Wisconsin Real Estate License Property Laws & Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Wisconsin, which type of property ownership automatically includes the right of survivorship between spouses?
- Tenancy in common
- Survivorship marital property (Correct answer)
- Joint tenancy with a business partner
- Sole ownership
Correct answer: Survivorship marital property
Wisconsin's marital property law allows spouses to hold survivorship marital property, which passes automatically to the surviving spouse.
Question 2: Under Wisconsin law, a valid deed conveying real estate must be signed by whom?
- The grantee only
- Both grantor and grantee
- The grantor (Correct answer)
- The county register of deeds
Correct answer: The grantor
A deed must be signed by the grantor (the person conveying the property) to be valid in Wisconsin.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of recording a deed at the Wisconsin Register of Deeds office?
- To transfer legal title
- To provide constructive notice to third parties (Correct answer)
- To calculate property taxes
- To satisfy the mortgage
Correct answer: To provide constructive notice to third parties
Recording provides constructive notice to the public of the ownership interest, protecting the grantee against later claims.
Question 4: In Wisconsin, an easement that benefits a neighboring parcel of land is known as an easement:
- In gross
- Appurtenant (Correct answer)
- By necessity only
- By estoppel
Correct answer: Appurtenant
An easement appurtenant benefits a specific parcel (the dominant estate) and typically transfers with the land.
Question 5: Which Wisconsin document must a seller of residential property typically provide to a buyer disclosing the property's condition?
- Real Estate Condition Report (Correct answer)
- Warranty of habitability
- Certificate of occupancy
- Title commitment
Correct answer: Real Estate Condition Report
Wisconsin law requires most residential sellers to give the buyer a Real Estate Condition Report disclosing known defects.
Question 6: A Wisconsin property owner who allows another person to openly use their land continuously for 20 years may lose rights through:
- Eminent domain
- Adverse possession (Correct answer)
- Escheat
- Foreclosure
Correct answer: Adverse possession
Wisconsin's adverse possession statute can grant title after 20 years of open, notorious, hostile, and continuous possession.
Question 7: In Wisconsin, when a person dies without a will and no heirs can be found, the property passes to the state through:
- Adverse possession
- Escheat (Correct answer)
- Partition
- Condemnation
Correct answer: Escheat
Escheat is the process by which property reverts to the state when an owner dies intestate with no locatable heirs.
Wisconsin Real Estate License Property Laws & Regulations 2
In Wisconsin, which type of property ownership automatically includes the right of survivorship between spouses?