{"id":13394,"date":"2019-12-30T09:34:46","date_gmt":"2019-12-30T17:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=13394"},"modified":"2026-03-30T10:25:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T17:25:24","slug":"buyer-buy-house-in-milwaukee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-milwaukee\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Buy a House in Milwaukee, From Downtown to Lake Country"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>To the rest of the world, it\u2019s all beer, cheese, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitmilwaukee.org\/articles\/about-mke\/bronze-fonz\/\">iconic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0074016\/\">TV characters<\/a>. But Milwaukee locals know there\u2019s a lot more to love about this hidden Midwestern gem.<\/p>\n<p>Some Milwaukee homebuyers, in fact, feel spoiled for choice. There are so many affordable homes in top-notch neighborhoods that finding the perfect place will be overwhelming, and buyers need to understand the wear and tear of Milwaukee winters.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s always difficult to know where to begin when you\u2019re ready to buy a house. But we\u2019ve done the preliminary hard stuff: Talked to experts in Milwaukee real estate, scoured the area for the best of downtown and the burbs, and did the math to find the best recommendations for your budget and lifestyle. Then, we put them all together in this comprehensive guide.<\/p>\n<p>You can figure out where and when you should be shopping, how to guarantee you\u2019re getting only the best of Milwaukee\u2019s older housing stock, and the best way to get hot tips on homes for sale (hint: It involves Midwestern friendliness, not a thankless Internet search).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13449\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13449\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A house you can buy in Milwaukee.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-house.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13449\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Henryk Sadura\/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Shopping for Milwaukee homes: What to look for<\/h2>\n<p>About 44% of Milwaukee\u2019s homes, an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.jsonline.com\/news\/milwaukee\/milwaukee-facing-daunting-costs-with-lead-water-pipes-b99658687z1-366754751.html\">70,000<\/a>, were built before 1951, with others as far back as the 1800s. Aldred Walters, the home inspector at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alwaltershomeinspection.com\/\">Walters Home Inspection<\/a>, wants buyers to know that home inspections before buying are essential on these homes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of those older homes have structural cracks that need to be addressed, and others have issues with insulation,\u201d he says. \u201cIn Milwaukee, metals are also a huge issue, so you need to make sure the plumbing systems are in order.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He notes it\u2019s best to find a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-home-inspection-works\/\">general inspector<\/a> who has connections to electrical and plumbing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-types-of-home-inspections\/\">specialists<\/a> to make sure that you\u2019re not saddled with replacing complex systems as soon as they move in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome people can get in over their heads, trying to dive into the market and not really understanding what they\u2019re taking on with older properties,\u201d says real estate agent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/agents\/justin-ippoliti-wi-76115-94\">Justin Ippoliti<\/a>, who\u2019s helped sell almost 300 homes in the area.<\/p>\n<p>If a home was built before 1951, you may also want to have the water source tested for <a href=\"https:\/\/onmilwaukee.com\/living\/articles\/nns-milwaukee-lead-crisis-what-to-know.html\">lead contamination<\/a>. Milwaukee has launched efforts to replace contaminated pipes, so the cost might not necessarily fall on current homeowners or new buyers, and other measures (including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.best-osmosis-systems.com\/water-filters-for-lead-removal-da\/\">water filters<\/a>) can be put into place to avoid danger.<\/p>\n<p>However, the city\u2019s replacement process has been riddled with inefficiencies, so you\u2019re better off knowing what you\u2019re getting into with potential contamination before you buy.<\/p>\n<p>Ippoliti says that many of his clients are surprised by the timeless charm of the older homes, and that many get to work with talented decorators who add modern touches of elegance and convenience while maintaining the home\u2019s original integrity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re putting some modern features to combine with the beautiful character that you can\u2019t find in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-do-i-need-a-realtor-to-buy-a-new-house\/\">new construction<\/a>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThey\u2019re using the hardwood, the crown molding, and all those other features you see that just make a home scream \u2018character.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>For newer buildings, especially in booming downtown neighborhoods like the Third and Fifth Wards or the new \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/bucks\/release\/30-acre-neighborhood-anchored-fiserv-forum-named-deer-district\">Deer District<\/a>\u201d by the Fiserv Forum, make sure you\u2019re not getting drawn in by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/creative-ways-to-sell-a-house\/\">buyer incentives<\/a> from eager developers that turn out to contain hidden fees or services you\u2019ll never use.<\/p>\n<p>You can work with your agent to prioritize the types of perks you want from a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/staging-a-condo\/\">condo<\/a> in a new development \u2014 such as parking spaces, a gym, or outdoor space \u2014 and find a building that gets you what you\u2019ll use without charging you for what you won\u2019t.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13450\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13450\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"A house in Milwaukee.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-condo.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13450\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Gunnar Ridderstr\u00f6m\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Get to know the lay of the land in Milwaukee: Which neighborhood suits you?<\/h2>\n<p>One aspect that surprises many Milwaukee newcomers is how accessible the downtown area can be from the suburbs. Relatively light traffic and a geographically small downtown area make travel within the greater Milwaukee area much easier than comparably sized cities. Plus, a cost of living that\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.areavibes.com\/milwaukee-wi\/cost-of-living\/\">11% lower<\/a> than the national average make splurging on a dream home a little easier.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a quick look at some of the neighborhoods and suburbs in the Milwaukee area:<\/p>\n<h3>Downtown:<\/h3>\n<p>Thanks to development like the new Fiserv Forum, downtown condominiums are attracting a host of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/surprises-buying-home\/\">first-time buyers<\/a>, such as young professionals looking for a small place of their own or an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/smart-real-estate-investments\/\">investment property<\/a>, or for seasoned buyers looking for services like community activities and a concierge service.<\/p>\n<p>You may be able to walk to work, or to great places to spend the afternoon or grab dinner, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/mam.org\/\">Art Museum<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bartolottas.com\/harbor-house\">Harbor House<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Milwaukee County:<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a home rather than a condo, you\u2019re able to find great single-family home deals in up-and-coming areas such as <b>West Allis<\/b>, <b>Silver City<\/b>, <b>Havenwoods<\/b>, and <b>Bay View<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>There, you\u2019re still within a 20-minute drive of downtown, the lakefront, and the area\u2019s hottest neighborhood for young, diverse families and inventive restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll find a wide variety of home types, including duplexes, brick ranches, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/cape-cod-curb-appeal\/\">Cape Cod homes<\/a>, and single-family homes starting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_County=Milwaukee&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=West+Allis&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=&amp;PRM_Minimum_baths=&amp;PRM_Minimum_SqFt=&amp;PRM_ZipCode=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PageSize=10\">lower than $100,000<\/a> in these areas as of December 2019 (though expect to pay more in the super-desirable Bay View).<\/p>\n<p>Public buses and a <a href=\"https:\/\/thehopmke.com\/\">brand-new streetcar<\/a> have also made it easier to bop around town from these areas, though area residents <a href=\"https:\/\/www.badgerinstitute.org\/numbers\/three-times-as-many-wisconsinites-still-working-at-home-as-did-ten-years-ago\/#:~:text=By%20the%20numbers,%2C%20motorcycles%2C%20or%20something%20else.\">overwhelmingly use their own transportation to get to work<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Milwaukee County border:<\/h3>\n<p><b><\/b>Taxes vary wildly between Milwaukee neighborhoods and counties, but Milwaukee County has the highest taxes, sometimes twice as high as nearby Waukesha County.<\/p>\n<p>Ippoliti suggested looking for deals right on the border of Milwaukee County, in areas like <b>New Berlin<\/b> and <b>Butler<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>There, great deals on single-family homes and ranches can sneak in under the radar, making both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/mortgages-101\/\">mortgage<\/a> and tax payments low.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s also quite a bit of opportunity to get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_Minimum_DateListed=&amp;PRM_Minimum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_Maximum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_ElemSchool=&amp;PRM_MiddleSchool=&amp;PRM_HighSchool=&amp;PRM_Subdivision=&amp;VAR_Style=&amp;VAR_Stories=&amp;VAR_PriceChanged=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PRM_County=Waukesha&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=New+Berlin&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES+++++++&amp;PRM_Location=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Baths=\">four-plus-bedroom homes in New Berlin in the $225,000-plus range<\/a> as of December 2019, and 2 or 3-bedroom homes as low as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_Minimum_DateListed=&amp;PRM_Minimum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_Maximum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_ElemSchool=&amp;PRM_MiddleSchool=&amp;PRM_HighSchool=&amp;PRM_Subdivision=&amp;VAR_Style=&amp;VAR_Stories=&amp;VAR_PriceChanged=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PRM_County=Waukesha&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=Butler&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES+++++++&amp;PRM_Location=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Baths=\">$140,000 in Butler<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>New Berlin in particular has a great school district, and commutes to downtown in these burbs can be as little as 15 to 20 minutes depending on where you work.<\/p>\n<h3>Lake Country:<\/h3>\n<p><b><\/b>Suburbs such as <b>Oconomowoc<\/b>, <b>Pewaukee<\/b>, <b>Delafield<\/b>, <b>Merton<\/b>, <b>Okauchee Lake<\/b>, and <b>Lac La Bell<\/b> are all included in the area known as Lake Country. It\u2019s popular for, well, the lakes, which are gorgeous and accessible.<\/p>\n<p>You can find four-plus bedrooms with large backyards or lake access in the $250,000 to $400,000 range as of December 2019, as well as sprawling lakeside mansions upward of $400,000 to $1 million in these areas, especially in Pewaukee, Chenequa, and Oconomowoc.<\/p>\n<p>But you can also find comfortable townhouses in the $130,000 to $200,000 range off the lake. It\u2019s a bit of a longer commute to downtown Milwaukee from here, but at less than an hour, it\u2019s still doable for work. Plus, the extra space and access to thriving downtown areas in Oconomowoc (not to mention the giant shopping centers in Delafield) won\u2019t have you missing Milwaukee proper on nights and weekends.<\/p>\n<h3>Northern suburbs:<\/h3>\n<p><b><\/b>Areas like <b>Shorewood <\/b>and <b>Whitefish Bay <\/b>are full of stunning older homes that make <i>Architectural Digest<\/i> readers drool, like stone Tudors, Cape Cod houses, and preserved Colonials that are physically close to each other, making it easy to get to know your neighbors.<\/p>\n<p>As you venture into <b>Mequon, Brown Deer<\/b>, and <b>Bayside, <\/b>you\u2019ll start to find more mid-century modern ranches and newer custom-built homes with high ceilings and big, private backyards.<\/p>\n<p>Between the phenomenal school districts and easy access to both the lake and downtown, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_Minimum_DateListed=&amp;PRM_Minimum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_Maximum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_ElemSchool=&amp;PRM_MiddleSchool=&amp;PRM_HighSchool=&amp;PRM_Subdivision=&amp;VAR_Style=&amp;VAR_Stories=&amp;VAR_PriceChanged=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PRM_County=Ozaukee&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=Mequon&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES+++++++&amp;PRM_Location=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=2&amp;PRM_Minimum_Baths=&amp;PageStart=31\">prices can easily go $350,000+ for three or more bedrooms<\/a> as of December of 2019, but can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_Minimum_DateListed=&amp;PRM_Minimum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_Maximum_YearBuilt=&amp;PRM_ElemSchool=&amp;PRM_MiddleSchool=&amp;PRM_HighSchool=&amp;PRM_Subdivision=&amp;VAR_Style=&amp;VAR_Stories=&amp;VAR_PriceChanged=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PRM_County=Ozaukee&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=Mequon&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES+++++++&amp;PRM_Location=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=2&amp;PRM_Minimum_Baths=&amp;PageStart=1\">dip down in the $200,000 range<\/a> the further away you get from the lake.<\/p>\n<p>Milwaukee has a commitment to growing industries like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpr.org\/health-care-growing-major-wisconsin-industry\">healthcare<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/story\/special\/contributor-content\/2025\/01\/14\/why-milwaukee-is-the-perfect-city-for-young-entrepreneurs\/77695903007\/\">technology<\/a>, and this area attracts many of those workers.<\/p>\n<h3>Western suburbs:<\/h3>\n<p><b><\/b>The hottest suburb to the west of Milwaukee is <b>Wauwatosa, <\/b>thanks to bordering downtown, fun bars, and restaurants, a young crowd, a great school district, and homes rich in character.<\/p>\n<p>Stone bungalows, Tudors, and brick ranches are all physically close together, fostering a vibrant sense of community in Tosa. Branching out to nearby areas like <b>Elm Grove <\/b>and <b>Brookfield <\/b>will add 10 to 15 minutes to your drive to downtown, and also come with higher home prices (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wihomes.com\/property\/property-list.asp?VAR_SearchType=&amp;PRM_County=Waukesha&amp;VAR_PropertyCity=Brookfield&amp;PRM_PropertyTypeCode=RES&amp;PRM_Minimum_Price=&amp;PRM_Maximum_Price=&amp;PRM_Minimum_Beds=&amp;PRM_Minimum_baths=&amp;PRM_Minimum_SqFt=&amp;PRM_ZipCode=&amp;PRM_OrderBy=pprice+asc&amp;PageSize=10&amp;PageStart=1\">expect to start around $215,000<\/a> as of December 2019 and rise steeply from there), but you\u2019ll also get more backyard space and some of the best schools in the state.<\/p>\n<p>For more affordable two-story colonials and mid-century modern ranches, check out areas like <b>Muskego<\/b>,<b> Big Bend<\/b>,<b> Franklin<\/b>, and <b>Hales Corners<\/b>, though keep in mind the latter two fall in Milwaukee County, where taxes are higher.<\/p>\n<p>Agents are your best resources for finding homes that meet your needs in Milwaukee, but in an area full of Midwestern friendliness and proud natives, local real estate experts also recommend word of mouth for getting hot tips on real estate prices and unexpectedly charming neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p>Putting out feelers via social media or at work could guide you towards the house that winds up being your home.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for first-time buyers to submit multiple offers in competitive neighborhoods like Wauwatosa and Shorewood, said Ippoliti, especially. The process may be frustrating. But he said he\u2019s seen clients who found options that fit their needs even better once they were forced to look at the variety the Milwaukee area offers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13451\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13451\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"666\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-666x381.png\" class=\"attachment-content size-content\" alt=\"Winter in Milwaukee, where you can buy a house.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-666x381.png 666w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-64x37.png 64w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-192x110.png 192w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-432x247.png 432w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest-500x286.png 500w, https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/buy-house-in-milwaukee-forest.png 700w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 666px) 100vw, 666px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13451\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: (Aleksander Pedosk\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Pro tips for Milwaukee buyers: When to buy and how to find a great deal<\/h2>\n<p>Agent Ippoliti says the Milwaukee market is so healthy that it\u2019s smarter to buy than rent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA home you buy now doesn\u2019t have to be your forever home,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>For potential buyers interested in owning but unsure about covering a mortgage on their own, Ippoliti suggested <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/types-of-real-estate-investments\/\">duplexes<\/a>, a Milwaukee architecture staple.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/types-of-real-estate-investments\/\">investor<\/a> market, there\u2019s a lot of really good duplexes that are great for returns,\u201d he noted. \u201cYou can buy a duplex for $100,000 that\u2019s ready to rent, and probably produce $700 or $800 of rent per unit.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are deals to be had year-round, but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/best-time-to-sell-house\/milwaukee-wi\">the best times to buy are January through March<\/a>. June and July are tougher months to get good deals.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s especially true in areas with excellent school districts like Brookfield, Shorewood, and Pewaukee, since more homes go on the market as families pack up to relocate before a new school year gets into swing.<\/p>\n<p>One exception to this rule? Downtown condos and investment properties. Rapid new growth in this market, combined with an ever-evolving group of sellers ranging from young professionals upgrading to retirees <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/senior-downsizing-property-types-features\/\">downsizing<\/a>, make the downtown Milwaukee condo market robust all year.<\/p>\n<h3>Sync up with a top buyer\u2019s agent to navigate the Milwaukee market<\/h3>\n<p>A great buyer\u2019s market sometimes leads buyers to believe they don\u2019t need an agent. But in an area with as much new downtown growth as Milwaukee, where developers often offer a host of incentives for new buyers, an agent can help you determine which of those deals are real and which don\u2019t live up to the hype.<\/p>\n<p>Or, if you\u2019re interested in purchasing an older home, an agent can help recommend the professional inspections you\u2019ll need to make sure you\u2019re not in over your head with renovation projects.<\/p>\n<p>Plus, they can help you save a huge chunk of change. In Milwaukee, top buyer\u2019s agents help buyers save an average of $44,545 on a home.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure where to start your search? HomeLight\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/find-real-estate-agents\">agent-matching platform can help connect you to the buyer\u2019s agent<\/a> who will listen to your needs, sift through the deals that really are too good to be true, and ultimately make buying your next home as delightfully breezy as a day on the Milwaukee lakefront.<\/p>\n<p><em>Header Image Source: (Jayne Lipkovich\/ Shutterstock)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Timeless charm and a thriving downtown scene made the Milwaukee real estate market a great place to buy \u2014 here\u2019s how to lock in a successful 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max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-milwaukee\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Buy a House in Milwaukee, From Downtown to Lake Country\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Timeless charm and a thriving downtown scene made the Milwaukee real estate market a great place to buy \u2014 here\u2019s how to lock in a successful purchase.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-buy-house-in-milwaukee\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HomeLight Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gohomelight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-12-30T17:34:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" 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