Top rated schools

When it comes to finding the perfect home for your family, selecting a preferred school district is often one of the most important factors. After all, the quality of education that your child receives can have a huge impact on their future prospects and opportunities.

But when it comes to making this decision, you’re faced with two major options: private schools or public schools? Both offer certain advantages and disadvantages – but an educated choice between them should be based on personal preferences as well as budget.

Private schools tend to provide smaller classes and greater individual attention due to lower student-to-teacher ratios. They also boast higher academic standards and access to more extracurricular activities such as music, art and sports compared to public schools. Furthermore, admissions criteria to private schools are usually more stringent, which can give your child a better chance of getting into top universities when the time comes.

On the flip side, many private schools require tuition fees that can be difficult for some families to afford. They also tend to have limited access to financial aid and special educational resources such as speech therapy or remedial teaching services.

Public schools offer a range of advantages; they often boast larger campuses with newer facilities than private ones, plus they’re free of charge. This makes them a popular choice for families looking for quality education without breaking the bank. In addition, classes may be less competitive – giving your child an opportunity to shine and make friends easier.

However, public schools may not have the same level of academic excellence that private ones do – which means your child might miss out on certain opportunities. Plus, they tend to suffer from overcrowding and a lack of resources compared to their private school counterparts.

Ultimately, when it comes to selecting the right school district for your home, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on factors such as budget and personal preferences – so take some time to consider all your options before making a decision. With the help of a real estate agent, you can be sure to find the ideal house in an area with plenty of quality educational opportunities for your kids!

The Fargo/Moorhead area has plenty of excellent schools to choose from! Here is some information about our area’s schools, private and public, from PK through high school:

Top 10 Public Elementary Schools in Fargo, ranked:

#1: Longfellow Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 15:1 student to teacher ratio.
#2: Bennett Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 17:1 student to teacher ratio.
#3: Centennial Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 14:1 student to teacher ratio.
#4: Clara Barton Hawthorne Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 11:1 student to teacher ratio.
#5: Horace Mann Roosevelt Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 11:1 student to teacher ratio.
#6: Kennedy Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 11:1 student to teacher ratio.
#7: Washington Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 11:1 student to teacher ratio.
#8: Lincoln Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 10:1 student to teacher ratio.
#9: Ed Clapp Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 10:1 student to teacher ratio.
#10: Mckinley Elementary School. Serves grades K-5, with a 8:1 student to teacher ratio.

Private Schools in the Fargo area:

Grace Lutheran School. Serves grades PK-7.
Oak Grove Lutheran School. Serves grades PK-12.
Children’s Montessori. Serves grade K.
Holy Spirit Elementary School. Serves grades PK-5.
Nativity Elementary School. Serves grades PK-5.
St. John Paul II Catholic Schools. Serves grades PK-12.

Public Elementary Schools in Moorhead, MN:

#1: Dorothy Dodds Elementary School. Serves grades K-4, with a 14:1 student to teacher ratio.
#2: Ellen Hopkins Elementary. Serves grades K-4, with a 12:1 student to teacher ratio.
#3: Robert Asp Elementary. Serves grades K-4, with a 13:1 student to teacher ratio.
#4: S.G.Reinertsen Elementary. Serves grades K-4, with a 14:1 student to teacher ratio.

Private Schools in the Moorhead, MN area:

Park Christian School. Serves grades K-12.
St. Joseph Elementary School. Serves grades PK-8.

Public Middle Schools in the Fargo area, ranked:

#1: Discovery Middle School. Serves grades 6-8.
#2: Ben Franklin Middle School. Serves grades 6-8.
#3: Carl Ben Eielson Middle School. Serves grades 6-8.

Public Middle Schools in the Moorhead, MN area:

Horizon Middle School. Serves grades 5-8.

Public High Schools (grades 9-12) in the Fargo/Moorhead area, ranked:

#1: North High School. Located in Fargo. Graduation rate of 93%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.
#2: Fargo Davies High School. Located in Fargo. Graduation rate of 96%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.
#3: West Fargo Sheyenne High School. Located in West Fargo. Graduation rate of 93%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.
#4 Moorhead High School. Located in Moorhead. Graduation rate of 91%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.
#5: South High School. Located in Fargo. Graduation rate of 92%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.
#6. West Fargo High School. Located in West Fargo. Graduation rate of 91%, with opportunities to take Advanced Placement coursework and exams.


Fargo and Moorhead area Parks

Parks in Fargo/Moorhead area

When you move to the Fargo-Moorhead area, you will be thrilled by the beautiful parks in the area. There are a variety of great parks throughout the city and surrounding areas, each offering something unique for visitors. Whether you are looking for a scenic location for a picnic or simply want to get away from it all and enjoy some outdoor activities, there is a park in Fargo that’s perfect for you!

One of the most popular parks in the area is Lindenwood Park. This park features beautifully landscaped gardens and walking paths, as well as picnic shelters, playgrounds, and sports fields. This park is perfect for those who want to spend some time outdoors while experiencing nature.
https://fargoparks.com/parks-and-facilities/lindenwood-park

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If you’re looking for more of an adventurous trip, the Oak Grove Park offers a wide array of activities including a disc-golf course, tennis courts, horseshoes, and walking trails. This is an absolutely beautiful area with lots of shade for your family to enjoy during the hot months!
https://www.fargoparks.com/parks-and-facilities/oak-grove-park

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If you have little ones in tow, you may enjoy Trollwood Park. This is a neat little park with newer playground equipment the kids will enjoy, as well as frisbee golf course and large covered eating areas.
https://fargoparks.com/parks-and-facilities/trollwood-park

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You can also swing by North Broadway Park to play on the playground, score some goals, shoot some hoops or have a picnic under the shelter.
https://www.fargoparks.com/parks-and-facilities/north-broadway-park



No matter what type of park you are looking for, Fargo has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax, or an adventurous outdoor experience, there is a park in Fargo that will meet your needs. So come explore the best parks in Fargo and enjoy all the great activities the area has to offer!

Today's Pressing Issues

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Fargo-Moorhead area, you're likely to encounter some challenges in the current real estate market. From inventory shortages to rising prices, there are several pressing issues that both buyers and sellers need to be aware of in today's market. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most pressing issues facing home buyers and sellers in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Inventory Shortages

One of the most pressing issues facing home buyers in the Fargo-Moorhead area is a shortage of available inventory. There are simply not enough homes for sale to meet the demand from buyers. This has led to a highly competitive market, where homes often receive multiple offers and sell for well above asking price.

Rising Prices

Another challenge facing home buyers in the Fargo-Moorhead area is rising home prices. With low inventory levels and high demand, prices have been steadily increasing over the past few years. This can make it difficult for buyers to find affordable homes within their budget.

Competition from Investors

In addition to competition from other home buyers, buyers in the Fargo-Moorhead area are also facing competition from investors. Real estate investors are buying up properties in the area, often with cash offers and the ability to close quickly. This can make it difficult for traditional home buyers to compete, especially if they require financing or a longer closing period.

Appraisal Issues

For home sellers, one of the most pressing issues is dealing with appraisal issues. In a highly competitive market where prices are rising quickly, it can be challenging to accurately price a home. If a home is priced too high and then appraises for less than the asking price, the sale can fall through or require renegotiation.

Inspection Issues

Another challenge facing home sellers is dealing with inspection issues. Buyers are often very cautious in today's market and may request extensive inspections or repairs before closing. This can add additional stress and expense for home sellers, who may need to complete repairs or renegotiate the sale price.
In today's real estate market, just like any time in history, buying or selling a home in the Fargo-Moorhead area can be challenging. With low inventory levels, rising prices, and competition from investors, buyers and sellers need to be prepared for a highly competitive market. Additionally, appraisal and inspection issues can add additional stress and expense for sellers. However, by working with an experienced Town & Country Realty real estate agent and staying informed about the market, you can navigate these challenges and successfully achieve your real estate goals.

Will recent bank failures have a negative impact on our local real estate market?

Recent bank failures have caused many to worry about the potential impact on the real estate market, particularly in the Fargo ND and Moorhead MN areas. However, it's important to note that these concerns are largely unfounded.
First and foremost, it's important to understand that the majority of banks that have failed in recent weeks are smaller, regional banks that are far removed from our local economy. While any bank failure can have an impact on the local economy, the truth is that these smaller banks typically have a relatively small presence in the real estate market. They may have provided financing for a few projects or loans to a handful of homeowners, but they aren't the driving force behind the market as a whole. Certainly they have almost no presence in our local market.
Furthermore, all of the larger banks in our area are still financially stable and continue to provide loans and other services to homebuyers and real estate developers. This means that there is still plenty of financing available for those looking to buy or develop property in the Fargo ND and Moorhead MN areas.
Another important factor to consider is that the real estate market in these areas is largely driven by local economic conditions. As long as the local economy remains strong, there will continue to be demand for real estate in the area. And while any economic disruption can have an impact on the market, the truth is that the failure of a few smaller banks is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall economy.
In fact, there is a school of thought that says the recent failures could even have a positive impact on the real estate market in the Fargo ND and Moorhead MN areas. As these banks are absorbed by larger institutions or new players enter the market, there may be an increase in competition for loans and other services. This could lead to more favorable terms for borrowers, which could in turn increase demand for real estate in the area.
Ultimately, it's important to keep things in perspective when it comes to the impact of bank failures on the real estate market. While any economic disruption can cause concern, the reality is that the Fargo ND and Moorhead MN areas remain strong and continue to offer excellent opportunities for those looking to buy or develop property. So if you're considering investing in real estate in these areas, don't let the recent bank failures discourage you. Our local real estate market is very much ripe with potential.

The real estate sale closing process from the seller's perspective

As a seller, the real estate sale closing process can be broken down into the following steps:
  1. Acceptance of Offer: Once you have accepted an offer on your property, you will enter into a purchase agreement with the buyer, which outlines the terms of the sale.
  2. Title Search: A title search will be conducted to ensure that you have clear ownership of the property and there are no liens or claims against the property.
  3. Home Inspection: The buyer may schedule a home inspection to ensure that the property is in good condition and there are no major issues that need to be addressed before the sale is finalized.
  4. Appraisal: The buyer's lender will order an appraisal of the property to ensure that it is worth the amount the buyer is borrowing.
  5. Closing Documents: Prior to the closing day, you will need to provide documents such as the property deed, tax records, and mortgage information to the buyer's attorney or title company for review.
  6. Closing Day: On the day of closing, you will meet with the buyer to sign a number of documents, including the settlement statement, which outlines the final closing costs and fees. You will transfer ownership of the property to the buyer, receive the proceeds from the sale, and pay off any outstanding mortgage or liens on the property.
  7. Recording: Finally, the sale will be recorded with the county recorder's office and the transaction will be complete.
It's important to note that the steps in the real estate sale closing process may vary depending on the location and specific details of the sale. It's recommended to work closely with a trusted real estate agent or attorney to ensure a smooth transaction.