How to Choose the Right Lot at Barefoot This Spring
Spring is when Barefoot's lot inventory moves fastest — and the decisions you make about which lot to pick will shape your daily life in that home for years. Here's what to actually think about before you commit.
By Laura Owen
Why Spring Changes the Lot Selection Equation
If you've been casually researching Barefoot through the winter, spring is when things shift. Builders release new phases, inventory turns over faster, and the lots that were sitting in January start moving. That's not a pressure tactic — it's just how the seasonal rhythm works in communities with multiple active builders. Brookfield, Pulte, Richmond American, and American Legend are all building at Barefoot right now, and spring is when their sales teams are most aggressive about releasing new homesites.
What this means for you: the lot you saw on a plat map in February may not be available in May. If you've narrowed your builder and floor plan, lot selection is the piece that deserves your focused attention right now.
What Actually Makes One Lot Different From Another
Not every lot at Barefoot carries a premium, but many do — and understanding why helps you make a smarter decision. A lot premium is an additional cost on top of the base home price, driven by features like size, location within the community, or views. At Barefoot Lakes, lots backing to the lakes or open space tend to carry higher premiums. In Barefoot Village, proximity to the future Village Center amenities and park space can affect pricing.
But here's what I tell buyers: the biggest lots aren't always the best lots. Slope, drainage patterns, how much usable yard you actually get, and what's behind you matter more than raw square footage. A slightly smaller lot that backs to open space with no future construction behind it may be worth more to your daily life than a larger lot where a neighbor's second story will eventually look directly into your kitchen.
Orientation and Sun Exposure — The Detail Most Buyers Skip
This is Colorado. We get over 300 days of sunshine a year, and where your home faces makes a real difference in how it lives. A west-facing lot means afternoon sun hitting your front windows and garage door all summer — which affects everything from your energy bill to how comfortable your front porch feels at 5 p.m.
East-facing lots get gentle morning light in the main living areas, which many buyers prefer. South-facing backyards get the most consistent sun for outdoor living. It's not about finding a perfect orientation — every lot has tradeoffs — but it's about knowing what you're choosing. Bring a compass app on your phone when you walk the lots. Stand where your back patio would be and pay attention to what's south and west of you.
Timing Your Decision Without Rushing It
There's a real tension in spring buying at a community like Barefoot. On one hand, waiting means more phases may release and new options appear. On the other hand, the specific lot you want in the current phase won't wait for you. Builders don't hold lots without a contract, and the best-positioned homesites in any release tend to go first.
What I'd encourage is this: know your priorities before you start shopping lots. Decide whether lake views, backyard privacy, proximity to The Cove, or a specific builder matters most — and rank them. When a lot checks your top two priorities, that's your signal to move. Waiting for the lot that checks all five usually means watching your top choices go to someone who was ready.
What an Independent Agent Sees That the Builder Won't Show You
Every builder's sales team at Barefoot will walk you through their available lots. They'll show you the plat map, explain the premiums, and recommend a homesite. They're good at their jobs. But they're showing you their lots — not the full picture of what's available across the community from all four builders.
When I walk lots with buyers, I'm looking at what's behind the lot, what's planned for adjacent phases, how the grading will affect drainage, and whether the premium the builder is charging actually reflects the lot's long-term value to a buyer. I don't work for any of the builders at Barefoot — I work for you. That independence matters when you're making a decision this significant.
"Spring is when the best lots move — and the difference between a good lot and the right lot usually comes down to details the builder's plat map won't tell you. If you're getting serious about Barefoot, I'd love to walk the available lots with you and talk through what actually matters for how you'll live there." — Laura Owen | 720-300-4339 | owengroupco.com
Laura Owen, The Owen Group at RE/MAX Momentum. Licensed in Colorado.