About a picture being worth a thousand words, how about several thousand?

In the words of a populat song, "I can see clearly now..."

Skip the pond unless you really want a small one and then it can be worked in. Build up the level of the worst low places using dirt from any high spots as it is cheaper to use local dirt than to haul in (or pond excavation dirt.) If you can even out your surface grade with a little fall for drainage toward the drainage ditch that runs parallel to the public road you shoud get good results and not bother any neighbors.

Yuu may need to have some gentle swales around the house to prevent any water accumulation near the foundation.

Pat