Featured image: typical home style in Cherry Creek East

Denver’s popular Cherry Creek neighborhood actually is made up of three eponymous satellite areas: Cherry Creek North, Cherry Creek South and the subject of this post Cherry Creek East, the most affordable of the three. Cherry Creek North is the glitzy sibling and Cherry Creek South is an increasingly desireable location.

In short, Cherry Creek East is the affordable, smart practical solution for homebuyers looking for low-maintenance living in Cherry Creek’s orbit. Developers replaced the area’s clapboard homes approximately two decades ago with its current town home, condo units, so most homes are newer. There are not many detached single-family homes, however.

While residents get access to Cherry Creek North, they face two busy-street barriers to Cherry Creek shopping and dining in 1st Avenue to the north and Steele Street to the west.

Want to put yourself in the best position to land a Cherry Creek East home, let’s talk. Reach out to me at kharris@livsothebysrealty.com or 720.877.1538

Overview

Cherry Creek East feels very residential — it’s a little quieter than other Cherry Creek neighborhoods. It also puts residents in the highly coveted attendance district of high-rated Steck Elementary. This school is really great!

Cherry Creek East doesn’t have the hip and edge of Cherry Creek North, but it does have relative affordability. The median home price for the 12 months through Monday was $610,000. Two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos start around $450,000 and three-bedroom, three-bathroom units sell closer to $1 million.

It also has quick access to the great Cherry Creek bike path, a highly desireable trail that joggers and bikers can take into the heart of Denver.

While it doesn’t have the reputation of coveted Cherry Creek North, its off-the-beaten-path vibe is the very reason I love the neighborhood; nondescript, quiet and reserved.  

Residents like Cherry Creek East because it is more affordable than many of the surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, it has mature landscaped streets that can be walked without dodging cars at every turn. Not to mention parking is a relative breeze.

Schools

Homes in Cherry Creek East are in the Denver Public School District. Most homes are within the boundaries of Steck Elementary, Hill Middle School and George Washington High School. As referenced above, Steck Elementary is one of the most highly rated elementary schools within the district.

As an advocate for Denver Public Schools (where my two young kids attend school), there’s something to be said for paying $650,000 for a no-hassle town home, rather than buying a large home in tony Hilltop for $1.8 million with an oversized lot to maintain.

Have questions about Cherry Creek East? Let’s talk. Reach out to me at kharris@livsothebysrealty.com or 720.877.1538

Buying in Cherry Creek East

Buyers in Cherry Creek East appreciate having an urban location near Cherry Creek, but don’t feel it is necessary to have an “exclusive” Cherry Creek North address. They enjoy quick access to Cherry Creek North Shopping district, but don’t need to be in the middle of the “buzz”, traffic, parking congestion and construction.

Cherry Creek East is a practical solution for buyers wanting an urban, low-maintenance lifestyle in Denver.

Selling in Cherry Creek East

Selling in Cherry Creek East can take time. Days on the market can be somewhat sporadic, but overall take time to attract the right buyer. For the 12 months through Monday, the average days on market for the area’s listings was 59 days (excluding six new-build outliers, which took much longer because they were listed before even being built).

For example, a well maintained town home can sell in a weekend or it can sit on the market waiting to attract the right buyer for 90 days. Some Cherry Creek East seller obstacles include close proximity to office buildings and major streets such as Colorado Boulevard and Alameda Avenue.

Recent notable sales

136 S Monroe Street sold for $910,000 on December 29. The three-bed, four-bath, 3,467-square-foot town home represents some of the best Cherry Creek East has to offer — a creme puff area listing. It has an interior location in the neighborhood, away from busy streets and commercial buildings, which added to its allure and higher price point.

The new construction half duplex at 50 S Jackson Street — a four-bedroom, four-bath, 3,752-square-foot home — is another recent sale worth calling out. It sold for $1.3 million in December. At $512 per above-ground square foot, this is the highest priced home in Denver MLS history (dates back to 2006)! The home shows that the neighborhood has upward movement and may increasingly grow into the tony Cherry Creek reputation.

The condos being built at Affinity Cherry Creek reveal what many area buyers are looking for: single-level living at a price under $1.5 million. These types of homes are in high demand, and hard to find!

Want more information about Cherry Creek East or to start looking for homes? Let’s talk. Reach out to me at kharris@livsothebysrealty.com or 720.877.1538