New Chicago is one of the smallest places we buy in, a town of its own next to Hobart and Lake Station. We buy houses in New Chicago, IN for cash and as-is: rentals, empty houses, inherited homes and houses that need work. You don’t make repairs or hold showings.
Because the town is small, a few local rules can matter more than you’d expect. Here’s what to know. If you’d rather ask us directly, call or text (708) 712-6846.
A Hobart address, a New Chicago house
Houses in New Chicago use the Hobart post office and ZIP code 46342. Even the town’s own forms list a Hobart mailing address. But New Chicago has its own town council, ordinances, water department and police department.
So when a local rule affects your sale, it usually comes from the Town of New Chicago, not the City of Hobart. That’s true for rental registration, vacant houses and code issues.
If the house has been empty more than 90 days
The town code posted on New Chicago’s ordinances page has a rule worth knowing if your house is vacant. Under Section 11-8, a home that has been vacant or abandoned for more than 90 days, and then changes owners or tenants, can’t be lived in until it passes an inspection by the town’s Building Inspector. The code sets the fee at $100.
The same code also has a vacant building section (11-4) that puts upkeep and registration duties on owners of vacant buildings. It also notes that many vacant buildings in town sit on narrow lots, close to the neighbors, which raises the risk of fire and pests spreading.
What this means for you:
- If you list with an agent, a buyer who plans to move in right away will need that inspection. Ask Town Hall what applies before you list.
- If you sell to us, the inspection is tied to moving in, not to closing, so you don’t need to arrange it first.
- Keep the grass cut and the house secured while it’s empty. Our vacant house page covers your options for an empty house.
The town notes that it’s still posting amendments to its code online, so confirm the current rules with Town Hall.
Selling a New Chicago rental
New Chicago requires owners to register rental housing every year under Ordinance 2014-01. According to the town’s rental registration form, the fee is $5 per rental unit, vacant or occupied. Owners must show proof of ownership and insurance and name a local contact if they live elsewhere. A registration stays in effect until the property’s title transfers.
The town code also says each rental unit is inspected before new tenants move in, and that an owner who transfers a rental must notify the rental housing officer within five business days (Section 18-39).
If you’re selling a rental, plan on sending that notice after closing. We can buy with tenants in place. Our tired landlord page and our guide to selling a house with tenants in Indiana cover the rest.
Water lines, code notices and other questions buyers ask
New Chicago’s website links to its lead service line inventory map, called “Lead Safe New Chicago.” Water systems keep these inventories to track which underground water lines may contain lead. A buyer may ask about yours, so check the map or call the town’s water department before you sell.
If the town has sent code notices on the property, those don’t have to be cleared before you talk to us. Our post on selling a house with code violations in Lake County explains how they’re usually handled in a sale.
We buy houses in New Chicago, IN, even with few sales to compare
New Chicago is small, so there may be only a few recent sales of houses truly like yours. We start with sales inside the town, then look at nearby Hobart and Lake Station when we need more, and we’ll show you which ones we used.
If your house is updated and you have time to wait for the right buyer, an agent may get you more than our offer. If you’re settling a parent’s estate or downsizing and want one simple sale with a closing date you choose, a written cash offer is worth comparing.
