Forest Lake Minnesota School are Full of Ranger Pride!

Most people have no idea how many communities are a part of Forest Lake School District #831.  The district with the motto, “Inspire the Learner…Ignite the  Potential!,” is geographically huge. Located 35 minutes northeast of the downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, this district encompasses one of the largest areas in the state with over 240 square miles. Forest Lake schools are the educational home of 12 communities in 3 different counties. Students come from Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Linwood in Anoka County. Other attendees are from Wyoming and Stacy in Chisago County. Many children are from homes in New Scandia Township, Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on the St. Croix or May Township in Washington County.

As a REALTOR® that works throughout the north and east Minneapolis/St. Paul metro, I have sold a number of homes within District #831. Many residents love the fact that the schools are structured with kindergarten through 6th grade in the elementary schools, 7-9 grades in the junior highs and 10-12th grades in the senior high. It may be “old school” but preferred by many in the area.

There is one high school, Forest Lake High School. Students have many options whether on a college or vocational track. Advanced placement classes, advanced technical/vocational classes and College in the Schools are popular programs at FLHS. With awarding winning sports, theater, speech, music and other extracurricular activities, there is no end to Ranger Pride!

The two junior high schools, Century and Southwest are both located in the heart of Forest Lake. Century Junior High is located across from the high school on highway 97 and Southwest Junior High is on 10th street just south of the business district.

There are 8 traditional community elementary schools (two featuring Spanish Immersion) and one tuition-free Montessori school that are a part of the Forest Lake district. Columbus Elementary, Forest Lake Elementary, Forest View Elementary, Lino Lakes Elementary, Linwood Elementary, Scandia Elementary and Wyoming Elementary are all schools in district #831. Several of these primary schools have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence. Central Montessori is one of the gems of the district. It provides public elementary education based on Montessori teaching methods and is available tuition-free to all elementary students in the Forest Lake district. Another attractive option is the Lino Lakes Elementary with its STEM education, focusing on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math curriculum. A Spanish immersion primary education is also offered at either Lino Lakes or Forest View Elementary.

 

Need to know more about buying home in the Forest Lake Minnesota area?
Let me be your professional guide. If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of Boardman Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

RELOCATE to Forest Lake MN Where the Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!

Forest Lake Area School District #831 is more than it appears--Much More. Many people would not realize how many communities and neighborhoods are a part of school district located in the northeastern Minneapolis/St Paul metro area. It is a district that strives to Inspire the Learner…Ignite the Potential which is the district motto.

Located 35 minutes northeast of the downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, the Forest Lake School district is geographically quite large. Its borders encompass with over 240 square miles of area making it one of the largest school districts in Minnesota geographically, Forest Lake schools are the educational home of 12 communities in 3 different counties. Students come from Columbus, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Linwood in Anoka County. Other attendees are from Wyoming and Stacy in Chisago County. Many children are from homes in New Scandia Township, Forest Lake, Hugo, Marine on the St. Croix or May Township in Washington County.

As a REALTOR® in the north metro Twin Cities suburbs, I have sold a number of homes within the District #831. Many residents love the fact that the schools are structured with kindergarten through 6th grade in the elementary schools, 7-9 grades in the junior highs and 10-12th grades in the senior high. It may be “old school” but preferred by many in the area.

There is one high school, Forest Lake High School that was just ranked as one of the top 2000 high schools in the nation according to Newsweek/Daily Beast. Students show Ranger pride by wearing maroon and gold as they attend classes on a five period schedule allowing for additional time to learn each subject. There are programs for college bound and vocational students alike. Advanced placement classes, advanced technical/vocational classes and College in the Schools are popular programs at FLHS. With awarding winning sports, theater, speech, music and other extra curricular activities, there is no end to Ranger Pride!
The two junior high schools, Century and Southwest are both located in the heart of Forest Lake. Century Junior High is located across from the high school on highway 97 and Southwest Junior High is on 10th street just south of the business district.

There are 8 traditional community elementary schools and one tuition-free Montessori school that are a part of the Forest Lake district. Columbus Elementary, Forest Lake Elementary, Forest View Elementary, Lino Lakes Elementary, Linwood Elementary, Scandia Elementary and Wyoming Elementary are all schools in district #831. Six of the eight schools have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence. Central Montessori is one of the gems of the district. It provides public elementary education based on Montessori teaching methods and is available tuition-free to all elementary students in the Forest Lake district. Another elementary stand out is Lino Lakes Elementary's STEM program focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

Forest Lake High School Rangers House Construction Project Complete—And Up for Bids!

After the successful sale of last year of the home built by Forest Lake construction students in the parking lot of their school, did it again! Forest Lake High School Students built an awesome 3BR/2BA in 2007 which sold for $65,000 and was moved by its new owners to its permanent location this past spring. The proceeds from the sale of the home funded a new construction project during for this school year. Now that the second home is complete, let the bidding begin!

As you can see, from these pictures taken at the beginning of second quarter, the students hit the ground running in September. The one story rambler home was framed and the exterior work complete prior to the cold Minnesota winter.

As a Realtor in the north metro, I have watched the construction of many homes throughout the Forest Lake School District. From what I can see, there is not a crew out there that can match the passion and dedication as the construction students of the Forest Lake Rangers!

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to buy this solid 3BR/2BA home. This year’s home even features a gas fireplace for added warmth during the Minnesota winters. Bids will be accepted on Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m. Minimum bid is $49,900 plus Minnesota sales tax of 6.5%. All bids require a bid security of $1000 at time of bid submission.

CLICK HERE to see a floorplan and details of the house in this pdf brochure.

More Articles on Forest Lake, Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Forget Jack! This is the House Students Built—Forest Lake High School Students—And Now its For Sale!
  
• Forest Lake High School Rangers are Pounding Nails Again—New Home Under Construction!
  
• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!
  
• Seeing the Minnesota Forest Through the Trees at Linwood Elementary
  
• Goodbye Summer! As the MN State Fair Ends, Another School Year Begins in Forest Lake.
  
• Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 4th Quarter 2007
  
• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distraction—Homeowner Version: Little Gnome Facts in Forest Lake

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

What’s My Home Worth in Forest Lake, MN? Or Ham Lake? Or Lino Lakes? Or Blaine?

Sound’s like a trick question in this market doesn’t it? Funny thing is that no matter what the market is like, the answer is not simple.

What if you dig into your closet or file cabinet for that big vinyl envelope you received when you finalized your refinance last year? There was an appraised value for your home in that paperwork. Is that what your home is worth?

Assessed values from the Washington County or Anoka County assessor are updated annually. That should be a pretty accurate number right?
There are some great, interactive websites like Zillow that have popped up over the past few years. Type in your address and within seconds a slew of interesting information hits your computer screen. But are these values accurate?
Ironically, all of these values could be considered good, accurate numbers or at least clues to the value of your home. As these numbers can be drastically different, how do you know what is the most accurate number? First, you need to know what the value is for. If you want a value to determine a selling price for your home in today's changed market there is no quick and easy answer. Since, there is no special real estate Magic 8 Ball for determining the best starting price, working with a knowledgeable Realtor for expert advice is the next best option.

Many things can affect the selling price. A home located with easy access to 35 is more desirable to some than a home on the opposite side of Forest Lake. Existing homes near the Landings of Summerfields development are affected by the prices and discounts being offered on the new homes in that community. Whether your home is on public utilities or has a private well and septic system is a consideration. And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

As a Realtor, I serve the communities in the Forest Lake school district and Anoka County. From Forest Lake to Hugo and Lino Lakes to Blaine and beyond, I keep my ear to the ground to hear what affects the prices of homes in the north and east Twin Cities metro area.

Are you planning a spring move and need to know what your home is worth? Do you want expert advice from someone who knows the Anoka County and Forest Lake District #831 area? Let me help you! CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE market value assessment. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 4th Quarter 2007

Real estate in Forest Lake, MN in north Washington County and east Anoka County is still selling. The first big December snowfall and holidays didn’t deter savvy buyers from getting out into the market and writing offers. The inventory levels are down from the third quarter statistics, but sales during the last three months of the year were only slightly lower than the previous quarter. The fourth quarter numbers show area homes are staying on the market an average of 166 days, just slightly lower than the 171 DOM in the third quarter. Looking at current inventory levels for homes priced under $300,000, there is about 9-10 months of inventory at the 4th quarter rate of sales.

High end home sales continue to remain stagnant. With only one home sold in the last 3 months, sellers in the over $400,000 price category are looking at a market time in the years rather than months if the rate of sale continues at this snails pace. Of course spring always brings new buyers out…They will have plenty of wonderful homes to select and negotiate on. When the ice thaws, it will be time to consider a lakeshore home!

Lakeshore opportunities are abundant in the Forest Lake area! The combination of an amazing inventory of 32 lakeshore homes, long market times, and low interest rates, creates the perfect situation as sellers should be ready to negotiate an acceptable deal for the sale of your piece of shoreline!

4th Quarter Forest Lake residential real estate statistics for single family homes:

Under $300,000~ 69 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 22 Sold Listings, 133 DOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 3 Active, 0 Pending, 0 Sold)

$300,000-$400,000 ~ 37 Active Listings, 3 Pending Listings, 6 Sold Listings, 292 DOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 10Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

$400,000-$500,000 ~ 17 Active Listings, 0 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listing, 265 DOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 7 Active, 0 Pending, 1 Sold)

$500,000 and Up~ 18 Active Listings, 1 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings 429 DOM (Lakeshore Subgroup ~ 12 Active, 1 Pending, 0 Sold)

Lakeshore available in the City of Forest Lake
32 Active Listings, 2 Pending Listings, 1 Sold Listings

Forest Lake lakeshore price range: $234,900-$2,900,000

22 Homes on Forest Lake
8 Homes on Clear Lake
1 Home on Sylvan Lake
1 Home on Neds Lake

**All Statistical information based on information from the REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE of MINNESOTA, INC. for the period of 10/1/07 through 12/31/07.

Featured Listing in Forest Lake Minnesota: 20685 Georgia Ave N

Articles on Forest Lake, Lakeshore and Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Does "Minnesota Nice" Affect the Real Estate Market? "Yah, You Betcha!"



• Dreaming of Life on MN Acreage?--What YOU Need to Know Before YOUR Move!



• Affordable Minnesota Lakeshore



• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!



• Forest Lake High School Rangers are Pounding Nails Again—New Home Under Construction!

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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Showing Instructions—Lock Doors, Leave a Card and Bring Your Shovel and/or Snowshoes!

Yesterday the second of January, I was out showing houses throughout Forest Lake and Wyoming, MN. It was a blustery Minnesota winter day that perpetuates the myth that our state is located somewhere north of Canada. It was COLD…No, it was downright FRIGID! Though the sun was bright, the morning temperature was -4. After a day of sunshine, the mercury had risen to the single digits or maybe teens depending on your location.

Now the native Minnesotan that I am didn’t let this stop me. I was working with a buyer who is in town sporadically. Yesterday was a day that she was in town. Our showings were set so all I had to do was warm up the car for a little longer and dress warm.

Everything went along fine until the fourth home on our tour and this was the scene. That whopping foot of snow we received just before Christmas was still on the driveway of this home! (Note that 4 foot bank of snow left on the curb by the snowplow.)

I asked my client if she thought the home was worth the trouble from the exterior. My client was adventurous so we did blaze a trail through the snow to see the home. Inside the home was nice, but not for my client

The feedback I emailed off to the listing agent was short and to the point. Shovel the driveway!

So what if the home was perfect and my client decided forgo the winter snow climbing adventure? We saw five homes yesterday. Three were vacant. Only one looked like we needed snowshoes to get to the door! If it had been “the” home, our offer would have been lower to reflect the lack of maintenance.

Today the weather is warming up and temps in the mid-30’s and low 40’s are expected for Friday through the weekend. The snow at this property will melt , pack down and turn to an ice block when the refreeze, that undoubtedly will happen, comes!

Sellers even if you have relocated or are not in the area to shovel your driveway, hire someone to maintain the exterior of your Minnesota home. It can’t sell if the buyers don’t get through the door!


Featured Minnesota Listings:

3608 Woodland Drive
20685 Georgia Ave N



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If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.


Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

Forest Lake High School Rangers are Pounding Nails Again—New Home Under Construction!

After the successful sale of last year of the home built by Forest Lake construction students in the parking lot of their school, the are at it again! The 3BR/2BA rambler built by Forest Lake High School Students in the previous year sold for $65,000 and was moved by its new owners to its permanent location this past spring. The proceeds from the sale of the home were put right back into the next project. That new construction endeavor began with the school year in September.

I have it on good authority that because of this real world building project, the shop classes in Forest Lake High School have a waiting list! Beginning woodshop is the stepping stone to working on this new home construction project.

As you can see, the first quarter students made excellent progress on the home. The framing is done and the windows are in and roofing finished; the siding is also nearly complete on the modest rambler. It looks like this time there might be a detached garage for sale along with the house. The roofing is well underway for that structure too. Just in time for to keep the elements out as old man winter is starting to arrive in Minnesota. Our first big snow could be any day. Working in a real environment gives a real timeline to the construction process.

As a Realtor in the north metro, I have watched the construction of many homes throughout the Forest Lake School District. From what I can see, there is not a crew out there that can match the passion and dedication as the construction students of the Forest Lake Rangers! It will be a fun project to watch to completion!

More Articles on Forest Lake Minnesota that might be of interest:

• Forget Jack! This is the House Students Built—Forest Lake High School Students—And Now its For Sale!



• Relocating to Forest Lake MN? The Schools are Full of Ranger Pride!



• Seeing the Minnesota Forest Through the Trees at Linwood Elementary



• Mid-Year 2007 Real Estate Market Statistics for Forest Lake Minnesota--Including Lakeshore Statistics



• Goodbye Summer! As the MN State Fair Ends, Another School Year Begins in Forest Lake.



• Forest Lake, MN Real Estate Market Statistics 3rd Quarter 2007



• Uniquely Minnesota Artful Distraction—Homeowner Version: Little Gnome Facts in Forest Lake
  

Featured LISTING in Forest Lake:20685 Georgia Ave N, Forest Lake, MN 55025
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 www.terieckholm.com