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"VIP took the guess work out of everything... Tammy under-promised and over-delivered, and always within the timeline she gave us."
Natalie G.
Indianapolis
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What Type Home to Buy & Where to Live in Central Indiana
What Type Home to Buy & Where to Live in Central Indiana: Architectural Styles, Two-Story, Split Level, Market Values, Urban / Suburban / Rural Neighborhood
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Now that you have determined the price range for your new home, the fun part of home buying begins — deciding on the type of home, and where in Central Indiana you want it located. And the team at VIP Realty is here to help with the decision-making process. We have provided some resource information to help make these decisions easier.
Select Your Indiana Home's Style
With all the choices in home styles, knowing what you like before you start looking can make your decision easier.
- Do you want a two-story or split-level?
- English Tudor, Southern Colonial or something more contemporary or modern?
- What are the differences in the styles?
The Internet is great starting point for researching home styles, location and market values. These are a few of the web sites that will provide details of the various architectural styles available:
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- Locating Your Home and Selecting a Community in Central Indiana
Location is a key ingredient when selecting your home. Selecting the right location can save you from a potential home devaluation due to an unfavorable event due to growth or zoning changes. Investigate the neighborhood and surrounding area before settling on a particular house. Our experienced agents know the Central Indiana area well and can answer any questions you have about the areas you are considering
Pick a community setting that matches your own taste; urban, suburban, or rural. There are pluses and minuses to different home settings. A suburban setting might place you closer to city-like services and amenities, but the encroachment of an expanding urban environment can devalue your home over time. A rural setting offers romantic evenings, but life in the "country" can be too slow for some people. Some pointers to consider include:
- Urban Setting
- Expect more established neighborhoods with large trees and sidewalks
- You will be closer to the city and its amenities, such as restaurants, recreational areas, and parks
- Schools may be less desirable, depending on the area
- Economic strength of the city - unstable communities can bring higher taxes, devalued properties, and loss of good jobs to the suburbs
- Suburban Setting
- Generally offers newer homes in subdivisions and associations. However:
- Homes may be similar in style and appearance
- Landscaping may be less distinctive with its young trees and shrubs
- Suburban subdivisions may lack certain features like sidewalks and streetlights. The addition of these items may come later, increasing property taxes
- Suburban homes are often located near shopping centers and other amenities
- Be aware if a suburban community is fairly new - ongoing construction can bring overcrowding and heavy traffic
- Rural Setting
- Offers private settings and large acreage.
- If the rural area is near suburban settings, you can have the benefits of both the rural and suburban life
- However, it is important to remember that a few years could bring additional subdivision construction and alter your rural landscape.
- Many rural areas do not offer basic services such as sewer, water, and mail delivery
- Depending on the location, some areas lack zoning restrictions, thus allowing any type of structure to be built closely which could potentially devalue your property
Where to Live in Central Indiana: Choosing a Neighborhood
If you like the neighborhood you will be leaving, you can use the Realtor.com Community Calculator to find similar communities in or near your new location. For a change of pace, use the Lifestyle Optimizer to identify areas more suited to your tastes. You can even get a detailed neighborhood profile for the areas that interest you. It is then a good idea to scout those neighborhoods that you think you can afford. (Links open in new windows)
Among the things to consider when determining the neighborhood you'll live in include:
- Commuting time from your new home to work: how much time are you willing to spend on the road?
- Schools - check the quality of schools in the community whether or not you have children. The quality of schools in your area, particularly elementary schools, can impact resale value. Investigate:
- Average class size
- Type and age of facilities
- Method of transportation
- Evaluate the overall quality of the public school system
- Access to Shopping - Check the area for local shops, grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers.
- Can you buy a gallon of milk quickly, or must you travel long distances for basic items?
- Evaluate the quality of merchandise being sold in the stores. Quality merchandise indicate a more stable and upscale market.
- Community Services and Facilities, such as:
- Police
- Emergency response units
- Parks
- Libraries
- Hospitals
- Walk the Neighborhood - schedule time to explore the neighborhood within a 12 block area
- Check the appraised values of the homes in the neighborhood in which you wish to buy. Surrounding homes of equal size should appraise for the same value as your home.
- Check to see if the homes in the neighborhood are increasing or decreasing in value. It is a good idea to determine the demand for homes in the neighborhood. Too many "For Sale" signs are a good indication that something is happening.
- Check the Housing Fees
- What is the tax rate for the area?
- What municipal services are available
- How much will municipal service costs average?
- Are there any active neighborhood organizations working to maintain and improve the area?
- Is there a homeowners' association in which your membership is mandatory? While they do help to maintain the quality of the neighborhood and its property values, and maintain its safety as well, they require membership fees. Find out what they are — you might be surprised.
- Will you face any deed restrictions? What are they, and how sternly are they enforced?
- Check the Negatives - any one negative aspect of a neighborhood can counteract two or three positives. Check for all current and future negatives that could potentially devalue your home or impact your lifestyle, such as:
- Rising neighborhood crime. How effective is the crime watch programs in the neighborhood?
- Heavy traffic in and around the neighborhood. Evaluate how traffic patterns can increase with potential growth or changes in any underdeveloped areas surrounding the neighborhood.
- Loud sounds, such as airline traffic, nearby factories, major throughways, and ball parks.
- Visual pollution, such as power lines, radio and television towers, auto and bus fleet parking lots, ball fields that play night games, and salvage yards.
- Smells such as bakeries, food processing plants, and factories. These units may be miles away, but a down drift could affect the quality of air in the neighborhood. You might want to visit the neighborhood several times during the day to check out the smells and noises.
- Come back during the evening hours. Find out who frequents the neighborhood and when. Some neighborhoods have multiple personalities and attract a different crowd at night.
What to Buy in Central Indiana: Pick the Best Home in the Neighborhood
Look for the streets' boundaries where your new home is located. Any dead-end street can be turned into a major throughway. Homes that have defined boundaries can protect you from potential neighborhood changes.
- Homes in a cu-de-sac have a higher resale value than homes situated on busy streets. Also consider and potential construction that can turn a quiet street into a busy street later on.
- Look around the properties of the surrounding homes in the neighborhood. Homes in landscaped neighborhoods can demand a higher premium and keep the resale value high.
- Examine the property's lot for drainage, soil composition, physical dimensions, and privacy. An extensive review can save you dollars in structural repair.
You've done all the preliminary legwork: estimated your price range, determined the style of home to look for, and found an desired neighborhood. Now it's time to Find Your New Home.
For more information about how VIP Realty can help you determine what type of home to buy, and where in Central Indiana to buy it, call Tammy Bookout at (317) 345 - 8269 or toll-free at 888-VIP-0002 (888-847-0002), or send Tammy an e-mail, or submit the Request for Information form below.
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