Why Wanatah, Indiana Is the Best Town to Live in Indiana
Wanatah, Indiana is a town of barely more than 1,000 people located in west-central LaPorte County, Indiana. There is no Target, no Starbucks, and no Chipotle. And there likely won’t be any of those anytime soon. Regardless, lots of people want to move here, and I will tell you why. One reason is the affordable homes for sale in Wanatah, Indiana.
The Basics of Wanatah, Indiana
Wanatah, Indiana is a town located in east-central LaPorte County, Indiana. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Wanatah was 1,009 people. The zip code in Wanatah, Indiana is 46390. Wanatah is located 10 miles east of Valparaiso, Indiana and 20 miles south of Michigan City, Indiana. The median household income in Wanatah, Indiana is $60,625 which is higher than most towns and some cities in Northwest Indiana.
Wanatah is a rural town. Therefore, all homes in this town are eligible for USDA financing. This provides homebuyers with the opportunity to qualify for a zero down payment mortgage. Feel free to contact us for more information about getting approved for a no money down mortgage through the USDA housing program.
Wanatah, Indiana Real Estate
Each year about 25 to 40 homes are sold in Wanatah, Indiana. Nearly all of these homes are single family homes. This is because there are very few duplexes and no condos or townhomes for sale in Wanatah, Indiana.
The typical home for sale in Wanatah, Indiana is a single family home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This home typically has 1,578 finished square feet. The lots sizes in Wanatah, Indiana are larger with a median size of 0.36 acres. The median home purchase price in 2022 was $211,752.
Wanatah, Indiana houses for sale continue increasing in price. This is due to the fact there are very few new homes for sale in Wanatah, IN. Less than 1% of homes sold in the last 10 years were also built in the last 10 years.
Popular Neighborhoods with Homes for Sale in Wanatah, Indiana
There are several popular subdivisions where you can find houses for sale in Wanatah, Indiana.
- Herrold’s Subdivision – This is a neighborhood in Wanatah with homes built during the 1990s. Most of the homes are ranches without a basement.
- J-mar Acres – This is the newest subdivision in Wanatah. Many were built between the mid-1990s and throughout the 2000s. Home designs include ranches, 1.5-story and 2-story homes.
- The Legion Addition – This neighborhood is located on the southeast side of Wanatah. Homes here were built between the 1970s through the 1990s. Most of the homes are larger ranches with close to 2,000 finished square feet.
Pros of Buying Wanatah Homes for Sale
- Affordable home prices
- Accelerated real estate appreciation rates
- Rural setting
- Rural schools with smaller student populations
Cons of Buying Wanatah Homes for Sale
- Likely needing to commute to jobs in other nearby cities
- No meaningful retail options for larger shopping trips; only smaller stores for fill-in shopping
- No amenities or entertainment options in the town
- Internet availability and reliability can be an issue in some areas
- Few newer homes available for purchase
Wanatah, Indiana Schools
Students living in Wanatah, Indiana attend schools with the Tri-Township Consolidated School Corporation. The schools in this district include Wanatah School and LaCrosse School.
Wanatah School located at 309 School Dr. Wanatah, IN 46390 offers classes to students in Pre-K through the 8th grade level. The school serves about 250 students.
High school students living in Wanatah attend LaCrosse School. This school is located at 11 N. Michigan St. LaCrosse, Indiana 46348. This school is small with just over 100 students in attendance.
Open Enrollment Alternative Options for Students Living in Wanatah, Indiana
Some Wanatah parents have enrolled their children in other nearby schools. Indiana schools are allowed to offer open enrollment to students living outside of the district. Below is a list of other nearby schools that may be available for students living in Wanatah, Indiana.
- Washington Township Elementary and Washington Township Middle/High Schools
- Morgan Township Elementary and Morgan Township Middle/High Schools
- Westville Elementary and Westville Junior/Senior High School
- South Central Elementary and South Central Middle/High School
How You Can Buy Homes for Sale in Wanatah, Indiana with No Money Down
Qualifying homebuyers can purchase houses for sale in Wanatah, Indiana with zero money down. This is because the Wanatah, Indiana area is eligible for the USDA sponsored Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. This program provides an opportunity for affordable homeownership to people living or wanting to live in rural communities.
How to Qualify for the USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program
Homebuyers must meet the following criteria to be a qualified for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program:
- Have a household income that does not exceed 115% of median household income for the state. Monthly household income and the household size are used to determine eligibility,
- Agree to occupy the home as your primary residence,
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or Qualified Alien,
- Be unable to obtain conventional financing with no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and
- Not be suspended or debarred from participation in any federal programs.
Also, there is no required minimum credit score when buying a home with a USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan. Alternative measures can be taken, too, for people who have not yet established any credit history.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for one of the best towns to live in Indiana consider Wanatah, Indiana. Upon moving to Wanatah, Indiana you will find a quaint rural town with small schools and quiet. Nearby are larger cities with many job opportunities.
About the Quadwalls Real Estate Team
The Quadwalls Real Estate Team is a team of real estate agents in Wanatah, IN led by one of the top real estate agents in Northwest Indiana. We help you save money and make better decisions when buying and selling homes in Northwest Indiana. Wanatah, IN homebuyers can save money by signing up for our real estate rewards program which offers a 20% home purchase commission rebate. Home sellers can save money with our low real estate commission fees.