So how is the weather in your neck of the woods this lovely Sunday evening. We have had tornado warning in effect for couple of hours now and I snapped this photo (with my iphone) a few minutes ago about 1 mile from our house. There were people lined up the street (I should have taken a picture of that). Crazy stuff. This type of tornado weather is not common around here.RitaDisclaimer: Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied. Copyright 2009.© Kenna Real Estate. Rita Burke. Denver Real Estate. All Rights Reserved. May 24th 2009. "Funnel cake - err cloud" 05/24/2009

I have written before about the abundance of wildlife in this cool place we call Highlands Ranch.  I have also written before about how important it is to be cautious in sharing this cool place with those animals.  On that note, we had an unusual visitor in Highlands Ranch this week, a young female bear.  I can't ever remember hearing a report of a bear actually in the heart of Highlands Ranch.  I have only heard of bear sightings in the areas much more open to the south of Highlands Ranch.  This young lady was definitely in the heart of Highlands Ranch in the Dad Clark Park!  That's too close for comfort!  You see that park sits behind the houses across from my son's house!  Thank goodness the bear was spotted quickly and my grandsons' school, Heritage Elementary, which is just across ... 05/20/2009

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE EXTRAVAGANZA!FRI AND SAT MAY 22ND AND 23RD8 am to 2 pmTHE HEARTH IN HIGHLANDS RANCH70+ HOMES PARTICIPATING! Come shop and find some treasuresWhere is the Hearth? Click here for a mapSee what is for sale and where - CLICK HERE  Kenna Real Estate ~ 303.955.4220 office ~ KennaRealEstate.comHighlands Ranch Homes and Real EstateEqual Housing Opportunity 05/18/2009

You are InvitedOpen House ExtravaganzaSat May 16th, 200911am to 4pm10721 Briarglen Circle, Highlands Ranch$469,9004 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3837 total sqft  For More information about this lovely home click here Brought to you byKenna Real EstateBrian Burke, Broker303.955.4220 Office303.710.2609 DirectKennaRealEstate.comFirelight subdivision Market Reports Disclaimer: The information contained herein  is provided without the intention that any buyer rely upon it. The information was gathered from preliminary inspections of the property and the current actual knowledge of the owner. It is subject to change without notice and must be verified independently by buyer/s. Listing Broker takes no responsibility for its accuracy. Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way respon... 05/15/2009

Oh the abundance of animals/wildlife we encounter around here. There always the coyotes and just yesterday there was a bear alert! A brown bear was strolling the neighborhood and people were asked to stay inside along with their pets. Well many were curious and out looking at the bear - lol.Anyway, I didn't know about this bear incident until it was over, but we did snap these photos in the last couple of days.Enjoy. Spring Babies.This is on the roof line of our Rec. center.Oops, I feel on the ground.There is a herd of cows living in the open space south of Highlands Ranch. They are a couple of miles from where the buffaloes are.These babies are on the back of our satellite dish (not in use)! [nice eyebrows!]Disclaimer: Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way respons... 05/14/2009

Denver was the national leader of the pack for housing prices last year.  Yes, home prices in the Denver area dropped 4 percent during the 12-month period that ended in December.  But that was the smallest decline of the 20 metropolitan areas tracked in the closely watched S&P/Case-Shiller Home Prices.  Overall, the 20 cities fell by an average 18.5 percent. A separate report released by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, known as OFHEO, showed even better numbers than Case-Shiller. OFHEO showed a 0.71 percent overall drop in home prices last year in a large swatch that encompasses Broomfield, Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Jefferson, Douglas, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Elbert, and Park Counties.  It also showed a 0.77 percent increase in the fourth quarter from a year earlier. Col... 05/11/2009

Highlands Ranch - The Hearth Garage Sale Get ready for The Hearth Community Garage SaleMAY 22nd and 23rd 8 am to 2 pmIf you live in the Hearth in Highlands Ranch sign up to participate in the May 22nd and 23rd community wide garage sale.Easy sign up at Hearthgaragesale.comIf you would like to come shop and find great deals at the Hearth community Garage Sale check out this link for further information (maps of participating houses will be posted on the website a couple of days before the sales weekend) Disclaimer: Kenna Real Estate does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied. Blog posts on the Kenna and Co. Blog represent the opinions and id... 04/28/2009

Highlands Ranch is a community full of families, most of them with children.  There are so many activities for children that it is hard to keep up with them all.  Besides the usual soccer, softball, swimming, horseback riding, etc., there are some great special classes and events coming up this month.  So there is no room for kid's boredom around here. KidzArt Classes are at Southridge Recreation Center for ages 5-12 and ages 3-4. Art Building Blocks for ages 5-8 are also at Southridge as are Comics and Cartooning for ages 8-14. All of these Pottery Classes start at Southridge soon; Mom and Me Potter Classes for ages 2 ½ to 4 Clay-magine and Create for ages 3-4 Imagination Creations for ages 5-7 Destination 3-D for ages 8-10 Pre-Wheel, ages 7-12 and Teen Wheel ages 13-17 Children's Natu... 04/14/2009

I'll bet you didn't know about the infrastructure fees charged to developers since 1980 that help to pay for our facilities here in Highlands Ranch.  I didn't know until recently.  I did know that developers are required to donate land to be used for schools and, thus, here in Highlands Ranch, we do not pay for school lands.  Now I have learned about these system development fees charged to all developers.  The Metro District's facilities plan, a long range planning tool that includes the cost of all the infrastructure essential for the community build-out, is used to calculate the fees for developers.  Both the plan and the calculation of fees are reviewed annually. The total estimated cost of infrastructure in the current facilities plan is $165 million and, as of last December, the M... 04/08/2009

It is with great excitement that I announce that I have associated with Kenna Real Estate.  With this move I will continue providing my clients with exceptional personalized service when they buy or sell their homes.  Brian Burke, my new Broker, has a strong commitment to the highest level of real estate excellence.  I believe this association will create a team that will offer the best real estate services in Highlands Ranch and south metro Denver.  I look forward to serving you.  Please make note of my new number:  720-884-6040 And my new email address: barbara@kennarealestate.com My website remains:  www.barbarasellshighlandsranch.com 04/07/2009

The next few weeks are going to see an abundance of things to do in Highlands Ranch.  Hey!  It's Spring and things start happening in the Spring.  First on Saturday, April 11th don't miss the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Northridge Park.  Arrive early for this one.  It starts at 10 am sharp.  It is held rain, snow or sunshine.  Children are separated into age groups.  The Easter Bunny will be there!  Members are free and guest pay $5.  Next there is a fun event for the ladies which is also for a good cause.  "In The Pink" Fashion Show and Champagne Lunch  will be held at the Recreation Center at Southridge on April 18th.  This is a really neat event because it raises money for The Breast Cancer Network of Strength Rocky Mountain which provides relief to individuals today who cannot wait fo... 04/06/2009

The Annual Highlands Ranch Easter Egg Hunt   Here is the link for the Easter Egg Hunt Photos And here is the link for the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) ***************************************************************************************** Carrie and Kathy Sampron specialize in residential real estate in Highlands Ranch, Colorado as well as surrounding communities in the Denver Metropolitan Area.  Contact Carrie and Kathy at (303) 931-3629 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Highlands Ranch, Denver, Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, Castle Rock, Parker, Aurora, or any other Metro Area city.  We love your referrals!  Learn more about Highlands Ranch Colorado Realtors Carrie and Kathy Sampron Search H... 04/05/2009

You can now follow Highlands Ranch Pets on Twitter! Hello our furry friends. Grab your human friend and bark/park them on Twitter. HighlandsRanchPets.com is now connecting to Highlands Ranch Pets and community through Twitter. If you have lost a pet or found one in Highlands Ranch you can report the pet on the Highlands Ranch Pets website. We'll post it on the site and Tweet about it.For updates about Highlands Ranch Pets and other random barks, follow us on Twitter. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Highlands Ranch Pets, a community pet directory, Highlands Ranch lost and found pets, is brought to you by Kenna Real Estate  Follow Kenna Real Estate on TwitterDisclaimer: Kenna Real Estate Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and pr... 03/28/2009

Freddie Mac reported this week that the average interest on a 30-year mortgage fell to a 38-year low of 4.83 percent during the week ending March 27, 2009 from 4.98 percent the prior week. The decrease came on the heels of the Federal Reserve's announcement that it plans to purchase another $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities and up to $300 million in Treasuries. So, does that mean that now is the time to buy a home?  Combined with other programs including the $8000 tax incentive for first time buyers, remember this means anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years, it just may be. Call Carrie and Kathy to discuss whether the time is right for you. ****************************************************************************************** Carrie and Kathy Sampron specia... 03/27/2009

If you have read my blog before you know I like to brag on Highlands Ranch, CO.  That's because it is such a great place to live. CNNMoney.com recently published their list of America's "Best Places to Live."    Highlands Ranch ranked number 12 on that list.  In the financial realm, CNNMoney found Highlands Ranch sales tax rate and their auto insurance premiums to be lower than the average for all the "Best Places."   However, job growth at 44.65% was much higher than the 18.60% average.  Property taxes at $2.753 in Highlands Ranch they found are also quite a bit lower than the average.  In the area of education, test scores for students in Highlands Ranch they found to be quite a bit higher than the average for "Best Places."  Reading test scores, according to CNNMoney, are 34.7% in Hi... 03/21/2009

FasTracks Southwest Corridor in particular.  FasTracks is the name for the light rail system in Denver, CO.  The Southwest Corridor project team has been working to fine tune the Preferred Alternative for the FasTracks Southwest Corridor Extension.  They have worked closely with the City of Littleton, Highlands Metro District, Highlands Ranch Master Association, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Douglas and Arapahoe Counties.  They are perfecting the location of the route and the stations, the layouts for the station areas and an environmental evaluation.  Important in the environmental evaluation are such things as land use and zoning considerations, displacement and relocation of existing uses, historic, archaeological considerations, visual and aesthetic considerations, ... 03/17/2009

Highlands Ranch CO Neighborhoods ~ The Highwoods Real Estate Market Watch for The Highwoods in Highlands Ranch February 2009 The Highwoods Highlands Ranch, Douglas County, CO Jan 2009 Feb 2009 Year 2007 Year 2008 New Listings 1 3 - - Closed Sales 0 0 11 7 Pending Sales 0 1 - - Average Sales Price - - $1,455,668 $1,217,321 Median Sales Price - - $1,375,000 $1,165,000 % of Original List Price - - 93.1% 87.6% Average Days on Market - - 157 218 Average Price per square foot - - 293/sf 292/sf Inventory of Active Listings 5 7 - - Days on Market = total days on market. Number of new listings was not tracked in 2007/08.  Some of the numbers used in this market watch are for only one month of activity. Therefore they can sometimes look extreme due to the small sample size. No houses have sold in... 03/11/2009

Highlands Ranch CO Neighborhoods ~ Weatherstone Real Estate Market Watch for Weatherstone in Highlands Ranch February 2009 Weatherstone Highlands Ranch, Douglas County, CO Jan 2009 Feb 2009 Year 2007 Year 2008 New Listings 2 2 - - Closed Sales 0 0 9 9 Pending Sales 0 0 - - Average Sales Price - - $671,574 $768,033 Median Sales Price - - $625,000 $815,000 % of Original List Price - - 93.7% 93.8% Average Days on Market - - 86 118 Average Price per square foot - - 187/sf 224/sf Inventory of Active Listings 6 6 - - Days on Market = total days on market. Number of new listings was not tracked in 2007/08. Some of the numbers used in this market watch are for only one month of activity. Therefore they can sometimes look extreme due to the small sample size. Weatherstone is a community in Highl... 03/11/2009

It's been a really dry year so far here in Highlands Ranch, CO and especially warm, not that I am complaining.  I think we broke records for high temperatures twice this week.  However, we are not at all short on upcoming activities and the nice weather will make some of them much more enjoyable.  Saturday night, the 7th, is Martini Appreciation Night.  Professionals will teach you all you ever would want to know about martinis and how to make them.  This takes place at the Eastridge Recreation Center from 5:30 to 6:30 pm and 7:00 to 8:00 pm.  You'll need to get your ticket real soon because they sell out!  They are $17 for members and $20 for guests.  Whole Foods Market will supply the appetizers.  You certainly will want to be at the Highlands Ranch Mansion on Friday, March 13 from 7:... 03/07/2009

If you live in the Denver Metro area already, or if you're thinking of joining us here, Highlands Ranch is a great place to live!!  One reason is everything the Highlands Ranch Community Association does and the latest event they have planned is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2009. Sounds like everyone will have a grand time!!   Title: Molly Brown's Mysterious Murder - Theater at the Mansion Description: The setting is the “Lilly Rose Saloon and Dance Hall”, in 1903. Buckhorn Bob, “the greatest promoter of all times”, is hosting his fund-raiser-talent-search—and you can bet that spells E-X-C-I-T-E-M-E-N-T! In addition to Buckhorn Bob and the infamous, Lilly Rose—keep your eyes peeled for Molly Brown, the notorious Soapy Smith and Ol’ Geezer the miner! Tempers are wearing thin and anyth... 03/05/2009