Highlands Ranch is an excellent new development south of Denver designed with comfortable family living in mind. This new community features spacious single-family homes on curving streets set amid parks, golf courses, and other open spaces that give it a charm all its own.

Highlands Ranch gets its name from the 23,000 acres of former ranch land. This community is a great example of new urbanism, which features a compact downtown area and walkable streets. Above all else is the view of the majestic Rocky Mountains off in the distance, a reminder of the unique outdoor lifestyle available only in Colorado.

Housing market People looking for Highlands Ranch homes for sale will be pleased to see the selection of homes on the market, including modern two-story houses, ranch homes, and townhomes. The community is reminiscent of a classic American town from the middle of the last century, with distinctive neighborhoods and a compact, walkable town center.

Properties in the area typically exceed over $700,000 and many homes are available for ample square-footage and decent sized lots. People have been looking for this kind of community where they can live in big homes with plenty of outdoor spaces.

If the thought of living in Highlands Ranch real estate excites you, work with a terrific real estate agent who knows all about the community and can work hard to get you a great deal. Prices and mortgage interest rates are constantly changing, so the sooner you get into the market, the better!

Parks Highlands Ranch has several beautiful parks that host all sorts of family-friendly activities, from sports to picnicking to walking the dog and taking the kids to the playground. These great gathering spots are spread throughout the town and provide the kind of open spaces that help give the community almost a semi-rural feel.

Highland Heritage Regional Park is the crown jewel of the city’s parks system, with many sports facilities and room for other activities spread over 92 acres on the east side of town. This is where families who own Highlands Ranch real estate will spend a majority of their time in nice weather. The park boasts ten soccer and football fields, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, and an amphitheater with a stage. Highland Heritage also offers two playgrounds for the kids and plenty of space for family picnics. There are three miles of concrete trails and plenty of space to walk the dog.

Dad Clark Park serves several neighborhoods with all sorts of facilities for family fun, such as a playground, sports fields, water features, and a sand play area. This is another park favored by families because it has a playground, picnic area, and barbecue grills, everything you need for a fun-filled day spent outdoors.

Families with young kids who live in Highlands Ranch real estate love heading to Civic Green Park for its popular activities on the two splash pads for cooling off on hot summer days and a large lawn for running around and playing games. This park has a playground, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a shelter/pavilion. For complete family fun, it’s hard to beat Civic Green Park.

Redstone Park is another example of a unique park that families favor because it offers different activities such as a fishing pond, playground, and fields for baseball, football, and a tennis center.  There is also a dog park to bring your furry friends for playdates with other neighborhood pups.

Skateparks

Teenagers who live in Highlands Park real estate have two places off the streets where they can do their tricks in a safe environment, the Redstone Park Skatepark and the Tanks Skate Park.

Redstone Skate Park is a 22,000-square-foot fenced concrete skate park located in Redstone Park. It features street skating, a beginners’ bowl, and a snake run with an eight-foot vert bowl. BMX bicycles without pegs are allowed, skaters and riders are strongly encouraged to wear protective equipment.

Tanks Skate Park is a fun little skate park nestled into a neighborhood adjacent to some pickleball courts. This skate park has a halfpipe and other ramps and an open space where skaters can practice their tricks.

Golf courses

_{Photo courtesy of The Links Golf Course}

People who have bought Highlands Ranch homes for sale and love golf are in for a treat. Two great courses welcome all family members and have leagues and juniors’ programs.

The Links Golf Course is an executive-length, par-62 layout with incredible views of the mountains and the beautiful Colorado countryside. There are men’s, women’s, and juniors’ leagues, making this the go-to course for the whole family. There are also lessons available, a pro shop, and a grill.

The University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch is a gorgeous semi-private layout on the west side of town with breathtaking views of the mountains. It is open to members as well as the general public. Discounts are available for members and residents of Highlands Ranch, University of Denver students, alumni, and faculty/staff members. As well as individual play, there are leagues and junior programs, clinics, and other member events. Golfers can enjoy a meal at the grill after a fun round.

If you are intrigued by the thought of living in a fabulous home in Highlands Ranch, let the Mile High Home Experts show you around the area and help you close on a great deal.

Highlands Ranch is located in the suburbs of Denver, on the south side of the city. Virtually all Highlands Ranch real estate is easy commuting distance to downtown Denver, the nearby Rocky Mountains, and a plethora of national parks.

Buyers come from all over the country to Colorado for the fresh air, scenery, mountains, and nature—all of which make the Highlands Ranch real estate market competitive for buyers.

Highlands Ranch real estate is some of the most valuable in the Denver suburbs, with a median sale price of $599,000 and the median list price increasing at a rate of 14.8% year-over-year. This means that in addition to personal enjoyment, it’s a great investment for the long-term and will likely continue increasing in value.

If you find these numbers encouraging and are interested in calling Highlands Ranch or any of Colorado’s highly desirable communities home, please reach out for more information or resources! Now let’s explore the following ways to get outside near South Denver.

Hiking One of Colorado’s biggest draws is its idyllic hiking trails. Additionally, city dwellers in Colorado need not sacrifice access to nature for urban amenities. First and Second Flatirons Hike in Boulder is just 45 minutes from Denver and is one of the best hiking trails in the state, according to Day Hikes Near Denver. They classify the difficulty as moderate — just 2.6 miles round trip. The path takes you through green pastures and then up between two mountains — the First and Second flatirons.

Devil’s Head Fire Lookout is just over an hour from Denver and isn’t as daunting as the name may imply. The name refers to the fire lookout station at the end of the trail that you can climb to enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.

For the seasoned hiker, Pikes Peak is less than two hours south of Highlands Ranch real estate. The mountain is over 14,000 feet tall, making it one of the highest peaks in the US. You’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment after climbing (or driving up) this mountain and be rewarded with some of the best views Colorado has to offer.

Skiing and snowboarding Colorado has some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world, and both are a great way to get outside and stay active. The Rocky Mountains to the west of Denver are home to some of the most sought-after skiing and snowboarding terrain in the world. Highlands Ranch real estate is close enough for a day trip, as many slopes are less than two hours away.

Echo Mountain Resort is the closest to Highland Ranch real estate and offers slopes for the seasoned snowboarder or skier, as well as a small hill for beginners to practice the basics. They have on-site equipment rentals for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. If you’re not the biggest adrenaline junkie, it’s still worth a trip to experience tubing down the slopes. There are activities for all skill levels and all ages but be warned that Echo Mountain is a self-proclaimed “mostly intermediate” mountain — meaning beginners may have a tough time making the jump from the bunny hill to the lifts.

A bit further of a drive but well worth the wait is Ski Cooper, one of the most highly reviewed slopes in the area. Claiming to have the “softest snow surface in Colorado,” Ski Cooper is located on Chicago Ridge and offers slopes for any skill level. They also have something called “Snowcat Skiing,” which is a private, backcountry tour of multiple slopes.

Boating Colorado’s abundance of mountains also means lots of lakes for swimming and boating. If you’re buying Highlands Ranch real estate, it may be because you’re interested in owning a boat that you can use in one of the nearby lakes—or interested in testing the waters with a boat rental. Chatfield Reservoir, for example, is a smaller lake in a super convenient location as it’s right outside Denver. It may not necessarily have the most scenic views, but it’s just a few minutes away from Highlands Ranch and is great for a last-minute lake day during the hot summer months.

Lake Granby is just west of Boulder but still only a two-hour drive from Highlands Ranch. It’s right next to Rocky Mountain National Park and, thus, offers spectacular views. This is a large lake with lots of nearby beaches and picnic areas. It’s large enough for a day on the water, filled with tubing or water-skiing. Also nearby are Shadow Mountain Lake and Grand Lake.

Pueblo Reservoir is less than a two-hour drive directly south from Highlands Ranch homes, and is one of the largest natural bodies of water in Colorado. Rentals include 8, 10, and 12 person pontoon boats, so this is a great place to entertain guests who are visiting from out of town. This lake leads to the Arkansas River and has marinas on multiple sides of the lake. The shores include public beaches and hiking trails, meaning everyone will find something to enjoy at Pueblo Reservoir.

Searching for Highlands Ranch real estate or any of Colorado’s Highly Desirable Communities?  If you’re ready to begin the process of searching for and buying Highlands Ranch real estate, contact Mile High Home Experts. Malinda and her team at Mile High Home Experts have deep experience in Highlands Ranch and the greater Denver area and are eager to provide you with the insights and negotiation to guide your Colorado real estate journey. When you’re ready to start looking at South Denver homes — or to list a Highlands Ranch home for sale — reach out to Mile High Home Experts for trustworthy, personalized assistance.

Robert Heyder who is a longtime billionaire member of the Boardroom Mastermind recently shared some amazing information.

This is the VERY FIRST “supply driven” real estate “run up” market in history. Historically all of the real estate runs in the past have been driven by DEMAND. Which changes the game significantly

1.  Since the Great Recession, the United States has produced 300,000-500,000 fewer housing units than we needed – Annually.
2. This means that we currently have a deficit of over 3,000,000 homes that are needed in the market AND Growing. DRIVING PRICEUP
3. The supply chain for building these homes has been severely disrupted. Not to even speak of the cost of materials and goods have risen because of it. DRIVING PRICES UP
4. Skilled labor is very hard to come by now. From the last recession and even again during the pandemic a lot of skilled labor was forced out of the market and never returned. So, IF we were to go out today and get an entire segment of the market into vocational schools and the apprenticeship training to fill the gap, you’re still looking at 2-3 years before they would come into the market to fill the gap.
5. So fewer houses, supply chain interruptions, and skilled labor shortages all lead to SUPPLY PROBLEMS AND PRICES CONTINUING TO MOVE UP.
6. Now you add the inflationary aspect of the market right now – the US printing money at an alarming rate and driving the power of the dollar down- and again prices will continue to go up

THERE IS NO LOGICAL MECHANISM TO STOP THIS MARKET AT THIS TIME AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD FOR THE NEXT 2 -3 YEARS.

Keep purchasing cash flow properties that benefit from inflation and are a great hedge against a deflating dollar. In all likelihood, this is the cheapest that properties will be for the foreseeable future. This is why you are seeing Hedge funds like BlackRock and the like capitalizing on the market RIGHT NOW! THEY KNOW!!!

When you are selling your home, it is essential to know if it is a buyer’s or a seller’s market so you know how to price and promote your house correctly. Right now, Colorado is a huge seller’s market giving them the advantage due to the high demands. When trying to sell in a seller’s market, knowing what to do and which offer to take can be overwhelming. Here are some tips and tricks when selling your home in a low inventory market:

Don’t Worry About Upgrades

While you should still make sure that everything is in good working order and anything that is broken gets repaired, you don’t have to worry about serious upgrades. When you are in a normal or a buyers market, you sometimes need to rely on upgrades to gain more interest and to clinch the deal. In a low inventory market, you don’t have to worry about spending that extra money to drive up prices and you can save the money for your future move.

You can also cut costs on the staging of your home. You don’t need to worry about hiring a professional to stage your home or get rid of furniture to make it less congested. That isn’t to say that you shouldn’t make your home presentable, but you don’t have to worry about the finer details in order to gain interest.

Plan Your Move Before You Sell

Because the demand for houses is so high, it is likely that your home will sell more quickly than you may have expected it to. In fact, houses in Highlands Ranch and the entire Denver Metro Front Range are only averaging five days on the market before they sell. While I am able to negotiate a Post Closing Occupancy for up to 60 days, I also have access to Investors that will buy your current house at Fair Market Value turning you into a cash buyer and allowing you, the seller time to successfully contract and close on your NEW HOME! The Investor will then have me list the home. If we are able to get more than what they paid, they will forward any equity gain back to the Seller at time of closing and funding!!!  Win Win Win! Since you may have to be out sooner than you initially anticipated, you should be ready to do as much in advance as possible.

As soon as you are ready to sell your house, let’s start looking for your new one. While having to stay in a hotel or rely on friends and family while you complete your search isn’t ideal, you should have a backup plan just in case.

At the same time, make sure to clear out the clutter from your rooms by donating, selling, or throwing out anything you no longer need or use. Pre-pack things that you don’t need day-to-day and are planning on taking with you to your next destination. Not only will you be ahead of the game, but it will make your home more spacious and ready for viewings at the same time.

Price Your Home

You may be incentivized to price your home high because you know that you will have a lot of interest, but this can turn off buyers even in a seller’s market. If they are working with real estate agents or are just informed on markets and pricing, they will know you are trying to drive up the price. They will be more likely to look elsewhere and you could delay your sale, causing your home to spend more time on the market. You also don’t want to set the price too low. Make sure to work with your agent to come to a fair and reasonable price, and remember, if a bidding war occurs, you may still get more than you are asking for.

Don’t Necessarily Take The Highest Bid

Although you may experience an overwhelming amount of offers, don’t be quick to jump at the highest one. There are a lot of factors to consider when you are accepting an offer, including if they are paying in cash or not. If someone is relying on a mortgage from the bank, there is always the chance the sale could fall through during the appraisal process. If you don’t get an entire cash order but someone offers a sizable down payment, this reduces the chance that they won’t be able to get the mortgage loan from the bank. So even if they are offering more, you may want to go with a lower cash offer to ensure your home sells faster and you don’t have to go through the headache of re-listing. 

Another reason to go with a lower bid is if you find someone that is offering a reasonable amount but are willing to be flexible with their move-in dates. This way, if you aren’t entirely ready to move quite yet, you still get a great deal while being able to relax a bit on finding your new home.

While there are reasons for not necessarily taking the highest offer, there is one good reason to take it, and that is if someone makes an incredible offer far beyond the asking price. If that happens, this is something you probably want to jump on, especially if that offer is made in cash. Make sure to review with your real estate agent to ensure you’re making the right decision before proceeding with any offer.

Buyers May Give Concessions or Get Rid of Contingencies

Because this is a seller’s market, buyers may be incentivized to throw in concessions and throw out contingencies. Contingencies are demands offered such as being unwilling to go over a certain amount or wanting certain repairs finished in order for them to say yes. Since there is likely heavy competition, they may release their contingencies in order to make their offer more appealing. As far as concessions, an example might be offering to cover the closing costs that the seller usually has to cover. I am highly skilled at negotiations and will absolutely push for all concessions.

Take Advantage of Bidding Wars

When you are in a seller’s market, bidding wars can be expected as there are fewer options available to the buyers. You can use it to your advantage to get the best price possible for your home.

If you are getting more offers, make sure your real estate agent is informing the other bidders of the competition. You don’t want to disclose how much the other people are offering; just that there were offers made that went above theirs. You can then encourage them to put down the best offer they can to try to outbid the other person. However, you can skip this step if they have an escalation clause in their offer as their offer will automatically go up. If you have found a bid you like, you can always put in a counteroffer to see if you can drive the price up a bit. Always check in with your real estate agent to ensure the moves you are making are going to be beneficial and not scare off potential buyers.

Anticipate Appraisal Issues After Accepting an Offer

Once you have accepted an offer, as mentioned before, there is an appraisal process that must take place. Although your house may be a hot commodity for buyers, banks and lenders might not be so keen to invest that much, especially if they deem it too high for the area. A few different things could happen if a property appraises below the offered price. The buyers, if they really love the property and can afford it, may decide to make up the difference by paying out-of-pocket, the seller can reduce the price down to the appraised value, the seller and buyer can challenge the appraisal and ask for a reconsideration, or the seller and buyer cancel the transaction, and the property gets put back on the market. If it comes down to that, your real estate agent can help you decide the best course of action as to how to handle the situation. It is imperative you work with a Realtor with loads of experience dealing with these issues. In some cases I can get the lender to waive the appraisal and/or have the Buyer remove any appraisal contingencies alleviating this headache or any issues!

If you live in an area like Highlands Ranch, Colorado or anywhere around the Denver Metro Front Range that is currently an intense seller’s market and have been considering selling your house, now is the time to move. You never know when the market will turn around, and you may not have as easy a time getting buyers in the future. Now that you have the information and tips for how to best go about selling your home in this kind of market, the time to sell is now!


If you are interested in homes for sale in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and the Denver Metro Front Range or are interested in selling your Highlands Ranch home, contact Top Producing Realtor with over 20 years expertise, Malinda Conley at the Mile High Home Experts and set up a consultation today!