John Reuter

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make — and it should be one of the most exciting. My best advice? Don’t do it alone. As a top local Realtor and veteran, I’ve helped hundreds of buyers navigate this market — from first-timers to seasoned homeowners — and here’s what I always tell my clients: Get pre-approved early. This helps you understand your budget and shows sellers you’re serious. Understand your “must-haves” vs. “nice-to-haves.” It’s easy to get distracted. Focus on the lifestyle you want to build, not just the finishes. Lean on your agent’s knowledge. I’ll help you spot red flags, understand neighborhoods, and make smart offers that win — even in competitive markets. Look beyond the listing. I often find homes before they hit the market, or identify opportunities others miss. Don’t skip inspections or due diligence. This is where I help protect your investment. Know your long-term plan. Whether this is a 5-year home or your forever home, I’ll help you think through resale value, schools, commute, and community. If you’re a veteran, first responder, teacher, or healthcare worker, I can also help you save thousands through the Homes for Heroes program — ask me how. Bottom line: You deserve someone who treats your purchase like it’s their own. That’s what I do every time.

Selling a home isn’t just about putting a sign in the yard — it’s about maximizing your equity, minimizing your stress, and moving forward with confidence. Here’s the advice I give every seller I work with: Price it right from the start. Overpricing leads to longer days on market and weaker offers. I’ll help you analyze local comps, buyer demand, and pricing strategy so your home sells quickly — and for top dollar. First impressions matter. Staging, professional photography, video, and even drone shots make a difference. I invest in all of it — because you deserve to stand out. Your timeline and goals matter. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or selling due to life changes, I build your plan around what works best for your situation. Marketing is everything. With deep local connections, targeted digital campaigns, and strategies that go beyond the MLS, I make sure your home gets in front of the right buyers fast. Negotiation is more than price. I help you evaluate all terms — contingencies, closing timelines, appraisal gaps, and more — to protect your interests and ensure a smooth transaction. Be market smart. In Dane County and especially hot neighborhoods like Waunakee, small shifts in inventory and interest rates matter. I’ll keep you updated on every market move. If you’re a hero — military, police, fire, healthcare, or education professional — don’t forget to ask about our Homes for Heroes program to save big on your sale. Selling your home isn’t just a transaction. It’s a major life moment. You deserve a trusted partner who knows the local market inside and out, and fights for you every step of the way.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible variety of clients — each with unique goals, challenges, and stories. What they all have in common? A desire for expert guidance, honesty, and results they can trust. Here are just a few of the client types I serve: Veterans and Active-Duty Military: As a medically retired Air Force veteran, I understand VA loans, military relocation (PCS), and the emotional weight of transition. I specialize in helping military families find stability, community, and long-term value. First-Time Homebuyers: Whether you’re buying your very first home or navigating a competitive market for the first time, I walk you through every step with clarity, patience, and strategy. Move-Up Buyers & Growing Families: I help families looking to sell their current home and purchase their next — all while coordinating timing, finances, and logistics. Downsizers & Empty Nesters: Whether you’re simplifying life or planning for retirement, I create a custom plan to help you transition smoothly and protect your equity. Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Teachers, and Healthcare Workers: Through the Homes for Heroes program, I help our community’s heroes save thousands on real estate transactions. It’s an honor to give back to those who serve others daily. Investors and Relocation Clients: I work with clients relocating to Waunakee, Madison, Sun Prairie, and surrounding areas, as well as investors seeking smart long-term opportunities in the Dane County market. Luxury and Custom Home Sellers: My listings stand out with professional staging, photography, video, and top-tier marketing that attracts qualified buyers — fast. No matter your background or goals, I treat every client like family and every transaction like it’s my own.

Finding the right home in Waunakee isn’t always easy — especially for buyers who want something truly special. My clients had been searching for the perfect home in town when we came across a listing in the Westbridge subdivision that had been sitting on the market for a bit. The moment they saw it, they fell in love — not just with the home, but with the neighborhood amenities, trails, parks, and community pool that make Westbridge such a sought-after place to live. We acted fast and submitted an offer — but almost immediately, I got the call: another offer had just come in. Here’s where experience matters. I reached out directly to my clients’ lender and financial advisor and worked quickly to craft a creative, cash-equivalent offer. By leveraging the equity in their current home and documented assets, we showed the sellers they could close with confidence — just like a cash buyer. I maintained open lines of communication with the listing agent — immediately after the showing, after submitting the offer, and throughout the negotiations. In fact, the back-and-forth lasted nearly the entire day. I didn’t miss a single call or text — whether I was out on a walk, at Best Buy, or even at dinner. At one point, after receiving a counteroffer, we surprised the sellers by adjusting our terms to be more favorable to them — a rare move, but a strategic one. That shift ultimately sealed the deal. According to the seller himself during the final walk-through, our outside-the-box strategy and relentless communication were the reasons our buyers got the home. They were ready to go with the other offer — until they saw how solid and well-structured ours was. After closing, we continued supporting the buyers by helping coordinate contractors to finish the basement — turning their dream home into something even more extraordinary. This is what I love about real estate: solving complex challenges, advocating for my clients, and making their dreams a reality — especially right here in Waunakee.

or my wife and me, real estate started as a passion project. We loved touring open houses throughout Waunakee, Madison, and the surrounding Dane County communities — not because we were always looking to buy, but because we truly enjoyed seeing how different homes came together and imagining the possibilities. But during those visits, we had a few experiences that were hard to forget. At one open house, a Realtor claimed she already had a buyer for our home — a tactic we later discovered was used just to get listings. At another, an agent told us we couldn’t afford the home — without knowing anything about us. With our backgrounds in management and customer service, we were shocked. Frankly, we thought it was unacceptable. People who are buying or selling a home deserve honesty, respect, and real guidance — not sales tactics and snap judgments. That’s when the light bulb went off. I was still active duty with the 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, and my wife was working as a claims adjuster for a major insurance company. We decided to get our Wisconsin real estate licenses — not to launch a business, but to help friends, family, and co-workers have the kind of experience we wished we’d had. Once we got licensed, we simply let people know — and that’s when it took off. Word started spreading throughout the Waunakee, Sun Prairie, and Madison communities. We began helping local police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, and veterans, especially through the Homes for Heroes program, and the referrals kept coming. It spread like wildfire. Soon, we were among the top-producing agents in Dane County, eventually ranking in the top 1% of Realtors nationwide. But through it all, we’ve stayed grounded in our original mission: to give back, and to provide the kind of trusted, respectful, and expert service we would want if we were the ones buying or selling. Today, as a Veteran Realtor, local business owner, and proud Waunakee resident, I still lead with that same purpose — and it’s what continues to carry us forward.

When it comes to buying or selling a home, you need more than just a Realtor — you need someone who knows the process inside and out, who’s walked in your shoes, and who can spot the details others miss. As a Veteran Realtor with a background in law enforcement and military service, I bring a level of discipline, precision, and street smarts to real estate that’s hard to find. I hold both the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification and the Military Home Specialist designation, and I have extensive training and hands-on experience with the VA Loan Program — helping veterans and active-duty families maximize their benefits while avoiding common pitfalls. I’ve personally toured and studied thousands of homes throughout Waunakee, Madison, and the surrounding Dane County area, which means I don’t just know the market — I know the floor plans, builders, red flags, and resale patterns most agents miss. Whether it’s spotting contract issues, identifying hidden defects, or seeing through a seller’s “fluff,” I’ve developed an eye for what really matters. I’m a firm believer in protecting my clients' interests at all costs. I know the ins and outs of real estate contracts, how to negotiate the strongest terms, and how to anticipate problems before they arise. I don’t just react — I plan, prepare, and lead you every step of the way. And yes — I take pride in being the best at what I do. If you want a tough, knowledgeable, no-nonsense advocate who’s got your back and will fight for your best outcome, I’m your guy.