Title Search Wisconsin

What is a Property Title Search?

Congratulations, you have found your dream home in Wisconsin! But before you move forward, you will want to take some precautionary measures to ensure that you are getting exactly what you are paying for. When it comes to real estate investments, there’s often more than meets the eye. That is where a property title search comes in.  

Also called a real estate title search, a property title search will verify, first and foremost, that the seller is the legal owner of said property and has the right to enter into the transaction with you. Beyond that, it will uncover and disclose any encumbrances on the property, which might influence how you move forward with the purchase or how you might sell it down the line. Without question, a property title search will be a vital step in securing your real estate investment.

Why Should I Perform a Wisconsin Property Title Search?

A real estate listing may give you an initial good look at a piece of property. However, oftentimes, it really only scratches the surface. Agents also may not be quick to disclose underlying significant issues with your Wisconsin property of interest. For this reason, it is imperative that you conduct a thorough property title search, preferably at the onset of the transaction so that you are armed with all of the relevant data to move forward confidently with your purchase.  

After you have established that the seller has the legal right to transfer the property to you, you will want to know about any other existing encumbrances on the property, such as liens, hidden debts, defects, or errors in the chain of title, easements or deeds of restrictions. Any of these items may warrant further investigation so that you can prevent any problems during the sale or anytime down the road. While many such issues are commonly resolved with the relevant parties once they have been brought to light, you will want to make sure that your title is free and clear before entering into the actual sale. 

What are Easements and Deed Restrictions?

An easement grants access to the property to an outside party for a specific purpose and for a specific length of time. It can come in a number of different forms, but it is essentially a right to use the property of another for a specifically defined purpose. In Wisconsin, common examples of easements are shared driveway easements, private road easements, ingress/egress easements, and lake access easements. (1) 

On the other hand, deed restrictions are documents assigned to certain properties that limit how you may use such property or how it may be transferred. For example, a deed restriction might limit how many pets you are permitted to own, or if you may run a business out of your home. There could be fence specifications detailed in a deed restriction or a rule against erecting signs on your property.  

While both easements and deed restrictions can often be resolved easily with other relevant parties upon their discovery, a prospective buyer should be aware that they could also result in legal snafus and/or delays in the purchase process. Such snags may give rise to concern. For this reason, it is paramount that you become aware of them early on and understand their implications. 

Are Wisconsin Property Records Public?

Yes! You need only locate the Register of Deeds office in the Wisconsin county in which the property is located to initiate the property title search. There you can search the recorded property information. Bear in mind that while you will have access to the title, which indicates ownership of a property, the deed is only made available once any outstanding debts attached to said property, like the mortgage, are paid in full. Rest assured that all documents recorded with the register of deeds are available to the public. 

For more information regarding titles and deeds, visit our FAQ page.

Who Completes the Title Search in Wisconsin?

While it is within the buyer’s legal rights to perform the real estate title search, it is not generally recommended. The reason for this is the myriad of complicated issues which could arise over the course of the search. Much of the legal language associated with these issues can be alienating to the novice homebuyer, and the issues themselves may involve levels of complexity that you might rather leave to the professionals. Homebuying can be an arduous process, and an outside title search company can help to lighten your load.  

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. You may want to initiate the search yourself, but you also might decide that your time and resources are better suited to other aspects of negotiating the sale. If you do choose to enlist the help of a professional, a title search company such as Title Search Direct will help you decipher the language and the sometimes complex histories of your property of interest, delivering a thorough, detailed report in a small amount of time.  

In Wisconsin, sellers typically pay for the title and closing service fees. 

How Much does a Wisconsin Title Search Cost?

Because every Wisconsin property is unique and different, there is no fixed price for a real estate title search. Rather, the cost will vary, depending on the length, depth and scope of the search itself. Take, for example, a home built in 1912. Such a property is going to invariably involve significantly more information in public records to unpack and inspect closely than, say, a property built in 2012. A longer and more elaborate search coincides with a higher price. 

It is recommended that you don’t cut corners when performing your property title search. Hidden in the public records may be outstanding debts or potential claims to the property by heirs, which could cause conflicts in the future. Deeper dives into such items as wills and trusts will coincide with a higher price point. A newer property, on the other hand, will likely have a shorter chain of ownership and less potentially troublesome issues attached, resulting in a lower price and speedier turnaround. 

At Title Search Direct you can begin your property title search for as little as $35. Barring any bank holidays, a succinct, detailed report will be delivered to you within eight to fourteen business days. Bear in mind that buying during peak homebuying season might affect the time frame.

Get Started with Title Search Direct

When you are ready to begin your real estate title search, look no further than Title Search Direct. With over 25 years of delivering top-notch service, we approach each and every job with the same level of passion for real estate. Our seasoned team of professionals is standing by ready to assist you with all of your title search needs. 

As the top title search provider in the nation, we provide fast, reliable service to help you achieve the Wisconsin property of your dreams. We will do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. Simply use our online search service, and help is just a few clicks away. 

1. 1. Attorney William W. Workus, Everything You Want to Know About Easements in Wisconsin https://www.waldenlaw.net/everything-you-want-to-know-about-easements-in-wisconsin/