Why The Kenna Real Estate Group Is Colorado's #1 Expert for the Schools-to-Home Program and Down ...

Hundreds Colorado buyers helped to the closing table — many for as little as $1,000 cash to close. Not a slogan. That's our track record, one family at a time. Quick Answer The Kenna Real Estate Group is Colorado's leading expert team for down payment assistance programs, having helped hundreds of buyers get into homes for as little as $1,000 cash to close. With the CHFA Schools-to-Home Program launching in July 2026 — offering Colorado school employees up to 25% of their mortgage in down payment assistance — the Kenna team has built the most comprehensive Schools-to-Home resource library in the state and is preparing educators across the Front Range to buy on day one.

Hundreds of Buyers. As Little as $1,000 Cash to Close. That's Not a Slogan — That's Our Track Record.

There's a myth that's kept thousands of hard-working Coloradans renting for years: "You need 20% down to buy a house." It's wrong. It's been wrong for a long time. And nobody in Colorado has spent more energy proving it wrong than The Kenna Real Estate Group.

Over the years, we've helped hundreds of buyers — teachers, nurses, tradespeople, first responders, young families, divorcing spouses starting over — get the keys to their own home for as little as $1,000 cash to close. Not by magic. By mastering the down payment assistance landscape that most agents can't be bothered to learn:

• CHFA down payment assistance grants and second mortgages
• metroDPA across the Denver metro
• CHAC and local county/city assistance programs
• Lender credits, seller concessions, and buydown strategies stacked the right way
• CHFA Schools-to-Home — the biggest DPA opportunity in Colorado history

They don't call Brian Lee Burke "The Hardest Working Man in Real Estate" for nothing. While other teams wait for programs to launch and then Google them, we study the legislation, track the rulemaking, build the resources, and get our buyers in position before the starting gun fires.

The Schools-to-Home Program: Why We Went All-In

When Senate Bill 25-167 was signed in June 2025, creating a shared appreciation down payment assistance program for Colorado public school employees, we saw immediately what it meant: up to 25% of the first mortgage amount in assistance — on a $480,000 loan, that's up to $120,000 — for the teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians, and school staff who hold our communities together.

So we did what the hardest working team in real estate does. We built the most complete Schools-to-Home Program resource library in Colorado, months before the July 2026 launch:

Your Complete Schools-to-Home Knowledge Base

• The Complete Guide to the CHFA Schools-to-Home Program Our full pillar guide covering how the program works, assistance amounts, requirements, comparison tables, and every FAQ. Start here.
• Colorado School Employees Can Soon Get Up to 25% Down Payment Assistance The announcement breakdown: where the program came from, the $100M+ behind it, and what to do before launch.
• What Is Shared Appreciation? The Trade-Off, Explained Honestly The straight talk on what you get, what you give up, and when the program is (and isn't) the right move. No sales pitch. Just truth.
• Who Qualifies for Schools-to-Home? The eligibility guide for every school employee: teachers, paras, bus drivers, custodians, charter and BOCES staff, and the one-borrower rule that opens the door for spouses and co-buyers.

Read those four resources and you'll know more about the Schools-to-Home Program than 99% of the agents in Colorado. That's by design. An educated buyer is a confident buyer — and confident buyers win.

What Makes Kenna Different From Every Other Team

01

We Master Programs Before They Launch

Schools-to-Home opens in July 2026. Our buyers will arrive at launch with homebuyer education completed, full-time employment documented, credit polished, and pre-qualification done with a CHFA Participating Lender. While other buyers start Googling on launch day, ours start writing offers.

02

25+ Years of Construction Expertise on Every Showing

Brian Lee Burke spent 25+ years in construction — 13 of them as a multifamily construction superintendent — before becoming one of the Front Range's most recognized agents. With a shared appreciation program like Schools-to-Home, where the state participates in your home's upside, buying the right house at the right price matters double. When Brian walks a property, you get a construction professional's eye on the foundation, roof, mechanical systems, and the repair costs the listing photos don't show.

03

Full Front Range Coverage

The Kenna Real Estate Group serves school employees from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs — Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Parker, Castle Rock, Fountain, and everywhere in between. Wherever your district is, wherever you want to live, we've sold there.

04

The Whole Toolbox, Not One Tool

Schools-to-Home is powerful, but it's not the only play. Sometimes the winning move is stacking a CHFA grant with seller concessions. Sometimes it's metroDPA. Sometimes it's a rate buydown that beats down payment help entirely. Because we work every program in Colorado, we match the strategy to your situation — not the other way around. That's how hundreds of our buyers have closed with as little as $1,000 out of pocket.

School Employees: Your Launch-Day Game Plan Starts Now

July 2026 is around the corner. Here's how we get you ready:

01

Free readiness consultation

We confirm your eligibility, review your timeline, and map your price range.

02

Lender connection

We plug you in with a CHFA Participating Lender — Mike Oswald — for pre-qualification under CHFA guidelines.

03

Education checklist

We point you to the CHFA-approved homebuyer class now, and the "Understanding Your Financial Commitment" course the moment CHFA releases it.

04

Neighborhood strategy

We tour target areas in June so you can strike in July.

05

Launch-day execution

When the program opens, your file is complete and your offer is ready.

The Bottom Line

Down payment assistance isn't a side service at The Kenna Real Estate Group — it's a specialty we've spent years mastering, one closing at a time, hundreds of families strong. The Schools-to-Home Program is the biggest opportunity Colorado has ever offered its school employees, and no team in the state is more prepared to help you capture it.

The hardest working man in real estate leads the hardest working team in real estate. And right now, we're working for you — before you've even called.

Ready to own your pad?

Contact The Kenna Real Estate Group today for your free Schools-to-Home readiness consultation. Serving Colorado school employees from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs.

📞 Call Brian: (303) 955-4220 Read the Complete Guide

What Our Clients Say

Real reviews from real Colorado buyers and sellers. ★★★★★

In a market that is crawling with realtors, it's important to find one that is honest, dedicated, and invested in your interests. Brian's experience in real estate as well as his expertise in construction put our mind at ease. He is never too busy to make you a priority. Hiring him will be the best decision you'll make.

Lea Anne Luckner — Buyer & Seller, Highlands Ranch ★★★★★

I have been involved with real estate for many years and have met many agents. But no one holds a candle to Brian Burke. His friendliness, enthusiasm, and positive good nature is above anyone I have ever met. I trust him with relocating my entire company of over 100 employees. If you find him, consider yourself lucky.

Alex Cruz — Buyer & Seller, Denver / Castle Rock ★★★★★

Brian brought his background in construction to help my wife and I understand the inspection process and ask the right questions. I had always envisioned home buying as chaotic and painful, but Brian and Rita made it smooth and painless. My wife and I now refer Brian to anyone we know beginning the homebuying process.

J. Bock — Buyer, Castle Rock ★★★★★

Plain and simple, Brian Burke is an absolute stud. I couldn't find a Realtor to pick up the phone. I called Brian — his truck was getting service work done but he showed up in a loaner car within the hour. You'll never find anyone who will work harder for you than Brian.

Shawn Janusheske — 3-Time Buyer & Seller ★★★★★

Brian's extensive local knowledge and eye for detail when looking at properties made the myriad of decisions much easier for me. He found a property for me in the fast-moving Denver market as an out-of-town buyer — and he is my property manager now too. Thanks Brian!!

Carol P. — Buyer, Arvada ★★★★★

Brian Burke's experience, expertise and diligence were instrumental in the sale of our inherited property. His thorough understanding of a complicated trust agreement — and the emotional ties to the property after fifty years — ensured a smooth transition for all parties.

Sheri — Seller, Aurora

Complete Schools-to-Home Resource Library

• Complete CHFA Schools-to-Home Program GuideEligibility, assistance amounts, shared appreciation, FAQs — everything in one place.
• Who Qualifies? The Eligibility Guide for Every Colorado School EmployeeNot just teachers — every eligible role explained, including the one-borrower rule for couples.
• What Is Shared Appreciation? The Trade-Off, Explained HonestlyWhat you get, what you give up, and when the math works in your favor.
• Colorado School Employees Can Get Up to 25% Down Payment AssistanceThe announcement breakdown — where the program came from and what to do before launch.
• Teacher Homebuying Programs in Colorado: Every Option ExplainedHow Schools-to-Home compares to CHFA grants, metroDPA, Good Neighbor Next Door, and more.

Brian Lee Burke, E-PRO®, REALTOR® Broker

Owner & Founder, Kenna Real Estate · "The Hardworking Man in Real Estate"

Brian Lee Burke is a licensed REALTOR® Broker, owner of Kenna Real Estate, and one of Colorado's most experienced real estate professionals. Licensed since 2002, Brian has spent more than two decades helping hundreds of buyers, sellers, investors, and relocating families successfully navigate the Colorado real estate market.

What sets Brian apart is his comprehensive understanding of the entire real estate process — pricing strategy, negotiations, construction, appraisal, and mortgage-related considerations. His 25+ years of construction experience, including 13 years as a multifamily construction superintendent, means every home you tour gets a professional builder's eye on foundation, structure, and true value. For Schools-to-Home buyers especially, that expertise isn't a luxury — it's protection.

CHFA Schools-to-Home launches July 2026; final program terms will be published by CHFA. Down payment assistance program availability and qualification vary by buyer, property, and program. This article is informational and not lending advice. CHFA loans are originated through CHFA Participating Lenders. Helping You Find Your Pad™ — The Kenna Real Estate Group, Keller Williams DTC.