Area Real Estate News & Market Trends

Our blog is a great resource for helpful tips, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!

Dec. 29, 2017

We have the greatest Clients 2017 Year in Review

 

Home is where our most cherished memories are made.  Where the stories of our lives are fashioned and held close.  As a reflection of our dreams and aspirations, home is the most personal of places.

So we feel very privileged to have assisted many sellers and buyers in 2018 and that you have invited us into your lives and homes.  We pray that God will bless you and your families with a wonderful year filled with happiness, heartfelt warmth and many magical moments.   

Thank you, Thank you!  Have an amazing 2018!

 

Posted in Family First
Dec. 26, 2017

5 Ways The Tax Bill Will Affect Homeownership And Mortgages

Expect some big changes if you own your home in 2018.

Will the new tax law save you money or cost you money? The answer depends on a complex array of factors that touch on just about every aspect of your financial life. This article is about a subset of your finances: How the tax law will affect homeownership and mortgages.
Among other things, the tax law changes whether and how homeowners deduct mortgage interest and property taxes. Many of these revisions for individuals and families are set to expire at the end of 2025.
Here are five elements of the tax law that could affect homeownership, home selling and moving.
1. Mortgage Interest Deduction
The mortgage interest tax deduction is touted as a way to make homeownership more affordable. It cuts the federal income tax that qualifying homeowners pay by reducing their taxable income by the amount of mortgage interest they pay. Beginning in 2018, the deduction is scaled back to interest on debt up to $750,000, instead of $1 million, for people who buy homes on or after Dec. 15, 2017.
The law carves out an exception for people who were under contract to buy a home before Dec. 15, 2017, as long as they were scheduled to close by Jan. 1, 2018.
Another exception: When you refinance a mortgage, the compromise bill treats the new loan as if it were originated on the old loan’s date. That means the old limit of $1 million would apply.
2. Property Tax Deduction
The former tax law eased the pain of paying property taxes by allowing qualifying taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by the total amount of property taxes they paid. Beginning in 2018, the deduction is limited to a total of $10,000 for the cost of property taxes, and state and local income taxes or sales taxes.
3. Home Equity Deduction
On top of the mortgage interest deduction, the former tax law added a deduction for interest paid on home equity debt “for reasons other than to buy, build, or substantially improve your home.” So, for example, if you borrowed from a home equity line of credit to pay tuition, the interest you paid was tax-deductible.
Starting in 2018, the deduction is eliminated for interest paid on home equity debt.
4. Mortgage Interest Deduction For Second Homes
You may deduct interest on mortgage debt on your primary home and a second home. The new law keeps this part of the former tax law in place, although it reduces the amount of eligible mortgage debt, as seen in item No. 1 above.
5. Moving Expenses
Under the former tax law, you could deduct some moving expenses when you moved for a new job. You had to meet complex criteria involving distance and timing of the move.
Beginning in 2018, only active-duty members of the armed forces will be allowed to deduct moving expenses.
Capital Gain Rule Unchanged
When you sell a house, the capital gain is the difference between the price you paid for it and the price you sold it for. This capital gain is treated as taxable income. If you owned the house long enough, you’re allowed to exclude up to $500,000 of this capital gain as income so you don’t have to pay federal income tax on it. (The exclusion is capped at $250,000 for married taxpayers filing separately.)
The new tax law doesn’t alter the capital gain exclusion for homes. The House and Senate had voted to limit the exclusion, but they struck that language from the final bill.
Fewer Taxpayers Would Itemize
The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that the number of itemizers will fall from about 49 million to 10 million under the new tax law.
The upshot: Under the tax law through 2017, if you’re married filing jointly and you paid $15,000 in mortgage interest and property taxes in 2017, you would itemize those deductions because they exceed the standard deduction of $12,700.
Beginning in 2018, the standard deduction for married filing jointly rises to $24,000. If you’re like the hypothetical family above, your $15,000 in mortgage interest and property taxes is less than the standard deduction. So you won’t itemize. You will use the standard deduction.
Whether you end up paying less tax or more tax depends on a wide range of factors beyond the homeownership-related deductions and exclusions discussed here. Every taxpayer is different.
Realtors Raise A Ruckus
The National Association of Realtors opposed increasing the standard deduction on the grounds that it “would destroy or at least cripple the incentive value of the mortgage interest deduction (MID) for the great majority of current and prospective homebuyers, and sap the incentive value of the property tax deduction for millions more.”
NAR argued that the de-emphasis on itemized deductions would result in “a plunge in home values across America in excess of 10 percent, and likely more in higher cost areas.”
Skeptics challenged the Realtors’ assertion that giving taxpayers a bigger standard deduction would cause home prices to nosedive. Logan Mohtashami, senior loan officer for AMC Lending Group in Irvine, California, says in an interview that there are always “spreadsheet people” who decide whether to rent or buy a home based on tax advantages. “But, in general, people buy homes because they want to raise their family, they want to own something, forced savings”—and not have to deal with a landlord, he says.
Written by Holden Lewis for NerdWallet. Holden Lewis is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: hlewis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @HoldenL.
The article 5 Homeownership Changes Coming Under New Tax Law originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Posted in Seller Info
Dec. 23, 2017

Merry Christmas From Keenan Real Estate

May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill,
and may the year ahead be full of contentment and joy.

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

Posted in Family First
Dec. 23, 2017

10 Top House-Hunting Mistakes to Avoid

House-hunting is not for the weak of heart. It is more than just calling some real estate agents, seeing a few houses, and moving in right after you found one you like. Things can get very challenging when looking for a new home more so if you’re targeting buying a home in a hot neighbourhood. You need to be smart about your search and come up with a game plan for house-hunting success!

Below is our compilation of the top 10 house-hunting mistakes that you need to avoid.

Listening to Advisers Who Don’t Live With You

Input from some people is great, but not if they won’t be living with you anyway. Opinion from other people might confuse you and won’t really help you because they would often be speaking about their needs, not yours.

Going in with No Mortgage Pre-Approval

The last thing you want to convey when house-hunting is for real estate agents and home sellers to think that you’re not serious about your search. This can mean losing out to another buyer who can make a solid offer. More so, mortgage pre-approval lets you know exactly what you can afford.

Not Seizing the Moment

Go see a new listing if you’re interested. Waiting just a few hours can mean someone might beat you to it in a tight market.

Not Checking the Neighbourhood

How would you feel waking up to the neighbour’s loud drum practice on your first morning in your new home? How about having a hard time getting out in the morning because there is a school nearby and the street is filled with family vehicles and school buses? Always check the small details.

Getting a Crush on Sparkly New Features

Newly renovated and newly constructed homes have a tendency to make someone want to own them right off the bat, but you have to think that a home is more than new features! Note that most low-quality finishes and materials look great when new but are worthless in the long run.

 

Not Being Sure What You Want

You have to know what features you want before shopping for a home or you’ll risk not finding any or being overwhelmed with possible choices. This would save you time too by narrowing your search.

 

Being Mesmerized By Décor

Don’t forget to assess whether you’re just loving the staged decorations or the home itself. Unless the home sellers are going to leave everything with the house, you’ll end up with a shell that you’re not sure you like anyway.

Not Settling for Anything Less Than Absolute Perfection

Your 100% dream home may not exist, so why not consider one that ticks most of your boxes although not all of it? It’s easy to fall for thinking that something better will be available soon.

 

Not Taking Your Time in an Open House

You need to have a real feel of the house and explore it in detail before you make the decision of making an offer for it. Check nooks and crannies, open cabinets, use the bathroom, inspect the kitchen and so on. Make sure you don’t skip the basement and the attic!

 

Forgetting to Have An Agent

House-hunting in a hot market without an agent is a waste of time, energy, hope, and effort. Up your chances of sealing a deal by having an agent who can get you first dibs on new listings. Less negotiation error too!.Visit our website  www.perfectfecthouseforyou.com.

 Article by Brad Miller, Realty Times

Posted in Buyer Info
Dec. 19, 2017

November 2017 Market Watch

Posted in Market Updates
Dec. 19, 2017

Home Improvements That Pay Off

Landscaping

Average return at resale: 100 percent

The average homeowner spends about $3,502 for landscaping and $1,465 on a designer, according to the American Nursery Landscape Association.

Not sure where to start? Local garden centers often offer free design services, or ask the neighbors what works for them.

Sod costs about 30 to 35 cents a square foot, so a 5,000 sq. ft. yard would cost about $1,500 to sod. Budget for delivery fee if you buy less than 1,000 sq. ft. of sod.

A splash of color at the front of the house is an eye-catching plus. For maximum impact, use one color and vary the height of plants.

If your doorway is overwhelmed by greenery, get out the shears. Replace overgrown shrubbery with flowering foundation plants, mixing heights and colors for dramatic effect.

A charming focal point like a walkway and fountain adds major value to your property. Roll a sealant on flagstones for a permanent wet look that enhances the color.

Exterior Improvements

(Vinyl Siding, Paint, Updated Front Entry)

Average return at resale: 95.5 percent

The average national cost to replace 1,250 sq. ft. of vinyl siding: $7,239. Average return: $6,914, with a recoup rate of 95.5 percent.

A gallon of paint covers 400 sq. ft. of house.

Paint color cards take the guesswork out of choosing the right color combination for doors, trim and siding.

If your house was painted before 1978, test for lead before sanding or scraping.

Upscale, fiber-cement siding costs $10,393 and returns $10,771 at resale, an even better recoup rate of 103.6 percent

If you need columns to hold up a pergola, purchase the load-bearing type. Fiberglass composite columns are popular and durable. Check salvage yards for unique historic columns.

For an updated look, remove old awnings from windows and doors.

Swap damaged wrought-iron railings for real wood supports for a more inviting entry.

Give a bare, charmless porch a dramatic makeover by adding a pergola and columns.

 

Minor Kitchen Remodel

Average return at resale: 98.5 percent

A minor kitchen remodel averages $14,913 for $14,691 at resale, a recoup rate of 98.5 percent. Do a minor remodel when your kitchen needs a cosmetic update and not a drastically different floor plan.

A $15,000 kitchen update covers 30 feet of re-facing for cabinets and drawers, a new wall oven, cooktop, sink and fixtures, laminate countertops and resilient flooring.

Put recessed lights 3’ to 5’ apart on center and 18″ from cabinets to light the countertops. Running the lights between two joists is easier than running through the joists.

If your home is worth more than $500,000, go with stone or trendy glass countertops.

Cover old vinyl with floor leveler so the pattern doesn’t bleed through. You can’t put a second layer of vinyl on if the subfloor is below-grade concrete.

Brighten up the kitchen by sanding and painting existing cabinets. It’s much less expensive than buying new ones.

Add decorator detail without the cost by changing drapes and window molding.

Minor Bathroom Remodel

Average return at resale: 102 percent

It costs about $10,500 to replace the tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity and fixtures. You’ll get back an average of $10,700 at resale, a recoup rate of 102 percent.

If you can pipe a child’s name on a birthday cake, you can re-caulk a tub. Use a softener like CAULK-BE-GONE to get rid of the old caulk. Fill the tub with water after you’re done to stretch caulk while it dries.

If your old tub is too large to fit out the door, re-glaze it for a like-new finish. Cost: $300 to $400.

Remove dated wall coverings and apply a fresh coat of paint. For damaged walls, spray-on texture provides quick coverage.

Replace old shower doors or remove them to add the illusion of space.

 

Major Bathroom Remodel

Average return at resale: 93.2 percent

A major bathroom remodel involves expanding an existing 5×7 ft. bathroom, relocating and replacing the tub and toilet and adding designer sinks and faucets, a linen closet, lighting, a ceramic tile floor and exhaust fan for a cost of $26,052, which brings in $24,286 at resale.

Start at the bottom. Replace old floors with fresh tile in ceramic or stone for a solid payoff. Buy extra tiles in case you break any during installation. Set some tiles aside at the end of the job for future repairs.

Give an old vanity a facelift with a new countertop for a clean, fresh look buyers will love.

Use eye-fooling tricks to make a small bath look larger. A new pedestal sink is a smart replacement for an old cabinet. The smaller footprint gives the illusion of space.

 

Attic Bedroom Conversion

Average return at resale: 93.5 percent

The average attic bedroom in a two- or three-bedroom house costs $39,188 and returns $36,649 at resale.

The best recoup rate is in the West: 105 percent; worst is in the Midwest: 82 percent.

That price includes a 15 x 15 ft. bedroom, a 5 x 7 ft. bath with shower, a 15 ft. dormer, four windows and a closet.

Add attic insulation to lower your utility bills. Making sure the foil vapor barrier is installed down toward the ceiling to prevent moisture from seeping up. Check the US Department of Energy website to see the right level of insulation for your area.

Can your existing HVAC system handle the load of another room? If not, factor in the cost of a second unit.

A solar-powered attic fan is an efficient way to save on cooling costs. The attic fan exhausts heat from above your home and is powered by a solar cell on the roof.

 

Deck, Patio or Porch Addition

Average return at resale: 90.3 percent

Adding a 16×20 ft. pressure-treated wood deck with a simple pattern costs about $11,000. At resale, you’ll get about $10,000 of that back, a recoup rate of 90 percent.

Add eye-appeal with decorative planters on the front porch, patio and decks.

Give a courtyard an impressive entry with an inviting gate, lighting and mature plantings. Small improvements will have a big impact at closing.

Use bold plantings to emphasize features, or to distract the eye from flaws.

Run-down stairs lower your profit margin, so make sure porch railings are safe and attractive.

Camouflage unattractive air conditioning units with a wooden trellis.

In the West, the recoup rate reaches nearly 100 percent, but it falls to 83 percent in the South.

 

10 Replacement Windows

Average return at resale: 89.6 percent

Replacing ten 3×5 ft. windows runs about $9,700. On average nationally, you’ll get back $8,700 when you sell, a recoup rate of nearly 90 percent.

Big city window replacements pay off. The average homeowner recoups more than she spends on replacement windows in San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, Miami, Chicago, NYC and Boston.

For hot climates, there’s low-e glass that reflects heat. And for maximum efficiency, add argon gas inside the pane to prevent heat and cold transference within the window.

 

Family Room Addition

Average return at resale: 83 percent

The average family room addition costs $54,464 and adds $45,458 at resale, a recoup rate of 83 percent.

The highest recoup rates occur in high-cost Western markets.

A sunroom counts in the home’s square footage only when the room is heated and cooled for year-round use.

A sunroom adds value only in upscale neighborhoods. It won’t bring in higher bids in lower-end neighborhoods.

An addition shouldn’t be obvious. Make sure it has an open transition. A wider interior doorway and more substantial steps visually connect the addition to the rest of the house.

 

Living Room Updates – Decor

Average return at resale: 66 percent

It costs around $1,350 for staging and updating living room decor with new light switches, outlet covers, floor registers, crown molding, chair rails and drapes, plus fresh flowers and accessories.

Details add dollars. Crown molding gives a room a crisp, clean finish that buyers love. Choose molding that complements window trim and floorboards. Prices start at around $1.40 per linear foot.

Shift furniture away from the walls to make living rooms feel larger and more contemporary. Create a seating area around a feature you want buyers to notice, like a dramatic fireplace.

If you’re staging your home to sell, don’t move excess furniture and clutter into the garage. Rent a storage unit for about $1 per square foot per month.

New window treatments are a cost-conscious way to add a punch of designer color. For low ceilings, create the illusion of height by positioning drapes and valances higher on the wall.

Posted in Seller Info
Dec. 18, 2017

7 Tips To Buying A Home During The Holidays

Why It Makes Sense to Buy a Home at Year's End.

Moving during the holidays can be a headache with all the seasonal activities and obligations – not to mention unpleasant weather in many locations. However, there are plenty of positives to buying a home during the holidays that may make the headaches of moving worth the effort, including the seven listed below.

1. Less Competition The same issues that make holiday moving a hassle tend to keep people from shopping for homes at that time. While there may be fewer homes available, there are also fewer homebuyers – and that should equal less competition for any home that fits your needs.

2. Motivated Sellers Home sellers don't enjoy moving over the holidays any more than homebuyers do. It's likely that people who are selling their homes over the holidays are highly motivated to do so. Perhaps they must relocate for a new job, or their home has been on the market for a long time and they need the money from a sale before the year is out. Combine motivated sellers with decreased competition and you have great leverage to get a better deal.

3. Lower Prices Home prices have been rising rapidly, in part because of an overall shortage of homes. However, December historically has lower home prices than any other month, due in part to the reasons listed above. There's no guarantee that this year will continue the trend, but it's worth checking the prices within your local market.

4. Faster Closings As a general rule, everyone involved in a holiday real estate transaction wants to complete the transaction before the year ends. Buyers want to settle in their new homes (and if sellers are relocating, they want to settle in before the holidays as well). Lenders want to include the loan on the current year's books. Real estate agents and brokers want to include their commission on the current year's income. Motivated parties should make the closing process go as smoothly as possible – but do your part by having all the required paperwork in order.

5. Better Interest Rates Interest rates are still near historical lows. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has been under 4% for the majority of the last five months, and, as of this writing, interest rates are slowly sinking as we enter the holiday season. On-line calculators are available to show you how much you can save over the life of a mortgage with even a slight decrease in interest rates. You may be surprised at the savings.

6. Motivated Agents – Lower activity in the housing market means that real estate agents are dealing with fewer clients. They have more time to devote to your situation, and, with fewer sales commissions available, they may be just a bit more motivated to bring your purchase to completion.

7. Related Seasonal Sales Need new furniture or other items for your new home? Plenty of seasonal clearance sales will be available to help you apply a personal touch – but be careful not to spend yourself into unrecoverable debt.

These tips don't always apply during every year or in every market, but the holidays usually provide these advantages to potential homebuyers. Check out the conditions in the local market and see if you can find the home of your dreams and get a great deal in the process. Don't worry about moving during the holidays. Santa will still find you.

 

Posted in Buyer Info
Dec. 18, 2017

Getting Ready for 2018

Guest post by Andrea Davis 

2018 is almost here! While you might consider making some New Year’s resolutions, you first need to think about your end of the year list. To get your home in tiptop shape for 2018, here are some important and efficient ways to get it ready.

1. Clean, clean, CLEAN!

If you haven’t taken care of the essential house cleaning chores, now is the time. You’ll want to quickly or deeply clean many areas of your home. These include:

  • Windows
  • Linens
  • Floors
  • Cabinets/countertops
  • Appliances
  • Gutters & downspouts
  • Air vents

Not only does this give your home a refreshed look, it also keeps you financially savvy going into 2018. Without the proper cleaning, areas like the air vents and gutters can lead to expensive home repair bills.

2. Purge & Recycle

Nobody likes looking at a full closet, especially if you have holiday presents to add. So go through every bit of storage in your home – closets, attic, basement, garage, shed, etc. – and remove what you don’t need. You can either throw it away or recycle it by donating to a local secondhand shop. That way, you have tons of space for next year’s discoveries.

3. Increase Efficiency

If you’re going through bills and notice a marked increase in utility costs, now is the time to plan out an efficient home in 2018. This could be as simple as turning off the lights more often and conserving water. On the other hand, if you have some extra dollars, you might consider improvements like:

  • Double or triple-paned windows
  • Solar panel(s)
  • Upgrade your faucets and water outlets

4. HVAC TLC

One of the most important – and expensive – parts of your home is the HVAC system. It keeps the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because it does so much work, it needs some fine-tuning and maintenance at least every six months. To make sure you avoid an expensive bill in 2018, go through the system. Replace the filter, clean out the vents and make sure it’s all working smoothly. If you aren’t an HVAC pro, you can find plenty in the neighborhood to come for a quick checkup.

5. Review the Exterior

Roofing, landscaping, doors, siding – have you given them a thorough look? All of these are important to a beautiful appearance and optimal safety. You need to check for cracks, holes, overhanging branches and the like. You can always get a home inspector for a more in-depth review, but most of it you can do yourself. Doing a quick circle around the house with some spackle or caulk works at least in the short term.

Conclusion

Going into 2018 means letting go of 2017’s hassles. To feel free of any stress, you should take care of the essentials, including your home. Maintenance and some cheap upgrades could make all the difference personally and financially in the New Year. Don’t feel you have to go all out, or else you’ll be too tired for new tasks. Make sure there’s a nice balance of work and play so you get the best start to 2018.

 

Posted in Around the House
Dec. 8, 2017

Curous about your home value?

Posted in Seller Info
Dec. 1, 2017

Brighten up you Holiday Spirit with these 10 Places

10 PLACES TO GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH LIGHT DISPLAYS IN COLORADO

 

9 NEWS PARADE OF LIGHTS

1437 BANNOCK ST, DENVER

 

When: 8 p.m. on Dec. 1, 6 p.m. on Dec. 2
Where: Begins at Denver City and County Building
Price: Free along the route. Grandstand tickets are $19 for adults (people over 12) and $16 for kids aged 2-12 in advance, and $25 on-site
Contact: downtowndenver.com/pol-2017

Parade of Lights 2016 in Denver

 

1007 YORK ST., DENVER

Denver Botanic Gardens’ annual (and wildly popular) “Blossoms of Light” returns to its York Street location starting Nov. 25. (Provided by Denver Botanic Gardens)

Walk in, around and through the lights at this massive, central-Denver display, which advertises “a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights” in addition to treats, warm drinks and live entertainment on select nights.

2017:
When: 5:30-9 p.m. through Jan. 1 (includes Dec. 24, 25 and 31)
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens
Price: $15 for adults; $13 for adult members, seniors (65 and up), military; $12 for children aged 3-15
Contact: 720-865-3500 or botanicgardens.org

102 S TEJON ST. COLORADO SPRINGS

The 33rd annual parade, this year themed “Through the Eyes of a Child,” winds through the city with floats, marching bands, Santa Claus and more.

When: 5:50 p.m., Dec. 2
Where: Tejon Street, downtown Colorado Springs
Price: Free, with donations accepted online
Contact: csfestivaloflights.com

2300 STEELE ST., DENVER

 

Denver Zoo lights November 25, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)

The Zoo’s annual display is one of the region’s most popular — which means preparing for crowds during busy times, such as “peak nights” (Dec. 15-30) when admission is roughly $4 more per person. It shouldn’t be too hard to relax once you’re inside, given the eye-popping, 60-acre display that also includes live entertainment, select animal sightings, food and drink, Santa meet-and-greets and the Zoo’s signature “illuminated animated sculptures” throughout.

When: 5:30-9 p.m., Dec. 1-31
Price: For peak nights, $17 for adults; $12 for children aged 3-11; $14 for seniors (65 and up).
Contact: 720-337-1400 or denverzoo.org

9650 N. SHERIDAN BLVD., WESTMINSTER

What’s more cold-weather appropriate than miniature golf? (OK, so lots of things.) Regardless, this Westminster display boasts 54 holes of mini-golf, more than 100,000 lights and decorations ranging from “Woody, the giant talking tree,” to an erupting volcano and “a booming fireball from our very own temple god.” Seasonal snacks, hot chocolate and adult beverages cost extra.

When: Friday-Sunday, 5:30-9 p.m. through Dec. 10. Then, 5:30-9 p.m. daily Dec. 15-31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas)
Where: Adventure Golf & Raceway
Price: $8 per child (4-12); $10 per adult (13-59); $8 per senior (60+); kids under 3 free
Contact: 303-650-7587 or adventuregolfandraceway.com

LAKEWOOD LIGHTS

801 S. YARROW ST., LAKEWOOD Bundle up for live music and carols, a tree-lighting ceremony with Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul, hot cocoa and cookies, photos with Santa, hayrides, crafts and more.

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Dec. 1-2
Where: Lakewood Heritage Center
Price: Free
Contact: 303-987-7850 or lakewood.org/holidaylights

I.O.O.F. PARK 124 E VIRGINIA AVE., GUNNISON

If you find yourself in Gunnison on Dec. 1, check out this free event that includes the annual lighting of the Gunnison Christmas tree, the arrival of Santa Claus and other activities, libations and live entertainment.

When: 4:30-7 p.m., Dec. 1
Where: Main Street in Gunnison
Price: Free
Contact: gunnisoncrestedbutte.com

809 15TH ST, GOLDEN, CO 80401

 

The annual Olde Golden Christmas Candlelight Walk parades downhill on Washington Street through downtown to Clear Creek. (Denver Post file)

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Golden’s free Candlelight Walk is a tradition for many families in part because it remains so straightforward: All you need to do is hold a candle, sing and walk with your neighbors. At the conclusion, Santa and Golden’s mayor help light the lights of the town. The event is followed by the daylight (as in, starting at 10:30 a.m.) Christmas parades with cowboys, live music, seasonal surprises and more Dec. 2, 9 and 16 (also free).

When: 6 p.m., Dec. 1
Where: Washington Avenue from 15th Street in front of Foothills Art Center to 10th Street
Price: Free
Contact: 303-279-3113 or goldenchamber.org

SANTA’S VILLAGE AT CHATFIELD FARMS

8500 DEER CREEK CANYON ROAD, LITTLETON

Guests to the former Trail of Lights enjoy the old school house on the property all lit up. The Chatfield display will now be called Santa’s Village. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Formerly called Trail of Lights, the Chatfield location of Denver Botanic Gardens has rebranded its holiday display as Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms. Admission includes a meet-and-greet with Santa’s live reindeer, pictures with Santa, Snow Man and the reindeer, crafts with Mrs. Claus, a hayride, Santa’s Cinema on Elf Boulevard, vendors and, of course, holiday lights galore.

When: 4:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays-Sundays, Nov. 24-Dec. 24
Where: Botanic Gardens at Chatfield
Price: $20 for adults and kids; $15 for members
Contact: 720-865-3500 or botanicgardens.org

 

 

Posted in Family First