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City Houses For Sale

The City of Milwaukee owns hundreds of residential properties acquired through tax foreclosure. Our goal is to return these properties to private ownership, prioritizing sales to owner-occupants. Most of the residential properties being sold by the City are in need of significant repairs. Each property listing will include an estimated scope of work that will provide a starting point for understanding the volume of work required. All offers are subject to Common Council approval.

 

First 30-Day Listing

Offers Due July 13, 2026 by 10am

First 30-Day Listing

Offers Due June 22, 2026 by 10am

Only offers from owner-occupants will be considered during these listings.

For the first 30 day listing period no offers below the listing price will be considered per Wisconsin Foreclosure Law.

All offers received on bid properties after 10 AM on the bid due date will be rejected.

Click here to view successful bids from the May 18, 2026 bid due date:  Successful Bids

***Email offers to:
[email protected]***

Extended Listing (Listed with Brokers)

Only offers from owner-occupants will be considered for the first 30-days with brokers.

Offers may be submitted at any time to the agency associated with the property. Investor owners must possess or obtain Landlord Training Program certificate as a condition of closing.

Buyers or Entity Buyers can only have one property with open essential repairs at a time regardless of the essential repair deadline date.

Extended Listing (Listed with the City)

These properties have been on the market for 120 days or more without an accepted offer. Offers for properties on this list will be accepted from all buyers.

Email Offers To: [email protected]

Final Offers (Listed with the City)

Properties on this list are candidates for demolition. Offers will be accepted from all buyers.

Email Offers To: [email protected]

Your Path to Purchasing City-Owned Properties


PLEASE NOTE: Additional properties are listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). For information on those properties contact a Wisconsin Licensed Real Estate Agent. For additional Broker information click here.


1. Contact any Wisconsin Licensed Real Estate Agent to assist you in the purchase process.

2. All City real estate properties are available for viewing prior to submitting an Offer to Purchase.

3. PROPERTY ACCESS: Real Estate Agents can use City Keys to access the properties – No Appointment needed.
    Contact the City Real Estate Department if you do not have a set, have issues with the lockbox or padlock, or if the property is boarded.

  • Email: [email protected] to request City Key pick-up; or arrange for access to the property, if boarded.
  • Call: Real Estate Agents can call at (414) 286-5730 to arrange key pick-up and access to the property.

4. Complete a thorough inspection of the property with your agent/broker to familiarize yourself with the features of the home and to determine the extent and cost of needed repairs. Seek qualified help if necessary.

5. Have your Real Estate Agent complete and submit a signed City of Milwaukee - Offer to Purchase on your behalf. 

6. Provide Proof of Funds with Offer.

  •  Purchase Price + Essential Repair Funds (Found on the Scope of Work) = TOTAL Proof of Funds 

7. Ready to make an offer?  Select the type of buyer you are and start the process.

City Real Estate Forms

General Buyer Guidelines

Offers to Purchase will be rejected from any party (as an individual or as part of an entity) who:

  • Is delinquent in the payment of any property tax, special assessment, special charge or special tax to the City of Milwaukee.
  • Has outstanding judgments from the City or if the City acquired a property tax-foreclosure judgment.
  • Has outstanding health or building code violations or orders from the City’s Health Department or Department of Neighborhood Services that are not actively being abated.
  • Has been convicted of violating an order of the Health Department or Department of Neighborhood Services within the past year.
  • Owned property in the city that, at any time within the past 5 years, the city acquired by means of property-tax foreclosure. Applies to any ownership group or LLC of which any prospective buyer has been a member.