Lock it and travel
Lock-and-leave homes.
Condos, townhomes and villas where the HOA handles the exterior, the yard and the snow.
A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
Homes for sale now
Lock-and-leave condos and townhomes for sale.
Condos and townhomes from $800,000 in Denver, Boulder, Greenwood Village, Englewood, Littleton, Arvada and Superior. Active and Coming Soon listings from REcolorado, the Denver MLS.
Want to see one of these, or a home that is not on the market yet? Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.
Read the budget
What does a lock-and-leave HOA cover?
A lock-and-leave home puts the exterior, the landscaping and the snow removal on the HOA. Read the HOA budget to see exactly what the dues cover.
Where are they?
- Cherry Creek North condos, Denver. Full-service buildings next to the shops.
- Trailside on Harmony, Timnath. Paired homes at Harmony Club.
- Heron Lakes villas, Berthoud. Maintenance-free villas.
- Anthem Ranch, Broomfield. Age-restricted 55+ community.
What buyers ask.
- What is a lock-and-leave home? A home where the HOA handles the outside, so you can travel.
- Condo, townhome or villa? Condo: you own the unit. Townhome and villa: you own the unit, and the deed shows whether you own the land under it.
- What do the dues cover? The HOA budget lists it: exterior, roof, landscaping, snow, insurance.
- Can I rent it while I travel? The HOA and the city set the rental rules. Read both.
On the map
Where are these luxury areas on the map?
Each numbered pin is a luxury area mentioned on this page. Tap a pin to see homes for sale there.
- 1. Denver
- 2. Boulder
- 3. Greenwood Village
- 4. Englewood
- 5. Littleton
- 6. Arvada
- 7. Superior
- 8. Timnath
- 9. Berthoud
- 10. Anthem Ranch, Broomfield
- 11. Broomfield
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins show an area’s approximate center.
Homes for sale now
See homes for sale today.
Live MLS listings on kennarealestate.com.
Read before you sign
What to check in a lock-and-leave HOA.
A lock-and-leave home is only as carefree as its homeowners association. These are the documents we read with every buyer.
| Document | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Budget and reserve study | Reserves that match the age of the roofs, siding and paving |
| HOA insurance policy | What the HOA insures and what your own policy must cover |
| Declarations and rules | Rental limits, pet rules, parking and changes to the exterior |
| Meeting minutes | Planned projects, special assessments and disputes |
| Maintenance chart | Who handles snow, landscaping, roofs, windows and decks |
Compare the two
Lock-and-leave vs a single-family home in Colorado.
| Lock-and-leave | Detached single-family | |
|---|---|---|
| Snow and yard | Handled by the HOA | You or your contractor |
| Exterior repairs | Usually HOA, paid from dues and reserves | You |
| Monthly cost | Higher HOA dues | Lower or no HOA dues |
| Travel | Close the door and go | Arrange checks, snow removal and watering |
| Changes | Exterior changes need approval | More freedom, within city rules |
A live person answers.
Before you travel
A lock-and-leave checklist for long trips.
Even with the HOA handling the outside, a few steps inside protect a lock-and-leave home while you are away for weeks at a time.
- Set the heat, not off. Colorado winters freeze pipes. Keep the thermostat at a safe minimum and ask the HOA what temperature it recommends.
- Shut off the water. Close the main valve or the valves to unused fixtures, and consider a leak sensor that texts your phone.
- Check the insurance. Read the vacancy clause in your own policy. Some policies limit coverage after a home sits empty for a set number of days.
- Give the HOA a contact. Leave a local key holder and your travel dates with the management company.
- Stop or forward the mail. Packages on the step tell everyone the home is empty.
- Use smart locks and cameras. Check the HOA rules first; some limit exterior cameras.
Ask these questions
Five questions to ask before you buy a lock-and-leave home.
- How much is in reserves? Compare reserves with the reserve study. Low reserves often mean a special assessment later.
- When were the roofs and siding last replaced? Big exterior projects drive future dues.
- Are rentals allowed? Rental caps and minimum lease terms affect resale and your own flexibility.
- What do dues include? Water, trash, snow, insurance, internet: it varies by community.
- Is there a metro district? Many newer Colorado communities add a metro district tax on top of HOA dues.
Quick answers
Questions, answered.
What is a lock-and-leave home?
A home where the HOA handles the outside, so you can travel.
Condo, townhome or villa?
Condo: you own the unit. Townhome and villa: you own the unit, and the deed shows whether you own the land under it.
What do the dues cover?
The HOA budget lists it: exterior, roof, landscaping, snow, insurance.
Can I rent it while I travel?
The HOA and the city set the rental rules. Read both.
What does lock-and-leave mean in Colorado?
It means the HOA handles the exterior, snow and landscaping, so you can travel for weeks without arranging upkeep. Most are condos, townhomes or patio homes.
Are lock-and-leave homes only condos?
No. Many are townhomes and detached patio homes where the HOA maintains the outside. Check the maintenance chart to see exactly what is covered.
More lifestyles
Keep exploring.
Free playbook
The Colorado Luxury Downsizing Playbook.
Sell the estate, buy the right home, move once. The 12-week plan, the tax and cash questions, the ranch, patio, 55+ and golf communities, and the checklist. 8 pages, free.
A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
Private consultation
Ask us about lock-and-leave homes.
303-955-4220A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree.
- Private showings on your schedule, including evenings and weekends.
- Off-market homes from The Kenna Group's agent network.
- One point of contact from the first showing to the closing table.
Kenna Luxury Real Estate is a division of The Kenna Group at Keller Williams DTC (KWDTC).