Colorado wisdom?

[MtnT4R]

Well it gets better...he was arrested for embezzling money from a local Christian school. Real winner material.

Chicken bones?? That can kill a dog in a very painful way. I would've thrown them back over the fence taped to a brick. Maybe its better that cooler heads prevailed....

What did you think of Golden? I like how it is separated from Denver by that butte, and the old town has a nice feel to it. Lived there for six months. Really nice people, and retains a bit of small town feel even though you are right there close to everything

 

[CXS]

You'll like Castle Rock, hoping your wife lands a job she likes!

 

[bofa]

Well it gets better...he was arrested for embezzling money from a local Christian school. Real winner material.

Chicken bones?? That can kill a dog in a very painful way. I would've thrown them back over the fence taped to a brick. Maybe its better that cooler heads prevailed....

What did you think of Golden? I like how it is separated from Denver by that butte, and the old town has a nice feel to it. Lived there for six months. Really nice people, and retains a bit of small town feel even though you are right there close to everything

I like Golden. We've been there twice and we enjoyed ourselves. It is quite rural outside of the historic area. I looked at some homes and construction and for the price, I probably prefer Castle Rock. One thing I didn't like was the traffic going into Denver... not so much Golden, but the Westminster/Broomfield area was awful.

 

[MtnT4R]

One thing I didn't like was the traffic going into Denver... not so much Golden, but the Westminster/Broomfield area was awful.

I'll be honest, I despise driving in to Denver. I really avoid it like the plague. My usual commute involves exactly 1 stoplight and zero traffic. The transition from that to the area you describe is like pulling teeth. And its just getting worse. The only thing that makes it better is this video. I didnt post the embed directly because there is a fair amount of swearing and simulated violence, im not too sure about posting guidelines. Anyways, I've got a pretty single track mind when it comes to access to the mountains, and Castle Rock does quite well in that category. South through Co Springs, US-24 basically runs parallel to I-70 through the state. You would be about the same distance to either of those roads, which keeps adventure options wide open

 

[Burt]

Well fellas... the time is near! In about 7 weeks we will be headed that way. arty:


For now, I'm looking into some rental properties near Castle Rock (and as far north/northeast as Parker). Hopefully I find something that meets our needs and timeline.

I take it you are looking at single family homes to rent vs apartments. There should plenty in the Castle Rock, Castle Pines area, unfortunately area is controlled by HOA's. Littleton area is nice too.

 

[bofa]

I take it you are looking at single family homes to rent vs apartments. There should plenty in the Castle Rock, Castle Pines area, unfortunately area is controlled by HOA's. Littleton area is nice too.

Yeah we have two medium sized labs so I need something without attached neighbors and a decent sized yard.

 

[MtnT4R]

unfortunately area is controlled by HOA's.

What do you mean? I love my HOA telling me what to do. And then have them hire an incompetent plow driver and never fix or clean the dumpster housing.

 

[bofa]

Help me out here... I want to rent a house in Castle Rock but there aren't a lot of options and I'm trying to keep it under 2k a month if possible. I'm probably more flexible on location than I am in breaking that barrier (partly a mental block, but we're hoping to build within a year so I'd rather be putting $$$ toward our own house). So tell me what you know about these other areas:

Castle Pines
Highlands Ranch
Parker
Lone Tree
Centennial

I'm specifically looking for tips on any areas to avoid for whatever reasons you feel relevant.

I'd prefer to be west of 25 but our window is closing so I may have to suck it up for a year.

 

[Derek G]

Have you run this question on the citydata.com forum? Lots of info there that is real estate specific.

 

[bofa]

Have you run this question on the citydata.com forum? Lots of info there that is real estate specific.

I've been lurking there for about a year. There are a lot of varied opinions though so it's been hard to weed through the good/bad. TBH I'm just trying to avoid any older or run-down areas. I can usually get a feel based on the property condition but am open to local insight.

Oh and if any of you want to be roomies, maybe we can go in together on this place. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/(undisclosed-Address)-Castle-Rock-CO-80108/2113522088_zpid/

 

[Derek G]

I've been lurking there for about a year. There are a lot of varied opinions though so it's been hard to weed through the good/bad. TBH I'm just trying to avoid any older or run-down areas. I can usually get a feel based on the property condition but am open to local insight.

Oh and if any of you want to be roomies, maybe we can go in together on this place. View 6 photos. For rent: $27,0... Castle Rock, CO 80108 - Zillow

:lol: I love the "Zestimate" on the rent! I've been in real estate for over 10 years and I've NEVER seen Zillow get a valuation even close to correct either for rent or for sale. It actually makes my job more difficult.

 

[bofa]

:lol: I love the "Zestimate" on the rent! I've been in real estate for over 10 years and I've NEVER seen Zillow get a valuation even close to correct either for rent or for sale. It actually makes my job more difficult.

Hah, yeah Zillow can be hit or miss, and it seems to be even worse post-bubble. So real estate eh? :biggrin1: Manage any rentals?

 

[Derek G]

Hah, yeah Zillow can be hit or miss, and it seems to be even worse post-bubble. So real estate eh? :biggrin1: Manage any rentals?

I do. Both standard rental properties that I own and a vacation rental property that we have in CO.

 

[CXS]

Your timing is a bit late bofa, I think Derek will agree the prices are on the rise in both rentals and buys. Sorry I can't give any feedback on those areas, I'm too far north myself.

 

[MtnT4R]

Bofa have you been in touch with any real estate brokers in castle rock? If you are planning on purchasing a lot or home soon, brokers are pretty adept at finding places for clients to rent, and they have eyes on the ground that are second to none. I dont know any specific companies down there, but the national firms(remax, prudential etc) most likely have a presence.

 

[bofa]

Your timing is a bit late bofa, I think Derek will agree the prices are on the rise in both rentals and buys. Sorry I can't give any feedback on those areas, I'm too far north myself.

Yeah, I've noticed... and it doesn't help that this is one of the busiest times of the year for people to relocate. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed and my eyes open. I've found a few places that were close to perfect but nothing exact yet. One place was perfect but had a partial fence (shared with neighbors) that needed to be finished... I offered to pay for it and was told no. :violin:

Bofa have you been in touch with any real estate brokers in castle rock? If you are planning on purchasing a lot or home soon, brokers are pretty adept at finding places for clients to rent, and they have eyes on the ground that are second to none. I dont know any specific companies down there, but the national firms(remax, prudential etc) most likely have a presence.

I've contacted a few local realtors that also do property management. Most did not have properties coming available in June and two told me that they probably couldn't help until we are within 30 days of the move date. Maybe I'm being a little pro-active but I'm not one to sit around and wait for things to happen.

Timing and circumstance of the purchase is less certain. Ideally it will be next Summer but there are quite a few variables I'm trying to tackle in the mean time.

I've also been keeping an eye on craigslist... of course coming from Florida and not sounding like a scammer is a real challenge.

 

[bofa]

Good googly moogly this rental search is wearing on my patience... and they are flying off the market.

We did get some good news though - my wife got the job she wanted at the school she wanted, even in the grade she wanted. :bravo: She's excited and I'm relieved!

 

[MtnT4R]

That's great! Things are falling in to place, eh? Finding a house will happen, even if it isn't ideal- 100% occupancy is pretty unrealistic. There are always a few places vacant, no matter the market conditions. You definitely have to be proactive, but its stressful even moving down the road and making the timing work, let alone moving across the country.

But fear not. You could always find a nice plot of land somewhere and get one of these? I bet the T4 could tow it

 

[CXS]

Good googly moogly this rental search is wearing on my patience... and they are flying off the market.

We did get some good news though - my wife got the job she wanted at the school she wanted, even in the grade she wanted. :bravo: She's excited and I'm relieved!

Congrats bofa, happy for your wife. You both have jobs, you're moving to CO, all's good. The rest will fall in to place.

 

[bofa]

That's great! Things are falling in to place, eh? Finding a house will happen, even if it isn't ideal- 100% occupancy is pretty unrealistic. There are always a few places vacant, no matter the market conditions. You definitely have to be proactive, but its stressful even moving down the road and making the timing work, let alone moving across the country.

But fear not. You could always find a nice plot of land somewhere and get one of these? I bet the T4 could tow it

Haha.. I actually tried to sell that as a backup plan and almost got slapped. I'm sure we'll figure it out. Now that we are in May things might be a little easier. It's been hard finding availability that far out.