Linda Fortune Claudette Roby

We have exciting news. We have recently acquired nine new listing properties in a fantastic area. We are very excited to be included in this terrific development. Three of the listings are move in ready homes and the other 6 listings are lots ready for you to choose your own personal touches to an Al Meyer Home.  These homes feature custom wood flooring that is spectacular. Large walk in closets and 6 panel solid wood interior doors. First floor laundry for a busy family's convienance. The kitchens all feature unique counters made of exquisite materials...granite, quartz, Corian. The custom master suites have bathrooms to die for. One even have a two person dual shower with amazing custom tile work that is adjacent to a beautiful roman bath tub. All home have a ton of space in the lower level that will fit the largest furniture, toys, and many many kids. This development is in the Viola Gibson neighborhood where the growth is exponential. The schools in this area include Viola Gibson for elementary, Harding for Middle School, and Kennedy for High School. The Cedar Rapids downtown area is minutes away. This is a fast moving neighborhood and these houses and lots won't last long. Check out our websites for the newest photos and virtual tours. You can also call us or blog back with any questions. Good luck and happy shopping.

Child Care
In Cedar Rapids, the Child Care Resource and Referral Center (319-366-0054 or 1-800-233-0054) provides a statewide network of both registered and non-registered day-care homes, centers, preschools, before-and-after-school programs and summer day-care programs.

The referral service, with more than 400 child-care providers in its data bank, is available to residents of Linn, Benton, Iowa, Jackson and Jones counties. A computer matches the needs criteria of families with appropriate providers who have vacancies.

Education
Quality of education is an important topic in any community. More than an important topic in Cedar Rapids, it is a way of life. The Cedar Rapids School District recently invested some $46 million for the renovation and improvement of many of its schools. The schools continue to rank well above the national average. We invest in our future by providing excellent resources as early as preschool.

Primary and Secondary
The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area is served by four public school districts and the Metropolitan Office of Catholic Education. The combined districts make up one of the largest school systems in Iowa. Enrollment for the 2001-2002 school year was over 35,000 students. The Cedar Rapids area is committed to continuously improving the quality of education within the community. Three new elementary schools are under construction, along with expansions and renovations to the existing elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Cedar Rapids area.

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is the second largest of Iowa’s 397 public school systems. Enrollment for the 2001-2002 school year totals approximately 21,000 students. The number of teachers totals 1,336, resulting in a 1:16 teacher student ratio. The graduation rate in Cedar Rapids continues to be among the highest in the United States. Last year, 88.4 percent graduated. The same percentage of graduating high school students enrolled in post-secondary education.

The outlying school districts in Cedar Rapids include College Community School District, Linn-Mar Community School District, and Marion Indpendent School District. College Cmmunity School District, located in Cedar Rapids, serves the communities of Swisher, Ely, Fairfax and Walford, significant rurual areas of Linn and Johnson counties and small portions of Benton County. Linn-Mar Community School District includes the northern part of Marion, an area of Cedar Rapids, part of the city of Robins and rural areas of Linn County. Marion Independent School District is the smallest of the metros school district serving Marion.

The average composite score for Iowa high school students taking the ACT (American College Testing) examination is 22.0, which ranks Iowa second in the nation. The Cedar Rapids average composite score is even higher at 23.5.

Post Secondary
The Cedar Rapids area has three private liberal arts colleges. Coe College and Mount Mercy College, located in Cedar Rapids, are four-year educational institutions. Coe College enrolls approximately 1,325 students annually from 38 states and over 20 foreign countries. Coe offers 39 different majors. Mount Mercy enrolls over 1,400 students every year from all over the world. Mount Mercy offers 36 different majors. Cornell College, located 15 miles east of Cedar Rapids, is a four-year college with an annual enrollment of approximately 1,000 students. Cornell offers 45 different programs and majors.

Kirkwood Community College, located in Cedar Rapids, is a comprehensive community college that provides vocational/technical, arts and sciences, and adult continuing education programs. More than 150 programs lead to associate degrees in these main areas, 60 vocational and technical, 15 career option programs, 47 associate of arts degrees, and 30 associate of science degrees. Current full-time enrollment at Kirkwood's campus is nearly 14,000 students. In addition, there are thousands of students earning college credit away from the main campus at satellite facilities throughout the seven county region. Kirkwood is nationally recognized and a member of the League for Innovation in the Community College.

St. Ambrose University, located 90 minutes east in Davenport, offers Master of Business Administration classes at Kirkwood. Established in 1977, the MBA program is the largest in Iowa and ranks in the top 25% nationally in student enrollment.

Founded in 1900, Hamilton Business College is the oldest business college in Iowa. Program offerings of one year diplomas to two year associate degree programs are available under the quarter system. Hamilton also offers an accredited bachelors of science degree in management. Class days are designed to ease student workday schedules, with day and evening classes.

Universities
The University of Iowa is located 25 minutes south of Cedar Rapids in Iowa City. The university offers an exceptionally broad range of degree programs -- both on and off campus. It includes The University of Iowa Education & Conference Center located in downtown Cedar Rapids. There are 100 undergraduate degree programs, 110 graduate degree programs and 74 doctorate degree programs available to the nearly 30,000 currently enrolled students. The University of Iowa’s medical, dental, law, pharmacy and business colleges are all nationally recognized.

Iowa State University provides a comprehensive education in all major areas of graduate and undergraduate studies. One hundred and one undergraduate, 110 graduate and 82 doctorate degree programs are available to the 25,000 students currently enrolled at the university. Iowa State University’s engineering, agriculture and veterinary medicine colleges are very well known throughout the United States. The Iowa State campus is located 90 minutes west of Cedar Rapids in Ames.

The University of Northern Iowa, only 45 minutes north of Cedar Rapids, also provides a comprehensive curriculum in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate studies. Currently, 13,926 students are enrolled at the university. University of Northern Iowa’s colleges of business and education are both highly regarded on a national level.

Top 25 Employers in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor

Company	Number of Employees	Headquartered
1. ACT,Inc.	1,340	Iowa City, Iowa
2. AEGON USA	2,800	The Hague, Netherlands
3. Alliant Energy - Interstate Power and Light	1,650	Alliant Energy; Madison, Wisconsin
4. Cedar Rapids Community School District	2,700
5. City of Cedar Rapids	1,700
6. Gazette Communications	746	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
7. General Mills	768	Minneapolis, Minnesota
8. Hy-Vee Food Stores	2,971	Des Moines, Iowa
9. Kirkwood Community College	1,309
10. Lear Corporation	850	Southfield, Michigan
11. Linn County Offices	814
12. Maytag Appliances	2,300	Maytag Corp; Newton, Iowa
13. MCI WorldCom, Inc.	1,880	Clinton, Mississippi
14. McLeodUSA Incorporated	2,245	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
15. Mercy Hospital	1,250	Iowa City, Iowa
16. Mercy Medical Center	2,060	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
17. Quaker Food and Beverages	1,236	Quaker Oats Co; Chicago, Illinois
18. Rockwell Collins	8,5000	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
19. St. Luke's Hospital	2,600	Cedar Rapids, Iowa
20. Target Stores	717	Minneapolis, Minnesota
21. University of Iowa	8,450	Iowa City, Iowa
22. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics	7,638	Iowa City, Iowa
23. Veteran's Administration Hospital	1,232	Department of Veterans Affairs; Washington, DC
24. Yellow Book	728	Yell Group; Berkshire, United Kingdom
25. Wal Mart Stores, Inc	1,175	Bentonville, Arkansas

Diversity
Cultural opportunities are an important benefit of living in diverse community. In the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor, residents enjoy an enviable wealth of cultural opportunities that excel in breadth and depth.

Take a moment to view the on-line multicultural brochure:

The Technology Corridor has an active Professional Technical Diversity Network (PTDN) chapter. PTDN is a partnership between employers, the community and professional organizations with a shared commitment to attract, develop and retain diverse professional and technical specialists.

Diversity Focus, a non-profit organization in the Corridor, is devoted to enhancing the diversity of the Cedar Rapids - Iowa City area. Diversity Focus is a new initative set to integrate and coordinate existing efforts as well as identify or create new activities and programs in the Corridor.•

New Projects
Recreational & Cultural Amenities
There are always new and exciting things happening in the Cedar Rapids area. Thanks to the commitment from community leaders, residents and an optimistic outlook, Cedar Rapids continues to provide an outstanding quality of life for everyone.

In the past three years, the community has invested more than $77.5 million in recreational and cultural venues. Those investments include:
• A new YMCA in downtown Cedar Rapids;
• A new baseball stadium for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, a Class A Baseball Stadium affiliate to the Anaheim Angels;
• A new two-sheet ice arena;
• Building six new aquatic centers throughout Cedar Rapids replacing old pools;
• An expansion to the Science Station adding an IMAX theatre adjacent to the facility;
• An Equestrian Center at Kirkwood Community College;
• A new African American Museum built in downtown Cedar Rapids;
• Paramount Theatre expanding in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Economic Development
An area's quality of life is often tied to the success of its economy. The Cedar Rapids area has a diverse economy with strength in many industry sectors. Recent expansions in the service and manufacturing industry have created more than 1,000 jobs and over $105 million in new capital investment.

A few of the companies that have recently announced expansions include:

Service
• RuffaloCODY
• Principal Financial Group
• Nordstrom Direct
• U.S. Cellular
• Riverdeep
• Infinity Marketing

Manufacturing
• Raining Rose
• Alside Windows
• H.J. Heinz
• General Mills
• Rockwell Collins

Recreation and Parks
The Cedar Rapids area provides an unparalleled array of recreational activities that serve to enhance the area’s quality of life for both spectators and participants.

Spectator Sports
The Cedar Rapids Kernels, an affiliate of the Anaheim Angels professional baseball organization is based in Cedar Rapids.

The Kernels play in a new $14 million stadium that seats 5,300 people. Everyone can enjoy playing year round on the new two-sheet $13 million Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The new Ice Arena has increased the participation in hockey and has also become a favorite winter sport in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, a junior hockey franchise for the United States Hockey League, has brought a lot of excitement to the winter blahs. It is great entertainment for the entire family.

Hawkeye Downs Speedway offers a paved racing track with both ¼ mile and ½ mile tracks, paved pits, quality lighting, electronic message board, full concession facilities and many other features. In 2003 a new scoreboard and transponder timing and scoring system was added. Hawkeye Downs Speedway has become a popular venue for visiting regional and national series including the American Speed Association, USAC Sprints, IMCA Summer Series, the Mid-American Stock Car Series, Mid-American Super Trucks, NASCAR REMAX Series, American IndyCar Series, UMARA Midgets and many others.

Cedar Rapids residents can also access many college sporting events due to our central location. The University of Iowa, located only 25 minutes south in Iowa City, offers a wealth of opportunities for college sports fans with its Big 10 action. Iowa State University, located in Ames, which is a 90-minute drive, is part of the Big 12 Conference. The University of Northern Iowa, a Division I school located 45 minutes north in Cedar Falls, has teams in many sports. Cedar Rapids also offers local sporting events at the small private college and community college levels.

All major league sports such as football, baseball, basketball and hockey are available within a five-hour drive in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. If soccer is your sport, Kansas City and Chicago both offer professional indoor soccer teams.

Parks
The Cedar Rapids area takes pride in having the largest park system in Iowa with over 75 parks. They cover more than 4,000 acres and offer swimming, boating, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, softball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, picnicking and scenic drives.

There are three state parks and four county parks within 20 minutes of Cedar Rapids, with fishing, swimming, sailing, camping, rock climbing and hiking trails. The 4,900-acre Coralville Lake area, on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, is a project of the Corps of Engineers. Extensive outdoor activities are available there.

Cedar Rapids also features an 18-acre fenced off-leash dog exercise area at Cheyenne Park. This outdoor, all-weather facility includes a walking trail that encircles the park, and both mowed and tall prairie grass areas. The park is separated into exercise spaces for large and small dogs.

Golf
Iowa has more golf courses per capita than any other state in America. Golfing is readily available in the Cedar Rapids area with four municipal golf courses, four privately owned public golf courses and three private golf courses (country clubs). You have access to over 40 golf courses, each offering different challenges and amenities within a 45-minute radius of the Cedar Rapids area.

Hunter's Ridge, a one-of-a-kind golf course community, is unique to the Cedar Rapids and Marion area. Covering 400 acres, it is the only residential golf community in the area that incorporates an 18-hole championship golf course entirely within the development.

The Amana Golf Course, located just 20 minutes southwest of Cedar Rapids, provides a scenic golf setting. This 18-hole championship course winds through 300 acres of hardwood forests. Five sets of tees with yardages from 5,288 to 6,824, watered bent grass fairways, water hazards and bunkers make for an enjoyable game amidst some of the most picturesque scenery in Iowa.

Hunting & Fishing
Iowa provides a wide variety of outdoor activities, including numerous hunting and fishing opportunities. Hunting seasons are provided for deer, turkey, a variety of waterfowl, pheasant, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Plus, you can fish for bass, catfish, walleye, crappie and bluegill.

Trails
Trails have become a focus in the Cedar Rapids area, with trails expanding and winding through the heart of downtown and numerous neighborhoods. The Linn County Trails Association is a non-profit, volunteer organization raising funds to complete the grid and to connect the number of established trails that exist in the Cedar Rapids area.

The Cedar Greenbelt National Recreation Trail offers beautiful scenery for hiking, nature study and cross-country skiing throughout the Indian Creek Nature Center’s 210 acres of natural preserve. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is 52 miles long and is built on a former railroad bed that connects the communities of Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. It is also available for biking, hiking, nature study and cross-country skiing.

The Cedar River Trail provides twelve miles of asphalt for skating, biking, hiking or skating through Cedar Rapids. The Sac & Fox National Recreational Trail follows the picturesque Indian Creek through heavily wooded areas and is available for hiking, horseback riding, nature study, bicycling, cross-country skiing and dog sledding. It is designated as a Boy Scout Heritage Trail. Many more trails exists throughout Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities.

Recreational Facilities
The Cedar Rapids area has many other recreational opportunities. They include skydiving; six municipal aquatic centers; 50 or more public tennis courts and three private tennis clubs; more than 50 public baseball or softball diamonds for numerous leagues; 30-plus volleyball courts, both indoor and outdoor for numerous leagues; three outdoor ice rinks; four cross-country ski trails; a variety of sledding hills; a toboggan run; five bowling centers; and a central YMCA with two branches.

There are more than 30 soccer fields in the Cedar Rapids area, including an indoor soccer complex and the Tuma outdoor soccer complex. For an extensive list of recreational opportunities visit the Bureau's Sports Marketing Department.

Health/Fitness Clubs
Cedar Rapids has eight full-service health clubs. Each has its own specialty areas including:

Aerobics	Aquatic Classes	Cardio Center
Circuit Weight Training	Free Weight Training	Ice Room
Indoor Swimming Pools	Kids Programs	Massage Therapists
Meditation	Nautilus Weight Training	Personal Trainers
Prenatal Exercise	Racquetball	Running Tracks
Steam room/Sauna	Tae Kwon Do	Tai Chi
Tanning	Universal Weight Training	Wallyball
Whirlpool	Yoga	Day Care
Pilates

Community
The Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area enjoys a quality lifestyle that ranks among the highest in the United States. With only a 20 minute drive between communities the opportunities seem endless.

Our community includes the entire Technology Corridor. Cedar Rapids is often referred to as the City of Five Seasons. The fifth season is the time to enjoy the other four. Here, we don’t have to worry about commute times or the time spent traveling from one community to another

We have more time to enjoy festivals, recreational events and a wealth of cultural opportunities. In the Cedar Rapids area we spend our time doing and enjoying.

View the Living Here section and find information about what matters most to you. Education, healthcare and housing are some of the important issues covered. Access to quality education and healthcare continues to be among the many benefits of living in the Cedar Rapids area.

What else is important to you? Arts and cultural attractions, sports entertainment, recreation, dining, shopping or all of these activities? The Cedar Rapids area has it all. And if a large metro area is what you enjoy from time-to-time, a weekend trip to every metropolitan city in the Midwest is just a short drive away.

To receive a relocation packet please email us at fortroby@aol.com

There are a lot of resources out there for home repairs, gardening, interior decorating, etc.  We would like to help.  Write to us and let us know what interests you, what you want to know about improving your home's value, making your home comfortable for you, landscaping tips.  Write comments about our blogs - let us know what YOU are interested in!  You can email us at fortroby@aol.com, or select the 'comments' box to let us know.

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We have been helping buyers and sellers for over 19 yrs.  We became a team to give you the best service around!   One of us is always available to take your call.  Being a team also lets us hold more open houses for you.  If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate, please give us the opportunity to help.  Your interest is our top priority!

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In most cases, your credit score determines your mortgage interest rate. 

You can obtain your credit scores from Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union.  In order to get an accurate look at your credit score, you should obtain a copy from each place. 

You can find them on http://www.annualcreditreport.com

Credit reports have information about the credit cards you have, if you have had late payments, how late the payments were, companies that have accessed your credit report recently, and an explanation on the positives and negatives that are impacting your score.