Real Estate Matters
www.reporterherald.com • Saturday, October 29, 2011 • Reporter-Herald
Let children repair credit ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Q
uestion: A few months ago, I purchased a Fannie Mae HomePath home at a great value, which I am renting to my daughter and her husband. I am able to rent to them at a price that helps their cash flow and credit repair process as they pay down other debt. And I make a little more interest on my investment (I paid cash for the home) than today’s money market rates. I want to sell my daughter and her husband the house at a very modest profit. But they are probably a good year away from getting their credit score up to an acceptable level. I am not opposed to acting as the bank and doing an owner-financing contract. I am wondering if there is a company that can handle payment receipts, manage the escrow accounts and disburse tax payments, HOA fees and so forth, and report their progress to the credit bureaus. I’d prefer not to deal with that. Answer: There are two parts to your question. First, you have to decide whether you are better off as the owner of the home, or as a contract seller, or as a lender. Those are your three options. Whatever you choose, you can make arrangements for your daughter to take care of all of the payments relating to the home. If your daughter and her husband aren’t very good at handling their finances, owning the home may not right for them now. You might want to continue to lease the home to them until they get their act in order. However, if they are savvy about credit and think they can handle the expenses of owning a home, perhaps now is the time to see if they can. You might reduce the rent but put them in charge of paying real estate taxes, homeowner association dues, and other expenses such as repairs. It would be up to them to make sure those payments got made on time, and that might help build up their credit history. On a separate note, there are companies out there that would allow your daughter and her husband to keep track of all payments that go under the radar screen of most credit reporting bureaus. Since homeowner association dues, some utility company payments and rent payments aren’t ordinarily reported to the credit reporting bureaus, people like your daughter and son and law might have a hard time building their credit. Recent changes to the federal law now require lenders to consider alternative forms of credit in addition to a full credit reporting produced by Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Consumers can build an alternative credit history consisting of information on how regularly they pay their rent or car payments or auto insurance. (Full disclosure: I See GLINK/Page C6
An
Energy Star home is a better built home PAID ADVERTORIAL
W
hen buying a home you may not think about durability, comfort and energy savings as your first priority. You may think about the kitchen counters, the appliances, the master suite and the overall visual features of the home. These are all important and when those features meet your needs, you need to look at what is behind the walls.
your home, keeping you warm in the winter IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE DUCTS and cooler in the summer. THAT DON’T LEAK Improperly installed insulaYour home’s ducts move heated tion can waste 20 percent or and cooled air to the living areas to more of the energy you pay to heat make you feel comfortable. and cool your home. Common problems can include: Windows are an important part of • Leaky duct connections your home’s beauty. But energy• Leaky return ducts efficient windows also play a vital • Furniture blocking registers role in your Energy Star home. • Leaks at furnace and duct tape Energy Star qualified windows failure feature advanced technologies such • Leaky supply ducts as invisible glass coatings, vacuumTight ducts ensure that the air sealed spaces filled with gas between that moves through the ducts is not the panes, improved framing matelost due to leaks. This makes your rials, better weather stripping and home more comfortable and warm edge spacers. Energy Star increases its energy efficiency. Sealing also helps improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of dust, moisture, pollen and pests from entering the ducts and circulating throughout the house. It is just as important to properly size your heating and cooling system’s Energy Star qualified equipment to ensure that the system operates at peak efficiency.
DON’T PAY TO HEAT AND COOL THE OUTDOORS Tight air sealing and comprehensive insulation will keep your home from leaking. Sealing your Energy Star home helps reduce drafts and noise. Insulation works when installed properly without gaps, voids or compressed areas. It’s like a blanket for
been properly installed, the heating equipment is sized and installed properly and the ducts are tightly sealed and well insulated. This process starts with your builder working with the rater to windows can block 70 percent more select appropriate energy efficient of the solar heat gain in the summer features. With the energy efficient and reflect radiant heat indoors features selected, the builder then during winter. proceeds with construction of the An Energy Star home is verified home. by an independent third party. The Throughout the construction rater verifies that the insulation has process, the rater performs a number of inspections. After the rater completes the final inspection and determines that all the requirements are met, the rater will provide the builder with an Energy Star certificate of the home energy rating report. All of this adds up to lower homeownership costs, greater durability and better comfort when you have an Energy Star home. You do not have to know all of details. Instead, look for the government backed Energy Star label. Find your Energy Star builder at www.NoCOEnergyStarHomes.org.
Inside this week’s Fall Home edition of Home & Real Estate Wall to Wall
Winter Home Tips
Decorate your home with a variety of wallpaper
Go green and save green with tips for your home
Page C4
Page C5
Front Range Gardening Carol O’Meara keeps an unlikely house pet
Page C6
Buying a home that needs work? Call the experts in FHA 203(k) renovation financing. www.HomeStateBank.com An FHA 203(k) mortgage allows you to finance both your home purchase and renovation with a single loan. Call now to learn more. Vivian DeVoe, VP Mortgage Banker, NMLS#269876, 970-227-4702 Loans and rates subject to credit approval. Owner-occupied residences only. FHA conditions and restrictions apply.
970-203-6100 Check the license status of your mortgage loan originator at http://www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/index.htm Think big
Bank small
CE2
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 29, 2011
Featured Properties UP TO $199 $199,999 999 SALES OFFICE OPEN
$200,000 $200 000 - $299,999 $299 999
TRULY A MUST SEE, BRAND NEW EVERYTHING!!!
OPEN SAT 12-3 PM
OPEN SAT 12-3 / 4 BED 3 BATH
OPEN HOUSE SAT. 10 - 1 SUN. 1-4
Warberg Farm at Chapman Reservoir
180 E Turner Ave, Berthoud
OPEN Saturday 12-3 2+Acre Lake front& horse lots starting $225,000 water tap included. Surface rights,walk paths, parks, boat docks, fishing and peace garden.
Original show home. Lot’s of upgrades, wood floors, tile back splashes, two pantry’s, gas fire place, window coverings, over size garage, New pella windows, upgraded AC, new exterior paint. $269,900.
Mirasol Senior Community 1286 Inca Dove Cir. Loveland
1303 Lavender Court
Peakview Meadows, Berthoud Peakview Meadows Sales office open Thursday thru Monday from 1-4 Prices starting at $195,900. 5 Models to choose from
Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.warbergfarmatchapmanreservoir.com
Shows like a model home! Open floorplan, vaulted ceilings, private low maintenance yard. New paint and flooring throughout the main level. New hardwood, carpet, tile and upgraded lighting provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere. New counter tops and tiled baths. Upgraded appliance pkg stays. Huge 30x12 patio, private fully fenced back yard. Central AC, sprinkler system and mature landscaping. Truly Move in ready!
Michelle Wilson Western Plains Realty 970-663-5008 info@westernplainsre.com
BUILDERS MODEL - DAKOTA GLEN OPEN HOUSE 12 TO 4 THURS.-MON.
1900 Morning Dr, Loveland
3480 Peruvian Torch Drive, Loveland
Enjoy & relax on 2 large decks-great for entertaining-quick drive to Estes Park yet still just a short drive East to Loveland. Plenty of space for RV/Boat parking. Walk- out basement! MLS#667570.
Maintenance FREE* Patio Home-Great open floor plan-Split 3 bdrms - Upgrades and designer tile! Alder doors, trim & cabinets, 5 pc. master bath. Stone fireplace. 2 1/2 car garage. MLS#666495. $339,900
Maurine Garretson Coldwell Banker Plains Real Estate, Inc. 970-396-9597 maurinegar@aol.com
Venna Hillman ERA Herman Group/Glen Marketing 970-663-4522 venna@glencompanies.com www.DakotaGlen.com
Mirasol Senior Community Mirasol Sales Team • 970-635-5931 airwi@lovelandhsg.org www.mirasolseniorcommunity.com
Chris Rampone Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-430-0845
$300,000 - $399,999
$200,000 - $299,999 OPEN SAT & SUN 1:00-3:00 PM
Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.warbergfarmatchapmanreservoir.com
2bedroom plus den, 2bath ranch in lovely senior community. Model home with many extras! $295K. New Construction started for 2 Pagosa units priced at $249K Move in ready by Dec. 2011
$500,000 - $599,999
BUILDERS MODEL-DAKOTA GLEN OPEN HOUSE 12 TO 4 THURS.-MON.
OPEN SATURDAY 12 - 4
Time to Get Your Own Place? Begin your search at reporterherald.com/classifieds/homeandrealtyguide your online and print real estate source.
3464 Peruvian Torch Drive, Loveland, CO
1187 Coral Burst Dr. - Crescendo Village in Alford Meadows
Looking for Maintenance-FREE* lifestyle? Open floor plan, patio home w/3 bdrms/3 baths, granite kitchen island, backs to green belt with mountain views! Convenient location. MLS#622329. $342,000
Spectacular ranch-style home offering premium finishes throughout. Open floor plan w/10 ft ceilings, designer kitchen, finished basement, slab granite, wood floors, front & back landscaping. $499,900
Venna Hillman ERA Herman Group/Glen Marketing 970-663-4522 venna@glencompanies.com www.DakotaGlen.com
Ron McCrimmon Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty 970.214.2763 AlfordMeadows.com www.RonMcCrimmon.com
saturday
FOR SA
LE 3 BD, 2 BA cab and h Ranch, new kit ard bsmt, big wood flrs. Unfin back yard privacy fe , spklrs, nce.
sunday
$135,840
NE Loveland
4905 Hahns Peak Dr #101
11 AM-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-FTC Downtown, Jeremy Johnson
970-313-6166
$135,840
3, NE Loveland
4905 Hahns Peak Dr #101
11 AM-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-FTC Downtown, Jeremy Johnson
970-313-6166
From the $140’s*
Loveland
43rd St & Wilson Ave The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
From the $140’s*
Loveland
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Starting in the $150’s
Milliken
110 Traders Lane
12 Noon-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Tracy Wilson
970-567-0907
43rd St & Wilson Ave The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge
Milliken
110 Traders Lane
12 Noon-3 PM
Loveland
Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, Wayne Lewis
970-456-4600
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Tracy Wilson
970-567-0907
From $159,900
Starting in the $150’s
Loveland
1899 East 11th St.
10 AM-6 PM
Loveland
Western Plains Realty, Michelle Wilson
970-518-6640
Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, Wayne Lewis
970-456-4600
$167,500
From $159,900 $167,500
Loveland
1303 Lavender Court
11 AM-1 PM
Western Plains Realty, Michelle Wilson
970-518-6640
$169,900
Loveland
4403 Elliot Pl
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Starting at $195,900
Berthoud
Peakview Meadows
1-4 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers & Chris Rampone
970-2311224, 970430-0845
In the $200,000’s
Loveland
1900 Morning Drive
1-3 PM
Coldwell Banker Plains, Maurine Garretson
970-396-9597
In the $200,000’s
Windsor
292 Saratoga Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Watson
970-219-5219
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$219,900
Loveland
4478 Hayler Ave
12-4 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$220,000
Berthoud
660 Mt. Massive Street
12 Noon-2 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Cindy Kurtz
970-962-6832
$239,000
Loveland
4496 Hayler Ave
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$249,900
5, Berthoud
Collins Park Subdivision
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
$255,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$295,000
Loveland
Mirasol Senior Community, 1286 Inca Drive
1-4 PM
Mirasol Senior Community
970-635-5931
$295,000
Loveland
2821 Logan Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Sally Lee
970-227-7742
$298,664
Loveland
4355 Ridgway Dr
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
970-227-3893
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$339,900
NW Loveland
3480 Peruvian Torch
12 Noon-4 PM
ERA Herman Group NoCo/ Glen Marketing
970-663-4522
$342,000
NW Loveland
3464 Peruvian torch Drive. 1/4 mile west of Wilson on 14th Street/ SW/HWY 402 to the Dakota Glen Subdivision
12 Noon-4 PM
ERA Herman Group NoCo/ Glen Marketing
970-663-4522
$431,900
Loveland
2009 Morning Drive
12 Noon-2 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jesse Laner
970-672-7212
1899 East 11th St. 1303 Lavender Court
10 AM-6 PM 11 AM-1 PM
$169,900
Loveland
4403 Elliot Pl
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Starting at $195,900
Berthoud
Peakview Meadows
1-4 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers & Chris Rampone
970-2311224, 970430-0845
In the $200,000’s
Loveland
Coldwell Banker Plains, Maurine Garretson
970-396-9597
In the $200,000’s
Windsor
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Watson
970-219-5219
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$219,900
Loveland
4478 Hayler Ave
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
Starting at $225,000
Berthoud
Warberg Farm At Chapman Reservoir
1-3 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers
970-430-0845
$229,900
SW Loveland
353 Johnson Dr
1:30-3:30 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Don Riedel
970-679-8265
$239,000
Loveland
4496 Hayler Ave
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$249,900
Berthoud
Collins Park Subdivision
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$255,000
Loveland
1900 Morning Drive 292 Saratoga Drive
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM 1-4 PM
1-3 PM
$269,900
Berthoud
180 East Turner Ave.
12 Noon-3 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Chris Rampone
970-430-0845
$295,000
Loveland
Mirasol Senior Community, 1286 Inca Drive
10 AM-1 PM
Mirasol Senior Community
970-635-5931
4355 Ridgway Dr
12 Noon-5 PM
$298,664
Loveland
Cottage Realty
$299,000
Loveland
2892 Ariel Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-227-3893
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12 Noon-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$325,000
Loveland
3004 Duffield Ave.
2-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Nicole Huntsman
970-402-0221
$335,000
Loveland
2890 Carina Circle
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate,Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$339,900
NW Loveland
3480 Peruvian Torch
12 Noon-4 PM
ERA Herman Group NoCo/ Glen Marketing
970-663-4522
$342,000
NW Loveland
3464 Peruvian torch Drive. 1/4 mile west of Wilson on 14th Street/ SW/HWY 402 to the Dakota Glen Subdivision
12 Noon-4 PM
ERA Herman Group NoCo/ Glen Marketing
970-663-4522
$345,000
Loveland
4701 Mountain Vista Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kim Summitt
970-689-6950
$349,900
Berthoud
103 Common Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Miki Roth
970-690-9459
$499,900
Loveland
1187 Coral Burst Drive, Creshendo Village At Alford Meadows
12 Noon - 4 PM
Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, Ron McCrimmon
970-214-2763
$525,000
NE Loveland
2951 Culebra Peak
1:30-3:30 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Don Riedel
970-679-8265
For information on how a Realtor may add a listing, call Dan Grassmeyer at the Loveland Reporter-Herald at 970-635-3615 or email: dgrassmeyer@reporter-herald.com. Realtors can join our on-line realtor community at: colonews.com/FeaturedProperties_RH/featured_newclient.php For details about these open houses, see the ads in this section. For additional open house listings, please check the “Real Estate Classifieds” section of this publication or on line at, reporterherald.com where you can find all of the information in todays Real Estate Weekly. This guide is brought to you by the Daily Reporter-Herald, local real estate agents and area builders.
WWW.HOMEANDREALTYGUIDE.COM •CLICK ON OPEN HOUSE
MAPS
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 29, 2011 CE3
Regional Snapshot for Loveland/Berthoud Residential
Mortgage rate update
June
July
August
Active Listings Previous Year Active Listings
973 1101
938 1092
860 1054
Sold Listings
155
134
154
$220,000 $234,000
$208,958 $238,000
Average Days on the Market Previous Year ADOM
121 121
103 122
107 121
Year to Date Listings Sold Previous Year YTD Listing Sold
676 728
810 839
964 941
Median Sales Price Previous Year Median
This week Last week Trend
$223,700 $192,000
30-year fixed
4.22%
4.18%
15-year fixed
3.47%
3.47%
5/1 ARM
3.01%
3.03%
no change
Home & Real Estate is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
News and Press Releases: The Reporter-Herald welcomes news on hirings, advancements, awards, classes and other information of interest to the real estate and home community. Submit information to jcody@reporter-herald.com. Advertising: For advertising information, call Dan Grassmeyer. Office: 970-635-3615 Cell: 970-214-6297 E-mail: dgrassmeyer@reporter-herald.com
H&RE Real Estate Transactions Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., 1151 Eagle Drive No. 467, Loveland, CO 80537, 667-1537.
• Jesse Hansen from Bank New York Mellon Trust Co, 4332 Page Pl, Loveland, $100,500, home • David & Laura Peterson from Sherman Broyles, 549 W 3rd St, Loveland, $205,000, • Patricia & Richard Bartolucci from Timothy Dorothy home • Charles Zitting from ColMonsma Trust, 2474 Boise Ave, orado Housing Finance Autho, Loveland, $210,000, home 1318 6th St Se, Loveland, • Randall & Alicia Lofquist from 1725 Garfield LLC, 1725 $161,000, home • Joshua Lopez from N Garfield Ave, Loveland, Deutsche Bank Trust Co Amer$950,000, home ica, 4836 Valley Oak Dr, Love• Randall & Alicia Lofquist from 1735 Garfield LLC, 1735 land, $279,000, home • Kristin & Nick Kollmann N Garfield Ave, Loveland, from Charles Dyer, 1208 Ul$600,000, home • Cranewood LLC from 210 mus Dr, Loveland, $205,000, home Properties Inc, 210 E 29th St, • Nichole Mulder from FanLoveland, $875,000, home nie Mae, 1714 3rd St Sw, Love• Dennis & Linda Shafer from David Ball, 4790 Wiscon- land, $142,900, home • Daniel & Patricia Swiger sin Ave, Loveland, $373,500, home from Fannie Mae, 1142 Juliana
Loveland
Dr, Loveland, $122,000, home • Benjamin Zastrow from Federal Home Ln Mortgage Corp, 2938 8th St Sw, Loveland, $139,000, home • Timothy Debord from Jeremy Heesacker, 3119 Hiawatha Dr, Loveland, $221,000, home • John & Bobby Dye from Ronald Karabensh, 16900 N County Road 25 E, Loveland, $420,000, home • George Heinz from Paddington Properties LLC, 1416 Zoe Ct, Loveland, $142,000, home • Amanda & Paul Harding from Precision Home Buildings LLC, 4449 Thompson Pkwy, Loveland, $517,000, home • George & Elizabeth Forth from Dennis Shafer, 4253 Promontory Ct, Loveland, $400,000, home • Dennis Lebsack from Deb-
bie Swallow, 397 Lilac Pl, Loveland, $197,500, home • Robert & Brianne Lovett from Daniel Swiger, 1805 10th St Sw, Loveland, $180,000, home • Nicholas Peterson from Natasha Winberg, 822 E 5th St, Loveland, $157,300, home • James Mcneely from Harold Friesen Revocable Trust, 1504 Arthur Ave, Loveland, $155,000, home • Joseph Hartman from Aaron Baird, 2553 Glen Isle Dr, Loveland, $256,000, home • Kayla Fauver from Bank New York Mellon, 4530 Mead Pl, Loveland, $160,000, home • Joesph & Christiana Hein from Douglas Benson, 4701 Date Ct, Loveland, $242,000, home • Diane Ward from Mary Clark, 749 W 11th St, Love-
land, $145,000, home • Kristine Edland from Josephine Cooley, 2139 Illinois Ct, Loveland, $168,000, home • Louis & Lindsay Burrows from Paul Decker, 1149 Roosevelt Ave, Loveland, $205,000, home • Jason & Jessica Scritchfield from Deutsche Bank National Trust C, 934 Periwinkle Pl, Loveland, $180,200, home • Pamela & John Libretti from Arlene Fitch, 5848 Aspen View Ct, Loveland, $185,000, home • Ronald & Susan Karabensh from John Hennessey, 2730 Hartsel Ct, Loveland, $199,900, home • Thomas & Jan Mcintosh from Alert Hoak, 4969 Clearwater Dr, Loveland, $255,000, home • Daniel Spoon from Paula Keen, 5852 Gitalong Rd, Loveland, $775,000, home • Theresa Oleary from Ron Linville, 14435 W County Road 18 E, Loveland, $360,000, home • Donald & Robert Nutting from Loveland Midtown Development I, 1919 E 11th St, Loveland, $187,800, home • Lauren Sattler from Loveland Midtown Development I, 1188 Caelum Ct, Loveland, $230,000, home • Judith Hill from Loveland Midtown Development I, 2132 Virgo Cir, Loveland, $219,400, home • Marshall Spring from Loveland Midtown Development I, 2135 Virgo Cir, Loveland, $211,400, home • Gerald & Patricia Tayler from Randall Nace, 2916 Purgatory Creek Dr, Loveland, $358,000, home • Ron & Caroline Linville from Susan Osborn, 3375 Westerdoll Ave, Loveland, $310,000, home • Sean Mcgarry from Eric Parrish, 2049 Basalt Ct, Loveland, $186,000, home • Craig & Mary Oldenburg from Donald Perry, 2109 James Dr, Loveland, $195,000, home • Melvin & Roberta Saltz from Rheubottom Properties LLC, 905 Douglas Ave, Loveland, $345,000, home • William Farner from Sherman Shelby IRA, 1538 W 15th St, Loveland, $145,000, home
• Matthew & Ashlee Taylor from Renay Martinez, 2164 Burbank St, Berthoud, $292,500, home • Leonard & Renee Gattuso from Michele Verona, 525 5th St, Berthoud, $180,000, home
Estes Park • Darlene & Darlene Amen from Estes Park Real Estate, 970 Comanche St, Estes Park, $224,100, home • Annette Harris from Samuel Jonathan Schreiner Trust, 3100 Rainbow Dr, Estes Park, $320,000, home • Karriet LLC from Todd Schulte, 341 Overlook, Estes Park, $245,000, home • Howard & Leanne Lauren from Cindy Carlson, 240 Big Horn Dr, Estes Park, $167,000, home • Js LLC from Venkata Golla, 741 Big Horn Dr, Estes Park, $230,000, home • Robert & Carole Fixter from Bradley Witt, 910 W Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, $125,000, home
Johnstown • Richard & Cleora Conner from Stein Living Trust, 1218 N 3rd St, Johnstown, $215,000, home • Marilyn Sexson from Elaine Zadel, 899 N 3rd St, Johnstown, $155,000, home • Joel Steele from JJ Constr Northern Colo LLC, 239 Alder Ave, Johnstown, $175,500, home • Warren & Opal Yule from JJ Constr Northern Colo LLC, 251 Alder Ave, Johnstown, $183,400, home • Lisa Hyatt from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3800 Beechwood Ln, Johnstown, $169,600, home • Joshua & Amber Boddy from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3918 Kenwood Cir, Johnstown, $224,900, home • Patricia Mcginness from Ryland Group Inc, 2755 Aylesbury Wy, Johnstown, $251,600, home • Randy Helmberger from James Baker, 210 Muscovey Ln, Johnstown, $287,900, home
Milliken
• Stonehouse LLC from Enhakkore Reliance LLC, 107 • Eric & Jennifer Sigler from Aragon Ct, Milliken, $90,900, Robert Buchanan, 5943 Sandia home • Tyler & Andrea Trostel Ln, Berthoud, $455,000, home from David Hollema, 11576 • David Fenton from Jennifer Burgess, 316 Bimson Ave, County Road 52, Milliken, $280,000, home Berthoud, $146,500, home • Kathy Corral from Janet • Julius Pratt from Terry Hines, 140 E Juneberry St, MilField, 1907 1st St, Berthoud, $195,000, home liken, $155,000, home
Berthoud
NEW
NORTHERN COLORADO HOMES
Loveland, Colorado • $3,000 BUYER CREDIT NEW HOMES MONTHLY PAYMENTS FROM • STARTING AT $999 $159,900 - $229,900 • OVER 10 MODELS • CONNECTED TO CITY TRAIL
GREAT VALUE GREAT COMMUNITY GREAT LOCATION
New Construction
Sales Office Open 10-6 Daily 1899 East 11th Street, Loveland, CO 80537 Phone: (970) 456-4600 info@newmidtownhomes.com www.newmidtownhomes.com 17-326536
Priced from $210K
Priced from $270K
FHA Approved Community www.CosBuilders.com
Megan Wachtman 8z Real Estate Broker/Owner
970-217-7977
www.MeganWachtman.8z.com www.cohomefinder.com A better way to buy and sell a home in Colorado!
CE4
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 29, 2011
H&RE Fall Home Improvement
Wall to Wall
Wallpaper and stencil trends are making a comeback with fresh patterns and wide-ranging color schemes, making redecorating more versatile than ever. Showcasing your personality through wallpaper or stenciling can give any room that extra punch of memorable, decorative flavor.
PATIENCE, PRACTICE, PERFECT
Kirsten Pellicer, vice president at Ace Hardware in Longmont, said wallpapering and stenciling are tasks that require a great deal of patience. In fact, she said it’s best to evaluate your personality and tolerance level for this detailed task before you get started. The next step is to determine what wallpaper pattern, stencil design or color suits the room DOMINIQUE DEL GROSSO in need. Lisa Darrah, owner of Design It! in REPORTER-HERALD Longmont, said researching what overall look you’re after can be a helpful place to start. Sometimes designing a room around the wallhat’s the first thing that pops in your mind when you think about spicing up paper’s paisley pattern or the stencils asymmetrical motif is an easy way to vamp up the a room in your house? Wallpaper or look of any room. stenciling a design on the wall is probably not what comes first. But sometimes a new decora“The style of wallpaper depends on what the tive piece or rearranging a room’s furniture goal is for the room,” Darrah said. “It depends setup just doesn’t feel like enough of a change on the level of elegance the homeowner wants to achieve.” to satisfy.
Wallpapering, stenciling offers one-of-kind decor
W
Once you determine a design, color scheme or stencil pattern, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the size of the project and worry about how the finished product will look, but practice makes perfect. Starting with a small project first will give you the chance to perfect the process and also build the necessary confidence to see it through to the end. “You can get as creative as you want,” Pellicer said. “You can start out in a room and do something simple. You don’t have to think in terms of covering the whole wall. Start small.” Possessing the patience to lay wallpaper or perfect the intricate stencil design yourself may not be easy, but it is less expensive than hiring a company to complete the project for you.
CAUTIONARY TALE With the convenience of online shopping, many people don’t visit their local store in search of the perfect pattern. Pellicer cautions people to have samples of wallpaper sent to them prior to purchasing rolls of the design. “Don’t shop online for wallpaper unless you can get samples from the company to make sure you like what you’re going to buy,” she said. “Computer screens can distort the color and overall look.” However, browsing the web is a great resource for learning the steps of how to complete the project through videos and audio tutorials. Pellicer recommends visiting www.shelterpop.com, which offers a lot of helpful tips and the latest trends in “do it yourself” projects.
concrete on the pattern and that it matches the room,” Darrah said. ”It’s not as easy to take it down as it is to apply, so you want to make sure the look is cohesive throughout the entire house.” Wallpaper and stencil styles, colors and texture options are endless. Research first, relax and have fun with it. Completing a “Do It Yourself” task takes patience, but the work is worth the reward. The end result will no doubt be a total knockout.
TIPS, TRENDS, TOTAL KNOCKOUT Whether it’s this season’s bold stripes, a dainty paisley pattern or wispy swirls of perfectly stenciled colors, a homeowner needs to be sure of the design prior to application. “You have got to be really
Rent Keep the equipment
the advice
Let us help you with that t next home project We have all the tools and advice you’ll a nd a dvice y ou ll need
Ask about our PROPANE Frequent Filler Program
(Fill three 20lb. tanks and get the fourth filled FREE!)
Rototiller
Air Compressor
Boom Lift
Aerator
MiniExcavator
Now TWO Locations to Better Serve You
Bounce House
3101 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland
142 Gateway Cr. Johnstown/Berthoud
669-3866
532-0144
www.coloradograndrental.com
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 29, 2011 CE5
H&RE Fall Home Improvement
Saving Green by Being Green Three simple fixes to save money and winterize the house METRO CREATIVE SERVICES
T
here are numerous, simple projects at homeowners’ fingertips that can conserve energy in a home and keep money in the bank. Although windows, doors and siding are the biggest opportunities to conserve energy and reduce costs, not every project has to be a major one. When it comes to improving energy efficiency, every little bit helps. Using the right products helps to ensure that projects are done correctly and withstand the test of time. Below are a few easy weekend projects to get any house ready for the winter.
is a good chance that copper pipes will freeze. This is a potentially messy and costly issue that can be easily prevented. While it might be harder to get to the pipes behind the walls, exposed pipes in the basement can be wrapped without difficulty. Flexible foam with a split-sleeve, purchased from any hardware store, will slip right over the pipes and can be easily secured with Gorilla Tape. This heavy duty tape contains twice the adhesive as most duct tapes and outperforms standard duct tape in these tough situations. Either wrap tape around the insulating foam or run the entire length to seal the seam. Even areas where freezing does not pose a threat can benefit by keeping the pipes a more consistent temperature, and preventing costly drywall leaks caused by pipe condensation.
THE ATTIC
Attics, even when insulated, are a major source of lost heat. However, most homeowners forget to complete their insulation project by THE GARAGE insulating the access door to the attic. For this Garage doors are usually the single largest project, it is best to use rigid foam insulation entry point into a home and are rarely insulatwith a radiant barrier. Cut the insulation board ed, leaving a large area where air can seep in. to the door’s dimensions. (It is best to cut the Rubber thresholds, found at any hardware store, piece a tad smaller than the door’s exact size to can be easily and quickly installed underneath ensure that it does not interfere with hinges or the garage door to help keep the cold at bay. where the door seats into place.) Since most garage doors are aluminum, it is Once cut, affix the insulation board using best to use a two-part epoxy to secure these two polyurethane glue. Also, remember to wet one different materials together. Epoxy fills any sursurface prior to gluing and clamp the project by face gaps, creating a lasting, water-resistant bond. The pressure and weight of the door then weighting it down with some heavy items. This helps seal the garage when the door is closed. A polyurethane glue expands into the surface of the insulation and creates a tight bond ensuring similar type of seal can be made with a rubber the insulation will stay in place for the life of the gasket on exterior doors as well. By creating a home. tighter seal on this entry door, cold air is preAll of these winterizing projects are easy, vented from getting in and the warm air from quick, and can be completed within a weekend. getting out. Armed with a few supplies from the local hardware store, energy and heat savings are just a THE PIPES When the weather dips below freezing, there few moments away.
Open Houses This Weekend - www.thegroupinc.com NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW HOMES BUILT BY WINDMILLS, LLC
FRIDAY - SUNDAY 12:00-3:00 110 Traders Lane, Milliken Pick your own fixtures, carpet & colors. Wonderful ranch style & 2-story home plans to choose from. Your choice of 3 great subdivision to live in – Settlers Village – Colony Point or Centennial Farms. VALUE YOU CAN SEE… QUALITY YOU CAN COUNT ON with a WINDMILLS HOME. Visit us at 110 Traders Lane in Settlers Village. 100% FINANCING! NO MONEY DOWN!!!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY 1:00-4:00
SUNDAY 12:00-2:00
Saturday - Sunday 1:00-3:00
292 Saratoga Drive, Windsor Greenspire at Windsor Lake. It’s more than just a home… IT’S A QUALITY OF LIFE! Miles of bike trails, open space & parks. Personalize your home from framing to finish! Extraordinary floor plans – Ranch & 2-Story. Lots available on Windsor Lake! Visit our Sales Center at 690 Moonglow Drive or call for a showing!
660 Mt Massive Street, Berthoud Beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with builder finishes. Hardwood floors in kitchen, panel oak cabinets and covered porch. Unfinished basement offering room to grow. Spacious back yard with excellent views.
3518 Akron Court, Loveland Unique 4-level on a ¼ lot. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, large kitchen, living room and family room. Master suite w/jetted tub and large shower with 4 heads. Sun room w/tile floor & hot tub looks out to a mature, park-like backyard & multi-level deck. Newer carpet & paint. Low maintenance vinyl & brick siding. Close to schools & sculpture park.
Prices starting in the $150’s
Homes Starting in the $200,000s!
$220,000
$255,000
MLS#
MLS# 643842
MLS# 664809
MLS# 666526
Call Tracy Wilson
Call Jim Watson
Call Cindy Kurtz
Call Rich Gardiner
970-219-5219
962-6832
227-0964
567-0907 NEW CONSTRUCTION
Saturday & Sunday 1:00-3:00
CLOSE TO LAKE LOVELAND
NEW CONSTRUCTION
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
SUNDAY 1:00-3:00
SATURDAY 2:00-4:00
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
2892 Ariel Drive, Loveland Colorado Craftsman style home quality built by Oak Valley Homes. Kitchen features a large island and shaker style alder cabinetry. Ranch style home with open floor plan backs to open space. Beautiful finishes include hardwood floors, designer tile & slab granite. Full, unfinished basement. Fully landscaped yard.
2821 Logan Drive, Loveland Professionally remodeled 4bd + study, 3ba, 3070 sf. home. The kitchen has travertine tile, stainless steel appliances. Wood floors throughout the main floor. Lots of special touches are found everywhere. It feels like home the minute you enter.
3004 Duffield Ave., Loveland All brick construction, $24,000 newer 50 yr metal/ceramic composition roof, copper downspout/rain gutter system, hot water heat, central A/C, granite counters in kitchen, new carpet, fully finished basement, RV parking, & sprinkler system.
2890 Carina Circle, Loveland Colorado Craftsman style home. Finishes include hardwood floors, designer tile, slab granite, alder trim & doors and shaker style alder cabinetry. 12’ ceilings in great room w/wood beams. SS appliances, gas fireplace and custom built-ins. Fully landscaped. Close to I-25, Centerra and the Medical Center of the Rockies.
4701 Mountain Vista Court, Loveland Updated 2 story home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Zoned FA farming, possible in-home business. Newer roof and furnace. Lower level updated with Travertine tile and steam room. 2nd family room. Mountain views from both decks!
$299,000
$295,000
$325,000
$335,000
$345,000
MLS# 662114
MLS# 660462
MLS# 662131
MLS# 662119
MLS# 667548
Call Georgena Arnett
Call Sally Lee
Call Nicole Huntsman
Call Georgena Arnett
Call Kim Summitt
481-9801
227-7742
970-402-0221
481-9801
689-6950
AN EXCLUSIVE SERVICE OF THE GROUP, INC. REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
SUNDAY 12:00-2:00
103 Common Drive, Berthoud Elegant turn-of-the-century home built with quality. Wrap-around covered front porch. Formal living and dining rooms. Huge family room w/fireplace. Kitchen features Tharp City Scape cabinets, granite countertops & pantry. Unfinished bsmt. Covered patio. 8’ doors in the 3-car garage.
2009 Morning Drive, Loveland Spectacular Views – COMPLETELY Remodeled on 1.48 acres. Private, peaceful & serene mountain feeling, yet the convenience of paved roads, natural gas, city water & public sewer. All-season sunroom w/ radiant heat. Upgrades include iron railing, wood floors, highend finishes, granite counters, SS appliances....
$349,900
$431,900
MLS# 622778
MLS# 661575
Call Miki Roth
Call Jesse Laner
690-9459
672-7212
Northern Colorado Real Estate Source The Real Estate Source is a magazine produced by me The Group featuring homes for sale and new home neighborhoods throughout Northern Colorado.. •
Available for pick-up at over 200 distribution points including hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and Group offices.
•
version Onlineof publication cation at www.thegroupinc.com om containing links to detail ail pages for most listings.
rado rn Colo Northe Source
tate s E l a e R w w w.
thegr
oupin
c.com
CE6
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 29, 2011
H&RE Front Range Gardening
Pet Rescue O’Meara keeps an unlikely pet CAROL O'MEARA CSU EXTENSION
A
ttending the Larimer County Humane Society’s Top Cat and Tales gala, I was impressed by the devotion humans feel toward animals and their creative ways to raise money to care for them. The live auction had many items of interest, from Caribbean condo stays to baskets of wine, but what captured my fancy was the offer of having your pets’ photo plastered to a billboard. For the right price, Fluffy will be the spokesanimal of an adoption ad for three months on the highway. Several of my dinner companions were already shaking their heads before I got the words out, knowing the type of pets I keep. “A tarantula would be perfect for that billboard,” I said, musing on the possibilities. “But right now the only pet I have is a praying mantid. I wonder if that would help them raise pet adoption awareness?” Those at the table who didn’t know me stopped chewing, looking mildly horrified. “She’d be easy to photograph; her wing is damaged and she can’t fly. That’s why the humans rescued her before giving her to me — they didn’t think she’d survive,” I said, plying their sympathy for a wounded creature. But good intentions took me too far; enthusing about her laying an egg case didn’t elicit maternal
ooohs and ahhhs I’d banked on. “How many eggs are in that egg case?” asked one guest, staring at me as if he were seated with a member of the Addams Family. “About 200,” I said, “but they’re hungry when they hatch and go after each other, so you really end up with about six fat, happy youngsters.” Discussing insects and cannibalism over dinner is one reason why I’m not invited to many formal events. The insect in question is a European mantid (Mantis religiosa), picked up by well-meaning people who feared for her safety in winter. In this, the good Samaritans are right; these insects, imported for biological control, only survive our winters when it’s mild, although a few of the toughest manage to get through to spring. Thus, the European mantid is found throughout much of Colorado. It’s a big bug, measuring three-and-a-half inches long, green with a “bull’s-eye” marking under the front legs. These forelegs are spectacular: long, broad, edged in spikes and tipped with claws to hold prey close to feed. “I’ve had mantids I can hear eating, crunching their grasshoppers as they chew through the exoskeleton,” I said. Oddly, this tidbit of information had the table guests looking for vacant seats elsewhere, and my spouse started pressing Front his knee against
my leg in a subtle warning that I was scaring people. The eggs she laid are encased in an insulated, foamy material that hardens and gives them the appearance of a Styrofoam peanut. Mantids lay these most often on hard surfaces such as rocks, pipes, fences, and plant stalks. In spring, they hatch, and hundreds of mantid nymphs emerge, feeding on soft insects at first, then as they grow, moving on to larger prey. Should you try rearing mantids at home, keep them in separate terrariums. If you have an adult female, give her a stick on which to lay the egg case, then move her into another cage; egg cases need a cold period and are best stored for a few weeks in an unheated place such as a shed or on the north side of homes. Bring the egg cases indoors to warm them to room temperature and encourage hatching. Feed the nymphs small insects, such as fruit flies, midges and small flies. As they grow, feeder crickets from pet stores work well. Mantids need water, so mist the interior surface of their container once per week. Release your mantids into the garden once days are warm. But take my advice, and keep your pet information to yourself. Non-gardeners just don’t understand.
Carol O’Meara is with CSU Extension in Boulder County. Contact her at 303-678-6238 or comeara@co .boulder.co.us.
Range Gardening
Water is needed during winter BETH THIRET CSU EXTENSION Question: Why do I need to water my plants in the winter? Answer: Colorado is known for dry air and fluctuating winter temperatures. This can cause damage to a plant’s root system. The end result is plants more susceptible to insect and disease problems or dieback. Water your plants when the temperatures are about 40 degrees and there is no snow cover. When water is applied at mid-day there will be ample time for it to soak in before freezing at night. For more information on winter watering refer to the CSU Extension website at www.ext.colostate.edu and read Fact Sheet #7.211. Question: Why are some tree trunks wrapped in paper during the winter? Answer: The intention of winter tree wrap is to protect the trunks of younger/newly planted trees from the temperature fluctuations throughout fall and winter months.
Warm winter days, followed by freezing night temperatures and winter drought, can result in sunscald and frost cracks. However, research has shown that wrapping the trunks and leaving the wrap on too long can also cause harm to trees by allowing excess moisture to remain in contact with the tree, encouraging fungal and bacterial growth. Trees planted in locations receiving a lot of reflective light may still benefit from its use. Around the end of November, using a light crepe paper wrap, wrap the trunk up to its lowest branch, check the tree frequently throughout the winter and remove the paper wrap in the spring in late March or early April. A good rule of thumb to remember when to put the wrap on and take it off is: on at Thanksgiving; off on Tax Day. Beth Thiret has received training through Colorado State University Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County. For more information about CSU Extension, Larimer County, call 970-498-6000 or visit www.larimer.org/ext.
Use soil samples for lawn, garden
with plenty of bright, direct sunlight. You can also take cuttings from your plants. Make 3to 4-inch-long stem cuttings that include a growing tip. Remove the lower leaves, dip the • Fall is an excellent time for taking soil cut end in rooting hormone and stick into samples from your lawn and garden. Soil tests moist, porous, rooting medium. It will take will measure the pH of the soil, organic mat- six to eight weeks to root. After rooting, plant ter content, and salinity. The test will also geraniums in a 4-inch pot in a sunny window. measure plant available nutrients such as ni• You should wait until spring to prune trogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, your roses, but keep some soil or mulch manganese and copper and give suggestions handy to mound around your roses for winter to improve your soil. Testing kits for the CSU protection. Wait until the leaves drop and the Plant, Soil and Water testing laboratory are ground is near freezing, usually late Novemavailable at local nurseries, Jax Farm and ber or early December before covering the Ranch or the Larimer County Extension ofbase of the plant. fice, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins. • Strawberries need protection from our You can also call the Extension Office at drying winds, intense sunlight and lack of 970-498-6000 for more information. moisture during winter. Apply mulch after • Overwinter your geraniums inside to get the plants are dormant, but before nighttime a head start next spring. You can cut them temperatures drop to 20 degrees. You can use back to half the original size and repot them organic mulch, like straw, or you can cover in potting mix rather than garden soil. Check the bed with a heavy weight “floating” row for insects or disease. Grow in a cool room cover.
MITZI DAVIS CSU EXTENSION
GLINK From Page C1
Ilyce Glink recently became a member of advisory board of one of these companies, eCredable.com.) These companies in the alternative credit reporting space are trying to give consumers an alternative method of building their credit during these economic hard times. People who have lost their credit cards and homes, as well as young people who have just entered into the credit world, are finding fewer opportunities to build or rebuild their credit with the traditional credit reporting companies. Newer credit reporting companies record recurring monthly payments to utility companies, phone and internet companies, landlords and other entities, even if those payments go to family members, in order to create a picture of a consumer that might
be missed by traditional methods of credit analysis. If your daughter and her husband are trying to improve their credit history, it will be up to them to take the steps necessary to make the payments from their own accounts. You won’t and shouldn’t be able to do it for them. If they are to repair their credit history, they have to do it themselves. Should you lease or sell the home to them? From their perspective, it may not matter if they buy or rent the home from you as long as they handle the financial affairs relating to the home. If you want to simplify your role, you can have them set up direct-deposit payments to you from their checking account on a monthly basis, which will make it easy for you to keep track of those payments in case you are asked to verify their payment history. If you don’t want to deal with the paperwork, you can set it up so that they pay a title company. There are other companies that will handle the payments as well.