Saturday Reporter-Herald December 18, 2010 E1
Real Estate Matters
www.homeandrealtyguide.com • Saturday, December 18, 2010 • Reporter-Herald
Work with lender for exact rate ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES
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uestion: I am struggling to find some of the rates you have discussed for refinance. Do you mind passing me a couple of sites? Answer: All of the major lenders are now offering similarly great rates, although they jumped up quite recently. But to get the best information, you’ll need to call several different types of lenders in your area, as well as searching online. Call your real estate agent and ask for some referrals to great mortgage brokers. Talk to at least four or five different types of lenders, including a credit union (if you belong to one or can join one), a big box lender and a small local bank, and then compare loans, costs, fees and interest rates. If you’re searching the internet for rates on home mortgages, you can take a look at the big box lender sites, along with aggregators or mortgage portals like BankRate.com or Zillow.com or QuickenLoans.com. These sites can be a guide for you, but remember that the rates on these sites might be stale by the time you call a local lender, mortgage broker or credit union, or you may not qualify for the best loan programs. Finally, watch out for lenders that advertise mortgage interest rates that seem way below rates quoted elsewhere; it’s possible that their rates are that low because you pay tons of other fees to get the loan. In effect, you get the lower rate, but you’re paying up front for the privilege of getting that low rate. Make sure you shop, compare and become knowledgeable about the mortgage process. Homeowners interested in refinancing need to understand that interest rates on home loans can fluctuate from day to day, and even several times in a day. On a recent Wednesday, the bond market experienced a massive selloff and mortgage interest rates jumped more than a quarter of a percent in a single day. So if you read one of my columns and it mentions an interest rate, that rate may have gone up or down between the time I wrote it and the time you read it. In general, if you have a great credit history and a high credit score, you’ll get a lower interest rate than if your credit history and credit score are worse. When I quote an interest rate, it’s generally the interest rate for those with the best credit history, sufficient cash and income, and a property with at least 20 percent in equity. Question: I have a 30-year mortgage held by the former owner of my house that is at 8 percent interest. I paid $63,000 for the property originally, and my year-end loan I See GLINK/Page E3
Wavering Outlook The federal tax credits for home buyers, which boosted sales for more than a year, added to the confusion. The tax benefit kicked housing sales into gear; the end of the credit put the housing market back on life support. “We misjudged the impact of ALAN J. HEAVENS the two tax credits,” said MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE economist Patrick Newport of IHS Global Insight Inc. “We expected the credits to both shift he housing downturn that demand and increase sales and began in 2005, 2006 or starts. It appears that the tax 2007 — depending on loca- credits mostly shifted activity.” tion — has tested the mettle of The level of interference is now the economists whose job it is to much lower, and a clearer picture figure out when and how the cri- of the market is emerging, allowsis will end. ing economists, as well as civilSome economists argue, and ians, the opportunity to predict with considerable justification, with a bit more accuracy. that government interference in The “when” remains difficult to the real estate market has made pin down, although the nonpropredicting the date of recovery fessionals — typical homeowners from difficult to impossible. and renters — believe they have the answer. That government interference manifested itself primarily in the Recovery will occur anywhere Federal Reserve’s purchase of from 2012 to 2015 and even latmortgages from Fannie Mae and er, according to most of the Freddie Mac, which affected in2,000 homeowners and renters terest rates until the program surveyed by Harris Interactive in ended March 31. November.
Economists’ housing forecasts are skewed by tax credits
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“Economic recovery should accelerate gradually over the year, with the second half of 2011 exhibiting more growth and job creation than the early part of the year.” — Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft
2010 Larimer housing market similar to 2009 through October dropped substantially by 16.2 percent from last year at this time, while foreclosure sales ins 2010 comes to an end, creased by 17.2 percent, acthe Loveland/Berthoud cording to the Colorado Divireal estate market sion of Housing’s Monthly shaped up much as it did in Metropolitan Foreclosure Re2009. Through November, port released on November there were 1,250 detached 22. The report noted that the listings sold; compared to slowdown in foreclosure pro1,205 sold through the cessing influenced the numNovember in 2009. Fort ber of sales, which is expected Collins looked much the to be cleared up by the end of same, as 2,093 detached the year. listings were sold through As a state, Colorado is on November this year in comparison with 2,091 the year prior. pace to end the year below The median sales price is up 2009 totals in terms of fore6.1 percent at $206,819 com- closure sales. Denver, Weld and Larimer Counties experipared to the same time last enced the largest decrease in year ($194,900). Year-to-date average days on the market is foreclosure filings compared to the rest of the state. Weld 122 days, last year it came in at 127. Detached listing sales County experienced the highest rate of foreclosure sales volume in Loveland through with 679 households per forethe year is up 9.9 percent, at closure sale. Larimer county $326,892,244. had one foreclosure sale per The number of foreclosure 2,067 households. filings in Larimer County
JADE CODY SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
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The survey, commissioned by real estate search engine Trulia and foreclosure-tracker RealtyTrac Inc., found that just 4 percent thought the market had recovered already. “Sellers and buyers are tamping down their expectations for a swift recovery in the housing market and bracing themselves for a long, slow climb back to a healthy real estate market,” said Trulia Chief Executive Officer Peter Flint. “Government incentives have come and gone, and historic lows in interest rates have done little to spur recovery,” he said. From the responses, Flint said consumers have a “What’s next?” attitude, “since they have lost faith in banks and their government to make good decisions.” What it will take for a market turnaround is a much easier question to have answered by the economists. “On the face of it, getting the housing market to recover is quite easy, since it’s well-established what drives housing,” said economist Kevin Gillen, vice president of Econsult Inc., of Philadelphia. That is, “You take a reasonable level of home building costs, combine household income growth with job growth, throw in a good dash of accessible mortgage credit, and presto: You have
a robust housing market,” Gillen said. All the government needs to do is reduce unemployment, grow the economy and keep inflation — and hence interest rates — in check, and housing will begin to recover. “Of course, this should remind you of Steve Martin’s old routine about his foolproof two-step plan to make a million dollars taxfree. ’Step One: Get your hands on a million dollars,’ “ Gillen said. So, given that unemployment rose in recent weeks, credit remains tight for buyers as well as the typical home builder, and 30year fixed-interest rates have risen in the past few weeks, Martin’s way is still the better bet. Rates rose, said Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft, “after Europe made strides in its debt situation,” allowing investors to leave the security of U.S. Treasury debt, causing bond yields and mortgage rates to rise. “Key macroeconomic drivers of the economy — such as income growth, unemployment rate, and inflation — will affect the perforI See OUTLOOK/Page E5
Foreclosures intrigue homebuyers, but risks may prevent a deal attached, you can get money out of it.” Despite strong interest in buying foreclosures, supply is exast spring in the waning pected to continue to outstrip days of the first-time demand in the coming year. homebuyer tax credit, In a survey released last week, Stephen Ploski, 24, made an ofnearly half, or 49 percent of U.S. fer on a foreclosed home. adults surveyed for two real esHe said the 1,400-square-foot tate websites, are at least somehome was livable, but needed what likely to consider buying a serious updates. He was willing foreclosed property. That’s up to do the work and take the from 45 percent in May. risk. Results from the online survey In exchange, he got a deal. The conducted Nov. 2-4 by Harris Inthree-bedroom, one-bathroom teractive for Trulia and Realtyhome was his for $49,000. He Trac also indicated that Amerilives in the home with his wife, cans are still uncertain about the Ashley, 22, and their daughter housing market and the majoriLana, 2. And they are expecting ty, or 58 percent, expect the retheir second baby. covery to take at least two more “I wanted to buy one because years. the market conditions were “2010 will be another record right,” he said. “This is my first year for foreclosures,” said Rick home for my family. But if you Sharga, senior vice president of do it with an investor’s mind I See RISKS/Page E5 instead of getting emotionally
GRETA GUEST MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
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Inside this week’s Home & Real Estate
Featured Home Plan Mesa Verde exudes simplicity
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Property of the Week
Front Range Gardening Director y
930 Harrison Ave.
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Carol O’Meara on the psychological power of floral arrangements
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Saturday Reporter-Herald December 18, 2010 E2
H&RE Real Estate Transactions Loveland • Quintin Mese from Randolph Cruz, 475 Lyra Pl, Loveland, $222,000, home • Gregory & Rochelle Teal from Wells Fargo Bank, 4189 Divide Dr, Loveland, $180,900, home • Jeremiah & Jessica Strong from Robert Hensel, 222 Cardinal Ave, Loveland, $220,000, home • Phil & Jean Whittaker from David Hurst, 1715 Hitch Wagon Dr, Loveland, $440,000, home • Deborah & Gerald Wilson from Oak Valley Homes LLC, 315 Carina Cir Unit 104, Loveland, $162,200, condo • Katherine Ringle from Oak Valley Homes LLC, 315 Ca-
rina Cir Unit 105, Loveland, $151,000, condo • Bettie Greenberg from Richard F Kekar Living Trust, 2304 Estrella Ave, Loveland, $175,500, home • Taylor Reindl from Jeffrey Anderson, 4928 W Eisenhower Blvd, Loveland, $191,500, home • R LLC from Merritt Davis, 827 S Lincoln Ave, Loveland, $400,000, home • Russel Durrett from Federal Home Mortgage Corp, 1029 Tamarix Pl, Loveland, $191,000, home • James Hermanson from Denny Haskew, 1230 Inca Dove Cir, Loveland, $299,000, home • Doreene & Robert Keep from Shane Skott, 1416 S
California Ave, Loveland, $162,500, home • Alessandro Magrin from Robert Labayne, 4139 Lost Canyon Dr, Loveland, $315,000, home • Michael & Teresa Lewis from Loveland Midtown Development I, 927 Pegasus Ct, Loveland, $174,400, home • Carol Woodward from Roanld Thomas, 3128 Kyle Cir, Loveland, $515,000, home • Craig & Keri Hannaford from Robert Victor, 2514 Glendevey Dr, Loveland, $193,000, home
• I Wetzler from WAMU, 1801 N County Road 15c, Berthoud, $382,400, home • Travis & Amy Schluessler from Chester Saul, 3719 Coyote Trl, Berthoud, $159,500, home • Epic LLC from Foothills Self Storage Inc, 372 Mountain View Rd Unit 15, Berthoud, $162,000, condo
Kleinsorge, 315 Big Horn Dr Unit A, Estes Park, $340,000, condo • Roger & Rosemary Shultz from Howard Farrar, 351 Virginia Dr, Estes Park, $405,000, home
September
October
November
Active Listings Previous Year Active Listings
1,027 1,031
969 963
903 882
Sold Listings
114
105
90 EDITORIAL INFORMATION 635-3656
$211,000 $201,500
133 126
121 127
131 127
DISPLAY ADVERTISING 669-5050
Year to Date Listings Sold Previous Year YTD Listing Sold
1,055 984
1,160 1,110
1,250 1,205
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 635-3650
Monthly Volume Previous Year Monthly Volume
$29,834,886 $22,669,842
$27,400,541 $32,560,029
$24,289,790 $22,476,776
Choose the right real estate agent ANNA SACHSE CTW FEATURES
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inding that perfect home — and then navigating the necessary steps to buy it — can leave a homebuyer with a headache. Picking the right agent can make all the difference in feeling calm and confident throughout the home-hunting journey. There are many benefits to enlisting an expert. Realtors — agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors and adhere to its Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice — are versed in which homes are a good value in the current market, what locations are most desirable, and how real estate laws and contracts work. “If a buyer doesn’t have extensive knowledge of all the aspects of a real estate transaction — such as negotiating price terms and conditions of purchase — they can easily be taken advantage of,” said Mark Minnis, a broker/owner and buyer’s agent with InSight Real Estate in Portland, Ore. “But a Realtor is obligated by law to protect your interests.” Retaining an agent usually requires no out-of-pocket expense on the part of the buyer, said Brady Moore, a Dallasbased Realtor with Dave Perry-Miller and Associates. An agent’s commission will depend upon the listing and the contract. To find a licensed agent, your best bet is to start with referrals from friends or family, Minnis said , especially if they are located where you
are looking. If new to a city, use the “Find a Realtor” function at Realtor.org. Sometimes new buyers are tempted to call listing agents for properties they like, but be cautious. Working with an agent who represents the seller may not be in your best interest. Consider finding a buyer’s agent and have that person help you find properties, Moore said. To ensure this process goes smoothly, the experts agree that it’s important to find someone who is a good personality fit. “Buying a house is probably the biggest financial transaction most people will make in their lives,” Moore said. “You should do it with someone you can trust [and] enjoy spending time with.” A good way to find that out is by interviewing potential agents in person. Ask about their areas of expertise, the neighborhoods in which the majority of their sales occur, if they own any real estate themselves and how long they’ve been in the business. Keep in mind that some agents may require you to sign an exclusive-representation agreement, said Moore, the details of which can vary. In addition to reading over the contract yourself, have a friend who understands real estate read it over. Know that a good agent will work hard to meet your needs. They won’t get paid until the sale, so when they see you are committed, they know they can dedicate their effort to helping you find your dream home.
Auto? Home? Life? Yes! Stacia A. Fuller Agency 10th & Lincoln, Loveland
sfuller@amfam.com • 593-5620 51-321362
$206,819 $194,900
Home & Real Estate is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald.
$196,000 $187,500
Average Days on the Market Previous Year ADOM
Moore, 610 S Rachel Ave, Milliken, $163,000, home
Windsor
• Jason Collins from Debra Singleton, 233 Wood Duck Ct, Windsor, $280,000, home • Walter Morrison Johnstown from Stephen • Todd & Debra Juengst, 140 SunRuflin from Daniel flower Dr, Windsor, Schmierer, 2116 $154,500, home Blue Wing Dr, John• Todd & Cynthia stown, $199,600, Sutherland from home Mark Morton, Estes Park • Gary & Paula 1572 Yonkee Dr, • William & Karyn Hegner from Melvin Windsor, $450,000, Obrien from Aneita Sussman, 1662 Malhome Weaver, 1309 Devils lard Dr, Johnstown, • Rg LLC from Gulch Rd, Estes $279,000, home 1290 Main LLC, Park, $572,900, • David Halpain 1290 Main St Unit home from Shane Mazur, 7, Windsor, • Gene & Bianca 3669 Claycomb Ln, $554,600, condo Johnstown, Thompson from Berthoud • Robert & Cindy Rocksey Powell, 651 $237,000, home Laurel Ln, Estes Patterson from • David Steffen • Shari Helms Christopher Boyd, from Shirley Kardok, Park, $266,500, from US Bk, 125 home 8391 Morning Star 1716 Riverview Dr, Sandstone Dr, John- Milliken • Michael & Wilda Ln, Windsor, Berthoud, stown, $167,900, • David & Cathy $305,000, home Collins from Lynda $515,000, home home Creagh from Leroy
Regional Snapshot for Loveland/Berthoud Residential
Median Sales Price Previous Year Median
• Geneva Dereus from Oakwood Homes LLC, 5205 Ridgewood Dr, Johnstown, $382,800, home • Cesar Mendoza from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3936 Cedarwood Ln, Johnstown, $161,800, home • Thinh & Tuan Do from Oakwood Homes LLC, 3931 Blackwood Ln, Johnstown, $181,000, home • Vernon Stewart from Poudre Invest Holdings LLC, 331 Sloan Dr, Johnstown, $215,000, home • Joann Peterson from Tucker Peddicord, 1117 Sandra Dr, Johnstown, $220,000, home
Mortgage rate update This week Last week Trend
30-year fixed
5.07%
4.87%
15-year fixed
4.45%
4.24%
5/1 ARM
3.80%
3.53%
For home and real estate advice, features and information, visit www.homeandrealtyguide.com
PWP to reward participants for energy savings JENNIFER LEHMAN SPECIAL SECTIONS REPORTER
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oveland Water and Power is offering lottery rebates to participants in their Partnering with Power program as a thank you for the contribution of savings in money and energy during the peak cycle months. Participants in the program are eligible to win a $25 credit on their utility bill. Two winners will be drawn each month, and the number will increase to four during the peak cycle months — May through September. Residents or businesses that volunteer have small boxes attached to the compressors on their air conditioners that allow the city to shut off the compressors for about 15 minutes via remote control during periods of high demand that cost the department the most money. The fan on the air conditioner will continue to cycle air through the home, but for that period no new chilled air will be cycled through, said Lindsey Bashline, Administrative Specialist with the City of Loveland. The temperature of the building or home is only lowered by a degree or two, but the joint effort of 3,300 people makes a difference, Bashline said. It made a particular difference in the summer of 2010 when Loveland Water and Power experienced a record power demand due to high temperatures and increased use of air conditioners. Despite the record demand, Loveland Water & Power saved $101,110, reducing power usage by 66,370 kilo-watt hours according to the city’s latest newsletter. Power during peak times is more expensive and is costly for the department, Bashline said. The program helps keep the city’s utility rates low. The Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities 2009 Rate Survey ranked Loveland as having the second lowest residential utility rates in the state behind Longmont. Loveland ranked fourth in rates for small commercial, third for large commercial and fourth among industrial utility costs. Loveland’s program has been going for a few summers, Bashline said. A similar program is also used in Fort Collins and is popular in places with high demand in peak cycles like southern Colorado, Bashline said. Bashline said the department has gone back and forth on whether or not to offer a flat rebate for participation — Xcel Energy offers a $48 rebate for participants, Bashline said. But because so many people have volunteered to be involved at this point, it doesn’t make sense for the program. “How do you compensate them for the effort
ThinkStock Photo
they've already put forth?” Bashline said. Also, from the number of volunteers it is obvious that the community wants to help out, Bashline said, and contribute to keeping their utilities low without expecting a rebate, and Loveland Water and Power customers pay a much lower rate than they would through Xcel, she said. Participating in PWP is free, and residents and businesses can volunteer to sign up through Loveland Water and Power. Loveland Water and Power has several new programs in the works focused on improving energy usage. The program portfolio of eight new programs approved by the City Council in August will include home energy reports, energy audits, low income energy audits and education programs with schools. People should start to see the programs in action early next year, Bashline said. To learn more about PWP and to volunteer to participate, go to www.ci.loveland.co.us/wp/power/pwp/ main.htm
Saturday Reporter-Herald December 18, 2010 E3
H&RE Featured Home Plan
GLINK From Page E1
balance is $41,485. My payments are about $403. I’d like to refinance this loan and take advantage of the still-low interest rates, but I can’t seem to find anyone that will refinance me. Every place I’ve checked has not wanted to refinance for less than $100,000. I am able to pay up to $100 extra a month, but do not want to pay much in refinancing fees, and I’d like to pay my house off as soon as possible. I am 56 years old and divorced, and I’m trying to get my finances in shape. Can you point me in the right direction? Answer: You may not find a lender willing to do a loan for $40,000. It’s just not worth the lender’s while. And that’s a good thing. You’re already so far into your loan that it wouldn’t really pay for you to refinance unless you were going to cut your loan term to 10 years. In fact, the amount of interest you’re paying is so much less now, with a lot more of your mortgage payment going toward your loan balance. You’re far better off taking your extra $100 per month and using it to prepay your mortgage. You’ll wind up making nearly three extra payments per year, which will cut the term of your loan significantly. You might also ask your lender if he’d be willing to lower the interest rate remaining on the loan to 6 or 7 percent. Since he isn’t getting more than 1 percent in the bank (if that), he might be willing to negotiate rather than face the prospect of losing his income stream entirely. I’d start the conversation this way: “I’m thinking about refinancing, and I’m being offered around 5 percent. Would you be willing to lower the interest rate on what’s left of my loan to 6 percent?� If your lender is smart, he’ll recognize a good deal when he sees it. Just make sure your amortization table gets worked out correctly. In some cases, a seller that is giving you financing may be happier knowing that he or she has the cash in hand from you rather than still being a lender. In that case, your seller won’t be very willing to cut you a better deal. But keep this in mind: Even if you were able to find a lender to refinance your loan at a lower rate, you might find out that the fees and costs to get that new loan would be too high to benefit from the lower rate. Question: My nephew is underwater with his mortgage. He owes $115,000 on a townhome worth about $85,000. He just lost his job, but is current on the mortgage payment. Can he quitclaim the property to the bank that holds the mortgage and avoid foreclosure? Answer: Your nephew can avoid foreclosure on his home in any of several ways. The first is to sell the home to a buyer and have his
lender to agree to the short sale. The second is to work with the lender and give the property to the lender in a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. The last way to avoid foreclosure is to continue to make payments on the mortgage. It seems very unlikely your nephew can maintain his payments without a job. However, if he finds a job quickly and continues to make his mortgage payments on time, foreclosure won’t be an issue. But if his job prospects seem bleak, he should find a good real estate broker to list his home as a short sale. If he prices the home aggressively, he may find a buyer. Once he does, he will need to see if his lender is willing to accept the amount offered by this buyer to allow the sale to continue. If the lender agrees to the short sale, your nephew can see if the lender will agree to waive any claim on the deficiency. In some states, a lender can’t go after the borrower if the property is sold through foreclosure, even if the sale doesn’t cover the borrower’s debt. However, if the borrower volunteers the property back to the lender, in some states the lender may be able to go after the borrower for the deficiency. Finally, if your nephew can’t sell the property, and the lender is unwilling to take a deed in lieu of foreclosure, your nephew may lose the property through foreclosure. More borrowers are falling into foreclosure these days, and their credit histories and credit scores are falling. But while a good credit history is important, it shouldn’t be the driving factor behind what your nephew decides to do. Most borrowers generally get into trouble with their credit histories and credit scores well ahead of a foreclosure. Usually, a borrower fails to make three or more payments on a mortgage before the lender begins foreclosure proceedings. The longer the payments remain unpaid, the greater the affect on the credit history and credit score. While it’s better for your credit history to avoid foreclosure, a deedin-lieu of foreclosure or short sale is only marginally better. In either of those alternatives, a consumer’s credit score and credit history will take a hit, albeit perhaps less of a hit than in a foreclosure. Your nephew should consider all of these options carefully before deciding what to do with his property. There will be some impact on his credit history and score, but if he won’t need access to credit in the next few years, he’ll have time to build it back. He may also want an attorney or certified nonprofit credit counselor to walk him through the options available in the state where he lives.
Mesa Verde exudes simplicity Triple sliders access a covered patio that spans most of the rear. nspired by the sunA two-foot drop in ceiling warmed Native American height marks the transition pueblos of the Southwest, from great room to kitchen the Mesa Verde exudes an air and dining room. In the of freshness and simplicity. kitchen, a long work island Its bright, stuccoed walls fronted by a raised eating bar are softly rounded at the also provides partial visual edges. The flat roof is rimmed separation. Other than these by eye-catching stepped para- two indicators, this spacious pets, and accentuated by dec- room is entirely open. orative log ends. Exposed linStanding at the cook top, tels and smooth posts add ad- you can stay fully involved ditional eye appeal. with family activities and keep Inside, the sense of opentabs on backyard goings-on as ness is totally contemporary. well. Laundry appliances are Light washes into the highmere steps away, in a fairly ceilinged great room through large utility room that connects to the garage. A genera wealth of windows at the ously sized pantry adds to the back, and another on the storage space, and a utility side. If desired, a fireplace sink can easily be built into could nestle into the far corthe long counter. ner, and a wet bar could extend along the nearby wall. Bedrooms and bathrooms
ASSOCIATED DESIGNS
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line up along the left side of the home. Interesting angles shape the Mesa Verde’s owners’ suite. Sliders offer direct patio access, which will be even more appreciated if the owners install an outdoor hot tub or spa. Bedrooms two and three share a two-section bathroom that can also be reached from the entry. For a review plan, including scaled floor plans, elevations, section and artist’s conception, send $25 to Associated Designs, 1100 Jacobs Dr., Eugene, OR 97402. Please specify the Mesa Verde 11-126 and include a return address when ordering. A catalog featuring more than 550 home plans is available for $15. For more information, call (800) 634-0123 or visit www.AssociatedDesigns.com.
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
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Call John Simmons 481-1250
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$220,000 MLS#643941
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Saturday Reporter-Herald December 18, 2010 E4
H&RE Property of the Week
Keep your home dust-free
3343 Sedgwick Circle, Loveland
edly are finished with porcelain, a very tough glazing. But even porcelain can be dulled by strong cleaners, especially those with abrasives. I don’t know of uestion: We have a serious any practical way to restore the shine dust problem in our house, even though we dust and mop except refinishing, and I don’t think refinishing is practical on bath fixtures regularly. Can you advise us so old unless they have some special how to get rid of this stuff? value. — V. Camilli Toilets installed in the 1950s use at Answer: Dust control in a house is a least five gallons of water every time never-ending battle because dust has they are flushed; some use seven galso many sources. Some experts say much of the dust in homes comes from lons. This is three or more times the amount of water used by modern toioutside, carried inside on shoes and lets when flushed, and if you have a clothing. But there are also many inside sources of dust, including our own municipal water supply these toilets are costing you dearly. My advice is to bodies, which shed hair and bits of replace the fixtures, especially the toiskin. lets. The savings on your water bill will Fabrics also contribute by shedding pay for them in a few years. bits of material. Other common sources include forced-air heating and cooling systems, pets and paper, all of QUICK TIP: Reader Paul Holland, who owns a which shed bits of material. According to some experts who have studied dust plumbing company in Connecticut, ofcontrol, the most important thing you fers some tips for people shopping for can do is vacuum regularly using a vac- new toilets. Holland said he can “peruum equipped with a HEPA (high effi- sonally vouch” for the effectiveness of some high-quality, high-efficiency toiciency particulate air) filter. Ordinary lets that use only 1.28 gallons of water vacuums spew much of the dust they pick up back into the air through their per flush (the legal maximum for toiexhaust. You should not only regularly lets sold in the United States is currently 1.6 gallons). vacuum floors and rugs, but also upholstery and bedding. Holland said he installed a 1.28-galIf you have a duct system for heating lon toilet (Toto brand) in his home and/or cooling, use high-efficiency fil- more than a year ago and has had no ters in the furnace or air conditioner; problem with flushing. His main comcheap fiberglass filters trap only the plaint is that the small amount of walargest particles. ter left in the bottom of the toilet bowl Put door mats at every entrance and between flushes — what he calls the use them to wipe your shoes before en- water spot — means that the toilet tering; better yet, remove shoes at the needs more frequent cleaning than toilets with larger water spots. entrance. Keep closet floors clean — they are major dust collectors. Holland also cautioned against buyWhen dusting furniture, shelves and ing some of the cheaper brands of waso forth, use damp cloths or special ter-saving toilets sold at home centers. dust-collecting wipes, not dry rags or a He said these lower-cost brands, while feather duster, which simply move the touted as high-efficiency, are not equal dust from one surface to another. to the Kohler and American Standard Area rugs should be taken outdoors toilets also sold at home centers. His and shaken out regularly, or hang Toto brand of toilet is not sold at home them on a line outdoors and use a car- centers, but information is available by pet beater to knock out the dust. using a search engine and the words Toto Toilets or visiting the website Filter-type air cleaners, sold at most www.totousa.com. Holland’s website, home centers and department stores, www.paulsplumbing.org, has a chart can also help. If all this sounds like a lot of trouble, it is. But dust is so insid- comparing the amount of water used by high-efficiency toilets versus older ious there is no easy way to control it. Question: I have toilets and sinks in- toilets; to view the chart, click on Services. stalled in the 1950s. After 60 years of cleaning the shine has dulled. I would Questions and comments should be like to regain the shine, but I’m not e-mailed to Gene Austin at keen about reglazing. Any ideas? gaus17@aol.com. Send regular mail — J. Carino for Gene Austin to 1730 Blue Bell Pike, Answer: These old fixtures undoubt- Blue Bell, PA 19422.
GENE AUSTIN MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Price: $284,900 Built in: 2005 Square feet: 3,686 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2.5 Open House: 1-3 p.m. today
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his home is the Mt. Evans plan by Lennar Homes, located in the Hunter’s Run subdivision in Loveland. It was built in 2005. It features four large bedrooms, two-and-one-half bathrooms, a main-floor study with glass French doors and a three-car tandem garage all tucked in 3,686 square feet. The kitchen has hardwood floors, silestone counters and island, a built-in desk and a pantry. There is a two-story great room with built-ins, surround sound and a gas log fireplace. The back yard is small and fenced, and features a nice sized concrete patio and a separate flagstone patio. You can also enjoy the covered front porch. Contact: Randy Ewen, RE/MAX Alliance, call 970-206-8282 or e-mail Randy_Ewan@remax.net.
Photos courtesy of Randy Ewen
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3343 Sedgwick Circle, Loveland
2963 Purgatory Creek Drive
Warberg Farm at Chapman Reservoir
4 bed, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, 2 story in Hunter’s Run. Almost 3700 sf, hardwood floors & 2 story great room. Directions: W on 29th past Wilson, right on Hudson, left on Sedgwick. $284,900
Move in by Christmas! This former show home is ready to go! Spacious, open floor plan w/upgrades galore throughout! Enjoy numerous walking paths and lake rights. Easy living, maintenance-free patio home.
OPEN Saturday 11AM-2PM. 2+ Acre Lake front & horse lots starting $199,000. Surface rights, walk paths, parks, boat docks, fishing and peace garden.
Seve Baker 970-302-0879 Felipe Sorzano 970-222-4423 970-330-7700 stevebakerrealestate.com
Hosted by: Ruth Wheeler 970-231-8420 RE/MAX Alliance 970-226-3990 Listed by Randy Ewan 970-481-5102
Don Mackey Prudential Rocky Mountain, REALTORS 970-667-2510 dmackey@prurmr.com http://www.circlepix.com/home/B5LEUM
Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.allcoloradohomes.com
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Saturday Reporter-Herald December 18, 2010 E5
Help house guests feel at home store their luggage, and how much space they may need for clothes and personal items. If possible, empty a drawer or hen Laura Barnett’s a shelf in the bathroom for daughter comes to vis- guests to use during their stay, it, the Chicago mother she said. Otherwise, provide a has to improvise a guest room. basket or plastic container in Barnett sets her daughter up which guests can store toiin a corner of the living room letries and things they need to and clears out space in the hall access throughout the day. closet for her clothes and suitIf your home is small or case. there’s not much extra storage, Providing space for a house Destefano recommends buying guest’s things is as important an ottoman with a storage as providing a place to sleep, compartment. because it will help you main“It’s a great place to store tain order in the home, said the bedding and pillows,” she Barnett, an interior designer. said. “They’re available at all You have to strike a balance be- different price points.” tween “making the guest feel Try to locate your guest in a welcome and not making you spot that allows some privacy, feel like your home’s been tak- Destefano said. She suggests en over,” she said. placing air mattresses or sleepThat’s especially true during ing bags in nooks or low-traffic holiday visits, when there tends areas of the house. to be extra clutter and activity, It’s acceptable to ask guests said Randi Destefano of Auto put away their bedding or thentic Living Interiors in Atclose up a sleeper couch each lanta. Before guests arrive, morning, particularly if they think about where they will are sleeping in a home office or
MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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other room that family members need to use, Barnett said. “Make a rule that they make their bed or move stuff off the furniture,” she said. If an adult is going to sleep in a child’s room, try to clear out toys and clutter, said Hoyt Dottry, president of the South Carolina Bed and Breakfast Association. “Put away as much as possible to make it feel like a guest room,” said Dottry, owner of Walnut Lane Inn in Lyman, S.C. When furnishing a child’s room, consider how often it will double as a guest room. If a lot of company is expected, choose a double or queen-size bed for the room. “Don’t buy bunk beds,” Barnett said. “Nobody’s grandma wants to be climbing up a ladder to get in somebody’s bunk bed.” Regardless of where guests are sleeping, provide them with an alarm clock and night light, added Kevin Sharkey, executive editorial director of decorating
RISKS
false sense that the current low prices will be around forever. While there is more interest in buying a From Page E1 foreclosed home, 81 percent of U.S. adults recognize there are downsides to the deal. Top concerns about buying a foreclosure RealtyTrac, an Irvine, Calif.-based foreclowere hidden costs, a risky process and that sure Web site. He said that 3 million the home may lose value. homes would likely be listed in a forecloCarol Wagner, a Realtor with Real Estate sure filing this year, up from 2.8 million One in Commerce Township, Mich., said last year. that one of the biggest drawbacks in a buyRealtyTrac data shows that banks would ing a foreclosure is that it comes without repossess 1.2 million properties this year. seller’s disclosures. Less than 1 million foreclosed properties “So some people don’t want to buy them are being absorbed annually in the market because they don’t know what’s involved,” now, he said. “The pipeline is continuing to exceed the she said. “Most people looking at foreclosures now are investors.” market’s appetite for these properties,” Sharga said. “The inventory is going to Kevin Suksi, a financial services industry continue to depress home prices for the recruiter by day and real estate investor by next couple of years.” night who lives in Dearborn, Mich., said While the market recovery may be three that investors rarely buy the move-in ready years off, buyers should not be lulled into a foreclosures. Those largely go to owner-oc-
for Martha Stewart Living. Guests also need a place to plug in cell phones and other electronic devices, he said. Filling a basket with snacks, candy and bottled water is a nice touch, Dottry said. A guest will feel more comfortable taking something from the basket rather than going into the cupboard or refrigerator. Still, it’s a good idea to give guests a tour of the kitchen, and let them know what there is to eat and drink, Dottry said. “Take them to the refrigerator and say, ‘This is what I’ve got. This is all for your use if you get hungry,’” he said. Don’t forget to provide house guests with a key to the front door, Dottry said. Having one makes them feel more comfortable about coming and going as they wish. And it’s OK to insist that they return it. “Tell them, ‘This is so-andso’s key and I need to get it back,’” he said.
cupants, who are willing to offer more money. Instead, investors look for houses with bruises that they can fix and sell or rent for income. “Everyone wants a deal right now, but what will they deal with?” Suksi said. “I think people will deal with paint and carpet and things like that, but when it comes to major structural problems they steer clear.” Two-thirds of survey respondents said they expected to pay 30 percent less for a foreclosed home when compared with a similar home not in foreclosure. The online survey of 2,034 adults included 1,329 homeowners and 652 renters. The survey also found that 48 percent of homeowners with a mortgage admitted they would consider walking away if their mortgage was underwater.
OUTLOOK From Page E1
mance of the housing and mortgage markets in 2011,” he said. “Economic recovery should accelerate gradually over the year, with the second half of 2011 exhibiting more growth and job creation than the early part of the year,” Nothaft said. Employment is important because potential home buyers need a job, income, and savings to qualify for a mortgage, he said. Improved consumer confidence is another, since if consumers are worried about their economic future, or whether house prices will fall, then they will be reluctant to buy. Nothaft believes 30year fixed rates will stay below 5 percent in 2011 and home prices will bottom in the first half and rise 1 percent for the year, combining to keep homeownership affordable. With rising rates, and because most people able to refinance have done so already, mortgage originations will drop in 2011, al-
though there will be an increase in loans to buy houses, he said. Conventional wisdom says, since housing’s bust led the United States into this downturn, then a true recovery cannot begin until housing recovers first. “The problem with the housing sector is that, historically, it isn’t so much an input to the economy, as an outcome of it,” Nothaft said. “When the economy is generally doing well, so too is housing, but the reverse is not so clear.” Government intervention simply delayed further house-price declines, “while at the same time, blowing the taxpayers’ money,” he said. “The government should tend to reducing the national debt, lowering and simplifying the tax burden, promoting job growth, and keeping the currency and macroeconomy sound,” Gillen said. “If it takes care of that, housing will eventually take care of itself.”
“The problem with the housing sector is that, historically, it isn’t so much an input to the economy, as an outcome of it. When the economy is generally doing well, so too is housing, but the reverse is not so clear.” — Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft 51-320332
saturday PRICE
LOCATION
ADDRESS
HRS
sunday OFFICE
PHONE
FROM THE NW LOVELAND $140’S
43RD & WILSON AVE. THE COTTAGES AT 12-5 ENCHANTMENT RIDGE
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
140’S-220’S SE LOVELAND
BOISE VILLAGE NO., ¼ MI. SO. OF HWY 34 10-6 ON N BOISE AVE., 1899 E. 11TH
MIDTOWN HOMES
$169,900*
NW LOVELAND
4403 ELLIOT PL
12-5
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
$170,000
BERTHOUD
10818 CIMARRON ST #204
12-3
THE GROUP INC
970-556-3516
$172,500
SW LOVELAND
541 SHERRI DR
3-5
THE GROUP INC
970-231-0234
$179,900
JOHNSTOWN/ MILLIKEN
1849 CHESAPEAKE CIRCLE A, B, C
12-3
THE GROUP INC
970-567-0907
$220,000
WINDSOR
610 MOONGLOW DR
1-4
THE GROUP INC
970-219-5219
$232,000
NW LOVELAND
4496 HAYLER AVE
12-5
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
$241,500
SW LOVELAND
2102 FARISITA DR
1-3
THE GROUP INC
970-631-2257
STARTING @ NE LOVELAND $250’S
1563 LA JARA ST/LAKES POINT
1-4
BURNS CONSTRUCTION
970-669-8386
$279,000
NW LOVELAND
1506 FARMLAND
1-3
THE GROUP INC
970-218-1891
$298,664
NW LOVELAND
4355 RIDGWAY DR
1-4
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
$308,500
WINDSOR
7409 PIMLICO DR
12-5
THE GROUP INC
970-443-4047
SW LOVELAND
¼ MILE WEST OF WILSON ON 14TH ST. SW/HWY 402 TO THE DAKOTA GLEN SUBDIVISION
12-4
GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA
970-663-4522
$323,400
970-456-4600
$358,700
NE LOVELAND
2963 PURGATORY CREEK DR
12-2
PRUDENTIAL RKY MTN 970-290-8309 REALTORS
$389,750
SW LOVELAND
975 PRISM CACTUS CIRCLE
12-4
GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA
970-663-4522
To add a listing or speak to an advertising representative, call the Reporter-Herald at 669-5050
PRICE
LOCATION
ADDRESS
HRS
OFFICE
PHONE
FROM THE $140’S
NW LOVELAND
43RD & WILSON AVE. THE COTTAGES AT ENCHANTMENT RIDGE
12-5
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
140’S-220’S SE LOVELAND
BOISE VILLAGE NO., ¼ MI. SO. OF HWY 34 10-6 ON N BOISE AVE., 1899 E. 11TH
MIDTOWN HOMES
$169,900*
NW LOVELAND
4403 ELLIOT PLACE
12-5
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
$170,000
BERTHOUD
10818 CIMARRON ST #204
12-3
THE GROUP INC
970-556-3516
$179,900
JOHNSTOWN/ MILLIKEN
1849 CHESAPEAKE CIRCLE A, B, C
12-3
THE GROUP INC
970-567-0907
$220,000
WINDSOR
610 MOONGLOW DR
1-4
THE GROUP INC
970-219-5219
$232,000
NW LOVELAND
4496 HAYLER AVE
12-5
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
STARTING @ NE LOVELAND $250’S
1563 LA JARA ST/LAKES POINT
1-4
BURNS CONSTRUCTION970-669-8386
$269,000
SW LOVELAND
577 CANDELARIA
11-2
THE GROUP INC
$298,664
NW LOVELAND
4355 RIDGWAY DR
1-4
THE COTTAGE REALTY 970-532-5900
$308,500
WINDSOR
7409 PIMLICO DR
12-5
THE GROUP INC
970-443-4047
$323,400
SW LOVELAND
¼ MILE WEST OF WILSON ON 14TH ST. SW/HWY 402 TO THE DAKOTA GLEN SUBDIVISION
12-4
GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA
970-663-4522
$389,750
SW LOVELAND
975 PRISM CACTUS CIRCLE
12-4
GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA
970-663-4522
970-456-4600
970-481-1250
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 December 18, 2010 E6
H&RE Front Range Gardening
Flower Power Benefit from the psychological effects of floral arrangements CAROL O'MEARA CSU EXTENSION
I
f the guests you’re expecting bring more stress than happiness, consider using your décor to keep them in line. Through the help of modern psychology and strategic arrangements, your gathering can be a civilized affair. But it’s not the seating charts or furniture that will save you; it’s your bouquets. Two studies, one conducted by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the other by Dr. Jeannette HavilandJones, Professor of Psychology at Rutgers, show that there really is power in flowers. Looking at the links between humans and blos-
soms, both studies suggest that human behavior can be improved by the presence of flowers. Here are a few of their findings to help you keep the holidays cheerful. Place flowers in rooms where they’ll have the most impact: kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms. Their presence is enough to soothe the savage beast, or at least make them tolerable for an hour or two. By triggering the feeling of happiness, flowers increase connection between people, bringing them together in a positive manner. In both studies, people felt less negative after being around flowers, and Etcoff’s study found that flowers improve compassion and kindness for others, something that should come in handy with judgmental visitors. Seat the pessimists near a display of brightly colored posies; perhaps they’ll overlook their feelings on your cooking this year. Have someone who loves to argue in the group? Hand them a flower whenever they warm up to
a topic; it will bring a smile and better behavior. According to HavilandJones, people entering an elevator — a place of social awkwardness — acted in a more socially positive way when handed a flower, as opposed to another gift or nothing at all. At the very least, handing them flowers one by one over the event will keep their mind on your mental stability and off of debates. Want to show off your antique end table without running the risk of careless water rings left by the drinks of distracted guests? Let a floral arrangement of holly provide protection for the table. The deep green, glossy leaves bedecked in berries look glorious in a winter bouquet, but a few nips from their razor-sharp spines will have your guests looking elsewhere to set their glasses (this advice is not part of the studies. It’s a trick I’ve picked up over the years). For best effect, spread the holly along the lower and middle section of the display, keeping the size of the arrangement wide enough to discourage drinks but show off the table. If you’d like to tamp down your guests’ baser instincts, whip up a few floral arrangements. Oasis blocks, found at local hobby
stores, hold water and fresh flow- the oasis. ers or branches when you’re not Begin at the bottom of the using a vase. Soak the oasis in wa- display, layering greenery in a ter for a half hour before use, circle as a foundation for the then place in a shallow bowl or design. Work around the artray. rangement in an upward circle Choose a variety of material to place material into the foam. from your garden and the local If arranging for the center of a florists’ shop. If using fresh ever- table, keep the design low to greens, snip the ends before inavoid obstructions to conversaserting them into the oasis, cut tions with those on the other stems at differing lengths to keep side of the table. Mist your arthe arrangement interesting. rangement daily. Strip off leaves or needles from any part of the stem that will be inserted into the oaCarol O’Meara is with sis. CSU Extension in When inserting anything Boulder County. into the oasis, take care to Contact her at push the stem only once; 303-678-6238 or avoid pulling it back out to comeara@co reseat it. This causes an air .boulder.co.us. pocket between the stem end and the foam, and the Front Range Gardening plant won’t get water from
Give the gift of gardening Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, are also always needed. One of the best expendecember is a low point in the garden- able gift items is twine, useful for such things as tying ing year, but a high point for giving gifts to gar- up tomato, delphinium and deners. Most obvious would pea plants, laying out garbe a plant. Every gardener, den rows or beds, and lashno matter how long they’ve ing together bamboo stakes. Natural twines, such been gardening, gets a as cotton, jute and hemp, thrill when opening a box are best for gardening bewith a plant in it. cause they can be tossed, along with tied plants, into SPECIAL PLANTS The plants that most gar- the compost pile at seadeners would be thrilled to son’s end. receive this time of year GIFTS THAT LAST would be those providing winter fragrance or blosEnduring gifts can be as soms, or both. A good place welcome as expendable to start looking would be a ones. Tools are an obvious local nursery. choice, but choose carefulGardenia, jasmine, ly. Too many gadgets end camellia and citrus fit the up gathering dust in the bill for anyone with a green back corner of a garage or thumb and a cool, bright shed. room. Where heat, humidiSome gadgets that are ty and sunlight create a sure to get used include an more tropical atmosphere, electronic moisture probe, choose from such beauties a rain gauge, a compost as bougainvillea, abutilon thermometer, and a therand allamanda. mometer that records miniA lack of sunny windows mum and maximum as well should not present a probas current temperatures. lem. Just shift gears and Self-watering seed flats think foliage: ferns, such as (the APS Starter Kit from the dainty maidenhair or Gardener’s Supply Compathe eerie rabbit’s-foot, with ny, www.gardeners.com) its furry “foot” attempting will free a gardener from escape over the edge of the daily watering chores in pot; or rosemary, pretty and spring. (Watering is still fragrant whether or not it needed, but weekly, perflowers; or cute baby’shaps, rather than daily.) tears, always lush and For a decorative pot for a green. larger plant, consider plastic ones that look just like NEEDED GIFTS terra-cotta but dry out less Shift gears again now and readily and stand up to move beyond plants to exweather better. pendable items: Something even bigger? A good pair of gardening gloves — either soft leather, A rain barrel, for catching and making good use of wacotton with rubber-coated palms and fingers, perhaps ter from a gutter’s downspout. gloves made of some innovative material — are essential, and rarely last more AND, OF COURSE, BOOKS than a year or two. The best gardening books Potting soil is an expend- provide both information and inspiration, or at least able gift that you can buy a healthy dose of one. Just or, like cupcakes, make yourself. For homemade as with garden tools, don’t potting soil, mix together be enticed too quickly by equal parts peat, perlite, what is splashy, colorful and compost and garden soil, most promoted. Some of then put the mix through the best gardening books some quarter-inch mesh were written decades ago. hardware cloth. Step into a used bookstore; Plant labels, which could you might find a gem of an be nothing more than old gardening book there.
LEE REICH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
To place an ad, call 970-635-3650 or go to www.ReporterHerald.com/classifieds and place your ad any time of the day or night. Fax: 970-635-3677…email: classifieds@reporter-herald.com
Duplexes 4060 Houses Apartments/ Unfurnished 4030 2 Bdrm- 141 Glenda, $775 2 BDRM, 1 BA, spacious living & dining, A/C close to shops! 1707 Cheyenne Ave #7. R/D $550, H20, Sewer & gas pd, Faith Property 970-377-1626
Apartments/ Furnished 4010 Kitchenettes. Weekly, monthly rates. Util. pd. Satellite TV, laundry rm. 970-663-0400
Apartments/ Unfurnished 4030 ”0“ UTILS! 1 or 2 room studios, vintage apts. Onsite mgmt. W/D, WiFi, DirTV $335-$630 970-219-6353 1 Bath Studio, $410/mo 220 E. 2nd, full kitchen Call rmpm.com 669-0842
2 BDRM, 1 BAth APT All utilities incl, quiet area, huge living room. Only $665/mo. Call 970-669-1375
2 BDRM, 1 BA, $650/mo. WTR. PD! 2346 S Colorado, Quiet. No smk/pets. 970-218-0510
NICE! Big Kitchen Call rmpm.com 669-0842
2 BDRM- 1624 E. 17th, $625. Patio, shared garage. Call rmpm.com 669-0842
2 BDRM, 1 ba, 703 36th St, 2 BDRM, 1 BA,top level, Evans, wtr/swr/trsh pd, pets neg $650/mo corner unit, new carpet. lndry on site. 1155 E 5th St. Faith Property 970-377-1626 $575, wtr/swr/gas pd. N/P $250 move-in special! Faith Property 970-377-1626 2 BDRM- 2343 SW 10th, 2 BDRM apt in SW Lvld is $795/mo. Frplc, 1 car gar Call rmpm.com 669-0842 bright & cozy warm. New carpet, W/D hkkups, off street prkg, low utils. Priv owner/quiet 4-plex. Avail NOW. $625 Wil 970-690-5261 3 BDRM- 1100 N. Taft, $1095/mo. 55+ community Call rmpm.com 669-0842 3 BD or 2 BD- Free rent! Pets nego. Quiet & spac. $625-$795. 970-223-1349
3 BDRM 1 BA apt, spacious 1 BDRM/1 BA ground level and bright, 910 N Douglas end unit w/ coin-op laun- $695 www.FTCRENT.com 970-226-5600 dry, no pets, 558 10th St Armadillo 970-416-RENT. rentfortcollins.com LUXURIOUS UPSCALE APARTMENTS STUDIO, 1, 2, & 3 1 BDRM- 341 N. Garfield $425. Main level, open kitch BEDROOMS- Pool, hot tub, 24 hr. fitness center, Call rmpm.com 669-0842 business center, coffee shop, salon, pizza & deli. OPEN HOUSE, Mon-Fri ✭ 1 BDRM apt, $500, 9am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm. Mobile Home $550, 325 E. 5th St., Loveland. rent includes utilities. 1-888-822-9346 430 E Eisenhower. Estate Builder 970-667-3400 1 2 BDRM, 1.5 ba, remod- $950/Mo, ⁄2 Mo Rent Free eled! Hkups, $800/mo, wtr/ 2 Bdrm /2 Full Ba, W/D inc, new carpet, built 2000, sewer pd. 1842 E 17th St, Faith Property 970-377-1626 balcony. 970-667-7000x106 1043 Eagle Dr Lvld 2 bdrm 1 ba, 311 N. 1st St, Johnstown H20, sewer, BDRM, 1 BA, hw flrs, $495 trash pd, spacious living 211 W. 8th St, Avail now! areas, great location! Faith Property 970-377-1626 $510/mo Must see! Faith Property 970-377-1626
4080 Houses
3 BDRM- 1416 W. 25th, $895 Deck, fncd yd, 1 car gar Call rmpm.com 669-0842
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY All real estate advertised in this paper is subject to the federal and state Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. 2 BDRM- 124 W. 10th, $750/mo. Pets nego, CUTE! Call rmpm.com 669-0842
3 BDRM, 1 bath 502-504 Jocelyn, Lvld, 2 car gar, fncd, N/P, N/S $775/mo + dep. 1 Avail 12/10 & 1 Avail 1/1. 970-586-1669
2 BDRM- 925 Lincoln, $995. Old Town, GREAT! Call rmpm.com 669-0842
Commercial Industrial 4040
3 BDRM- 222 SW 42nd, $850 Newer carpet, BIG! Call rmpm.com 669-0842 3 BDRM, 2 ba, Tri-level, frpl, gar, 766 21st St SW, $1250/mo Faith Property 970-377-1626
AVAIL IMMED! 1200 SF- 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, fncd bkyd & carport. $850 + $850 dep + 3 BDRM- 517 E. 50th, $1125 Pets nego, firelplace 1900 sq ft Warehouse/retail utils. Lvld, (303)772-7390 Call rmpm.com 669-0842 2 BDRM, 1 BA, bsmt apt, in Loveland. 2105 E 11th St, Unit 140. 970-396-1165. hkups, 1705 1/2 E 8th St, $725/mo Faith Property 4 BDRM- 568 Mesa Dr, 970-377-1626 $1350/mo. Fin bsmt, deck 6000 SF Retail/Warehouse Country duplex, 2 bdrm, Call rmpm.com 669-0842 2 BDRM, 1 BA, garden on Hwy 287. Overhead door. 1 ba, animals OK, on CR 13. level, lg LR/DR, close to 970-593-2401 or 970-227-7447. $850 inc utils. 970-219-3107 downtown, lndry on site. $99 MOVE IN SPECIAL 1145 E 5th St. 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, located in $550, wtr/swr/gas pd. N/P Milliken. $995, 970-310-3855 $250 move-in special! Faith Property 970-377-1626 Loveland ranch home, $1100. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, formal living/dining, den w/frpl, 2 BDRM, $695/mo + 2 BDRM 1.5 ba, W/D hkup, garage close to city park! elec, free heat & basic wtr/ht incl, $600/mo, 1721 E 2112 N Empire. cable. New carpet & 16th. No dogs. 970-420-2227 1 CAR GARAGE- $75/mo. Faith Property 970-377-1626 vinyl, fresh paint, Great for storage. newly remodeled ba. OWN your own home for rmpm.com. 970-669-0842 3 BDRM- 1.5 bath, 1 car No pets. 970-663-6787 or what you pay in Rent! gar. 521 W. 39th St. $800/ 970-430-0859 Lowest rates, mo. Call Tom 970-679-8567 $0 - $1000 Down Free Prequalification. 2 BDRM in LOVELAND 3 BDRM- 2212 SW 3rd Western Plains Realty STORAGE 20 x 40 $715 + deposit. Heat, $925- Fin bsmt, 1 car gar Ken or Tammy with 14´ overhead door. water, trash paid. Call rmpm.com 669-0842 970-663-5008 $325/mo. Call (970)481-5899 970-214-2057 or 970-266-0206
Condos/ Townhouses 4050 Garages/Storage Spaces 4070
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To ensure you receive the best response to your advertisement, please check your ad the first day of publication. We regret we cannot be responsible for more than one day´s incorrect insertion. Billing inquiries can be initiated within 30 days of ad expiration.
Commercial 5030
Mobile Homes/ Spaces 4090
LEASE 2400 SF Shop with 300 SF Office, $980/mo Also avail, 3 bdrm house w/ 3 car gar, additional $900/ mo. Call (719)433-5095
2 Bdrm- 2704 Mallow, $595 Pets nego, 1 car garage Call rmpm.com 669-0842
Farms, Ranches, Acreages 5050
✭ 3 BDRM, 1 BATH ✭ W. Hwy 34. $675/mo + dep. Pets on appr. Se Habla Espanol, 970-685-8573
WOW WHAT VIEWS!
✭ 2 BEDROOM HOMES ✭ $575 to $650 + dep. W. Hwy 34. Pets on appr Se Habla Espanol 970-685-8573
LIKE NEW HOMES DBLWIDES & SINGLES Easy Credit. Low Down! Buy or Rent. Call now. 970-420-8488
2.8 acres, water tap in & paid. Electric close, septic needed & Ish res irrig wtr. $100K, just SE of Berthoud. Call Mark Sullivan at ERA Tradewind (303)684-6335
Loveland
5110
$1,150/Month, 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba Ranch, built 2009. Full bsmt, lg gar. 970-402-6432 1899 E 11th St Lvld
Move Your Home FREE! LOT RENT STARTING @ 3 Bdrm- 1216 Hilltop, $1125 $199. 250+ Communities to MUST SEE! So Nice! choose from. Offer expires Call rmpm.com 669-0842 1/10/2011. 970-377-0990
3 BDRM, 2 ba, gar, W/D hkps, $700. No pets/smk. 8 3 BDRM, 1.75 BA ranch, Birkley Ct Lvld 970-667-3353 new carpet & paint, 2 car gar. 2514 N Empire, avail 1/1, $1100/mo. 970-690-1211 3 BDRM- 3407 Ash, $825 1 car gar, fncd yard. Call rmpm.com 669-0842
4080
Office Space 4100 A picture is worth
a thousand words
Downtown corner loc, bldg w/ 3 ofcs/recept area. 4 car prkg. $1000/mo 970-667-5145 West Eisenhower Office 4 room office suite. Eisenhower Frontage. Plently of off-street parking. Elegant historic building. $1250/per month plus utilities for all or will subdivide. 970-481-7580
Roommates Wanted 4120 1 ROOM AVAIL in Jan. Quiet 5 bdrm home. Share ba, lndry. No smoke. Clean & responsible. Need credit report. $225. 970-481-2222 Roommate Wanted- house in Old Town Fort Collins, 1 mile N. of CSU. $325/mo. + utils. Female, under 21 preferred. (720(560-7258
Retail Space 4135 Retail & Office Spaces. Starting at $225. Utilities Included. 970-613-1477
Try a classified picture ad! Call for details
970-635-3650
Mobile/ Manufactured Homes/ Spaces 5130 ✭
MOBILE HOMES ✭ BUYING/SELLING Beautiful Home in Lvld Sunset Retirement Park, only $14,900. We´re buying too! Big Sale! Many single & dbl wides. Fin avl, auto approval on owner financed homes. 970-222-1473 ✭ 690-2725 or 690-3283 ✭ 14´X70´ in Adult Park ● Very well kept in great condition! 3 bedroom, 2 ba, all appliances. Asking $33,500. 1351 Sylmar Park. (970)667-5868, lv msg.
2 BDRM, 2 ba mobile home All new winds, vinyl siding. $7000/obo. 970-669-0865
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