I Help Wisconsin Home Buyers Understand What They're Actually Buying

I'm Tyler Rufenacht, a real estate agent and Broker Associate with RE/MAX Preferred, serving Madison, Oregon, Verona, Fitchburg, and surrounding Dane County communities. Before entering real estate, I spent more than ten years in residential construction as a project manager, and I hold a Bachelor's degree in Construction Management from UW-Platteville.

That background shapes everything about how I work with clients.

For buyers, I evaluate homes during showings the way a construction professional would — assessing the condition of structural systems, identifying deferred maintenance, and flagging issues that a standard walkthrough misses. Clients consistently tell me I pointed out problems they never would have caught on their own: drainage grading toward a foundation, aging mechanical systems, improperly installed work. The goal isn't to talk anyone out of a house — it's to make sure you understand exactly what you're buying before you're committed.

For sellers, my construction knowledge works in a different direction. I walk homes before listing them the same way a buyer's inspector will, identifying what's likely to surface during due diligence. Sellers who work with me go into inspection with fewer surprises, fewer post-inspection renegotiations, and more control over their net proceeds.

I've been a licensed realtor in Dane County for more than ten years. Most of my business comes from past clients and referrals.