Real Property Law - Real Estate Law in Wisconsin

Real Property Law

Home Construction / Remodeling
Agencies
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Advice for the homeowner who is contracting for remodeling work. Includes a directory of NARI professional remodelers.
WI Dept. of Commerce
Information and resources regarding the Uniform Dwelling Code, which is the statewide building code for one- and two-family dwellings. The UDC sets standards for fire safety; structural strength; energy conservation; erosion control; heating, plumbing and electrical systems; and general health and safety in new dwellings.
"Right to Cure" Brochure
Highlights provisions of the "right to cure" law and contains the step-by-step claim and response interaction between consumers and contractors/suppliers. According to the law, consumers must be provided this brochure before any dwelling construction begins.
Complaints
Home Improvement Complaint Form - Print/Mail (WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection)
Online form also available.
Home Improvement (WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection)
Includes: Tips on Hiring Contractors, Contractor Requirements, Contracts, Lien Waivers, etc.
Home Improvement: Wisconsin Consumer Protection Laws (WI Dept. of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection)
Topics include: Contractor Financial Responsibility, Theft by Contractor, Theft by Fraud, Home Inspectors, Basement Waterproofing, Building Codes, etc.
Liens (WI State Law Library)
Provides links to resources & laws related to liens.
Modernizing Wisconsin Residential Construction Laws (Wisconsin Lawyer, Sept. 2006)
Includes flowchart depicting the "right to cure" process.
Remodeling & the Law (American Bar Association)
Discusses laws that protect you during the home improvement process. Main subject areas include federal, state & local laws; contracts; contractors; guarding yourself against swindlers; what to watch out for; what to do if the contractor violates a contract
The Law (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

WI Statutes: s. 101.148 "Contractor Notices"
Created by 2005 Wisconsin Act 201 (Right to Cure Act)
WI Statutes: s. 895.07 "Claims Against Contractors and Suppliers"
WI Admin. Code: ATCP 110 "Home Improvement Practices"
WI Admin. Code: ATCP 111 "Basement Waterproofing Practices"
WI Admin. Code: COMM 20-25 Uniform Dwelling Code

Search for more statutes, regulations & opinions.
Home Ownership
For buying or selling your home, see: Real Estate

ABA Guide to Home Ownership (American Bar Association)
Chapters include Home Ownership: A Guide to What Your Deed Really Means; Sharing Ownership: Condos, Co-ops & Other Common Interest Communities; Defending Your Title: What Title Insurance Will Do For You -- and What It Won't; Fire! Thief! Asbestos!: Protecting Your Home & Health; Floor Wax & Dog Attacks: A Home Owner's Guide to Avoiding Liability; Remodeling?: How to Avoid Getting Nailed; Love Your Neighbor?: How to Keep Petty Annoyances from Turning into Major Headaches; Money, Money, Money: The Financial Side of Home Ownership; Death & Taxes: How Home Ownership Affects Your Tax Bill; Getting Older: Special Concerns of Aging Owners.
Home Improvement
Insurance / Liability
Avoiding Liability (American Bar Association)
Discusses liability risks & provides checklists for a safe home. Also includes information on what happens if someone is injured on your property, if you are liable for your guest's actions when hosting a party, liability concerning your pets, and what you should do if someone is injured on your property.
Consumer's Guide to Homeowner's Insurance (WI Office of the Commissioner of Insurance)
Liability Insurance (American Bar Association)
Discusses liability coverage including umbrella policies.
Neighbors
Neighbor & Home-Related Disputes (Nolo.com)
Answers to frequently asked questions on noise, boundaries, fences, trees, views, and information on water damage and the right to farm. Discusses home improvement & understanding homeowners' associations.
Property Assessment
Guide for Property Owners, 2008 (WI Dept. of Revenue)
Questions & Answers about WI property assessment, appeals & taxation.
Property Assessment Appeal Guide for Wisconsin Real Property Owners (WI Dept. of Revenue, 2008)
Property Assessments
The Law (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

WI Statutes: ch. 700-710 "Property"
WI Statutes: ch. 703 "Condominiums"

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Real Estate
Agencies / Organizations
U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development
WI Housing and Economic Development Authority
Brokers
The "New" Chapter 452: Defining Real Estate Broker Practice (Wisconsin Lawyer, June 2006)
Buying / Selling
ABA Guide to Consumer Law: Buying and Selling a Home (American Bar Association)
Includes selecting a real estate agent, financing, home inspection, the purchase contract, contract riders, etc.
Buying a Home (WI Dept. of Financial Institutions)
Buying a Home: A Glossary of Terms (WI Dept. of Financial Institutions)
Buying or Selling a Home (American Bar Association)
Learn the information you need to buy or sell your home, such as selecting a real estate agent, buying & selling without an agent, disclosures, working with an attorney, setting the price, making an offer, home inspections, financing, applying for a home loan, key provisions of a mortgage, buying a home from a builder, title, closing, ownership options, tax considerations, buying a multi-unit dwelling, and The Fair Housing Act.
Buying / Selling Real Estate Questions and Answers (State Bar of WI)
First Steps to Home Ownership (WI Housing & Economic Development Authority)
Includes: pt. 1 Credit & Budgeting Issues; pt. 2 Home Selection Process and Responsibilities of Buying and Owning.
Real Estate (Nolo.com)
Includes buying & selling a house, getting a mortgage, your home as a tax shelter, etc.
Taxation
Individual Income Tax: Sale of Home (WI Dept. of Revenue)
FAQs concerning taxes and selling a home.
Selling Your Home (U.S. Internal Revenue Service)
Explains the tax rules that apply when you sell your main home.
Complaints / Fraud
Complaints (WI Dept. of Regulation & Licensing)
Includes complaints against real estate brokers, appraisers, home inspectors, architects, etc.
Discrimination Complaint Fair Housing (WI Dept. of Workforce Development)
Housing Complaints (U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development)
Includes: discrimination, bad landlords in federal housing, manufactured housing, land sales, deceptive contractors under Title 1 programs, fraud & waste in HUD programs, etc.
Mortgage Banker/Broker Complaint (WI Dept. of Financial Institutions)
Guidelines for Submitting
Discrimination
Fair Housing (U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development)
WI Open Housing Law (WI Dept. of Workforce Development)
Foreclosure
Advising Clients Facing Foreclosure (Wisconsin Lawyer, December 2007)
Consumer Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Rescue Scams (OCC)
Foreclosure Rescue Scams (Federal Trade Commission)
Funding Resources for Foreclosure Prevention in Wisconsin (WI Dept. of Commerce)
Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure (HUD)
Home Foreclosure and Debt Cancellation (IRS)
Wisconsin Foreclosure Resource (WHEDA)
Offers toll-free hotline and area resources for counseling, refinancing, etc.
WI Statutes: ch. 779 "Liens"
WI Statutes: ch. 846 "Real Estate Foreclosure"
Forms
Real Estate Forms $ (State Bar of WI)
Includes: Warranty Deed, Quit Claim Deed, Land Contract, Guardian's Deed, Personal Representative's Deed, Special Warranty Deed, Trustee's Deed, Condominium Deed, Satisfaction of Mortgage, etc.
Real Estate Forms (FSBOWisconsin)
Includes: Residential Offer to Purchase, Residential Condominium Offer to Purchase, Amendment to Offer, Notice Relating to Offer, Counter-Offer, Multiple Counter Proposal, Condition Report, Cancelation Agreement & Mutual Release, etc.
Real Estate Forms (Chicago Title Insurance Company)
Includes: land contracts, quit claim deeds, condominium deeds, warranty deeds, bill of sale, waiver/satisfaction of liens, assignment of mortgage, satisfaction of mortgage, etc.
Real Estate Forms (AllLaw.com)
Transfer on Death / Termination of Decedent’s Property Interest
Wisconsin Real Estate Forms $ (WSLL)
Ginnie Mae
Glossaries
Real Estate Document Definitions (WI Land Information Association)
Home Ownership
Mortgages / Reverse Mortgages
Consumer Handbook on Adjustable Rate Mortgages (Federal Reserve Board)
Home Mortgages: Understanding the Process and Your Right to Fair Lending (Federal Reserve Board)
Looking For the Best Mortgage (Federal Reserve Board)
Mortgage (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
Commentary with links to federal statutes, regulations & opinions.
Mortgages / Real Estate (Federal Trade Commission)
Includes information on foreclosure and making mortgage payments.
Reverse Mortgages
Reverse Mortgages (AARP)
Reverse Mortgages (Lawyers.com)
SafeBorrowing.com (American Bar Association)
Aimed at users starting the mortgage process. Includes: making sense of your legal documents; what loan products are available; loan features such as closed-end loans, open-end loans, adjustable rate loans (ARMs), fixed-rate loans & balloon payment loans; insurance products; information on lenders; how to know if the price of the loan is a good price; questions to ask yourself before pursuing a loan; glossary of mortgage terms.
Real Estate Transactions (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
Commentary with links to federal statutes & opinions.
Records
Real Estate Records, WI Counties
Access real estate records from selected Wisconsin counties. Access often provided via fee-based services of Tapestry or Laredo
Tapestry $
Search land records for Midwest states. Includes mortgages, deeds, etc.
The Law (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

WI Statutes: s. 106.50 "Open Housing"
WI Statutes: ch. 428 "First Lien Real Estate and Other Mortgage Loans"
WI Statutes: ch. 440 sub. ch. 10 "Home Inspectors"
WI Statutes: ch. 452 "Real Estate Practice"
WI Statutes: ch. 706 "Conveyances of Real Property; Recordings; Titles"
WI Statutes: ch. 708 "Mortgages and Land Contracts"
WI Statutes: ch. 709 "Disclosure by Owners of Residential Real Estate"
WI Admin. Code: DWD 220 "Fair Housing"
WI Admin. Code: RL 11-26 "Real Estate Board"
WI Admin. Code: RL 131-135 "Home Inspection"
U.S. Code: Title 42, ch. 45 "Fair Housing"