Silver Lake, WI Real Estate & Homes for Sale

Silver Lake is a small Kenosha County community built around its namesake — a 516-acre recreational lake with motorboat access, three public boat launches, and two public beaches. Now part of the village of Salem Lakes, it sits about five miles from the Illinois border, drawing Chicago-area buyers who want real waterfront and Wisconsin property taxes without the price premium of Geneva Lake or Delavan. Browsing Silver Lake, WI real estate offers more lake-access options at lower price points than those comparable Illinois communities.

Browse Homes Ask a Local Agent

Trusted advisors for Silver Lake and Kenosha County buyers & sellers. Specializing in Silver Lake, WI real estate since day one.

  • ✅ Local market specialists with live MLS access — Silver Lake and Kenosha County
  • ✅ Straight talk on lake access rights, septic systems, and dock permits before you write an offer
  • ✅ 1-on-1 guided showings in Silver Lake, nearby communities, and weekend windows
  • ✅ Silver Lake-specific pricing, offer, and inspection strategy support

Silver Lake Market Snapshot

Silver Lake is a low-volume market — sales can swing month to month, and a single closing can move the average significantly. Use these indicators as orientation, then ask us for current MLS comps before pricing or writing an offer. Understanding the Silver Lake, WI real estate market dynamics helps you make competitive offers in this tight-inventory community.

7 active

SFH listings on market now — Silver Lake 53170 (MLS).

$275K

Avg SFH sold price — May 2026, Silver Lake 53170 (MLS).

33 days

Avg days on market — last 5 SFH sales, Silver Lake 53170.

99.0%

List-to-sale ratio — homes selling near asking. Minimal overbid pressure.

1 new

New SFH listings added this week — Silver Lake 53170.

1 sold

SFH sales closed this week — Silver Lake 53170.

1.6 mo.

Est. months of supply — strong seller’s market (well below 6-mo. equilibrium).

+7.3% YoY

Avg SFH price change, Jan–May 2025 vs. Jan–May 2026 (MLS).

Several recent months had few or no closed SFH sales — a normal pattern in a market this size. Need a property-specific read? Request a custom valuation for your Silver Lake address.

Browse Silver Lake Properties by Type

Jump directly to the property type you’re looking for — no filters to set. Every type of Silver Lake, WI real estate is here — from cozy inland homes to prized lakefront properties.

🏠 Single Family Houses & residential homes 🏢 Condominiums Condo & townhome living 🏘️ Two-Family Duplex & owner-occupied 🌳 Land & Lots Vacant land & build sites 🏗️ Multi-Family 3+ unit investment properties 🏭 Commercial Comm/industrial properties

Start With a Focused Search in Silver Lake

Jump straight to the Silver Lake listings that fit your timeline and budget — no filters to build.

🗓️ New This Week Listed in the last 7 days 💰 Under $300K Inland & first-time buyer range 🏡 $300K – $450K Move-up & lake access range 🏆 $450K+ Premium & lakefront properties 🔨 Built 2015+ Newer construction and updates 📉 Price Reduced Cut in the last 7 days 🌊 Lakefront & Waterfront Lake access properties 🌳 Land & Lots Vacant land & acreage

Why Buyers Choose Silver Lake, WI

Silver Lake delivers what Illinois buyers increasingly can’t find at home: a real recreational lake — 516 acres, motorboat access, three public launches — with affordable Wisconsin taxes and a short drive back to the Chicago metro. Local Kenosha County buyers come for the water access, two public beaches, and a quieter pace without sacrificing highway convenience. Now part of the village of Salem Lakes, it’s a compact community with a clear identity: lake life, practical commuter access, and room to breathe.

  • 🌊
    A real lake, not a pond. Silver Lake is 516 acres with motorboat access, three public boat launches, fishing for musky, walleye, bass, and panfish, and lakefront homes that hold value because supply is genuinely limited.
  • 🚗
    Cross-border pricing advantage. About five miles from Illinois, buyers get Wisconsin property tax rates on waterfront that would cost significantly more in Lake County, IL.
  • 🛣️
    Practical commuter position. Near WI-50 and I-94 — workable for Kenosha (20–25 min), Racine (35–40 min), Milwaukee (50–55 min), and northern Chicago suburbs (under an hour for most addresses).
  • 🏡
    Price range for every stage. Inland single-family homes from the high-$200Ks through the mid-$300Ks sit alongside lakefront properties at a premium — more entry points than most lake communities in Southeast Wisconsin.
  • 🏗️
    Mix of vintage and updated homes. Mid-century cottages with character alongside renovated and newer construction — buyers can choose low-maintenance updated homes or invest in a classic lake cottage.

Silver Lake Area Profiles

Silver Lake is compact enough that area choice often comes down to one question: lake access or not? From there, buyers compare lot size, home age, and proximity to the public beaches — all three vary by block. Here’s how the main pockets break down.

🌊 Lakefront & Lake Access

Homes on or near Silver Lake — the most sought-after properties in the area. Deeded water access varies significantly by parcel.

  • True lakefront includes shoreline and typically dock rights or the right to install one
  • Some inland homes have deeded community pier access — confirm rights before offering
  • Many lake properties are on private septic — budget for a system inspection

🏡 Village Residential

Established inland streets in the historic Silver Lake core. Good for buyers who want the area’s pace and character without paying lakefront premium.

  • Mid-century and 1970s–90s ranch and cottage-style homes
  • Larger lots, mature trees, and established landscaping common
  • Strong value for first-time and move-up buyers

🏗️ Newer Subdivisions & South End

More recent development toward the Salem Lakes/Wilmot corridor — updated floor plans, attached garages, and lower near-term maintenance overhead.

  • 3–4 bedroom open-concept layouts
  • HOA fees apply in some communities — review docs before committing
  • Easy access to WI-50 and the Illinois state line

Schools & District Info

🎓 School Districts

  • Most Silver Lake addresses are served by the Silver Lake J1 School District (K–8, Riverview School) and the Wilmot Union High School District (9–12, Wilmot Union High School)
  • A small number of addresses may fall in adjacent district boundaries — always confirm your assigned school before writing an offer
  • Contact the district office or ask us to verify the school assignment for a specific address before your first showing

🤝 Community Resources

  • Two public swimming beaches — Kenosha County’s Silver Lake Park on the north end and the village’s DeWitt Park on the southwest shore — plus seasonal recreation programs
  • Kenosha County library system access
  • Check the Village of Salem Lakes website for utility providers, permit info, and property tax data by parcel
Buyer Tip: School district boundaries don’t always follow obvious geographic lines. We verify the assigned district and school for every address before you invest time in showings.
Illinois Buyers: Wisconsin property taxes are typically lower than comparable lake communities in Lake County, IL. Ask us to run a side-by-side comparison on a specific address.

Local Favorites & Weekend Picks

Day-to-day life in Silver Lake centers on the lake and the practical amenities of the nearby Salem Lakes and Kenosha corridors. Here’s what buyers ask about most before their first showing.

🚣 Silver Lake Park

  • Kenosha County park on the north end of the lake with a public swimming beach and boat launch
  • Fishing for musky, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish
  • No-wake rule in effect lakewide from sunset to 10 a.m. daily
  • Ice fishing in winter — a draw for local buyers who stay year-round

🏖️ DeWitt Park

  • The village’s public beach and park on the southwest shore of Silver Lake
  • Swimming, picnicking, and lake access for residents and visitors
  • A short walk or drive from most village-core neighborhoods

🛒 Everyday Errands

  • Grocery, pharmacy, and retail a short drive through Salem Lakes or north toward Kenosha
  • Antioch, IL (about 5 miles south) adds additional shopping and dining variety
  • Kenosha’s lakefront restaurants and entertainment roughly 20–25 minutes north on I-94
  • Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets about 20 minutes via I-94

Silver Lake Real Estate FAQs

Is Silver Lake a good option for Illinois buyers?

For buyers looking at lake access with Wisconsin taxes, it often is. Property tax rates in Kenosha County are typically lower than comparable lake communities in Lake County, IL, and the commute to the northern Chicago suburbs is under an hour for most Silver Lake addresses. The trade-off is fewer on-site restaurants and retail compared to bigger lake towns — buyers who want quiet waterfront over resort amenities usually appreciate that balance.

What does “lake access” actually mean on a Silver Lake listing?

It varies significantly by property. True lakefront homes have direct shoreline and typically include a dock or the right to install one. Some inland homes have deeded access to shared community piers or boat slips. Others are marketed as “lake area” without any legal water access at all. We confirm the specific access type and legal rights on every property before you invest time in a showing — the difference matters for value, insurance, and long-term enjoyment.

Should I get a septic inspection on a lake home?

Yes — many lake-area homes in Silver Lake are on private septic rather than municipal sewer. We recommend a full septic inspection and system report as a condition of any offer on a non-municipal property. Age of the system, last pump date, tank condition, and proximity to the shoreline are the key factors to understand before closing.

Can I bring my motorboat to Silver Lake?

Yes — Silver Lake allows motorized watercraft, with three public boat launches providing access. A lakewide no-wake rule is in effect from sunset to 10 a.m. daily; confirm any additional current rules with the village before purchasing. If the property includes a private dock, we review its condition and permit status as part of the due-diligence checklist.

What price ranges are typical for homes in Silver Lake?

Non-lakefront single-family homes in move-in ready condition have recently sold from roughly $275K to the mid-$400Ks depending on size, age, and condition. Lakefront and deeded lake-access homes typically command a premium over those figures. It’s a small market — ask us for current MLS comps before anchoring expectations. In Silver Lake, WI real estate, lakefront homes command the highest premiums due to limited supply.

Is Silver Lake a good fit for commuters?

It can be. The community sits near WI-50 and I-94, which puts it roughly 20–25 minutes from Kenosha, 35–40 from Racine, 50–55 from Milwaukee, and under an hour from most northern Chicago suburb destinations. Map the drive during your actual commute window before choosing a neighborhood — morning traffic on I-94 southbound near the state line can add time in peak periods.

Silver Lake Homes for Sale

Browse current Silver Lake, WI MLS listings below — updated multiple times daily. Filter by price, bedrooms, or lake access, then contact us for a private showing, pricing context, or offer strategy before the right home moves. All Silver Lake, WI real estate listings are pulled directly from the MLS in real time.

Why Tour With Kaplon Realty

  • Priority scheduling — we get you in before the weekend rush
  • Waterfront and lake-access expertise: dock rights, septic condition, and well review before you commit
  • Kenosha County lender and inspector introductions on short timelines
  • Off-market awareness across Silver Lake, Twin Lakes, and Salem Lakes

Silver Lake MLS listings — refreshed multiple times daily. New properties appear the day they hit the market.

Work With a Silver Lake, WI Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling in Silver Lake? We know the lake, the neighborhoods, and the buyer pool — including the Illinois buyers who drive up on weekends. Get local expertise, not a portal experience. Our Silver Lake, WI real estate specialists are ready to guide you through every step.

Contact Kaplon Realty Browse Listings

Prefer to call? Reach us at 262-498-6751.

Silver Lake Buyer Planning Checklist

  • Confirm lake access type and legal rights before making an offer — lakefront, deeded access, and “lake area” are not the same thing.
  • Verify school district and assigned school by your specific address before committing to a neighborhood.
  • Schedule a septic inspection and system age report on any non-municipal property.
  • Check dock permit status, no-wake hours, and any HOA rules on boats and storage.
  • Compare Wisconsin property tax rate against your Illinois baseline — run the numbers on a specific address.

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