Denver cottage (Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge: for sale, foreclosures, condo)

[Diannea16]

I am moving to Colorado in the summer. I have looked at a lot of different cities and suburbs. So far, I am leaning toward Downtown Denver area. Any suggestions on neighborhoods like Highlands? Looking for at least a 2/2 house with a good size basement that I can finish for around 250,000. I want older family orientated neighborhood with a park close. Thanks any for suggestions

[mariafraietta]

In that price range you probably can't get into the Highlands proper, but maybe some surrounding areas. Those areas aren't quite as charming, and have been considered "up and coming" for many years, but you can get a house for under $250. Actually, the neighborhood of Berkeley might have what you want; it's oriented around 44th & Tennyson in NW Denver.

I'd think about Englewood a bit to the south. Not so charming there either, but a great location and plenty to choose from in that price range.

You could probably get something very small or very old in Wash Park or Platt Park. Or, consider Evanston, right around DU (University and Evans-ish)--you might get a bit more square footage for $250.

Good luck!!

[outside1]

For 250 you won't be in a "nice" neighborhood, more than likely not anywhere near downtown Denver at all. In a condo or townhouse, sure.

80010 and 80219 are the only zip codes somewhat near the city that have single family house prices in that range and while I think there are places in those areas that are not bad at all I think most people would not agree with me.

If you look at short sales and foreclosures you might find something in other parts of the city.

[Jerry Bckr]

One thing about Denver is that their housing prices are higher when comared to a similar home in the suburbs. Denver's property taxes are lower but not enough to off set the pricing difference. Previous posters gave you the straigt skinny about what you're going to find. Maybe something along the southwest light rail line. You'll have many more homes to chose from if you consider that option. Also, don't think that when you live in the burbs, it's another world. It's just block after block of homes with big trees, just like Denver is. The difference is you're further from downtown.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Edgewater is about 10 minutes from Downtown. They would have houses in your price range, and probably some small fixers for a lot less. But there are very few basements in Edgewater (water table is four feet below ground). If you find a house with a basement, then it better be well waterproofed and you'd need to run the sump pump full-time. It's a good location, but their schools are terrible, so don't move there if you have kids.

[robertzimmerman]

Originally Posted by outside1

For 250 you won't be in a "nice" neighborhood, more than likely not anywhere near downtown Denver at all. In a condo or townhouse, sure.

I know someone who bought a very nice 2/2 house near Johnson & Wales for that kind of money.

[HighlandsGal]

Originally Posted by outside1

For 250 you won't be in a "nice" neighborhood, more than likely not anywhere near downtown Denver at all. In a condo or townhouse, sure.

80010 and 80219 are the only zip codes somewhat near the city that have single family house prices in that range and while I think there are places in those areas that are not bad at all I think most people would not agree with me.

If you look at short sales and foreclosures you might find something in other parts of the city.

Not true. Check out 80221

[cowboyxjon]

There are a few houses in my neighborhood (80231) that are that price or lower and I know for a fact that at least one of them has a basement. It's not downtown, but not that far away either. Might be worth a look.

[livecontent]

Originally Posted by outside1

For 250 you won't be in a "nice" neighborhood, more than likely not anywhere near downtown Denver at all. In a condo or townhouse, sure.

80010 and 80219 are the only zip codes somewhat near the city that have single family house prices in that range and while I think there are places in those areas that are not bad at all I think most people would not agree with me.

If you look at short sales and foreclosures you might find something in other parts of the city.

I am one of those people who does not agree with you. The near western suburbs of Denver are very close to Downtown and have many homes under 250,000. These are good, stable, safe, and established neighborhoods.

I am talking about Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater and Lakewood. Many of these neighborhoods are much closer to downtown than many areas of Denver. In addition, they have excellent public transportation to Downtown. There are large parks and open space and you have closer access to the mountain parks in the foothills.

The northwest area of Denver is becoming the new "in" place to live. The improvements of these Denver neighborhoods have also made the contiguous areas of nearby suburbs as desirable. for example, going west down the road from west highland and berkeley nieghborhoods in Denver, you can easily find great neighborhoods in Wheat Ridge, from West 32nd. to West 44th A good hint, is to look at the new commuter rail that is now construction--the West Corridor. That will open up many good neighborhoods near the new stations with homes that will increase in value.

There are also numerous great neighborhoods in Denver that can meet your qualifications. Another example, I would look west of University, near Harvard Gulch Park and Porter Hospital. These are good areas in the price range. Again the commuter rail has made many less expensive neighborhoods desirable. If you look at the southwest rail line, look at the Yale Station. Directly across from that station and west of I-25 is a very inexpensive neighborhood that is seeing interest. These homes are built in the fifties but sit on big lots and these are rare in Denver.

Here is an example of a home for sale from this neighborhood http://www.recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=864803 (broken link) You can walk to the rail station from this home. In addition, the homes to the east, past I-25 are high price; and to the west you would have good shopping on Broadway, with a King Soopers on on the corner of Yale and Broadway. I should point out before the rail station was completed, about 4 years ago, these homes were selling for about $100,000-140,000; now they are approaching $250,000. The same will happen to many homes within walking distance of a rail station. So, not all homes went down in value, during this economic downturn.

It is giving me some hope for the future, as a rail station is being planned, on the Gold Corridor, about 1/3 of a mile from my house.

Livecontent

[shukertj]

Parts of Park Hill are up and coming, family oriented, close to downtown, walkable, and near the Natural History Museum, the zoo, and City Park. You can get something in there for around $250. Here are some examples:
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://www.recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=868852 - broken link)#
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://www.recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=862257 - broken link)
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://www.recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=859476 - broken link)
REcolorado.com - brought to you by Metrolist Inc. (http://www.recolorado.com/Search/propertyDetail.asp?mls_number=870691 - broken link)#