The Lanterns at Steel Ranch Floor Plan is impressive in itself.
Lanterns at Steel Ranch’s main-floor ranch homes feature low-maintenance living.
According to Chris Mason, a community sales manager for local homebuilder Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, the Denver Metro real estate market is hot. Buyers are seeing equity in their homes like never before, and many are looking use that equity to purchase a new home that fits their lifestyle. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Louisville.
There are very few homes for sale within Louisville city limits. Those that are listed for sale, often sell within a few weeks, or even a few days of being listed. Combine a lack of inventory with the popularity of charming Old Town Louisville, and it’s no wonder that the Steel Ranch neighborhood has been the “it” location for new home buyers.
Mason is the sales manager at Boulder Creek’s Lanterns neighborhood, the final phase in the Steel Ranch community. He says, “There’s no doubt that people want to live in Steel Ranch.” Over the past few years, Boulder Creek has seen the draw of the neighborhood firsthand – closing out a low-maintenance patio home neighborhood, and a successful townhome series as well.
Lanterns at Steel Ranch showcases Boulder Creek’s popular Opportunities series. “These are main-floor ranch homes with a finished lower level included in the base price,” Mason said. It’s the stylish yet practical design for which Boulder Creek is so well known. With only six homes left in the whole community, Mason points out that the popularity neighborhood speaks for itself.
“Our patio homes are really popular with folks who are ready to downsize,” Mason said. With the understanding that active adults are more interested in enjoying their free time than spending it doing around-the-house chores, Boulder Creek designs homes that perfectly blend convenience and comfort. The ranch-style floor plans at Lanterns certainly do just that.
Mason explains that while he talks to plenty of active adults, he also shows homes to soon-to-be empty-nesters, as well as professional couples. He believes this has a lot to do with the kind of lifestyle a Boulder Creek home facilitates.
The low-maintenance lifestyle at Boulder Creek covers the most time-consuming outdoor chores. Imagine never having to spend a weekend doing yard work, or staying just a little warmer during winter months because you don’t have to hassle with shoveling snow. Those kinds of stressors are simply a thing of the past for Boulder Creek homeowners.
It’s difficult to overstate the value of that. “We calculate that to be 6 to 8 hours of free time per week,” Mason said. That’s time homeowners can spend doing something more relaxing and enjoyable. And for empty-nesters and families alike, that’s a windfall of time. Mason calls that “Lifefullness,” and he says it’s something that almost all of his homebuyers are seeking.
While the low-maintenance lifestyle alone is impressive, that’s hardly the only thing the Boulder Creek homes at Lanterns have going for them. Add to the list two more considerable perks: the floorplans and the location.
The four floorplans offered at Lanterns are all focused on main-floor living, meaning that the most heavily trafficked rooms in the house are all located on the main floor. That includes the master suite, kitchen, living room, laundry room, study and all exterior entrances, as well as access to the two-car garage. With everything needed for day-to-day living on the main floor, constant trips up and down the stairs become a thing of the past.
Boulder Creek has also included a finished lower level. The lower level includes a spacious recreation room, a full bathroom, a guest bedroom, and an additional space that can function as an optional bedroom, a hobby room, or even a storage area.
Mason made it a point to emphasize the core design elements that distinguish Boulder Creek’s finished lower level from the average basement. “It’s completely different,” he said. “It’s got a large 9-foot ceiling, and big 5-foot by 5-foot windows.” The result is an open space full of natural light. In other words, it doesn’t feel like a storage area that’s been converted into a living space after the fact because, quite simply, it isn’t.
Then there’s the location to take into account. Opportunities to buy in Steel Ranch are rare, and Lanterns is the last phase of new homes in the popular neighborhood. Like Boulder Creek’s homes, the neighborhood has proven to be attractive to many different types of homebuyers. That’s due in no small part to the sense of community flourishing at Steel Ranch.
“These homes offer outdoor living spaces in the front,” Mason said. Not only is the addition aesthetically pleasing, but it does a lot to promote community, as well. Residents frequently make use of their front patios, and that in turn leads to the kind of social interaction between neighbors that’s not often found in many neighborhoods today. Relationships get built. People really know one another.
Mason said it’s an incredible thing to watch. “There is always some kind of little event going on,” he said, whether that’s an impromptu afternoon visit or socializing at one of the community’s two parks.
It’s also well worth mentioning that Steel Ranch is just a short walk from downtown Louisville. That means residents have a vibrant neighborhood buzzing with social activity at their fingertips, and all the retail, dining, and events in downtown within walking distance.
If it all sounds too good to be true, you’re not the only one thinking that. While there are still homes available at Lanterns at Steel Ranch, they’re going quickly. Mason doesn’t beat around the bush. If you’re interested in buying a new home in the Louisville area, this is your chance. Don’t miss it.
To find out more about Lanterns at Steel Ranch, starting in the $600s, or to schedule a visit to the community, call 720.636.7088 or visit DwellLouisville.com.
By Adam Martin, At Home. Photos by Timothy Seibert.
