Simple Inexpensive Ways to Green Up Your Aurora, Co. Home   A lot of people think about wind or solar paneled homes when they think about a green Aurora home.While there are certainly houses like this available, they are not the norm - yet. There is still a long way to go before houses are running on wind and solar power exclusively. In the meantime, there are some simple things you can do to green up your home.1. Control the temperature                    Did you know that about half of the energy consumption that you use in your home is for cooling and heating it? An easy to use programmable thermostat can help you control your heating and/or cooling costs throughout the year. You can save between 3% and 5% of the energy used for heating your house for every degree that you lower it b... 03/29/2011

Aurora Home for Sale - Seller has Special Offer - 23085 E. Ida Ave., Aurora, CO  80015 These sellers have decided they want a buyer --- and by the END OF MARCH!     This 2002 2 Story home is listed for $300,000 with 4 bedrooms plus study/den and 3 bathrooms.     There is 2519 finished square footage and 1223 in the unfinished basement.   This Aurora Home for Sale is located in Saddle Rock Ridge and within Cherry Creek School District.   The Sellers would like to offer an "Entertainment Package" to the buyer that has this property under contract by end of March!   This is to include a 42" HD TV, DVD player and speakers, 5.1 surround sound with a 5 DVD/CD changer and sub woofer with all monster cables in the master bedroom!  This would be a nice start with your new home!     Value for thi... 03/29/2011

Featured Neighborhood: Greenfield Home & Real Estate For Sale Greenfield Home Search Aurora CO Home Search Metro Denver CO Home Search When you are ready to look at homes (or have one to sell) in Greenfield of Aurora CO give me a call. I would love the opportunity to earn your business! Mark at 720.733.1548. View Greenfield Neighborhood in Aurora CO in a larger map _________ Copyright 2011 by Mark Richards of The Richards Group, All Rights Reserved "Aurora CO Home Update - Featured Neighborhood: Greenfield Home & Real Estate For Sale"_________ 03/29/2011

      The Farm at Arapahoe County is a beautiful neighborhood in SE Aurora outside of Denver Colorado.   Part of the beauty of The Farm at Arapahoe County is the beautiful parks spaced throughout the neighborhood.  As a resident of The Farm at Arapahoe County, I love the open fence rule as it makes the area "neighbor friendly".  I often visit with my neighbors over the fence in a way that couldn't happen with high privacy fences.     There are two community pools for Hillcrest and Homestead residents to The Farm at Arapahoe County which gives opportunities for social gatherings, friendship building and fun for the whole family!             The Trails Recreation Center is conveniently located near The Farm at Arapahoe County.  They offer a wide variety of classes for youth and adults as ... 03/26/2011

This Brand New Lennar Home will be held open Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm located at 6267 S. Muscadine Court, Aurora, CO 80016. This is the popular MADISON model and it is Ready To Move In NOW! Come by and take a look at this beauty. Offered at $416,400 - this home has 3,123 square feet plus 1,716 square feet in the basement. There is room for the whole family with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and a 3 car garage.  Front yard landscaping is included, so you can move in and enjoy all that Beacon point has to offer. Beacon point is a great family neighborhood just south of the Aurora Reservoir.  There are parks throughout the community and the community center offers fitness, tennis and a great swimming pool. 03/25/2011

This Brand New Lennar Home will be held open Saturday, March 26, 2011 located at 6307 S. Muscadine Court, Aurora, CO 80016. This is the popular Pembroke model and it is Ready To Move In NOW! Come by and take a look at this beauty. We will be there from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.  Follow the signs.   Offered at $387,900 - this home has 2,851 square feet plus 1,346 square feet in the basement. There is room for the whole family with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a 3 car garage.  Front and backyard landscaping are installed, so you can move in and enjoy all that Beacon point has to offer. Beacon point is a great family neighborhood just south of the Aurora Reservoir.  There are parks throughout the community and the community center offers fitness, tennis and a great swimming pool. 03/25/2011

Featured Neighborhood: Apache Mesa Home & Real Estate For Sale Apache Mesa Home Search Aurora CO Home Search Metro Denver CO Home Search When you are ready to look at homes (or have one to sell) in Apache Mesa of Aurora CO give me a call. I would love the opportunity to earn your business! Mark at 720.733.1548. View Apache Mesa Neighborhood in Aurora CO in a larger map _________ Copyright 2011 by Mark Richards The Richards Group, All Rights Reserved "Aurora CO Home Update - Featured Neighborhood: Apache Mesa Home & Real Estate For Sale"_________ 03/25/2011

Featured Neighborhood: Adonea Home & Real Estate For Sale Adonea Home Search Aurora CO Home Search Metro Denver CO Home Search When you are ready to look at homes (or have one to sell) in Adonea of Aurora CO give me a call. I would love the opportunity to earn your business! Mark at 720.733.1548. View Adonea Neighborhood in Aurora CO in a larger map _________ Copyright 2011 by Mark Richards The Richards Group, All Rights Reserved "Aurora CO Home Update - Featured Neighborhood: Adonea Home & Real Estate For Sale"_________ 03/25/2011

~ Pay It Forward ~ So this pay it forward is just a little one.  I live just off a walking path with a creek and some wildlife (coyotes, foxes, raccoons, owls, hawks, rabbits, deer, several species of birds, snakes, and even had a family of beavers at one time).  Even though this winter hasn't been extremely cold nor too snowy, I have been saving my vegetables scraps for some additional food sources for the wildlife (mostly for the rabbits). Rather than just throw them down the disposal, I collected them in a bag and on my walk with my dog the other day, I dumped the scraps in a pile where I have seen many rabbits nearby.  This morning on my walk, I noticed that the pile had more than halfway disappeared!  It brought a smile to my face.  I know that the area where my home is used to be ... 03/23/2011

~ Where Does Your School Rank? ~ Every year NewsWeek picks the best public high schools in the country based on how well the teachers challenge the students with college level tests and courses.  1623 schools made their list which equates to about 6% of all the public schools. I am very happy to say that Colorado has 33 schools on this list.  But what I find more impressive is that the city of Aurora has 5 schools on this list!   Cherry Creek School District, which has 6 high schools, of which 5 of those schools are located in Aurora.  And all 6 Cherry Creek schools have made it on the list.  The 5 Aurora, Colorado Cherry Creek High Schools on the list are Cherokee Trail, ranking 258, Smoky Hill ranking #507, Grandview ranking #636, Eaglecrest ranked #824 and Overland ranked #1390. Cher... 03/19/2011

Two Free Events with Immaculee Ilabagiza!  Trading for Treasures is hosting two FREE events in April with Immaculee Ilabagiza in commemoration of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide that began on April 7, 1994.   Trading for Treasures is a Colorado 501 (3)(c) nonprofit corporation seeking to empower the women of Rwanda by opening up markets for their beautiful, hand crafted products.   Remembering Rwanda and the Effects of Genoicide: Friday, April 1  at 7:00pm at Aspen Academy, 5859 S. University Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80121  Emcee is TaRhonda Thomas from 9News   Overcoming Tragedy Through Faith, Hope and Forgiveness: Saturday April 2nd at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Loreto at Catholic Parish, 1800 E. Arapahoe Rd, Aurora, CO, 80016   You can RSVP to the events and invite others through Trading fo... 03/17/2011

~ Moving Check List ~ Are you planning on moving to Aurora, Colorado?  If so, have you written down the many tasks that are needed to be done before you take that step?  If not, I have taken that upon myself, since I consider myself as an expert when moving to Aurora, Colorado. 1 - make sure you pick up a change of address form from your local post office and fill it out.  They have a nice little change of address package that includes discounts on moving companies, services and stores.  You should fill this out and return it to the post office about 1 week before you actually make your move.  The main Aurora post office is located at 16890 E. Alameda Pkwy (the southwest corner of Alameda and Buckley, zip code 80017).  The phone number is 800-275-8777. 2 - Contact all of your accounts a... 03/13/2011

Beacon Point Aurora, Colorado - Sunday Open Houses. Tomorrow from 12-3 we will be holding two new Lennar Homes open at Beacon Point. The Pembroke floor plan is offered at $387,900 and has 2,851 square feet plus a full open basement.   This home is located at 6307 S Muscadine Court, Aurora, CO 80016. The Pembroke offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 car garage and front and backyard landscaping.  You will love the open two story family room and bright kitchen featuring granite slab counters and wood floors. It also has a large eating space in the kitchen in addition to a formal dining room. This home is completely done and ready to move in now.    The Madison floor plan is offered at $416,400 and has 3,123 square feet plus a full open basement.   This home is located at 6267 S. Muscadine Co... 03/12/2011

Lennar has great new homes at Beacon Point in Aurora, Colorado just south of the Aurora Reservoir. The Lennar Colorado Collection is a very popular series offered at Beacon Point.  Here is a list of current inventory in the Colorado collection: Monarch Ranch Style Home26808 E Caley Place$431,900 ~ 2,719 square feet plus a full open basement4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 3 Car Tandem Garage, Front & Back Landscaping.     Breckenridge Two Story Home26491 E Arbor Drive$548,000 ~ 3,200 square feet plus a full open basement4 Bedrooms plus study, 4 Bathrooms, 3 Car garage BACKS LAKE.     Aspen Two Story Home26501 E Arbor Drive$597,000 ~ 3,990 square feet plus full open basement5 Bedrooms plus study, 4 Bathrooms, 3 Car Garage BACKS LAKE.     Telluride Two Story Home26511 E Arbor Drive$575,500 ~ 3,40... 03/07/2011

Lennar has great new homes at Beacon Point in Aurora, Colorado just south of the Aurora Reservoir. The Lennar Heartland Collection is a very popular series offered at Beacon Point.  Here is a list of current inventory in the Heartland collection: Lancaster Ranch Style Home6266 S. Millbrook Way$354,900 ~ 2,133 square feet plus a full open basement2 Bedrooms plus study, 2 Bathrooms, 3 Car Tandem Garage, Front Yard Landscaping.     Springfield Ranch Style Home6287 S. Muscadine Court$367,900 ~ 2,352 square feet plus a full open basement3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 3 Car Tandem Garage, Front Yard Landscaping.     Worthington Two Story Home6236 S. Millbrook Way$381,400 ~ 2,736 square feet plus a full open basement4 Bedrooms plus study, 3 Bathrooms, 3 Car garage.     Pembroke Two Story Home6307 S ... 03/07/2011

Sorrel Ranch is located in Southeast Aurora off Aurora Parkway & Alexander within the Cherry Creek School District.    This community is very popular due to the close proximity of Aurora Reservoir, and the open spaces within the community.     There is Appaloosa Park which spans several blocks, has a playground and also a BBQ area for larger parties on a first come, first serve basis. opened their new community in Sorrel Ranch on January 15, 2011 and held an open house with 3 new models.   There are three models to view -   The Monroe a Ranch home 1540 sq ft, 3 bedrooms/2 baths and 2 car garage - with MARCH MANIA - SPECIAL PRICING AT $267,400! The Jefferson - a 2 Story home with 1849 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a study and 2 car garage starting at $284,900 The Roosevelt - a 2 Story h... 03/05/2011

Lennar Sorrel Ranch Offering $500 Reward For Friends.   Lennar is offering $500 to neighbors who refer their friends to Lennar Sorrel Ranch.   If you have a friend thinking of buying a new home, simply bring them to the Lennar sales office and if they buy a Lennar home, you will get 500 bucks.   There is a referral certificate that must be completed listing you as the referring party when your friends fill out the registration card.  If they purchase a Lennar home, your reward will be distributed upon their closing.   Just think, if you have ten friends who buy a Lennar home, you will earn $5,000.    Sorrel Ranch is a great new community just east of Southlands Mall off of Aurora Parkway and Alexander.  They are offering the Inaugural series with ranch style and two story homes ranging ... 03/04/2011

Soon the weather will be warming and the ice will be melting at the Aurora Reservoir.    I went by the Aurora Reservoir this week and took a few pictures before the crowds swarm the beaches to soak up the sun.  It was very peaceful and only had one brave soul walking across the frozen ice to drill a hole and enjoy an afternoon of ice fishing.   The Aurora Reservoir offers lots of summer fun including fishing, sailing, non-motorized boating, windsurfing, a seasonal swim beach, SCUBA area, archery range, and large group picnic shelters. You can also walk or ride your bike on the 8 mile multi-use, concrete trail that circles the reservoir.   You can purchase an annual pass for the reservoir for $65.00 ($55.00 for Aurora residents) or just go for the day for $10.00 per carload.  The reservo... 03/03/2011

~ Southlands Mall Upcoming Events in Aurora, Colorado ~ Southlands Mall is located just east of E-470 and north of Smoky Hill Rd. in Aurora, Colorado.  The mall offers a variety of retail shops and restaurants.  You can celebrate St. Patrick's Day early at McCabe's Irish Bistro & Pub on Sunday March 13th.  They will be having a head shaving fundraiser to benefit the St. Baldwick's Foundation which raises money for childhood cancer research.  The restaurant will also have a live Irish music and a bounce house for kids.  For more information, call 303-627-6234. Color Me Mine, a pottery painting studio, will be offering a 1/2 off a studio fee if you wear green on Thursday, March 17th.  And if you show up between the hours of 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the studio fee is waived for home schooled k... 03/01/2011

~ Singing in the Rain ~ As I write this post, I am exactly 100 points behind the leader for Aurora, Colorado and Arapahoe County.  When I signed up in October of 2009, I had no idea what I was getting into.  I wrote my first post in November.  By the end of 2009, I had written 5 posts and still wasn't quite sure of what I was doing.  With some valuable help from Ruth Vogt of WR Starkey Mortgage, in January I took on the challenge of learning to blog. The first contest I entered was the Under The Kitchen Sink Challenge.  I had a fun and challenging time writing it.  I learned that I could earn bonus points by taking the challenges.  Since I am a truly competitive person at heart, that only fueled the fire.  I completed the 31 Days of December, The Holiday Miracle, the Kodak Moment challe... 02/27/2011