Wieckert Real Estate FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about buying and selling agricultural land, vacant land, commercial parcels and development property in Appleton and across the Fox Valley. If your question is not here, call Steve Wieckert at (920) 205-4486.
About Wieckert Real Estate
Who is Wieckert Real Estate?
Wieckert Real Estate is a family-owned real estate company in Appleton, Wisconsin that specializes in agricultural real estate and vacant land development. Steve Wieckert is the Broker and Owner. The company works with farmland, vacant land, commercial sites and development parcels throughout the Fox Valley.
Where is Wieckert Real Estate located?
The office is at 3033 W. Spencer St., Appleton, Wisconsin 54914. Appleton sits at the center of the Fox Valley, within a short drive of Grand Chute, Greenville, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Neenah and Menasha.
What areas does Wieckert Real Estate serve?
Wieckert Real Estate serves Appleton and the surrounding Fox Valley and Fox Cities. Listings have included property in Grand Chute, Greenville, Hortonville, Little Chute, Black Creek, Fremont, Dale, Stockbridge and the Town of Center, across Outagamie, Winnebago and Calumet counties.
Who will I be working with?
You work directly with Steve Wieckert, the Broker and Owner. Call (920) 205-4486 to reach him about any listing, or about selling land of your own.
How long has Wieckert Real Estate been in business?
The family has been in Fox Valley real estate for over 70 years. The business traces back to the 1940s, when Kelly Wieckert began his career in Appleton real estate.
How did Wieckert Real Estate get started?
It started with a ride home. In the 1940s, U.W. Madison student Kelly Wieckert hitchhiked home on weekends to the Wieckert family farm in the Town of Center, and on one trip he was picked up by Howard McCarthy, owner of H.F. McCarthy Real Estate in Appleton. Kelly joined the firm after graduating, and after Howard McCarthy passed away in 1960 he established a new firm with fellow realtors Wally Long and John Karel.
Is Wieckert Real Estate a family business?
Yes. Kelly Wieckert’s three children, Steve, Jeff and Carla, all became licensed realtors and worked for the business. Kelly continued coming into the office into his 80s until he passed away in 2007, and Steve Wieckert carries on the business today.
What makes Wieckert Real Estate different from other local agents?
Knowledge of agricultural property and the ag community. Wieckert Real Estate specializes in farmland and vacant land rather than treating it as a sideline to residential sales, and that focus is what sets the company apart from other local real estate businesses.
What types of property does Wieckert Real Estate handle?
Agricultural land, vacant land, commercial land, development parcels, wooded residential building sites, farmettes with homes and outbuildings, and sand and gravel pit properties.
How do I contact Wieckert Real Estate?
Call Steve Wieckert at (920) 205-4486, or use the form on the Contact Us page. The office is at 3033 W. Spencer St., Appleton, Wisconsin 54914.
Buying Land in the Fox Valley
What land is for sale in the Fox Valley right now?
The Land For Sale page lists everything currently available. Listings typically include farmland, commercial parcels, development land, wooded residential sites and occasional farmettes, ranging from a few acres to well over 100 acres.
Can I buy commercial land in Appleton or Grand Chute?
Yes. Commercial and development parcels in Appleton, Grand Chute and along the main Fox Valley highway corridors are a regular part of the inventory. Call (920) 205-4486 to ask what is available now.
Do you have vacant land for building a home?
Yes. Wooded and open residential building sites come up regularly, including parcels in Grand Chute and the surrounding townships. Acreage, zoning and access vary by parcel, so check the individual listing.
What is a farmette?
A farmette is a small acreage property that combines a home with farm outbuildings and enough land to keep animals, grow crops or simply have room. It suits buyers who want a rural lifestyle without operating a full-scale farm.
How large are the parcels you list?
Parcel sizes vary widely. Recent listings have ranged from roughly 4 acres up to more than 150 acres, including many in the 16 to 95 acre range.
What counties are your listings in?
Most listings are in Outagamie County, with additional property in Winnebago and Calumet counties. All of it sits in or near the Fox Valley.
What should I check before buying vacant land in Wisconsin?
Start with zoning and permitted use, legal access and road frontage, availability of utilities, soil and drainage, wetlands, and any easements or deed restrictions. A current survey and the town or county zoning office are the best sources. Wieckert Real Estate can walk you through what applies to a specific parcel.
Why does zoning matter on a vacant parcel?
Zoning determines what you are allowed to build or operate on the land. A parcel zoned agricultural will not automatically support a commercial building or a residential subdivision, so confirm the zoning and any rezoning process with the town or county before you buy.
Can I buy farmland as an investment and rent it out?
Yes. Renting tillable acreage to a local operator is common in the Fox Valley. Arrangements and rates vary with soil quality, drainage and location, so talk through the specifics of a parcel before you buy.
How do I arrange to see a property?
Call Steve Wieckert at (920) 205-4486, or send a message through the Contact Us page naming the listing you are interested in.
Selling Land and Farm Property
Do you list farmland for sale?
Yes. Farmland and agricultural acreage are a core part of what Wieckert Real Estate does, including high quality tillable farmland and larger working farms.
How do I find out what my farmland is worth?
Value depends on tillable acreage, soil productivity, drainage, road access, location and current demand. Contact Steve Wieckert at (920) 205-4486 to discuss your parcel. A market opinion usually starts with a look at the land and recent comparable sales in your township.
Should I sell my farm as one parcel or split it?
It depends on the land and the buyer pool. Splitting can attract more buyers for building sites, while keeping acreage together often suits farm operators and investors. Local zoning and land division rules affect what is possible, so it is worth discussing before listing.
Do you sell development land to builders and developers?
Yes. Development parcels, including larger tracts near Appleton and Grand Chute suited to residential or commercial projects, are a regular part of the inventory.
What can agricultural land be used for besides farming?
Depending on zoning, agricultural land can support recreational use, hunting, timber, building sites or future development. Changing the use usually requires rezoning or a conditional use approval from the town or county.
Do you handle sand and gravel pit properties?
Yes. Sand pit acreage, including active pits, has been part of the listing inventory. These properties involve permitting and reclamation considerations that differ from ordinary farmland.
What is the difference between agricultural land and development land?
Agricultural land is valued and zoned for farming use. Development land is valued for its potential to be built on, usually because of location, road access, utilities and the likelihood of rezoning. The same parcel can move from one category to the other as an area grows.
How long does it take to sell vacant land?
Land generally takes longer to sell than a house because the buyer pool is smaller and buyers often need to confirm zoning, access and financing first. Pricing, location and how clearly the parcel is presented make the biggest difference.
What do I need to have ready to sell my land?
Useful items include the deed, a survey if one exists, recent property tax bills, details of any lease or rental agreement on the acreage, and any known easements or restrictions. Wieckert Real Estate will tell you what else is needed for your parcel.
How do I list my land with Wieckert Real Estate?
Call Steve Wieckert at (920) 205-4486 or use the Contact Us form. He will talk through the property, the current market for that kind of land, and what it takes to bring it to market.