Just Listed: Stunning Mountain Views in Rampart Highlands

This is the mountain paradise you have been waiting for!

Gorgeous home on a lush 5 acre lot in popular Rampart Highlands with stunning mountain views and a stream running through. You will be enchanted as you walk down the flagstone path through wild flowers and step into the charming tiled entryway. Gleaming hardwood floors greet you on the main level, as well as a wall of windows with those spectacular views. Light and bright open floor plan features a beautiful updated kitchen with cherrywood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile flooring, large walk in pantry and custom light fixtures. Large great room with dining area and multiple seating areas is perfect for entertaining or cozying up to the wood burning fireplace with a good book on cold winter nights. Continuing on the main level you will find a lovely updated bathroom and 2 bedrooms. Upstairs is a huge primary bedroom with seating area, a full bathroom and an additional large bedroom. The walkout basement takes advantage of the southern exposure with a bright sunroom perfect for growing all the plants. The spacious downstairs has plenty of room for an exercise room, media area, playroom....the options are endless. And that's just the inside of this wonderful property. Enjoy hosting a barbecue on your large trex decks. Imagine sipping a glass of wine, watching the sun set as hummingbirds flit through the trees and deer graze a few feet away. It is truly magical! One of the largest, prettiest, most secluded lots in the area, you will never want to leave.

Listed by Mark + Sue for West + Main Homes. Please contact Mark + Sue for current pricing + availability.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

 

Have questions?
West + Main Homes
(720) 903-2912
hello@westandmainhomes.com

Presented by:
Sue Perrault
(303) 667-6279
sue@westandmainhomes.com

---

Meet the Maker: SaToro Tafura

Meet SaToro!

SaToro Tafura’s stone sculpture has received international acclaim and he has been recognized as one of the most promising stone sculptors of his generation. Tafura harnesses his unique artistic sensibility to speak to and listen to stone, resulting in distinctly powerful stone sculptures that transcend time and geographical space. Tafura’s stone sculpture affirms the values and wisdom of Shona culture and reflects themes that resonate universally. Tafura is the first Zimbabwean to cast his one-of-a-kind stone sculpture in bronze on a large scale. Tafura is based in Longmont, Colorado and enjoys returning to Zimbabwe each year, where he sculpts alongside his mother, renown stone sculptor, Agnes Nyanhongo. Tafura recently completed a 11.5 ton stone sculpture, a private commission, in South Denver. He’s also in the process of producing his first documentary film, delving into the complex origins of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

The best piece of advice I’ve received is not from a particular person, but is a sentiment I’ve come across over and over that really resonates with me. “Know thyself” reminds me that despite all the distractions in life, there’s value in prioritizing things that help us know ourselves deeply. I’m not the same person I was even 5 or 10 years ago and as an artist, if I’m disconnected from my deep purpose in life or what I really value, my art is going to reflect that disconnect. When I think about what it means to know myself, I think about staying grounded in my culture, despite living in the U.S. That can be a huge challenge but I’m committed to learning more about my culture and finding relevance in my life today.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been doing a lot of research on the origins of stone sculpture in Zimbabwe, and have been working on a documentary film that explores the connections to previous creative forms and also outside influences from colonization. I grew up with a widely accepted narrative that stone sculpture is a “traditional” art form, and then started piecing together information that caused me to question that and interrogate it further. It’s pretty uncomfortable to let go of a narrative that has been so closely tied to your professional work and a legacy within your family, but it’s incredibly important to me that I’m actively part of Zimbabweans and other Africans telling our history. My grandfather was known as one of the “first generation” stone sculptors in Zimbabwe. A few years ago, I started to think more about this label and the relationship to this so-called “traditional art form.” My grandfather started sculpting stone in the 50s, so how could he possible be one of the first stone sculptors if this was indeed part of our cultural roots? I had an opportunity to interview him before he passed away, and I was able to gather information about how he was introduced to stone sculpting, the connection to European art curators, and the relationship to his father’s craft as a blacksmith.

What do you like to do outside of work?

When the weather in Colorado is warm enough, I am in my garden as much as possible. This is one of the most basic ways I can connect with what is familiar to me, when living in such a different environment. Growing up in a village in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, we relied on subsistence farming. As a young boy, I herded cattle, created sculptures/toys out of clay from the land, tended the fields and vegetable gardens, and fetched firewood for my grandmothers. Some families had specific jobs for boys and others for girls, but my grandfather believed we should learn how to do everything, so I also cooked on the fire in our traditional kitchen as a young boy. Our connection to the land goes beyond meeting our basic needs, and is also related to our spiritual beliefs. These things created a strong connection to our natural world, and I try to maintain that connection through my gardening. Last summer I grew gourds and showed my two young kids which type we used for cups, bowls, and instruments.

What was the best day at work you've had in the past three months?

Last fall I completed a monumental stone sculpture, which was a commission, and the largest sculpture I’ve ever created. A couple months ago, I returned to visit the sculpture in south Denver and was surprised at how much it communicated to me, and how connected I was to the message I was able to tell through the stone. I got this commission when my daughter was born and she’s turning 5 years old this month! Most commissions don’t take nearly this long, but the stone was 16 tons when it was quarried, so you can imagine that it required a tremendous amount of time and effort just to acquire the raw stone and start sculpting. I returned twice to Zimbabwe during the quarrying process, and started the initial “sketching” process on the stone at my mother’s studio in Harare. After shipping it to Denver, I continued the work for a couple years until it was completed. It was an enriching process, and I enjoyed connecting with many people who regularly passed by as I was sculpting the piece on-site. I created some interactive elements with people sharing their reactions to the piece.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

Being far away from home in Zimbabwe, I think it’s obvious what I’d choose. Airfare is expensive!

Get in touch with SaToro

Instagram: @satoro_tafura

Website: https://satorotafura.com

Email: satoro@satorotafura.com

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

You're Invited! First Friday in Louisville Featuring Chelsea Hart

Join us this on August 6th for food, drinks, and art at First Friday in Louisville!

Special thank you to Kate Kippenberger from Universal Lending for her support of the local arts!

Featuring amazing art from Chelsea Hart!

I’m on a mission to make life more joyful. Finding that joy starts with my practice of being grateful for the smallest of things every day.

These small things inspire my work, as does my inner world of emotions. I use my inspiration and channel it onto a surface, heightening colors, movement, and emotions. My work can be described as lighthearted and vibrant. My goal as an artist is to bring a little slice of happiness to my viewers, to uplift and inspire them. I have fun creating art, and I want my viewers to feel that same free, fun feeling.

I earned my BA in Visual Studies at Western Kentucky University, and after living in a handful of states, now call Denver, CO home. I’ve been creating my entire life, always considering myself an artist, but am lucky enough now to call myself a professional artist. I’ve been featured in publications such as Colorado Homes Magazine, The Denver Post, and 303 Magazine. My work can be seen as part of permanent public art collections across the country. I’ve worked with a variety of different clients such as restaurants, marketplaces, offices, and more to create large-scale, joyful, art.

My art is always evolving, and I continually push myself to be a better artist through experimentation and connecting with those more knowledgeable and talented than I.

Learn more about Chelsea and her Art

What are you working on right now?

A new series of acrylic abstract paintings that I'm so proud of. I think they are so fun and some of my best work yet! Also, working on finding more walls to paint murals on.

What do you like outside of work?

I love to travel and can't wait to do it again. I like to get lost in a city, experience a different culture, and just be somewhere new. I am also super into food, whether that's going to new restaurants, cooking, watching cooking shows, if it's food-related, I'm probably into it.

What was the best day at work you've had recently?

Being in the flow of creativity. Just because I have the job title of "artist" doesn't mean I always want to create. So when an idea hits, or I don't want to put my paintbrushes down it's such a great feeling.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere I can! Travel is definitely one of my biggest sources of inspiration. But because that's been limited the last year I've tried my best to notice inspiring things in my every day. That could be a heartfelt conversation with a friend, a nice meal, my garden sprouting plants, a beautiful sunrise, really anything.

Get in touch with Chelsea

Instagram: @chelseamhart

Website: https://www.artbychelseahart.com/

Email: chelsea@artbychelseahart.com

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Winter Park invests over $1M in workforce housing project

Winter Park committed $1.27 million to its deed-restricted apartment building Fireside Creek to buy down rents and ensure its feasibility.

Over a series of meetings on Tuesday, Winter Park established its housing authority, which consists of the town council, and approved a number of measures supporting the Fireside Creek project. The housing authority was created to allow the town to authorize incentives for affordable housing projects.

Fireside Creek is planned to be a 50 unit apartment complex with one and two bedrooms for people who work at least 32 hours per week in Grand County.

During the town council meeting, the council approved a purchase option agreement with Winter Park Partners, offering the land for $10. Winter Park Partners hopes to close on the transfer of land ownership by the end of August. This would allow for construction to start in September.

In addition, the council approved an amendment to the development agreement with Winter Park Partners to increase the town’s financial contribution and ensure the project could move forward.

Fireside Creek was originally planned to be 70 units; however, the Town Board of Adjustment rejected a height variance request for the apartment building, bringing it down to 50 units. In order to close the financial gap from the loss of apartments, the town will be contributing $65,000 per year for the first 10 years.

Winter Park will also contribute $124,000 per year for five years to reduce rent on 24 units. A dozen one-bedroom units will be restricted to 80% Area Median Income (AMI) and another 12 will be capped at 100% AMI. After five years, the units will increase to 120% AMI, matching the remaining units in the project.

Using 2021 data from the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, rent for a one-bedroom at 80% AMI is $1,183 per month, at 100% AMI it’s $1,478 and at 120% rent is $1,774. The two-bedroom units will all be 120% AMI with a monthly rent at $2,130.

Finally, the housing authority passed a resolution finding Fireside Creek meets the affordable housing need in the community and, therefore, can receive tax abatements from the town.

In other business:

• Winter Park Assistant Town Manager Alisha Janes was appointed to be the director of the housing authority.

• The housing authority established meeting notices will be posted at the Winter Park Town Hall and at http://www.wpgov.com.

Learn more at Sky-Hi News.

Related Links

• Tejon Eatery becomes downtown Colorado Springs' newest food hall

• Landlords are ditching their rental properties and cashing out

• Why buying a condo for your college kid could be a smart financial move

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Landlords are ditching their rental properties and cashing out

Rising home prices are causing landlords to choose between equity or cash flow. For those deciding to list, earnings are substantial, investment property owners told Inman

Ryan David is about to list one of his Pennsylvania rental properties for $129,900. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d be selling it for nearly double the purchase price.

But thanks to home price appreciation, the once unimaginable is now a reality. While many investors are buying up properties at a record pace, there’s a subset of them offloading.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the median existing-home price in the U.S. hit $363,300 in June, the highest on record and the 112th month straight of year-over-year home price gains. Prices are expected to continue rising, but the rate at which they rise is expected to drop drastically. Per CoreLogic, from May 2021 to May 2022, home prices are forecasted to have grown by just 3.4 percent. 

The general consensus: Now is prime time for sellers to earn big.

According to a CoreLogic Homeowner Equity Report, from the first quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2021, homeowners with a mortgage gained an average of $33,400 in equity.

But with inventory tight, many primary residents are opting to hold onto their properties rather than sell in fear that they won’t find another home to move into. 

On the contrary, landlords have the freedom to cash out and earn big.

Ali Wolf, chief economist at Zonda, told Inman that the emerging trend is being driven not only by the desire for a major pay day, but with sales inventory so tight and so in demand, investors don’t have to put much time or money into updating their homes before listing them.

“Investors are typically getting into real estate for two reasons: for cash flow or for home price appreciation. Right now, we are in a housing market where either strategy is expected to pay off because rental inventory is tight and rents are rising, and sale inventory is tight and home prices are rising,” Wolf said. 

For the landlords deciding to sell, she continued, their properties are suddenly worth much more than what they purchased them for. The opportunity to collect a quick and large return on the investment is more enticing than the monthly cash flow from tenants.

Keep reading on Inman.

Related Links

• Thinking of Buying a Lakeside Home? 9 Things You Should Consider First

• Why buying a condo for your college kid could be a smart financial move

• As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Horoscopes for Home

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma