West + Main Homes - Issue 02 - Fall/Autumn 2017

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Volume for

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Guide

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A New Outlook on Colorado Real Estate

ABOUT

T H A N K YO U

From the mountains to downtown, and everywhere in between, our philosophy is simple: clients come f irst. We believe that if you’re not left with an amazing experience, we haven’t done our job.

Thank you for the opportunity to equip you with helpful information regarding purchasing and selling Colorado Real Estate. We not only specialize in Central Colorado’s awesome + diverse communities...we live + play here, too! So, we’ve also included several guides to help you make the most of living in the Mile High City and surrounding suburbs...whether you’re a born-andbred local or are just getting to know our beautiful state, we hope that you will f ind it useful. Want a recommendation or need a resource? Contact us, we’re here to help with whatever you might need.

With our extensive knowledge of Colorado real estate, as well as the Denver Metro area’s many cities and neighborhoods, you can rest assured that you are working with some of the most knowledgable and experienced agents in the business. West + Main’s commitment is to provide only the best and most timely information to our clients. We are your go-to source for Denver area insight and advice.

Volume 02 No. 01 Autumn 2017

CO N T E N T S

BUYERS

RESOURCES

03 T H E H O M E B U Y I N G P R OC E S S

2 2 S C H OO L G U I D E

1 1 Steps to a New Home

Denver Area’s 18 School Districts

08

BUYER INSPECTIONS

2 6

SKI RESORTS

What You Need to Know

Winter is Always on our Mind

09 E S C R OW T I M E L I N E

P lus Common Buyer’s Costs

2 9 1 0 B E S T H I K I N G T R A I L S

Check Out Our Favorite Spots

SELLERS 14

OUR PROMISE

We Work for You

16

S E L L I N G YO U R P R O P E R T Y

Trust Us to Tell the Story of Your Home

19 O U R S E R V I C E S

What We Provide

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TH E HOME BUYIN G PROCESS Everything You Need to Know

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Buying a home can be a fun and exciting process, but it can also be very stressful. Understanding the process can really help to make a smooth and successful transition.

1. 2 .

FIND A REALTOR ® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER Selecting a great team to represent you in the purchase of your new home is critical. There are many great realtors out there, but choosing the one to work with is the most underestimated step in the process. Buying a home is often the largest, most important purchase a family makes. You deserve to be represented by a team who is adept at navigating all the intricacies of the identif ication of the right property, the negotiation, the transaction, and as well as the closing. Our team is made up of exceptionally well trained, full-time, local experts who will walk you through the process.

Our f iduciary duty is to put your interests - f inancial and otherwise above everyone else’s, including our own. When we agree to work together, it requires clear lines of communication both way. Our clients love us because we will talk them out of purchasing a property that is not right for them just as fast as we will encourage them to buy one that is right for them.

Customizing your unique property search provides you with information on homes that are most relevant to your buying experience, without inundating you with information that is not pertinent to your specif ic situation.

THE HOME INTERVIEW Listening is one of our superpowers. This isn’t just going to the car lot and picking either a red one or a blue one. We consider ourselves “professional real estate matchmakers” when it comes to fulf illing our clients wants and needs. It’s not just about how many beds and baths you want. We want to f ind out what’s important to you about having a larger backyard or a mountain view. It’s about sitting down together and taking the time to discover what “the perfect home” looks like for you.

3.

FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL Whether you’re paying cash or seeking f inancing, the conversation about how we’re going to get from point A to point B is an important one. If getting a loan, sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds for the stated down payment and closing costs. If paying cash, sellers want to see proof of funds suff icient to complete the transaction.

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COMMON PRE-APPROVAL NEEDS LIST: Most lenders will need these items to get you preapproved for your home loan.

repairs, renovations, and perhaps some new furniture.

We can recommend excellent Mortgage Brokers to help you with this very important step in the home buying process.

• the last 2 years tax returns

4.

• copies of your most recent paystubs

LET’S GO SHOPPING (THE FUN PART)

• permission to run your credit

Now the fun part begins. We get to go shopping.

Based on your criteria, we’ll be on the hunt for homes which we think might be a good match. We’ll send you properties to consider and you can send us properties which catch your eye as well. If you have any questions or would like us to adjust the parameters of your search, just let us know. We are constantly networking with other top agents in the area to f ind coming soon and pocket listings (listings not yet available to the public). If your ideal home isn’t on the market, we’ll go f ind it.

• proof of funds (showing down payment, closing costs and possibly reserves)

MONTHLY COSTS OF OWNING A HOME: • mortgage (principal and interest) • property taxes • insurance

5.

• utilities

SUBMIT THE OFFER

• maintenance • homeowners association fees (if any)

HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD? Knowing your true budget is very important when buying a home. To determine how much house you can afford, it’s best to start by asking yourself what total monthly payment you are comfortable with. That number, combined with the interest rate and down payment will determine your baseline. We will consult with you and walk you through the process of deciding which f inancing options are best for your particular situation. Don’t leave yourself short; set aside some money for moving expenses,

Depending on the market, there are many different strategies on how to approach writing the offer. We are experts in helping you craft the best offer to have the greatest chance of getting accepted. In a multipleoffer situation, there are many things we can do to structure a more attractive offer for the seller. These races are often won by inches, not by miles. In a slower market, we can be more aggressive with our approach.

Typically, most offers are written so the buyer has to put an initial deposit (sometimes called “earnest money deposit” or EMD) a small percentage of the purchase price into escrow. This shows the seller that you have skin in the game.

We will give you a sample purchase agreement to read ahead of time so you can ask us any questions you might have. This saves time when it’s go time.

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6.

8.

NEGOTIATE THE OFFER

REMOVE CONTINGENCIES

Whenever possible, we will present your offer in-person to the seller or the listing agent. Unless we’re told otherwise, our goal is always to get your offer accepted at the lowest possible price and the most favorable terms. The seller can accept, reject, counter, or ignore your offer. Usually, we can expect a counter.

Contingencies are essentially conditions or the purchaser’s ways of terminating the contract without losing any of the earnest money deposit. If you are comfortable with the condition of the property and the appraisal and loan are approved, then it’s time to remove all contingencies. Contingencies can be removed one at a time or all at once. This is VERY IMPORTANT! If you remove all of your remaining contingencies and, for whatever reason, don’t proceed with the transaction, you are putting your earnest money deposit (usually 3% of the purchase price) at risk. Most buyers elect to do a f inal walk through before loan docs go to the title company and for you to come in for signing. This is done to verify the condition of the property and to make sure that any repair items agreed to were performed to your satisfaction.

7.

DUE DILIGENCE Most offers will be written with an investigation contingency. This due diligence period is the time when you can perform inspections on the property and get comfortable with exactly what it is you are buying. We strongly recommend you attend the inspections. The average inspection takes about 3 hours. This is your opportunity to put the property under a microscope and discover if anything is wrong with it. You will receive disclosures from the seller to learn about the history of the property. With a condo or townhouse, there will also likely be homeowners association documents and CC&R’s (covenants, conditions & restrictions) to read through and approve.

If there are any unforeseen health and safety issues with the property that were not apparent when we submitted the offer, we can prepare an Inspection Objection. The seller is under no obligation to address these concerns, but it is essentially a 2nd round of negotiations. We will walk you through the process, have detailed conversations and provide advice about how we think you should proceed.

9.

LOAN DOCUMENTS You’re almost home. Now that you know you’re moving forward with the transaction, the remaining steps are for your lender to prepare the loan docs for your review. You will be expected to deliver your down payment when you come to the closing.

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1. 2 .

FIND A REALTOR ® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER.

1 0.

BEFORE MOVE IN: Selecting a YOU great team to represent you in the purchase of your new home is critical. There are many great UTILITIES realtors out there, but choosing who to work with is the most underestimated step in the process. Buying Don’t to order the utilities to be turned on in a homeforget is often the largest, most important purchase your name starting the day of possession.

This includes a family can make. You deserve to be represented by a your cable, at internet, power, water and gas of the team phone, who is adept navigating all the intricacies services.

Also, remember to cancel the utilities at your identif ication of the right property, the negotiation, previous residence. the transaction as well as the closing. Our team is made up of exceptionally welltrained, full-time local MOVERS experts who will walk you through the process. Our f iduciary duty is to put your interests (f inancial and If you are using movers, book early.

They otherwise) aboveprofessional everyone else’s (including our own). are often booked several weeks out.

When we agree to work together, it requires clear lines of communication both way. Our clients love us MAIL becauseFORWARDING we will talk them out of purchasing a property that is not right for them just as fast as we will talk Gather all one yourthat bills,is statements, tax information, them into right for them.

Customizing your healthcare information, and anything you make unique property search provides you with information automatic payments on.

Sit down and make a list of on homes that are most relevant to your buying these thingswithout early, because you don’t wantinformation to forget any. experience, inundating you with It’s time to start giving out your new mailing that is not pertinent to your specif ic situation.address.

You might also want to have your mail forwarded through the post off ice.

THE HOME INTERVIEW. Listening is one of our super-powers. This isn’t just going to the car lot and picking either a red one or a blue one. We consider ourselves “professional real CLEANING estate matchmakers” when it comes to discussing our clientspeople wants want and needs.

It’sinto not ajust about howhome. many Most to move freshly clean beds and baths want. Wea want to f ind what’s Now is the timeyou to schedule cleaning crewout to give the important to you about having a larger backyard or property a good, deep cleaning before moving in. an ocean view. It’s about sitting down and really taking the time to discover what “the perfect home” looks like for you.

11.

3.

MOVING DAY! FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL. Finally, the day we have all been waiting for! Once Whether paying cashand or possession seeking f inancing, the you have you’re received the keys is off icially conversationyou about we’re going to get from point transferred, are how free to move in and enjoy your new A to point B is an important one.

If getting a loan, home. sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds for the stated downpayment and closing costs. If paying cash, sellers want to see proof of funds suff icient to complete the transaction.

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SECTION ONE

B U Y E R I N S P E C T I O N S It’s critical to take advantage of the opportunity to perform routine inspections on a property you are considering purchasing. Inspectors are experienced, trained professionals hired to put the house under a microscope and find common problems, malfunctions and/or defects in the property.

Below is a list of some of the inspections buyers may choose to do:

• PHYSICAL INSPECTION • RADON INSPECTION • SEWER LINE SCOPING • ROOF INSPECTION • STRUCTURAL OR GEOLOGICAL INSPECTION • HVAC INSPECTION

REQUEST FOR REPAIRS The next step is to review the reports and decide whether or not there are any unforeseen health and safety items we’d like to ask the seller to correct.

Although this is often the 2nd round of negotiations between buyers and sellers, it’s also a time when deals come to a stalemate. Here we recommend keeping the big picture in mind.

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T Y P I C A L C L O S I N G T I M E L I N E A title company is a neutral third party whose primary job is to prepare and execute the mutual instructions of the parties involved for closing. They insure free & clear title & prepare all docs for closing. Here is a typical timeline for an escrow:

TYPICAL BUYER CLOSING COSTS Although everything is negotiable in real estate, a buyer can generally expect to pay for many of these common buyer’s closing costs: • • • • • • • • • • •

“lender’s” title insurance policy premium title closing fee document preparation (if applicable) recording charges for all documents in buyer’s name all new loan charges (except those required by lender for seller to pay) interest on new loan from date of funding to 30 days prior to f irst payment date assumption or change of records fee for takeover of existing loan benef iciary statement fee for assumption of existing loan inspection fees home warranty (def ined by contract) city transfer or conveyance tax (def ined by contract)

ACCEPTANCE DATE - All milestones in the timeline start from the Date Of Acceptance which occurs when the executed purchase agreement is delivered to the other party.

EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT - Also called the “Initial Deposit” is usually due 24 hrs after acceptance.

SELLERS DISCLOSURES - Usually due 7 days after acceptance.

BUYER’S INVESTIGATION - Buyer completes all due diligence, inspections and approves of reports such as disclosures and homeowner’s association rules.

CONTINGENCY REMOVAL - When satisf ied, buyer removes inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, loan contingency and any others. It is very important to discuss the removal of contingencies with your agent because at some point, the earnest money deposit could be at risk, if the buyer doesn’t proceed with the transaction and no longer has any contingencies in place.

FINAL WALKTHROUGH - This is the buyer’s opportunity to verify that the property is in substantially the same condition as when they f irst wrote the offer. This usually occurs within 5 days of the expected closing date.

LOAN DOCS - Buyer signs loan docs at the closing table, having had the chance to review them in advance.

LOAN FUNDS - The lender receives the loan docs and funds the loan.

POSSESSION - Keys are typically transferred to the buyer at the closing table, unless there is delayed possession or a rent-back that has been agreed upon.

Buyer’s Responsibility Other’s Responsibility

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Buyer & Other’s Responsibility

SECTION TWO

THE HOME S EL L IN G PROCESS Get Top Dollar with Top-Notch Marketing

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OUR PROMISE We promise to provide our clients a world-class experience from start to finish and continuously overdeliver. We promise to provide exceptional customer experience that will have every client we work with singing our praises. We want to make sure that the next time our clients hear of someone looking for an incredible REALTOR®, that our name is sure to come up. If you’re waving your arms and shouting our name, then we know we’ve lived up to our promise. Client referrals mean the world to us, because they mean that we made an impact on our clients’ lives.

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S E L L I N G YO U R CO L O R A DO P R O P E R T Y Selling your Colorado Property You made a great investment in your Colorado property, and whether you have owned it for just a few months or for years or even decades, we consider it our goal to make sure that you sell it quickly, and for the highest profit possible. We don’t stop there, though… we also strive to provide West + Main clients with a smooth transaction, as little hassle as possible, and a seamless process with transparent and constant communication.

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WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

PRICING + POSITIONING YOUR PROPERTY

Honest advice. From preparing your home for sale to handing over the keys to the property’s new owners, we are here at every step, bump, and curve in the journey.

One thing we say over and over again is “Don’t trust the estimate.” Even though Zillow, Trulia and other Real Estate marketing platforms might pop out a number for your property, it’s always better to have a local professional tour your home, consider all of the factors involved, and run a detailed analysis in order to make sure your home is perfectly positioned for the market. Speaking of positioning…did you know that there are very drastic differences in numbers of showings, multiple offer potential, and even escrow timelines depending on which day and week you choose to list your Colorado property? We keep a close eye on the statistics, annual histories, and many other factors in order to make sure that your house hits the market at exactly the right time - and it’s not the same for every type of home, neighborhood, or city! Listing at the non-optimal time can cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in potential prof it.

The West + Main Selling Strategy: PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY FOR SALE You might keep your home looking like a designer showroom every day…if that’s the case, great! Let’s put a sign in the yard and let the showings begin! But, if you’re like most of the people that we work with, you have a little work to do f irst. This might involve: • decluttering + depersonalizing • minor touchups • small repairs • staging • deep cleaning and, in some cases, it might even mean some cosmetic upgrades or even remodeling.

Every situation is different, and depending on your Real Estate goals, it might take a few days or even weeks to get your house ready, and that’s totally ok with us. We have a large network of contractors and professionals who have done a great job for our clients and our agents…if you need a recommendation or referral for a plumber, electrician, painter, handyman, etc, just let us know, we will be happy to make an introduction or pass along their information.

NEED TO SELL AS-IS, QUICKLY, OR EVEN OFF-MARKET? WE CAN HELP WITH THAT AS WELL. We are always happy to create a Comparative Market Analysis for your property so that you will have an idea of where you stand f inancially, and we will also generate an Estimated Net Sheet so that you can see every line item and cost involved, as well as your potential bottom line prof it. Pricing is another important factor.

MARKETING MATTERS Our in-house marketing department is a team of seasoned professionals who are passionate about making sure your home’s story is seen + heard by potential homebuyers. From beautiful f lyers to expertly crafted property descriptions and photos, our goal is to target your property’s audience with attention-catching materials that get doors unlocked. This might include targeted online advertising, print materials, highlighted exposure in our widely distributed newsletters, feature placement on our blog + website, and more. Every home’s story is special + unique…we can’t wait to tell yours.

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EXPERT NEGOTIATION

3.

The best contract for your situation might not always be the highest price…we will help you consider all of the factors involved so that you not only go under contract but also make it to the closing table. This might include considering the best dates + deadlines for your timeline, as well as provisions like waived inspections or offers that include appraisal gap coverage.

If you need to find a replacement property or would like to have the option to rent your home back for a few days or even weeks after closing, that is also something that we consider when reviewing and negotiating offers to purchase your home.

SELLERS DISCLOSURES Usually due 7 days after acceptance, but it’s a good idea for Seller to get these completed to the best of their knowledge ASAP.

4.

BUYER’S INVESTIGATION Seller allows Buyer to complete all due diligence, property inspections and reports such as disclosures and homeowner’s association rules. Often, these investigations lead to another round of negotiations.

TRANSACTION MANAGEMENT Once you’re Under Contract, we work to keep everything on track + moving forward as smoothly as possible. From important Dates + Deadlines to coordinating with your Buyer’s Agent, Lender, and the Title Company...there are a lot of moving pieces + parts involved.

1.

5.

CONTINGENCY REMOVAL When satisf ied, Buyer removes inspection contingency, appraisal contingency, loan contingency and any other deadlines. Once all deadlines have passed, Buyer’s earnest money becomes non-refundable.

6.

ACCEPTANCE DATE All milestones in the contract start from the Date Of Acceptance which occurs when the executed purchase agreement is signed by all involved parties.

2.

FINAL WALKTHROUGH Seller allows Buyer to verify that the property is in substantially the same condition as when they f irst wrote the offer by walking the property. This usually occurs within 5 days of the expected closing date.

EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT

7.

Also called the “Initial Deposit” is usually due 24 hrs after acceptance and will be deposited in an escrow account and applied to the Down Payment at time of purchase.

CLOSING + POSSESION Seller and Buyer typically meet at the closing table to sign all property transfer documentation. Keys are typically transferred to the Buyer at the closing table, unless there is delayed possession or a rent-back that has been agreed upon.

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Trust us to tell the story of your home.

We think Colorado sellers should expect more from their real estate selling experience and we strive to make the process as easy + smooth as possible.

THE WEST + MAIN HOMES TEAM PROVIDES:

More Experience and Expertise

More Negotiating Skills

The combined experience of a team of top-notch agents and expertise in staging, marketing and negotiation

T0p-notch pricing and negotiation skills from a team of experienced agents who know the Central Colorado market

More Services

A Better Experience

Assisted home preparation, professional cleaning and staging, and more

Formal seller onboarding process so our sellers always know what to expect, and assistance at every step in the process

More Marketing

We Help Buyers Fall In Love.

HDR photography, f loor plans and even drone tours if appropriate, with unparalleled reach and exposure, including targeted advertising and a strategic mtarketing strategy for each property we sell. Custom collateral designed for every listing by our in-house design team

We connect emotionally with your target Buyer through outstanding photography, f loor plans/video/ interactive tours and targeted copywriting. Our goal is to make Buyers fall in love with your home before they ever walk in the door

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RESOURCE GUIDE Living in Colorado

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D E N V E R A R E A S C H OO L S The Greater Denver Metro Area is fortunate to have many good schools. In the metro area there are 18 different school districts. Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

A DA M S CO U N T Y S C H OO L D I S T R I C T 1 4 :

Adams County School District 14 has 6900 students and includes Commerce City, parts of Thornton and unincorporated Adams County. As a choice school district, the faculty and staff of Adams County School District works hard to improve academic achievement among students with classes in music, arts and offering state-of-the-art technology throughout the district.

Adams County School District 14 encompasses many established neighborhoods and even more new neighborhoods. Recognizable communities are Reunion and Turnberry. This Northeastern area is very convenient to Downtown Denver and DIA (Denver International Airport).

303.853.3333 • www.adams14.org/

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“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

- Malcom X

A DA M S 12 F I V E S TA R S C H OO L S :

C H E R R Y C R E E K S C H OO L D I S T R I C T :

Located on the northern side of the Denver metro area, the Adams 12 Five Star School District has 37,000 students in 49 buildings and serves f ive cities: Broomf ield, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster. Adams Five Star Schools offers students countless opportunities including Internet Safety Night, Hispanic Awards Programs, and Colorado’s f irst hybrid school bus. Adams 12 district offers real estate opportunities that are both affordable and available, housing here had the lowest price in the metro district. The district is very convenient to people employed in the Denver-Boulder corridor and Interlocken. Adams 12 Five Star District is close to the new Conoco Philips Facility, where 7000 people will be employed over the next few years.

A large district, with a total of 58 schools and many varied programs, the Cherry Creek School District provides nearly 49,000 students a quality education dedicated to excellence, greater student achievement and building character. Their mission is “to inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care.” Cherry Creek Schools serves the southeast Denver metro area in Arapahoe County, includes the neighborhoods of Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village, Centennial and SE Aurora. Real estate in these areas is readily available to include both new and resale homes.

Prices are on the higher end of the scale as the Cherry Creek District is located in a very inf luential zip code.

303-773-1184 • www.cherrycreekschools.org

720-972-4000 • www.adams12.org

AU R O R A P U B L I C S C H OO L S :

D E N V E R P U B L I C S C H OO L S :

The sixth largest school district in Colorado, the Aurora Public Schools serve approximately 32,000 students from over 100 different countries, making it one of the most diverse districts in the state. VISTA 2010 is Aurora School District’s plan to graduate every student with the option to go to college without remediation. Real estate opportunities in the Aurora School District are as diverse as the area. Homes in every price range and size in established or brand new neighborhoods can be found. Aurora is home to the Anschutz Campus and the BioMed Technology Park at Fitzsimons. It also is home to metro Denver’s only military base, Buckley Air Force Base. DIA (although is actually in Denver) is very close to Aurora too.

Established in 1902, the Denver Public Schools system serves the city and county of Denver and approximately 73,500 students. With 73 elementary schools, 17 middle schools and 14 high schools, the Denver Public Schools system is widely recognized to be one of the best urban school systems in the country. DPS is a District of Choice and as a trend setter, DPS rewards teacher incentives based on student growth on the CSAP test. Choices in Denver living are deeply diverse, single family homes close to the city, urbanites can live in condos, lofts and high rises. No matter which neighborhood you choose, we can guarantee a park will be within a reasonable walking distance. Denver is known as “the city in a park.”

303-344-8060 • aurorak12.org

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DO U G L A S CO U N T Y S C H OO L D I S T R I C T :

Educating more than 50,000 students, the Douglas County School District is the third largest district in the state with its 41 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and eight high schools. Douglas County Schools have a strong reputation for helping students obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to becoming active and contributing members of society. Over 16,000 parents and community members volunteer their time to help Douglas County School District continue to provide the highest and best education possible. Homes in Douglas County are located either in rural areas or larger communities, Highlands Ranch, Parker and Castle Rock. Douglas County is known for its dedication to open space.

housing options are city-close communities of resale homes. Englewood has a town center located by the RTD Light Rail Station. It is very well situated for employment centers of Downtown Denver and the Denver Tech Center.

303-761-7050 • www.englewoodschools.net

303-387-0100 • www.dcsdk12.org

E L I Z A B E T H S C H OO L D I S T R I C T :

Serving nearly 2,900 students, the Elizabeth School District provides a safe and secure learning environment at all of its six campuses including a preschool, two elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. Elizabeth School District offers hot lunch in its rural schools. The district is proud of the fact it’s students perform higher than state and national averages on ACTs. Real estate choices in the district can be either in the small town of Elizabeth or the rural reaches of small acreages/ranches.

303-646-1836 • www.elizabeth.k12.co.us

E N G L E W OO D S C H OO L S :

Educating students in 9 schools, Englewood Schools Strategic Plan: the mission of the Englewood Schools, dedicated to caring, progressive, community-centered schools is to develop the full potential of all students as contributing members of a rapidly changing world through academically excellent educational programs.

Englewood is located just south of Downtown Denver,

J E F F E R S O N CO U N T Y P U B L I C S C H OO L S :

Jefferson County Public School(s) is the largest school district in Colorado, serves more than 84,000 students with 148 schools. The faculty and staff of the school district are highly qualif ied; over 58% have Masters Degrees. The district is segmented into 17 articulation areas (feeder schools) each comprising one to two high schools and their feeder elementary/middle schools.

Jefferson County is often referred to as “Jeffco”. It is a huge county encompassing neighborhoods in west metro Denver, up the foothills of Morrison, Golden and Genesee, and into the mountain communities of Evergreen and Conifer. As one would imagine, living choices are equally diverse in both style and price.

303-982-6500 • www.jeffcopublicschools.org

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L I T T L E TO N P U B L I C S C H OO L S :

M A P L E TO N P U B L I C S C H OO L S :

Located south of downtown Denver, Littleton Public Schools serves the majority of the City of Littleton, Town of Columbine Valley, and portions of the municipalities of Bow Mar, Centennial, Greenwood Village, and Englewood. Littleton Public School District educates approximately 16,000 students in 15 elementary schools (K-5), four middle schools (6-8), and three high schools (9-12). LPS also offers three alternative education schools and two charter schools (K-8). In addition to preschool and half- or full-day kindergarten, the Village 2 & Under Program serves children ages six weeks to three years and is the f irst of its kind in Colorado to be aff iliated with a public school district. LPS is continually ranking at the top of the Colorado School Accountability Charts.

Housing choices in Littleton are generally limited to resale homes, but newer homes to the southern border are available. Littleton is convenient to employment centers in downtown Denver, Englewood, Denver Tech Center and Lockheed Martin.

Serving nearly 6,000 children, Mapleton District has been educating children for over 50 years! The district engages not just the children but also the parents in order to create the best learning environment for life success. The District covers 18 square miles serving suburban, rural, and light industrial communities.

Sixteen schools located in the Thornton area work together to provide an outstanding education experience for their students. Opportunities for housing cover both new and resale homes in mostly a suburban setting.

303-853-1000 • www.mapleton.us

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SECTION THREE

“The mountains are calling and I must go...”

- John Muir

CO L O R A DO S K I R E S O R T S

Loveland

Arapahoe Basin Aspen Highlands (Aspen)

Monarch Mountain

Aspen Mountain (Aspen) (formerly Ajax)

Powderhorn Resort

Beaver Creek

Purgatory Resort

Breckenridge

Silverton Mountain

Buttermilk (Aspen)

Ski Cooper

Chapman Hill Ski Area

Ski Granby Ranch

Copper Mountain

Snowmass (Aspen)

Crested Butte

Steamboat

Echo Mountain Park

Sunlight

Eldora

Telluride

Hesperus Ski Area

Vail

Howelsen Hill

Winter Park/Mary Jane

Kendall Mountain

Wolf Creek

Keystone

For more info visit coloradoski.com Volume 02 No. 01 Autumn 2017

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Volume 02 No. 01 Autumn 2017

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10 B E S T H I K I N G TRAILS

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OUZEL FALLS

Colorado is all about majestic beauty, and while there are truly memorable hikes in places like Maroon Bells near Aspen, there are also lots of great day hikes near Denver, featuring everything from alpine lakes and wildf lower meadows to red-rock formations and panoramic vistas.

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MILLS LAKE The hike to Mills Lake is one of the most scenic in Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a moderate 5.3 mile round-trip trek that winds past Alberta Falls, a mesmerizing 30-foot waterfall that’s one of the park’s most popular features, with people gathering to snack on backpack picnics while sitting on rocks near the tumbling waters.

The trail crosses the footbridge over Glacier Creek, and when you reach Mills Lake, it’s a beautiful place to picnic and savor the view. The alpine lake is fringed by such peaks as the 13,497-foot Pagoda Mountain, the 12,668-foot Thatchtop Mountain and the 13,579-foot Chiefs Head Peak.

The rare and delicate Calypso Orchid can be spotted on a wildf lower hike to Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. Also called the fairy slipper orchid, this wildf lower isn’t always easy to f ind — it often hides beneath trees, tucked into shady spots.

Fellow hikers who f ind them are eager to show them off. Late June and early July is the best time to see the calypso orchid. But there are dozens of other wildf lowers to see on this round-trip hike, which is about 3.6 miles to Calypso Cascades and 5.4 miles to Ouzel Falls.

This moderate hike starts on a relatively f lat path, passing meadows with wildf lowers, then winding up a gentle incline. Eventually the trail gets steeper, with steps and risers to help hikers ascend to Ouzel Falls, a 40-foot waterfall that sits at an elevation of 9,370 feet.

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BEAR CREEK TRAIL Bear Creek Trail at Lair o’ the Bear Park near Morrison is an easy, shady trail that’s popular with families because it’s got so much to offer. There’s plenty of shade, easy f lat trails, woodlands and the cool burbling waters of Bear Creek, which attract anglers. There are also loads of wildf lowers growing near the creek alongside cottonwood and box elders.

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ROYAL ARCH TRAIL

GOLDEN GATE CANYON

For many hikers, the destination of this trail is The Royal Arch, a 20-foot span of sandstone that soars overhead. The view from this spot gives a birds-eye view of Boulder, along with the plains and foothills of the Front Range.

This state park, just a 30-minute drive from Denver, stretches over nearly 12,000 acres with 36 miles of hiking trails for all different levels. It’s a favorite of many hikers because of its natural treasures: scenic views of the snow-topped Front Range, thick forests, meadows fringed with aspen trees and peaceful creeks.

But if the Royal Arch Trail seems too ambitious, there are easier trails in Chautauqua Park, located at Grant and Baseline streets. Located in Boulder’s ChautauquaPark, the Royal Arch Trail is a 3.4 mile out-and-back hike that’s rated moderate to diff icult.

It’s often crowded in summer, so hiking on a weekday or early mornings on weekends is a smart way to avoid human traff ic jams.

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ROXBOROUGH STATE PARK A quick drive southwest of Denver, this state park was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior because of its geological wonders, which include signif icant fossil remains, hogback ridges and awe-inspiring red-rock formations.

The park, with almost 4,000 acres, has trails for hikers of all levels. One of the easiest is the Fountain Valley Trail, a 2.2 mile loop that goes through spectacular redrock formations.

There’s also Willow Creek Trail, a 1.4 mile loop that leads through oak forest and willow bush, with a creek where you can cool your feet before hiking onward.

You can also check out special hikes led by naturalists who guide you on treks exploring the area’s geology that represents 1.2 billion years of history. Some of these naturalist hikes focus on single topics, like keeping a naturalist journal.

Raccoon Trail, a 2.5 mile loop of moderate intensity, is one of the most popular trails, winding through groves of white f ir, aspen, blue spruce and lodgepole pine.

Perhaps the best part is that the trail starts and ends at Panorama Point, a scenic overlook with a breathtaking mountain view of a 100-mile span of the Continental Divide, and a map that identif ies each peak.

To customize your hike, check in f irst at the friendly visitor’s center (92 Crawford Gulch Rd., Golden, 303582-3707) to talk with the helpful state park employees about the type of hike you’d like.

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MOUNT GOLIATH RESEARCH NATURAL AREA Ancient bristlecone pines are among Colorado’s rare treasures — gnarled trees with twisted trunks, some about 1,600 years old, among the oldest tree species in the world.

You can hike among these trees in the Mount Goliath Research Natural Area, which is devoted to the study of the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine tree. It’s located on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, and the Pesman Trail leads 1.4 miles into the center of the ancient forest.

Also, the Denver Botanic Gardens offers free, guided wildf lower hikes on Mount Goliath on certain dates in July and August, a wonderland of alpine forget-menots and fairy primrose. For more information, contact tours@botanicgardens.org.

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1. 2 . that’s fringed with willow trees and wildf lowers.

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FIND A REALTOR ® WHO IS RIGHT FOR YOU ALDERFER/THREE SISTERS PARK AND AGREE TO WORK TOGETHER. It’s just a afew miles outside the charming of Selecting great team to represent you in town the purchase Evergreen, it gives a senseThere of being of your newbut home is critical. are away manyfrom great all the urban bustlebut andchoosing has nearly 15 to miles of with trailsis realtors out there, who work on You can walkstep through rich the 770 mostacres. underestimated in the meadows process. Buying with wildf lowersthe in largest, early summer, and spot purchase a variety a home is often most important of birds, can including red-shafted lickers, mountainby a a family make. You deserve fto be represented bluebirds Cooper’s hawks. all the intricacies of the team who and is adept at navigating identif ication of the right property, the negotiation, Alderfer Three Sisters a 6.9 mile with the transaction as well Trail as theisclosing.

Ourloop team is great views of Mount Evans andwelltrained, Mount Bierstadt.

There’s made up of exceptionally full-time local also a short trailyou spurthrough before you make theOur top experts whoscenic will walk the process. that’s wellduty worth checking out. f iduciary is to put your interests (f inancial and otherwise) above everyone else’s (including our own).

There lots oftodifferent trails toitchoose from, When are we agree work together, requires clear including the Hidden Fawn is f latlove and us lines of communication bothTrail, way. which Our clients features lotswill of wildf lowersout and pine astands. because we talk them ofmature purchasing property that is not right for them just as fast as we will talk them into one that is right for them. Customizing your unique property search provides you with information on homes that are most relevant to your buying ST. MARY’S GLACIER LOOP experience, without inundating you with information that is not pertinent to your specif ic situation.

St. Mary’s Glacier Loop, located in the Arapaho National Forest near Idaho Springs is a 1.6 mile hike with beautiful views of the sparkling, glacier-fed lake

9.

THEtrail HOME INTERVIEW. The is often rocky, which makes it an easy-tomoderate hike, and hiking boots are recommended.

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10.

3 . MEADOW PARK ELK

FINANCING & PRE-APPROVAL. One of the things people love most about hiking in Elk Meadow Park in Evergreen is the chance to spot herds Whether you’re paying cash or seeking f inancing, the of elk grazing at the edge of the forests, just as they conversation about how we’re going to get from point have in that area for centuries.

A to point B is an important one. If getting a loan, sellers want to see that you are pre-approved with a There are a mix of trails, from easy to strenuous. They reputable lender. They also want to see proof of funds include f lat terrain, rolling hills, meadows with July for the stated downpayment and closing costs. If paying wildf lowers, and tougher hikes — like the Bergen cash, sellers want to see proof of funds suff icient to Peak Trail, which has more than 1,700 feet of elevation complete the transaction. gain and views of Pikes Peak, Mount Evans and the Continental Divide.

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