Getting your player ready...
People who have been waiting years to ‘resize’ are out in droves this spring, looking for something smaller, or with less of a yard to care for, or fewer stairs to climb. At Latitude at Vista Ridge, west of I-25 at Highway 7, builder Chartered Homes sold four homes like that this past week alone – every one of them to that kind of buyer.
“I did yard work for 20 years, and I’m done with that,” said Lois Hepp, retiring from hospital administration and packing up her place in Gilroy, California, to move to a 2,800 square foot ranch in Latitude. There, in exchange for a community HOA fee that currently runs only $127/month, she’ll get outdoor maintenance and snow removal, plus a load of recreational amenities including trails, pools, parks and a fitness club beside Colorado National Golf Club.
Hepp is also asserting that take-charge attitude in the WAY she’ll live. Rather than reside alone as she did in California, she’s gotten in touch with her best friend, JoAnne Hackett of Thornton, who helped search the market for a customized ranch big enough for the two of them – with a price that’s still appealing. Hackett scoured north metro communities, including larger 55-and-older restricted communities between Erie and Brighton, then took Hepp to see Latitude.
“Finally we found somebody who when I asked whether I could have a walk-in shower instead of a tub, said yes,” Hepp recalled as she and Hackett showed their new home taking shape for a summer move. She’s worked closely with builder Ward Ritter and his subs – modifying baths, adding a window to the finished basement, and making wiring changes.
Seven of 20 ranch homes Chartered has sold at Latitude since the first of the year have been to single-buyer profiles: single people choosing to live together like Hepp and Hacket, or to live alone. “It’s a big draw here,” says Kimberly Karsell, sales manager.
“We’ve created a situation where people can add just about anything they’ve imagined and still come in under budget,” said builder Ward Ritter. Providing that level of detail requires extra work for sales rep R.D. Baker, who finds himself doing special estimates on buyers’ ideas that few production builders would consider doing.
Ritter says Latitude’s rapid sales in Colorado’s better real estate climate this spring have something to do with low prices; but also his willingness to do things differently. “People are not only resizing their ‘stuff’ but also resizing their financial footprint,” adds Ritter. “They’re looking ahead, wanting to keep their costs and their responsibilities manageable.”
At Latitude, with starting prices from $229,995, they get the low maintenance and the ability to lock-and-leave for vacations. Some buyers strive to keep their final price very conservative. (You can tour an ‘Augusta’ 3-bedroom-plus-study plan similar to what Hepp has bought, over 2,800 finished square feet, priced at $311,708.)
Others are taking advantage of a tier of 15 premium sites that Chartered has looking west across the fairways to the Rockies, to larger, premium ranches (with a 3-car garage option) that go from the high $300s and low $400s. One of this week’s four sales was in that premium area, on view today.
You’ll tour four models for sale, and see the Golf Club, its clubhouse and attractive grille, plus parks, two big pools and tennis courts, linked by trail to Latitude. Take I-25 north from 120th, seven miles to Highway 7; then west 2 miles to Vista Ridge’s entry at Mountain View; or from Boulder, take Baseline east 13 miles.
If you go…
WHERE: Latitude at Vista Ridge, attainably priced single-family patio ranches, 4 furnished model, lock-n-leave lifestyle, golf-view sites, country club amenities, ranches set for quick delivery; 3-car garage option, coffee & cookies. 1944 Windemere Ln., Erie; Hwy 7 at Mountain View Blvd (Vista Ridge entry nearest I-25). Take I-25 north past 470 to Hwy 7, west 2 mi. to Mountain View; or from Boulder take Baseline east to Mountain View
PRICE: From $229,995, on golf lots from low $300s
WHEN: Today, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
PHONE: 303-828-5442 WEB: LatitudeAtVistaRidge.com
Mark Samuelson writes on real estate and business; you can email him at mark@samuelsonassoc.com. You can see all of Mark Samuelson’s columns online at DenverPostHomes.com
