National and Local Metro Denver Real estate News

4 Recreation Centers – Lifestyle in Highlands Ranch

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About 12 miles south of Denver, the Highlands Ranch master-planned community extends over 22,000 acres of Douglas County. Included in the home ownership and HOA fees at Highlands Ranch come 4 beautiful recreation centers. Buy a home in Highlands Ranch and immediately experience the active lifestyle at these centers.

By the way, Highlands Ranch homes are convenient. From the driveway of a Highlands Ranch home, you can be at work in minutes. Many residents here work in the business corridors at The Denver Tech Center, Meridian Business Park, and the Inverness Business Park. Or dash home for golf or exercise.highland ranch

4 Rec Centers in Neighborhoods at Highlands Ranch

Each of Highland’s Ranch’s four neighborhoods–Eastridge, Westridge, Northridge and Southridge–features its own recreation center with amenities ranging from work-out facilities to playgrounds and swimming pools, running tracks, and ropes-courses with a wide variety of programs and organized activities.

Northridge Recreation Center

Opening first in 1982 was the Recreation Center at Northridge. Its 53,000 square feet of facilities include an aquatic center, cardiovascular area, family changing room, fitness and dance studio, free weight area, gymnasiums, meeting rooms, a nursery, dive pool, lap pool, youth pool, running track, a spa, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, variable-resistance machines, and racquetball courts.

Eastridge Recreation Center

Recreation Center at Eastridge includes cardiovascular area, family changing rooms, fitness and dance studio, free weight area, indoor locker rooms, meeting rooms, nursery and day camp, indoor and outdoor lap pools, slides, outdoor youth pool, indoor zero-depth wading pool and splash fountain, running track, spa and steam room, climbing wall, gymnasiums, and the administration offices.

Southridge Recreation Center

Within Recreation Center at Southridge is Wildcat Auditorium features an elevated stage with curtains, dressing rooms, meeting rooms, reception area, attached patio, and a catering kitchen. Senior Lounge offers an activity room and office and storage space. Five Tennis Courts offer support space, restrooms, and a built-in seating area.

Westridge Recreation Center

The Recreation Center at Westridge features unique amenities such as a batting cage, sport court with dasher boards for in-line hockey, indoor soccer, basketball, a cycling studio, gymnasiums, pools, fitness facilities and much more.

More Amenities in Highlands Ranch

Interspersed around Highlands Ranch homes, residents also enjoy 19 community parks, 60 miles of trails, and 2,000 acres of natural open space, and other signature facilities. There’s something for everyone during all seasons. Does your child want to go to skate parks? Do you like to golf? Highlands Ranch has dog parks, public tennis courts, and baseball diamonds, too.

Additional facilities house Wellness Services such as nutrition, acupuncture, foot care, yoga, and mind-body sessions. Aquatic Adventures such as scuba, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving. Other adventures include the climbing wall, bouldering and belay, orientation classes, horseback riding, and backcountry trail rides–adding zip to what is described as “a family friendly, backyard barbecue, lucky-to-live-in-Colorado” kind of place.

Are You Interested in Highlands Ranch Real Estate?

If you’d like to know more about the Highlands Ranch lifestyle, call 720-299-3554 and ask Amy Hitch at HomeSmart. My experience in real estate transactions could help you find a home or sell your current home in the Denver Metro area. I look forward to hearing from you!

Morrison Colorado Day Hike near Denver – Refuel Your Spirit

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My friend Heather and I try to meet up once a month for a hike. One of our favorite hikes takes us 25 minutes southwest of Denver. We tromp around the rocks and rivers in Morrison Colorado. Afterwards, of course, we head to lunch at the Red Rocks Grill in Morrison. Anybody who knows me knows my ongoing passions: I love my real estate career, I love to move my body, and I am a total foodie!

And if you like the best of city and country living, ask about Lakewood real estate. We passed through there and big pastures, farmhouses, and barns along the Front Range.

Our Short Bear Creek Hike in Morrison Colorado

Heather and I drove up to the western outskirts of Lakewood and metro Denver. We started at Bear Creek Lake Park next to the town of Morrison. It’s a gorgeous drive up there onto the plains that abut the foothills!

The Lair o’ the Bear tail is an easy hike in Bear Creek Trail Park. It’s only about 1.6 miles of trail. Since I wanted to show property later in the day, we made it a quick hike that day. After all, we could still catch up over lunch! Families and visitors enjoy this shorter trail. Often, you’ll see groups hanging out at the huge grove of picnic tables. Add the proximity to Bear Creek for fishing and this part of Morrison is a favorite spot during many seasons.

Long Hike on Bear Creek Trail in MorrisonMorrison Colorado

For those who want a more challenging hike, you can enjoy 12.6 miles round trip hike on Bear Creek Trail. It passes through three adjoining Denver mountain parks to the west. I have hiked this trail in the past. It’s very pretty.

Red Rocks Grill – A Local Favorite

After we did our short hike, filling up our spirit with fresh air and pretty scenery, we headed to grab a bite at Red Rocks Grill! Now a local favorite, the Red Rocks Grill opened in 1993 in the heart of historical downtown Morrison, Colorado. Informal and very laid back, it’s the perfect spot to land after a day hike!

The staff is always friendly, and the service is great. If you eat here, you must try the nachos supreme. The nachos are always loaded up and so good! My absolute favorite menu item, though, would be the Monte Cristo sandwich. When I read it on the menu for the first time, it sounded so odd that I, of course, had to try it! Where else will you find a double-decker ham, turkey, and Swiss sandwich with mayo and deep friend in beer batter. And it’s served with raspberry preserves! Anything fried in beer batter is a must try for me. Come hungry. It is filling!

Why We Love Morrison CO

I love hanging out in downtown Morrison. It has such a small town vibe. Located in Jefferson county, Morrison is an easy 30-minute commute from downtown Denver. Besides the trails, Morrison’s claim to fame comes from Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater. Over the years, I have seen many concerts at Red Rocks with its remarkable acoustics.

When I am not going to nighttime concerts, I like to go up to Red Rocks for a hike or to climb the stairs of the amphitheater. Such a good workout and, you guessed it, I head over to the Red Rock Grill afterwards to refuel! Maybe I should think about buying a home located close to Red Rocks Amphitheater so that I can enjoy the live music from my backyard patio. I’ll look at the MLS listings in Morrison. What a plan to refuel my spirit more often!

Directions

From Denver, take Highway 6 west to C-470 and drive south. Take Bear Creek Avenue to the west.

Realtors – Metro Denver Colorado

Yes, I would appreciate your business. If you want to buy or sell Denver real estate, get in touch with me, Amy Hitch 720-299-3554. Or visit my website www.ColoradoRealEstateHomeSource.com. I would love to show you properties in Denver Metro.

Denver International Airport – Efficient and Beautiful

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Truly a landmark in the Mile High City, Denver International Airport reflects our friendly sophistication and mountain splendor. The airport allows the free flow of millions of residents, visitors, and commercial operators to the Metro Denver region. This wonderful transportation center adds talent, tourism, and opportunities for all of us.

Denver International Airport, or the DIA, currently offers non-stop service to over 215 destinations. It is the largest international airport in the United States and boasts the longest public-use runway. Twenty-five different airlines touch down here. The carriers come from North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

A Traveler’s Dream

Travelers appreciate several aspects about this state-of-the-art airport. It is extremely efficient. It’s beautifully designed. And it incorporates a stunning passenger bridge. Time Magazine selected the Denver International Airport as Best Airport in North America. Despite the bustling activity, readers of Business Traveler Magazine voted DIA the Best Run Airport. It’s a prized asset for our Denver community.

Beautiful Design

Heads turn over the distinctive design elements. Magnificent white peaks of simulated snow-capped Rockies tower above the terminal’s main floor. You can see these iconic rooftops for miles in every direction. Inside, there’s a regal element: stunning white marble walls supplied by a quarry from Marble, Colorado. The quarry also supplied marble for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

The next wow factor comes in the central atrium, the pride and joy of the terminal. Walled with glass, it’s covered by a translucent tent-like roof. Varieties of granite from around the world create floor patterns that direct the flow of passengers. Design patterns reflect the architectural portrayal of the snowy mountains on the roof.

Gate Access

How do you get around? People access the 1.5 million-square-foot terminal on three levels. Departures happen from one level. A second level accommodates taxis, vans, Uber, Lyft, and shuttles. The third level provides vehicle access to arriving passengers. A well-designed commuter train facilitates movement throughout the airport.

Passenger Bridge

The designers envisioned a sterile corridor between the international gates and custom services. They outdid themselves with the huge double-level passenger bridge. Built of glass and steel, the bridge arcs 365 feet connecting Concourse A to Jeppesen Terminal. Arriving passengers use the top level. Domestic passengers who walk instead of riding the underground rail system use the lower level.

As passengers walk the span, they discover amazing views of the Rocky Mountains, Downtown Denver, and prairieland to the east. If fact, this is the best place to view the entire airport and see commercial airplanes taxiing below. The Denver International Airport’s passenger bridge provides a unique experience for all who make the trek.

Denver and Aurora Real Estate near the Airport

Denver International Airport opened northeast of Denver in 2005. It spans 53 square miles of property.

Since then, the airport inspired an influx of new Denver neighborhoods. You can find newer houses anywhere from downtown Denver to the airport and into the Aurora real estate market. As you might imagine, all kinds of businesses and employers filled in vacant land around the airport.

Denver Metro Realtors

Call Amy Hitch with HomeSmart at 720-299-3554 to tap into my long-time enjoyment of Denver communities, activities, and attractions I would love to help you find a home or sell your current home in the Denver Metro area.

Do You Need a Realtor on New Construction?

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Denver Colorado Realtor Representation on New Construction

Do You Need Realtor Representation on New Construction? Buying a new Denver CO home may be one of the most important events in your life. Why not come prepared so that you can make the most of the situation? The best way to do that is to utilize the services of a Denver Colorado based Realtor. I will act in your interest to get you the best possible price, discounts and information, often better than what an on-site sales person can provide.

Denver CO Home Builders

Denver Colorado Realtor Representation on New ConstructionIn most cases, Denver CO builders prefer that buyers deal with Realtors over dealing with his on-site representative. Prospects who use my professional services to buy new construction are generally better informed and thereby better prepared to complete the transaction. I can explain the intricacies and handle your objections, questions and paperwork. That’s what I have been trained to do. As such, a builder is well protected and confident that their affairs will be handled as they should.

Using a Denver CO Realtor

By using a Denver CO Realtor, a buyer is at no price disadvantage. It costs no more to use a Denver CO Realtor than buying builder-direct. Commissions that would have been paid are not remitted to the buyer if the sale goes through the onsite rep rather than a realtor. This is referred to as the “law of averages”. Builders make up for what they pay us on about half of the direct sales they do. So either way, as far as costs go, it makes no difference to a buyer. A Realtor can keep your interests at heart and you, well within your comfort zone throughout the transaction. More smart buyers are beginning to realize the advantages of using a Realtor when buying new construction.

Call Amy Hitch with any questions at 720-299-3554.

 

 

Contact Me About Buying a New Home

 

Decorating TIPS for Denver Homeowners

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Interior decorating of your Denver home

Custom Denver bathroomDecorating TIPS for Denver Homeowners. A great advantage to owning your own Denver home is that you can decorate it anyway you want – to reflect your own personality and style!

Below are some tips to help you get creative with the interior decorating of your Denver home. Almost all of these tips are relatively inexpensive and fairly quick to do. Tap into your creative vein and have fun… make it your home!

Try painting one wall in a room with an accent color. This adds personality and dimension to a room and especially helps a room that has no architectural details.

Do you have a long hallway in your Denver home? Add a mirror or large picture at the end of the hallway to take away that ‘dead-end’ feel and visually shorten the hallway.

If you have a home office or want a home office in your Denver home:

Be sure your office space is separate from other living space, i.e. not in your dining room or living room. Dedicate an extra bedroom or a separate area in your finished basement for your home office. If that’s not practicable, how about converting a closet for your home office?

Organize your office space! An organized space makes for more efficient work and an uncluttered mind. Use baskets on shelves and containers or dividers in drawers to house like items.

Your creativity can be effectively enhanced by silver blue, soft gray or warm tan colors. You might try muted greens, black accents, navy blue or sky blue colors which can increase general efficiency.

If you have clients visit your office, be sure there is a comfortable, welcoming space for them to sit while waiting or consulting with you.

Put a new look on old furniture. Refinishing a chair or table is easy and you can darken or lighten the wood tones to fit in with your design plan. Painting is even easier! You can even spray paint furniture to give it a glossy, matte or satin finish and of course a punch of color if you wish!

Buy new, make new or recover old accent pillows to add a designer punch of color. Pillows are easy to do and are a very inexpensive way to change the whole look of a room!

What to do with chairs and couches?

Decorating TIPSConsider snappy new slip covers for chairs and couches. There are now a wide range of shapes and sizes in different colors on the market. If you are a talented seamstress you can sew your own!

Make a lighting plan for your space. Consider up-lighting or down-lighting to highlight art, architectural accents and even plants. Be sure there is general lighting and task lighting for specific activities such as reading, sewing or playing games.

Amy Hitch with HomeSmart offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in real estate transactions and homes for sale in the entire Denver Metro area.

Let me help you find a home or sell a home! Give me a call at 720-299-3554. I look forward to hearing from you!