Wisconsin residents must really love their ice cream because they consume almost 21 million gallons every year. Green Bay, home of the Packers, is also known as the "Toilet Paper Capital of the World". Wisconsin is made up of flat, fertile land and shallow, winding rivers. The state also boasts rich prairies and extensive dark forests. More than 5.893 million people call Wisconsin home, which means millions of property records about the land and people.

Property records in Wisconsin contain valuable information about homes and land throughout the state, including details about homeowners. Lawyers, title companies, realtors, surveyors, appraisers, and other professionals use property records in their daily jobs to research properties to better understand them.

Use this guide to learn all about Wisconsin property records, what they are, how they are used, the different types, and how you can find and amend them when changes occur in your life.

Wisconsin property records are documents (some legal and some not) that contain detailed information about a piece of real property. Some property records perform functions such as appraisals and assessments, which attempt to form an opinion about the value of the property. Deeds transfer ownership. Others are simply informational, like property taxes, surveys, and building permits.

Sources of Property Records in Wisconsin

Property records are stored in different places in Wisconsin. Some private businesses, such as title companies, law offices, and realtors, store them. If you need to file a deed in Wisconsin, you must visit the county register of deeds where the property is located. Some counties, like Milwaukee County, have electronic filing options. You should contact the county treasurer if you need information on property taxes. The WCTA has compiled a handy map of all treasurers throughout the state. Title companies and mortgage lenders may store appraisal information. The courts also have different kinds of land and property records.

The register of deeds in each county has an important job. These offices are where all deeds are filed, stored, and maintained. The county will have its own numbering system to keep track of historical and current property records.

How Property Records are Maintained in Wisconsin

After a real estate sale, a death, or other event that produces a new deed transferring land or property from one person to another, the deed must be filed to become legal. Once it is received by the register of deeds and stamped with the date, time, and unique identifier, it becomes not only legal but also a public record.

Accessing Records at the Register of Deeds in Wisconsin

Accessing records with the register of deeds is simple enough. You can visit any online resources they offer for searching, filing, and obtaining copies. You can also visit their office in person during regular business hours.

Register of Deeds Locations in Wisconsin

Use this resource to find a complete listing of all register of deeds professionals, locations, and contact information. You can also find websites for most Wisconsin Register of Deeds offices. Some offices to get you started are:

A property history search can unveil many different types of records and surprising details about the property or its owner(s). Some of the Wisconsin property records you will find are:

Property tax assessments are conducted annually by the local assessors in each Wisconsin taxing district. However, the state does not require annual full-value assessments. Assessments must be within 10% of full value once every five years. The process of property tax assessment differs depending on the assessor. But, the process must involve the following key stages:

Easements and Covenants

Easements and covenants are items you will see with deeds. Easements are like rights-of-way, giving permission to someone other than the owner to access the land for a purpose. If a wireless company builds towers on private land, it can go there to maintain them any time it wants without asking first. That is an easement.

Covenants are rules about how land can be used. They often include restrictions. An example would be a condo development or gated community that disallows certain paint colors on the outside of a building. The purpose of covenants is to maintain quality and consistency and keep property values high.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps. Plats show the boundaries of other surrounding properties, and surveys show only the property's boundaries. They accompany the deed and designate where your land ends and another begins. They also come into play during boundary disputes.

Property surveys in the state may be recorded with the Register of Deeds and contain information such as:

Historical Property Records

A property history search may unearth historical property records showing you famous people who once owned the land or buildings. When property records become too massive, the state typically moves them to an archive location. The Wisconsin Historical Society has volumes of old property records that you can sift through to find information.

Building Permits and Regulations in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Division of Industry Services handles state building permits. It has a completely online system where contractors and homeowners can apply for a permit to build, renovate, or demolish a structure. The website includes many strongly worded warnings about renovations and new construction.

Building permits are required for most construction projects. It's best if the professional contractor applies for the permit to cover all the legal bases and deflect liability. Building permits are violation of these laws may result in serious consequences.

Living in this modern age you have many options available to you when searching for property records. The best options to try are:

Online Property Record Search

You should always first try a generic online property records search. Enter the property address into the search bar of your favorite internet browser and review the results. You may get lucky and immediately find what you are looking for; you never know.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can find property records by visiting any government office that stores them. Be sure to check the office hours and bring money. You often have to pay a small fee per page for copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

When searching online, you might come across various property records indexes. Some are legitimate, and others are not. Be sure to verify any information you find. Sometimes, these sources do not keep up to date with current records.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The most effective search method for Wisconsin property records is using the full property address. Enter it into the search bar and enjoy the results.

How to Search Property Records by Name

You can sometimes also search property records by the owner's name. Type that in and see what comes up.

Owning your own home carries a great sense of pride. However, it also comes with responsibilities like making timely mortgage and tax payments. You must also maintain the property if you want it to retain its value.

Another essential tidbit of information contained in property records is the legal property description. The description uses map coordinates, landmarks, and other details to adequately describe the property so anyone can identify and find it.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys are maps with land measurements that clearly define the boundaries of a single property. They are used with new construction, utility installation, and boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

A boundary dispute can flare up whenever someone feels like a neighbor is trespassing on their land. These often end up in court, where a judge decides who is right. Usually, the court invites surveyors to provide expert testimony and details to help the judge decide.

Liens and other encumbrances can negatively affect properties. They appear in all sorts of property records, making them easy to evaluate. There are two main types of liens: voluntary liens and involuntary liens. Both types put your home at risk of foreclosure.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those which you choose willingly, like a mortgage or home equity loan.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are imposed against your will for a debt you owe and have not paid or will not be able to pay in the future.

The Process of Property Liens in Wisconsin

The process of party liens in the state differs depending on the type of lien an individual files. Most liens in Wisconsin are construction liens. The process of filing one goes as follows:

Property records are created, consulted, and filed during real estate transactions. They are widely used by realtors, title companies, appraisers, inspectors, and others involved in the deal.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

When buying property in Wisconsin, you must perform due diligence and find out as much as you can about the property. You can do this easily through property records. These records can tell you things about the value and how it has changed, the taxes, any renovations, liens, or foreclosures so you can make an informed decision.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When you sell property in Wisconsin, you must disclose any material defects to potential buyers. These defects include asbestos, lead paint, and inoperable systems such as the furnace, plumbing, and electrical.

Title Searches and Insurance

Your lender will require you to buy title insurance before buying a house. This protects you and the lender from legal claims on the property after you buy it. Your title company or attorney will perform a full property title search to try to avoid any issues down the road.

When was the House Built?

Many people want to know when a particular house was built. Property records also easily provide that information. For example, building permits tell you when the initial structure was built and what additions were made.

Foreclosure and Property Records in Wisconsin

Whenever someone cannot pay their mortgage or taxes, their home could end up in foreclosure. When that happens, the house is sold at auction to the highest bidder, and the owner must vacate the premises.

Before buying, it's good to know if the house is in foreclosure. It can complicate the deal and make it harder to sell.

Pre-Foreclosures in Wisconsin

Investors and savvy buyers look for pre-foreclosure homes to purchase at a discount and then turn around and sell for a profit. If you are looking for pre-foreclosure homes, you can search real estate websites, and some county websites list them.

Property values are essential information when buying or selling Wisconsin property. Values can fluctuate quickly with the economy and the market. A property's fair market value can also indicate how much other properties in the same area are worth.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are both types of value reports on a specific property. Tax officials use assessments to value the property and set the tax rate. They do not always match the property's fair market value.

Lenders and individuals use appraisals to value a property. Before giving you a mortgage, the lender must ensure the property value supports the loan. If you default, they want to know they can sell it quickly and get their money back.

Property records are public records, and anyone can access them anytime without a reason. The internet has made it incredibly easy for the public to access public property records day or night.

Accessing Public Property Records

You can perform a property history search and visit any of the offices to find records. If they are busy, you may have to wait and pay a small fee for copies.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public records that prevent any one government office from having too much power over the people. That is the same reason that other records are publicly available.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

It's impossible to keep all your personal information out of property records, but you can minimize the damage. Contact all the agencies that hold your records and have them remove anything beyond your name and address. You don't want your email, phone, or other private details out there for anyone to read.

As life changes, so should your property records. Since they are spread across various agencies, it's up to you to ensure they are correct and updated at all times.