🏡 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.
✅ Buyer Checklist
Important items to review before purchasing a home.
Buyer Resource Center
Tools & Information to Help You Make an Informed Home Purchase Decision
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:
County GIS & Property Search
Most Wisconsin counties provide online tools where buyers can review:
Parcel maps
Property boundaries
Aerial imagery
Assessment information
Tax records
Search:
"Your County GIS Property Search"
💰 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
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
🌊 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
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Radon Information
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/
EPA Environmental Information
🚰 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
Niche
🚔 Safety
Public Safety Information
Buyers may research:
✔ Crime statistics
✔ Emergency services
✔ Law enforcement information
Wisconsin Department of Justice
FBI Crime Data Explorer
⚠️ Sex Offender Registry
Buyers may independently review official registry information.
Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry
https://appsdoc.wi.gov/public/
National Sex Offender Public Website
🌎 Community
Research Community Information
Buyers may research publicly available information including:
✔ Population information
✔ Housing statistics
✔ Employment information
✔ Economic information
U.S. Census Bureau
American Community Survey
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
Data USA
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
Walk Score
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
🏥 Healthcare
Research nearby healthcare providers and facilities.
Medicare Care Compare
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/
Healthgrades
📡 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
🏗️ 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
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
✅ Buyer Checklist
Before purchasing a home, buyers may want to review:
☐ Research property information
☐ Review taxes and assessments
☐ Review restrictions and HOA documents
☐ Complete home inspection
☐ Consider radon testing
☐ Review flood information
☐ Verify utilities
☐ Confirm insurance requirements
☐ Finalize financing
☐ Complete final walkthrough
🔎 Additional Items Buyers May Want to 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.