Hi J,

As with any city, there are areas that need more attention than others. The best approach is exactly what you are doing...driving around and observing the neighborhood at various times of the day and night to see how the area behaves. This helps you by becoming knowledgable to the features and aspects of the area. As for vacancies, summer time is the highest period of people relocating. Some of the vacancies can be attributed to home-owners having to move to their next location (usually job-related) before their current home has sold. Again, some of the vacancies could be related to foreclosure and have been taken back by the bank. As agents, we have information pertaining to the listings that tells us whether the property is a bank-owned property (REO). Keep in mind that if you see a property that appears vacant and does not have a "For Sale" sign out in front of it that it could be in the process of being acquired back by a bank which can take quite some time (up to 18 months) before it will be offered for sale. Title has to be cleared amoung many other issues before it can be sold.

As for taxes, in LaPorte County, properties were taxed upon assessed value, not market value, as seen in so many other areas of the region. The state has decided to move towards a market value taxation which is now being adopted by the county. Previously and currently, the assessed value has worked to the benefit of the home-owner in that many factors played favor to them. For instance, age of home, fixtures, etc. However, market value has introduced itself and can clearly be seen with new and newer constructed homes. Additionally, tax rates are different within the county and is township based.

Only in the historic district of downtown Michigan City is there a drive for revitalization. Whether there are incentives or considerations the city offers, one would need to call city hall to find out what exactly they are and the criteria that is required.

I hope this is helpful...plese let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks, Tracy. I am noticing some great deals in Michigan City and am thinking of retiring there from Chicago, but am a bit concerned that the number of homes for sale might indicate a decline in the community. I suppose my main concern as I get older would be safety. As I drive by in the area close to downtown (just east), I see a nice neighborhood. Yet when I go online, I notice from the photos that a lot of these houses are empty. I also notice the taxes are quite low in this area compared to out laying areas. Low taxes are great, but I wonder about the discrepancy. Is the city trying to encourage buyers in this area, perhaps -- to build it up?? Thanks again. Any comments are welcome.

Hi J!

The market overall is going through a normalizing process and has been since August 2005. It has only just recently resonated to our area. In our region, the market behaves with the seasons as well as national influences. As such, in the winter there is not as much activity as one would see in the Spring or Summer. Basically, over winter many sellers and buyers go into hybernation mode. And as one sees the first crocus bloom in Spring, so does the local market. But specifically answering your question regarding the amount of house for sale in Michigan City, I would offer these reasons: 1) Foreclosures, 2) ARM mortgages spiking the interest rates which the home owner cannot afford, 3) Pique selling season, 4) Buyers holding out for better deals.

In all, the inventory of homes is not only isolated to Michigan City...it is a phenomenon across the nation.