Where to buy in Bloomington (real estate, house, neighborhoods)

[quiz1]

Hello-

After a brief stay in Michigan, husband got a job in Bloomington. Getting used to the cost of real estate here. Wanting to buy but having a hard time figuring the area. Want to purchase, but odds are we'll be leaving within a few years. Long enough to make purchasing an okay risk, but needing to be careful about resale. Wanting at least 4 bedrooms and thinking close to town, but not wanting to spend over $350k, less is better (!!), but a lot of homes less than that seem to need a whole lot of work. Not opposed to cosmetic work, but structural things are out of our skill level.

The forums have been so very helpful in the past - so what is ya'lls opinion? Neighborhoods, subdivisions?

[rrah]

Let me just say upfront, I previously was a realtor in Bloomington. I not done that for a year or so--by choice. I have no "skin in that game" any longer. Yes, Bloomington prices are high in comparison to much of the state. It's the second or third most expensive market.

I'm wondering where you're looking if you think you need to spend $350k to get a home in decent shape or how you define "work." It's kind of hard to make recommendations about neighborhoods without knowing more about the location of your H's job (it can be 20 minutes or more from one side of town to the other), how long he's willing to drive, if you need to consider schools, etc. Given your price range though, and that it will only be for a few years, I would make two recommendations: stay as close to town as possible (unless you want more property) and stay in MCCSC schools, even if they don't matter to you.

[quiz1]

Hello-

Thanks for the reply. I'm interested in staying close to town, husband works on the west side of town, just west of 37 and West 3rd. Schools aren't necessarily an issue until high school. There are cute homes downtown, I guess Elm Heights or South Bryan, but way out of our price range or just too much work for us. We've been looking more in the East part of Bloomington, and again finding that price to be common. Maybe we should wait to buy until spring? How is new construction in Bloomington?

Sorry - edited to add that what I consider work are the structural elements: new roof, windows, updating electrical, etc. Well, maybe I should add I'm not too keen on pulling wallpaper throughout the entire house as well.

[TamiamiTrailBlues]

Bloomington's housing market is inflated by the university. Most everything in Bloomington is priced higher because of IU and the general population - not associated with IU - pays dearly for it.

The biggest demand in Bloomington are for homes between $120,000 - $220,000. They don't last long unless they are abandoned and in bad shape.

We lived off of 37 south of 2nd Street. Convenient to both sides of town (and you will use both sides of town east and west) you couldn't ask for a better location near town.

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[induchman2]

If you're not gonna stay ten years, then find a nice rental. That way if you don't like the neighborhood, you can move. Ya can't move a house exactly if you don't like the area.