|
4th of July Fireworks
There is an annual fireworks show near town center every year. Sometimes we go and sometimes we have a block party. One neighbor gets stuff from Wyoming and puts on his own show for the neighborhood kids. It's much more up close and personal. This year the police raided the party and shut him down. Seems that a house nearby caught on fire! (but just a little bit) Good thing we stayed home this year.......
Summer, 2008 - Water Those Trees !
Trees around my neighborhood are starting to stress from the hot, dry summer. Just 20 minutes with a garden hose a couple times a week will help a lot.
Spring 2008 - Civic Green Happenings
The association has been doing extensive upgrades to the park all winter. It's getting a personality! Last week was the
Highlands Ranch Veterans Memorial dedication - We attended along with politicians, the Highlands Ranch Choir, and a local motorcycle club.
This week is the annual Ice Cream Social at Civic Green. Arrive early, there was a 30 minute line to buy the $1- tickets last year....
Highlands Ranch Farmers Market
Every Sunday from 10AM till 2PM in Town Center
Winter 2008 - Busy Market
For a January, it sure has been an active market. I've been a busy Highlands Ranch Realtor ! Lots of open houses and buyer traffic. It will be interesting to view the statistics in a couple months to see what the market actually did.
September, 2007 Tree Trimming Time
Now is the time. Trim those trees hard. They will survive the first heavy snowfall and come back strong in the spring. Remember, if it's a dry winter, be sure to water the trees a few times. Homes with 'nice' trees sell easier.
Fall, 2007 - Fence Replacement
It's official, the Metro District will begin replacing fences along the parkways. 41 miles of stained cedar fence will be replaced with Trex! Very nice and long lasting. However, this project will take years to complete.
Teaching Realtors How to Sell
I teach classes at the local Realtors Association. Since Douglas County has a more web savvy population, Highlands Ranch Realtors need to know how to market homes online. Houses sell faster, and for more money, when they are fully marketed. This includes multiple on-line locations. I teach strategies on how to be found online. - That's why I'm called the 'high-tech' Realtor.
Top 100 Best Places to Live
Another national publication, Relocate-America, has placed Highlands Ranch in their top 100 list. Rated features include the views, outdoor amenities, nearby light rail and the excellent school district.
Water Problem at The Hearth
Actually, not uncommon around town, but the local association is taking aggressive action.
Click here to see the report from The Hearth at Highlands Ranch Home Owners Association.
Summer, 2007 - Activities
Here's a few activities around the community this summer; 9 Health Fair, Arts Live, Home Improvement Expo, Taste Of Highlands Ranch, Hooked on Fishing, 4th of July at Town Center, Highlands Ranch 5K & 10K run, Big Top Circus, Farmers Market every Sunday, Summer Concert series, Classic Car Show, Symphony at Civic Green, Movies at the Park, HRMA Music and Arts Festival, and endless (excellent) Garage Sales! (TIP: the concerts at Civic Green Park are much more comfortable that those at Heritage Hills park, where the afternoon sun will be directly in your eyes)
Richmond Homes Class Action Suit
Not uncommon in subdivisions around the country - Richmond Homes in Highlands Ranch used some bad siding in a couple of their projects. There is a settlement fund available to homeowners that know how to claim it. We got a cash settlement of $2,200- and used it to paint our house.
There were also some bad roofing materials used by Richmond Homes but they would not stand behind those claims. Homeowners will only see about a 15 year life from the roof shingles, as opposed to the 50 years claimed when they were selling the homes new.
Summer, 2007 - Need a Night Out...
What's the first thing a middle-aged man thinks when he sees a teenage girl walking down the street in Highlands Ranch? Answer: Wow, I wonder if she does.....babysitting ?
Babysitting is the main industry for school girls in my neighborhood. Rates seem to vary from $3- to $8- per hour. I use a local girl who takes my son to her house. He has a great time and is usually exhausted when we retrieve him. I found her from posting an ad on the local mailbox.
Spring, 2007 -Current Market Conditions
Looks to be a strong selling season for Highlands Ranch Homes. The technical charts show an improving market. Specifically, the days on market are shrinking as inventory levels drop a bit. Statistically, that would indicate an upcoming sellers market. To discuss your home value call me at (303) 791 7817
Fall, 2006 - Light Rail is Cool !
The light rail at Mineral Station is quite a hit. In fact, most of the parking spaces are gone by 8AM. Then it becomes a ‘drop-off and ride’. By noon spaces open up and it’s a quick and fun ride to downtown. Much cheaper than parking downtown (about $5- round trip), not to mention the gas savings……
Winter, 2006 - Snow Shoveling is a Community Activity
Well, this was like a camping trip, except we camped out at home.
We got about 4 feet on our block. But it was passable. I was actually surprised to see some major construction equipment plowing our minor side street within a couple of days. Oh well, we survived, and got to spend some quality time cuddled up next to the fireplace. The only thing the local Safeway ran out of was eggs.
Summer, 2006 - Child Labor is Cheap
I hired a couple of local high school students to pressure wash and stain my fence. Well, I definitely saved some money, and it turned out good. There’s always some teenage labor around. Best place to advertise seems to be on the mailboxes. But just be sure to set the expectations up front - and pay when everything is complete.
4th of July - Fireworks and Thunderstorms
The local fire department held an impromptu celebration in the middle of our street. They let the kids sit in the truck and play with some of the equipment. They spent about an hour visiting and then headed off to the big fireworks event, which was postponed one day because of the incredible thunderstorm at dusk.
Spring, 2006 - Yard Sales
Yard sales. In Highlands Ranch these are just amazing. We have bought everything from (very nice) baby furniture to kiddie clothes and shoes (even some brand name stuff) It will be sad when our kid no longer wants to wear 'used' clothes…….
Best plan is to head out early on a Saturday morning and drive down Highlands Ranch Parkway and then up and down Broadway, University, and Quebec. Don’t forget Wildcat Reserve Parkway on the south side.
The best shopping seems to be north of Highlands Ranch Parkway and west of University. I always go there first.
Summer, 2005 -Civic Green Happenings
Civic Green Park just opened and it’s fabulous. They are showing free movies and occasionally a politician will stop by and make a speech. Also, there was an ice cream social one weekend. We go there almost every weekend. Check the community newsletter for the calendar of activities.
Winter 2005 - Sales Are Strong
Highland Ranch real estate has been selling well. Seems that most houses sell fairly quickly if staged right. Homes with just a bit of a ‘wow’ factor sell first. That usually means professional landscaping, some nice widow treatments, and a freshly painted fence. i.e.; good curb appeal. I think that professional tree trimming is a great long term investment. Everyone loves nice, healthy trees.
Spring, 2005 - Paint Me Now
The local homeowners association seems to do a good job keeping the neighborhoods clean and up to date. It’s not common, but they do send out notices to homeowners with obvious deferred maintenance issues. The monthly newsletter always mentions the occasional citing for a code violation. Out of 28,000 houses, they seem to average 2 violations a month. (parking a commercial truck overnight, leaving a camper in the driveway for more than 3 days, etc) My buddy just received a ‘Notice to Paint’ letter….. He admits it’s time for a paint job, he just didn't have the motivation, until now…… And that's why you don't ever see a trashy house around the Ranch!
Winter, 2005 - A Grand Piano ?
Our Highlands Ranch Home is much bigger then where we moved from. I didn't have enough furniture to fill up the front room. Well, I never thought about it before, but a grand piano would fit nicely there. I happened to visit a neighbor who had a piano in their front room and it looked great! I did some surfing online and found a nice used piano for $500-. Every so often, one of our visitors surprises us with their musical skills. Very cool.
Gangs and Graffiti in Highlands Ranch ??
Yep, even here are gangs and graffiti. But it's a bit different. The 'tagging' takes the form of chalk drawings in almost every other driveway. Names and numbers mostly. The gangs; typically a group of 8 year olds on bicycles circling the block looking for who knows what......
|
