Why are Highlands Ranch townhomes and condos so popular?  Highlands Ranch townhomes and condos are top choices for Colorado home buyers who want to invest in a community with a stable real estate market that is protected by a high quality of life. Measure the quality of life in any community by any index you choose. Then compare to Highlands Ranch, and Highlands Ranch comes out on top. This is especially true if you use the quality of the local schools as a measurement; Highlands Ranch boasts some of the best schools in the state, as well as the nation. The reputation of its schools serves to preserve and progress the property value of Highlands Ranch townhomes and condos. Even if you do not have school-aged children, you will appreciate the positive resale factor that a quality public school system provides. Many buyers will choose Highlands Ranch townhomes and other types of properties here because of the school’s widespread reputation for academic excellence.

Highlands Ranch Townhomes are In Demand!

This well established Denver area community is comprised primarily of middle-class professionals who are family oriented and are interested in preserving an environment where children grow and thrive. This is a resilient market, and prices have barely dropped on Highlands Ranch townhomes and other properties in this community. Properties in this community have barely dropped during the recent economic downturn, and values of Highlands ranch townhomes are well protected by stringent and reasonable neighborhood covenants. Own a home in Highlands Ranch, stay a few years, and you will almost assuredly come out ahead if you don’t engage in unwise refinancing schemes. Highlands Ranch townhomes and condos make excellent long-term investments. Highlands Ranch real estate also is popular because the community enjoys excellent municipal services while maintaining moderate property tax rates.  Highlands Ranch is Colorado’s largest planned community, and is well known for low crime and high levels of community participation.

Highlands Ranch Townhomes are Convenient

Shea Homes developed this community in a strategically astute location.  This community of approximately 81,000 was built on 22,000 acres immediately south of C-470.  Owners of Highlands Ranch townhomes enjoy ready access to downtown Denver, Denver Tech Center, Park Meadows Resort Mall, and adventure in the Rocky Mountains!

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1. Affordable Denver Properties

A cursory view of the inventory of Denver properties could lead the uninitiated to believe that the title “Affordable Denver Properties” is an oxymoron. It is true that home prices in Denver have remained relatively unaffected by the recent economic downturn, and the market is not as sharply tilted toward the home buyers as it is in other urban areas of the country. Our housing market is as resilient as our local economy, and sales numbers for Denver properties are on the upswing. Also, our MLS inventory is not glutted with foreclosures and lender-mediated listings. The Denver economy is leading the way out of the doldrums, and the housing market is riding its coattails.

Denver Properties for First Time Home Buyers

However, there are still opportunities for those who are looking for their first home. While there are few mint-condition or even habitable Denver properties that would appeal to the outright penurious, it is possible to find homes in good repair if you are willing to start your home search at about 190K or so. Denver properties of this sort are found throughout the city, and include bungalows built in the 40’s and 50’s replete with narrow plank hardwood floors, oak pillars, and built-in buffets. Most of them have no more than about 900-1200 square feet on the main floor, but many of them can be pop-topped to provide room for expansion upstairs. If you are interested in purchasing one of these properties and want to add a second floor or make other repairs, consider a HUD 203K FHA “streamline” home mortgage that will allow you to finance both purchase and improvements to Denver properties in one fell swoop.

Home prices aren’t the only factor in the affordable Denver properties equation; down-to-earth financing programs at historic low interest rates make the purchase of your first home more affordable than ever. If you consider the net cost of owning vs the net cost of renting, and take account of tax benefits, equity gain, and inevitable rent increases, you will find that in most cases owning your own home will save you several thousand dollars over continuing to rent. There has never been a better time to kiss your landlord “goodbye.”

The LODO Condos Option

While the selection of lower downtown Denver properties has its share of upscale condominiums and luxury penthouses, it is possible to find some attractive LODO condos if your budget puts you in the lower 200’s price range. LODO condos are an attractive option for those who want a fun and carefree lifestyle, but still want the benefits of home ownership. LODO lofts are fun to explore; every one is different, and you never know what you will see next. Living in them is even more fun. Purchase a LODO condo or loft in the lower 200’s and enjoy life in the center of all of the excitement that downtown Denver has to offer.

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1. Preserved from Yesteryear: Old Houses in Denver, Colorado
2. Highlands Ranch Townhomes and Condos

Denver is well known for being on the cutting edge of everything new, from culture to technology, but did you know that its urban landscape is dotted with time-mellowed architectural masterpieces in the form of Georgian, Victorian, and Arts & Crafts homes? Old houses in Denver are scattered throughout the city, and the buyer demand for these timeless beauties never fades. Small wonder… these homes were admired since the day they were built, and many of them have undergone museum-quality restoration. Most of these old houses in Denver were proudly built (circa 1890 to 1930) by the city’s legends, luminaries, and otherwise prominent citizens of yore, and they show pride in ownership to this day. You can also find a sundry assortment of 1940’s bungalows that are frequently “pop-topped” by rehabbers who want to add some extra square footage. Some of these nostalgic showplaces even sport beautiful roofs made of Spanish-style clay tiles or slate. All of them embody the charm and grace of a bygone era.

Like ‘em Mature?

Fortunately for the afficionados of old houses in Denver, City Hall has an appreciation for them as well. The denizens and community leaders are resolute about preserving the charm and character of these homes, and they closely regulate any improvements or alterations made to these old houses in Denver. This means that exterior paint must match authenticated colors for the home’s respective style and era, and any structural modifications receive close scrutiny before they are approved. Even windows must match the original styles. As a result, there is a small industry devoted solely to making replacement and improvement items that comply with the city’s preservation requirements. For example, energy-efficient triple pane windows are available that match the vintage styles. There are also companies that will install heating equipment that resembles original heating systems, so the homes will not need to be altered to accommodate heating ducts or other elements. All of this means that if you purchase an old house in Denver, your property value is protected because the historical character of surrounding properties is preserved.

Why Purchase an Old House in Denver?

Well, it is pretty hard to argue against the aesthetic reasons, and it is no secret that today’s homes don’t have “soul.” Also, almost all types of homes in Denver will make a good long term investment, and these beauties already have proven resale track records. Prices on Denver homes in general are still favorable to buyers, but recent trends indicate that the market pendulum is starting to swing the other way again. Mortgage interest rates are low, making this an ideal opportunity for both first-time and seasoned investors alike to purchase old homes in Denver. Also, there are many resources available for those who are remodeling these centurion homes to fit preservation standards.

Buying an Old House in Denver

If you are interested in securing a piece of America’s heritage in the form of an old home in Denver, please contact me. As a member of Colorado Preservation Inc, I have a deep appreciation of these historic treasures, and I know what to look for when shopping for them. This may be one of the important real estate purchases you will ever make; I can represent your interests and help you to find the best of these gentle reminders of the good full life of a long-ago time.

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1. Affordable Denver Properties

The granddaddy of Denver’s paved multi-use paths, the Platte River Greenway was born 30 years ago and the trail follows the South Platte River for almost 30 miles, connecting a series of small riverside parks. It is immensely popular with walkers, rollerbladers and bikers as it runs next to the Platte River that is steeped in Denver’s early history. Confluence Park is a great starting place in the LODO and Jefferson Park neighborhoods and the Auraria campus in downtown Denver, where the Cherry Creek meets the Platte River. Gold was discovered here in 1858 and it has been a valuable part of Denver ever since! As you ride south down the trail you pass Elitch Gardens, The Children’s Museum, Ocean Journey, and Mile High Stadium, home of the Denver Broncos in the West Colfax and Avondale communities.

Continuing your ride, you will go through many small parks along the river with historical markers, homes and picnic areas. One of my favorite buildings is the Art Deco design of the Denver Water Works near 6th Ave and I-25. The sites and sounds along the river are so beautiful and enjoyable as you see trout in the shadows of the trees, all kinds of birds and waterfowl and an occasional fox, beaver, or muskrat going about their lives. As you continue south, the river goes through Ruby Hill and next to the Overland Municipal Golf Course areas, the South Platte neighborhood and Harvard Gulch area.

Next up is the City of Englewood near City Center and Cushing Park as you follow the river. Here you will see the Bear Creek Trail turnoff that goes west to Morrison and another fine ride. You have crossed the river numerous times on specially built bridges by the City of Denver and all are well maintained. Shortly after passing into Englewood, you enter Littleton near Centennial Acres, Hillside Manor, Kassler and the Littleton Golf and Tennis Club. This is a very cool area with shops nearby for a rest, coffee, or lunch. Moving on you pass the Hudson Gardens, Denver Seminary, Columbine Country Club, and arrive to huge South Platte Park with additional lakes and reservoirs. Near the end of our journey, you will cross under E-470 and into Chatfield Reservoir and State Park, all in all, a beautiful ride.

If we had gone north from Confluence Park, we would ridden a good many miles up to Adams County as the river passes though more of the industrialized area of Denver. You will want to experience the Platte River Trail and often!

From the City of Denver: “The Cherry Creek Trail, Denver was first founded and runs along the creek for more than 40 miles to Franktown. It is one of the most popular bike/hike/jogging trails in Denver and one of the prettiest” and that just about says it all. By far the most popular segment is from Cherry Creek State Park to its terminus at Confluence Park where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River. As the trail starts from Cherry Creek State Park in SE Denver it goes through J. F. Kennedy Golf Course, Hampden Heights Park neighborhood, and soon  you are riding through the Indian Creek community and Cook and Garland Parks, where there are always activities like Soccer and volleyball going on.

Proceeding toward downtown you arrive at the 4 Mile House and Historic Park, which was an important stage stop from Denver in the Stagecoach days, and has many activities for kids. You are also near the very popular, upscale, and renovated Bonnie Brae and Belcaro  Denver real estate developments to the west. As you bike under Colorado Blvd, you are now in the Cherry Creek Trail Denver area which includes the beautiful communities of the Polo Grounds, Washington Park, Country Club, Hilltop and Crestmoor which have some of Denver’s most beautiful homes, not to mention the superb Cherry Creek Mall and shopping district.

As you ride around the mall and turn on to Speer Blvd, you will pass the prestigious Denver Country Club and now descend back down to the river again that runs next to and below Speer Blvd. to downtown. As the photos show, it is a really pretty through town but out of the traffic with the creek next to you. A great bicycle side trip is the 6th through 8th Avenues Denver Historic district and the Cheesman and Congress Park areas between 8th and 14th Avenues, both to the east of the trail.

You are now downtown and will pass the Civic and Performing Arts Center, and the Auraria Campus, home to CU Denver, Metro State, and Community College of Denver, where the LODO (LOwer DOwntown) area starts. Many old buildings have been restored and it is a very popular area with its loft lifestyle, bistros, coffee houses, and clubs. I always enjoy searching for homes here because of the historical nature and the many surprises you see in lofts, as none are identical.

We now pass the Pepsi Center, home of The Denver Nuggets and The Colorado Avalanche and the end of Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, is in site at the Platte River and the old Denver Tramway building that is now a REI flagship store and of course a Starbucks!

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1. Highlands Ranch Townhomes and Condos