Westridge Pointe, Highlands Ranch, Colorado The Westridge Pointe neighborhood is located in Highlands Ranch, CO - Douglas County.  Westridge Pointe is just west of south of Town Center Drive and north of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Hackberry Lane and runs from its west border of the Spring Gulch Greenbelt that runs down to Redstone Park and continues east to Marcy Park. The zip code for Westridge Pointe is 80129.  Highlands Ranchis well known by four quadrants; Northridge, Southridge, Eastridge and Westridge.  Westridge Pointe is located in Westridge.   Satellite Map of Westridge Pointe Most homes of Westridge Pointe are built by Richmond American Homes.  The homes range in price currently from approximately $260,000 to $445,000.  Many of the beautiful homes in Westridge Pointe offer fr... 05/08/2007

New High School in Highlands Ranch, Valor Christian High School    If you have driven by Highlands Ranch Parkway and University lately, you have with no doubt seen the flurry of construction activity.  I have known for some time now that Valor Christian High School was to be built at Highlands Ranch Parkway and Fairview Parkways and it is really beginning to take shape.  And as it sits atop the hill on the north side of Fairview Parkway, it is quite grand!  I had heard that this was going to be a big school, but it has been really exciting to watch it get underway.  Valor seems to be going all out in all ways -its size, its marketing, its future athletic department, and of course its academics - the works.  The athletic facilities alone will be very impressive.  I have a client moving t... 04/26/2007

Highlands Ranch home listings are sometimes hard to find on-line - Why? I get many calls and email inquiries, as do many of my colleagues, as to why people can not sometimes find Highlands Ranch real estate listings online.  I have even had fellow agents ask me why their customers are having problems with this.  Within about 1 second, I can guess what the answer is and 99% of the time I am correct.  The call goes something like this - Steve, I just drove by this beautiful home in Highlands Ranch but when I search on-line for listings in Highlands Ranch, I can't find it.  I even put the street in, it still won't come up.  I really want to know more about this house - what gives?  Basically, it boils down to technology can be unforgiving.  The problem stems back to the fact that Highlands... 04/25/2007

Doing Business in Highlands Ranch:  The Chamber of Commerce  If you are a new business in Highlands Ranch, or are currently moving to Highlands Ranch and will be moving your business as well (or starting a new one) I would highly recommend joining the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce.  I am currently a member there with my real estate business and it has been a meaningful association for me. Activities are plentiful from monthly speaker luncheon's to the Annual Gala and everything in between.  There are a variety of "meet and greets" and networking events and even some great discounts to members from other businesses that you can use at a personal level.  Its definitely worth a look.  If you do join and attend a luncheon, I am generally there.  Make sure to say hi. 04/20/2007

New Elementary School Under Construction in Highlands Ranch  If you are planning on moving and buying a home in either Weatherstone or the new Back Country Community, both in Highlands Ranch, you will have a new elementary school serving those Douglas County boundaries soon. Construction is well under way for Elementary #43: Stone Mountain Elementary.  The first day of school will be on August 2, 2007 on the modified B track calendar for that school year, in their temporary location of Saddle Ranch Elementary.  The new school building is scheduled to open January 2008.  Stone Mountain Elementary will be a ThunderRidge feeder, meaning that students will continue on to Ranch View Middle School and ThunderRidge High School.  School Accountability Reports for all Colorado schools can be rev... 04/20/2007

Home Improvements: Will I get my Investment Back?  A few times a month I get a phone call that starts off something like this: Bob:  Hi Steve, This is Bob Jones.  We have been in out house for 3 years and we are thinking of..... Steve:  Moving?  Bob:  No.  Redoing the kitchen.    Steve:  Aha.  Well that will be fun!  Bob:  Yes, it sure will.  I can hardly wait.  But first we want to make sure we are going to get our money back our if we have to move in the next 2 years.  ......Ok.  The call continues.  And it could have been anything, kitchen, bath, basement, addition, whatever.  But the answer is not as cut and dry as people want to hear.  They WANT me to tell them, yeah - sure, no problem.  But chances are good at this point that I am the one they will call when they sell and I want t... 04/19/2007

Living in Highlands Ranch & Dining Out - Lansdowne Arms There have been a variety of quaint non-chain restaurants that have opened up in Highlands Ranch in the last few years.  When people move to the Denver area, they are always asking me for places to go.  I love trying out all different types of places to offer my clients new ideas (my family likes to as well) and Lansdowne Arms has become a favorite for all of us.  The owners do have other pub's around Denver, but its feel and menu is nothing but original for me.  From the outside of the building to the decor inside, its warm and a fun environment.  Lansdowne Arms is located in the Highlands Ranch Town Center and really has a great Irish Pub Menu.  My wife really enjoys the Chicken Pot Pie, Grilled Beef Tenderloin Salad and the Ling... 04/18/2007

Highlands Ranch, CO Real Estate: March 2007 Market Report What is the data of the MLS telling us about the Highlands Ranch Real Estate Market? Before I jump right in with the numbers, a little "unofficial" observation based on my professional experience.  Things are looking up.  Activity is up.  Showings are up.  Offers are being made.  Contracts are closing.  This is good news to both home sellers and buyers of course.  Home Sellers - well - there are qualified buyers out there that want to buy your home.  But there are still some things you need to keep in mind - there is quite a bit of inventory - so you need to have the right price in a home that shines!  Do you want to sell your home?  Prove it!  Keep it in glistening showing condition and listen to your agent.  Home Buyers - its a... 04/07/2007

Get involved in Your Community Events, Colorado and make a Difference - The Highlands Ranch Arthritis Walk! Those that know me do know that giving back to the community is something I just do.  I have always donated a percentage of every closing to the non-profit/charity/school of my clients choice.  Its just the way I do business as a Denver real estate agent. However, I also like to put my money where my mouth is and participate, in person, as well.  We are all busy folks and as much as I would like to participate in every event around town, time is not on my side.  So I do what I can.  When I do choose organizations to support, not only with my money but my time, I do look at different aspects of the event or organization and choose organizations that align with my overall core.  Org... 04/06/2007

Steve Scheer, Denver Real Estate   Redstone Park has many great offerings for its residents and visitors  Another high 60/low 70's day in March in the Denver area.  So, it was only 2 months ago that the streets were buried in snow, we were house bound and the deep freeze was upon us.  But here is the spring that Coloradans love and expect.  So what would you do if you lived in Highlands Ranch on such a day?  Well here's an idea - Head to Redstone Park. Redstone Park is located on the west side of Highlands Ranch, often referred to as Westridge.  It is one of the larger parks in Highlands Ranch and its offerings and activities are almost endless.  It is located at the intersections of Town Center Drive and Foothills Canyon Blvd, just east of Santa Fe Drive.  It is nestled between the nei... 03/25/2007

It isn't unusual for me to get that question when someone is looking at purchasing Denver CO real estate, especially when a buyer is looking at new construction.  But here are the facts. In most all cases, a buyer does not pay the commission of their buyer's agent.  The seller does. So in the case of the first time home buyer, or out of state relocation, it may be tempting to try and go at it alone or use the listing agent, but that is not always the wisest choice.  First of all, if the seller is paying the commission, then why do all the work yourself and still not be represented in the deal?  Also, who does the listing agent work for?  You got it, the seller and not you!  Most times it is wiser to have an agent solely representing you and your best interest.  Why put yourself through ... 03/24/2007

Real Estate in Highlands Ranch, Colorado: January - February 2007 Market ReportSteve ScheerDenver CO Real Estate Wow! 2006 was a very tough year for real estate in the country as well as here in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  Folks here have been used to record growth and escalating home values on resale homes for a number of years now.  Many have been shocked at the decline in sales and for many more homeowners that have been trying to sell their homes, the reality is just not what they want to hear.  However the silver lining to all of this is that if you happen to be a buyer, the choices have been plenty and the negotiating power has been good.  The plus side for sellers is if you've owned your home for more than 5 years then you have likely made some decent equity gains overall.  Such ... 03/13/2007

Often, when someone is relocating to Douglas County from outside of Colorado I will be asked, "What exactly is the track system in Douglas County schools and how does it work?"  It is not the easiest thing to initially understand, but once you see how it works it will make sense.  The track system was introduced in Douglas County elementary schools during the period of tremendous growth and its purpose is to accommodate more students in less space.  Many of the older neighborhoods in the Denver area have elementary schools that were built to accommodate the number of students enrolled at the time it was built and did not necessarily plan for the years ahead when neighborhoods would change and enrollment numbers would level out.  This now leaves many elementary schools in other areas wit... 03/12/2007

Living in Douglas County, Colorado: 60 degrees in March!Steve Scheer, Denver Area Real Estate Today is March 9th.  One of the reasons I love living in Colorado is I can say that it was 60 degrees in Colorado the 1st  full week of March.  Yes, it snows.  Sometimes a lot.  We had our fair share in December and January, and even a bit in February.  But here it is, March 9th and spring is in the air, has been since at least March 5th and looks like it will continue to be through at least next Tuesday.  So, you are thinking of relocating to Colorado and are ready to live the good life?  Perhaps Douglas County in particular?  A little snow (sometimes more than others), a lot of sun?  Yes!  So, prepare yourself, as you will have many days like today and you need to know what you can do on a 60... 03/09/2007

January 12, 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE(For more information contact Sean A. McAleavey at 303/693-4653)            DENVER - Help-U-Sell, the nation's leading "Set-Fee" real estate services  company, has launched a new, informative magazine highlighting the firm's listings in  south metro Denver, including Highlands Ranch, southeast Aurora and areas of  Centennial.  The monthly publication, titled "In the Neighborhood," will reach over  40,000 area households, distributed by Direct Mail and as a monthly insert in the  Highlands Ranch Herald.               In the Neighborhood provides valuable insight into the areas serviced by Help-U-Sell Colorado Homefront offices, and encompasses market statistics such as a complete  list of recently sold homes in the area with square-footage, number of ... 01/13/2007

Homeowners who purchased their residence within the last several years and are now in a position where they need to sell their home for financial reasons, relocation, or any number of other life events may find themselves in a "Short Sale." A "Short Sale" is when the market will not support a price that is equal to or higher than the current owners debt on the property plus any Realtor fees, taxes, and closing costs. In other words, the seller will have to bring money to closing in order to sell the home. Many homeowners who find themselves in this position feel they have no way out of this property and will be forced to allow the mortgagor or trustee to foreclose. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid foreclosure and reduce the damage to their credit ratings.First, lets expand on the "S... 01/13/2007

If you have had your home on the market for several months and haven't seen much activity or any offers, chances are that one or more of the reasons below are to blame.Your price is too highNo doubt about it, the most common reason for a home not selling is that the asking price has been set too high. The reasons for setting your price too high to begin with are many. Ranging from over enthusiastic listing agents to unrealistic seller expectations. Regardless of the reason though, if you've priced your home too high, you've set yourself up for a number of obstacles to selling your home. Even if you do get an offer for the overly high asking price, the deal may fall apart before closing because the buyer may have problems financing at too high a price. Look at other homes for sale, ones ... 01/13/2007

The Five Forces Of Your Market Real estate markets across the country are becoming increasingly tough for sellers and if you live in California, Florida or the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia metro area you've probably seen the biggest turn in the market. But, regardless of where you live, being an educated seller is crucial to making the right decisions about pricing and negotiating. Michael Porter, the renowned Harvard Business School professor developed a model for analyzing competition within an industry. That same model can be adapted and used by sellers to help them understand their market dynamics and put them in a position to make the best decision regarding the sale of their home. Supplier Power is a force exerted by new home builders. Home sales are their business and they h... 01/13/2007

Colorado HomeFinder  has improved our maps of listings. Take Highlands Ranch for example. Users can now browse Highlands Ranch homes for sale with easy to use Google maps- just click for satellite images, and click and drag to move the interactive map. Check out these maps of Highlands Ranch properties for sale: Latest Highlands Ranch real estate listings. Homes in Highlands Ranch 80126Homes in Highlands Ranch 80129Homes in Highlands Ranch 80130Westridge Highlands Ranch HomesFirelight Home ListingsListing Maps for Highlands Ranch SchoolsLisitng Maps by Highlands Ranch New Home BuildersClick here for full list of Highlands Ranch Maps by subdivisions, neighborhoods, zip codes, schools, and homes builders.Auto email notification when new Highlands Ranch Real Estate listings hit the market. 09/05/2006