Top Land Buyers in Residential Lots

How long does it typically take to sell vacant land in Wisconsin?

In the 2025 Wisconsin market, selling vacant land typically takes between 6 to 12 months, though velocity varies significantly by land type. Residential lots in high-demand suburban corridors like Waukesha and Dane counties often move within 90 to 180 days. However, specialized properties such as lakefront land (12–18 months) or rural hunting and farmland (18–24 months) require a longer window to find the right buyer. The timeline is primarily driven by a 30-to-90-day due diligence period, which is critical in Wisconsin for buyers to verify wetland delineations and conduct soil "perc" tests for septic suitability. Sellers who provide a pre-listing "Real Estate Condition Report" (Form WB-13) and clear boundary markers can often reduce their time on market by up to 40%.

What are the common closing costs for land sellers in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is a title and escrow state, where transactions are typically closed by title companies or real estate attorneys. Sellers should budget between 8% and 10% of the final sale price for total costs, with real estate commissions (averaging 5% to 6%) accounting for the largest share. While hiring an attorney is optional, many sellers do so for complex land partitions, with 2025 flat fees ranging from $750 to $1,250.

Specific costs for 2025 include:

• Real Estate Transfer Fee: The state rate is $0.30 for every $100 (0.3%) of the purchase price. For a $200,000 sale, the seller owes $600.
• Title Search & Insurance: Sellers customarily pay for the Owner’s Title Policy, which averages $1,000 to $1,500.
• Recording Fees: Generally a flat fee of approximately $30 at the county register of deeds.
• Prorated Property Taxes: Wisconsin’s average property tax rate of 1.31% is prorated to the day of closing, ensuring the seller only pays for their period of ownership.

Do I need a survey to sell my land in Wisconsin?

While Wisconsin law does not strictly mandate a survey for a deed transfer, it is a practical and legal necessity in 2025 to remove "survey exceptions" from a title insurance policy. Most municipalities and lenders require a professional Boundary Survey or Plat of Survey to approve building permits or verify acreage for agricultural use. In 2025, a basic survey for a 5-acre lot costs $500 to $1,500, while large-scale rural acreage or Industrial Infill sites can exceed $3,500. Providing an existing survey (conducted within the last 10 years) is a major selling point that prevents boundary disputes, which are a leading cause of deal collapses in Wisconsin's rural and wooded regions.

How is the land market trending in Wisconsin for the next 12 months?

The Wisconsin land market is forecast to remain a strong seller’s market through late 2026. With inventory levels at 2.8 months of supply—well below the 6-month benchmark for a balanced market—low supply continues to drive price pressure. Farmland values in Wisconsin bucked national trends in 2025, increasing by 7% compared to slight declines in neighboring states. Overall, land values are expected to grow by 6% to 9% annually, particularly in urbanized areas of the Northeast and Southeast. Market stability is expected to continue as interest rates settle, encouraging buyers who previously delayed purchases to enter the market.

Can I sell land in Wisconsin if I have back taxes or title issues?

Yes, but you must act before the Tax Deed is recorded. In Wisconsin, if property taxes remain unpaid, the county treasurer issues a tax certificate. The owner has a redemption period (typically 2 to 3 years depending on the county) to pay the back taxes plus a 1% monthly interest penalty. You retain the right to redeem the property up until the moment a tax deed is recorded by the county.

For inherited property, Wisconsin probate law allows for a "Power of Sale": if the decedent’s will explicitly grants this power to the executor, the land can be sold without a specific court order, potentially saving 4 to 6 months of probate delays. This streamlined process is a primary method for clearing title for Utility-Scale Solar and Industrial Infill projects. Sellers of Agricultural Land must also disclose if the property was assessed under "Use Value Assessment," as conversion to non-agricultural use may trigger a Conversion Charge.

What is the most in-demand type of land in Wisconsin right now?

The highest demand in the 2025 Wisconsin market is for Utility-Scale Solar Development and Industrial Logistics Infill. As of December 2025, Wisconsin has 99 utility-scale solar farms in operation or development, with massive demand for flat, cleared acreage near high-voltage transmission lines in Rock, Racine, and Dane counties. Additionally, Industrial Infill land near the I-94 corridor remains a top-tier asset class for data centers and e-commerce distribution. In the residential sector, "Build-Ready" Infill lots in high-growth school districts are fetching premium prices, as builders seek to capitalize on the state's chronic housing shortage and rising median home prices.