Lexington closing costs & neighborhood/school district question (Clay: real estate, house)

[Micah Girl]

In Lexington is it customary for the seller or the buyer to cover closing costs on a home? I know in MA it depends on the town. In our city, unfortunately for us as sellers, we have to cover closing costs. I am hoping that in Lexington, as buyers, the seller will cover those costs.

Also is there a master list somewhere that has all the subdivisions that are covered by particular high schools? I am trying to find a way to speed up my lbarmls.com searches by inputting subdivisions that are either Dunbar or Henry Clay.

Thanks!

[bluegrassgirl]

I'm not sure, but the Fayette County Board of Education might be able to send you a map?

Henry Clay and Dunbar are good high schools and I can understand why you would want to investigate neighborhoods in those districts. I will also suggest that you consider Lafayette High School. Great scores, athletics and a band that has been the state champs for like 18 out of the last 20 years or something close. It has a more diverse population than Henry Clay and Dunbar which isn't a totally bad thing IMO. It is also the Magnet Highschool for Creative and Performing Arts (actually that part of the HS is called SCAPA). I had a son graduate from there and a daughter who will be a senior this year. Nothing but good experiences on our part and some living areas that are more reasonably priced than those of Dunbar. Dunbar would probably be might next choice after Lafayette.... good athletics and extra curricular activities as well. I'm a bit biased though!

I'm more than happy to check for you (I'll probably already know) certain areas if there's an area you're interested in and let you know what district it is in.

[bluegrassgirl]

Oops, forgot part of your question. Here, typically the buyer pays their closing costs. However, this is certainly not something I'm overly knowledgeable with... I would think that a realtor could work out possibly a split?

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by bluegrassgirl

I'm not sure, but the Fayette County Board of Education might be able to send you a map?

Henry Clay and Dunbar are good high schools and I can understand why you would want to investigate neighborhoods in those districts. I will also suggest that you consider Lafayette High School. Great scores, athletics and a band that has been the state champs for like 18 out of the last 20 years or something close. It has a more diverse population than Henry Clay and Dunbar which isn't a totally bad thing IMO. It is also the Magnet Highschool for Creative and Performing Arts (actually that part of the HS is called SCAPA). I had a son graduate from there and a daughter who will be a senior this year. Nothing but good experiences on our part and some living areas that are more reasonably priced than those of Dunbar. Dunbar would probably be might next choice after Lafayette.... good athletics and extra curricular activities as well. I'm a bit biased though!

I'm more than happy to check for you (I'll probably already know) certain areas if there's an area you're interested in and let you know what district it is in.

I've heard a few people say Lafayette is good, too... I am hoping to tour high schools when I arrive in Lexington, even though my oldest won't be in h.s. for a while since she is currently an 8 year old homeschooled 3 rd grader! Just trying to plan ahead. Do you think that the schools would allow me to tour?

Are both of your kids SCAPA kids or are they the "regular" Lafayette kids? Is there also a college track @ Lafayette? Diversity is also a good thing in my opinion, too.

[tomocox]

All things in real estate are negotiable. Using a competent Realtor who is representing only you should help.

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by tomocox

All things in real estate are negotiable. Using a competent Realtor who is representing only you should help.

Tomocox (and others!) would you say that Lexington is more of a buyers' market right now or is it one of those areas that is only sluggish because both buyers and sellers are waiting for the other one to blink???

I know the market where I am is sluggish, and I expected to have to spend 6 months selling my house. It went under agreement in two weeks, so there are surprises everywhere I know.

Thanks.

[tomocox]

For about 10 years many lazy people became Realtors, now those that have always been professional and hard workers are continuing to make sales although there is an abundance of properties on the market. I recommend that every person should study the phenominal market we live in. It is called "supply and demand" or the "Free Market System". When there is an abundance of a product, why pay more? When there is a shortage, we must pay more. There are too many homes on the market right now for the demand; therefore, to sell, sellers must lower their prices or improve their quality. Now is the time for buyers to buy!

[bluegrassgirl]

Originally Posted by Micah Girl

Do you think that the schools would allow me to tour?

Are both of your kids SCAPA kids or are they the "regular" Lafayette kids? Is there also a college track @ Lafayette? Diversity is also a good thing in my opinion, too.

I'm positive that all the HS in Fayette County (Lexington) would allow you to tour. If you end up going to Lafayette, I'd be happy to share my name with you through a PM and you could mention to the principal that I suggested you call. Neither of my kids attended Lafayette through the SCAPA program. My daughter was in band in elementary and middle school, but gave it up at high school because of the level of commitment that is involved. Band at Lafayette is very consuming. There's a few kids that will do things outside of band, but it's very demanding. That's not unusual though as kids at the high school level tend to devote much more time to their sport or activitity by that point in their lives and narrow down their focus. Both my kids played/play sports and the athletic program they have been involved in were magnificent from a parent's perspective. However, if you have a child that's interested in the arts, SCAPA/Lafayette is absolutely the school to attend for high school.

Lexington is fortunate to also have some very good private schools including Lexington Catholic and Lexington Christian Academy. Both of these schools actually sit in the middle of Lafayette's district, but have no restrictions on boundaries since they are private.

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by tomocox

For about 10 years many lazy people became Realtors, now those that have always been professional and hard workers are continuing to make sales although there is an abundance of properties on the market. I recommend that every person should study the phenominal market we live in. It is called "supply and demand" or the "Free Market System". When there is an abundance of a product, why pay more? When there is a shortage, we must pay more. There are too many homes on the market right now for the demand; therefore, to sell, sellers must lower their prices or improve their quality. Now is the time for buyers to buy!

That is what I was hoping to hear. When we bought our first home it was a seller's market and was hot, hot, hot. Now that we have successfully sold that house and are moving to an area which is more reasonably priced, we look forward to getting an excellent value for our $$$.

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by bluegrassgirl

I'm positive that all the HS in Fayette County (Lexington) would allow you to tour. If you end up going to Lafayette, I'd be happy to share my name with you through a PM and you could mention to the principal that I suggested you call. Neither of my kids attended Lafayette through the SCAPA program. My daughter was in band in elementary and middle school, but gave it up at high school because of the level of commitment that is involved. Band at Lafayette is very consuming. There's a few kids that will do things outside of band, but it's very demanding. That's not unusual though as kids at the high school level tend to devote much more time to their sport or activitity by that point in their lives and narrow down their focus. Both my kids played/play sports and the athletic program they have been involved in were magnificent from a parent's perspective. However, if you have a child that's interested in the arts, SCAPA/Lafayette is absolutely the school to attend for high school.

Lexington is fortunate to also have some very good private schools including Lexington Catholic and Lexington Christian Academy. Both of these schools actually sit in the middle of Lafayette's district, but have no restrictions on boundaries since they are private.

Thanks so much for that insight. I would love a PM to get a referral to find out more.