You've made a big decision in your life - you have decided to make a move and buy your first home.  You know interests rates are great, some areas of Denver have some wonderful buying opportunities and you are ready to go. But where do you start?   I would suggest an important early step is to select your Denver REALTOR® and your mortgage broker and get pre-approved for your loan.   Getting pre-approved is very important for many reasons, especially for a first time home buyer.   First, the more obvious - you will know where you stand.  Even if your home purchase is still a few months out, this is very important because you will know exactly what you can afford to buy.  If you are like the majority of home buyers these days , your search for a Denver area home begins on the Internet in ... 03/22/2008

As the snow melts today from our latest run-in with winter - I can't help but wonder if the trails will be clear enough to take our first ride of the year on the trail at South Platte Park.So very convenient from so many areas of the South Denver Metro area, South Platte Park is what living in Colorado is all about -abundant open space, the South Platte River, bike trails, a nature center, 5 lakes (fun fishing!) and plenty more. It has become a family favorite for us - its is very convenient to get to from many parts of the South metro area - it is only about 8 minutes form my Highlands Ranch home and anywhere in Littleton, Englewood and even parts of Centennial can say the same. South Platte Park is located just off of Mineral Avenue, west of Santa Fe Drive. It is tucked away behind As... 03/18/2008

Littleton, CO - LITTLETON REAL ESTATE & HOMES SALES NUMBERS FROM FEBRUARY 2008 REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - SINGLE FAMILY HOMES Littleton real estate has picked up a bit.  There is now just over a 3 1/2 supply of Littleton homes available as inventory.  Which is really not that bad. But the same tune I have been signing still applies - have your home priced right in the best condition possible.  Because at the end of the day, statistics are just statistics - and you want to be one of the sold statistics.  If you listen to your Littleton REALTOR® and listen to their advice base don their experience and knowledge, the 2008 real estate market in Littleton could be a good one for you. Here are numbers for February 2008 regarding the real estate activity in Littleton, Colorado. As of March 1s... 03/09/2008

Wildcat Ridge Neighborhood of Littleton - It Really Isn't Highlands Ranch!  Wildcat Ridge is a beautiful neighborhood in northern Douglas County, CO - and many times is confused by those relocating to the Denver area or perhaps from nearby areas.  Over the years, I can not tell you how many people believe that when they are looking at homes in Wildcat Ridge that they are actually looking at a home in Highlands Ranch.  But they are not!  In fact, Wildcat Ridge is not part of Highlands Ranch - its community boasts it own HOA and although they do share some of the Douglas County school boundaries, they are not in fact members of the "official"  Highlands Ranch community or HOA of HRCA.  Neighbors yes, but the same, no.  Officially, Wildcat Ridge is a neighborhood in unincorporated Douglas ... 02/21/2008

Littleton, CO - LITTLETON REAL ESTATE & HOMES SALES NUMBERS FROM JANUARY 2008 REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT   Littleton is another example of a good start in the Denver real estate market for the New Year.  There are some area that are still doing much better than others, but all in all, the activity is there.  Home buyers are buying and the homes that are priced right are selling.  I still see a good amount for homes all over the area that are over-priced and the fact of the matter is - if you want to sell your home this is not the time to play games.  The buyers are savvy and they are not going to over pay for your home.  There is a bit more than a 4 1/2 month supply of Littleton real estate available currently - in relation to the amount of inventory.   That is actually a decent number, ... 02/02/2008

My wife kept telling me how great the new Safeway is at Broadway & Mineral in Littleton.  If you asked her a year ago if she would have shopped at this new Safeway - her answer was no!  She was not at all happy about Tony's Market leaving this location that was so close to our home.  Fast forward a year later, I have actually heard her bragging about how much she loves the new Safeway.   Fresh peanut butter bar, Gelato station, manned Coffee bean station,  - the list goes on & on.  I know their has been some reluctance by some to welcome the new Safeway as it is the first & only Safeway grocery store in the state of Colorado to offer a full liquor store within - but controversy aside I have to say I have now checked it out - and it is rather nice. But something even more interesting cau... 01/22/2008

 Lately I have been spending quite a bit of time in the Normandy Estates Neighborhood in Littleton, CO. I have a Littleton home for sale there. It really is a fantastic neighborhood to live in and there are countless recreational opportunities throughout the neighborhood. I took some pictures of the nearby pool & tennis courts at the Columbine Knolls Recreation District area. A second pool area was under construction this past summer and if all goes well, it will be ready for the community to enjoy by this summer, June 2008. And with the Normandy Farms and Stables next door to the soon to be completely renovated pool area, it is a very serene location. The park area in this Littleton neighborhood is wonderful as well, quite spacious with room to run and relax. If you are looking for a h... 01/19/2008

Littleton, CO library on 6014 S Datura St. has a free event Oct. 26th from 7PM to 8:30 PM for all you die-hard Star Wars fans of all ages. Celebrating the 30th anniversary there will be Star Wars characters, movie clips, trivia and more. Remember your camera; picture taking opportunities with the characters. Our son is going nuts with Star Wars anything. So we know we'll be there to check it all out! Disclaimer: Kenna and Co. Blog does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided herein, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied. Blog posts on the Kenna and Co. Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). Kenna and Co. Blog does not express the views of Kenna and Co. or those of the br... 10/26/2007

One of the most popular events of the year for the Littleton Historic Museum is just around the corner.  Littleton residents and Denverites alike annual flock to the Littleton Historic Museum each year for the Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Sale.  I have not been to this event myself in a while, but we are trying to see if we can fit it in our schedule this year. The Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Sale takes place on Saturday, 10/13 from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm rain or shine.  This can be a very crowded event and I suggest arriving early, especially if you want the best pumpkin selection.  This fun filled day will be especially fun for the youngsters as everyone sees how a farm was run in the late 1800's for the fall harvest.  Visits to all of the historic buildings are coupled with pumpkin sale... 10/05/2007

So Many Denverites will tell you that the outdoor opportunities are virtually endless, practically right out their back door.  I would have to agree, 100%.  If you are living in Douglas County, you have one such place in such close distance - you have to check it out.  Waterton Canyon is located off of Waterton Road in Littleton - follow the signs from C470 and Wadsworth after heading south on Wadsworth.  It is a beautiful area maintained by Denver Water, even though it is outside of Denver.  The trail itself is an easy dirt road with a very mild incline (my kids can handle this - its very mild!) that follows the Waterton Canyon of the South Platte River to the Strontia Springs Dam.  You w ill find many hikers on the trail as well and it is also a very popular area for fishing - in fact... 10/03/2007

It is quite clear to most of us that the primary cause of all the foreclosures we are now experiencing is the fact that too many lenders made too many loans to too many barely qualified buyers. Obviously, it is too late for those that have already gone through foreclosure, and it might be too late for many others where the foreclosure process is well under way. But for those borrowers who are still current (or maybe only a month or two behind), there are some things the current noteholders should consider to prevent them from having to foreclose, and take back properties that we all know they do not want. 1. Waive the pre-payment penalty. "Wake up note-holders! Contact your borrowers now who have prepayment penalties in their loans and inform them that these fees will be waived if the b... 09/24/2007

One of the things you will quickly find once you are settled in your new Denver home, is there is always something going on.  Fall is no exception - in fact I think that the wonderful activities actually multiply in September and October.  One of my family's favorites is coming up - and that would be the Chatfield Pumpkin Festival.  Before I go any further, let me say this - if you go - bring a wagon.  You will want it to pull your pumpkins back to the car.  The Chatfield Pumpkin Festivalis October 13th and 14th at the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield (9am - 5pm).  The fields are filled with pumpkins and there is just something about kids and pumpkins.  Everyone is always in such a great mood at this event and is so fun to watch everyone hunt for THEIR perfect pumpkin.  Prices of pum... 09/22/2007

Thinking of Being in a New Home for the Holidays this year?  If your home isn't listed, you need to get started now.  In years past, I generally get calls in mid to late October with potential Denver home sellers asking about moving in time for the holidays.  In this years case, if you plan on carving your turkey in a new home, or singing Fa La La La in your new living room, or celebrating any holiday in November or December for that matter in your new Denver home - you need to get on this now, if you haven't already. Here are some of the stats for the Denver Area Real Estate of Days On Market for August 2007: Douglas County/Highlands Ranch & Lone Tree: 60 Days on Market (Highlands Ranch & Lone Tree Real Estate) Douglas County West: 118 (Castle Rock Real Estate and sections of south Lit... 09/22/2007

The Littleton Corn Maze at the Chatfield Arboretum We had high hopes of attending the Corn Maze late today at the Chatfield Arboretum (part of the Denver Botanic Gardens).  Since we live on the west side of Highlands Ranch, our home is very close by and it is a very quick drive for us.  We have a very busy day with sporting events for both of our children and we had hoped to be able to check out the corn maze late today after we were through with the craziness of the day.  Unfortunately though, one of my kids was stung my a bee at the other's soccer game - right on the top of the foot - snuck right in his sandal (he is ok now).  So with the pain that caused, we decided it wasn't the right day to trudge through the corn maze.  We decided to save it for another day when he was feeling bet... 09/08/2007

LITTLETON COLORADO  - HOMES SALES NUMBERS  - AUGUST 2007 REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT FOR LITTLETON HOMES Littleton home inventory is definitely coming into balance.  For the size of this area, the number of active Littleton real estate listings is very managable.  Still, expect a couple of months on the market on average.  Of course, if you can't wait that long then price and condition will be crucial.  We are heading into the winter and holiday months ahead, keep that in mind for timing of the Denver real estate market across the board. Here are numbers from August 2007 regarding the activity in Littleton, Colorado for single family residential homes.   On September 1, 2007 there were 823 homes that were Active Listings - Homes for Sale in Littleton.  229 homes in Littleton for sale were... 09/06/2007

Denver Colorado is the place to be Labor Day Weekend -  Just for the Ski Sales Alone! It may still look like this on the slopes: But before long, it is going to look like this: If you have lived in Denver for any amount of time, you know one thing for sure - Labor Day Weekend is quite the time to find some great buys for ski & board gear.  And if you are new to Denver & need to stock up on your mountain gear, this weekend is the time to find some great deals and have a fun time doing so at the same time.  Here are some of the sales you will find around town this coming weekend in the Denver Area.  I have only been skiing for the last several years, so I have had plenty of winter gear I have had to acquire in recent years.  And for those of us with kids that grow faster than weeds, I gen... 08/28/2007

Everyone in the Denver Area - Need Something to do this Weekend?  Try the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival I just got off the phone with a home buyer that is in town for the weekend.  They have already found their new home, so now they have the weekend free to just see what living in Douglas County Colorado is all about.  One of the things I recommended they check out is the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival.  Held each year in August at Chatfield State Park, the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival runs Saturday 8/25 and Sunday 8/26th.  The first balloon will lift off at 6:30 Saturday and can be seen for miles.  I can even see them from my home in Highlands Ranch.   The neighborhoods around Chatfield will have fantastic views.  The festival will continue all weekend with music and activities t... 08/24/2007

Littleton Colorado Celebrates a Tradition This Week!  Are you new to the area?  Have you just relocated to Littleton or another nearby suburb?  If so, you probably don't know what the buzz is about surrounding Littleton's Western Welcome Week. When I first moved to Highlands Ranch in 1995 (from the other side of Denver), it was the week of Western Welcome Week.  Highlands Ranch, especially the area I lived in, is so close to Littleton that lines and events were often a blur and I spent as much time in Littleton as I did in Highlands Ranch.  I remember seeing the local newspaper's coverage of Western Welcome Week and realizing what a big event it was.  Now in its 79th year, Western Welcome is as big of an event as it ever was.  Over the years my own family has always looked forward to th... 08/15/2007

Art & Music Festival This Weekend in Littleton One of the great parts of living in Denver is that there are always activities for those looking for something to do.  Here is a fun activities for this weekend for those that live in Littleton, or anywhere in the Denver Metro Area.  At Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center, The Littleton Art and Acoustic Music Festival will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  There will be over 100 artists set up throughout the Aspen Grove parking lot and many musical performances by acoustic musicians.  I have to say, the music is the part I enjoy the most.  My wife loves the artists, especially the jewelry.  I can sit and enjoy the music while she shops - we are both happy.  On Saturday, there will be a Family Clay Creation booth, so my children will be... 06/25/2007

Sterne Park in Littleton, CO - a Great place for an hour or the whole afternoon! Sterne Park in Littleton Coloradois a fantastic community park that is located just blocks away from Historic Downtown Littleton.  Nestled away from the main roads, it is a quiet park but still can bustle with activity from time to time.  Part of the South Suburban parks and Recreation Department (SSPRD), Sterne Park is a great option for just about everyone. My favorite qualities are the beautiful pond in the center of Sterne Park.  I have given my own children fishing lessons at this very park.  On these very days we have packed a picnic to enjoy or have even grilled on the grills located near the covered shelters.  The history of Littleton is evident throughout the park.  The founding family of Littleton... 06/08/2007