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Real Estate Boom: Strike While the Iron is Hot
Historically low rates have spawned a real estate boom in Douglas County
BY AMY DENICOLO
Colorado’s real estate boom has been cause for many headlines this year and the experts will tell you that the market hasn’t even peaked yet. The boom arrived as a result of historically low interest rates, changing homeowner needs, and a mass exodus from large cities by a new generation of buyers.
Colorado has long been a vacation destination for many, but with increasing numbers of tech companies moving to the Denver Metro area, work from home jobs, and 300 days of sunshine per year, we are seeing large numbers of people relocating to the state. For many people moving from metro markets like San Francisco, Colorado real estate prices are affordable and “site unseen, cash offers” are becoming a norm.
Those of us who have lived in Parker, Castle Rock, or South Aurora, have seen new neighborhoods popping up for two decades. These three cities are the fastest growing cities in Colorado, considering just five years ago, these areas were 7-9% smaller than they are currently. This has given way to beautifully planned developments, parks, award winning schools, and phenomenal economic growth. Realtors familiar with these areas will tell you that while it’s a seller’s market, due to historically low interest rates it’s a win for buyers as well. With today’s rates, buyers who may not have been able to purchase a year ago are now able to realize their dream of home ownership while move-up buyers are able to qualify for a higher purchase price than expected.
While the winter months are typically slower in real estate, historically low interest rates and growing home equity and demand have many buyers considering new construction. As realtors prepare for a busy spring real estate season, sellers who list their homes have little competition as Colorado is experiencing extremely low housing inventory. Many current homeowners are taking advantage of the significant increase in home equity they have gained in recent years and moving up to design their dream homes in one of the new award-winning, master planned communities.
Let’s take a closer look at three such neighborhoods in Parker, Castle Rock, and South Aurora, and what the driving force is that makes these communities so popular.
TRAILS AT CROWFOOT
Parker, Colorado - pop. 61,492
#2 Best Places to Live in America (2020 Money.com)
#6 Best Places to Work from Home (2020 Money.com)
#1 Healthiest Counties in America (2020 US World & Report)
#6 Wealthiest Communities in America
#7 Fastest Growing Communities in Colorado (2020 Census)
Surrounded by more than 100 acres of open space, 4 miles of looped trails, several pocket parks, and resort style amenities, this new Parker community will feature 890 residential homes and the 17-acre “Trails Great Park,” a new public park owned and operated by the Town of Parker. Trails Great Park will include baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis/ pickleball courts, 9 hole disk golf, and play and shade structures.
And for those living in the Trails community, an enormous clubhouse and pools, complete with cabanas to lounge in, will complete the development.
The Trails at Crowfoot and its neighboring communities, Anthology, Meadow Lark, Stepping Stone, The Timbers, and Stone Creek Ranch will complete the most recent housing developments in the Parker area. With through access to Parker Road via North Pinery Parkway almost completed, and quick access to Parker, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, and Franktown, the homes in the Trails at Crowfoot community are the talk of the town.
Five homebuilders in the Trails at Crowfoot community including Epic Homes, Tri Pointe, Taylor Morrison, DR Horton, and KB Homes, give future residents several floorplan and pricing options starting in the low $400k’s to the mid $900k’s.
We were fortunate to be invited to explore this community by two of its builders, Epic Homes and Tri Pointe homes, who combined have sold over 40 new homes in the past two months.
Upon our visit to Epic Homes' newest model, Craig Dunkelberger, Sales Director, told us:
And hypnotize it did! We left the model home awestruck by both the beauty of the finishes and open space to the thoughtfulness that went into planning each feature of the home. No doubt, justifying all the “talk” of this new Parker community.
CRYSTAL VALLEY
Castle Rock, Colorado - pop. 75,452
#1 Place to find a job in Colorado (Nerdwallet)
#6 Best Places to Work from Home (2020 Money.com)
#1 Healthiest Counties in America (2020 US World & Report)
#4 Best Place to Live (Money Magazine 2011, 2012, 2014)
#4 Fastest Growing Cities in Colorado (2020 Census)
#14 Fastest Growing Cities (US Census Bureau 2018)
As one of the nation’s fastest growing cities, Castle Rock’s new “Top 5 Master Planned Community,”Crystal Valley is just minutes from the heart of Castle Rock and boasts access to more than 600 acres of open space and hiking and biking trails. Their motto, “The Nature of Happiness,” encompasses all that this community offers its residents… gorgeous homes built to take in all that we love about Colorado living.
With four builders currently offering homes in this community, including Century Homes, Richmond, DR Horton, Kauffman Homes, and prices starting in the low $400k’s to the mid $700k’s, this community strives to give families the feeling of being outside of the city while being just five minutes from downtown Castle Rock and less than 30 minutes from the Denver Tech Center. Crystal Valley offers its residents the newly completed Pinnacle Park with outdoor sport courts, amphitheater, dog park, and play areas. And Pinnacle Rec center is a YMCA-operated program, which includes swimming and group fitness classes, as well as seasonal community activities.
With construction of a new interchange at Interstate 25 and Crystal Valley Parkway, “the town’s No. 1 transportation priority," gives residents the added benefit of an easier commute.
With two decades of experience and four new construction homes under contract in the past couple of weeks, Realtor® and new construction expert, Medra Volpi, explains how it may make sense to take advantage of the current low inventory and list your home for sale, even if it results in a double move.
SOUTH SHORE
Aurora, Colorado - pop. 388,783
#24 Best Park Systems in the United States
#17 Cities Where Millennials are Moving (2020 SmartAsset)
#12 Hardest Working Cities in America (2020 WalletHub)
#21 Best Large Cities to Start a Business & Best Large City to Live in (WalletHub)
#1 Best-Run City in Colorado (WalletHub)
#3 Hottest Housing Market in the Country (Redfin)
#7 Cities to Buy a Family Home (Smart Asset)
#25 Best Cities for Young Professionals (Smart Asset)
#24 Cities with the Best Public Schools (Niche)
South Aurora is home to Colorado’s largest Lifestyle District, Southlands. This area is a perfectly planned district of residential living, outdoor activities, retail and dining, award winning Fitzsimmons Medical Center, and Cherry Creek schools, along with easy access to DIA, Buckley AFB, Denver Tech Center, and neighboring Parker communities.
There are many communities that make up the Southlands District, one of the biggest and most popular is Southshore. Since 2005, Southshore has offered its residents “Life at the Lake.” A “Top 5 Colorado Master Planned Community” and a rare find in Colorado’s dry climate, this lakefront community seems to have it all. Three builders continue to offer new construction homes here: Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison, and Richmond, with prices ranging from the mid $400k’s to mid $800k’s.
There are many things that draw homebuyers to this community. For starters, the Aurora Reservoir is one of the cleanest in the country and has its own collection of awards and accolades. Surrounding the lake is an 8-mile looped trail where you’ll find residents biking and jogging as they access the lake and trail system from several access points throughout the various neighborhoods. On its banks sits Southshore’s Boathouse, a popular hangout for residents to picnic and fish. You’ll also discover Sandy Beaches, Southshore’s own non-motorized marina. Pick up your dive gear and dive in to discover a mock airplane wreckage under the waves or head over to Senac Pond where you can paddle board, canoe, and pedal boat.
Touting resort-style amenities, the newest 9000 sq. ft. addition, The Lighthouse, is set to open this Spring. In the meantime, residents continue to enjoy The Lakehouse for swimming in the saltwater pool, firepits, movie nights in the theater, childcare, and community events.