Spaces Highlands Ranch

If you are interested in the suburbs, but the traditional suburban house isn't for you? Look no further. Shea has created a development that caused utter shock when I saw it. I had to pinch myself to make sure that I was actually there. They have taken current needs of homeowners into account brilliantly with their development in Highlands Ranch, Spaces (there is a similar development in Reunion). These homes are open, energy efficient, functional and well priced. They start in the mid 200s and go up to 400 with upgrades. Models offer an office/bedroom on the first floor accompanying and large open room that has spaces for dining, living and the kitchen (which are finished as well as anything on HGTV). The bedrooms are all sized well, with the master suite the gem of the house. Not excessively large, the bedroom flows into the en suite that is set up perfectly to handle the needs of two every morning and night. Some models include a common living space upstairs which provides a more secluded area in comparison to the downstairs. All units have the washer and dryer upstairs, so laundry isn't the biggest hassle in the world. Combine all of this with windows everywhere allowing natural light to slip in from every direction, not to mention the views you get of the mountains from different angles of the development (the development is on a hill so most of the homes have great views). There are two main types of homes (flat and garden level) with several different models underneath each. The flat level has the garage on the main floor (all of the garages back to an alley with the front of the house facing a street), while the garden level has a the garage on the the basement level with a walk-out to the yard. Yards are particularly small at Spaces, but that is made up for with what the HOA provides: community parks in the middle of the development, snow removal from the streets, alleys, and walkways, and lawn care for the front of the house. Factor in location (Highlands Ranch Parkway and Wildcat Reserve) and Shea has produced a winner here. Check out the website here.

Invest Now

Did you know that Denver is currently the #2 rental market in the country? With demand higher than it has ever been in the Mile High City for rental properties, vacancy rates are at all time lows (my dad's company, Simpson Housing Group, currently has occupancy levels around 95% for their Denver properties). Factor in some of the great deals you can find on short sales and bank-owned properties and this is the perfect time to buy an investment property (property you own and lease out, acting as the landlord or having a property management company help out). Rates are also at history lows (as everyone knows from all of the ads constantly playing) which means you can get a property below market value, with a super low interest rate, in a market that you can almost instantly lease it out. If any of this sounds intriguing to you, contact me, follow me, or comment and let's get you in an ownership position that is comfortable to you. Happy hunting.

Homestead Farm: Surprisingly Not a Farm

So I have decided that I am going to start doing some blogging on some great neighborhoods in my area, and the first is going to be of the neighborhood I was raised in and currently reside, Homestead Farm. I'm going to be discussing aspects of each neighborhood on a weekly basis, with the whole process per neighborhood taking about three weeks. Whether or not you live in the area, I hope this will provide some inside knowledge on the South Metro Denver area, so check back in weekly.

Office Max Saves the Day

So, I thought that I should pass this experience on to anyone who ever has to print in a pinch. I desperately needed a poster printed and laminated for tomorrow (the 4th). I am sponsoring some beverages for our neighborhood's (Homestead Farm) annual 4th of July party. I needed an 11x17 poster printed in color and laminated to let people know where this coveted nectar was flowing from. Called Fedex, no answer (even though their site said they wouldn't close till 6; it was 520). The only place that was open on this Sunday was OfficeMax in Highland's Ranch (a 20 minute drive from my house). Not only did they answer when I called at 541, they said it would be no problem if I emailed them the pdf and then came to pick it up before they closed. My girlfriend and I raced to the store as fast as we could. We got there at 603 and were greeted at the door by first name on our way in. They had the poster printed and laminated in color, and here's the kicker... for under $3.50. The customer service here is awesome, and definitely bailed me out this time. I recommend them for everyone's printing needs. Thank you OfficeMax. Get at em.