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.
International Codes (International Code Council)
International Building Code, International Plumbing Code, International Zoning Code & more
- International Building Code, 2009
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.)

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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 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, 2009 (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, 2009)
- Property Assessments

The Law (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

Search for more statutes, regulations & opinions.

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)
- Real Estate & Rental Property (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
Foreclosure information is now on its own legal topic page: 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 (FSBO Wisconsin)
  Includes: Residential Offer to Purchase, Residential Condominium Offer to Purchase, Amendment to Offer, Notice Relating to Offer, Counter-Offer, Multiple Counter Proposal, Condition Report, Cancellation 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)
- Loan Modification Programs (National Consumer Law Center)
  Resources to modify a mortgage loan and avoid foreclosure.
- Looking For the Best Mortgage (Federal Reserve Board)
- MakingHomeAffordable.gov
  Determine if you are eligible for a refinance or modification.
- 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.)

Search for more statutes, regulations & opinions.

County Resources

Recommended links from our County Resources database:

Guides
- Civil Process (Rock Co Sheriff's Department)
  Execution or service of legal documents

Last Updated: February 8, 2010 | Up to Top