Wisconsin is nicknamed “America’s Dairyland,” and it’s a fitting one. The state has more dairy farms than any other in the country and is responsible for the production of more than a quarter of the nation’s cheese. Add in more than 40 state parks, 15,000 lakes, the nation’s largest waterpark and countless breweries, and it’s not hard to see why Wisconsin ranks as the sixth-happiest state in the nation.
A strong economy with low unemployment and consistent job growth has helped create an inventory crunch and driven up home prices in the state. Prices have been rising since 2012 and have increased by more than 50% since March of that year. The median home price statewide is $185,000 as of March 2019, up 6.3% from the same period in 2018, according to the Wisconsin Realtors Association.
Yet Wisconsin remains more affordable than many other states. The median price of homes for sale in the state is significantly lower than the national median existing single-family home price of $254,800, and the cost of living in Wisconsin is 6.5% less than the national average.
Still, the state’s higher-than-average property taxes can be a deterrent for budget-minded homebuyers. At 1.76%, Wisconsin has one of the highest average property tax rates in the country. Bitter cold conditions in the winter can also slow home sales in winter months.
Wisconsin has its own set of regulations and taxes pertaining to homebuying in the state.
Seller disclosures
In Wisconsin, home sellers must provide a “Real Estate Condition Report” to any prospective buyer within 10 days of accepting a sales or option contract. The report is a comprehensive accounting of the home’s known defects and covers a wide array of categories: structural and mechanical; environmental; wells and septic systems; taxes, special assessments and permits; and land use. There is additional information requested related to the sale of condominiums, including any fees or assessments. Sellers who do not own the property, such as trustees and conservators, are exempted from this law.
Foreclosure
Wisconsin is a judicial foreclosure state, which means that lenders cannot foreclose on a property without going through the court system. Lenders can also seek a deficiency judgment to collect any money that is still due after the home sale.
Marital property
Because Wisconsin is a community property state, marital assets — including all real estate — are owned jointly by both spouses. In a divorce, each individual can reasonably expect to retain 50% of property obtained during the marriage, although the court has the right to make changes to the distribution of assets depending on various personal and economic factors.
Attorneys at closing
Unlike several other states, Wisconsin does not require an attorney to be present during the real estate closing, although buyers may choose to have legal representation at their own cost. Buyers and sellers in this state work with an escrow officer, who is responsible for facilitating numerous aspects of the transaction, including handling any earnest money deposits, managing title services and reviewing all closing documents.
A real estate transfer fee must be paid when a property changes hands in Wisconsin. The fee amounts to $0.30 for each $100 of value or a fraction of the remaining amount, and is typically paid by the seller.
On a $200,000 house, this would equate to $600. The mortgage lender is responsible for disclosing the precise amount of the transfer taxes due once a buyer identifies a property they wish to purchase.
The median property tax rate in Wisconsin is 1.76%, which works out to an average of $3,007 per year for a home worth the median value of $170,800, according to Tax-Rates.org. This is the the ninth-highest rate in the nation.
However, there is a huge variation across counties. Property taxes are highest in Dane County, in which the capital city of Madison is located, at an average of $4,149. The small, mostly rural Iron County has the lowest property tax in the state at $1,520.
Property tax exemptions can help make owning a home here more affordable, and Wisconsin offers several ways to take advantage of this money-saving measure. The state’s homestead tax credit can reduce the property tax burden with a maximum credit of $1,168 for qualified low-income residents.
Additionally, qualifying elderly homeowners can take advantage of a property tax deferral loan program that provides funds that don’t need to be repaid until they move out, sell or transfer ownership of their home. The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly also offer income and property tax help.
Wisconsin’s maximum conforming loan limit in 2019 for a one-unit property is generally $484,350. That ceiling rises to $726,525 in higher-cost counties.
Conforming loan limits are established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and represent the maximum loan amounts for a mortgage under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A loan through one of these government-sponsored enterprises can mean greater flexibility and easier approval guidelines for buyers. Borrowers who exceed conforming loan limits can take out a jumbo loan. However, these loans tend to have higher interest rates as well as tax consequences; interest deductions are currently capped at $750,000 of mortgage debt.
Even though the state is more affordable than many others across the nation, buying a home in Wisconsin can still pose challenges. A number of programs in the state aim to help buyers achieve their dream of homeownership with discounted home prices, low down payments and down payment and closing cost assistance.
The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) offers several loan programs for buyers in the state. While individual requirements may vary, WHEDA loans typically require a minimum 620 credit score. Here are the available options:
The WHEDA Advantage Conventional Home Loan offers a 30-year fixed rate mortgage with a low down payment.
Who qualifies:
The FTHB Advantage loan is for first-time home buyers, veterans or buyers who purchase property in a federally designated target area.
Who qualifies:
This state-run program offers home loans with a reduced interest rate for qualified veterans. Funds are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who qualifies:
The WHEDA Tax Advantage offers money-saving tax credits to borrowers who are qualified for a WHEDA loan. This program reduces federal income tax liability by up to 40% of yearly mortgage interest for the life of the loan.
Who qualifies:
Formerly restricted to home purchases in high-housing-need areas in the state, this program is now available to all eligible buyers in the state for a limited time. It offers down payment and/or closing cost assistance.
Who qualifies:
This 10-year loan is earmarked for down payment, closing costs and homebuyer education expenses for qualified borrowers using a WHEDA Advantage mortgage.
Who qualifies:
Borrowers qualify for the Easy Close Advantage at the same time as the WHEDA Advantage mortgage and must use this mortgage in order to be eligible for the down payment assistance.
Income and credit guidelines apply.
Staying on top of current mortgage rates and executing a plan of action while shopping for rates with different lenders can help you get the best loan for your individual circumstances.
Call at least 3 lenders on the same day
Getting multiple quotes means you’ll have multiple offers to mull over, and you may be surprised at how different rates and terms can be from lender to lender. You may also choose to contact a mortgage broker, whose access to numerous lenders may result in even more options to consider.
The mortgage rate you see today could change tomorrow, and even a slight rise or dip could make a difference for your homebuying budget. Contacting all the mortgage professionals on the same day can help ensure that make the most informed choice.
Give each lender the same information
What you tell each lender can greatly impact the loan options you get back, so it’s important to make sure you provide each one with the same information. You’ll want to make sure your numbers are accurate and representative of your financial picture. Otherwise, you could end up in a situation where you can’t qualify for the home you want. Be prepared to provide each lender with the following:
Add up all the lender fees to confirm the costs
You might be tempted to go with the lender who is offering the lowest interest rate, but, before you proceed, be sure to look at the associated fees. Items within your loan estimate, such as the lender origination, credit report, tax service, flood certification and application fees, can vary widely. It’s important to add them up so you can compare fees, in addition to each of lender’s quoted interest rates to help confirm which one is really offering the best deal.
Know when to lock in your rate
If one interest rate is significantly lower than the others, you may want to consider a rate lock. You can check the first page of your Loan Estimate to find out whether your rate is already locked and how long it will be locked.
Locking in your rate protects it from market fluctuations. This means you won’t be impacted by rate increases, but, on the flip side, you also won’t be able to take advantage of rate decreases. Be sure to get the terms of the lock, including the amount of time your rate is protected, in writing.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publishing.