On April 17, 2025, Wisconsin REALTORS® made their voices heard at the Wisconsin
Capitol during another record-breaking REALTOR® & Government Day (RGD). For more
than 40 years, REALTORS® from across the state have traveled to Madison to advocate
for policies that protect property rights, promote housing affordability and strengthen
Wisconsin’s real estate market. This year was no different. With more than 567 REALTORS®
in attendance, we saw a 3.2% increase from 2024 event attendance — making this the
most-attended RGD in WRA history.
At the event, REALTORS® were addressed by Gov. Tony Evers and were also briefed on legislative priorities, then they took to the Capitol to meet directly with lawmakers, sharing personal stories that underscored the importance of incorporating WRA priorities and proper real estate policy in addressing Wisconsin’s growing housing crisis.
RGD 2025 focused on addressing Wisconsin’s housing crisis, with emphasis on two major challenges: housing supply and housing affordability. Both issues have reached a critical point, affecting homebuyers, renters and communities across the state.
Expanding housing supply
Wisconsin’s housing inventory remains at historic lows, pushing home prices higher and limiting options for both first-time buyers and those looking for workforce housing. The WRA supports initiatives to expand housing supply, including:
WHEDA loan program modifications (SB180): Last session, the WRA successfully advocated for a historic $525 million investment in workforce and senior housing. This bill enhances WHEDA’s loan programs by removing restrictive qualifications, allowing financing incentives like tax credits and infrastructure loans to be stacked together, expanding commercial-to-residential conversions in rural areas, and increasing loan awards to make projects more viable.
Preventing landlord bankruptcy (LRB 2188/2555): A recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruling in Koble v. Marquardt set a dangerous precedent by voiding a lease and awarding double rent repayment plus legal fees to tenants. If broadly applied, this decision could bankrupt landlords. This bill corrects the ruling and protects property owners from financially devastating litigation.
Fighting harmful policies: The WRA continues to oppose rent control measures and advocates against short-term rental bans, which would further restrict housing availability.
Improving housing affordability
With rising mortgage rates, increasing home prices and higher property taxes, affordability remains a top concern for Wisconsin residents. At RGD 2025, WRA members advocated for the following key legislative initiatives that keep homeownership within reach:
Opposing loosening levy limits (LRB 0694/2497): Since 2011, Wisconsin’s property tax levy freeze has saved taxpayers over $14 billion. This bill would automatically increase levy caps to fund regional emergency medical services, bypassing the referendum process. However, 69.5% of EMS/public safety funding referendums already pass, proving that voters are willing to support these initiatives when necessary — without an automatic property tax hike.
Lowering the real estate transfer tax (LRB 2260): Originally set at $1 per $1,000 in 1970, the transfer tax increased to $3 per $1,000 in 1982. This bill redistributes transfer tax revenue to provide more funding for counties while setting aside dedicated funds for land information systems. Additionally, it introduces property record notifications to help prevent title fraud, offering homeowners an extra layer of protection.
A powerful day of advocacy
The 567 WRA members who participated in RGD this year left a lasting impact on legislators. By sharing real-life examples of how these policies affect their communities, REALTORS® strengthened our advocacy efforts and helped shape the conversation around Wisconsin’s real estate market.
The day concluded with a reception, where REALTORS® and lawmakers reflected on the progress made and the work ahead. RGD 2025 was a resounding success, reaffirming the WRA’s commitment to ensuring that REALTOR® priorities become legislative priorities in the 2025-26 session.
As we move forward, the momentum from this record-breaking event will continue to drive meaningful change for Wisconsin’s housing market and the real estate industry as a whole.