At Anthem Ranch, Del Webb’s all-ranch lifestyle community on a view-swept hillside north of Broomfield, it’s not that hard to get a buyer to pack up and move from Phoenix or even New Jersey. It’s a little tougher, says Del Webb’s Melanie Dube, to get somebody that lives in Highlands Ranch to do it…but it’s still happening.

Elaine and George Hager (left), from New Jersey, visit a super-affordable ‘Powderhorn’ ranch. Del Webb’s Melanie Dube had sold them their New Jersey home, as well.

“Highlands Ranch is 30 miles from here, and buyers who visit from there sometimes worry they’ll have a hard time making a new circle of friends,” says Dube, who has ten ranch models to show. “Some come back a dozen times; but once they talk to our residents, they’re sold.” more »

Older buyers planning their retirement moves are getting a much-needed break from the stock market this week… but they’ll also find a break waiting at a 55-and-older community wrapped by an 18-hole Arthur Hills golf course, where you can see a 2,500-foot ranch today–basement and 3-car garage included–at a cost-per-foot of $144.

Lennar’s Mike DeNuzzi shows a large, single-family ranch with 3-car garage. Heritage at Todd Creek’s streets are private…covenant-controlled, with golf cart traffic allowed.

With ranches priced from the low $300s and some 2-bedroom “duos” from $269,900, Heritage at Todd Creek in Thornton has gone through five sales in the past month, during a year when you may imagine it hard to put together a retirement purchase. 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 »