Real Estate

There has been a significant increase in home remodeling projects since the pandemic began over a year ago, and many people choose to hire a contractor to assist them. Not all contractors provide written contracts with the details of the project, such as total costs,...

In almost every real estate transaction title work will be ordered and a title commitment will be provided to the parties to review prior to closing. A title commitment is a document that provides information pertaining to the property that is subject to the...

Are you thinking it is time to build your new dream home or do some remodeling to your existing home?  Are you a busy homebuilder just trying to keep up?  In either case, you should be aware of a Wisconsin statute that sets out procedures for addressing defects that...

Wisconsin has codified a “Theft by Contractor” statute under Wis. Stat. § 779.02(5) which imposes stiff penalties if violated.  There are several potential penalties for violating this statute.  If such a claim is proven, a contractor could be subject to criminal...

If you own real estate in Wisconsin, you are familiar with the annual property tax bills that arrive in the mail each December.  You are also aware that you are required to pay your tax installments to the County Treasurer by January 31st and/or July 31st of each...

Wisconsin law has left the dark ages of caveat emptor or also known as “let the buyer beware” in the sale of residential property. The harshness of caveat emptor has been replaced by the Real Estate Condition Report or “RECR.” Basically, the RECR requires sellers to...

If you have ever bought or sold real estate, you may be familiar with the contingency clauses contained in these agreements. These clauses offer the option to back out of a sale if certain events occur. The meaning and consequences of these contingencies can be...

The law, to borrow a quote from Winston Churchill, “is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.” That “key” is often found in the Wisconsin Statutes which is affectionally referred to as the book of surprises.  Hence,...

Ever wonder what it takes for land to be considered and taxed as “agricultural land”? In State ex rel. Peter Odgen Family Trust of 2008 v. Bd. of Review, 2019 WI 23, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently held that a “business purpose is not required in order for land...