10 Benefits of Living in the City of Bellefontaine Ohio

The City of Bellefontaine in Ohio is the seat of Logan County. For centuries before settlers founded the town, it had been the home of many Native Americans tribes including the Miami and the Shawnee. Bellefontaine was officially laid out on March 20th 1820 and has been the quintessential Midwestern small town ever since. Some of the numerous benefits of living in the city of Bellefontaine are:

Rich History

In the 1890s the city of Bellefontaine became a major railroad town, when the big four cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and St. Louis made it one of their main terminals. Bellefontaine hosted the largest roundhouse between New York and St. Louis during those days. Presently, it is the center of Honda's operations in the US and home to many Honda suppliers.

Small Communities

All over America small towns are prospering. Bellefontaine is no exception. There are charms to living in a small town, like knowing your neighbors and attending community events where a large portion of the town is present. It's got plenty of cute historical curiosities as well. For example, the city of Bellefontaine has the oldest concrete street in America, and the shortest street in the world at only 15 feet long. Living in a small town is like nothing else, and Bellefontaine personifies the experience.

Lower Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Bellefontaine is 4.10% as compared to the national average of 5.20. Job growth is positive and jobs have increased by 2.56%.

Lower Cost Of Living

Compared to the rest of the country, Bellefontaine's cost of living is 18.50% lower than the national average. This makes buying a home in Bellefontaine and raising a family more affordable. You can enjoy more of life's extras when the cost of everything is lower.

Low Crime Rates

According to recent statistics, Bellefontaine is safer than 11% of the cities in the country. The violent crime numbers are very low, and fatal attacks are at 0%.

Real Estate

Speaking of homes, the median home cost in the city of Bellefontaine is $90,000, while to rent a house averages out to $700, both lower than the national average.

Public Schools

Bellefontaine public schools spend $18,316 per student. Compare this to the average school expenditure in the U.S., which is $12,383. The students per teacher ratio is 16.3.

Education Levels

Approximately 47% of the residents of the city of Bellefontaine have a high school diploma, while 22% have an associates degree. College graduates with Bachelors degrees are at 12% and some 6% have Masters degrees.

Places To Visit

The city has numerous places to visit nearby like Piatt Castles, which has been a popular destination for over 100 years. There's also the Mad River Mountain Ski Resort, and the Ohio Caverns, which are some of the country's most visited destinations. Whether you live down the street or across the country, you will find something special nestled in the beautiful countryside around the city of Bellefontaine.

Proximity

The city of Bellefontaine is only about an hour away from Columbus and less than 3 hours away from Cleveland. So you have all the charms of small town living, with all the amenities of the big cities within reach.

...and if that isn't enough we also have some great restaurants in bellefontaine Ohio. You can read about some of them in this article.

If you're curious to explore the beautiful properties for sale in the City of Bellefontaine and beyond,

Consult with one of our award-winning real estate agents and let's get you and your family in a new home!

Bellefontaine, which means 'beautiful spring' in French, is one of America's hidden gems. The seat of Logan County Ohio, it is a great place for home buyers to find something special that's perfect for raising a family or vacationing in the summer. Houses in Bellefontaine Ohio come at appealing prices and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer for families that value close community and rural adventures. If you are considering buying a home in Bellefontaine, consult with one of our Logan County real estate agents and keep our home buying secrets in mind.

10 Secrets for Buyers Looking for Houses in Bellefontaine Ohio

Hold On To Your Money

It's wise not to make any big purchases or move money around in the 3 to 6 months before you buy a new home. This way you don't affect your credit profile and lenders can see that you're a reliable prospect. Getting approved for a mortgage is a key part of the home buying process and timing is key with your credit score.

Get Pre-Approval

Not pre-qualified, pre-approved. There is a bit difference between the two. Anyone can be pre-qualified for a loan, but when you're pre-approved that means a lender has looked at all your financial information and told you the exact amount they will lend you. Not only does this make you look good to the seller, it also means you won't be looking at houses outside of your price range.

Don't Skip The Home Inspection

If you are not familiar with houses in Bellefontaine Ohio, then you should get the best home inspector available and follow him around when he inspects the property you're interested in. Asking questions and taking notes will allow you use the information you learn in negotiations later, and also give you an idea of what renovations the home will need after you take ownership.

Know Your Market

These days it's easy to check out an entire marketplace online. There are websites that will show you what houses have sold for in the area you're looking at, so you're not going in blind. Once you know how long the home has been on the market, you will be able to make a competitive offer. Ask your real estate agent about the current market and what you can expect, as those professionals have their ear to the ground on latest trends and developments.

Choose Wisely

Houses in Bellefontaine, Ohio range from $40,000 to $300,000. That's a huge range to choose from. The secret is to get a house within your budget in the neighborhood of your choice. Even if the home isn't exactly what you wanted, you can improve on it, build on it, and make it your own over time. Neighborhoods rarely change. A smaller, less expensive house in a great neighborhood will always sell and will appreciate more in value.

Forget Timing The Market

Don't even try to time the market. It is practically impossible to anticipate the housing market. If you have found the perfect house and can afford it, that is the time to buy. However, do understand what the market is like at the time you're buying. Your Choice Properties real estate agent can help you understand the current state of the housing market in Bellefontaine.

Understand Bidding

When you make an opening bid, it should only be based on what you can afford and what you truly believe the property is worth at that time. A low bid rarely works, but a fair and reasonable one should get you through the door.

Do Some Digging

Many sellers are behind on their property taxes, and that is valuable information for you as a buyer. You can easily find that out at the county clerk's office for houses in Bellefontaine, Ohio. If someone is behind on taxes or has other liens of note, you can factor this into the purchase negotiations.

Looks Aren't Everything

This may sound counter-intuitive, but finding a house that has great bones, such as plumbing, electricity, roof etc, and doesn't look so pretty on the inside or outside, is actually a better buy. Those are easy fixes to make to with paint and furniture. Replacing entire internal systems will cost you an arm and a leg.

Explore The Neighborhood

Make sure you go to the neighborhood you'll be living in during different times of the day, so you can really get the lay of the land. Do your regular commute to work. Find out where the nearest grocery stores are located. A house in a good school district has greater value. It's important to spend time in the neighborhood that you'll be calling home to get a real sense of what life in that neighborhood is going to be like.

If you're looking to buy or sell houses in Bellefontaine Ohio,
contact the experts here at Choice Properties Real Estate to learn how you can find the best deals on homes in Logan County.