Moving To Colorado Blog

We thought it would be a good idea to give Castle Rock locals a list of important number in their area. Below is a list of numbers that might come in handy at some point:

The Grange Reception Office

Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5; Sunday-Monday 12-5

303.814.2358

Renting The Grange

303.814.9736

The Grange Pool Office (In Season Only)

303.468.5222

Russell Haigh CMCA

Community Manager for The Meadows Neighborhood Company

Tuesday-Friday 10-5; Monday 12-5

c/o MSI

RHaigh@msihoa.com g>

Randy Watt

The choice between renting a home and buying a home is not just a simple financial calculation. There are many other factors and questions.

The stereotypes surrounding buying versus renting a home are rapidly changing along with changes in the Colorado real estate market.

During the housing boom of the late '90s and early 2000s, renting a home was widely considered an inferior alternative to buying a home with rapidly increasing values. After 30 years of stability in home ownership rates, the United States tallied 12 million new homeowners between 1994 and 2004, according to Census Bureau data. In 1994, nearly 63 percent of Colorado residents owned homes. By 2004, more than 71 percent were homeowners. At that point, home ownership peaked and many people reconsidered renting.

In the Colorado real estate market, renting and buying each bring significant advantages and disadvantages. While buying a home may be attractive from a financial standpoint, there are other considerations.

Finances

Buying a home is a major investment that creates equity and brings significant tax breaks. A home also could turn a tidy profit. National real estate expert Barbara Corcoran recently predicted the Denver area will be the first housing market to recover from the housing slump. Moreover, Castle Rock home values have seen a lower rate of decrease than surrounding cities, according to Zillow. This translates to good deals in a relatively healthy market poised for an increase in values.

On the other hand, a Wall Street Journal financial expert argues for the financial advantages of renting a home. He suggests the stock market will increase faster than home values, so if rental costs are lower than mortgage payments, investing the extra money in stocks will result in better returns.

There are other financial downsides to buying a home. An exciting relocation to Colorado could be delayed by difficulty in selling a previous home. Also, a change in income or family budget could make it difficult to pay the mortgage. Renters can more easily trade up or down to meet their budget. They also won't face the threat of foreclosure.

Flexibility

Renting a home offers flexibility. Many are moving to Colorado for the outdoor lifestyle and natural beauty even if relocating means settling for a less-than-ideal job. These new residents may later find a lucrative job in the Denver Tech Center but are stuck with a long commute if they own a home. Those who are renting a home could easily move to a closer neighborhood, such as the Meadows in Castle Rock. They might also move to Castle Rock from a rental in Aurora or another eastern suburb for greater proximity to hiking trails and Rocky Mountains recreation.

Renters can also turn in their keys, move the furniture into storage and spend a month hiking the Colorado Trail or six months traveling through Europe. The responsibilities and costs of owning a home could make a spontaneous adventure prohibitive.

At the same time, homeowners have the flexibility to paint the walls, hammer in picture hooks or plant a vegetable garden without fear of losing a security deposit.

Upkeep

Some refer to renting a home as paying someone else's mortgage, but the monthly bill also includes a form of maintenance insurance. Rental contracts generally include provisions for the landlord to pay for many types of repairs. A homeowner is on the hook for all repairs and upkeep.

Stability

Many homeowners report pride and emotional satisfaction in buying a home. They may also feel like a more permanent part of a community if they own a home. 

Finally, to help make a smart decision, Bankrate.com has a simple questionnaire that helps recommend either buying or renting a home.

Written by Steve Graham

Whatever the reason for your move or relocation, you can make a confident - and fun - move to Colorado by taking the time to research your best options beforehand.

Planning a move to Colorado should be an exciting adventure. You're headed to a state filled with unrivaled mountain views, a culture that strongly values nature and keeping the land open, and with enough outdoor sports to keep the most action-hungry satisfied.

For many people, the decision to move to Colorado starts with the longing for a mountain atmosphere and then grows into a desire to experience the life to be found in friendly neighborhoods with low crime rates. Still others are drawn by the economy; Moody's Economy.com predicted that Colorado will be one of the first states to pull out of the recession because of the concentration of high-tech industry in the state.

Location, Location, Location

From the lush green timberline town of Telluride to the elite slopes of Aspen, there are many areas in Colorado to consider. Each area offers its own advantages, represents a slightly different culture, and affords a variety of employment and educational opportunities.

By far, the most popular area to move in Colorado is the Denver metro area, which has the highest employment rate, highest average earnings, and some of the most reasonable housing prices in the entire state. In addition, there are several small towns outside Denver where education standards are the highest in the state and crime rates are the lowest. Among these towns are Evergreen, Conifer, Winter Park and Larkspur.

If you want country living that's close to city amenities, though, look at Castle Rock.

Castle Rock is right between Denver and Colorado Springs, doubling your opportunities for employment and plenty of entertainment. Despite its proximity to the cities, though, Castle Rock boasts a friendly small-town atmosphere. This is where you will find abundant parks, lots of open space for outdoor adventure and views of the Rockies.

Recently, Castle Rock was recognized as "one of the best places in the country to live" by both Family Circle magazine and RelocateAmerica.com. From a strong belief in open government to one of the nation's best climates (averaging more than 300 days of sunshine per year, with low humidity), you are practically guaranteed to find exactly what you're looking for in Colorado life in Castle Rock.

Your Perfect Colorado Home

To find your Colorado dream home, you should pay special attention to a tenet that will help you find the Colorado way of life at its most fulfilling:

The best homes have been designed to preserve the natural open spaces and views of Colorado. These homes have been designed and built by professionals who both understand the needs of a quality home in Colorado as well as the values that the culture holds dear.

Of all the communities in Colorado, The Meadows in Castle Rock stands out vividly. Wide open views of untouched nature, foothill ridgelines to explore, spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and quick access to Denver are paired with the charm of events that bring the community together. The Denver Tech Center is just 14 miles away from The Meadows, leaving you with a short commute to city life and great jobs while experiencing small-town values at home.

Whatever region in Colorado you choose to move to, you should take the time to consider the following questions:

1. What are my housing needs? Your home should fit the way you live. Make a list of priorities like size, amenities and ideal lot types.

2.  Are the homes I'm looking at in a good climate? A short 30-minute drive from one town on the outskirts of Denver to another can mean a huge difference in altitude, snowfall and temperature extremes.

3. Have I got clear needs to communicate to my real estate agent? On average, home buyers see 15 houses before choosing the right one. Clearly communicating your needs and wishes will help you save time.

4. When looking at homes, have I considered maintenance issues? Areas north of Denver and south of Grand Junction often experience extreme weather, requiring special home maintenance. Around the metro area, maintenance concerns can focus more on quality-of-life issues because the climate is more temperate.

5. Are there neighborhood restrictions or covenants? This is an important question to ask, because it can be a deal-breaker if you find covenants that you're not willing or able to live up to.

SOURCES

HUD

The Meadows

Town of Castle Rock

MSNBC

Written by Lolaness

There are many questions to answer when thinking about buying a new home. Here are a few important considerations.

Some people suggest buying a home as soon as possible to build equity and turn the cost of renting a home into a financially attractive mortgage. But there are important financial and personal questions you'll need to answer before buying a home.

How much can you afford?

This is actually a two-part question: How much can you spend for a down payment and how much can you spend on a monthly mortgage?

Both are easily calculated. Total your savings and determine what you can spend on a down payment while still leaving a comfortable cushion. Then calculate 25 percent of your monthly income, which is as high as most experts say home buyers should go when considering a mortgage.

In 2007, the estimated median home value was $261,945 in Castle Rock and $233,900 across Colorado, according to City Data. Although interest rates and mortgage prices vary, several online calculators can help determine if your down payment and mortgage estimates meet prices in the Colorado real estate market.

Will you still have enough money for repairs?

A major difference between renting and buying is repair cost. Landlords typically handle major problems in a rental unit; if you own the home, obviously you're on the hook for any repairs. After subtracting the monthly mortgage payment and considering the budget for your lifestyle, decide if you can put away money each month for repairs and maintenance.

Colorado suffers few natural disasters and pests. There are few to no natural disasters.  However, homeowners still must repair roofs (hail can be a problem at times) and replace furnaces. 

Most  such maintenance will not be an immediate concern in Castle Rock because many houses are new and well-constructed.

How long will you live in the home?

Before buying a home, determine if you are likely to stay there for at least five years. Selling a home in less than five years could mean losing money and not breaking even on the mortgage.

If you are moving to Colorado, many locals will say you'll never leave once you arrive in the Denver area. However, your employer may need you to relocate to another state, or other personal decisions could force a move out of Colorado.

Within the state, a job change or lifestyle decision may send you looking to move into a new neighborhood. A lucrative job in the Denver Tech Center or downtown Denver may have you considering a move to Castle Rock to cut your commute.

Do you like the neighborhood?

List your needs and desires for a neighborhood. Then walk around the area, talk to the people who live there and do online research. You don't want to buy a smaller, older home in Denver only to realize you really don't take advantage of the city's culture and lifestyle. You might quickly adapt to the outdoor lifestyle and want a small-town atmosphere. You might rather be in Castle Rock, with its network of hiking trails and bike paths, as well as quick access to mountain recreation.

How much work are you willing to do?

In narrowing the search, consider the number of needed repairs and upgrades in the home. Again, the Meadows in Castle Rock is new and solidly built, so homes there will need few if any repairs. "Fixer-uppers" can be attractive at first until you realize the amount of money and time you'll need to sink into the property.

How do you find a real estate agent?

If you are leaning toward buying a house, take time to find a good real estate agent to help answer all of the above questions and guide you through more considerations.

Ask friends and area residents for recommendations. Then conduct phone interviews with a few agents to find one who understands and matches your needs and personality. Finally, ask for references and contact previous clients.

The Denver area has had a relatively large number of foreclosures and an experienced agent can navigate the problems and legal considerations of buying a foreclosed property. Colorado residents are also keen on energy-efficient upgrades, which could save money and boost home value. Again, an agent needs to understand the laws, rebates and technology regarding energy efficiency if it is important to you.

How do you find a lender?

Again, do your homework and find a reputable lender. You might want to start with your bank's loan officer. Working with a single financial institution will simplify the process. Also talk to other lenders in the area. Shop around for the best rates and service. You can meet with dozens of lenders before making any commitments.

If you are buying your first home, some advise against online lenders because you will have many questions and will want the personal service of a local lender you can meet face to face.

Written by Steve Graham

Relocating means moving away from friends and neighbors. After moving, here are some ideas to make new friends and for getting to know your neighbors.

Many Americans never get to know their neighbors. But the outdoors lifestyle in Colorado and a community-focused neighborhood like The Meadows in Castle Rock leave few excuses for not getting to know the neighbors. Here are 10 creative ways to do that.

1. Take your neighbors treats. Don't wait for the longtime residents to bring cookies and welcome you to the neighborhood. Shortly after moving in, take some treats around to other families on your block. It's a warm gesture (especially with warm cookies) and a quick way to meet the neighbors. After the tour, write down the names of your neighbors on a diagram of the street, particularly if you are forgetful with names.

2. Invite some folks over for dessert or drinks. If you seemed to "click" with a few people, get to know those neighbors better by inviting them over for drinks or dessert. If you invite a few people, it won't be as intimidating for you or them. They might even have their first chance to get to know each other.  

3. Get gardening advice. Colorado's climate and soil challenge even experienced gardeners relocating from other regions. Look for the most      beautiful gardens on the block. Those homeowners invariably spend plenty of time in the yard, so it should be easy to meet them and get to know the neighbors with green thumbs. Skilled gardeners love to talk about their yards, so ask them for advice for improving your garden.

4. Go to neighborhood clubs and events. Some neighborhoods have a variety of active clubs and meetings, often in a central location. The Meadows is focused around the Grange, a community center and clubhouse that hosts regular events such as gardening classes, children's playgroups and bridge clubs. Most are open to the public, and are an easy way to have fun while getting to know your neighbors.

5. Host a garage sale. If you are relocating to a new state, you probably just had a garage sale before packing the moving truck, but you might consider another one when you arrive in Colorado. There are usually items you just couldn't give up before the move but now realize you will never use again. Instead of stashing them in the attic until the next move, clear out the clutter with a garage sale. It's a surefire way to meet more neighbors.

6. Take a hike. Whether you are a runner, walker or cyclist, there are dozens of trails in and around The Meadows — and hundreds more just a short drive away. Most of your neighbors have already explored the trails and made a list of favorites. Ask them for advice or invite them along on a hike.

7. Visit online message boards. The Internet has changed the definitions of community. It's easy to find others with similar interests in the Castle Rock area beyond your immediate neighborhood. Use sites such as meetup.com or craigslist.org to find out about area clubs, meetings and groups of interest.

8. Strike up a conversation at the farmers' market. Castle Rock has a thriving farmers' market that fosters a unique community. You can chat with farmers who grow your food, and get to know neighbors browsing the stands. If you see someone with an unusual vegetable, stop and ask them how they like to use it.

9. Set up a lemonade stand. The last two ideas are for families with young children. You can teach kids some business skills and get to know your neighbors at      the same time by setting up a lemonade stand. It's hard to pass a lemonade stand without stopping to chat.

10. Plan a scavenger hunt. You may have some trinkets that have yet to find a new resting place. Why not hide them around the yard or the house and invite the neighborhood kids over for a scavenger hunt? While the kids are poking around, the grown-ups will have time to get to know their neighbors.

Written by Steve Graham