City of Milwaukee · Code orders

Selling a Milwaukee House With Code Violations

If the City of Milwaukee has issued orders on your house, you are not alone, and you can still sell it.

Get Your Fair Cash Offer

No obligation. A member of our local team will reach out to talk it through.

Rather talk it through? Call (608) 523-9807

24 hrs
Typical cash offer
7 days
Fastest closing
$0
Commissions or fees
We pay
Your closing costs

Looking up Open Orders on Your Property

DNS offers a Title Search that the city says is meant to inform buyers about pending code violations and special charges on a property. When open work orders show up, the detailed list of violations is in the city’s Land Management System. You can also contact DNS at (414) 286-5077.

If you’ve received orders in the mail, keep every letter. They list the violations, the deadlines and the inspector’s contact information.

Reinspection Fees and Deadlines

Victorian-style house with an upper balcony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Each order comes with a deadline. If the work isn’t done when the inspector comes back, city ordinance allows reinspection fees, and those fees grow with repeat visits. They can end up as charges against the property. That’s why orders tend to get more expensive the longer they sit.

If a sale is in the works and a deadline is close, ask the inspector whether an extension is possible. It’s often a reasonable request while ownership is changing.

Selling With Open Orders

A cash buyer can take over the orders. See our page on code violations.

How it works

Sell Your House in Three Simple Steps

1. Tell us about the house

Call (608) 523-9807 or fill out the short form. We will ask about the property, its condition and your timeline.

2. Get a fair cash offer

We usually present a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours, based on the location, condition and recent nearby sales.

3. Pick your closing date

Close at a local title company in as little as 7 days, or on the date that works for you. We pay the closing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together the questions sellers ask us most. If yours isn’t listed, call us at (608) 523-9807 and we’ll answer it.

Use the City of Milwaukee Title Search, or contact the Department of Neighborhood Services at (414) 286-5077.

Use the DNS Title Search or contact DNS at (414) 286-5077. Detailed violations are in the city’s Land Management System.

Reinspection fees can be charged and grow with repeat visits. Ask the inspector about an extension if you’re selling.

Ready for a No-Obligation Cash Offer?

Call SWP Home Buyers at (608) 523-9807 or tell us about your house online.