Saturday Reporter-Herald October 8, 2011 E1
Real Estate Matters
www.reporterherald.com • Saturday, October 8, 2011 • Reporter-Herald
Lender not obligated to refinance
Green in
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ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES Question: For a brief moment in August 2009, my business just all but stopped. I’m an accountant, and my clients had trouble paying their bills. I asked my lender for a loan modification. After I applied, they said everything was great except that I hadn’t sent a copy of my Social Security letter — which they had never asked for. So, I was denied. After I called them, the lender reopened my loan modification petition and made me jump through hoops forever. I was within three days of hearing back about the modification, when I called on a Thursday to verify they had everything. They did. Later, when I called again, they said I had been declined. When I asked why, they told me it was because I hadn’t sent in my Social Security letter. So I simply said, “Fine, sounds like a good court case to me, I’ll see you in court.” And I hung up. Two weeks ago a representative of the lender called and told me that they had started foreclosure proceedings. I’m just waiting for the court date because I have all my documentation from every day I tried to contact them and proof that they received all of the documentation. Shortly after I got this call, one of the big banks took over my lender. I now receive notices from the big bank and my lender, but I don’t respond to anything. I just keep the paperwork in my file. Why would I go to these people when I was refused twice for something stupid? They don’t want to help, and I am not wasting my time! I paid the modified payments on time, and I did everything they said, but to no avail. In the meantime, I am waiting for the court date. I am waiting to see if they will give me the loan I qualified for and my payments should be $257 month. Then I will be happy and pay on time just as I have done for 11 years! Answer: I’m not sure you’re going to win the game with the hand you have and how you have decided to play it. You need to know that, despite the fact that you applied for the loan modification and that you may have been qualified for it, your lender may not have had a legal obligation to give you the modification. If the lender had no legal obligation to modify the loan, and you have stopped making payments, the lender has the right to proceed and foreclose on the home. At the foreclosure hearing, the judge may only need or want to focus on the issue of whether the lender has proceeded in the foreclosure properly, with all the documentation in order. The judge may ig■ See GLINK/Page E4
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Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. When deciding which appliance to replace, Mazal recommends investing in a new refrigerator first, as it constantly running. According to Romero, an old refrigerator tends to find a new home in the garage or basement and holds excess food and drinks. He warned that the relocation could result in even higher energy costs. “The old fridge is just as inefficient in the garage as it was in the kitchen,” he said. “And now the appliance is not in a climate-controlled environment causing it to work overtime in extreme temperatures.”
KENDALL SCHOEMANN REPORTER-HERALD
O
h the joys of winter: warm, crackling fires, sweet, festive aromas, soft, snuggly sweaters and your highest energy bill of the year. In preparation for the looming cold, a few home improvements done this fall can increase your home’s energy efficiency while simultaneously lowering winter energy bills. Whether it is a quick purchase or an ambitious pursuit, every bit helps in creating a warm and cozy home this winter without the soaring costs.
CEILING FAN A simple trick to push heat down to a usable space of the room is through a ceiling fan. Although commonly used in the summer months, it can be effective in redistributing heat in the winter. Mazal explains how a ceiling fan can control a room’s temperature. LIGHTING “When programmed to spin clockA simple way to lower energy costs wise at a low speed, the fan pushes is to install more efficient light warm air from the ceiling to the ocbulbs. cupied space below,” he said. “DeAccording to Gabriel Romero, an pending on the room and ceiling Xcel Energy Spokesman, a home’s height, a low-speed fan can help lowlighting accounts for 25 percent of er the thermostat without sacrificing its energy output. warmth.” “Replacing regular, incandescent APPLIANCES bulbs with more efficient options can significantly reduce energy from Appliances tend to be an overlight,” he said. looked energy contributor, because Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), they are used so frequently. Alwhich use a direct current, and com- though most appliances are expenpact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), sive up front, modern appliances are which contain a small amount of incomparable to those from 10 or mercury, are more efficient options more years ago, according to for lighting. Romero. Romero explained how to differenEnergySmart Program Manager tiate between the two bulbs. Andy Mazal explained the technolog“Although LEDs are by far the ical advancements of appliances in most efficient, they are not yet cost- recent years. effective in the short-term,” he said. “Depending on how often an ap“CFLs are the cheaper choice and pliance is used, a household could are still much more efficient than save money on a new replacement in regular bulbs.” a couple of years,” he said. “Look for the EnergyStar label to ensure the Proper disposal of a CFL bulb is high efficiency of an appliance.” essential in preventing harm from the small amount of mercury it conAn EnergyStar certification inditains. If a CFL bulb breaks, be sure cates that an appliance has passed to open the windows and dispose of the strict energy efficient guidelines set by the Environmental Protection the bulb at a recycling facility.
INSULATION After simple improvements and replacements, the next step in creating a more energy-efficient home is insulation. It is important to seal a home’s exterior to ensure heat does not escape and unwanted air does not sneak in. Because all homes are different, an energy audit is the best way to determine a home’s individual energy report. According to Mazal, an audit essentially detects how much air is lost from the home per hour and where it is escaping from. Afterward, recommendations are
Buying a home that needs work? Call the experts in FHA 203(k) renovation financing. 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.
made to improve the home’s efficiency. Mazal explained the unique benefits of an audit. “Even the most handy of homeowners can benefit from the highly accurate equipment,” he said. “In fact, in 95 percent of audits, a homeowner discovers something they didn’t know.” Usually, holes in between interior walls and the attic, crawl spaces and basement walls are areas where heat and air escape undetected. Insulation is the top priority in keeping air in the home, according to Mazal. “Insulating the attic tends to be the number one thing to do for the money with a house older than 10 years,” he said. The wrath of winter tends to be met with roasting fire places, warm food and drinks and more time indoors, inevitably raising energy bills. The time to assess your home and consider energy-efficient improvements is before the cold winter months. “As a former auditor at Xcel Energy, I can tell you that peaks in energy bills are directly linked to the extreme weather of a location,” Mazal said.
Tricks to decrease water usage without sacrificing routines: According to EnergyStar, water heating is the second largest energy expenditure after heating and cooling. To reduce a large chuck of your energy bill, try these tips lower the amount of water used without forfeiting comfort. • Reduce water usage Energy efficient shower heads and faucet aerators use less water than regular ones, but they are also more pressurized so most people don’t notice a difference in their water habits. Look for the WaterSense rating or for a shower head below 2 gallon/minute and an aerator below 1.5 gallon/minute. • Wash clothes with cold water According to Mazal, 90 percent of a washing machine’s energy goes toward heating the water. Washing clothes with cold water will cut that out that energy. •Lower water heater temperature Most water heaters are installed with a setting of 140 to 160 degrees, which heats water to a scolding temperature that humans cannot tolerate. By lowering the temperature to 120 degrees, you can save energy and money.
www.HomeStateBank.com
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
E2
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 8, 2011
Featured Properties $200,000 - $299,999
UP TO $199,999 OPEN SAT. 12-4 & SUN. 12-3 PM
OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 12-5 PM
OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 12-5 PM
3441 Foster Pl., Loveland
1920 New Hampshire Street, Loveland KENDALL BROOK SUBDIVISION
Peakview Meadows, Berthoud Peakview Meadows Sales office open Saturday 12-4 and Sunday 12-3 Prices starting at $195,900. 5 Models to choose from.
FREE FRONT & BACK YARD LANDSCAPING PLUS PRIVACY FENCED BACK YARD! 3 BR, 3 BA, 2 car, 2-story home w/lots of upgrades. $207,315 w/qualifying special financing, $218,915 w/o qualifying special financing.
Kurt Albers & Chris Rampone Century 21 Humpal, Inc 970-231-1224 Kurt 970-430-0845 Chris www.berthoud.org
Warberg Farm at Chapman Reservoir OPEN Saturday 1-3 PM 2+Acre Lake front & horse lots starting $225,000 water tap included. Surface rights, walk paths, parks, boat docks, fishing and peace garden.
FREE FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING W/ SPRINKLER SYSTEM! Gourmet kitchen w/granite countertops & center island. Wood floors. Master w/5 pc bath. A/C. Full unfin bsmnt & 3-car garage on corner lot. $299,900
Rose Lawrence Cottage Realty 970-215-0515 www.lovelandcorealestate.com
$300,000 - $399,999 BUILDERS MODEL - DAKOTA GLEN OPEN HOUSE 12 TO 4 THURS.-MON.
OPEN SATURDAY 1-3 PM
Connie Salazar Cottage Realty 970-227-3893 www.lovelandcorealestate.com
Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.warbergfarmatchapmanreservoir.com
$400,000 - $499,999
$500,000 - $599,999
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 1-4 PM
PRICED TO SELL! OPEN SAT. 2-5 PM
BUILDERS MODEL-DAKOTA GLEN OPEN HOUSE 12 TO 4 THURS.-MON.
3480 Peruvian Torch Drive, Loveland
3464 Peruvian Torch Drive, Loveland, CO
Just West of Loveland 288 Reservoir Drive!
228 North Cove Drive, Loveland
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
Looking for Maintenance-FREE* lifestyle? Open floor plan, patio home w/2 bdrms/2 baths, granite kitchen island, backs to green belt with mountain views! Convenient location. MLS#622329. $323,400
Introducing Pittington Ranch! Panoramic views, open floor plans, room for your horses! 90 plus acres of riding space. Model home open! 13 homesites to choose from, starting in mid $400’s.
Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 4,400 sq. ft. ranch. Custom interior design, 3 stall garage, hardwood floors and trim. Slab counter tops, stucco and stone exterior. Gated neighborhood. $529,000. MLS#663044
Venna Hillman ERA Herman Group/Glen Marketing 970-663-4522 venna@glencompanies.com www.DakotaGlen.com
Venna Hillman ERA Herman Group/Glen Marketing 970-663-4522 venna@glencompanies.com www.DakotaGlen.com
John Mathey Premier Lifestyle (970) 481-5512 info@pittingtonrach.com www.pittingtonranch.com
Leah Ludwick Realtor/Broker Associate Keller Williams Realty (970) 227-2747 ludwickcohomes.com
saturday
sunday
Price:
Location:
Address:
Time:
Office/Contact:
Phone:
Price:
Location:
Address:
Time:
Office/Contact:
Phone:
$120,000
Fort Collins (Estate Lot)
3404 Hidden Pond Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Joey Porter, Steve Bricker
970-481-4814, 970-218-1821
$120,000
3404 Hidden Pond Drive
1-4 PM
From the $140’s*
Loveland
43rd St & Wilson Ave 12-5 PM The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
Fort Collins (Estate Lot)
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Joey Porter, Steve Bricker
970-481-4814, 970-218-1821
From the $140’s
Loveland
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
Starting in the 150’s
Milliken
110 Traders Lane
12-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Tracy Wilson
970-567-0907
43rd St & Wilson Ave 12-5 PM The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge 110 Traders Lane
12-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Tracy Wilson
970-567-0907
Loveland
1899 East 11th St.
10 AM-6 PM
Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, Wayne Lewis
970-456-4600
Starting in the 150’s
Milliken
From $159,900
1899 East 11th St.
10 AM-6 PM
4403 Elliot Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, Wayne Lewis
970-456-4600
Loveland
From $159,900
Loveland
$169,900 Starting at $195,900
Berthoud
Peakview Meadows
12-4 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers & Chris Rampone
970-231-1224, 970-430-0845
$169,900
Loveland
4403 Elliot Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Starting in the 200’s
Windsor
241 Saratoga Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Watson
970-219-5219
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Starting at $225,000
Loveland
Warberg Farm At Chapman Reservoir
1-3 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers
$229,500
Loveland
2063 Calhoun Court
12-3 PM
$239,000
Loveland
4496 Hayler Ave
12-5 PM
$239,000 (+) Windsor
4613 Pompano
1-4 PM
$239,900
Johnstown
2121 Blue Wing Drive
1-3 PM
$249,900
Berthoud
Collins Park Subdivision
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
$265,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$265,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$285,000
Fort Collins
2132 Cocklebur Lane
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Andrea Schafer, Jason Billings, Berin Wachsmann
970-290-3758, 970-581-6444, 970-214-2277
$249,900
Berthoug
Collins Park Subdivision
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-566-4627
$265,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$185,000
NW Loveland
3215 Logan
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Billie Jo Downing
970-481-4150
Starting at $195,900
Berthoud
Peakview Meadows
12-4 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers & Chris Rampone
970-231-1224, 970-430-0845
970-231-1224
Starting in the 200’s
Windsor
241 Saratoga Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Watson
970-219-5219
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Scott Mullen
970-690-8333
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$220,000
Loveland
2989 8th St. SW
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Cindy Kurtz
970-962-6832
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Carole Newberry
970-443-4047
$239,000
Loveland
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
4496 Hayler Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$239,000 (+) Windsor
4613 Pompano
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Carole Newberry
970-443-4047
$239,900
Loveland
1506 Gloria Ct.
1-3 PM
ERA Tradewind Real Estate, Rod Carlson
303-684-6321
$249,000
Loveland
325 Ramsay Place
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Cathy Vance
970-231-0234
$285,000
Windsor
241 Saratoga Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rita Greywood
970-391-8838
$265,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rich Gardiner
970-227-0964
$286,400
Fort Collins
2427 Strawfork
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Joey Porter
970-481-4814
$285,000
Fort Collins
2132 Cocklebur Lane
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Andrea Schafer, Jason Billings, Berin Wachsmann
970-290-3758, 970-581-6444, 970-214-2277
$285,000
Windsor
241 Saratoga Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Rita Greywood
970-391-8838
$287,296
Windsor
4607 Pompano Drive
12-5 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kristen Specketer
970-290-8097
$298,664
Loveland
4355 Ridgway Dr
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$299,000
Loveland
2892 Ariel Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$299,000
Timnath
5445 Wishing Well Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Michael Hurd
970-227-5932
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
$299,900
SW Loveland
3142 Ivy
1-3 PM
$310,000
Loveland
3338 Wray Court
$315,000
Fort Collins
$329,000
$286,400
Fort Collins
2427 Strawfork
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Joey Porter
970-481-4814
970-532-5900
$287,296
Windsor
4607 Pompano Drive
12-5 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kristen Specketer
970-290-8097
970-532-5900
$298,664
Loveland
4355 Ridgway Dr
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
$299,000
Timnath
5445 Wishing Well Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Michael Hurd
970-227-5932
11-1 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Mark Moran
970-218-1891
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
1425 Bubbling Brook
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
Fort Collins
1407 Expedition Court
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$331,952
Timnath
5230 Rock Hill Street
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Hauan
970-481-9280
$299,900
Loveland
2767 Coral Burst Drive
12-2 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kathleen Hollerbach
970-222-0679
$335,000
Loveland
2890 Carina Circle
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$315,000
Fort Collins
1425 Bubbling Brook
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
$339,900
Loveland
3480 Peruvian Torch Drive
12-4 PM
ERA Herman Group, Glen Marketing, Venna Hillman
970-663-4522
$342,000
Loveland
1/4 Mile West of Wilson on 14th St/SW/HWY 402 to the Dakota Glen Subdivision
12-4 PM
ERA Herman Group, Glen Marketing, Venna Hillman
970-663-4522
$349,000
Berthoud
103 Common Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Miki Roth, Tracy Wilson
970-690-9459, 970-567-0907
Starting in the 400’s
Loveland
288 Reservoir Drive
1-4 PM
Premier Lifestyle Realty, John Mathey
970-613-4400
$425,000
SW Loveland
535 Marcellina
1:30-3:30 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Don Riedel
970-679-8265
$437,500
Berthoud
620 Sundown
1 PM Sharp
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Nanci Garnand
970-622-1846
$439,500
Windsor
6787 Spanish Bay Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Bob Skillman
970-631-2257
$499,900
Loveland
1187 Coral Burst Drive
11 AM-5 PM
Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, Ron McCrimmon
970-214-2763
$329,000
Fort Collins
1407 Expedition Court
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
$331,952
Timnath
5230 Rock Hill Street
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Jim Hauan
970-481-9280
$339,900
Loveland
3480 Peruvian Torch Drive
12-4 PM
ERA Herman Group, Glen Marketing, Venna Hillman
970-663-4522
$342,000
Loveland
1/4 Mile West of Wilson on 14th St/SW/HWY 402 to the Dakota Glen Subdivision
12-4 PM
ERA Herman Group, Glen Marketing, Venna Hillman
970-663-4522
$349,000
Berthoud
103 Common Drive
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Miki Roth, Tracy Wilson
970-690-9459, 970-567-0907
$350,000
Loveland
3555 Capitol Peak Drive
12-2 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Cindy Kurtz
970-962-6832
$439,500
Windsor
6787 Spanish Bay Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Bob Skillman
970-631-2257
$499,900
Loveland
1187 Coral Burst Drive
11 AM-5 PM
Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty, Ron McCrimmon
970-214-2763
$515,000
Timnath
6770 Duncan Court
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Steve Brickler
970-218-1821
$525,000
Loveland
3951 Culebra Peak Drive
1:30-3:30 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Don Riedel
970-679-8265
$515,000
Timnath
6770 Duncan Court
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, Steve Brickler
970-218-1821
$529,000
Loveladn
288 North Cove Drive
2-5 PM
Keller Williams Realty, Leah Ludwick
970-227-2747
$625,000
Jamestown
7117 Diamond Tail
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
$625,000
Jamestown
7117 Diamond Tail
1-4 PM
The Group Inc., Real Estate, kathy Albertz
970-690-6011
To add a listing or speak to an advertising representative, call Dan Grassmeyer at 970-635-3615 or email: dgrassmeyer@reporter-herald.com. Realtors can join our on-line realtor community at: http://www.reporterherald2.com/YourNorthernColoradoHome/_featured/featured_newclient.asp
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. 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 8, 2011 E3
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
30-year fixed
$223,700 $192,000
This week Last week Trend
4.03%
4.07%
15-year fixed
3.38%
3.36%
5/1 ARM
3.00%
3.01%
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
Home & Real Estate is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
H&RE Real Estate Transactions Loveland, $292,000, home • Neil & Connie Burkart from Lisa Schumacher, 4566 Lucerne Ave, Loveland, $146,000, home • Joe & Carla Marriott • 2033 LLC from 2033 Web LLC, 2021 W Eisen- from Michael Smith, 4220 Smith Park Ct, hower Blvd, Loveland, Loveland, $505,000, $1,260,000, home home • Jackie Bishop from • Eddie & Joann RoDean Bordewyk, 4432 driguez from Ace EnterRed Bird Ct, Loveland, prise LLC, 374 E 48th St, $390,000, home Loveland, $173,400, • Leigh Gerk from Scott Frank, 2701 Valley home • Resident from Adp Iii Oak Dr, Loveland, LLC, 579 W 66th St, $212,500, home Loveland, $200,000, • Mark & Lori Ender home from Home State Bank, • Shannon Bennet 1135 Fogleman Rd, Lovefrom Aspen Homes Colland, $359,000, home orado Inc, 3438 Foster • Michael & Joan Smith from Kreager Fam- Pl, Loveland, $187,900, home ily Trust, 2348 Lawson • Karen Schroeder Dr, Loveland, $246,500, from Buer Homes Inc, home 975 Prism Cactus Cir, • Susan Hazard from Loveland, $389,800, Lloyd L Voigt Living home Trust, 404 W 13th St, • Buely LLC from Loveland, $197,900, Building Co, 1115 Des home Moines Ave, Loveland, • Sandra Reinsmith $425,000, home from Eric Ramstead, • Gary & Kathryn 1840 Jocelyn Dr, LoveGibbs from Ann Carson, land, $170,000, home 3268 Mcintosh Ct, Love• Alan & Susan Caldland, $151,000, home well from Dora Reece, • Kuck LLC from Cre3850 Calle Del Sol Dr, Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., 1151 Eagle Drive No. 467, Loveland, CO 80537, 667-1537.
Loveland
ative Estates LLC, 510 W 66th St, Loveland, $250,000, home • Kevin & Monna Lear from Deutsche Bank National Trust C, 4137 Cotopaxi Dr, Loveland, $180,000, home • Peter & Dorothy Raymond from James Hinojos, 4093 Roaring Fork Dr, Loveland, $900,000, home • John & Michele Hendricks from Jefferson Drive Trust, 3928 Jefferson Dr, Loveland, $165,000, home • Martin & Joan Dooley from LNV Corp, 3566 Butternut Dr, Loveland, $242,000, home • Joseph Eaton from Dixie Martin, 663 Moose Ct, Loveland, $147,000, home • Michael & Marybeth Gagnon from Clifford Robson, 2252 Paonia St, Loveland, $187,500, home • Miguel & Erin Garcia from Douglas Wicks, 2162 Derby Hill Dr, Loveland, $175,000, home • Nathan Burkey from Susanne Workman, 3211 Douglas Ave, Loveland, $180,000, home • Heath & Alyssa Mor-
Trust, 221 Courtney Ln, Estes Park, $280,000, home • Resident from Mary Ann Kundtz Trust, 343 • Resident from Shirley Ute Ln, Estes Park, $665,000, home Stell, 880 Bunyan Ave, • Powell & Laurie TrotBerthoud, $225,000, man from Robert home Richardson, 910 Rockwood Ln, Estes Park, $485,000, home • Robert & Carole Fix• Jerry & Patricia Olter from Bradley C Witt son from Phyllis Thomas, Revocable Trust, 900 W 1535 Raven Cir Unit F, Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, Estes Park, $247,500, $825,000, home condo • Dennis Madison from • Resident from Harold Mark Hansen, 1151 Tall Pickinpaugh, 1515 Raven Pines Dr, Estes Park, Ct Unit E, Estes Park, $375,000, home $252,000, condo • Paul Larson from Heather Kjar, 1481 Bluebell Dr, Estes Park, • Gerry & F Neufeld $263,800, home from Edward Brown, 631 • Donald & Billieann Torrey Pines Ln, JohnPagliasotti from Billy stown, $199,900, home Warren, 640 Macgregor • Richard & Judy Ave Unit 9, Estes Park, Davidson from Stanley $190,000, condo Lawson, 27126 Coyote • Anita Thapa from Whipp Investments LLC, Ridge Ln, Johnstown, 170 W Elkhorn Ave Unit $127,000, home • Matthew Ohlson B, Estes Park, $240,000, from Fannie Mae, 51 Viccondo • Resident from David toria Dr, Johnstown, $147,500, home Thomas, 1250 S Saint • Eric & Rebecca Vrain Ave Unit 12, Estes Schneider from Thomas Park, $205,000, condo Dell, 895 Peaceful View • Resident from Mary Pl, Johnstown, $150,000, Ann B Grant Family by from Dennis Wretlind, 4461 Andorra Dr, Loveland, $249,000, home
Berthoud
Estes Park
Johnstown
wood St, Milliken, $166,000, home • Matthew Everitt from Fed Home Loan Mtg Corp, 1550 S Haymaker Dr, Milliken, $134,000, home
home • Tyler Hoyland from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3830 Blackwood Ln, Johnstown, $218,800, home • Richard & Wilma Price from Ryland Group Inc, 2749 Aylesbury Wy, Johnstown, $208,500, home • David & Joan Guthrie from TJ Bldrs Inc, 412 Trailcrest Ct, Johnstown, $232,000, home • Gavino Romero from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3806 Beechwood Ln, Johnstown, $239,900, home • Nathan Watt from Oakwood Homes LLC, 5049 Ridgewood Dr, Johnstown, $292,100, home • John Grimaldo from Poudre Investment Holdings LLC, 3942 Heatherwood Cir, Johnstown, $190,000, home
Windsor
Milliken
• Evan Pinkham from Pati Real Estate Holdings LLC, 852 Carriage Dr, Milliken, $150,000, home • Michelle Ross from Farmers Bk, 33 W Dog-
• Robert & Joan Fry from Windmills LLC, 109 Veronica Dr, Windsor, $360,000, home • Timothy & Julie Ferguson from Westmark Homes LLC, 6557 Crooked Stick Dr, Windsor, $479,200, home • Vernon & Lynda Thomas from Deutsche Band Natl Trust Co, 437 Bluegrass Ct, Windsor, $232,000, home • Saint LLC from Winter Farm Windsor LLC, 446 Beartooth Ct, Windsor, $140,000, home • Kathi Patterson from Preo Belmont Ridge LLC, 4619 Freehold Dr, Windsor, $313,200, home • Robert & Linda James from Preo Belmont Ridge LLC, 7407 Pimlico Dr, Windsor, $299,000, home • Scott & Jessica Hunter from Wayne Petts, 981 Columbine Dr, Windsor, $181,400, home
Welcome Home Cindy Kurtz Broker Associate/Partner
970.962.6832 m ckurtz@thegroupinc.com www.Cindy-Kurtz.com 2078 Park Drive, Loveland, CO 80538 $785,000
Exquisite finishes!Enjoy exclusive use of lower Hoffman Lake w/potential for your own private dock,or relax on your deck & enjoy the views of the Rocky Mtns.Open flr plan,slab granite countertops,tile & custom hickory cabinets,drs & flrs. Outdoor shed & 3-car gar. Upper half for entertaining w/wetbar & private patio.Across from neighborhood park. MLS #666280
2989 SW 8th Street, Loveland, CO 80537 $220,000
Will consider all offers! Tons of rich feeling woodwork throughout. Large master bedroom on the main level. Upper level bedrooms and study/loft are huge too. Cozy main level family and living rooms. Vaulted ceilings and fireplace. Private yard with relaxing deck and mature landscaping. Potential for RV/boat parking. New roof in 2011. MLS#660250
3555 Capitol Peak, Loveland, CO 80538 $350,000
Gorgeous ranch style home, rich wood floors adorn the entry, kitchen & eating areas. Alderwood cabinetry in the spacious kitchen & butler pantry. Private master bedroom has large walk-in closet & luxurious 5 pc bath. The full unfin basement is garden level. Large deck, new installed stamped concrete patio and gas line for BBQ. MLS#659371
2469 Indian Hills, Loveland, CO 80538 $315,000
4 bdrm, 3 ba, formal living, dining, family room & office on main level. Gorgeous Italian marble floors, newer triple pane windows. 50 year shingles, security system, remodeled kitchen w/granite tile counters, dual fuel gas range, wood beam accents, xeriscaped yard with veggie garden. 20x22 workshop in the basement. MLS# 654183
m.reporterherald.com
5401 Stone Creek Circle, Loveland, CO 80538 970.613.0700 www.thegroupinc.com
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
FHA Approved Community
Priced from $210K
Priced from $270K
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!
E4
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 8, 2011
Solar systems: Energy from sun can pay for panels in about 10 years KATHY VAN MULLEK MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
B
en Cuker lives what he teaches as a professor of marine and environmental science at Hampton University in Hampton, Va. Max Buzard lives what he sells and installs through Royer Technical Services, also in Hampton. Both are solar power enthusiasts, living in houses that make the energy they use. Instead of just paying electric bills, they can get checks back from clean-energy brokers and the power company. “Photovoltaic solar panels actually start paying for themselves right after installation,” Buzard said. He estimates 10 solar panels in 235-watt sizes cost about $14,000 installed; add in a 30 percent federal credit, register for renewable energy credits and you pay for the system in less than 10 years. “Our home has 25 solar panels of various sizes. We went from $225 per month on the budget plan to $70 a month — a savings of $155. In addition, we receive solar payments of $200 per megawatt generated. Last quarter, we received
$400.” For the Cukers, the savings and payback are just as great. “Dominion (Dominion Power Co. in Virginia) charges us about $8.25 a month for staying tied to the electrical grid, so we spend just under $100 per
year on our electric bill,” said Cuker, who shares the house with wife, Dawn. “However, even though we use almost all the energy we make, we sell the credits for the renewable energy on the ■ See SOLAR/Page E6
750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland
669-1234
Each office independently owned & operated
view more properties at:
www.HomesInColorado.com
OPEN SATURDAY 1:30 3:30 535 Marcellina Drive, Loveland
Spectacular 2 story with full finished bsmt, 5 bdrms, 4 baths, oversize 3 car garage, fenced yard, 2 fireplaces, beautiful kit w/bright breakfast nook, private backyard, formal dining,vaulted ceilings.
www.RiedelGroup.com $419,900 | MLS #663870
Call Don A. Riedel 679-8265
driedel@remax.net
OPEN SATURDAY 1 3 3142 Ivy Dr, Loveland
Great mountain views and backs to greenbelt. 4 bedroom ranch with finished basement, 3 baths. 2 patios, gaslog fp, ac, open floorplan, main floor laundry, 5 piece master bath, a must see to appreciate! $299,900 | MLS #665945
Call Kathy Beadell 290-1798
beadell@rmfa.com
JUST LISTED 1100 N Taft #49, Loveland
Westlake Village beauty! 55+ community. Snow removal, lawn care, exterior maintenance. Unit has new carpet, fresh paint, 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage. $159,600 | MLS #666346
Call Jean Mackey
290-8309
jeanlmackey@gmail.com
JUST LISTED 3377 Crowley Circle, Loveland
Stunning home backing to open space! Wonderful views of the foothills with greenbelt, walking/biking trails, and privacy. This lovely 4 bed/4 bath home has a main-floor office/study and hardwood floors. $350,000 | MLS #665906
Call Susan Zack 970-226-1222
susanzack@remax.net
OPEN SUNDAY 1:30 3:30 PM 2951 Culebra Peak Dr, Loveland
(Seven Lakes) Ultimate ranch with full finished bsmt, 5 bdrms, 4 baths, 3 car garage, almost 1/2 acre perfectly landscaped lot, formal dining and breakfast nook. Gazebo w/large deck. $525,000 | MLS #663378
Call Don A. Riedel 679-8265
driedel@remax.net
OPEN SATURDAY 1 3 2121 Blue Wing Dr, Johnstown
Brand new 2-story with 3 bedrooms, loft, office, 2.5 baths, A/C, hardwood floors, alder cabinets, 3-car tandem garage with mountain views! $10,000 builder incentive for closing in 30 days. $239,900 | MLS #647876
Call Kathy Beadell 970-290-1798
or Lanette Spotanski 970-213-3603
JUST LISTED www.3627Maplewood.com
So spacious! Unique floorplan has walkin closets in EVERY bedroom. This lovely home has gourmet kitchen with gas range/double oven, a large laundry/ pantry, & 3-car tandem garage. Community pool. $301,750 | MLS #666187
OPEN SAT 1PM SHARP OR BY APPT
www.620SundownCt.com
PRICE REDUCED! Need room for horses? Peaceful country home with gourmet kitchen, finished basement, wonderful deck, beautiful landscaping, outside storage, horse property, corral, tackroom. $437,500 | MLS #654641
Call Nanci Garnand
622-1846 | 227-1327
www.LivingInBerthoud.com
PRICE REDUCED 2782 Glendale, Loveland
Immaculate,upgraded home in NW Loveland’s Emerald Glen. 4 bed, 4 bath, granite, newly fin. bsmt with wet bar. Backs to open space. Huge price reduction! Call to see inside! $299,900 | MLS #665082
Call Jean Mackey
290-8308
jeanlmackey@gmail.com
JUST LISTED www.2229SW6th.com
Pre-Approved SHORT SALE! TLC and your personal touch can turn this sunny bi-level into a thing of beauty. Kitchen has smooth top range/oven. Partially finished basement bedroom. Storage shed/large back yard. $133,900 | MLS #666295
Call Nanci Garnand
Call Nanci Garnand
www.LivingInJohnstown.com
www.LivingInLoveland.com
622-1846 | 227-1327
622-1846 | 227-1327
GLINK
From Page E1
nore or not even want to look at your documentation relating to the loan modification. What you might want to focus on now is working to stop the foreclosure. You can go to your county courthouse and see if someone there will help you determine whether the lender has filed the documents properly in its case against you. Many people have contested their foreclosure proceedings on this basis; you may need an attorney if that is what you choose to do. In the meantime, you should also file a complaint with the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which regulates the large banks. They have someone in their office who works with your particular lender, and they may push the case from their end to make sure you get a fair hearing. You can file the complaint at www.helpwithmybank.gov. In general, if you’re not getting anywhere with your lender on a loan modification, there are some things you can do to get the lender’s attention: • File suit in small claims court or regular court. • File a complaint with the OCC. • Call your state banking regulator and file a complaint (or work with its ombudsman to get in touch with the lender). • Go into a branch office and sit down with the branch vice president and see if you can get some assistance there. • Call the corporate offices of the bank and ask to speak to the senior vice president or chief of operations (even the COO’s secretary can probably assist you). You may want to follow up with a letter to that person with any documentation and details you have. • Talk to an attorney about your case, in the event that you need legal help to protect your home from foreclosure. Of these options, I think filing suit in small claims court or finding a way to stop the foreclosure proceedings will certainly attract the most attention. But my sense is that each of these avenues should be pursued in tandem because it is difficult to know which will work the best. At times, a letter to the senior management of a big bank works pretty well, and you can try that while looking into your other options. Question: This past April, my daughter and I entered into a contract with a law firm for a loan modification. We paid $3,500 up front and as of yet have gotten only “it’s in process.” Or they’re asking for documentation that we have already provided. At this point, I believe we are being scammed. Is there anyone or any agency that we report them to? And what are the chances of us getting our money back? The loan is with Bank of America. Answer: We have written about this issue many times, and we have concluded that companies, people and organizations that claim to assist borrowers in their loan modification process probably won’t help you much, if at all. Some organizations (like HUD-certified housing counselors) will help you for free, and some are able to make sure that your paperwork gets to the right place. However, all of the big lenders have confirmed to us that there is zero benefit to paying anyone $3,500 to help with a loan modification. It
is not recommended. Lenders have participated in programs across the country to assist borrowers with their loan modifications; housing agencies have set up workshops to help homebuyers; and many lenders have set aside portions of their websites to assist their borrowers with the loan modification process. If you decided to hire a law firm to assist you with a loan modification, it may actually have spent time processing the paperwork and even following up with your lender, but you could have done all of those things yourself. You should know that only a small fraction of borrowers have obtained permanent loan modifications. Documents we have seen report the success of loan servicers as quite low. The vast majority of borrowers have failed to get permanent loan modifications. It is quite possible the law firm you hired is still working to get you the loan modification. Yet in many instances trial loan modifications last for months, even a year or two, before a loan servicer denies the borrower a permanent loan modification. There are many stories of lenders losing applications, requesting additional documents multiple times, and in the end failing to grant a loan modification. Some states have banned companies from charging an upfront fee to consumers for the service of assisting with loan modifications. When the wave of loan modification applications got started, many companies, attorneys and others raced to take advantage of what seemed to be a new and lucrative source of revenue. Now that everyone can see how low the success rate is, you tend to see fewer and fewer legitimate companies advertising their services. You should first take the time to call Bank of America and try to learn the status of your loan modification. While the law firm may have your consent to deal with your lender, you can still call them and see where things stand. After you determine where you are in the loan modification process, you can evaluate whether the law firm provided the service it promised you. You should look at the paperwork you signed with the firm to determine if you can get a refund if it did not deliver on its promise. You may also want to talk to your state’s bar association to make sure that the law firm provided a service within the guidelines laid down for lawyers in your state. Finally, if you determine you were a victim of a scam, you can file a complaint with the government agency in your state that regulates attorneys. You can, and should, file a complaint with the attorney general office of your state. Keep in mind that the state bar association may deem that the law firm delivered the service it promised, and just because the lender has failed to render a decision in your favor may not be sufficient basis to claim you were defrauded. For any other borrowers out there: Before you hand over your hard-earned dollars to a person or company to assist you with a loan modification, you should first contact your lender and make the application yourself. You may end up like the vast majority of homeowners who apply and get rejected for a loan modification. But at least you will not have paid a company $3,500 to find that out.
For more information, call Glink’s radio show at 800-972-8255 on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m., write to Real Estate Matters Syndicate, P.O. Box 366, Glencoe, IL 60022 or visit www.thinkglink.com.
Real Estate Matters
Saturday Reporter-Herald October 8, 2011 E5
Cold walls? First, get an energy test ALAN J. HEAVENS MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
Q
uestion: Our home is a brick rancher, built in the early 1960s, and has very poor insulation in the walls. We have had the attic area checked, and we are told that the insulation up there is good. Our walls are cold in winter, and
lably through cracks and openings. Even if someone tells you your attic is correctly insulated, that might not be enough. the heat does not keep the house at a My husband feels we need some inProperly sealing cracks and opencomfortable temperature. We always sulation in the walls, either inside or ings in your home can significantly outside. How would we go about feel a draft. reduce heating and cooling costs. that? For a thorough and accurate We replaced all the windows in Answer: There are four ways to re- measurement of air leakage in your 2000 with triple pane, and have duce heating and cooling costs and home, the Department of Energy installed insulation above the maintain a comfortable home: insula- recommends hiring a qualified cinderblock in the basement to tion, ventilation, moisture control, technician to conduct an energy seal that area off. We removed all and air sealing. Doing one without assessment, particularly a blower carpeting because of my husband’s the others is not enough. door test. allergies, and I think carpeting would help to keep the temperature Air leakage, or infiltration, occurs A blower door test, which depresmore even. surizes a home, can reveal the locawhen air enters a house uncontrol-
tion of many leaks. A complete energy assessment will also help determine areas in your home that need more insulation. The recommended strategy in both new and old homes is to reduce air leakage as much as possible and to provide controlled ventilation as needed. Given that your house was built in the last 50 years, there might be a way to blow insulation into the walls. I’d suggest an energy test first, however. You can Google energy testing services in the area on the Internet.
Boost home resale value by accessorizing its features ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION
R
esale value matters, whether your home is on the market now or your plans to sell are several years in the future. Whenever you make improvements to your home, you should keep the resale value of those improvements in mind, real estate experts advise. Accessorizing existing features can be a more cost-effective alternative to making major improvements when your home is on the market. Whether it’s adding window box planters to the facade, or either manual or automated blinds to a skylight, accessorizing is a great way to increase the value of existing home features. If you’re willing to spend a little money in order to (hopefully) make more money, here are some ideas for enhancing your home’s existing selling points by adding some great accessories:
DASHING DECKS Great outdoor spaces are attractive to buyers. But if your deck or patio is drab or in need of repair, what should be a selling point can turn into a detriment in the eyes of potential buyers. Sprucing up outdoor spaces is a low-cost way to make the most of this key selling point. After you’ve given everything a thorough cleaning, look at cosmetic fixes and accessories that will make the space look more appealing. Builtin seating and planters are among the hottest deck trends this summer, and adding a few to your deck will cost a lot less than building a new one.
SPECTACULAR SKYLIGHTS Today’s no-leak skylights can be a strong selling point for your home. Skylights provide natural
light without compromising privacy, can help with ventilation, and help reduce dependency on artificial lighting sources. If you already have a skylight – in the bathroom, kitchen or elsewhere in your home – accessories can help boost its appeal for buyers. Whether your skylight is fixed or venting, here are some accessories that can enhance its value: • Blinds — Virtually every type of blind is now available for skylights, including Venetian, blackout and roller blinds. Blinds can allow you to better control the flow of light and heat into your home through the skylight. • Remote controls — If you have a fixed skylight, replacing it with a manual venting or electric venting model provides a chimney effect making it easy to vent stale air and humidity. You can also use the same remote to control your electric skylight and blinds. • A home automation interface — Home automation systems control alarm systems, blinds and lighting throughout a house. You can interface your skylight and accessories into a home automation system. • Moisture sensors — These special sensors detect precipitation and automatically close an electric venting skylight when the weather turns wet.
FANTASTIC FIREPLACES A fireplace can be an asset – if it inspires potential buyers to envision themselves curled up in front of it with a steaming mug of tea on a wintry night. But if your fireplace is more likely to make buyers think of cleaning and renovation, you’re not getting the full value out of this much-desired home feature.
Open Houses This Weekend - www.thegroupinc.com NEW CONSTRUCTION
FRIDAY - SUNDAY 12:00-3:00
110 Traders Lane, Milliken Pick your own ďŹ xtures, 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!!!
Prices starting in the $150’s
NEW HOMES BUILT BY WINDMILLS, LLC
FRIDAY - SUNDAY 1:00-4:00
241 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 ďŹ nish! Extraordinary oor plans – Ranch & 2-Story. Lots available on Windsor Lake! Visit our Sales Center at 690 Moonglow Drive or call for a showing today!
MLS#
567-0907 NEW LISTING
SUNDAY 1:00-3:00
325 Ramsay Place, Loveland Paired Villa. Ranch oor plan w/full ďŹ nished bsmt. 19x12 sunroom (not included in FIN sq ft). Plantation shutters, hardwood oors. Lots of built-in cabinets & storage. Back half of bsmt is a workshop, ofďŹ ce could be a bedroom by adding a closet. HOA includes clubhouse, exercise room, pool, hot tub & exterior maintenance.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:00-3:00
3518 Akron Court, Loveland Unique 4-level on a Ÿ 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 oor & 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.
SATURDAY 12:00-3:00
2063 Calhoun Court, Loveland Move-in condition 3bd/3ba 2457 sf. located on a quiet cul-de-sac with beautiful yard, mountain views & backing to a greenbelt. Oak oors, maple cabinetry, big windows and lots of light. Neighborhood walking trail takes you to the city river rec trail.
$220,000
$229,500
Call Jim Watson
Call Cindy Kurtz
Call Scott Mullen
970-219-5219
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW LISTING
SUNDAY 1:00-3:00
2989 8th Street SW, Loveland SELLER MOTIVATED, WILL CONSIDER ALL OFFERS! Unique home. Tons of rich woodwork thruout. Large main level master as well as large upper bdrms & loft. Cozy main level family & living rooms Vaulted ceilngs, Fireplace. New roof in 2011. Private yard with deck and mature landscaping. Potential for RV/boat parking.
BACKS TO GREENBELT!
Homes Starting in the $200,000s! MLS# 647386
Call Tracy Wilson
PRICE REDUCED
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12:00-5:00
4607 Pompano Drive, Windsor 3 bedroom, 3 bath ranch with 3-car garage. Loads of upgrades, backs to open space! All of our homes are energy-efďŹ cient on oversized lots! Visit our models for other plans available starting at $239,900.
MLS# 660250
962-6832
NEW CONSTRUCTION
FRIDAY & 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 oor plan backs to open space. Beautiful ďŹ nishes include hardwood oors, designer tile & slab granite. Full, unďŹ nished basement. Fully landscaped yard.
MLS# 662253
970-690-8333
IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED!
SUNDAY 12:00-2:00
2767 Coral Burst Dr., Loveland 3BD 3BA 2,848 sf ranch w/ walk-out basement in Alford Meadows that backs to open space. Beautiful master w/sitting room, formal dining room, awesome kitchen w/granite & wood oors. Family room w/ wet bar. Natural light & special features!
$249,000
$265,000
$287,296
$299,000
$299,900
Call Cathy Vance
Call Rich Gardiner
Call Kristen Specketer
Call Georgena Arnett
Hosted by Kathleen Hollerbach
MLS# 665238
231-0234
NEW LISTING
SATURDAY 11:00-1:00
3338 Wray Court, Loveland Quiet cul-de-sac location. Features an open oor plan with alder cabinets, oak oors, Brazilian tiger wood, kitchen island & lots of storage. Wired for surround sound. Plenty of extra room w/ofďŹ ce and a bonus loft w/unďŹ nished bsmt for future expansion. Covered front porch. Exterior plumbed for gas grill.
MLS# 666526
MLS# 661199
227-0964
290-8097
NEW CONSTRUCTION
MOVE-IN READY
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
R UNDE CT A R T N CO
2890 Carina Circle, Loveland Colorado Craftsman style home. Finishes include hardwood oors, designer tile, slab granite, alder trim & doors and shaker style alder cabinetry. 12’ ceilings in great room w/wood beams. SS appliances, gas ďŹ replace and custom built-ins. Fully landscaped. Close to I-25, Centerra and the Medical Center of the Rockies.
SATURDAY SA S ATURD AT TURD UR RDAY Y 12: 12:0 12:00-2:00 2:00 0-2: 0-2:0 0-2 2:0 :00 00 0
home nd 4 bedroom, 2 Lovel Loveelaand rt, Loveland Co b h 2-story Cou bath Couurt, onn Court, m 3 bath, bon om, bbon R Rib Ri Ribbo drooom bedroo 4881 Ribbon 481 bedroom 448 4481 in andd water views. All wood and tile unntain mounta w mountain wit accree with .38 acre onn .38 ma level. New kitchen w/slab granite, newer SS t e main rs onn the oors oors oors appliances with GE 5-burner gas range/convection oven, French door refrigerator. 4 car tandem garage. Entertainment size Trex deck. Landscaped & fenced lot.
MLS# 662114
481-9801
SUNDAY 12:00-2:00
3555 Capitol Peak Drive, Loveland Gorgeous ranch. Wood oors in entry, kitchen & eating area. Alder cabinets. Butler pantry. Private master bedroom with walk-in closet & 5-piece bath. UnďŹ nished garden level basement. Outdoor living includes large deck, stamped concrete patio and gas line for BBQ.
MLS# 661595
222-0679
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1:00-3:00
6787 Spanish Bay Drive, Windsor Classy patio home has 2 master suites. Main oor ofďŹ ce. Formal dining room. Concrete countertops, SS appliances & huge walk-in pantry. 3rd bdrm, bath, family room & lots of unďŹ nished area in basement. Entertainment center is included. Enjoy the view across Highland Meadows Golf Course!
$310,000
$335,000
$349,900
$350,000
$439,500
Call Mark Moran
Call Georgena Arnett
Call Maribeth Bergan
Call Cindy Kurtz
Call Bob Skillman
MLS# 666164
218-1891
MLS# 662119
481-9801
MLS# 649924
690-1735
MLS# 659371
962-6832
AN EXCLUSIVE SERVICE OF THE GROUP, INC. REAL ESTATE
Northern Colorado Real Estate Source ce SUNDAY 1:00-5:00
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 oors, highend ďŹ nishes, granite counters, SS appliances....
$450,000
MLS# 661575
Call John Simmons
481-1250
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Saturday Reporter-Herald October 8, 2011
H&RE Front Range Gardening
Squirrel Deterrent O’Meara’s mission to protect her garden
CAROL O'MEARA CSU EXTENSION
O
nce every decade, we host the extended family for Thanksgiving and this is the year they arrive to feast at our home. Like any gardener, I view this as a way to show off the fruits of my garden, so planted delicacies that shine in fall. Winter squash, parsnips, leeks, and potatoes are getting fat with promise, nearing the time of harvest and storage for the November gathering. But along with vegetables plumping for winter are the squirrels, who’ve discovered an all-you-can-eat-buffet in our yard. Squash meant to grace the table are falling victim to the rodent’s desire, along with decorative Jackbe-little and Batwing pumpkins. The single Red Warty Thing pumpkin is already a Halloween horror, its inside turned out, with seed and pulp strewn about like a scene from a Quentin Tarantino film. But when the beasts bellied up to the Amish Pie and Winter Luxury pumpkins, they threatened the very fabric of what Thanksgiving means to my spouse: pumpkin pie. “This shall not stand,” he said, with outrage in his voice, and after a brief, intense conversation on the government frowning upon the use of nuclear devices in a crowded neighborhood, we settled on chicken wire cages. Exclusion with small-mesh wire is a good way to protect plants, and soon the garden was dotted with cages as I attempted to safeguard all of the squash and pumpkins. The fruits grew and became battle scarred with skin closing over the wounds. We thought that surely our guests wouldn’t mind eating slightly squirrel-gnawed squash, as long as we don’t point out the tooth marks on
the rind. vigorous, having run across The cages worked to a the garden and up into the point, but we have very deter- raised beds, where it set copimined rodents; their orange- ous amounts of fruit. smeared lips were a dead Unfortunately, the kabocha giveaway that those cages didn’t appease the squirrels, weren’t snug against the soil. Low-crawling their way to the and daily new damage was meal, the squirrels continued noted. Eventually a decision to assault the pumpkins, and was reached to harvest what the battle to save Thanksgiv- was ready and protect what was left, which leaves the ing took a desperate turn. slow-growing winter luxury Thwarted by the newly and enormous Amish pie ground-secured cages, the pumpkins in the garden. animals clambered aboard, Despite our best efforts of using the weight of their bodcaging, the squash kept being ies to collapse the chicken ravaged, puzzling us with how wire against the squash. I the furry thieves were managadded baffles to keep the ing it. Sitting sentry in the cage aloft; they took it pergarden revealed the awful sonally and started digging truth: slight cracks in the trenches past the wire. The search for squirrel con- rind were slowly being trol turned up suggestions for opened, gnawed wide by tiny jaws. The squirrels had called repellents, with either hot in reinforcements, in the pepper or predator urine. Both need to be reapplied af- form of Yellow Jacket wasps. Those bugs love a sweet treat ter every rain or irrigation, and hot pepper might cause as much as we do. the fuzzy thief pain; I didn’t At this point, a gardener want to hurt the creatures knows what to do: Admit deand dousing my showcase feat, and hope that the meal with the predator prod- pumpkins are nearly ripe uct wasn’t what I wanted to enough for pie. We’ll harvest serve to my mother. them all and bring them inSo we tried a peace offerdoors, leaving the squirrels to ing, giving them a kabocha raid a different garden. squash. The slightly sweet Japanese winter squash is in Carol O’Meara is with demand by foodies who CSU Extension in love soups on Boulder County. cool fall Contact her at nights. Letting 303-678-6238 or them dine on comeara@co one wasn’t too .boulder.co.us. much of a hardship, since Front Range Gardening the vine is
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Light pruning is a good idea PATRICK MILLER CSU EXTENSION
Q
uestion: I have a few small trees at my home that are looking scruffy and unkempt. Would this be a good time to prune them? Answer: Regardless of the season, a light pruning to only remove dead or broken branches is a good idea. However, more extensive pruning should occur in late winter before budbreak. There are some good reasons for waiting until then. First, the occurrence of pests (disease or insects) that may infest pruning cuts is greatly reduced in late winter. And second, most deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves by then, making you job of pruning much easier because you can easily see how the branches are connected. Before each pruning cut, visualize what the tree will look like with that branch removed. Pruning is as much for aesthetic reasons as it for proper tree health. If you don’t get a chance to prune this winter, then consider doing it in mid-summer, after the leaves have hardened. Pruning in the fall may stimulate a growth response and may increase the chance the tree will be injured from frost and cold temperatures. For more information and details, visit the Colorado Master Gardener website at www.cmg.colostate.edu to read Garden Note
SOLAR
#616 on “Pruning Mature Shade Trees” and also the CSU Extension website at www.ext.colostate.edu for Fact Sheet #7.003 on “Training and Pruning Fruit Trees.” Patrick Miller 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, telephone 970-498-6000 or visit www.larimer.org/ext.
In 2009, he worked with Solar Services of Virginia Beach, Va., to install solar cells. Encountering a problem because the roof on the main structure has a roof line with east-west slopes, From Page E4 and not the desired southern slope, he designed and built a five-part solar awning on the south SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) market. side to carry the solar panels. Each awning section supports two 215-watt panels, for a total of Since installing the first systems in 2009, we 10. have made $1,940, which leaves us about $800 “We adjust the slope of the awning with the to the good each year, after subtracting what we changing seasons to get the best angle on the pay Dominion.” SRECS are a way for utilities to buy the clean sun and maximize production of electricity,” he said. energy produced by anybody who makes solar The first year, the Cuker household made energy and is tied to the grid, according to Cukabout 60 percent of their electricity needs. In er. 2010, Solar Services installed 10 additional pan“Even though the homeowner uses most of els on the east-facing roof of an addition on the the energy produced, the fact that it was done house. Combined, the solar panels produce without burning dirty fuels is what is traded,” about 100 percent of the home’s electricity he said. “Current rates for SRECs are about $200 per needs now, including air conditioning for summer. megawatt.” In addition, the Cukers installed a solar hot Buzard’s solar lifestyle includes a 33-foot-tall water system. He also designed, built and inwind turbine that spins with the breezes at his waterfront home. But, he’s not sold on wind tur- stalled a 20-foot-long “solar heat wall,” using acrylic panels that heat a back room; it costs bines for individual homeowners. about $500 in materials. A fourth system is a “The bang for the buck just isn’t there,” said solar-powered attic ventilator he created with Buzard, 54. “I only get wind from 180 degrees because homes in the neighborhood block it at two small solar panels and two engine cooling fans for less than $200. this height. The Cukers’ cost for all this solar is offset by a “For homeowners, solar panels are the way to 30 percent federal tax credit for the $38,000 go.” spent on the photovoltaic system, meaning it Buzard’s solar panels are small, attractive cost them about $26,600. The solar hot water units he installed on short poles camouflaged system, which cost just under $7,000, also got by shrubbery. Some are located on the roof of the 30 percent credit, as well as $4,000 from a his boathouse. Microinverters attached to the special Virginia fund that encourages clean enpanels convert the solar energy to power the ergy, helping the hot water system pay for itself house can use. The number of solar panels a within a year, according to Cuker. house needs is based on its energy use, so cost During winter, the Cukers heat the house varies from house to house. Typically, a turnkey installation with ten 235-watt solar panels runs with a ventless natural gas log fireplace for about $250 for the season; they save about $30 about $14,000; add in a 30 percent federal tax per month by having the gas service stopped in credit and your cost is about $10,500, said April and restarted in November. Buzard. “The electrical system is tied to the grid,” Cuker, 57, wholeheartedly agrees about the Cuker said. “So we don’t store the energy we solar panels, but he’s taken it a step further, make, but share it with the Dominion system of making some innovations on his own. distribution.” Living in their 1936-built house since 1988, Which means the house has a “net meter” inCuker wanted to showcase how an old house, stalled on an exterior wall. not just a new house, can become near energy “It’s one that counts backward when we make neutral, meaning it generates at least as much energy as it uses. more energy than we use,” Cuker said.