Neighborhood of the week: Armstrong Park

High in the hills above Lake Coeur d'Alene is a hidden jewel. Winding roads, forested lots, beautiful homes and incredible lake views are the hallmark of Armstrong Park.

"It's a neighborhood that people sometimes don't think of," said Bryan Short, a Realtor with Century 21 Beutler & Associates. "It's a great area for a lot of people."

Perched as it is in the hills on the east side of town, it's easy to forget that this lovely neighborhood exists. But with this prime location comes a host of benefits, from less traffic to proximity to the lake to wildlife sightings.

With homes ranging from the low $200,000s to the high $600,000s, just about anyone can find their dream home in this established community.

If you're looking for the security of a gated community, Falcon Ridge is a small, more upscale section of Armstrong Park, with higher-priced homes and incredible views. There's a soothing water feature and a winding path that meanders down the hill. You'll see the same variety of wildlife in Falcon Ridge, including bald eagles, moose, elk, deer, wild turkeys and the occasional brown bear.

Armstrong Park residents have exclusive access to the community clubhouse and swimming pool. There's a fenced-in park complete with playground equipment for the kids, while Mom and Dad play tennis on the adjoining courts. The Centennial Trail lies at the bottom of the hill, providing access to the network of biking and hiking trails that crisscross the area. And best of all, it's walking distance to both Lake Coeur d'Alene and Fernan Lake, with public docks close by.

Depending on the location, the owners of some lots - such as many at the top of Sky Harbor Drive - are lucky enough to have views of both Fernan Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene, Short pointed out. Many architects have built unique floorplans that take advantage of the view of both of these stunning lakes.

HOA fees are reasonable in Armstrong Park, at $58/month. "They wouldn't make most communities bat an eye for the features that you get," Short said. A strong homeowners association provides leadership and guidelines to keep the neighborhood "prosperous and harmonious," according to their website.

There's not much traffic in Armstrong Park; it's not on the way to anywhere. "Unless you're parking your car and hiking off the top of the hill, you can't get anywhere else from here," Short said.

One of the more attractive features of Armstrong Park (well, besides the trees, the wildlife, and the views) is the off-property parking lot for your RV. No more having to stare at your (or your neighbor's) motor home parked in front of the house or in the driveway for weeks or months at a time.

The demographics cover all bases, from families with young children to retired couples. "It's a normal mix," Short said.

Would you rather build your own home, instead of buying an existing one? There are a couple of lots still available. "The most recent sale evidences very strong value for the buyer looking for a home within the price range of $325,000-$500,000," Short said.

When it comes to resale, "you're not competing with new homes in the same neighborhood," Short said. Buyers will be comparing apples to apples, so to speak.

Even though the first homes were built in 1989, houses do still come onto the market in Armstrong Park. There have been seven sales in the past 12 months, and four homes are on the market today. "The recent swing in the market has led to a lack of supply in neighborhoods such as Armstrong Park," Short said. As always, it's a case of supply and demand, so when houses do come onto the market, they don't last.

If you'd like to know more about this beautiful community, call Bryan Short at (208) 691-5245 or visit his website at www.inlandnorthwestrealestate.com/cda/armstrong-park, where you can instantly find all properties available in Armstrong Park.

"It's a premium location," Short said. "Prices are very reasonable for what you get." Considering those million-dollar views, you can see what he means.

If you have a neighborhood that you would like to be featured in this series, please contact Beth Hanggeli at bhanggeli@cdapress.com or (208) 664-0248.