I saw another great house today in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.  And by "great", I mean it's a 1985 flashback but with a price reduction that might just make it worth it.  Nothing like a little sweat equity!

I was checking out Megan's Law in Colorado  (http://sor.state.co.us/) and happened to notice this HUGE castle in the neighborhood.
After some digging, I discovered that this is THE castle... where Highlands Ranch got it's name!

This castle was originally built by John Wallace Springer.  Springer moved to Denver in 1897 with his wife, Eliza, and they eventually settled south of Denver in modern day Highlands Ranch.

Under Springer's ownership, the mansion was called Castle Isabel.  Since his owner, the castle had multiple names, including Diamond K Ranch, Sunland, and Phillips Highland Ranch.  Phillips Highland Ranch... Highlands Ranch... I'm assuming you see the connection!  There's also a Diamond K park along this neighborhood.  Glad to know more about it's history!

Here are some new photos that I found on the Highlands Ranch Castle website.  The castle will be open sometime in this year to visitors! 
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Phillips Highland Ranch Historic Entrance
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Historic Home
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Highlands Ranch - BEFORE suburban America!
Highlands Ranch Castle
Modern Day Entrance
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North Facing Garages,
Notice anything funny about this picture?  Okay... besides the fact that I'm not a professional photographer?

Half of the side of the street has bunches of snow, and the other half has absolutely nothing!  It's been a while since Denver has had bunches of snow, but the snow on the ground still hasn't melted.

The secret?  The homes on the left face the north, so the houses form a shadow on the front lawn, street, sidewalks, and driveway.  The homes on the right get sun during the day, so the snow has melted.  My husband told me about the phenomenon when we moved to Colorado, but I didn't believe him until I saw entire streets buried in snow.

It's not that you can't buy a house if it faces north, but think about all of the shoveling you'd have to do!  
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I absolutely fell in love with a house that I saw in Highlands Ranch, Colorado today.  The views lit.er.a.lly took my breath away!  It's the first house that made me forget about how much I miss Durango, Colorado.  Don't get me wrong... Denver is beautiful!  But the San Juan National Forrest around Durango is magical.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a photo from a different house. 
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Don't get me wrong... I have nothing against little fishies.  Maybe the owner loves fishing and this bathroom is soothing for him?  I guess the fisher could be a woman too... but woman has ever said to herself,

"You know, my life would be so much better if I could just look at some fish in while I'm peeing in a teeny tiny bathroom?"

Do whatever you want when you own the house.  When you decide to list your property, it's time for the game face.  Take down the distracting wallpaper that makes this bathroom look even smaller and find a nice neutral color.  You want your buyers to envision themselves in your home, not trying to figure out why there are fish on the wall.
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This Denver neighborhood is great, and I love this house that my teammate recently sold.  Here are a couple photos of this gem.  I'll have a few more up tomorrow!

If you're looking for a house like this (or one completely different!), contact me today so I can earn the right to be your real estate team.

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