Real Estate Matters
www.reporterherald.com • Saturday, November 26, 2011 • Reporter-Herald
Seller not responsible for condo repairs ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
Q
uestion: I'm in the process of purchasing a condo, and there's a wooden deck near the porch with drainage under it. The homeowners association says that the wooden deck is the condo owner's responsibility, while the drainage is its responsibility. Therefore, if repairs are needed to the drainage, the deck will have to be removed for access. Do you think I should try to negotiate something with the seller now to pay me for the deck for the deck removal/replacement? If so, what is the foolproof way of including this in an agreement? Answer: Owning a home has its costs, duties and responsibilities. You can't have your seller guarantee that you will never have expenses relating to repairs to your condominium. You need to deal with the facts as they exist now, not with a situation as it may develop in the future. If the deck is in good shape and the drainage is working properly, the seller is not responsible for wear and tear or maintenance issues that may arise in the future. You have to factor the possibility of having these expenses into the cost of owning the condominium for the many years you may live there. If the deck has a problem now or if there is an issue with the drainage, you can address that in the purchase process, by having the seller repair or replace the deck after the association fixes the drainage. If you are in the process of buying the home, and inspection has revealed problems with the deck and drainage, it would be prudent to negotiate a repair of those issues now, before you close on the home. You want to make sure the repairs get done prior to your closing and settlement. If the work can't get done by closing, you have several options to protect yourself. One of those choices is to get a few estimates as to what it will cost to make the repairs and have those funds plus a bit extra held back from the seller at closing to insure that the work gets done and the cost is covered. Those funds should be held by an unbiased third party to make sure they don't get paid to the seller without the work having been completed. Once the work has been completed, the third party holding the repair funds can use those funds to pay for the work and return any remaining funds to the seller. All of this should be documented in the contract. Your real estate attorney can provide some language that will acceptable to the seller.
Mortgage outlook: Best of times, worst of times
Mortgage rates expected to remain low for the foreseeable future ILYCE GLINK AND SAMUEL J. TAMKIN TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
A
ccording to a recent study by business information company Fiserv, the typical mortgage costs 40 percent less than it did in 2006. That just about mirrors the drop in home prices over the same period. But there’s more to this than a drop in home prices. Mortgage interest rates have fallen to the lowest levels in more than 60 years. This week, the average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage was 3.8 percent, down 0.1 percent, according to Zillow. A 15-year loan can be had for about 3.16 percent, which is a new record. And while the 10-year wasn’t quoted, one can only assume you could find it for less than 3 percent, plus an average of about 0.6 percent in closing costs. Five years ago, it would have been difficult even to imagine how you could lock in a mortgage for 10 or 15 years at around 3 percent.
And yet, here we are. “Continued instability in Europe, in addition to the uncertainty caused by the (Congressional) supercommittee’s failure to reach an agreement on a deficit reduction plan, has pushed the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate down this week,” said Erin Lantz, director of Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. “Mortgage rates will continue to stay historically low through Thanksgiving week.” Unfortunately, while many homeowners are still paying around 6 percent interest on their mortgage, apparently they can’t refinance. One reason they can’t is that home prices keep falling, increasing the number of homeowners who are underwater (with home prices worth less than the amount owed on the mortgage). Starting in December, the Obama administration’s revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) will go into effect, hopefully allowing underwater homeowners to refinance. Like all of the Making Home Affordable programs, HARP 2.0 is voluntary, meaning lenders will not be required to offer these loans to their borrowers. According to CoreLogic, which provides information and analytics on the housing industry, HARP 2.0 includes some key changes that
should make it more attractive to lenders, including: • The 125 percent loan-tovalue (LTV) ceiling will be removed, so that borrowers with significant levels of negative equity will now potentially be eligible. • Risk-based fees, also known as loan-level pricing adjustments, will be reduced, although the reduction depends on the term of the newly refinanced loan among other factors. • There will be representation and warranty relief for the lenders committing loans to the program (likely excluding fraud and misrepresentation). • The use of reliable alternative valuation models to establish eligibility of the LTV ratio will be allowed. • Existing second liens will be able to be subordinated, which will remove a significant impediment to refinancing under HARP. In addition, the program has been extended through the end of 2013. HARP doesn’t have a great track record up to this point. Fewer than 100,000 underwater borrowers have been
able to refinance their properties. While the Obama administration hopes that more borrowers will be able to take advantage, it’s hard to imagine these numbers will grow substantially. Nevertheless, the need is huge. On Ilyce’s radio show this week, she spoke with a woman who has a 6.5 percent interest rate on her loan. She originally put down 20 percent on the property, but her house is worth only about $110,000 instead of the $175,000 she paid eight years ago. Her 20 percent down payment has evaporated, and she is far underwater. So far, she’s current on the loan, but the future is in doubt — her husband lost his job some time ago, and they are starting to struggle
with their monthly debt obligations because his new job pays so much less. The biggest problem is that their mortgage, a conventional 30-year loan, isn’t owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Their loan servicer refuses to tell her who owns the loan, and only confirms that the company is not participating in HARP 2.0. This is another family that might well end up in foreclosure, and not for lack of trying. We keep hearing from the major lenders, and from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, that everyone is interested in keeping families in their homes. If that’s true, then the numbers of HARP 2.0 loan refinancings must rise dramatically.
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
Know the risks of selling a house 'as is' MARCIE GEFFNER BANKRATE.COM
worked fine for them for 45 years, so (they’re thinking), ’Why in the world would I need to put in granite countertops?’” elling a home as is can save reOther sellers are upside-down or pair dollars, but the sales tacunderwater — they owe more on the tic has risks and other consid- mortgage than the home is worth, erations sellers should keep in mind. said Jan Baron, a Realtor at HomeSThe main danger of selling a home mart Real Estate in Temecula, Calif. as is comes from the possibility it These sellers need the lender’s perwill fetch a rock-bottom price. mission to close a short sale, and beSometimes, but not all the time, cause they expect to lose money on it’s more cost-effective to pay for re- the deal, they’re in no mood to pay pairs to merit a higher purchase for repairs. price. Virtually all bank-owned homes Sellers can advertise their home are sold as is, though in those cases, any way they choose, whether that the stipulation is more about remeans as is, willing to make repairs sponsibility than the repairs themor no comment on the subject, said selves. Patti Ketcham, owner of Ketcham “Banks are more worried about Realty Group in Tallahassee, Fla. the liability,” Baron said, “though Some sellers don’t want to make they don’t want to make any repairs repairs because they have lived in they don’t have to. The short sellers the house themselves for a long time are thinking more about that they and don’t see the need for improvedon’t want to pay out of pocket bements, Ketcham said. cause they don’t have the money.” “The house is held together with An as-is sale doesn’t mean buyers won’t try to negotiate repairs beduct tape,” she said, “and it’s
S
cause the home’s condition, like the sale price, is subject to bargaining regardless of how the property is advertised. In fact, Ketcham said she advises buyers to make an offer on terms they prefer rather than what the seller wants. Many states require sellers to make disclosures about a home’s condition to prospective buyers, said Joanne Fanizza, a real estate attorney in Farmingdale, N.Y. An as-is sale generally doesn’t erase such obligations as much as sellers might wish it did. Nor does as is mean the buyer will waive a home inspection. Ketcham said sellers can try to head off buyers’ demands by getting an inspection before they put their home on the market and using that to price the property and inform prospective buyers of what will and will not be repaired. “It puts your house in a category way above all the other houses buyers have to look at if you’ve already had the inspection done,” she said.
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.
The biggest risk of an as-is sale is a lower sale price. For sellers who have no equity, this trade-off is irrelevant. But for those who expect a profit, it should be a real consideration. “As is” carries a stigma, said David Tamny, owner of Professional Property Inspection in Columbus, Ohio, since the term suggests the house is in poor condition. “Most houses that are sold as is are sold as is for a reason,” he said. “Something is wrong with it usually, and the sellers know they can’t deal with it.” The bottom line is that today’s housing markets are competitive, and buyers will choose another home if they’re suspicious of the seller’s motivations, or they believe a home isn’t a good deal based on its location, price and condition. “If you’re selling,” Ketcham said, “your house has to be priced a little better than the other four houses the buyer will look at that same day.”
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 November 26, 2011
Regional Snapshot for Loveland/Berthoud Residential
Mortgage rate update
August
September
October
Active Listings Previous Year Active Listings
860 1054
842 1027
807 969
Sold Listings Previous Year Sold Listings
154 102
115 114
117 105
$223,700 $192,000
$209,275 $196,000
Average Days on the Market Previous Year ADOM
107 121
136 122
109 121
Year to Date Listings Sold Previous Year YTD Listing Sold
964 941
1079 1055
1196 1160
Median Sales Price Previous Year Median
Loveland, $254,900, home • Charles & Joleen Zaczek from Edwin Shinn, 3234 Sedgwick Cir, Loveland, $279,000, home • Susan Schmickle from Caroline Stevens, 2007 • Michael & Jessica Apostle from Kent Camp- Empire Ave, Loveland, bell, 3268 County Road 3, $177,000, home • Charles Thomas from Loveland, $190,000, Walter Ballinger, 730 W home 10th St, Loveland, • William Murray from $203,000, home Thomas Dunn, 4485 S • Travis Massey from County Road 23, LoveKorina Brim, 3843 Jefferland, $625,000, home son Dr, Loveland, • David & Tammy Ja$190,000, home coway from Farmers Bank, • David & Lisa Downer 6342 Venado Ct, Lovefrom Alison Buckle, 3257 land, $90,000, home Crowley Cir, Loveland, • John & Paula Prebish $350,000, home from Michael Jansma, • Francisco Ramospina 1040 S Railroad Ave, from Lyle Fenderson, 109 Loveland, $350,000, S Saint Louis Ave, Lovehome land, $137,000, home • Dora Reece from • Darcy & Elizabeth Lakes Point Construction Speer from Mark Hatcher, Ii Ll, 1538 Landsman Hill 267 Snow Goose Ave, Dr, Loveland, $268,800, Loveland, $217,000, home home • Devin Austin from • Eve Kutchman from David Meyer, 4230 JulesGary Lindquist, 883 berg Dr, Loveland, Garfield Ave, Loveland, $210,000, home $157,300, home • Rene Macias from • Marilou Willcoxen Nancy J Hipp Trust, 4541 from Loveland Midtown Keota Pl, Loveland, Development I, 1149 $198,000, home Caelum Ct, Loveland, • Jeremy & Britni Gi$210,600, home rard from Jennifer Olbeda, • Andrew & Mary Mac1152 S Tyler Ave, Lovedonald from Meredith land, $173,000, home Searcy, 466 W 5th St, Loveland, $165,900, • Rhonda Sharp from home Quality Service Group LLC, 719 S Edinburgh Dr, • Kelly Murphy from
Loveland
15-year fixed
3.37%
3.38%
5/1 ARM
2.97%
2.96%
Home & Real Estate is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
Johnstown
Darcy Speer, 3930 Boulder Dr, Loveland, $172,000, home • Sharon Ward from Trafton Family Trust, 108 Carina Cir, Loveland, $239,900, home • Dean Grundman from Warren Williams, 4950 Clearwater Dr, Loveland, $255,000, home • Richard & Kate Smartt from Richard Wilson, 4481 Ribbon Ct, Loveland, $332,000, home
Dunes Dr, Windsor, $385,000, home • John Hensley from Fannie Mae, 1132 Grand Ave, Windsor, $194,000, home • William & Amber Slade from Ken Ketels Revocable Trust, 160 Kitty Hawk Dr, Windsor, $267,500, home • Becky Meyer from Prestige Homes LLC, 556 Arrow Ct, Windsor, $208,400, home • Elizabeth Sullivan from Prestige Homes LLC, 570 Arrow Ct, Windsor, $206,900, home • Terry Sawicki from Sharps 3 Invest LLC, 1991 Seadrift Dr, Windsor, $160,000, home • Saint LLC from Winter Farm Windsor LLC, 518 Trout Creek Ct, Windsor, $35,000, home
Estes Park
Windsor
Foreclosures
OPEN SATURDAY 1-3 PM
OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 1-4
4478 Hayler Avenue, Loveland
Warberg Farm at Chapman Reservoir
1620 Persian Ave, Loveland
Energy Star - Built Green/Built Better! SAVE $35,000 this weekend! 3 BR, 3 BA, large 24’ deep 2-car garage, sprinkler system, full basement, A/C, backs to greenbelt. Past builders showhome. $219,900
OPEN Saturday 1-3 2+Acre Lake front& horse lots starting $225,000 water tap included. Surface rights,walk paths, parks, boat docks, fishing and peace garden.
Well kept 2-story in Blackbird Knolls on corner lot. Huge Mstr bdr with sitting room and fireplace. 4 bdrs, 3 baths, full unfinished basement, abundance of trees, and 5 piece mstr bath with jetted tub.
Kevin Cook Cottage Realty 970-532-5900 www.lovelandcorealestate.com
Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.warbergfarmatchapmanreservoir.com
• Borrower: Hal & Marti Kintigh, Lender: Us Bank National Association, Amount: $427,454, Property: 4785 Haystack Dr, Windsor, Filed: 11/16/11 • Borrower: Douglas & Beth Edelfelt, Lender: Phh Mortgage Corp, Amount: $141,076, Property: 505 1st St, Windsor, Filed: 11/10/11 • Borrower: Michael & Jennifer Ikenouye, Lender: Bank Of America National Association, Amount: $417,000, Property: 2013 Vineyard Dr, Windsor, Filed: 11/14/11 • Borrower: Robert & Rebekah Schmit, Lender: Bank Of America Na Successor, Amount: $146,420, Property: 617 Hemlock Dr, Windsor, Filed: 11/14/11 • Borrower: Paulino Vazquez-Najera, Lender: Gmac Mortgage LLC, Amount: $106,957, Property: 507 14th St, Windsor, Filed: 11/14/11 • Borrower: Liane & John Anderson, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank National Assoc, Amount: $170,662, Property: 310 Granite Ct, Windsor, Filed: 11/15/11 • Borrower: Richard & Becky Wagner, Lender: Bank Of America Na Successor, Amount: $480,339, Property: 37039 Soaring Eagle Cir, Windsor, Filed: 11/15/11
$500,000 - $599,999
OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 1-4 PM
319 E 27th Street, Loveland
Advertising: For advertising information, call Dan Grassmeyer. Office: 970-635-3615 Cell: 970-214-6297 E-mail: dgrassmeyer@reporter-herald.com
Jordan Dr, Loveland, Filed: 11/16/11 • Borrower: Shirley Choury, Lender: Jpmorgan Chase Bank National Assoc, Amount: $215,775, Property: 833 Wisteria Dr, Loveland, Filed: 11/16/11 • Borrower: Jeffrey Dorrell, Lender: Jpmorgan Chase Bank National Assoc, Amount: $267,911, Property: 3605 Carrie Ln, Loveland, Filed: 11/16/11 • Borrower: Colin & Mary Fisher, Lender: The Bank Of New York Mellon, Amount: $283,302, Property: 4417 14th St Sw, • Dane & Lori Spillers Loveland, Filed: 11/16/11 from Donald Debey, 2625 • Borrower: Norlarco Marys Lake Rd Unit 40b, Credit Union, Lender: The Estes Park, $258,000, Bank Of New York Mellon, condo Amount: $228,005, Prop• Tristan & Gabriella erty: 649 Johnson Ave, Coriell from Pawnee Loveland, Filed: 11/16/11 Meadows LLC, 1790 Gray • Borrower: Norma Hawk Ct, Estes Park, Lodge, Lender: Citifinan$223,000, home • Ridgeway Services cial Inc, Amount: • Jack & Linda Tucker from Highland Meadows $210,980, Property: 1491 from Lorrine A Tooley Re- Development I, 6001 Bay • Borrower: John Keller, Chickadee St, Loveland, vocable Trust, 1375 Raven Meadows Dr, Windsor, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank Filed: 11/10/11 Cir, Estes Park, $277,500, $55,500, home Na, Amount: $199,957, • Borrower: Edna Maghome Property: 215 Becker Cir, gard, Lender: Federal Na• Randy & Charlotte • Saybrook LLC from Johnstown, Filed: Jones from Anthony tional Mortgage Assoc, James Burke, 185 Virginia Pecone, 8221 Nautical Ct, 11/16/11 Amount: $246,500, PropLn, Estes Park, $500,000, Windsor, $330,000, home • Borrower: Brian Mur- erty: 2248 Steamboat home ry, Lender: Suntrust Mort- Springs St, Loveland, • Roy & Kelley • Guinevere Crabtree gage Inc, Amount: Hekowczyk from GreenFiled: 11/16/11 from Julie Garner, 507 $205,000, Property: 155 ridge Road Land Holding • Borrower: Tommy & Birch Ave, Estes Park, Becker Cir, Johnstown, Co, 7352 Greenridge Rd Beverly Barrow, Lender: $120,000, home Filed: 11/16/11 Unit B15, Windsor, The Bank Of New York $43,700, condo • David Denning from • Borrower: Ah & Bren- Mellon, Amount: Robin Parker, 1861 Raven da Khanzada, Lender: Citi- $126,326, Property: 341 E • James & Denise Ave Unit A6, Estes Park, mortgage Inc, Amount: Scheller from Westmark Ilex St, Milliken, Filed: Homes LLC, 6715 Bandon $318,681, Property: 5529 11/16/11 $216,500, condo • Jason & Amanda Biesecker from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3611 Pinewood Ct, Johnstown, $255,000, home • James & Crystal Gertson from Oakwood Homes LLC, 5260 Ravenswood Ln, Johnstown, $209,800, home • Sharon & Pete Fuller from Oakwood Homes LLC, 5300 Ravenswood Ln, Johnstown, $210,000, home • Hector Herrera from Herbies Homes LLC, 1203 Sw 1st St, Johnstown, $131,000, home • Chessica Devereaux from JJ Constr Northern Colo LLC, 257 Alder Ave, Johnstown, $179,400, home
$$200,000 - $$299,999
SHOWROOM OPEN
Kurt Albers Century21 Humpal, Inc (970)231-1224 kurt.albers@century21.com www.berthoud.org
4.03%
Featured Properties
UP TO $199,999
Peakview Meadows, prices starting at $195,000. 5 models to choose from. Showroom open weekdays and 1- 4 pm weekends. 6632400 for an appointment
4.02%
$215,000 $211,000
H&RE Real Estate Transactions Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., 1151 Eagle Drive No. 467, Loveland, CO 80537, 667-1537.
30-year fixed
This week Last week Trend
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.
OPEN SATURDAY 1-3 PM
John Mathey Premier Lifestyle Realty (970) 481-5512 johnm368@msn.com
3341 Landmark Dr., Berthoud Spectacular ranch style home on 2+ acres with mountain views. Almost 8,000 sq ft of living space, 5 car garage. Come view this gorgeous home!
Kurt Albers Century21 Humpal, Inc (970)231-1224 kurt.albers@century21.com
sunday
saturday Price:
Location:
Address:
Time:
Office/Contact:
Phone:
From the $140’s
Loveland
43rd St & Wilson Ave The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$150,840
NE Loveland
4905 Hahns Peak #104
11 AM-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-FTC Downtown, Jeremy Johnson
970-313-6166
$167,900
Loveland
4331 Filbert Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Nancy Walkowicz
970-461-7136
Time:
Office/Contact:
Phone:
Price:
Location:
Address:
$130,000
Loveland
4805 Hahns Peak Drive 1:30-3:30 PM The Group Inc., Realty, John Simmons 970-481-1250 #202
From the $140’s
Loveland
43rd St & Wilson Ave The Cottages at Enchantment Ridge
$150,840
NE Loveland
4905 Hahns Peak #104 11 AM-3 PM RE/MAX Alliance-FTC Downtown, Jeremy Johnson
$169,900
Loveland
4403 Elliot Pl
12-5 PM
From $169,900
Loveland
1899 East 11th St.
10 AM-6 PM Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, 970-456-4600 Wayne Lewis
$200,000 (+)
Loveland
1620 Persian Ave.
1-4 PM
Premier LIfestyle Realty, John Mathey 970-481-5512
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$219,900
Loveland
4478 Hayler Ave
1-4 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$169,900
Loveland
4403 Elliot Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
From $169,900
Loveland
1899 East 11th St.
10 AM-6 PM
Midtown Homes, Boise Village North, Wayne Lewis
970-456-4600
Starting at $195,900
Berthoud
Peakview Meadows
1-4 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc., Kurt Albers
970-231-1224
$200,000 (+)
Loveland
1620 Persian Ave.
1-4 PM
Premier LIfestyle Realty, John Mathey
970-481-5512
$207,315
Loveland
3441 Foster Pl
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-215-0515
$219,900
Loveland
4478 Hayler Ave
1-4 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
970-231-1224.
$225,000
West Loveland
4228 Foothills Dr.
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Franci Wunderlich
970-313-6166
$225,000
Loveland
4300 Harrison Avenue
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Cindy Kurtz
970-962-5832
$239,000
Loveland
4496 Hayler Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$220,000
Loveland
340 Cardinal Avenue
11 AM-1 PM The Group Inc., Realty, Emily Waller
$249,900
Berthoud
1621 Hollyberry St.
1-3 PM
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-313-6166
$239,000
Loveland
4496 Hayler Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$255,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Rich Gardiner
970-461-7126
$249,900
Berthoud
1621 Hollyberry St.
1-3 PM
Loveland
4355 Ridgway Dr
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-227-3893
RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland, Kathy Beadell
970-290-1798
$298,664 $299,000
Loveland
2892 Ariel Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$255,000
Loveland
3518 Akron Court
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Rich Gardiner
970-461-7126
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St 12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-227-3893
$298,664
Loveland
4355 Ridgway Dr
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-227-3893
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$329,900
Loveland
4613 Free Hold
12 Noon-5 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Kristen Specketer
970-290-8097
$299,900
Loveland
1920 New Hampshire St 12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-227-3893
$335,000
Loveland
2890 Carina Drive
1-3 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Georgena Arnett
970-481-9801
$299,900
Loveland
4454 Stump Ave
12-5 PM
Cottage Realty
970-532-5900
$329,900
Loveland
4613 Free Hold
Berthoud
3341 Landmark Drive
1-3 PM
Century 21 Humpal, Inc. Kurt Albers
970-231-1224.
12 Noon-5 PM
The Group Inc., Realty, Kristen Specketer
970-290-8097
$500,000 (+)
Cottage Realty
970-313-6166 970-215-0515
720-231-7183
Saturday Reporter-Herald November 26, 2011 E3
H&RE Featured Home Plan
The must-do list: home projects for December
Santa Rosa
Stucco tri-level home has southwestern appeal
CLINT BRISCOE MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
T
he end of the year is almost here, and there are some important projects that should be done before the start of 2012. Complete these Must-Do projects before ringing in the New Year, and you will be ready for the start of winter and to sing “Auld Lang Syne“.
ASSOCIATED DESIGNS
A
bright tile roof caps the smooth stucco of the Southwestern-style Santa Rosa. Designed for construction on a slope, this home has three levels. Gathering spaces are on the main floor, and bedrooms are above. A roomy two-car garage and two large storage areas are below, and some of those spaces are windowed. An inviting arched opening leads from the garage on the right to the handsome railed staircase that climbs gently to the main floor. A wider arch, opening onto the entry porch, frames the front door, along with a windowed bench to the door's left. Inside, art niches on both sides of the door flank the short passageway into the foyer. After entering, you have three choices. To the right is a den or home office. Straight ahead, an arch marks the passageway that leads to a spacious dining room,
PLACE WEATHER STRIPPING AROUND WINDOWS AND DOORS
windowed on three sides. That hallway also runs past a large utility room, which, in turn, accesses a covered patio with skylights. Sliding glass doors in the dining room open to the patio as well. To the left of the foyer is an arched opening that leads into a foyer extension outfitted with a coat closet and a bench for shoe removal. The next arch opens into the welcoming living room, which has a corner fireplace and recessed home entertainment center. This space is open to the gourmet kitchen, and also offers access to a side deck. Upstairs, owners' suite amenities include a railed balcony, a large walk-in closet, and a bathroom with
a shower, spa tub, dual vanity and private toilet. Each of the Santa Rosa's other two bedrooms has direct access to a private basin, then on to a shared toilet and shower. Visit AssociatedDesigns.com for more information or to search our home plans. A review plan of the Santa Rosa 30-800, including floor plans, elevations, section, and artist's conception, can be purchased for $25. The home plan catalog, featuring more than 550 home plans, costs $15. Both are available online, by mail or phone. Add $5 s/h. Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Dr., Eugene, OR 97402, (800) 634-0123.
During the winter, it is important to keep hot air in and cold air out. Unfortunately this is easier said than done. Small cracks in the home’s exterior can allow heated air to escape from the home and cool outside air to infiltrate the living space. As a result, the furnace may have to work longer and harder, causing utility bills to go through the roof. To prevent this, caulk, seal and weatherstrip cracks around windows and doors and along the home’s exterior. Taking this step is relatively easy and inexpensive, and it will help keep the home warmer and heating bills lower.
CHECK THE WOOD PILE AND ENSURE IT WILL LAST THROUGH THE WINTER
TEST FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors save lives, but they are worthless if they are malfunctioning or are broken. These important safety devices should be regularly inspected to ensure they are operating properly, and the start of winter is a great time to give them a thorough examination. Carbon monoxide detectors should have fresh batteries, be hardwired or plugged into a dedicated wall outlet. Fire extinguishers should be nearly full and have an easy-to-pull trigger with a functioning nozzle. If these devices are not already in the home, get them. It could be a matter of life or death.
RAKE YOUR LEAVES Get some exercise and do the yard a favor by raking the leaves that have accumulated this fall. Leaves that are left on the lawn can cause a number of problems. For instance, a thick accumulation of leaves can smother the turf, or if the leaves are covered in snow it can lead to mold growth. Once the leaves have been gathered, there are a variety of disposal options. If discarding the leaves, place them in large paper bags so they can be disposed of properly. Also, consider composting or shredding the leaves so they can be used as mulch instead.
It is difficult to have a fire without any wood, so check the wood pile to see if there is enough to make it through the winter. How much is needed will vary from one homeowner to the next and will depend heavily on how often a fire is made. If in the market to buy some wood, make sure it is seasoned, having been dried for at least one year. Also, always buy wood in cords or in percentages of cords. The size of truckloads, bundles and other often-used terms of measurement vary from one seller to the next. However, a cord is 128 cubic feet of wood and is the only standard measurement for purchasing wood.
DRAIN THE WATER HEATER Believe it or not, but water is carrying more than hydrogen, oxygen and a little fluoride. It also often contains sediment and minerals. These tiny impurities can accumulate in a water heater and negatively impact its performance. How often the water heater needs to be drained will fluctuate and be more frequent in areas with high mineral content. As a general rule of thumb, flush the water heater at least once a year. Be sure to read the owner’s manual before beginning because draining the water heater incorrectly can lead to personal injury or damage to the tank.
Open Houses This Weekend - www.thegroupinc.com NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
NEW CONSTRUCTION
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 1:00-3:00
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 12:00-5:00
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 floor plan backs to open space. Beautiful finishes include hardwood floors, designer tile & slab granite. Full, unfinished basement. Fully landscaped yard.
4613 Free Hold Drive, Windsor Must see ranch plan with walkout on oversized, elevated lot. Very upgraded! Trex patio, 3-car garage, slab granite and stainless kitchen, full basement and much more! Stucco with stone exterior. See our model at 4613 Pompano Drive for more information. Other completed homes available.
$329,900
$335,000
Call Georgena Arnett
Call Kristen Specketer
Call Georgena Arnett
MLS# 647804
481-9801
tate Real Es w w w.
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.
$299,000
MLS# 662114
Online version of publication at www.thegroupinc.com containing links to detail pages for most listings. rado rn Colo Northe Source thegr
oupin
c.com
MLS# 662119
290-8097
481-9801
NEW NORTHERN COLORADO HOMES Enchantment Ridge FROM THE $140’S* TO $350’S
New Construction
OPEN SAT & SUN 12-5 PM STARTING IN THE MID $200’S
OPEN SAT & SUN 12-5
Priced from $270K
Priced from $210K
970-532-5900 (*w/ qualifying special financing)
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!
$3,000 BUYER CREDIT NEW HOMES MONTHLY PAYMENTS FROM STARTING AT $999 $169,900 - $229,900 OVER MODELS CONNECTED TO CITY TRAIL
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Imagine the warmth of sunlit rooms. Become a gourmet chef in a state of the art kitchen. Open floor plans, 3-4 bedrooms, 5 piece baths, 3-4 car garages. (12 models & 50 lots to choose from)
Sales Center 4355 Ridgway Drive, Loveland
970-227-3893
GEORGETOWN
NW Corner of Wilson & 43rd St.
4496 Hayler Avenue, Loveland 4403 Elliot Place, Loveland
4 MODELS TO TOUR! STARTING IN THE MID 200’s
TAFT
$6,000 BUILDER INCENTIVE THIS MONTH**
43RD ST.
Sales Office Open 10-6 Daily
1899 East 11th Street, Loveland, CO 80537 Phone: (970) 456-4600 info@newmidtownhomes.com www.newmidtownhomes.com FHA Approved Community
E4
Saturday Reporter-Herald November 26, 2011
H&RE Front Range Gardening
Gifts for Gardeners Give gardeners what they really want this holiday season
MUSHROOM GARDEN FROM BACK TO THE ROOTS
Why it’s cool: Turning used coffee grounds from local coffee shops into a kit for savory, delicious oyster mushrooms, this kit is for the gardener who wants to stay green year-round. “They’re fun kits, and it only CAROL O'MEARA takes 10 days to grow them, so CSU EXTENSION it’s instant gratification almost,” said Nikhil Arora who, with Alex Velez, co-founded the espite the old-fashioned Oakland, California company. idea that each season “You don’t need a green should move along at thumb, and it’s perfect for its own pace, unhurried by the growing with kids.” The kit forces of marketing, my maillasts in the box for months unbox gets filled with garden cattil the gardener is ready to alogs earlier and earlier each grow them, and they’ll produce year. Following tradition, I rant several crops of fungi. about how the world is surely Cost: $19.95 doomed, and rave that the tilt of the earth’s axis is thrown off, Get it: Locally at Whole all because the catalogs arrived Foods, or receive a 10-percent discount by ordering online at in November, instead of January. But there’s method in their madness and a quick glance at the slick, glossy pages had me whipping up my Christmas wish list in a hurry. If you’re shopping for a gardener this season, here are a few suggestions for filling them with joy.
D
backtotheroots.com. Use code Coloradomushrooms10 when ordering.
TOMATO STRAINER
Why they’re cool: If you’re growing vegetables, chances are you’ll understand why a kitchen gadget is on a gardener’s wish list. For sauces, soups, and pureed perfection, this strainer pushes vegetables through a stainless steel screen, separating juice and pulp from seeds, skins, and stems. A must have for those who spend as much time in the kitchen as in the garden. Cost: $56.95 Get it: Cook’s Garden, cooksgarden.com.
FELCO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE HARVESTING SHEAR (F310)
Why they’re cool: Italian-
LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
made Felco pruners are a top quality tool for serious gardeners, even when the task is small: harvesting tender herbs or fruit. These lightweight snips are small enough to maneuver around snarled grapevines to get at the clusters, and fit comfortably in the hand. Cost: $19.75 Get it: felcostore.com.
MANURE MEDLEY Why it’s cool: If you truly love your gardener, give them a big bucket of poo. Disturbing as it sounds, a gardener will treasure this collection of bat guano, wormcastings, and fossilized sea bird droppings. The thoughtful touch of a bar of soap rounds out this unusual assortment, which comes in a one-and-a-half gallon-sized canvas bucket. Doubles as a great gift for bosses, too. Cost: $22.95 Get it: Pinetree Garden Seeds,
superseeds.com.
ter bottles. Every pair of gloves contains two large plastic waGIFT CERTIFICATES ter bottles, recycled into a Why it’s cool: Supporting lo- durable fabric. Kevlar reinforced, sure-grip fingers and cal garden centers by giving your gardener a shopping spree pads make these gloves a perfect fit for gardeners tackling is always a classic call. tough jobs. Cost: $32 QUICK CONNECT BRASS Get it: Visit the store locator HOSE FITTING at westcountygardener.com/ to Why it’s cool: This small gift find the store nearest you that will delight anyone who strugcarries these gloves. gles with hoses and sprayers. Carol O’Meara is with CSU Attach it to the faucet and Extension in Boulder County. hooking up hoses is a snap, put Contact her at 303-678-6238 or it on the outlet end and swapcomeara@co.boulder.co.us. ping nozzles for sprinkler heads is a breeze. Cost: $6.99 for set of male and female. BUYING OR SELLING? Get it: Hardware stores and Ron McCrimmon Is Your garden centers. Local Real Estate Expert.
WEST COUNTY LANDSCAPE GLOVES
view more listings at…
RonMcCrimmon.com
970.214.2763
Why they’re cool: These earth-friendly, breathable gloves are a composite of terry cloth and spandex made, in part, from recycled plastic wa-
Saddle Notch Road - Loveland Offered at $10,000,000
750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland
669-1234
Each office independently owned & operated
vview iew more mo properties at:
155 Acres - Estes Park Offered at $2,750,000
www.HomesInColorado.com
Sedona Hills Drive - Loveland Offered at $2,400,000
OPEN SATURDAY 12 2 P.M. 4297 Golf Vista Dr, Loveland
Amazing Setting! On POND & GOLF COURSE. Dramatic home has all the right elements: GREAT KITCHEN (stunning granite, dbl ovens, views) GORGEOUS MASTER (large soaking tub & HIS/HERS WALK-IN CLOSETS).
DELIVERED
$449,000| MLS #667770
Call Maria McLain
970-217-8500
mariamclain@remax.net
OPEN SATURDAY 1 3 P.M. 321 W. 4th St., Loveland
Super cute old town bungalow on the West side. 3 Bed/1 bath/1 car-garage. Original wood floors, great trim, newer windows, high ceilings, 95% eff. furnace, deep lot with nice deck, shed, & playhouse. $169,000 | MLS #667898
OPEN SUNDAY 1 3 P.M. 369 W. 9th Street, Loveland
Absolutely charming 4 bdrm, 2 ba home! Spectacular kitchen remodel. Lots of updating, care & character. Corner lot. Updated baths. Must see! Hwy 34, S on Garfield, W on 8th, N on Grant, W on 9th. $199,750 | MLS #667941
Call Jill Leichliter
Call Amber Huber
www.JillSellsHomesInColorado.com
amberhuber@remax.net
970-443-7789
Indian Creek Ranch - Loveland Offered at $2,000,000
217-2939
Downtown - Loveland Offered at $555,000
NE
W 27 CON EST STR ATE UC LO TIO TS N!
reporterherald.com
www.7032Ruidoso.com
m.reporterherald.com
TO FIT YOUR LIFESTYLE
Check out website updates! The foundation has been poured on this ranch style with walk-out basement, granite counters, 4-car tandem garage & more! Backs to open space & Highland Meadows Golf Course. $459,900 | MLS #665604
www.3627Maplewood.com
Designed with lots of open living and uniqueness. Gourmet kitchen with large laundry/pantry. Storage abounds with walkin closets in ALL bedrooms! Community pool, walking trails, frisbee golf course. $301,750 | MLS #666187
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 Nanci Garnand
Call Nanci Garnand
Call Susan Zack
www.LivingInWindsor.com
www.LivingInJohnstown.com
susanzack@remax.net
622-1846 | 227-1327
622-1846 | 227-1327
970-226-1222
Crescendo Village - Loveland Offered at $499,900
NE SEV W CO ERA NS L M TRU OD CT ELS ION ! !
Moore Farm - Frederick Offered at $399,900