and compromise. Last year? I planted way too many tomatoes. I had short spurts of time between running the brokerage, and a bunch of them rotted on the vine because I simply couldn't get to them fast enough.

This year, we looked at our time constraints and made some hard cuts. We were going to raise meat birds—we decided to wait. We wanted fainting goats—the timing wasn't right. We scaled the tomatoes way back.

Right-sizing isn't just about moving into a smaller house. It’s about right-sizing your land, your ambitions, and your physical energy so you can actually enjoy the property you bought.

Let something go this year. What is the one project, chore or crop you’ve decided to stop doing because it just wasn't worth the effort? Drop it in the comments. 👇

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

When clients tell me they want to downsize into their "forever home," the first thing I do is take off my real estate hat and put on my Registered Nurse hat.

"Smaller" does not automatically mean "functional" for aging in place. If you are buying a home for the next 20 years, you need to look for safety and accessibility features that most agents completely overlook.

My top non-negotiables for my clients:
1️⃣ Zero-step entries (front door and garage)
2️⃣ Main-floor laundry
3️⃣ Wide hallways and accessible bathroom layouts

If you are looking at right-sizing in Southern Wisconsin, don't compromise on the structural things that will protect your independence later. What is a "must-have" feature for your next home?

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

I took this photo on our homestead this past week, and if I’m being completely honest, it’s a constant battle out here right now.

I absolutely love gardening and taking care of our land. But with all the recent rain we’ve had across Southern Wisconsin, combined with only having short spurts of time to actually give to the property between running the brokerage, the weeds are growing faster than I can possibly eradicate them.

Right now? It’s a total challenge accepted. I’ve still got weeds to beat down, and I’m ready for it.

But as I was standing out there, I had a very real moment of clarity. I can easily envision a day in the future where this exact same view won't feel like a fun challenge—it will just feel depressing and exhausting.

Our team sits down with empty nesters across Madison and Janesville who have finally reached that tipping point. You spend decades pouring love into a property, and suddenly, the upkeep starts to feel like a heavy anchor stealing your weekends.

When the land you love starts dictating your life, it’s not just a real estate question—it’s a lifestyle and health question. Right-sizing isn't about "giving up." It’s about choosing exactly when to retire from the chores, so you can control your next chapter on your own terms before it becomes a burden.

Let's get a confession thread going: Be completely honest... what is the one house or yard chore you are absolutely dreaming of never having to do again? Let me know in the comments. 👇

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

"Marisa, should we wait for the market to cool off before we sell?" I hear this every single week.

Here is the hard truth: waiting for a cool-off often means you are just losing purchasing power. Inventory remains incredibly tight across Rock and Dane counties. But the biggest mistake I see empty nesters make isn't timing the market—it's guessing their current equity based on automated online estimates.

Before you make any decisions about right-sizing, you need real, hyper-local data.

I offer a completely no-obligation home valuation to help you understand your true position. It starts simple: visit my website, and then we’ll set up a quick follow-up call or a casual visit. We’ll sit down, strip away the guesswork, and discuss the actual value range your home is sitting in today.

Don't guess your equity. Let's calculate it together so you can plan your next chapter with confidence.

Start your free home valuation here: marisavoelkel.kw.com/discover-your-homes-worth

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

The biggest debate I’m seeing with empty nesters right now across Janesville and Madison: Do you make the leap to a condo, or just find a smaller single-family home?

Condos mean no more shoveling snow or mowing lawns (huge win), but you have HOA fees and rules. A smaller ranch gives you total autonomy, but you still own the exterior maintenance. As an investor and landlord, I always tell my clients to weigh the total cost of ownership against your desire for freedom.

Which side are you on for your next chapter? Vote below! 👇

2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Marisa Voelkel

🥂 BIG NEWS: A New Chapter Begins! 🏠✨
We are absolutely thrilled to announce a major milestone in our journey: Havenwood Realty has officially joined forces with KW Realty Signature! Please join us in celebrating our brand-new identity: The Havenwood Realty Team. 🥂🎉
Why we’re popping the champagne:
This isn’t just a name change; it’s a massive upgrade for you. By partnering with the global powerhouse that is Keller Williams, we are leveling up our game to provide a real estate experience like never before. 🚀
What does this mean for our incredible clients?
🌐 A Global Network: Instant access to a massive web of agents and buyers across the world.
🛠️ Cutting-Edge Resources: The industry’s most advanced tech and marketing tools at your fingertips.
🤝 Local Roots, National Reach: The same boutique service you love, now backed by the #1 real estate franchise in the world.
Our mission remains the same: to guide you home with integrity, passion, and local expertise. Now, we just have a much bigger toolbox to help us get you there!
Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to show you what the Havenwood Realty Team can do! 🏠❤️

5 months ago | [YT] | 0