In Sunnyside’s Chaffee Park neighborhood, a remodeled ranch spotlights a hot area

Even five years ago, Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood, north of West 38th Avenue near Zuni Street, was just star ting to bask in the glow of Highland’s ongoing celebrity.

Now Sunnyside, which staged a music festival Saturday at Chaf fee Park, fields its own dining scene and lots of builder activity. And agent Michelle Ciardullo of Re/max Professionals can show you a 1950s brick ranch there that she has open today before the Broncos game, displaying an attractive makeover.

How much is it wor th to get a house that’s already had its “projects” taken care of before you sign on?

“Lots of Highland buyers are dual income, and they’ll pay a premium to get it move-in-ready,” says Ciardullo, who has 4544 Wyandot St., with four bedrooms and three baths including a finished basement, 2,397 square feet, on the market at $740,000.

Seller Chris Bowick and his fiancée, Katie Farland, who are moving closer to jobs along south I-25, have closely followed that dynamic. Both had bought homes from Ciardullo before they met, and are using her to search for the new one. Bowick previously bought a few blocks west in Sunnyside and held on to it as a rental; although the remodel had been done when he contracted on this one, he’s completed new plumbing and insulation projects on it.

You’ll see a good-sized main level over hardwood floors that’s an advantage in par ts of Sunnyside, built out much later than central Highland; two fireplaces including one in the living room in a slate surround; stainless kitchen appliances with solid-state counters and contemporar y tile; and a nicely finished rec area in the basement.

Bowick raves about the location he’s enjoyed — a block from Common Grounds Cof feehouse and 2 blocks from Bacon Social House on 44th west of Zuni, Sunny’s and other eateries. Bowick and his fiancée, who plan to get married in Vail, spent 46 days on the slopes last year, and credit this location close to west I-70 for making that happen.

Ciardullo will have treats out today before kickof f, from 11 to 2.