With 30 re-sales on acreage, Bell Mountain Ranch has big discounts on bigger views
Bell Mountain Ranch, south of Castle Rock, is at the epicenter of two worlds this summer–maybe the prettiest views in Douglas County, facing west toward the Ramparts and the back ranges; with plenty of buttes and piney forests right inside the neighborhood. Bell Mountain is also the center of a bell curve of luxury home listings that mounted after 2008, when the market turned south. Right now, there are around 30, roughly the same number as last spring; but with realistic sounding prices that put them within striking range of people selling homes under $500,000.
Realtor Joan Pratt with RE/MAX Professionals shows off the stocked trout pond to goes with a walk-out ranch, one of five homes open today in Bell Mountain Ranch.
Realtor Joan Pratt with RE/MAX PRofessionals can show you five houses ranging from $750,000 down to $560,000; just a tad over the half-million mark that’s a rough dividing line between buyer’s and seller’s markets now. “Properties are selling at a faster rate than a year ago,” says Pratt, who lives in and specializes in Bell Mountain Ranch.
All have lots 2.5 acres or larger, and good views. Four miles south of Castle Rock’s shopping district, Bell Mountain Ranch was built out at 305 properties, some ranging to horse properties at 35 acres. Pratt went to contract last month on one property that sold at $75,000 above its listing price, and has a number of sales this year.
“Bell Mountain Ranch is helped out not just by views, but by the fact that we have community water, not wells,” Pratt says. “When people see it, they’re swept away, particularly at prices you’re seeing now.”
Residents have 27 miles of trails, a ten-acre park that’s the setting for community barbecues and events, a 40-acre equestrian center, over 1,000 acres of open space, and something that earns lots of safety points: a million-dollar underpass on Bell Mountain Parkway that avoids crossing the Union Pacific tracks from Colorado Springs. “Many recent sales are out-of-state buyers,” Pratt noted. “If you’re from California, Texas or North Carolina, this just looks like what you expect the Denver suburbs to be.”
Such as 4628 Starfire Circ. at $650,000 -– a walkout ranch with 4,588 feet, four bedrooms and a 3-car garage on a 3.34-acre site. Built in 2000, it has 66 trees and a stocked trout pond. With the high quality of infrastructure, taxes ran $7,894…but its HOA fee was just $450 for the year. Others homes are at 4587 High Spring ($560,000); 1238 Riva Rose Cir. ($600,000), and at 3741 Serenade and 4704 Starfire, both $750,000. To visit, take I-25 south to Exit 181, Plum Creek Pkwy, east under the freeway to Wilcox, then right (south) down the Frontage Road, 4 miles to Bell Mountain Parkway. For the Starfire listings, turn right on Bell Mountain Dr., then left on Old Gate for a half mile.
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WHERE: Five homes on acreage in Bell Mountain Ranch, custom community, Castle Rock. 4628 Starfire Circ., Castle Rock; take frontage road south from Plum Creek Pkwy, 4 mi. to Bell Mountain Pkwy; right on Bell Mountain Dr., left on Old Gate.
PRICE: From $560,000 to $750,000
WHEN: By Appointment
PHONE: 303-704-8224 WEB: www.JoanPratt.com
