Highlands Ranch Ranked #12 as Best Places to Live

In the August 2010 issue of CNN Money a list of the 100 Best Places to Live was published and Highlands Ranch CO was ranked as #12.

The blurb on Highlands Ranch highlights factors such as over 8,100 acres of open space, the parks & community activities as a draw as well as the school districts.  As someone that very much enjoys the amenities of the area, I would agree – I enjoy the open space, trails and parks on pretty much a daily basis.

And as a Highlands Ranch Realtor®, I know that when folks are interested in seeing Highlands Ranch real estate with me, it is generally those same factors that they mention as their drawing points.

Location

I would also add the location – getting in & out of downtown in several manners in very easy (although I am sure we will all be very happy once the C470 construction is completed) and the growth of the RTD light rail has added to that convenience.

Other “Best Places to Live”?

Highlands Ranch was not the only mention in Colorado.  Other places in the top 25 were Fort Collins (6) and Broomfield (25).  Other Colorado mentions include: Loveland (33) and Arvada (58).   You can view the entire list and articles relating to the list here at CNN Money.

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Denver Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Highlands Ranch real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

I know that the last couple of years have been a dream come true to some Denver area real estate buyers and yet for some sellers, a nightmare. That is the times we are in right now.

However, the times they may be a changing.

In some neighborhoods, the real estate market is improving and in many others values have at least flattened out some. We’re still volatile and there’s no crystal ball for the future, but conditions for buying are still pretty good right now.

For some, taking advantage of this market and buying a home now is a wise decision. Buyer’s negotiating power is still strong in most cases and I am starting to see an influx of new investors considering Denver real estate as a sound investment.

If you are qualified to buy a home for yourself or as an investment and haven’t, then here are just a few things to consider that should get you off the fence.

5 Reasons To Buy A Denver Home Now

1. Unbelievably low interest rates – Mortgage rates are at historic lows which makes owning a home way more affordable and as importantly, qualifying for a loan much more attainable.  It is important to speak to a reputable mortgage broker to find out what you can qualify for and then make a decision of what is truly within your means.

2. Incredible selection of Denver homes – Inventories are flattening out in the Denver real estate market yet there are still tons of distressed Denver area home opportunities as well as motivated sellers willing to negotiate.

3. Home Prices are great – Pricing in the Denver real estate market generally echoes pricing of several years ago, prior to this current slowdown.  Great news for buyers and investors looking to turn back the clock on values in Colorado.

4. Possible Tax Advantages – Interest on mortgages and the tax deductions on property that may be available to you can significantly impact your bottom line. Contact your accountant for tax advice.

5. Long term security – Hard for many to believe that real estate can be a path to security, especially if they are taking a loss right now. However, historically real estate ownership held over longer periods of time has proven to be a path to wealth and security more than most other sources. True for investors as well as individual homeowners needing a sound and solid home to fall back on.

So, if you haven’t yet taken advantage of the current Denver real estate market and instead have thought maybe I will soon when things get better, worse…or any other reasons, then it could be time to get on board for you. Interest rates will rise, FHA and other lending rules are changing now, making loans more difficult. Denver home inventories are stabilizing which will change supply and demand and possibly reduce your options. If you can think, yes I know this is a good time to buy or invest in the Denver real estate market, then this could be the time to start making that a reality.

Other Denver Real Estate related articles:

What is an Absorption Rate?

What is the Best Highlands Ranch Neighborhood?

Title Insurance in the Real Estate Contract

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Greenwood Village Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Lone Tree Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

My wife and I had the chance to get down to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival early on Saturday morning.  We took advantage of the opportunity to go without the kids and early enough to beat the heat.

If you’ve never been, this long running art festival in Denver is amazing! Streets filled up with booths of artists displaying their works. There are so many awesome pieces to look at and purchase. It is a huge festival taking up several blocks in  Cherry Creek North every year near the July 4th weekend. Plenty of different styles of art to admire and all very good. It can be hard to choose any favorite.

One artist stood out for us, Nemo.  Nemo is a former architectural  draftsman and took that talent and skill to create art! Who would’ve thought? He draws completely freehand and his unique art is wonderful. Laura, my wife, had connected with him previously on Twitter, so she was looking forward to meeting him.

She also really loved many of the artists displaying jewelry and such.  Unique and intricate art to show off everywhere you go.  I liked a lot of the photography.  I also found an artist displaying interesting teapots, yes

teapots.  They were really cool.

I must admit however, I did enjoy stopping by the many sponsor booths and getting some of the “schwag” they were givin’. I love free stuff! Everyone was very friendly and we really enjoyed ourselves. The festival is pet friendly and even had valet parking for your bike.  There was even a social media booth sponsored by Yelp and I now have a YelpStick aka chapstick.

If you get the chance to go to next year’s Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver, I would recommend it.  If you had the chance to go this year, then I hope you had as much fun as we did.

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Greenwood Village Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Lone Tree Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

While I do not personally have any Denver real estate home buyer clients that had not been able to close by the previous June 30th deadline, I know that the interest level is huge, as I see my blog statistics from the last week or so as I have been posting on the possibilities of extensions for the home buyers tax credit.  Crazy numbers of hits to the site.

So I will tell you, that today, July 2nd, President Obama did sign into law a 3 month of extension until September 30th for all existing contracts that were already Under Contract by April 30th and met all other criteria.

I repeat, this is only for existing contracts that met previous criteria.  Nothing new.

You can read more here. Obama Signs 3 Month Extension of Homebuyer Credit

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Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Greenwood Village Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Lone Tree Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

Really??

When you think of Highlands Ranch, if you’re like most people you see a vast sea of rooftops.

Highlands Ranch is a thriving residential community in the south Denver metro suburbs. Houses and rooftops make up only a part of what lies in Highlands Ranch. Shopping, parks, trails, recreation centers, golf courses and so much more make this community one of the most sought after locations in the country. Close to Denver and most major urban comforts, one would consider Highlands Ranch another large suburb, albeit an awesome one.

But elk hunting? What, are you serious? How can that be and where?

BackCountry Wilderness Area, that’s where.  Yes, one of the many treasures of this community and this area of Denver. BackCountry is truly a beautiful area and hunting here is actually not a new development.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife had actually recommended hunting in Backcountry as early as 2001 as a way to manage overpopulation of the elk herd. The land owners have conducted hunts in Backcountry since 2002.  Today, this land is owned by the Highlands Ranch Community Association and the HRCA continues to follow the recommendation of the Colorado Division of Wildlife to manage the elk herd.

Beginning July 1, HRCA members can sign up for the chance to hunt in Backcountry. There will be 20 hunters that will get the chance to hunt elk on more than 3,000 acres of the 8200 acre BackCountry Wilderness Area, plus a few thousand acres of adjoining private land. HRCA will distribute six bull tags and eight cow tags after a random drawing July 23.  There will be an additional 3 youth and 3 women tags available as part of the division of wildlife’s hunter outreach program. The applications will be accepted beginning July 1. Tags are limited to HRCA members unless there are still open spots as of July 15.

This is the first year that the Highlands Ranch Community Association will oversee the hunt.
Since 2002, Shea Homes has conducted herd-thinning hunts and an estimated 300 elk have been hunted. If this is concerning to you, just know that the division of wildlife had noticed that the herd had become unhealthy.  Antlers weren’t growing, not enough food to feed them and so hunting can actually help.  It can help prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, which can wipe out the entire herd as well as prevent destruction of natural resources.

There have been informational meetings and information disbursed out for public reaction and concern.
Currently there are 300-500 elk in the area with an optimum number at around 250. Hunting will only take place more than one mile from homes and major roadways, significantly reducing the risk to public safety. However, there are recreation trails within a third of a mile of the northernmost hunting territory. The elk typically migrate between the BackCountry, Cherokee Ranch, Castle Pines Village and Daniels Park.

The hunting begins Sept. 11. The HRCA is requiring all hunters to attend a mandatory orientation and follow 28 strict rules.
The hunts will not be supervised. I’m not a hunter, so I can’t offer any specific advice.   But, who would have thought that along with all the other wonderful things to do in Highlands Ranch that we would also have the ability to hunt 10 minutes from home?

If I can help you understand or explore more of Highlands Ranch and the Highlands Ranch real estate market, please let me know I would love to help.

You may also be interested in these related posts:

BackCountry Wilderness Trail Opening
Spring Gulch Trail Connects to BackCountry
BackCountry Community Highlands Ranch
Best Neighborhoods in Highlands Ranch

Click Here to Search All Denver Real Estate

Steve Scheer, REALTOR®

Denver Realty Partners –

For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Greenwood Village Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Lone Tree Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Denver real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.