By Mark Samuelson

In a year when the market for new homes should be lackluster all over the state, a European village on a hillside in Jefferson County has 30 sales racked up…at an average price that’s way, way beyond what’s supposed to be selling now: around $846,000.

Welcoming at Solterra are (from left) Carrol Howard, Wall Custom Homes; Sara Dieringer, Cardel; Lindsay Gannott, Infinity; Mike Copp, custom home sales; Steve Kruse, Infinity; Peggy Marvin, Remington; and Cardell’s Christine Busboom..

You can tour a special open house today at Solterra, east of Red Rocks (it has its own interchange on 470 near Dinosaur Ridge)…with sharp looking homes and patio homes starting way below that average, from $484,900. Four builders and a half dozen custom builders have models to show…including Remington Homes, which opened a new ranch-patio model three weeks ago…had 300 people out the first day, and took five sales. more »

By Mark Samuelson

Can you really sell people whose kids have flown the coop on the idea of staying in Colorado, rather than retiring to places with cactus and palm trees? You can…and some of the most recent converts want to tell you why Saturday, Aug. 22, at an “island luau” at Anthem Ranch, complete with tropical cocktails.

Anthem Ranch’s Nathan Freeman (left), Mary Kermoade, David Foster and (not shown) Melanie Dube show off one of nine ranches you can tour, along with lavish amenities covered by an HOA dues currently only $148/month.

What they WON’T have to do is convince you that this master-planned community in north Broomfield is pretty enough to attract older buyers (around 40% of them aren’t retired at all, still working). In addition to nine ranch single-family models from the mid $200s, you’ll see gorgeous views of the Indian Peaks, set against nine manicured lakes wrapped by 800 acres of open space and 48 miles of walking/bike trails; along with a spectacular ‘Aspen Lodge’ with indoor/outdoor pools and state-of-the-art fitness center. more »

By Mark Samuelson

If you haven’t seen downtown Golden for a few years, you’ll be wowed by how historic Washington Avenue has been transformed…the rough edges all gone, nicer shops and dining, and some spectacular flats above the scene, that have sold so well that just five remain for today’s open house.

Kathryn Farrow of Coldwell Banker’s Ali Van Westenberg Team and Bob Gross, CFO of NexCore Group, in front of Gateway Station on Golden’s historic Washington Avenue.

All of this has been discovered by the touristas, who were combing Washington as I walked south across Clear Creek past the Golden Hotel and its Bridgewater Grille, the Golden-arch ‘Howdy Folks!’ sign, to the historic corner at 13th where you can tour Gateway Station…the site where streetcars used to end their run from Denver. more »