Real Estate Guide

Saturday Reporter-Herald December 25, 2010 E1

Real Estate Matters

www.homeandrealtyguide.com • Saturday, December 25, 2010 • Reporter-Herald

Founded on Integrity

Quitclaim deeds vs. living trusts

Cornerstone Mortgage Company returns to Colorado

ILYCE GLINK AND SAMUEL J. TAMKIN TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Q

uestion: My dad bought a house in his name only. Later, he married my aunt. They had a living trust done to leave everything to all of their children. My aunt showed me a quitclaim deed my dad had signed that gave her the house.

She wasn’t sure if this was right. I told her to ask the attorney who did the living trust. She said she did and the attorney said it was OK, as that the trust would supersede the quitclaim deed. Is this true?

Answer: Generally, the answer to your question would be “No.” But, there are some exceptions.

If your dad and your aunt transferred title to the home into the living trust, the living trust would and should be the owner of the property. Many people work hard and set up living trusts, only to forget to transfer the property they own into the living trust.

In order for a living trust to work right, the living trust must be the owner of the property. A quitclaim deed transfers any interest a person has in a property to a second person. If the person signing the quitclaim deed does not own an interest in a property, the quitclaim deed does not transfer anything. So, if the living trust owns your dad’s property, a quitclaim deed

PAID ADVERTORIAL

A

I See GLINK/Page E3

Inside this week’s Home & Real Estate Property of the Week

2963 Purgatory Creek Dr.

Page E3

Director y Page E5

s a company with fundamentals founded around honesty and integrity, and a customer-focused business model, it is no wonder why Cornerstone Mortgage Company is flourishing in the midst of a challenging economic climate.

In March, 2010, Cornerstone returned to Colorado after purchasing back the company in late 2006 from a national banking institution. Cornerstone now has 23 offices in Colorado, with a home base in Fort Collins, and is well-equipped to serve the lending needs of the entire front range. Additional offices are located in Greeley, Fort Collins, Longmont, Denver metro and numerous other Colorado cities.

The Colorado arm of Cornerstone is headed by Division President, Gene Humphries and Division Vice President, Jim Hunter. Both of whom have significant years in the industry as well as a close professional and personal relationship. Both men have a similar work ethic, and their commitment to the mortgage business and their customers is their number one priority.

Marc Laird, Cornerstone Chairman and CEO, said the company’s core values are what differentiates Cornerstone from other mortgage lenders.

“We’ve earned the opportunity to assist more than 140,000 homeowners with the purchase and refinance of their homes; 68 percent of our total loan volume is generated from repeat business and referrals from former homebuying customers, and we’ve grown to become the seventh-largest independent mortgage company in the nation,” he said.

Cornerstone’s reputation as a top home lender has been built on 22 years of operations. Cornerstone has found success in giving its loan officers the tools to exceed its cus-

tomers’ expectations. Cornerstone loan officers have access to a variety of systems and support staff that help them to provide their clients with mortgage guidance and planning.

“We value each and every one of our customers, and we want the very best for them and their individual financial futures,” Laird said. “We use every resource at our disposal to support our loan officers so that they can offer individualized customer service and the ideal mortgage solutions to all of their clients.”

AUTOMATED PRICING ENGINE Cornerstone’s loan officers are able to use an Automated Pricing Engine to instantly search among the company’s dozens of approved investor sources for the best price available to each client. They are then able to help each customer choose a loan program that best suits their personal financial goals.

“The Automated Pricing Engine is ideal for assisting our loan officers as they help their clients choose the mortgage program that will most benefit their long- and shortterm needs,” said Secondary Systems Administrator Anne Connolly. “It’s important to provide more than just a loan to customers. With the pricing engine, we are able to provide a solid plan on which they can design their future.”

Photo courtesy Cornerstone Mortgage

provide to best use the Automated Pricing Engine to find the right home loan program for each individual customer.”

offer as much support to their loan officers as possible so that they, in turn, could focus on the customer.

“Four years later, we opened the doors of our dream company, and all signs point to the fact that we were right,” Laird said.

A BRIEF HISTORY “Despite the cyclical Cornerstone was nature of the mortgage founded in 1988 by Laird industry, our basic princiand President and Chief ple of supporting our Loan Operating Officer Judith Officers so they can Belanger. In 1984 the two provide superior customer began working on a busiservice to their clients has ness model that would be served us well for 22 years. based on client satisfacI believe that principle tion, and that the best way will continue to be sucfor a large company to cessful as we re-enter achieve that would be to Colorado.” staff and proprietary, advanced technologies to make the loan approval process easy and timely.

Most importantly, we control our own processing, loan approval and loan funding functions to ensure that our loans close on time, all the time.”

STAFFED FOR SUCCESS In addition, Cornerstone’s loan officers are carefully selected and trained to give customers the best possible home lending experience.

“Cornerstone hires only the best professional, experienced loan originators who are passionate about serving their customers SECONDARY MARKETING and referral partners,” Laird said.

Cornerstone employs a “And we support our specialized Secondary loan originators with large Marketing Department that provides support sole- numbers of supporting ly to the company’s Loan Officers. They keep the Loan Officers up to date on regulation changes within the industry, new products available in the PAID ADVERTORIAL marketplace and changes in qualifications for existA dedicated loan officer with 37 ing programs. years of experience, Residential Home “Our Secondary MarketLoan Consultant Sara Hart loves to ing Department works help people finance their dream very hard to ensure that homes. She gives face-to-face personal our Loan Officers stay curservice and works hard to meet all rent with the industry’s contract approval and closing dates. many changes,” said Vice During her time in the mortgage inPresident of Secondary dustry, she has been a processor, an Marketing Dionne Ward. underwriter, a loan officer and an op“We pay attention to erations manager, but her true love is what our Loan Officers originating loans. She works tirelessly need to know and keep to get the best interest rates and fees them informed so they can possible for her clients and attends all focus on providing firstof her closings. In fact, she has no asclass service to their sistants, so she personally stays on top clients, and they are able to use the information we

Meet Sara Hart of all the processing and closings.

Sara attended Kearney State College, and has been married to her husband for 38 years. Their son Cody is her production partner, and together, they are known as the Hart Team. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as reading, golfing and travelling. She is trustworthy, knowledgeable and committed to excellence.

For first-class service from an experienced and friendly mortgage professional, please contact Sara Hart today at 970-797-3313 or at shart@houseloan.com. You can also visit her website at www.SaraHart.net to pre-qualify and experience the Cornerstone Difference.

Mortgage Rates Have Started to Rise!

Rates can’t stay low forever.

If you have been considering a refinance or purchase transaction please contact me today.

www.HartLending.com SARA HART Home Loan Consultant NMLS 269158

Direct: 970.797.3313

2809 E. Harmony Road, Suite 200 Fort Collins, Colorado 80528

970.206.4663

LMB100031305. To check the license status of your mortgage loan originator, visit http://www.dora.state.co.us/real-estate/index.htm

52-322609

Saturday Reporter-Herald December 25, 2010 E2

H&RE Real Estate Transactions • Brian & Dale Hill from Firstbank, 2493 Selenium Ct, Loveland, $135,000, home • Emil Abraham from Loveland MidLoveland town Development, • Vern Schramm 1738 E 9th St, Lovefrom Bank New York land, $176,400, Mellon, 4608 Norhome wood Ave, Loveland, • Carl & Connie $284,000, home Leonard from Love• Jamie Siefken land Midtown Develfrom Bnk Timberline opment, 1831 GemiConstruction In, ni Ct, Loveland, 2154 Nucla Ave, $175,200, home Loveland, $330,000, • Thomas & Vione home Delany from Moore Living Trust, 3310 • John & Patricia Apple Ave, Loveland, Rodgers from $216,000, home Michael Calvelage, 4739 Valley Oak Dr, • Jone Reddington Loveland, $721,000, from MSDS Properhome ties, 319 Reagan Dr, • Jared & Chelsea Loveland, $216,500, home Heveran from Deutsche Bank Na• Carl & Joni tional Trust C, 517 Coniglio from Star Sunnyslope Pl, Love- West LLC , 162 Brass land, $132,000, Ct, Loveland, $193,900, home home Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., 1151 Eagle Drive No. 467, Loveland, CO 80537, 667-1537.

• Brian & Dana Stringer from Edward Winters, 2882 Ariel Dr, Loveland, $225,000, home • T L Robinson from Phyllis Bassett, 558 W 10th St, Loveland, $1,135,000, home • Tyler Allen from Trevor Charlson, 175 Carina Cir Unit 104, Loveland, $152,000, condo • Kayleena Brownson from Loveland Habitat For Humanity, 2118 E 11th St, Loveland, $167,000, home • Timm Revocable from Gary Brack, 1314 35th St Sw, Loveland, $151,000, home • Letha & Letha Robinson from Gilmore Family, 544 W 10th St, Loveland, $121,000, home • Michael Colley

from Jeffrey Swartz, 3113 Ivy Dr, Loveland, $240,000, home • Cory & Kimberly Windels from Windmill Properties #2 LLC , 4748 Lucille Ct, Loveland, $279,900, home

ra Born from 2760 Fall River Road #215 LLC , 2760 Fall River Rd Unit 215, Estes Park, $184,000, condo • Mark & Amy Ekerberg from James Ekerberg, 2315 Spruce Ave, Estes Park, $292,000, home Berthoud • William Melton • Andressa Marlan from Lynn Lucht, from Rocky Mountain District Evange, 510 Devon Dr, Estes Park, $320,000, 624 E County Road home 8, Berthoud, $218,000, home • Lynn Lucht from Francis Neumayer, • Chad & Tiffany 575 Devon Dr Unit A, Hymel from James Wilson, 3100 Cotton- Estes Park, wood Ln, Berthoud, $375,000, condo $356,000, home

$185,700, home • Walter Morrison from VA, 912 Conifer Ct, Windsor, $148,000, home • Victoria Wagner from Jewell Warner, 1769 Dolores River Dr, Windsor, $285,000, home • John & Shelly Burton from Morgan Stanley Abs Capital, 1232 Teakwood Ct, Windsor, $207,000, Milliken home • Brian Luna from • Russell & Carol Windmills LLC , Kates from Strath2801 Prairie Dr, Mil- more Homes I Inc, liken, $164,300, 6620 Crooked Stick home Dr, Windsor, $445,000, home Windsor • Dustin Heller Johnstown from Aspen Homes • Daniel Mcguire Estes Park Colo Inc, 1980 E • Stanley Walker from Bac Home • Michael & Paula from Scott Pickering, Loans Servicing Lp, Seadrift Dr, Windsor, Jeffress from Richard 311 Saxony Rd, 725 Apple Ct, Wind- $353,100, home Johnstown, Skinner, 1180 Fairsor, $120,000, home • Carol Crandall way Club Cir Unit 2, $325,000, home • Dwane & Maxine from Susan LindEstes Park, • Aaron & BrittaBurton from Donald holm, 1380 Saginaw $365,000, condo nia Rice from OakBurton, 1011 CotPointe Dr, Windsor, • Richard & Debo- wood Homes LLC , tonwood Dr, Windsor, $220,000, home

Regional Snapshot for Loveland/Berthoud Residential September

October

November

Active Listings Previous Year Active Listings

1,027 1,031

969 963

903 882

Sold Listings

114

105

90

Median Sales Price Previous Year Median

EDITORIAL INFORMATION 635-3656

$196,000 $187,500

$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

Average Days on the Market Previous Year ADOM

$206,819 $194,900

Home & Real Estate is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald.

From dream to income stream ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

F

or those who’ve ever dreamed of buying a vacation home in the mountains, on the beach, or in the big city, it’s becoming easier and more common for people to make that dream a reality.

In fact, Americans bought more than half a million vacation homes last year, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Low mortgage rates, median sale prices that were down more than 15 percent, and the potential for generating substantial rental revenue are among the reasons many have made their dreams of a second home come true.

While baby boomers have historically led vacation home purchases, nearly half of the buyers in 2009 were under the age of 45, and the median household income of vacation home buyers was $87,500 — down from $99,100 just two years ago.

“An increasing number of younger buyers are getting into the market, seeing a vacation home as a long-term investment and a source for ongoing personal enjoyment and memories,” said Tom Kelly, author of “How a Second Home Can Be Your Best Investment.”

Kelly points to the NAR Investment and Home Buyers Survey that found vacation homeowners plan to own their homes for an average of 16 years, up from 12 years in 2008 and 10 years in 2007.

HomeAway, Inc., which operates online vacation rental sites Home Away.com, VRBO.com and Vacation Rentals.com, has grown dramatically since it was founded in 2005. The company now boasts more than 540,000 vacation home listings.

“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for vacation home owners to advertise their properties and manage their bookings online,” said Brian Sharples, founder and chief executive officer of HomeAway. “We literally deliver millions of rental inquiries each year to our owners who list their homes for rent on our sites.”

OFFSETTING THE COST OF VACATION Those inquiries can lead to substanHOME OWNERSHIP tial revenue. Sharples said the average More people are able to afford a vaca- second homeowner rents out their proption home due in large part to the poerty to travelers about 20 weeks a year, tential revenue stream that comes with generating more than $35,000 in rental renting the home to travelers — some- income annually. thing that’s become especially easy “The rental income that our homethanks to the rapid growth of the online owners generate can help cover a vacation rental industry in the past few typical second home mortgage as years. well as basic home maintenance and

3860 Balsawood Ln, Johnstown, $196,800, home • Jorge Coblentz from Oakwood Homes LLC , 3946 Kenwood Cir, Johnstown, $206,800, home • Jaime Duncan from Mark Torres, 4220 Onyx Pl, Johnstown, $183,000, home

Mortgage rate update This week Last week Trend

30-year fixed

4.96%

5.07%

15-year fixed

4.29%

4.45%

5/1 ARM

3.80%

3.80%

—

For home and real estate advice, features and information, visit www.homeandrealtyguide.com

NAR spurs improvements in second home/ rental market COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

T ThinkStock photos

repairs,” he said.

TIPS FOR GENERATING RENTAL INCOME FROM A VACATION HOME For those in the market to buy a vacation home, Kelly offers the following tips for where to buy, what to consider and how to maximize rental income.

1. Carefully review the destinations where you enjoy vacationing, and before you buy, consider the areas where consumer demand for vacation rentals is high.

2. Talk to an accountant about the tax advantages of owning and renting out a second home.

3. When you’re ready to rent out the property, be sure to market the availability of the vacation rental to travelers by advertising it.

4. Check out other similar vacation rentals in the area to determine what rates they’re charging, and price your home competitively.

he National Association of Realtors is being extremely diligent in looking out for the second home markets nationwide. Last week during a conference call with NAR’s Resort Leadership and two of their lobbyists, Russell Riggs and Linda Goold, they gave participants an update on President Obama’s Deficit Reduction Commission recommendations including a measure that would be very detrimental to the Resort and second home markets. The Resort and Second Home Committee gave NAR’s Policy Committee five recommendations on current issues they believe will improve the Resort and Second Home markets.

• GSE Lending and Liquidity: Encourage the GSE’s (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to review and reform their restrictive lending practices and guidelines in condominium markets nationwide, especially in active resort and second home real estate markets.

• Flood, Disaster and Property Insurance: Reauthorize and strengthen the long-term fiscal viability of the National Flood Insurance Program (including accurate flood maps) and establish a comprehensive national policy to coordinate state efforts and address a broader range of natural disasters through property insurance.

• H-2B Visa Program: Improve the H-2B program by increasing the current number of visas available for temporary workers by reducing the program costs and regulatory burdens on employers to take advantage of the program.

• Reforms to the Clean Water Act: Oppose legislation that seeks to expand Federal permitting authority to non-navigable waters such as roadside ditches and ephemeral streams.

• Short Sales: Educate members and lenders about the adverse economic impacts from the ongoing concern in short sales.

You can contact George Harvey, NAR ViceChairman of the Resort and Second Home Committee with any questions and comments at 970729-0111 or at george@theharveyteam.net.

Saturday Reporter-Herald December 25, 2010 E3

H&RE Property of the Week

GLINK From Page E1

signed after the transfer of the property to the trust should not transfer any interest in the property to your aunt.

But, if the property was never transferred into the living trust and your father signed a quitclaim deed transferring title of the property to your aunt, your aunt would be the sole owner of the property today. If your aunt has that quitclaim deed and it was recorded, she should be the owner of the property. If your aunt has the quitclaim deed but it has not been recorded, then there is a question as to who owns the property at this time.

You would need to know whether the property was ever transferred into the name of the trust or not. If the property is still in your father’s name, the living trust won’t have anything to transfer to the children upon your father’s and aunt’s deaths. And, if that quitclaim deed is recorded, the property would be in your aunt’s name and the property would transfer in accordance to her wishes in her will or as set forth by the laws in the state in which the property is located or where she dies.

It’s worth asking some more questions to find out what is going on, particularly if the attorney told her that the living trust should take care of the property. If the living trust is to take care of the property, the next question to ask is what the purpose of the quitclaim deed was.

If you get your questions answered and feel comfortable, you should end up fine. If you still have questions, you might want to get a second opinion from a different estate planning attorney.

(Samuel J. Tamkin is a Chicagobased real estate attorney. Ilyce R. Glink’s latest book is “Buy, Close, Move In!” If you have questions for them, write: Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, IL 60022 or contact them through Ilyce’s Web site, www.thinkglink.com.)

2963 Purgatory Creek Dr., Loveland Price: $358,700 Built in: 2007 Square feet: 1,939 Bedrooms: 2 Office: Yes Bathrooms: 2

T

his is a former Seven Lakes Patio Show Home by Glen Properties. The home has a spacious, open floor plan with an extra large living room, hardwood floors, a huge slab granite kitchen island, custom tile work, a gas fire place and more.

The home is in a maintenance free community with lawn care and snow removal provided by the HOA. Enjoy numerous walking paths and lake rights.

Contact: Don Mackey at dmackey@prurmr.com or 970-667-2510

Find a pro to help you get organized in the New Year METRO CREATIVE SERVICES

This can be done over the phone or by e-mail.

Some professional organizers offer free, in-pert's not uncommon for individuals to hire a son consultations. Others may charge for a consultation but credit the fee to the first bill personal trainer to help improve their health. Nor is it out of the ordinary to hire if they're hired.

• Professional organizers may have a pricing a nutritionist to help a person improve their plan in place, and others may be flexible. eating habits.

Some charge by the hour, while others use a Along those same lines, individuals might per-project rate. Upon learning about the orhire a professional organizer to help them establish and maintain a sense of order they find ganization project needed, the organizer will be better equipped to give a rate. Pricing may difficult to do on their own. also vary depending on geographic location The new year has arrived and once again thousands of people are adding "get organized" and how much competition is in the area.

• Some professional organizers are trained to their list of New Year's resolutions. For to work with individuals with clinical disormany, come February or March such resolutions are long since forgotten, and the messes ders, such as ADD or compulsive hoarding. If organization is being done as part of a psychothat sparked the resolution in the first place remain largely untouched. Relying on the ser- logical or medical treatment plan, a doctor vices of a professional organizer can help indi- may be able to refer an organizer who works viduals to finally conquer clutter and other or- with patients. Other organizers hold certifications in certain areas, such as interior design ganizational tasks. or feng shui. Questioning the organizer can When choosing a professional organizer, help a prospective client learn about the orgathere are some things to keep in mind.

• Not all professional organizers provide the nizer's certification and style. same type of assistance. Some organizers only • To begin searching for a professional orgahelp corporate clients, while others may have nizer, one may want to use the resources of certain niches, like organizing closets or filing the National Association of Professional Orgasystems. It's important to ask prospective pro- nizers. Membership does not guarantee a qualfessionals what their areas of specialty might ity job or that the organizer will be the right be. fit, but it is an indication that the organizer has a commitment to continuing education • Meeting with professional organizers can help narrow down the one that will work best. and an industry code of ethics.

I

FEATURED PROPERTIES - VIEW PROPERTIES AT HOMEANDREALTYGUIDE.COM UP TO $199,999 LARGE CORNER LOT ON CUL-DE-SAC!

Happy Holidays from 3402 Red Maple Court Updated Ranch, attached 3-car garage! 3bd, 2ba, new tile, carpet, paint & fresh new feel.

Mstr bdrm has 3/4 bath. Covered east side patio. RV/boat parking. No HOA dues! MLS #640718. $190,000 52-322021

Jim Chance The Group, Inc. Real Estate 970-388-4261 jchance@thegroupinc.com www.thegroupinc.com/3402

homeandrealtyguide.com Your online and print resource for residential, commercial and land for sale

MCS Photo

Saturday Reporter-Herald December 25, 2010 E4

H&RE Real Estate Matters New Year’s resolutions for homebuyers • There’s still no consensus on what to do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The companies continue under Federal conservatorship (which is similar to very year since I started writing bankruptcy). A new plan is due in Janthis column in 1993, I’ve offered uary, but I’m doubtful anyone will have New Year’s Resolutions for home figured it out by then. buyers and sellers, plus New Year’s finanThis isn’t a particularly happy state of cial resolutions that everyone can use to affairs. And yet, hope blooms eternal. So start their year off right. here are a few New Year’s resolutions you I start by recapping what’s happened in should make if you hope to buy a home in the world of real estate and then move on 2011: to some specific resolutions I think will help buyers and sellers move the ball for- 1. PULL A COPY OF YOUR CREDIT ward.

HISTORY AND CREDIT SCORE This year, I’m sorry to say, has been Mortgage lenders have become exlousy for the real estate industry in gentremely conservative and restrictive in eral: deciding which mortgages will get • Roughly 28 percent of homeowners funded.

Lenders will pull credit scores are underwater or are nearly underwater with their mortgages, according to third- from each of the three credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Transquarter 2010 data from CoreLogic. • New home sales are at record low lev- Union, and then use the middle score to determine your loan’s interest rate els. • Home prices haven’t moved much at and terms. You need to know that inall, and in some states are still declining. formation ahead of time. Go to annual• The overall number of households has creditreport.com and receive a free copy of your credit history and then shrunk by millions. • Millions of homes have received fore- pay for your credit score (about $9).

You can also go to each credit reportclosure notices this year, and it’s likely that 2 million homes will have been fore- ing bureau and purchase a copy of your credit history and score, if you’ve alclosed on by the end of 2010. ready used up your freebies. Even if you • Despite the lowest interest rates in don’t plan on buying a home or refihistory, millions of homeowners remain in financial jeopardy, unable to afford nancing a home loan, you might want their payments and unable to refinance to keep tabs on any issues that affect because of declining or negative equity in your credit history. their homes.

2. PRACTICE GOOD CREDIT BEHAVIOR • The government’s Making Home Affordable programs have been a disaster, Lenders regard those borrowers with with just 10 percent of applicants being a credit score above 780 as their best granted a permanent loan modification. borrowers. Unless your credit score is In some cases, the loan modifications above that level, you should work on have increased payments for homeowneliminating any errors and practicing ers, further jeopardizing their homeown- good credit behavior so that your credership. it score rises. The best thing you can • The shadow inventory of homes is do? Pay your bills on time and in full growing and may eventually reach anotheach month. The next best thing you er 4 to 12 million foreclosures, depending on how quickly unemployment comes can do is maintain four open and active lines of credit. down.

Each credit reporting bureau • Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke went on “60 Minutesâ€? and an- offers good credit behavior tips for free on its website, or nounced that America’s unemployment you can go to myfico.com, levels, which are officially at 9.8 percent which is the consumer-facing (but are really more like 18 percent, if credit site owned by Fair you include all those who are underemployed and have just given up on finding a Isaac, the Minneapolis-based company that invented the job), might take five years or more to FICO score. (Full disclosure: normalize.

ILYCE GLINK TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

E

I contribute real estate posts to the Equifax Personal Finance Blog, where Equifax’s credit experts blog about credit trends and information.)

3. SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST LOAN Even though the federal government is backing more than 90 percent of all the loans through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA, it pays to shop around. Make sure you talk to at least four or five lenders before you sign your application, including a “big box� lender, a small local lender, a credit union, a mortgage broker and an online lender. Use the information you glean from each lender to negotiate one against the other and get a great deal for yourself. Yes, you’re allowed to negotiate with lenders and ask them to give you a better deal.

4. CREATE A GREAT HOME BUYING TEAM Whether you’re buying investment property or a home to live in, you’ll want to create a team of real estate professionals who can help you find the right property, at the right price, on the best terms, without any headaches.

Home buyers will want their team to include a great real estate agent, mortgage lender, real estate attorney, tax preparer (with experience in investment real estate if you plan on buying real estate as an investment), and real estate inspector to start. Residential real estate investors will want to add a 1031 exchange professional and commercial (if appropriate) inspector to the mix.

Having the right team in place will go a long way toward making your dream of homeownership come true.

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

H&RE Featured Home Plan

Trinity is a large-sized country home ASSOCIATED DESIGNS

H

igh and vaulted ceilings throughout give a sense of airy openness to the Trinity, a midsize country-style home with four roomy bedrooms. Family living spaces, along with a generously sized owners’ suite, are downstairs. The other three bedrooms are on the upper level.

From the second floor bridge, you can overlook both the dining room and the family room. The apex of the vaulted ceiling that spans dining room, entry and family room, is overhead, parallel to the bridge.

Multipaned windows brighten the dining room, and a wide bay expands the living room. Both rooms look out across a nostalgic shaded porch that wraps around to the right. But most of the main floor is devoted to the kind of spaces families use day to day — a large family room, L-shaped kitchen and bayed nook.

This comfortable area has a centrally located wood stove and is wide open.

Nothing more than an angled island with a raised eat-

ing bar breaks up the space.

The built-in range and oven make it easy to serve soups and other hot edibles directly to waiting eaters. The step-in pantry provides additional storage space. Utilities and a small powder room are close by, equally convenient to the garage.

Amenities in the owners’ suite include a large walk-in closet, corner shower, spa tub and twin vanities. All of the Trinity’s upstairs bedrooms are spacious, but the room overlooking the street is the one the kids will fight over. The half-round window crowning its lower windows is similar to the one in the front door, and adds a touch of elegance to the bedroom.

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. Specify the Trinity 10-211 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.associated designs.com.

Selling your home in 2011? Tips to add value during winter months ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

M

ajor home renovations can be overwhelming, but there are a few fundamental repairs that can update your home’s appearance and increase its value. If you’re planning to sell your home in 2011, take advantage of the colder winter months to prepare your home for a spring sale by focusing on a few key projects:

MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION The entryway is the first up-close encounter a potential homebuyer will have with your home.

Manicure your front yard and update or even replace your front door to complement your home’s exterior. Select a rich, dark stained wood or bold white door to draw attention to the main entry and add personality to your home. If your door is already in great shape, consider a simple replacement of weak or older-looking hardware that will impress buyers at first sight.

GET COOKIN’ IN THE KITCHEN Experts agree that a kitchen can significantly impact a home’s perceived value. An outdated kitchen can be a deal breaker for many homebuyers. Naturally, then, it’s the place you might spend the most amount of time updating. To increase the appeal of your kitchen, consider investing in updated, matching appliances that match the style of your kitchen. Some manufacturers even offer replacement panels to update the exteriors of older appliances.

Next, if you ThinkStock photos can’t afford to add new cabinetry, change out the hardware so the knobs, drawer pulls and handles match your decor and add a modern flair. Adding technologydriven fixtures, including built-in water filtration systems, garbage disposals and high-tech faucets is another great way to increase the room’s appeal. Delta Faucet’s Touch2O Technology will impress homebuyers and add a sense of luxury to the room. The technology enables users to turn the faucet on and off with just a touch anywhere on the spout or handle, and is available on a variety of models.

UPDATE AND UPGRADE LIGHT FIXTURES Lighting is key. It can drastically change the look and feel of a room, and lighting fixtures are affordable and relatively simple to install on your own. Shop discount stores and home improvement depots to find a statement piece to add spice to your living room. A beautiful ceiling fan with lighting can serve double-duty to update your family room. Remember, well-lit and bright rooms appear larger and more open.

STEP ON IT Flooring is one of the first things that potential homebuyers notice. Make sure you dust, vacuum and clean so that you show off the flooring to its best advantage. If you have carpet, consider replacing it with wood floors or wood alternatives. If you already have hardwood floors, polish and protect your flooring so that it gleams when potential buyers step into the home.

Whether you’re trying to sell your home this winter or simply want to update its look, you don’t have to wait until the spring thaws. When the cold weather drives you inside, take advantage of the time to make attractive upgrades that can increase the appeal and value to your home.

Open Houses This Weekend - www.thegroupinc.com 5 '67 8+96:65

A N E XC L U S I V E SERV ICE OF T HE G R OUP, INC. R EAL ESTAT E

Northern Colorado Real Estate Source SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00

SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00

7407 Pimlico Drive, Windsor $ * 7409 Pimlico Drive, Windsor - Grand Opening in Belmont !

" 3 $ ; ) $ "

8* < ) ( " 0 = !"

# $ !" " % & " Windsor. A must see! Ask about our great builder ' ( )

) * + , (" *

$344,000

$308,500

Call Kristen Specketer 290-8097

Call Carole Newberry 443-4047

/0%123

/0%123 342 52-319851

The Real Estate Source is a magazine produced by The Group featuring homes for sale and new home neighborhoods throughout Northern Colorado.

Online version of publication at www.thegroupinc.com containing links to detail pages for most listings.

rado rn Colo Northe Source

tate Real Es w w w.

thegr

oupin

c.com

Saturday Reporter-Herald December 25, 2010 E5

10

things to keep in mind when renting a home or apartment

ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION

R

ent vs. own? More Americans are wrestling with that question as the economy continues its slow recovery. Even though homes are selling at record lows, many Americans are choosing to rent instead, maintaining their mobility and financial flexibility until the economy, as well as their job prospects, improve.

More than 38 million people currently rent their primary residence, which represents about one-third of total U.S. residences, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With the recent downturn in the economy and the spike in foreclosures, the demand for apartments and homes to rent has grown steadily in many parts of the country. For those new to renting or those who haven't rented a place to live since college or their early 20s, it's important to understand your legal rights, according to the legal experts at FindLaw.com, a leading online source of legal information. Knowing your rights can help you avoid being taken advantage of or, avoid problems that could arise between you and your landlord.

Every renter should become familiar with these 10 tips from FindLaw.com:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS It is illegal for a landlord to refuse your rental application for discriminatory reasons such as race, sex, color, religion, class, etc. If your application to rent an apartment is rejected, you have a right to know why.

Landlords cannot say an apartment is unavailable if it isn't or use a different set of rules for assessing different applicants.

BACKGROUND CHECKS Landlords want responsible, trouble-free tenants. To aid them in selecting a renter, they can use background checks and credit reports to learn about a prospective tenant's credit worthiness and potential criminal record. If you're dealing with these issues, it's often a good policy to be upfront with the landlord about any problems that may be revealed during a background check to gain the trust of the landlord.

What should be included in the lease or rental

agreement? A lease can be wordy, but make sure that it has these important aspects: length of tenancy (month-to-month, one year or another period of time), amount of rent and deposits the tenant must pay, the number of people who can live on the rental property, who pays for utilities, whether the tenant may have pets, whether the tenant may sublet the property, and the landlord's access to the rental property.

KEEP A WRITTEN COPY While most states honor a verbal agreement, they are more likely to cause a dispute. Findlaw.com recommends getting your lease agreement in writing and using it as a reference for any complications that happen during your time as a tenant. If a landlord offers any additional benefits for renting, make sure those are spelled out in the rental agreement.

Call the landlord with a maintenance problem. Usually the landlord is responsible for all maintenance issues. Document the problem by writing down the date it started and taking pictures if necessary. In some agreements, landlords need to respond to the maintenance issue, so refer to your lease for specifics. If they don't respond, typical options include withholding a portion of rent until the problem is fixed, paying for the repair yourself and deducting the amount from your rent, or abandoning the property altogether without liability. Check the laws in your state.

NOISY NEIGHBOR One of the biggest hassles of renting is dealing with a noisy neighbor. If your neighbor is disturbing you, notify your landlord. In most leases, tenants agree to be respectful of those around them. It's also a good idea to use your landlord as a third-party enforcer to preserve the relationship between you and your noisy neighbor.

SAFETY FIRST In many states, landlords must provide minimum safety equipment such as peepholes, deadbolts, window locks and safety glass. If your landlord promises certain safety features, make sure he or she follows through on those promises. Ask other neighbors about the security and safety of the area before renting an apartment.

GET RENTER'S INSURANCE Renter's insurance is relatively cheap and will protect you where your landlord's insurance won't. If you suffer losses due to theft or damage or are sued by someone who alleges they were injured in your rental because of your negligence, renter's insurance can cover you and save you from a large financial loss.

PRESERVE YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT Security deposits are one of the most disputed items between landlord and tenants, so make sure that your lease clearly spells out the exact manner in which your deposit will be used or withheld. When you first move in, do an extensive walk-through to record existing damage and keep a copy of whatever report you give to the landlord.

HANDLING AN EVICTION It's hard to decide how to handle an eviction. If you can prove that the landlord was wrong, then it may be worth it to fight against the eviction notice and protect your rights as a tenant. Sometimes, it's not worth the fight even if you win. Remember that in some cases you will still have to continue to deal with the same landlord. Also remember if you lose a lawsuit, you'll be evicted and have to pay a hefty fine.

To learn more about tenants' rights, go to FindLaw.com.

Fix a leak around toilet base; get basement drywall tips

Q

problems associated with moisture.

Ordinary drywall, of course, has a uestion: I plan to convert paper covering on both sides that is my basement to living very prone to moisture problems. space, refinishing the walls, Paperless drywall, however, is covfloor and ceiling. I get conflicting ered on both sides with fiberglass opinions on whether I can use drymats. wall in the basement. The basement An example is Georgia Pacific’s has an interior drain and sump DensArmor Plus, which is sold at pump and gets humid in summer, many building-supply outlets and but is generally dry. Can you help? some home centers. You will have to — B. Hardy pay more for paperless drywall, but Answer: You can use drywall in you will get extra protection. The the basement if there is no serious use of drywall indicates that you water problem, but you should use so-called paperless drywall. This is a plan to insulate the basement walls; relatively new product that is resis- if that is true, I recommend using rigid foam insulation panels instead tant to mold, mildew and other plicated and expensive repairs.

Q

of fiberglass blankets because foam is more resistant to moisture problems. You might also consider a product such as the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System. This is a contractor-installed system that uses prefinished, insulated panels to dress up the walls.

The Owens Corning system is a lot more expensive than doing the work yourself with drywall and similar products, but you’ll get a fast, attractive basement remodeling job. If you want more information, visit www.owenscorning.com and click on Building Materials, then on Basement Finishing System.

52-320333

fortunately, replacing the ring means removing the toilet from the floor to gain access. The ring itself is inexpensive and can be bought at uestion: One of my toilets a home center or hardware store. has a small leak around the Also buy a new pair of bolts to sebase. Is there an easy way to cure the base. fix this?

When the toilet is removed, care— T. Gooldich fully examined the top of the drainAnswer: You can try tightening waste pipe for any damage. The the bolts on the base of the toilet slightly. Be careful not to over-tight- flange on top of the pipe secures the hold-down bolts, and any damen these bolts because too much age to this flange should also be repressure might crack the base. If that doesn’t stop the leak, the best paired. It is important to stop the bet is to replace the wax ring under leak as soon as possible. Delaying repair can lead to a rotting floor unthe toilet. The wax ring seals the der the toilet and mean more comtoilet to the drain-waste pipe. Un-

GENE AUSTIN MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE

Get your home ready for the new year ARTICLE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION of a bathtub or shower can lead to cracks in your grout and caulking. These cracks are or many, the new year not only unsightly, but can means a fresh start and cause greater leakage probthere is no better place lems costing you thousands of to begin than inside the home. dollars if not fixed immediateYour home is meant to last, ly. but over time, simple wear and The good news is this probtear can result in inefficient lem can be resolved easily and systems and less-than-perfect inexpensively. Manfredini recconditions. ommends using silicone-based To keep your home looking caulk, which ensures a fastand operating like the day you drying, smooth surface and purchased it, Ace Hardware’s creates a strong seal to prehome expert, Lou Manfredini, vent leakage. suggests a few easy mainteStart by peeling away the old nance projects that will make a caulk and making sure the surbig impact in the end. face is completely dry before re-applying. One of his faGIVE YOUR BASEBOARDS THE vorites is G.E’s Silicone II PROTECTION THEY NEED Kitchen & Bath Caulk.

While adding a new coat of BECOME YOUR OWN PROpaint to your walls is always a FESSIONAL CARPET CLEANER good idea when maintaining your home, Manfredini also With heavy traffic, houserecommends you freshen up hold carpeting takes a beating your baseboards, which often almost daily, collecting dirt, see the most wear and tear. grime, outdoor particles and Wash them down using a pine- plenty of dust. Not only are based cleaner, a little bit of these items harmful to your warm water and a sponge to health, they will wear down remove dirt and grime. Then your carpeting ... and do so touch up your baseboards with quickly. While its good pracpaint to protect them and tice to vacuum on a weekly bakeep them looking brand new. sis, cleaning your carpeting evPaint like Ace’s Cabinet, Door ery and Trim Enamel is washable 90 to 120 days will give you a and scratch resistant so it can cleaner home and prolong the withstand any busy home. life of your carpeting. Hiring a professional can be expensive, SAVE THOUSANDS WITH A so Manfredini suggests you LITTLE BIT OF CAULK stop by your local hardware Over time the excessive use store to rent a carpet cleaning

F

system for a fraction of the cost of having the work done professionally.

MAKE SURE THE AIR YOU BREATHE IS THE BEST Anyone with allergies knows that air quality is very important. This applies inside the home as much as it does on the outside.

A great way to prevent bad air circulating in your home — and make sure your equipment is running efficiently — is by replacing the air filters in your forced-air furnace. Manfredini recommends using pleated filters because they do a better job of filtering internal air.

These filters are inexpensive and take about five minutes to replace.

KEEP YOUR GUTTERS FREE OF CLUTTER Clearing your gutters is the link to a dry home and it’s important to clean them out at least twice a year. There are a number of options on the market that make the job easier.

The Smart Screen 5 inch Aluminum Gutter Screen is a good option because it attaches to the front of the gutter, providing a permanent barrier to keep leaves, pine needles, debris, ice and snow from clogging. Another leaf blocking option is a flexible foam insert that blocks leaves and debris.

sunday PRICE

LOCATION

ADDRESS

HRS

OFFICE

PHONE

$308,500

WINDSOR

7409 PIMLICO DRIVE

12-5

THE GROUP, INC

970-443-4047

$323,400

¼ MILE WEST OF WILSON ON 14TH ST. SW LOVELAND SW/HWY 402 TO THE DAKOTA GLEN SUBDIVISION

12-4

GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA

970-663-4522

$344,000

WINDSOR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC

970-290-8097

$389,750

SW LOVELAND 975 PRISM CACTUS CIRCLE

12-4

GLEN MARKETING TEAM, ERA

970-663-4522

7407 PIMLICO DRIVE

To add a listing or speak to an advertising representative, call the Reporter-Herald at 669-5050 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 25, 2010 E6

H&RE Front Range Gardening

With the Grain Add easy-togrow grains to the garden DEAN FOSDICK ASSOCIATED PRESS

N

ext spring when you’re ready to establish a productive vegetable garden, how about growing some pancakes, pasta and home-baked breads on the side?

Plant whole grains — cheap, lowmaintenance grasses that produce edible seeds you can cook up raw (as you would rice), grind into flour, make into brews, or add fresh to salads and casseroles. Grains demonstrate that you don’t need blooms to beautify small spaces.

Think amber waves of grain, or patches of waist-high ornamental grass swaying gracefully in the wind.

Add thrift to the equation, too, because a little goes a long way.

“A 1,000-square-foot plot planted with 23/4 pounds of barley seed will yield one bushel of barley,” said Sara Pitzer, author of the updated “Homegrown Whole Grains: Grow, Harvest & Cook Wheat Barley, Oats, Rice, Corn & More” (Storey Publishing, 2009).

“If one bushel doesn’t sound like much, consider that one cup of raw barley cooks up to generously serve six people, and that most soup recipes — even ones making big pots of soup — call for only onethird cup of raw barley.”

Grains also serve as nutritious recipe fillers, replacing pricier ingredients in a meat loaf or stew.

“Put aside what you can’t eat for

planting the next year,” Pitzer said.

Whole grains usually recommended for home gardens include barley, buckwheat, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, wheat and amaranth. Decide which grains or cereals you want to grow based on flavor, ease of harvest, hardiness and appearance.

Here’s a Pitzer-provided primer to help get you started: Barley: Matures faster and tolerates drought better than wheat. A fiber-rich plant known to reduce cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Frequently used for brewing.

Buckwheat: Broadleaf plant with a strong flavor that often is milled into flour for pancakes.

Corn: One of the easiest crops to grow. It can be eaten fresh, ground into cornmeal or popped into tender, bite-size puffs.

Millet: Tasty when served like rice or added to foods for its crunch. Loaded with protein, B vitamins and minerals.

Oats: Germinates quickly but difficult to harvest unless you go with hull-less varieties. Recommended for everything from biscuits to oatmeal.

Rice: Challenging to grow, but has limitless applications in recipes.

Rye: An assertive taste in flour and food. Extremely hardy. Has no hull, making it easy to harvest.

Crafters find many uses for its long stems, or straw.

Wheat: Easily managed in gardens, and a recipe essential for everything from pastas to cakes.

Amaranth: A tall, broadleaf plant that forms feathery plumes. The leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach, while the grains have a peppery taste and are rich in protein and other nutrients.

Grains, like most other grasses,

ThinkStock Photos

CAROL O'MEARA CSU EXTENSION

W

Barley seedlings.

are simple to grow.

“They’re more adapted to dry land conditions. You don’t have to irrigate as much,” said Bob Van Veldhuizen, a research technician with the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences. “They also don’t require as many nutrients as things like tomatoes.”

Van Veldhuizen has worked primarily on hull-less varieties.

“They’re of more interest to hobby gardeners,” he said. “You don’t need a home threshing machine.”

Most grains are very hardy, thriving in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and beyond, said Dan Jason, a seedsman from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.

“They’re fast growing — 90 to 100 days to maturity,” Jason said.

“They’re not killed by frosts. You can sew some grains in September and harvest them in June, freeing the garden for another crop.”

For more about whole grains and nutrition, see this Kansas State University Research and Extension guide: www.ksre.ksu.edu/human nutrition/wholegrains.htm.

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 4080 Mobile Homes/ Apartments/ Unfurnished 4030 2 BDRM- 1624 E. 17th, $625. 2 BDRM- 925 Lincoln, Spaces 4090 2 BDRM, 1 BA,top level, corner unit, new carpet. lndry on site. 1155 E 5th St. $575, wtr/swr/gas pd. N/P $250 move-in special!

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 BDRM apt, $500, Mobile Home $550, rent includes utilities.

430 E Eisenhower.

Estate Builder 970-667-3400 2 BDRM, 1.5 BA 4-plex, w/d hkups, $595, avail now. 3518 Butternut #D (720)936-1854.

2 BDRM, 1.5 ba, remodeled! Hkups, $800/mo, wtr/ sewer pd. 1842 E 17th St, Faith Property 970-377-1626

2 BDRM, $695/mo + elec, free heat & basic cable. New carpet & vinyl, fresh paint, newly remodeled ba.

No pets. 970-663-6787 or 970-430-0859

Patio, shared garage.

Call rmpm.com 669-0842 3 BDRM- 1100 N. Taft, $1095/mo. 55+ community Call rmpm.com 669-0842

Country duplex, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, animals OK, on CR 13. $850 inc utils. 970-219-3107

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 2 BDRM in LOVELAND $715 + deposit. Heat, water, trash paid.

970-214-2057 or 970-266-0206

3 BDRM, 1.75 BA ranch, new carpet & paint, 2 car Downtown corner loc, bldg gar. 2514 N Empire, avail w/ 3 ofcs/recept area. 4 car 1/1, $1100/mo. 970-690-1211 prkg. $1000/mo 970-667-5145 3 BDRM- 222 SW 42nd, $850 Newer carpet, BIG! Call rmpm.com 669-0842

Spacious 2 bdrm, 1 ba, gar, 3 BDRM, 2 ba, Tri-level, exc loc in culdesac. 3 bdrm frpl, gar, 766 21st St SW, apt also avail. 970-308-7387 $1250/mo 3 BDRM 1 BA apt, spacious Faith Property 970-377-1626 and bright, 910 N Douglas $695 www.FTCRENT.com 3 BDRM- 517 E. 50th, $1125 970-226-5600 Pets nego, firelplace Call rmpm.com 669-0842 LUXURIOUS UPSCALE APARTMENTS STUDIO, 1, 2, & 3 $99 MOVE IN SPECIAL BEDROOMS- Pool, hot tub, 1 CAR GARAGE- $75/mo. 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, located in Great for storage.

24 hr. fitness center, Milliken. $995, 970-310-3855 rmpm.com. 970-669-0842 business center, coffee shop, salon, pizza & deli.

OWN your own home for OPEN HOUSE, Mon-Fri what you pay in Rent!

9am-6pm, Sat. 10am-5pm.

STORAGE 20 x 40 Lowest rates, 325 E. 5th St., Loveland. with 14´ overhead door. $0 - $1000 Down 1-888-822-9346 $325/mo. Call (970)481-5899 Free Prequalification.

Western Plains Realty $950/Mo, 1⁄2 Mo Rent Free Ken or Tammy 2 Bdrm /2 Full Ba, W/D 970-663-5008 inc, new carpet, built 2000, balcony. 970-667-7000x106 1043 Eagle Dr Lvld

Garages/Storage Spaces 4070

Houses

4080

✔✔✔✔ To ensure you receive

Commercial Industrial 4040

2 BDRM, 1 BA, garden level, lg LR/DR, close to downtown, lndry on site.

1145 E 5th St. $550, wtr/swr/gas pd. N/P $250 move-in special!

Faith Property 970-377-1626

Move Your Home FREE! LOT RENT STARTING @ $199. 250+ Communities to 3 Bdrm- 1216 Hilltop, $1125 choose from. Offer expires 1/10/2011. 970-377-0990 MUST SEE! So Nice!

Call rmpm.com 669-0842

3 BD or 2 BD- Free rent!

Pets nego. Quiet & spac. $625-$795. 970-223-1349

2 bdrm 1 ba, 311 N. 1st St, Johnstown H20, sewer, trash pd, spacious living areas, great location! $510/mo Must see!

1900 sq ft Warehouse/retail Faith Property 970-377-1626 in Loveland. 2105 E 11th St, Unit 140. 970-396-1165.

2 BDRM, 1 BA, $600/mo.

WTR. PD! 2346 S Colorado, Quiet. No smk/pets.

6000 SF Retail/Warehouse 970-218-0510 on Hwy 287. Overhead door.

970-593-2401 or 970-227-7447.

2 BDRM, 1 BA, bsmt apt, hkups, 1705 1/2 E 8th St, $725/mo Faith Property 970-377-1626

$995. Old Town, GREAT! Call rmpm.com 669-0842

Office Space 4100

3 BDRM- 3407 Ash, $825 1 car gar, fncd yard.

Call rmpm.com 669-0842

Condos/ Townhouses 4050 3 BDRM- 2212 SW 3rd $925- Fin bsmt, 1 car gar Call rmpm.com 669-0842

Duplexes

4060

2 BDRM- 1079 Winona, $675 Pets nego, fncd yard, shed.

Call rmpm.com 669-0842 2 Bdrm- 141 Glenda, $775 NICE! Big Kitchen 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.

Water plants during winter

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.

Mobile Homes/ Spaces 4090 2 Bdrm- 2704 Mallow, $595 Pets nego, 1 car garage Call rmpm.com 669-0842 ✭ 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

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

Farms, Ranches, Acreages 5050 WOW WHAT VIEWS! 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 Roommates Wanted 4120

ith all of the festivities at this time of year, the most important drink you hoist should be served with a hose, not a glass. Though our mountains are snowcapped, lower elevations are dry, and landscapes are getting parched.

Winter watering is one of the best ways to keep trees, shrubs, lawns and perennials healthy throughout the year. Without it, soils dry and tender feeder roots, which are responsible for taking up water and nutrients, shrivel and die.

In spring, plants use stored reserves to grow, pouring their strength into healthy leaves, stems, trunks or flowers. But damaged root systems leave them vulnerable when heat sets in, and these plants struggle with scorch, twig dieback, poor leaf size, or disease and insect attacks.

Water once or twice per month through March if we don’t have much snow or rain; in general landscapes need an inch of water per month in winter.

Measure snowfall at your house with a ruler, then write each storm’s accumulation on your calendar.

Add it up every four weeks. Anything less than 12 inches of snow, total, means it’s time to water.

Drag out hoses on warm days when temperatures are above 40 and there’s no snow cover. Apply water slowly so it sinks into the frozen ground. I use a timer on the sprinkler to shut off the water, and set a timer in the house to remind me to move the hose or disconnect it from the house before evening.

If you divide winter watering over several days, pay attention to plants closest to south or west facing walls or fences first; the reflected heat intensifies their plight. Windy places with water wicking from the ground should be second on your list, which in Colorado, means everything east of the divide.

Water around the dripline of trees and shrubs — the area that falls under the outer tips of the branches, soaking the ground two to three feet on either side of the dripline. Give your trees 10 gallons of water per diameter inch of trunk every month.

Shrubs are trickier: new shrubs — those planted less than one year ago — need five gallons twice monthly. Once they’ve been in the ground for over a year, reduce water to five gallons once per month for small, three-foot tall shrubs and 18 gallons once per month for those over six feet tall.

Lawns, too, need a drink. “Established lawns will benefit from watering, but the critical ones that need moisture are the ones that are new,” said Dr. Tony Koski, Extension Turf Specialist with Colorado State University Extension. “If it was sodded in after early September, it’d be good to water it.”

If you’ve had lawn mite problems in the past, it’s time to water, Koski said. “This is when mite populations start to rise, especially on warm days when they get a little active and frisky. Though mites haven’t started to damage the lawn, their potential to do so increases with their numbers, which can be held at bay by moisture.”

To water a lawn in winter, warm days with temperatures above 45 degrees is a must. Then drag out your hose with a sprinkler, or set the water to a slow trickle. “The problem is that everything is frozen; you don’t want water puddling on the lawn. And the worst thing is forming a layer of ice on it; that really harms the turf. So it probably won’t take more than a quarter to half-inch of water.”

Water fall-planted perennials and perennials located in windy or southwest exposures. But the key to perennials is ensuring they have a thick, four-to-sixinch covering of mulch to prevent feezing and thawing of the ground. For more information, see the Fall and Winter Watering fact sheet at ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07211.html.

5110

$1,150/Month, 3 Bdrm, 2 Ba Ranch, built 2009. Full bsmt, lg gar. 970-402-6432 1899 E 11th St Lvld

1 ROOM AVAIL in Jan. Quiet 5 bdrm home. Share ba, lndry. No smoke. Clean & responsible. Need credit report. $225. 970-481-2222

Rooms For Rent

A picture is worth

words 4130 aTrythousand a classified picture ad! Call for details

970-635-3650

Fully furnished large rooms in Lvld.

Laundry,A/C, cable, all util. incl.

RENTED IN ONE DAY!!

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 Retail & Office Spaces. & dbl wides. Fin avl, auto approval on owner fiStarting at $225. Utilities nanced homes. 970-222-1473 Included. 970-613-1477 ✭ 690-2725 or 690-3283 ✭

Retail Space 4135

NEW VEHICLE

Ready to take the next step in your JOB SEARCH?

FrontRangeAutoLink.com

PerfectJobMatch.net

FIND YOUR at

Begin with

Water shrubs and plants at one inch per month during the winter.

Carol O’Meara is with CSU Extension in Boulder County.

Contact her at 303-678-6238 or comeara@co .boulder.co.us.

Front Range Gardening