Happy Valentine’s Day weekend! Sounds like there should be a little snow in the mountains, finally! If you’re headed up to ski or board, have fun and be safe. If you’re staying closer to home, there are plenty of fun events going on, including some in our very own backyard.
Bluff Lake Nature Center is celebrating the grand opening of their new building tomorrow, Saturday, February 14th, from 10:00am–2:00pm, with a ribbon cutting at 10:30am. Stop by for snacks, face painting, staff-led activities and crafts, and tours of the new space—it’s a great excuse to get outside and explore a local gem. If you can’t attend (we’re all busy!) my teammate Amanda Campbell will be there with camera on to get you the Scoop…so keep an eye out for that on our social channels.
As always, Stanley Marketplace has a full calendar of events happening this weekend—from creative workshops and Gal Pal nights to kid-friendly activities, fitness classes, gluten-free tastings, and Valentine’s gifts. There’s truly something happening around every corner, so be sure to check out their full events lineup.
Need something sweet for your Valentine? Check out our colleague Stephanie’s Valentine’s Day guide to the best local chocolate shops and bakeries—perfect for last-minute gifting or a little self-treat. 😉
On to real estate for the week…
Beyond tracking the market week to week, we also keep a close eye on the bigger real estate conversations that impact homeowners—and lately, two topics are getting a lot of attention: property taxes and homeowners’ insurance.
Property Taxes: What’s Driving the Changes
Many Colorado homeowners noticed higher property tax bills this year. A big factor is the expiration of Senate Bill 233, which provided a $55,000 property value exemption over the past two years. On top of that, last year’s split assessment rate means a higher rate is applied for school district funding, while a lower rate applies to other local services. Local ballot measures can also affect what homeowners see on their tax bills.
That said, not everyone saw an increase. In some areas, metro district bonds were paid off early—like in the Stonegate neighborhood in Douglas County—which actually lowered tax bills for residents. 9NEWS has a helpful breakdown of what’s behind these changes and how they’re affecting homeowners across the metro area.
Homeowners Insurance: What We’re Seeing Locally
Insurance has also been shifting over the past few years. Some companies have pulled back from certain areas, while others have changed coverage terms—especially around things like roof replacement and deductibles. Local insurance agent Jen Mathes wrote an article filling us in on some changes specifically in Denver and Central Park, and how homeowners can navigate higher deductibles and coverage adjustments. It’s a smart read if you haven’t reviewed your policy lately.
Here’s a look at the the neighborhood real estate listings:
There are 13 new listings in Central Park this week. Of the new listings, this townhome is a great option under $500,000 and deserves a closer look:
5662 Emporia St: $460,000
Experience the best of Central Park living in this 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhome! One block from parks, a pool, trails, sports fields, & schools. Enjoy views from the west-facing front porch, fenced-in yard & 2nd level balcony! Soaring 10-foot ceilings & hardwood floors flow throughout the open-concept living area. Quartz counters, SS appliances, & white cabinetry adorn the kitchen, while a half bath adds convenience to the main level. Upstairs, a serene primary bedroom with walk-in closet, and a spacious 2nd bedroom are separated by a beautifully appointed full bathroom. A laundry room, and 1-car attached garage are accessible from the inviting entryway. NO SUB HOA! New A/C & Roof in 2024.Take a look at this video to see all the great features and contact me at (720) 633-6282 for more info.
11 properties went under contract this week. Several of these sold within days of hitting the market, which is encouraging. We’re seeing some nice buyer activity lately.
This week, only 3 homes closed in Central Park; a single-family home in Central Park West, a townhome on MLK with views of the big park, and a KB paired home in Wicker Park. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new neighbors!
All Active Central Park Listings
There are 60 Active listings in Central Park right now ranging in price from affordable housing condo units just over $165,000 to large single-family homes around $1,700,000. As Denver’s largest neighborhood, Central Park remains true to its original goal of offering housing across all market segments and price ranges. If you’ve never read the history of the neighborhood, here’s a link to the MCA’s summary. I love their closing statement: “It stands as a model for urban redevelopment worldwide. Buzzing with bike races, farmers markets and concerts in the park, now thrives at a grassroots level thanks to residents and business owners each adding their own touch. It has become a place that’s far better than anyone could have planned.”
There are 17 open houses currently planned this week. I’d love to see you Saturday 12:00-2:00 at 5662 Emporia St, or Sunday 12:00-2:00 at 6358 Elmira Ct. If the open house times don’t work for you, or you were hoping to see a listing that doesn’t have an open house scheduled, let me know. I’d be happy to connect you with the listing agent and/or coordinate a private showing.
In addition to helping people buy and sell, Focus Real Estate also manages rental properties in the area. See a sample of our “For Rent” portfolio here! The “Central Park Homes for Rent” link above shows rentals listed on Zillow right now. If you’d like to receive an email each Friday with our latest “For Rent” properties, sign up here. Not limited to Central Park? Take a look at this rental listing we have right now in Aurora’s Painted Prairie neighborhood:
21201 E 60th Ave: $2,975/month
Set on a desirable South-facing corner lot in Aurora’s Painted Prairie neighborhood, this David Weekley single family home combines a “like-new” feel, modern layout, and community-focused lifestyle—and it’s available now for immediate move-in! Step into this bright, 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home built in 2021 with generous square footage, an open layout, a home office, a stunning chef’s kitchen and contemporary finishes that make the whole space feel fresh and low-maintenance. Contact Joe Phillips from Focus Real Estate at (720) 299-1730 for more info.
That’s a wrap on the real estate update this week. As always, I’m here to answer any real estate questions, discuss the buying and selling process, and to set up private showings of any listing that catches your eye.
Wishing you a sweet Valentine’s Day weekend!
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Disclaimer: Our Friday real estate updates are meant to be a “roundup” type post where we discuss all for sale and for rent listings in Central Park, not just our own. It’s our way of making sure we follow the market closely, and we share it with the Scoop readers because we know many of you like to track real estate in the area as well. Many of the listings in these posts are not our company’s listings, and we wanted to mention that here to make sure it’s clear. Thanks for reading the Scoop!
