At Anthem Ranch, Del Webb’s all-ranch lifestyle community on a view-swept hillside north of Broomfield, it’s not that hard to get a buyer to pack up and move from Phoenix or even New Jersey. It’s a little tougher, says Del Webb’s Melanie Dube, to get somebody that lives in Highlands Ranch to do it…but it’s still happening.

Elaine and George Hager (left), from New Jersey, visit a super-affordable ‘Powderhorn’ ranch. Del Webb’s Melanie Dube had sold them their New Jersey home, as well.

“Highlands Ranch is 30 miles from here, and buyers who visit from there sometimes worry they’ll have a hard time making a new circle of friends,” says Dube, who has ten ranch models to show. “Some come back a dozen times; but once they talk to our residents, they’re sold.” more »

Older buyers planning their retirement moves are getting a much-needed break from the stock market this week… but they’ll also find a break waiting at a 55-and-older community wrapped by an 18-hole Arthur Hills golf course, where you can see a 2,500-foot ranch today–basement and 3-car garage included–at a cost-per-foot of $144.

Lennar’s Mike DeNuzzi shows a large, single-family ranch with 3-car garage. Heritage at Todd Creek’s streets are private…covenant-controlled, with golf cart traffic allowed.

With ranches priced from the low $300s and some 2-bedroom “duos” from $269,900, Heritage at Todd Creek in Thornton has gone through five sales in the past month, during a year when you may imagine it hard to put together a retirement purchase. more »