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🏡 Property Information

Property records, parcel information, ownership history, and public records.

💰 Taxes & Financial

Property taxes, assessments, and understanding ownership costs.

📜 Restrictions & HOA

Covenants, easements, restrictions, and homeowners association information.

🔍 Inspections

Home inspections, property condition, and professional evaluations.

🌊 Environmental

Flood zones, radon, wetlands, and environmental information.

🚰 Well & Septic

Private wells, septic systems, testing, and maintenance.

🏫 Schools

School districts, enrollment information, and education resources.

🚔 Safety

Public safety resources, crime information, and law enforcement information.

⚠️ Sex Offender Registry

Official resources for independently researching registry information.

🌎 Community

Community statistics and publicly available information.

🚗 Transportation

Commute information, roads, and transportation resources.

🏥 Healthcare

Hospitals, medical services, and healthcare resources.

📡 Utilities

Electric, gas, water, sewer, garbage, and internet services.

🏗️ Development

Future projects, zoning changes, and local planning information.

🏛️ Government

Municipal services, permits, ordinances, and public records.

🏦 Financing

Mortgage education and homebuyer financial resources.

🛡️ Insurance

Homeowners insurance and property protection information.

📦 Moving

Moving resources and preparing for homeownership.

🔎 Additional Property Research

Some properties may require additional research depending on their location, age, features, or surrounding area.

Buyer Resource Center

Buying a home is one of the largest decisions you will make. Every buyer has different needs, priorities, and preferences when choosing a home and community.

This resource center provides helpful tools and trusted resources to assist buyers in researching important factors throughout the homebuying process.

Please Note: The resources provided below are from third-party sources and are intended for informational purposes only. Information may change over time. Buyers are encouraged to independently verify any information that is important to their purchase decision and consult qualified professionals when needed.

🏡 Property Information

Research the Property Before You Buy

Before purchasing a home, buyers may want to research:

✔ Property records
✔ Parcel boundaries
✔ Ownership history
✔ Tax information
✔ Assessment information
✔ Easements
✔ Recorded documents
✔ Public records

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Property tax information and resources:

https://www.revenue.wi.gov/

County GIS & Property Search

Most Wisconsin counties provide online tools where buyers can review:

  • Parcel maps

  • Property boundaries

  • Aerial imagery

  • Assessment information

  • Tax records

La Crosse County

💰 Taxes & Financial

Understand Homeownership Costs

Property taxes and ownership costs can vary by location.

Buyers may want to research:

✔ Current property taxes
✔ Tax history
✔ Assessed values
✔ Special assessments
✔ Local tax information

La Crosse County

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

📜 Restrictions & HOA

Understand Property Rules Before Buying

Some properties may have rules that affect ownership and property use.

Buyers may want to review:

✔ Homeowners association documents
✔ Covenants
✔ Restrictions
✔ Easements
✔ Association fees
✔ Architectural requirements

Information may be available through:

  • Seller disclosures

  • Title company documents

  • Recorded county records

  • HOA management companies

🔍 Inspections

Learn About the Condition of the Home

A home inspection can help buyers better understand the condition of a property.

Common inspection areas include:

✔ Structure
✔ Roof
✔ Electrical systems
✔ Plumbing
✔ Heating and cooling systems
✔ Safety concerns

Depending on the property, buyers may also consider:

✔ Radon testing
✔ Well testing
✔ Septic inspections
✔ Specialized inspections

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

https://dsps.wi.gov/

🌊 Environmental

Research Property Conditions

Environmental factors can vary by property.

Buyers may want to research:

✔ Flood risks
✔ Radon information
✔ Wetlands
✔ Water resources
✔ Environmental conditions

FEMA Flood Map Service Center

https://msc.fema.gov/

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/

Wisconsin Radon Information

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/

EPA Environmental Information

https://www.epa.gov/

🚰 Well & Septic

Private Water and Waste Systems

For properties with private systems, buyers may want to review:

✔ Well records
✔ Water testing
✔ Septic permits
✔ Maintenance history

Wisconsin DNR Private Wells

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wells

🏫 Schools

Research Education Information

School information can vary. Buyers should verify information directly with the appropriate school district.

Research:

✔ School boundaries
✔ Enrollment requirements
✔ Transportation options
✔ District policies

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

https://dpi.wi.gov/schoolreportcard

GreatSchools

https://www.greatschools.org/

Niche

https://www.niche.com/k12/

🚔 Safety

Public Safety Information

Buyers may research:

✔ Crime statistics
✔ Emergency services
✔ Law enforcement information

Wisconsin Department of Justice

https://www.doj.wi.gov/

FBI Crime Data Explorer

https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/

⚠️ Sex Offender Registry

Buyers may independently review official registry information.

Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry

https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public/

National Sex Offender Public Website

https://www.nsopw.gov/

🌎 Community

Research Community Information

Buyers may research publicly available information including:

✔ Population information
✔ Housing statistics
✔ Employment information
✔ Economic information

U.S. Census Bureau

https://data.census.gov/

American Community Survey

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs

Data USA

https://datausa.io/

Fair Housing Notice:
Buyers are encouraged to make decisions based on their own individual needs, preferences, and priorities using independent research.

🚗 Transportation

Research Commute Information

Transportation needs vary based on each buyer’s circumstances.

Resources:

Google Maps

https://maps.google.com/

Walk Score

https://www.walkscore.com/

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

https://wisconsindot.gov/

🏥 Healthcare

Research nearby healthcare providers and facilities.

Medicare Care Compare

https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/

Healthgrades

https://www.healthgrades.com/

📡 Utilities

Confirm Available Services

Utility availability varies by property.

Buyers may want to verify:

✔ Electricity
✔ Natural gas
✔ Water
✔ Sewer
✔ Garbage and recycling
✔ Internet availability

FCC Broadband Map

https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/

🏗️ Development

Research Future Changes

Buyers may want to research:

✔ New developments
✔ Road projects
✔ Zoning changes
✔ Future plans

Resources:

  • City websites

  • Village websites

  • Town websites

  • County planning departments

🏛️ Government

Local Government Resources

Government websites may provide:

✔ Ordinances
✔ Building permits
✔ Zoning information
✔ Public meetings
✔ Community services

Resources:

  • City websites

  • Village websites

  • Town websites

  • County websites

🏦 Financing

Mortgage & Homebuyer Resources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

WHEDA Homebuyer Programs

https://www.wheda.com/

Resources may include:

  • Homebuyer education

  • Housing programs

  • Down payment assistance information

🛡️ Insurance

Protect Your Investment

Insurance needs vary by property.

Buyers may want to research:

✔ Homeowners insurance
✔ Flood insurance
✔ Coverage options
✔ Property-specific risks

Consult a licensed insurance professional for property-specific advice.

📦 Moving

Preparing for Homeownership

Buyers may want to research:

✔ Moving companies
✔ Storage options
✔ Utility transfers
✔ Local contractors
✔ Home maintenance providers

🔎 Additional Property Research

Depending on the property, buyers may wish to investigate:

✔ Survey and property boundaries
✔ Easements and restrictions
✔ Permit history
✔ Nearby businesses and services
✔ Noise considerations
✔ Property-specific conditions

Buyer Research Disclaimer: The resources listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only and are intended to assist buyers in conducting independent research. Gerrard-Hoeschler Realtors and its agents do not verify, guarantee, or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of information provided by third-party sources. Buyers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult appropriate professionals regarding any questions or concerns related to a property, community, schools, taxes, environmental conditions, financing, insurance, or other factors important to their purchasing decision.