Highlands Ranch is sure getting a lot of new development lately and really coming into it’s own. There are so many new shops and restaurants, Highlands Ranch is no longer a bedroom community on the south side of Denver.
Children’s Hospital will now begin construction this June, 2012 on a new hospital facility in Highlands Ranch at the southwest section of C470 and Lucent Boulevard. This is incredible news for the community since 30 percent of the population is under 19. Additionally, this new hospital will bring in around 300 new jobs to the area.

Site for new Children’s Hospital Highlands Ranch

According to the article in the Denver Post , Children’s Hospital will be consolidating services already in the area through the local clinics. However, with the hospital there will be expansion of inpatient, diagnostic and infusion services as well as urgent care and operating room facilities. They expect to serve around 80,000 patients in the first year of operation alone, 2014. Clinics in Littleton and Centennial will now be housed in the new Children’s Hospital while the facility in Parker will remain.

The building itself will be a four story, 175,000 square foot hospital expected to be completed by end of 2013. The land will have room for future expansion.

If you are interested in Highlands Ranch and living in this great community, please contact me. I have lived and work here for over 17 years, I can help.

I live in Highlands Ranch and like most of the Denver metro area, the Centennial Water District has tiers and allowances for water usage for each home.  So far we have had a pretty mild spring, and weather has been awesome.  That also means that many of us, myself included have been happily watering our green grass.  Happily until we get the recent water bill. Mine increased dramatically from the previous bill.  I knew it would go up, naturally I’ve been using more water to irrigate the lawn and keep it looking as good as I can.  But with the water allocations set by the water district, I seem to have started watering the lawn a little too soon.  I suspect many others did too.

Highlands Ranch Metro Distric bills in 2 month cycles, so this bill reflects usage from early March thru early May.  Water budgets don’t seem to increase for the season until about May, so all those early watering days were costly.  I do conserve and don’t water everyday.  I can’t imagine the bill if I did.  Now we are in late spring and lawns certainly need water to stay green and healthy.  It is too hot not to water.  With the real estate market also heating up, many have wondered just how much they should water to keep up the curb appeal but not break the bank.

Here are a few tips of mine (although I’m no lawn expert):

• Water before and after sunset, while it is cooler and there is less evaporation
• Aerate the lawn in spring and fall
• Fertilize! This helps more than you know.  Ask the pros the right mix for the season
• Use soil conditioners like Revive to help break up the clay soil we have here in Denver
• Don’t over water.  Set the water to run each zone enough to soak, not run off down the street
• If you don’t have automatic sprinklers, keep an eye on the water run off and change the hose manually
• No need to water everyday, set a schedule to water some mornings, some evenings and rotate.
• Keep the mower set high to keep the grass longer, allowing moisture to retain

Curb appeal is important.  Edge the lawn, keep the grass green and cut, and keep the weeds out!  You’ll enjoy coming home to your beautiful yard and so will your neighbors enjoy looking at it too.  Who knows, if you are looking to sell your home it may make all the difference to the buyer! Contact me for help getting your home ready to sell or to find that perfect home you’re looking for!

Real Estate Statistics for Douglas County in Denver’s South Suburbs

The Denver area real estate market is really heating up! Lately, I have had listings go under contract within days on market, not weeks or even months. Home sellers in many neighborhoods are finding there are plenty of buyers out there and more showings on the homes than they may have expected.

All this is great news for the Denver housing market. In the video below, I explain the statistics for Douglas County for the first quarter of 2012. Wow, things are looking good all across the board and getting better. So watch below and let me know if I can help you in this red hot real estate market.

Above information in the video is based on Information from Metrolist, Inc. Note: This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by Metrolist, Inc. Metrolist,Inc. does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by Metrolist, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Lots of things changing over here on the website & blog right now.

You’ll notice a new look and we have to change home search providers as well, so that will be arriving shortly.

Stay tuned!

-Steve

Time to Make Reservations For Denver Restaurant Week

Have you always wanted to dine at one of Denver’s best restaurants but just couldn’t fit it into your budget?  Well, once again this year, now is your chance.

Denver restaurant week is back.  This is an opportunity to purchase pre selected meals at some of Denver’s finest and most delicious restaurants.  I have done this for the past several years and my wife and I have never been disappointed!  It makes for a wonderful date night. The selections are scrumptious and the chance to dine at some of these great restaurants is worth the price and them some. It’s a bargain at many restaurants for 2 meals for $52.80! You will get to taste why these restaurants are considered the best. Plus, I have found the selections offered for restaurant week won’t disappoint in either quality or quantity.  It really is a deal.  And once again, it is not just one week but 2. Dining dates begin February 25th and run through March 5th, 2012.

Menus will be out January 17th exclusively on the Visit Denver Facebook page and then on the Denver Restaurant week site after January 22nd.  So if you have always had the idea of a very special dinner then make sure to sign up and be ready, some of the restaurants will get completely booked up rather quickly.  And if you are just relocating to the Denver area, this is a fabulous way to get acquainted with some of Colorado’s best restaurants. Take advantage and bon appetit!