I'm just starting to commute on my bike, and my old BMX from my junior high days isn't exactly holding up. I've been doing a bit of research, and I have a pretty good idea of what I want, but absolutely no knowledge of anything relating to brands or manufacturers.

The specs I'm looking for are:
<$700
single speed
steel frame
fenders
rear rack

That's honestly all I want from a bike. I was originally looking at something along the lines of a Dutch city bike or Flying Pigeon, but I'm slowly leaning toward something like the Steelwool Tweed (besides the fact that it's near impossible to find online and likely rather expensive). My current pick is the Giant Via 3, but I'd like to make as informed a decision as possible.

Any advice, recommendations, or examples would be very much appreciated.