Every now and then there are storms that roll through, particularly in the summer.  This photo was taken almost 2 weeks ago now, on August 17th.   We had a few days of rain, and then it cleared.

That is the view of the sunset I have from my Highlands Ranch home.

Are you looking for a home in the Denver area with a view like that?  Give me a call and we'll find one for you.

New Real Estate Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Living in Highlands Ranch - Picture Perfect 8/30/2008~

This is an exciting week coming up for Highlands Ranch - the annual festivities of Highlands Ranch Days are just around the corner. 

What is Highlands Ranch Days?  Well, long ago, before Highlands Ranch was a community of homes, it was a ranch.  And Highlands Ranch days is a chance for the community to see inside the mansion of the original Highlands Ranch and see the working ranch that still exists. 

Festivities and events begin on Thursday September 4th and will continue through Saturday the 6th of September.

Some of the things that you and your families can look forward to at Highlands Ranch Days are:

Hay Rides
Petting Zoo & Livestock Displays
Western Entertainment
Gold Panning
Mansion Tours and more!

On Saturday its Family Day and there will be a full barbecue at the Ranch and is an additional $7.00.

You can read about all of the details here. 

Admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.  Parking is limited at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, and although I have yet to see information stated as such I am going to guess there may be shuttle to the mansion.  If I get further info on that, I will be sure to post it. 

I live in Highlands Ranch and these types of quality community events are the reason I love to live here.  There is always so much to do, so much to experience, for all ages. 

If you are considering living in Highlands Ranch, I would love to discuss with you what's available and show you how I can assist you as your Realtor®. 

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Living in Highlands Ranch - Highlands Ranch Days Kicks Off This Week 8/30/2008~

Health Of The Denver Real Estate Market

So here we are on Labor Day Weekend.  And I can tell you without hesitation - The question of the summer that I received - whether it was at a backyard barbecue, in the church parking lot, at a soccer game, at the pool, in an email or on the phone - was...

Well, Steve, really, how is the Denver real estate market, really.

And of course I tell people the truth.  There are parts that are doing better than others and those are doing well.  And then there are some areas doing worse than others, and those need some help.

Yes we have all heard the media hype of the nation wild housing crisis - and yes - there are some serious problems.  And then there is the whole mortgage mess.

But if someone asks me, Steve- really - should I buy a home now?  The answer is, it depends. 

It depends on so many factors.  We then spend time talking about if they have an idea how long they may stay, their price range, area of town interested it, and oh so many things.  I want to make something clear - it is a good idea for many to buy right now.  But there are some circumstances where I will tell you it is not.

And if they ask me, truly, is the market as bad as everyone says is it, here in the Denver area, specifically the Denver suburbs.  I have to say no.  Even my Highlands Ranch neighbors have been under the impressions the sky is falling and that just is not true.

Just this week the Case -Shiller Index was released - and even through this report, it stated that the Denver real estate market is the top market of the 20 metro markets in the index of top markets in the country.  In fact, the headline in the Denver Business Journal was just that "Denver Home Price Rise Top 20 City List".  In a time period that ranged from April through May, the real estate home prices in the Denver area actually rose 1%.

Here are some additional articles from the media that you can read more about the Case-Shiller Index

Denver Business Journal

Rocky Mountain News

New Listings in Denver, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Denver Real Estate - State Of The Market 8/30/2008~

Since I have become a dog owner in May, I tend to notice more dog related things lately.  And here's another.

They are building a new Wag N' Wash Healthy Pet Center in Highlands Ranch - a place where I can bathe my dog without stinking up the tub.  Not bad!

The Wag N Wash will be in the King Soopers Shopping Center at the Corner of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Wildcat Reserve Parkway.  According to the web site, the Wag N' Wash in Highlands Ranch will be opening this fall.  I am not certain of the exact date, but it seems to be moving along.

I can literally walk from my home to the Wag N Wash - nice!  The web site describes it as having self wash tub for dogs and plenty of brands of super premium dog food.

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Highlands Ranch Real Estate & Living - Wag N' Wash Coming To Westridge 8/30/2008~

By now you have seen it, there are some new businesses that are coming to Town Center in Highlands Ranch at the corner of Lucent and Highlands Ranch Parkway.  From what I can tell - here's what we've got.

Indulge Wine Bar - I was contacted back in April by one of the owners letting me know that Indulge Wine Bar was coming.  While I still am uncertain of the opening date, the web site says late 2008. I remember hearing about an outdoor patio and tapas, that will be nice.

Chase Bank - Lots of banks in town, but there will be another here. 

Corner Bakery Cafe - This looks good too - Again I don't know much about this although I have eaten at the one downtown at the Denver Pavilions on the 16th street mall.  As I recall, I had a great sandwich.

If you are involved in one of these new businesses coming to Highlands Ranch Town Center, feel free to comment on opening date!

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Highlands Ranch Real Estate & Living - New Businesses Coming to Town Center 8/30/2008~

After nearly 3 months for my children to play in all of the pools of the Highlands Ranch Community Association, I asked my children this morning which were their favorites this year.  You have just a few days, and in the case of Westridge - today, to enjoy the outdoor pools. 

Here is my kids recap:

Both of the kids loved the Eastridge Outdoor Pool.  First place no doubt.  It seemed to have the most options, with a bit deeper water, possibilities for lap swimming, racing each other down the side by side slides and then escaping indoors for the giant slide.

Neither was willing to put the Northridge pool at the top of the list - they said it was great when they were a bit younger as the kiddie pool was better than most but they felt that the teenagers "own" the Northridge pool, so they would wait a few more years to call that their home.

The Westridge Pool was a toss up.  My daughter still seems to enjoy the slide there but my son is ready to move on to bigger & better things.  The Westrdge Outdoor Pool has a zero entry and is pretty shallow all around - its great for a quick dip in the neighborhood or for those with little ones to keep a close eye on.

Southridge did get thumbs up from both kids, and they both agreed it could be a second place winner.  They couldn't really put their finger on it but I am sure it had something to do with being able to escape inside to the lazy river.

The pools are closing this weekend and by Tuesday all of the HRCA outdoor pools will be closed.  You can view the schedule here.  If you live in a Highlands Ranch neighborhood with its own private pool, you may have a little more time, depending on the neighborhood.  Some of those will stay open through the month of September, weather permitting.

Next week I will ask my kids to help me write a review on the indoor pools.

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Living in Highlands Ranch - One Last Hurrah At The Outdoor Pools 8/30/2008~

Today I want to talk about and show you a small pocket of the Highlands Ranch real estate market in Westridge Pointe.  In fact - I am going to divide it out even further and just show you the far north west corner of Westridge Pointe - including the streets of High Cliffe Pl, the Hackberrys, the Golden Eagles and Painted Canyon.  This section of the neighborhood includes homes all built by Richmond American Homes and most were finished being built by 2001.

The real estate in Highlands Ranch overall is holding steady.  There are some areas that have done better than others and all in all, Westridge Pointe, particularly this pocket of it is about the same.

The rule of thumb still remains, the best properties with the best locations that are priced accurately will sell first. 

Many of these homes border the beautiful Redstone Park with its all of its ammenities and that is a huge draw.  With nearby schools that rate exceptionally well and walking distance to the Westridge Rec Center and additional parks and trails & HighLine Canal, there is a high draw. 

Close access to Highlands Ranch Town Center & the future commercial developments helps as well.

 So, as you can see, homes are still selling in this section of Westridge Pointe.   

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Westridge Pointe Neighborhood Market Update 8/29/2008~

Firelight is a community in Highlands Ranch, CO.

Located in the Southridge area - Firelight is known for its higher location - some of the homes are actually on the highest lots in Highlands Ranch.  This of course provides really terrific views form many homes in Firelight of both the front range and downtown Denver.  Some folks even enjoy the sparser twinkling of the Denver Tech Center.

But one of the really nice parts of Firelight is its proximity to the Back Country Wildnerness Open Space.  The homes that back to The Back Country Wildneress truly are something to see. 

You look out back, and there it is.  Colorado. 

Its not your average open space - its really something else.  It has rugged hills and valleys that leave you to feel that you are light years away from the hustle and bustle of chaotic life.  Even those that may not back to the open space, its a mere hop, skip & jump to enjoy the trails and Colorado outdoors of the BackCountry Wilderness area from Firelight.

The photos in this post are all taken from the backyard of one of my current listings in Firelgiht - Highlands Ranch.  From your back door you are at the edge of the BackCountry Wilderness.  If you would like more information on this listing, click here: Highlands Ranch Real Estate For Sale - 2932 Newbury Court, Highlands Ranch Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

Search available homes in Firelight in Highlands Ranch, CO.

To learn more about the beautiful neighborhood of Firelight and real estate that is available now, contact me, Steve Scheer.

 Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Highlands Ranch Real Estate - Firelight Neighborhood in Southridge on the BackCountry Wilderness Open Space  8/23/2008~

If you are planning to sell your Denver home this fall or winter, here is a quick tip for getting a home on the Denver real estate market from October - March, particularly if you have a gorgeous yard.

Take out your camera and snap a few photos.  Your beautiful garden with perennials, flowering bushes and the like.  If your yard is covered in snow during showings, and your landscaping is a true gem, it can be nice to show off what is buried below the frozen ground. 

If you have photos like this at your fingertips come December, your Denver Realtor will thank you.

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

Search all Denver & Denver Suburb Homes Here

Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Denver Real Estate - Planning To Sell Your Home This Fall Or Winter?  8/23/2008~

I posted early in the week and the Highlands Ranch Computers & Electronics Recycling Event is going on right now.  The event is free (small charge for televisions).

I brought my stuff over this morning and it was quite impressive.  So much STUFF.  I brought an old printer, some phones and an old broken PDA.

The recycling event goes on until 1pm - don't miss it, head over now - it could be at least 6 months or so before the next one. 

New Listings in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Steve Scheer, RE/MAX Masters, Inc.
Real Estate in Denver & The Suburbs

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Copyright © 2008 By Steve Scheer, All Rights Reserved. ~Living in Highlands Ranch - Recycle Computers and Electronics Right Now 8/23/2008~