Home is Whenever I'm With You

We all know that your home doesn't end at the front door. This is another aspect that makes Homestead Farm just that much better. When you make Homestead Farm your home, you are choosing to be part of a community that has been developing for over 30 years.

A short walk from anywhere in the neighborhood are the tennis courts and neighborhood pool. Our tennis courts have been completely resurfaced and leveled within the last five years, providing a great place to let loose in the cool evening after a hard day of work. Right across from the tennis courts is the neighborhood pool, where multiple generations of kids have grown up, by both spending their free time in the afternoon and through the swim team.

Every summer the entire neighborhood rallies around the Mighty Tarpons. Starting at age 4 on the Mini-Tarps, kids are immersed in a great sport from the get-go. From there they progress to the main team at age 7, and then can swim every summer until age 18. Although it always pained me to wake up so early in the summer for practice, I genuinely loved every minute of being a Tarpon. The team is part of the Rocky Mountain Swim League, which means that we compete against a ton of surrounding neighborhoods. Swim team is a great experience for all kids, and speaking as one that moved to Homestead Farm when I was 11, it was a great way to meet the neighborhood and make friends. I would recommend trying out the Mighty Tarpons to everyone.

Seasonal neighborhood events such as the summer kick-off party on Memorial Day, the 4th of July pool party and camping trip and the holiday luminaries and carriage ride provide great opportunities to get together with your neighbors and celebrate. Grilling, beer and good times are in abundance at the pool on both Memorial Day and the 4th. When it comes time to bundle up, the kids love the horse-drawn carriage ride. Set in the evening with all of the neighborhood streets lined with luminaries, cider (and possibly something a bit stronger) and a bon fire keep everyone warm on their throwback trip through the neighborhood.

Low Rates to Stay Til 2013...

So I don't know if everyone has heard this, but yesterday the FED announced (for the first time ever) a specific timeline for interest rates. They have come out and said that rates will stay artificially low until 2013! This will mean close to a decade of superficial interest rates for the US. What does this mean for all of us? On a macro level, the government is trying to keep down the cost of doing business. Micro, car loans, big purchases and mortgages will continue to allow for more affordable payments. That said, Washington (more so banks) are going back to their roots and making qualifying for a mortgage more strict (relative to the subprime madness). My advice? Build your credit and take advantage.

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.

What if the Debt Ceiling isn't Raised?

After talking with a couple lenders and hearing predictions today at my monthly office meeting, I am very scared for August 2nd to come. From what I have been hearing, if the debt ceiling is not raised, we can expect to see interest rates increase 2% in a span of 48 hours! This is absurd. Please, please, please come to some agreement DC.