Just moved to Munster, looking for a house, but not sure we like the neighborhood. (Elkhart: buying a home)

[MandyBlue]

My husband and I just arrived a few days ago and staying in Munster. So far I think we will end up buying a home in Crown Point, it more like what I am used to, and you seem to get more house for the money.

We have only been here a few days but noticing the residents are not as friendly as we heard they would be. A lady at target decided it would be fun to shove her cart into mine so she could pass me at the checkout. I asked an older gentlemen at the gestation while we were pumping gas where a good neighborhood was and he gave me a dirty look at said he did not know. Also, none of our neighbors have bothered to introduce their self even though we have seen then while unloading our moving truck. One of our neighbors just pears out of her window everything we leave or come home. I’ve also noticed the people working the checkout line or drive threw are not very friendly. They don’t even say hello and just tell you the total. Is all of NW Indiana like this or just Munster? I’m worried that we made a mistake by moving here. :-(

I’m hoping its better in Crown Point. We found a great neighborhood around 99th. We have only been able to see the neighborhood at night, but it looks nice! Does anyone know how the housing market there? If a home is listed for say $160,000 what does it normally sell at? I’m from an area where the housing market crashed and million dollar homes are selling for less then half a million. Also, can anyone suggest a great agent to work with that is available after 5pm on weekdays?

Thank you everyone!

[jodyrose]

Originally Posted by MandyBlue

They don’t even say hello and just tell you the total. Is all of NW Indiana like this or just Munster? I’m worried that we made a mistake by moving here. :-(

I’m hoping its better in Crown Point. We found a great neighborhood around 99th. We have only been able to see the neighborhood at night, but it looks nice! Does anyone know how the housing market there? If a home is listed for say $160,000 what does it normally sell at? I’m from an area where the housing market crashed and million dollar homes are selling for less then half a million. Also, can anyone suggest a great agent to work with that is available after 5pm on weekdays?

Mandy,

Welcome to Indiana! I wish you were closer to me, I would love to work with you! I am usually available to my clients 24/7. Dont get too discouraged right now in the first few days of being here. Maybe the folks you have seen so far have just been having a tough day! The market here is down too, but most houses I have sold this year have sold either at the list price or about 3-5% under list. It depends allot on the motivation of the seller! Some are desperate, some not so much. I was talking to someone today who started out with their house listed at $245,000 and now has it down to $199900, which is a heck of a deal for fairly new house in the country in Elkhart county.

You are on the right track though...find a good agent and let them go to work for you. HINT: If you call them and never get a phone call back..find someone else..dont waste your time! You are not obligated to continue to work with someone who doesnt care enough to return your phone calls/or emails on a timely basis.

Also if you can give them a list of your "gotta haves, would be nice to haves and deal breakers" that would really help them help you quicker to find just the right place.

Good luck
Jody

[Chuckity]

Answers in red ...

Originally Posted by MandyBlue

My husband and I just arrived a few days ago and staying in Munster. So far I think we will end up buying a home in Crown Point, it more like what I am used to, and you seem to get more house for the money.

We have only been here a few days but noticing the residents are not as friendly as we heard they would be. A lady at target decided it would be fun to shove her cart into mine so she could pass me at the checkout. I asked an older gentlemen at the gestation while we were pumping gas where a good neighborhood was and he gave me a dirty look at said he did not know. Also, none of our neighbors have bothered to introduce their self even though we have seen then while unloading our moving truck. One of our neighbors just pears out of her window everything we leave or come home. I’ve also noticed the people working the checkout line or drive threw are not very friendly. They don’t even say hello and just tell you the total. Is all of NW Indiana like this or just Munster? I’m worried that we made a mistake by moving here. :-(

Munster and the bulk of northern Lake County is more quicker paced and more like Chicago and it's inner suburbs. The farther out you go, the slower the pace and the more likely you'll have friendly, chatty people. But rest assured, there are ignorant idiots everywhere. I like chatty, my husband on the other hand prefers quiet ... we've got it all (idiots included) in NWI.

I’m hoping its better in Crown Point. We found a great neighborhood around 99th. We have only been able to see the neighborhood at night, but it looks nice! Does anyone know how the housing market there? If a home is listed for say $160,000 what does it normally sell at? I’m from an area where the housing market crashed and million dollar homes are selling for less then half a million. Also, can anyone suggest a great agent to work with that is available after 5pm on weekdays?

The area you're talking about does not have Crown Point schools - that's Merrillville. If you're looking to be in the Crown Point school system, that area (it's actually Ross Twnshp) is not it.

In that area though, homes are selling at approx. 94-95% of list.

If you have any questions, please feel to direct message me.

Thank you everyone!

[MandyBlue]

Hi again! We actually just bought a house in Crown Point today! And the school are Merrillville. I'm not sure if they are good or bad but it does not matter as we dont have children. We did meet a neighbor and she was very nice! Cant wait to move in!

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by MandyBlue

Hi again! We actually just bought a house in Crown Point today! And the school are Merrillville. I'm not sure if they are good or bad but it does not matter as we dont have children. We did meet a neighbor and she was very nice! Cant wait to move in!

That was quick!

Congrats!

[MandyBlue]

Well we had been looking for 5 months and the second we found this one I knew it was the one! I just wish we didnt have to wait until mid october to move in! :-)