How Much Does It Cost to Buy a House in Wisconsin?

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By Kristy Snyder Updated December 3, 2022

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Costs to buy a house in Wisconsin | Wisconsin closing costs | Wisconsin house buying calculator | Homeownership costs | How to save when buying a home in Wisconsin

The average home buyer in Wisconsin spends between $21,595 and $76,183 when purchasing a $268,737 home — the state median value.

Keep in mind, this is just the cost of buying a home. After you close, you'll still need to budget for all the ongoing costs of homeownership.

Luckily, Clever Real Estate can help make buying a home more affordable. Working with a Clever agent means you'll not only get great service from start to finish, but you could also be eligible for up to 0.5% cash back after closing. That's about $1,344 back on an average-priced home in Wisconsin!

💰Buying a home is expensive💰

Put money back in your pocket with Clever Cash Back. Clever will connect you with a top, local agent and send you a check after closing.

✅ Work with a full-service realtor from a top broker

✅ Eligible buyers can get cash back

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Average cost to buy a house in Wisconsin

Expense Amount
Earnest money deposit (1-3%) $2,687 to $8,062
Down payment (3.5-20%) $9,406 to $53,747
Cash reserves $2,463 to $3,695
Closing costs (1.93%) $5,189
Inspection $300
Appraisal $300
Moving $1,250 to $4,890
Total $21,595 to $76,183
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Buyer closing costs in Wisconsin

While the other costs to buy a house in Wisconsin are pretty transparent, Wisconsin closing costs are a bit more nuanced. They're actually a series of smaller costs lumped together into one total. Here's a breakdown of all of the Wisconsin closing costs you'll likely pay when buying a home.

Closing cost Amount
Closing fee $269
Recording fee $40
Title service fees $412
Origination fee $1,344
Underwriting fee $600
Discount points $2,150 per point
Lender's title insurance $375
Owner's title insurance Typically paid by seller
Prorated property tax Varies
Deed transfer tax Typically paid by seller
Total $5,189
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Keep in mind, closing costs are often negotiable. However, to win the negotiation battle, you'll need a great agent who can work out a deal with the seller. Clever can match you with a top agent in your area that can get the seller to shoulder more of the above costs.

Contact us at Clever for top agent recommendations.

Cost to buy a house in Wisconsin calculator

Ongoing costs of homeownership in Wisconsin

Unfortunately, the cost to buy a house is just the beginning. After closing, you'll officially own the home and begin paying for the ongoing costs of homeownership.

Besides the expenses outlined above, you'll also want to consider private mortgage insurance (PMI) and homeowner's association (HOA) fees.

  • If you pay less than 20% as a down payment on your house, you'll probably have to pay PMI monthly until you get to 20% equity. For the average Wisconsin homeowner, this is between $117 to $396 a month.
  • Some neighborhoods have HOA fees for the care and maintenance of common areas. The national average is around $250 per month.

» MORE: The true cost of homeownership

Top ways to save money when buying a house in Wisconsin

1. Look into better financing options

Paying off debts and getting your credit in the best shape possible before applying for a loan will help you get a better interest rate, which will lower your monthly payments for the life of the loan.

You can also shop around to compare lenders so you get the lowest fees and interest rates available. It may be a good idea to enlist the help of a mortgage broker if you're not sure how to go about vetting lenders.

2. Participate in home buyer programs Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a few programs available that can make purchasing a house a little easier for you. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development offers low fixed-rate first mortgages and down payment assistance to income-eligible buyers.

You may also apply for the USDA’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program, which gives low-income buyers the opportunity to buy decent, safe, and sanitary housing in an eligible rural area. Besides these, you may also find a local program in the region you’re buying in — check the HUD’s website for more information.

» MORE: First-time home buyer programs everyone should know about

3. Partner with an expert agent

Some real estate companies, like Clever, offer home buyers a percentage of their home's price back after the sale finalizes.

That means if you work with a Clever agent, you'll not only get the expertise that helps you get the best deal possible — you could also get up to 0.5% of your home price back after closing!

Find your agent through Clever, qualify for cash back!

Clever matches you with top local agents so you can compare options and choose the best fit. And eligible buyers can get cash back after closing.

Fill out the form below and get started now. Clever's service is 100% free with no obligation.

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