Information Center

Information center

Each market is different and may have unique requirements and benefits to buying real property there. That’s why it’s important to work with a REALTOR® to help you navigate the particularities of their markets. Below you will find some links to resources to get you started. Call your REALTOR® to help you find the property you want and the expertise you need.

Latest updates

featured resources

one roof housing

One Roof Housing presentation and homebuyer information - December 8, 2020

Learn more about homebuyer resources offered by One Roof at the Homebuyer 101 page.

Protect your Investment

A Guide for at Risk Homeowners

Resources for Coastal Property Owners

Regulatory

WLSSD Ordinance Update - August 11, 2021

Due to COVID-19, WLSSD ordinance has been suspended until July 1, 2021 although some municipalities are currently enforcing the ordinance. Refer to list below and verify with individual municipality.
In June of 2017 the WLSSD passed required revisions to the Ordinance Establishing Standards for Reduction of Inflow & Infiltration which all municipalities connected to the WLSSD system (included below) must follow. Of particular interest in this update is Section 7.2 which covers lateral lines. Municipalities can enforce this section either through a point of sale requirement or through an annual inspection program. Most municipalities have chosen to complete the requirement through point of sale. Municipalities are required to comply with enforcement of this ordinance by February 15, 2020. While some municipalities have been in compliance for some time, some are still finalizing their ordinances. A list of municipalities and the current status of their ordinance is below.

Full Ordinance Text: https://wlssd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/15K395606-II-Ord.-FINAL.pdf

Click here for Municipality List (June 2022)

CITY INFORMATION

City of Cloquet

City of Duluth

CITY OF DULUTH - HOUSING TRUST FUND

he City of Duluth is excited to announce launch of its Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Programs. In partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth (HRA), the HTF will be deployed through three distinct programs, designed to fill existing gaps in the housing financing marking and achieve the following goals:

Increase housing stock in all neighborhoods of Duluth, especially affordable units.
Invest in Duluth neighborhoods.
Remove blight, improve safety and encourage pride in our neighborhoods.
Leverage existing municipal infrastructure.
Promote density wherever possible.

CITY OF SUPERIOR VACANT TO VALUE: NEW CONSTRUCTION - APRIL 19, 2021

The City of Superior City Council approved a "Vacant to Value: New Construction" program on April 7, 2021. With some of the oldest housing stock in Wisconsin, with over 40% of homes more than 80 years old, the City recognizes the need for new, single-family homes that are affordable. The program was developed with the intent of reducing some costs that go into new development. To learn more about this program click here or visit the City of Superior Planning Department.

County Information

Ashland County

TOWN OF LA POINTE - STEERING COMMITTEE

The Town of La Pointe is inviting members to serve on a Steering Committee to update the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Plan outlines both a vision and a roadmap for the community on such topics as housing, transportation, economic development, and natural and cultural resources. The Plan also sets the legal framework for policies in areas such as land use and zoning. For more information, please see the Town of La Pointe Notices here or fill out an Application!

ASHLAND COUNTY PRIVATE SEWAGE SYSTEM ORDNINACE - APRIL 20, 2021

The Ashland County Board passed an amendment to the existing Private Sewage System Ordinance on April 20, 2021. The amendment relates to an Annual Maintenance Fee for each improved property as subject to the Private Sewage System Ordinance (15.07)(1) within Ashland County except those served by municipal sewer, shall be assessed an annual fee of $8.00 per year. The annual fee shall be assessed and added to the property tax bill at a rate established by the Zoning & Land Committee. The full ordinance and board packet can be found here.

Bayfield County

BAYFIELD COUNTY - AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVY PROGRAM

Bayfield County has announced that it will be helping to build support for the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Program is a new long-term benefit that will help lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households that are struggling to afford internet service. Read more here.

Low Income Household water assistance

Bayfield County Department of Human Services announced that Energy Services Inc (ESI) is administering the application intake for a Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). LIHWAP is a new federally-funded initiative to provide eligible households with assistance with their household drinking water and wastewater (sewer) service. Referrals for LIHWAP can be made to ESI and the Customer Care Center at 1-800-506-5596. Referrals for LIHWAP may also be emailed to support@wisconsinwater.help.

A summary of the low income household water assistance program can be found HERE. The income limit for the program is 60% of the state median income ($31,103 for a one person household, $41,673 for a two person household).

Bayfield County has home rehabilitation funds available for county residents. Applicants must be low to moderate income and use the funds for home repairs such as roofs, siding and windows. The program is administered through Northwest Regional Planning. To learn more click here.

CDBG-CV GRANT FUNDS AWARDED TO BAYFIELD COUNTY

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to small business owners (Microenterprise) and up to $5,000 to homeowners/renters. Must meet qualifications including low-to-moderate income criteria. More information here.

Douglas County

Carlton County

CARLTON COUNTY - vacation rental

The County has passed modifications to Ordinance No. 27 for Vacation Rental properties. The changes go into effect March 1, 2022. The main change eliminates the need for a Conditional Use Permit in certain situations. The County will begin accepting applications March 1, 2022. Those with existing vacation rentals will have six months to make application to the county if a vacation rental is currently operated. Read the current Vacation Rental Section here or the County's website here.

Cook County

Lodging Tax

Cook County has begun discussions regarding the renewal of the 1% Lodging Tax. For more information the use and renewal process click here.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Cook County Board of Commissioners approved proposed Zoning Ordinance amendments on April 13, 2021. As described in the meeting, the two major changes are as follows:

Shifting of erosion control language from Section 7 to Section 5 as the provisions apply to the entire county, not only shoreland areas. No actual provisions were modified, simply the location of the language.
Removal of shallow soils language from Section 7.14 Bluff Area Stands as it was found that this requirement was less restrictive than State requirements. The shallow soils standards comes into play in bluff areas where soil depth over ledge rock averaged 24” or less as it relates to structure setbacks.

Read the approved, redline version here.

Lake County
Plat Book
Septic Ordinance
Planning & Zoning

LAKE COUNTY SHORT TERM RENTAL MORATORIUM

Lake County Board of Commissioners adopted an interim ordinance NO. 19-2 imposing a moratorium on short term vacation rentals in all unincorporated areas of Lake County, MN adopted May 10, 2022 and effective for one (1) year. Existing short term rental permits do not transfer with property transactions. To read the ordinance, click here.

St. Louis County

TOWN OF DULUTH ZONING UPDATES

The Town of Duluth Clerk recently provided communication regarding changes that have occurred with the adoption of Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map Number 6. A copy of the letter and notable changes can be found here.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - SSTS UPDATES

Thanks to collaboration between LSAR's Government Affairs Committee and staff at St. Louis County, clarifications have been added to both the Notice of Nonconforming and Certificate of Compliance Authorization to Use letters. Additionally, St. Louis County developed this Factsheet to help explain the levels of Compliance for SSTS system inspections. The clarifying language addresses the situations a non-conforming system, but passing system may continue to be used as is and is not required to be upgraded. The updates also include clarifications to how long a Certificate of Compliance is valid for for the purposes of Point of Sale provisions only.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

On-Site Wastewater has updated its permit fee schedule. The new fee structure better aligns with the SSTS industry and St. Louis County SSTS Ordinance 61. Approximately a 3% inflationary increase was assessed to the fees. See fee structure HERE. For access to updated forms go to On-site Wasterwater.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - SHORT TERM RENTALS

Property located within St. Louis County zoning jurisdiction that has been listed, rented, or is otherwise available as a short term rental requires a performance standard permit and a passing septic record review. The property must meet all short term rental standards and in some situations will require approval by the St. Louis County Planning Commission. Additional licensing may also be required by the Minnesota Department of Health. The occupancy number allowed on a property to be used for short term rental may not exceed the number determined by the Minnesota Department of Health or the number of people that a SSTS treatment system is sized for. If the numbers differ, the lesser of the two shall be the maximum number occupants allowed for the short term rental permit.

In the interest of all owners of a shared septic system, a short term rental permit may be applied for by a property owner(s) if there is written agreement between all owners associated with the shared system and the short term rental permittee/owner/operator.

Failure to obtain proper permitting for short term/vacation home rental property will initiate a compliance process. If it is determined that you do need a permit, one will need to be obtained prior to any additional listing, renting or otherwise advertising the property as a short term rental.

For further information regarding short term/vacation rentals please click here.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - SHORELAND AREAS

Please be reminded, contractors are required to follow land alteration and stormwater control best management practices for the installation of septic systems on shoreland property. Additional permits may not be required, however, administrative and performance standards shall apply for all land alterations, shoreline vegetation alterations, and stormwater management within 300 feet of lakes and rivers. Please see the fact sheets below for more information.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

RVs located on parcels solely accessed by water are considered dwellings. They require both a land use permit and a subsurface sewage treatment system (septic) permit. RVs shall require a Type I, Type III (mound, at-grade, trench, seepage bed, graywater), Type IV (pre-treatment) or Type V (engineered) Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS). A Type II (privy) system may be installed if there is no pressurized water, plumbing and/or plumbing fixtures in the recreational vehicle. Water shall be hand-carried only.

RVs may be allowed on conforming parcels provided all land use standards are met, and there are no violations of Zoning Ordinance 62 or Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance 61. Please contact the Planning and Community Development Department Land Use and/or On-Site Wastewater Divisions with any questions related to the use of RVs. T

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - WINTER SEPTIC INSTALLS

As the fall progresses and winter approaches, soil verification will become increasingly difficult to complete with confidence due to lower sun angle, challenging site conditions, and the possibility of frost and freezing conditions. Contractors intending to install a system during the onset of the winter months should contact the On-Site Wastewater division as soon as possible to verify soils NOW before conditions worsen. Freezing or Frozen Soil SSTS Installation Policy

ST. LOUIS COUNTY LAUNCHES ONLINE PERMITTING FOR SEPTIC SYSTEMS

St. Louis County has expanded its online permitting options to now include septic system permits. The newly launched online septic permitting system allows contractors and homeowners to fill out the application, provide any necessary attachments and submit payment - all online. It can be accessed at stlouiscountymn.gov/septic.

OSW Citizens Portal Demo Video link contains the complete series of video’s on how to use the new system

ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMERCIAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

What Changed

A net income approach to commercial property assessment for apartment buildings with 4+ units was used in 2021. The income approach considers the following factors, potential gross rent (income), operating expenses, and a capitalization rate. Potential gross rent is the total annual amount that would be collected if the property was 100% occupied at market rent. Operating expenses are expenses related to maintaining income producing capabilities of a property and capitalization rate is a rate used to change an income estimate into an estimated market value.

When apartment buildings were last assessed, a cost approach was used. The cost approach estimates the price a buyer should pay for a piece of property is equal the cost to build an equivalent building. In the cost approach, the property's value is equal to the cost of land, plus total costs of construction, less depreciation.

Why it Changed

According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, apartment building assessments were on average 20-30% below sales prices. The Department of Revenue, acting as the State Board of Equalization, has the authority to increase or decrease assessed market values to bring about equalization. St. Louis County adopted the income approach to address the discrepancy.

Appeals Process

Refer to link included to learn about how to appeal property value or classification: https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/assessor/assessment-process/appeals-process

Short Term Rental

The St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance now requires specific permits for short term rental properties, such as rental vacation homes and properties listed on VRBO or Airbnb. St. Louis County allows for short term rental of properties through the issuance of an over-the-counter performance standard permit, which means that standards need to be met by the applicant in order to obtain the permit. In certain zoning districts and situations, a conditional use permit may be necessary.

On-Site Wastewater Notice

St. Louis County is updating Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) permitting forms. As the County uploads them for septic professionals to use the old forms will be phased out. The new forms can be found here.

Additionally, a new online permitting system is coming Spring of 2021. The new system will enable the public to submit septic applications online 24 hours a day/7 days a week with the convenience of online payments. Finally, please be aware that properties that have more than one SSTS, including privies, requires an entire set of documents for each system per State requirements.

Ordinance 61 Septic Point of Sale St. Louis County

All septic systems within St. Louis County must be inspected prior to sale. Inspections will determine conditions of the septic system as 1 of 4 outcomes. In 2 of the outcomes system replacement will be required which could lead to additional fees or escrowing of monies.

EVICTION BAN QUESTIONS?

Eviction ban questions in MN and WI? In Minnesota, Paul Eger, MNR provided information in an August 3, 2021, The Hot Dish post regarding the State vs. Federal eviction moratorium. With the passing of Minnesota’s specific phaseout plan and instituted by Gov. Tim Walz last year, the federal eviction ban does not affect Minnesota. Additional information can be found both on MNR’s site, under the COVID-19 Updates and Resources (https://www.mnrealtor.com/member-services/communications/covid19-resources) and at www.renthelpmn.org. Wisconsin is currently following the federal CDC eviction moratorium requirements. Looking for more information? Check out the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCAP) here

MINNESOTA RESOURCES

RENTHELPMN PLAN UPDATE

HomeHelpMN Plan Approved by Minnesota Housing Board

For many Minnesota homeowners, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard to keep up with mortgage payments and other essential obligations.

Minnesota Housing, thanks to the input and feedback received from many of you, has drafted a plan for the HomeHelpMN COVID-19 Homeowner Assistance Fund. The program will assist individual homeowners struggling with mortgage or related housing costs due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more please review the information here.

MPCA Feedlot Registration Requirements

Nearly all feedlot owners are required to register with the State and must update their registration information every four years. Feedlot registration has moved to an online system. For more information see the factsheet or Feedlot FAQ for lenders and realtors.

Pathway to Achievement Program

Promoting diversity within Realtor® membership

The MNR Pathway to Achievement Program is designed to promote diversity within the Realtor^® membership by helping people not in Minnesota's racial majority join the Realtor® community and enhance their probability of long-term success in the real estate profession.

The program forges an alliance between the recipient, sponsoring broker, local association, and Minnesota Realtors® (MNR). To learn more about the program click here. Applications will be accepted in July and August, 2021.

Classification of Short Term Rental Properties

MN Department of Revenue FAQ for Classifying of Short Term Rental Properties

MN Department of Revenue Memo to County Assessors December 2020

Minnesota Realtor Association

Wisconsin Resources

WRA - FORMS CHANGE JULY 1, 2022

The WB-40 Amendment to Offer to Purchase, WB-41 Notice Relating to Offer to Purchase, WB-44 Counter-Offer and WB-45 Cancellation Agreement and Mutual Release are some of the most used forms in a real estate transaction. These forms have not been updated since 2015. Accordingly, these forms have been freshened and revised by the Department of Safety and Professional Services Real Estate Contractual Forms Advisory Council, and the changes were approved by the Real Estate Examining Board. Details are here

WRA – FORMS CHANGE APRIL 1, 2022

Earnest Money When Buyer Rescinds
Before April 1, 2022, two different sections of Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 709 regarding the Real Estate Condition Report (RECR) and the Vacant Land Disclosure Report (VLDR) gave a buyer a two-business-day right to rescind the offer but provided inconsistent results as to the return of the buyer’s earnest money when the buyer exercises that right.

As of April 1, 2022, Wis. Stat. § 709.02(1) is amended and authorizes the buyer to receive their earnest money back if the buyer rescinds because they did not receive the report within 10 days after acceptance. Read more here.

Partnership for Success Program

Promoting diversity within the REALTOR^® membership

The WRA Partnership for Success Program is designed to promote diversity within the REALTOR^® membership based on race, color and national origin, in a manner designed to enhance the probability of long-term success in the real estate profession.

The program forges a partnership between the applicant, the sponsoring broker, the local or regional association, and the WRA. Applicants must be of a minority race, color or national origin, and must demonstrate a commitment to becoming successful real estate licensees. To learn more click here.

Inspection Legislation

The home inspectors legislation, originally proposed in 2020, was reintroduced this session. After being passed by the Senate and the Assembly, it has been signed into law by Gov. Evers as 2021 Wisconsin Act 17. Among other provisions, home inspectors must now use the term "defect" in their inspection reports when referring to a condition they have observed and believe meets the definition of a defect. In addition, inspection reports must include a summary page that lists the conditions that are defects and other items that may need further evaluation or maintenance, with references to where detailed information for those items may be found in the report. Look for further details in upcoming WRA publications and videos.

Wisconsin Realtors Association

NATIONAL RESOURCES

National Association of Realtors and Homeownership Matters

Protect Your Money from Mortgage Closing Scams When Buying a Home

Residential Appraisal Process - FAQ for Agents

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

FANNIE MAE

Effective January 1, 2022, Fannie Mae is changing it's process for approving loans in Condominium properties.
On October 13^th, Fannie Mae announced temporary changes to its underwriting policies that govern the purchase of mortgages backing condominiums. The crux of the announcement is that Fannie Mae will not purchase mortgages on condominiums that have, "significant deferred maintenance or in projects that have received a directive from a regulatory authority or inspection agency to make repairs due to unsafe conditions". Lenders will need to verify and provide, "satisfactory engineering or inspection report, certificate of occupancy, or other substantially similar documentation that shows the repairs have been completed in a manner that resolves the building's safety, soundness, structural integrity, or habitability concerns".

Furthermore, any due or recently paid special assessment will be reviewed and Fannie Mae is suspending the ability of associations to use a special reserve study in place of its 10% minimum reserve requirements. Communities may request a waiver, so long as they are not a new project. More Information can be found HERE.