Wisconsin Mortgage Guides 2026
This complete Wisconsin mortgage guide covers FHA loan limits by county, WHEDA down payment and closing cost assistance, USDA rural loans for rural Wisconsin, VA resources for Wisconsin’s veteran community, and a complete closing cost breakdown — all in one place.
Everything You Need for a Wisconsin Home Purchase
Six in-depth guides covering every aspect of getting a mortgage in Wisconsin — from loan program selection to what you’ll pay at closing.
Wisconsin Mortgage Guide
FHA loan limits by county, loan programs, WHEDA assistance, property taxes, and the 2026 Wisconsin housing market overview covering Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and beyond.
Read guide →Wisconsin First-Time Home Buyer Guide
WHEDA Advantage Conventional and Advantage FHA first mortgages, Easy Close and Capital Access down payment assistance, and income and purchase price limits explained.
Read guide →Wisconsin FHA Loan Requirements
2026 FHA limits for Pierce and St. Croix counties, Milwaukee-area counties, and all Wisconsin counties — credit score requirements, MIP, and how FHA competes in Wisconsin’s market.
Read guide →Wisconsin VA Loan Requirements
VA loan benefits for Wisconsin veterans — no down payment, no PMI, and military installations including Fort McCoy, Volk Field, and General Mitchell Air National Guard Base.
Read guide →Wisconsin USDA Loans
USDA-eligible rural areas in Wisconsin, 2026 income limits by area, and how zero-down USDA compares to FHA.
Read guide →Wisconsin Closing Costs Guide
Wisconsin’s real estate transfer fee — a flat $0.30 per $100 of value, customarily paid by the seller — title insurance, and what buyers and sellers typically pay.
Read guide →Key Wisconsin Mortgage Guide Facts
FHA Loan Limits (2026)
- Pierce & St. Croix Counties (Minneapolis-St. Paul metro): $552,000
- All other 70 counties, including Milwaukee, Dane (Madison), and Waukesha: $541,287
- Confirm your county at HUD’s official lookup
Down Payment Assistance
- Easy Close DPA: $1,000 up to 6% of the purchase price — a 10-year fixed second mortgage with a monthly payment, at the first mortgage’s rate
- Capital Access DPA: a flat $7,500 — a 30-year, 0% second mortgage with no monthly payments; limited funding
- Current terms at wheda.com
Property Taxes
- Effective rate about 1.42% statewide (Census ACS: median taxes paid ÷ median home value) — varies by county
- Assessed and collected by counties, municipalities, and school districts
- Lottery and Gaming Credit reduces school-levy taxes on primary residences — application required
- Details at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Closing Costs
- Real estate transfer fee: flat $0.30 per $100 of value, statewide
- Customarily paid by the seller in Wisconsin
- Typical buyer costs: 2%-3% of purchase price
Buying or Refinancing in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin offers WHEDA down payment assistance and a flat statewide real estate transfer fee. Our guides above break down loan limits, assistance programs, property taxes and closing costs, with links to official sources so you can verify current terms.
- ✓ Check Easy Close and Capital Access eligibility and current terms at wheda.com
- ✓ Confirm your county’s 2026 FHA limit with HUD’s lookup tool
- ✓ Compare FHA vs. conventional using our loan program guides
- ✓ Estimate your total cash to close with our closing cost guide
No obligation · Educational first
Talk to a Wisconsin Mortgage Advisor
Have questions about buying or refinancing in Wisconsin? A licensed mortgage advisor can walk you through your loan options, assistance programs and costs, with no obligation.
