1-Color
May 8, 2014 Douglas County, Colorado | Volume 27, Issue 25 A publication of
highlandsranchherald.net
Housing market is for sellers Douglas County prices continue to climb as sales increase By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Crews are just beginning concrete repair and grinding work on Dad Clark Drive in Highlands Ranch. The project is expected to be complete in October. Photo by Hannah Garcia
Watch out for those cones Construction season ramps up in Highlands Ranch By Ryan Boldrey
rboldrey@coloradocommunitymedia.com Sidewalk repairs and concrete grinding are already well underway in Highlands Ranch, but three major capital improvement projects still linger on the horizon for area drivers as construction season gets into full swing — and jackhammer. A year removed from a record $18.3 million being spent on construction and road maintenance projects in the community, Douglas County this year has planned to spend between $10 million and $12 million on routine scheduled maintenance and the capital improve-
ment projects, said county spokeswoman Wendy Holmes. “There’s an investment being yet again in the roads in Highlands Ranch,” Holmes said, calling the aforementioned numbers a “conservative estimate.” The capital improvement projects are all still out to bid, but winning bids are expected to be selected and approved later this month, and once they are those numbers will be finalized. Those capital projects awaiting final approval include: • Summit View/Wildcat Reserve Parkway: Workers will conduct utility work at this well-trafficked school zone from May 29 until Aug. 18 as they prepare to expand the intersection in 2015, allowing for more free-flowing traffic during peak hours. • Quebec/C-470 Pedestrian Bridge: Construction is slated to begin on the west side of Quebec Street over C-470 in early June with a target completion date
of Oct. 31. • Quebec/Lincoln/University intersection improvements: Phase 2 of this multi-phase project is set to begin in mid-June and will involve the adding of a northbound right-turn lane from Quebec Street to Lincoln Avenue. Target completion date is Nov. 28. As per routine scheduled maintenance, much of it has already begun. Major grinding projects left over from 2013 that are being completed right now include the bulk of Highlands Ranch Parkway (from just west of Lucent to just west of University), Lucent Blvd. (from C-470 to Broadway) and Plaza Drive (from Lucent to Ridgeline Blvd.). Those projects are all expected to be complete by June 2. Major concrete repair and grinding work that is just getting underway and Cones continues on Page 25
Baby news video goes viral Highlands Ranch family moment has 1.4 million views By Chris Michlewicz
cmichlewicz @coloradocommunitymedia.com Pure joy is an expression that’s universal — and apparently viral. A momentous occasion for a Douglas County family, caught on video, has led to a groundswell of social media sharing and light-hearted news segments. Jacob and Hannah Ouellette, who founded Thrive Church in Parker, wanted to find a creative way to tell their two children about a new addition to the family. Mommy-to-be Hannah Ouellette came up with the idea of putting miniature sonogram images inside plastic eggs in the kids’ Easter baskets, but the hint didn’t immediately click with Faithlyn, 6, and Ethan, 3. So when dad revealed the news that “mommy’s going to have a baby,” the reaction was swift and priceless. First came the surprised looks on their faces, then Faithlyn confirming that she
Ron and Jill Olds were hoping for the best when they put their Castle Rock home on the market this April. After being told by a real estate agent a few years back they couldn’t get a penny more than $179,000, they decided to wait for the market to come back. Earlier this year, they decided they were ready to find their retirement home out in the country, and their agent encouraged them to list their three-bedroom Founders Village home at $225,000. They were hoping going in that high, they could get somewhere around $217,000. They also hoped they wouldn’t be sitting on it too long as they were starting to see properties they liked and weren’t sure how long those homes would stay on the market in what has quickly become a seller’s market. The Olds didn’t realize how much of a seller’s market it truly has become. The first day their house was on the market, the couple headed out for the day as a steady parade of real estate agents brought eight potential buyers to the house in the morning and their agent saw another 20 prospective buyers during an afternoon open house. At day’s end, the Olds had four offers on their home, all above list price. The highest bid had an escalation clause built in agreeing to pay as much as $240,000. “I was shocked,” Ron Olds said. “I didn’t believe it. Things don’t work like that for me. “I’m the one that buys high and sells low. A couple of years ago houses were selling for around $150,000 here and we couldn’t move, we couldn’t do anything.” Highlands Ranch-based broker Sean Reilly said he has seen more and more of these types of situations recently. Having been on both sides of the phenomenon, Reilly has watched a house he’s listed pick up 11 offers in three days, and he’s also had clients who have missed out on homes despite offering more than $15,000 over list price. “It’s a great time to sell, but a challenge to buy right now,” Reilly said. “If it is priced right, it’s going to go quick. If it’s in the ballpark, you better make a strong offer or otherwise you are going to miss out.” With confidence in the market having Housing continues on Page 26
DOUGLAS COUNTY HOUSING STATISTICS First Quarter of
2013
2014
• Average Sales Price
$383,169
$407,711
• Active Listings
1,451
1,159
• New Listings
1,868
1,830
69
54
• Avg. days on Market
Hannah and Jacob Ouellette, who founded Thrive Church in Parker, surprised their kids, Faithlyn, 6, and Ethan, 3, with baby news and footage of the moment has gone viral on YouTube, racking up 1.4 million views as of May 5. Courtesy photo heard correctly. Following that was a jubilant squeal of laughter and excitement that captured the hearts of viewers. Faithlyn, who had been begging for another sibling, hugs her mom and finishes the
1-minute, 46-second video by adorably stating, “I can’t thank you enough!” For many, hitting the share button from there Baby continues on Page 25
Data provided by Metrolist
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