07-29-11 Success at selling urban homes

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"This brand new, three-bedroom, 1.5-bath home is the shining star of an already great block, being offered for significantly less than what it cost to build," said Karen Ainsley, executive director of the Near Northwest Neighborhood. The house was built through the NNN's New Construction Program made possible by the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in partnership with the City of South Bend's Department of Community and Economic Development, the University of Notre Dame Students for New Urbanism and Place Builders. Although newly constructed, the two-story home with a single-car garage fits into the character of the older, wood-frame homes in a neighborhood that includes many young families. "The open floor plan and soft, white woodwork give it a great contemporary feel," Ainsley said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime for some lucky homebuyer." The New Construction Program offers qualifying homebuyers the opportunity to become homeowners in a neighborhood that is close to downtown, recreational and cultural amenities, and the University of Notre Dame. The home at 824 Lindsey is priced at $107,000, for which a family of four making up to $71,251 annually would qualify. For more information, visit www.NearNorthwe st.org The six houses sold recently to four sets of graduate students at the University of Notre Dame, to a woman relocating from another South Bend neighborhood and to a couple from Chicago who were returning home to raise a family in a setting that was affordable. Through the SELL South Bend initiative,the City of South Bend helps real-estate agents provide more in-depth information to prospective buyers about South Bend's assets, neighborhoods and diversity of housing options. "These recent sales demonstrate that SELL South Bend works. Informed real-estate agents are better equipped to promote the benefits of living in South Bend and help prospective homebuyers make an informed choice," said Sue Solmos,residential marketing specialist for the City of South Bend. "It also helps when residents like the Near Northwest Neighborhood show pride in their neighborhood and work actively to promote a vibrant urban lifestyle while making quality housing available to first-time homebuyers." For more information about South Bend Certified Realtors or to see housing options in South Bend neighborhoods, visit www.SouthBendIN.gov/neighborhoods