Open up your favorite home search app and set the price filter to around $350,000 in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. In about five minutes you will probably see something like this:

• A 1970s Fargo split-level with big trees and a deep backyard.
• A newer West Fargo bi-lev...

Picture a February morning in West Fargo.

Windshields are frosted, kids are zipped into boots and backpacks, and parents are rolling through the school drop-off line with coffee in hand. By late afternoon, the same kids are in snow pants at Rendezvous Park, racing up and down the sledding hill while parents talk and watch the sun slide down over the neighborhood.

Fast forward to June and the feel completely changes.

If you have school-age kids and are looking to purchase a home, this probably sounds familiar.

You see a West Fargo listing pop up that looks perfect. The kitchen is right, the yard is right, and the payment might even work. You start mentally arranging furniture and picturing summer in the backyard.