Indiana Real Estate For Sale

Because of the sprawling nature of Indiana, housing density is relatively low- outside of the large cities, you won't find many high-rise condominiums or blocks stacked with apartment buildings. Instead, Indiana real estate market is nearly three-quarters single-unit homes that are modest in size. The tradition of owning a home is strong in Indiana, which has one of the country's highest percentages of home ownership. This is partly because Indiana real estate is affordable. The median price of homes in the Indiana real estate market is $182,000, well below the national average.

Along with the low list prices of homes for sale in Indiana, homeownership is so popular because the state has low fees associated with buying a house. Closing costs, for example, are typically lower in Indiana than in other states, and the same is true for the state's relatively low property taxes. This is so that even low-income workers have the chance to own a piece of Indiana real estate.

Since most early settlers in the state were involved in farming, you won't be surprised to find farmhouses in the Indiana real estate market. Some of these are classic farmhouses built in the last century, but even new builds often take on this style as the rustic, simplistic elements fit in well with Indiana's lifestyle. When you get into more populated areas and suburbs, it is also easy to find craftsman-style homes and colonial homes for every family.

When it comes to the inside of the houses, Indiana real estate generally has more basements than in most states. The stable soil conditions of the Midwest make it easy to dig basements- the cold weather means that the builders had to bore down anyway, so it is easier to keep going and add this feature.

Indiana offers 407 school districts throughout the state, which serve just over a million students across all areas. The overall performance of schools is monitored by the Indiana Department of Education and is considered roughly on par with the national averages. Several high schools in Indiana routinely rank among the nation's best, while some districts receive other accolades.

The best district in the state is Zionsville Community Schools, which boasts a 98.2% graduation rate and has at least a handful of National Merit Finalists each year. Another stand-out is Northwest Allen County Schools, which serves nearly 8,000 students and maintains scores above national and state averages in every subject.

Along with primary and secondary education opportunities, Indiana real estate has access to many well-regarded colleges and universities, with 86 total in the state. Notre Dame, Purdue, and Indiana University are all ranked in the nation's top 100, while schools like DePauw and Wabash are top choices in liberal arts.

Indiana has two international airports, located in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The state also has two other airports that offer commercial flights.

While Indiana is not densely populated, there is no shortage of things to do. The state has a few well-known museums, including The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art, situated at the White River State Park, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Fans of virtually any sport can find an event to attend in Indiana, with the Indy 500 being one of the most famous. Those who are interested in college sports may also enjoy touring Notre Dame and other universities that are home to champion teams. Outdoor attractions include Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and over 900 other lakes to choose from within the state.

Indianapolis, the state's capital, is the biggest city in Indiana, with a population of just under 900,000. Fort Wayne and Evansville are the next largest cities, and both have seen growing populations in recent years.

Since most of Indiana is rural, small towns, or suburbs, the safety ratings are very good. Large cities like Indianapolis tend to have more crime, like any large city, but the state as a whole has very low crime rates compared to national averages. Many suburbs, like Meridian Hills, have A+ ratings when it comes to safety.

If you're planning to buy real estate in Indiana, you might need a car to get around. Places like downtown Indiana do have robust public transportation systems, but these do not extend to the suburbs or rural towns. However, Indiana is known to be extremely easy when it comes to driving and traffic, with a low average commute time and very little traffic.

Indiana is a true midwestern gem- the state is centrally located and full of friendly people in tight-knit communities. While you won't find many huge urban centers, the state does have a number of large cities like Indianapolis with plenty to do. The beautiful natural landscapes throughout the state, lively art and music scenes, and endless options for local food make real estate in Indiana appealing to retirees and young professionals alike.

For those who like the outdoors, Indiana is all about the water. The state doesn't have many mountains or sprawling forests, but it borders Lake Michigan and contains 900 other lakes and 24,000 miles of river. The largest is Lake Monroe, which is nearly 11,000 acres. Rather than just enjoying the scenery, Indiana residents can often be found boating, kite surfing, tubing, canoeing, diving, fishing, and swimming as long as it's warm out. This also means that there's plenty of waterfront real estate in Indiana to choose from!

In terms of weather, Indiana residents do have to deal with midwestern winters, but it's balanced by the four distinct seasons enjoyed throughout the year. The summers have highs into the 80s and can be rather humid, while winter temperatures rarely hit below 0. The amount of snow you can expect varies by location- southern towns may only get about 4 inches throughout the winter, but in the north, like in South Bend, you can expect closer to 66 inches. Spring and fall are where Indiana really shines, with bright blooming flowers and crisp leaves in beautiful colors. In the fall, you can find no shortage of pumpkin patches and cornfields to explore.

Indiana is often associated with corn- and it's true that the state produces a lot of corn that Hoosiers will tell you tastes better than any other. Another local favorite is fried pork tenderloins. But you can find a wide range of foods in Indiana, both at restaurants and at the many annual celebrations. Pierogis are a big deal, especially at the Pierogi Fest each year in Whiting. Indiana also has remarkably large state fairs, full of every fried food and local delicacy you can imagine.

A popular activity in almost all areas is the local farmer's market. With so much agriculture local to the state, another perk of living in Indiana real estate is the access to fresh fruits and vegetables, along with things like dairy, eggs, homegrown meat, honey, and many others. These markets are also a great way to get to know your neighbors, who will likely be either shopping to selling there. And there's no need to be shy- Indiana is ranked as one of the friendliest states in the country and prides itself on its "Hoosier hospitality."

But one of the biggest cultural touchstones in Indiana is the sports scene, especially basketball. No other state has produced as many professional basketball players, whether they got their start in high school or college. Both Indiana University and Butler have teams that routinely appear in the NCAA championship, and the Indiana Pacers are a well-performing NBA team. Football is also popular in the state, especially the Notre Dame team and the Indiana Colts in the NFL; the Indy 500 and NASCAR Brickyard 400 are also options for those who prefer racing. An easy way to ingratiate yourself in the culture is to be sure you are wearing blue on game days!

But if you're not a natural green thumb, there's no need to worry. Indiana's yen overgrows the nation's, with a robust job sector and jobs in healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and technology, among others. The unemployment rate is often well below the national average, in part because of the friendly tax conditions that bring manufacturers to Indiana. It is the largest steel producer in the US and the second largest automotive manufacturer.