Realty Guide

SATURDAY, March 27, 2010

Reporter-Herald

Spring Cleaning

HOME & Realty Guide Look Inside: Mortgage rates ....................pg. 2 Start a garden ......................pg. 2 Inside advice.........................pg. 5 Create a home gym ............pg. 7 Gardening books .............. pg. 12 Organize your closet ....... pg. 18 New Home Directory....... pg. 19 Transactions ...................... pg. 20 Featured Home Plan ....... pg. 20 Prepare your lawn ............ pg. 21 Open Houses .................... pg. 22 Classifieds.......................... pg. 23

HOME &GARDEN EDITION

Front Range Gardening Add onions to your garden

Page 6

Real Estate Matters How much home can you afford?

Page 16

Featured Properties Section: Pages 4 & 5

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

It’s the season to clean

Page 3

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

H&RG In the Garden H&RG

10tosteps a

Start small. Too much garden may begin to feel like work. You can raise plenty of vegetables in even a 10-by-10-foot plot of land. Increase the size of your garden commensurate with your enthusiasm and experience.

Fence your garden. A fence, besides keeping out rabbits and other hungry animals, helps define your garden visually. Poultry netting is inexpensive and effective. To keep animals from burrowing under your fence, bend the bottom foot of fencing to the outside of the garden to lay right on top of the ground. Unless deer are a threat — in which case you need a fence 5 or more feet high — a 2- or 3-foot-high fence should be adequate.

Make your garden pretty. Yes, it’s a vegetable garden, but even vegetable gardens can be pretty. Wooden pickets can obscure and dress up a poultry netting fence.

An arbor, with climbing beans or grapes, can dress up your garden gate. Soften the fence line with an outside border planting of shrubs, perhaps something decorative and edible such LEE REICH as red currants or blueberries. Beauty will also THE ASSOCIATED PRESS draw you into your garden.

Planning your garden in four dimenHow about going to a place where you can sions is a way to harvest more from limrelax, enjoy some sun, and get a little exercise ited space. Rather than single, widely and gourmet food? A place even your kids spaced rows, plant in wide (3-4 feet) could find interesting? This “spa” need not beds (a second dimension). Rather than keepcost much; in fact, it will save you money. ing everything at ground level, let your vegetaIt’s a home vegetable garden, and don’t be bles — those that can — grow up (a third diintimidated if you’ve never planted one bemension). Pole beans and tomatoes can be fore. Vegetables are easy to grow, especially if trained up bamboo or metal poles, and peas you follow these 10 steps for first-timers: and cucumbers can be trained up fences — Choose a location in full sun, which even that fence that encloses your garden. For means six or more hours of direct sun the fourth dimension — time — use transin summer. Producing succulent, savory plants for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and vegetables takes energy — the sun’s energy — cucumbers, and plant shorter-season vegetaespecially for fruiting vegetables such as cubles to follow those that finish early or start cumbers and tomatoes. If you don’t have this late, such as lettuce following early bush much sunlight, either get out your pruning beans. saw or grow only leafy vegetables such as letPay attention to fertilizing and watertuce and spinach. ing. Spread a balanced organic fertilizYour site needs soil that is well-drained. er over the ground in late winter at the Roots have to breathe, which they canrate suggested on the container. Or, if not do if water sits in or on the soil for existing vegetation is growing well, use soytoo long after rains. If grass or most weeds bean meal at 2 pounds per 100 square feet. grow well, the soil is probably well drained. To Or apply an inch depth of compost. Set out a be more quantitative, dig a hole, fill it with straight-sided can to measure water, and turn water and measure with a ruler how fast the on the sprinkler once a week so the combinalevel drops. Slower than 1 inch per hour is too tion of rain and sprinkling equal an inch slow. Choose another site or build raised beds. depth of water in that can.

Grow your garden as close as Weed regularly and frequently. Weeds possible to your door — no farther are much easier to kill — and haven’t than your wife can throw the kitchen had time to spread many seeds — sink, goes the old adage. The closer to your when they are small. door, preferably your kitchen door, the more Grow vegetables that you like to eat, frequently you’ll enjoy and work in the garand choose the best-tasting varieties. den.

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successful first vegetable 6. garden

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Mortgage Interest Rates

This Week’s Rates* 30-Year Fixed:

Today 5.07%

Last Week 5.05%

15-Year Fixed:

4.40%

4.36%

5/1 ARM:

3.95%

3.91%

Trend

* Rates provided by Bankrate.com. All rates are subject to change.

Home and Realty Guide is on the Web For home and real estate advice, features and information, visit www.homeandrealtyguide.com

Home & Realty Guide is produced every Saturday by the Loveland Daily Reporter-Herald.

EDITOR Jade Cody jcody@reporter-herald.com 635-3656 REPORTER Rhema Muncy rmuncy@reporter-herald.com 635-3684

DISPLAY ADVERTISING 669-5050 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 635-3650

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

3

Accomplish

Spring Cleaning Lint gets up there and causes havoc to breathing.”

In the bathrooms, Hindert cleans the fan cover, light fixtures and all mirrors. Then he scrubs the shower tiles with a bleach solution on the grout to re-whiten and get rid of mildew.

Hindert begins the spring house what they are doing because they will RHEMA MUNCY SPECIAL SECTIONS REPORTER sprucing process by cleaning windows have to do the floor again. Work “The ratio is as much bleach as you inside and out. Then he cleans the re- can stand,” he said. “Just let them sit cleanest to dirtiest.” turn air ducts and de-cobwebs, folFort Collins Molly Maid owner Jim on there and then take a tooth brush hen spring breezes tantalize lowed by spot cleaning the walls and Hindert advised beginning spring and scrub the lines a little. Most the air and winter slowly showers once a year need to be refades from the landscape, it cleaning with a de-cluttering session. wiping down baseboards and wood work. caulked at the bottom.”

“Get everything up out of the way is time to let the sunshine into the Spring cleaning should scour all house and prepare for a new season. so you can clean,” Hindert said. “The Even if a house is scrubbed on a open and hidden areas of the house. consistent basis, Hindert recomtime depends on how much clutter Spring cleaning offers a focus to In living rooms, Hindert recommend- mends this yearly cleaning to reduce clean up the dreariness of winter, and you have. I have been in houses where you would have had to bring in ed vacuuming crumbs out from una good top to bottom cleaning will the build-up that every house gets. der cushions, upholstery and lamp chase away dust and increase the val- a dump truck [to de-clutter].”

The cleaning keeps the home value shades, all places for pet and human up. ue of a house, according to local proAfter minimizing junk and and hair. Dust picture frames, furniture fessional cleaners. clearing a path to clean, use a high “It keeps your home value up,” Hinand knick-knacks.

Stephanie Corr, the owner and op- duster to reach fans and lights. Corr dert said. “A clean house is always go“Wipe down leather upholstery and erator of Stephanie’s Shine cleaning uses a 16-foot pole to reach high ceiling to sell a lot faster than a house add cream that softens the leather business in Loveland, starts high and ings. that hasn’t been kept up. It is an inand adds luster to it,” Hindert said. then works down the entire room “The smell [of the home] isn’t as vestment. You take care of your in“Add some lemon oil or something when spring cleaning. clean until I do the high dusting,” similar to furniture, and that bright- vestment.”

Corr said. “The high dusting is im“A lot of people really want to get ens it up again.” portant to keeping it smelling clean the stuff off the floor,” Corr said.

For carpet, Corr uses a Rotovac “That just makes them double up on for longer.” carpet cleaner to clean deeply and ASSOCIATED PRESS pick up dirt from the carpet pad.

“Dirt is stronger than a diamond, and it cuts and tears and knots car• Schedule the spring cleaning to pet up almost like dreadlocks,” she get into the proper mind set. said.

• Make a checklist, room by room, In the kitchen, Hindert recomof what needs to be cleaned. mended cleaning inside the mi• Determine room-by-room specrowave thoroughly as well as on cialty tasks such as wiping out the the tops of all appliances. Corr fridge and organizing the pantry. makes it a point to scour the cup• Prioritize tasks. If you have boards inside and out. helpers, delegate tasks. Make sure “A lot of people forget about the you can finish what you start to avoid area of the cupboards and don’t rebigger messes. alize how much dust settles there, — From Erin Bried’s book “How to causing them to have hey fever or Sew a Button: And Other Nifty allergies,” Corr said. “Or the cupThings Your Grandmother Knew.” boards above washers and dryers.

Get out the dusting cloths, brooms and scrub brushes for a home shining session

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Spring cleaning tips

Bing photos

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

FEATURED PROPERTIES - UP TO $199,999 OPEN HOUSE FRI, SAT & SUN. 2-4

OPEN HOUSE FRI, SAT & SUN. 2-4

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4

OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 1PM-3-PM

ENERGY EFFICIENT TOWNHOME!

193 Colbalt Ave.

162 Brass Ct.

1949 Hyde Drive

1931 South West 14th Street, Loveland

1371 Taft Ct. $179,000

Copper 10 Subdivision, located at the corner of East 1st and Boise Ave. Paired home that is almost complete! Great floor plan that features two master suites, volume ceilings, one car garage and a carport, Bamboo flooring and European-style cabinetry.

WOW!! If you are looking for something unique, this might be it! Two story paired home with 2 master suites, private terraces, European kitchen design, open floor plan with lots of light and an unfinished basement. Priced to sell at $199,000.

Close to hospital, bike trail, Boyd Lake and shopping. Tri-level in TIP TOP shape! 3 beds, 1& 3/4 baths, gas FP, A/C, vaults and large deck! $190,000.

Fantastic 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style home. Over 1500 sq.ft. on one level.

Handicap ramp, A/C, Fireplace and sprinkler system. Backs to greenbelt. Covered patio, storage shed. $167,000 MLS #622020

3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage. Close to schools and shopping! 6’ Privacy fence, sprinkler system! 1- year Blue Ribbon Home Warranty included! Pictures & virtual tour: www.kwalicia.com

Megan Wachtman/ Julie Stinson 970-622-1809 970-217-7977 Meganw@remax.net

Julie Stinson/ Megan Wachtman 970-669-1809 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537

Julie Stinson 970-622-1809 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 JulieS@rmfa.com

Ursula Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-0548 ursulaalbers@msn.com www.allcoloradohomes.com

Alicia Stewart Keller Williams (970) 222-8871 kwalicia@yahoo.com

ENERGY EFFICIENT TOWNHOME!

A WINNER FOR THE BEGINNER

$165,000

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 22-44 PM

RANCH HOME WITH LARGE LIVING AREA

1375 Taft Ct.

677 Melanie Ct., Loveland

1209 Raven Place

225 W 7th St. - Old Town Loveland

www.2402Garfield.com

3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 car garage, close to schools & shopping! 6’ privacy fence, sprinkler system! 1-year Blue Ribbon Warranty included! Pictures and virtual tour. www.kwalicia.com

You can afford home ownership! Be the first to see this lovely updated home w/ wood floors, new kitchen & all appliances.

Nothing to do but move in. Large fenced yard on a corner lot. $159,900

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath & 1 car attached garage. Large living areas, open floor plan & full unfinished basement make this newer ranch style home in a mature section of Loveland.

Cute victorian cottage, fixer-upper w/ great potential. Zoned “BE” many res/ business uses. Lrg open living/dining rm area. Ofc area & 2 storage sheds, some elec/plumb updating has been done. $115,000.

$167,000-3 bdrm., 2 ba, 2 car garage & alley access to fenced back yard. Great built-ins. Updated kitchen. Refrigerator & range included. Fireplace in living room, covered patio, sprinklers & A/C.

Alicia Stewart Keller Williams (970) 222-8871 kwalicia@yahoo.com

Carolyn LaMaster Prudential Rocky Mountain, REALTORS 970-690-1596 c_j_lamaster@yahoo.com

Franci Wunderlich 667-1828 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 franciw@remax.net

Franci Wunderlich 667-1828 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 franciw@remax.net

Nanci Garnand 227-1327 or 622-1846 Nanci@SellsRealEstate.com www.LivingInLoveland.com

$200,000 - $299,999 OPEN SUNDAY-CALL 622-1809 FOR HOURS

NEW LISTING-PRICED AT $204,000

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-3

NEW! NEW! NEW!

HOBBY MAN’S DREAM

1919 Canterbury Ct.

www.4568Mead.com

4124 Beth Place-$279,000

4300 Harrison Avenue

2602 Lakecrest Pl.

Close to hospital, bike trail, Boyd Lake & shopping! Enjoy the warmth of the family rm fireplace on a cold winter night. Features inc. a large cul-de-sac lot, oversized garage. $215,000

3 bd., 2 ba, ranch w/2 car garage! Wood floors in living rm & kitchen. Eat-in kitchen w/corner sink & pantry. Gas line is run outside for grill. Full unfshd. bsmt.

Home has fenced back yd & garden area.

Country Living close to town. One acre Horse Property offers updated home, 2 bdrms, 2 ba, plus Office, Fam Rm w/FP, Guest Bunkhouse, 2 Car Heated Garage, Greenhouse, fenced yard, big trees.

Beautiful N. Loveland Tri-Level on 1/4 AC w/RV prkg, garden/fish pond. New furnace, siding, countertops, dishwasher, & wood flrs. Remodeled w/tasteful decorating. Easy commute to Ft. Collins.

Brick ranch style home with 2 car attached garage and 2 car unattached garage. Clean 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home with 14x9 study or hobby room for her. Hardwood floors, 232 sq ft deck, garden area w/shed. RV parking.

Julie Stinson 970-622-1809 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 JulieS@rmfa.com

Nanci Garnand 227-1327 or 622-1846 RE/MAX Alliance-Loveland Nanci@SellsRealEstate.com www.CanIBuyAHomeNow.com

Billie Myers 970-206-8262 RE/MAX Alliance 970-226-3990 4703 Boardwalk Dr, Fort Collins, Co 80525 BillieMyers@ColoradoHomeSale.com

PKay Cruise 970-222-2562 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 pkaycruise@remax.net

PKay Cruise 970-222-2562 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 pkaycruise@remax.net

$200,000 - $299,999 RANCH STYLE HOME-OPEN FLOOR PLAN

$210,000

$300,000 - $399,999 OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 12:00PM-2:00PM SEVEN LAKES

OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 1-4

MATHEWS FARM $349,900

13-311077

421 Johnson-$235,000

2069 Salida Court-Wonderful West Loveland

3285 Current Creek Ct.

2005 Creede Ave.

1731 Wales Drive

3 bd, 2 ba, 14x12’ sunroom. Super shop in the heated & air cond. garage perfect for many uses or a home workplace. Lrg vaulted living rm splits extra-lrg master bdrm., 4 pc ba. full unf. bsmt. NO HOA

2 story on easy-care lot in cul-de-sac.

Newer 3 BR, 3BA w/open floor plan.

HUGE mstr suite w/5 pc bath & a walk-in closet you CAN walk in it! Gas FP, AC, mn flr laundry. 2 car gar. No short sale here.

Gorgeous home! Shows like a model.

It offers a stunning kitchen & upgrades throughout. Sit back & relax, this home is completely maintenance free. Enjoy the Beautiful Mountain views! $384,900.

“Stunning Ranch by Weinland Homes.”

ENERGY EFFICIENT built w/2x6 const.

Dream Kit w/Knotty Hickory Cab, JennAir Appl, & Granite Counters. Formal Dng or Study. Fully Insul Oversized 3-car garage w/8ft doors.

Unobstructed Mountain Views and backs to open space! Ranch Style plan offers a gorgeous Kitchen w/alder cabinets & granite counter tops. Spacious living at a remarkable price. Built by Dennis Robbins.

Franci Wunderlich 667-1828 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 franciw@remax.net

Franci Wunderlich 667-1828 RE/MAX Alliance 970-669-1234 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland, CO 80537 franciw@remax.net

Lisa Moore/Connie Gliott Glen Marketing, Inc 970/663-4522 www.glencompanies.com

Cory Roberts Premier Lifestyle Realty (970) 215-9913 www.mycoloradoproperty.com

Lisa Moore/Connie Gliott Glen Marketing, Inc 970/663-4522 www.glencompanies.com

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

5

H&RG INSIDE ADVICE

Understand the why of interior design PAM LAMPE HOME MATTERS

M

any of us look to the media to inspire us with ideas on what to do in our homes, keep us up-to-date on new trends and show us the how to’s if we are of a mind to do it ourselves. We have many questions on what to do and how to do it. Before these questions came the desire or need to decorate.

Why do we feel this need create our home spaces?

The world may seem a little less safe these days. There may be more uncertainty in your life today then few short years ago and for you the need for comfort and renewal is now a priority. For others, homes are an investment. Regardless of the why, it is the place where we get to choose

what we want to do. Before we put a color on the wall or designate spaces for certain activities, we decide just how important these decisions are.

For interior design to be successful, understanding the why is just as important as what or how. Perhaps you decorated a room in the past and were less than satisfied with the results. It may be that the space looked nice but just didn’t give you the feel you wanted or serve the purpose you needed it to.

Why do you decorate or want to decorate your space? Are you hoping for a place family and friends will find comforting? A place to entertain or for your own happiness? Do you have out of town guests often, are you planning for a future child, or perhaps you need a space that uniquely expresses your personality? Are you looking for a place to relax or a room

to be inspired? Whatever the Pam Lampe is an interior reason, it is the right one for decorator in Northern you.

Coloroado and owner of Everything flows from the Home Matters. Submit why. In interior design it is questions to her in the said that “form follows func“Ask Pam” section at tion”, meaning whatever the www.4homematters.com. space is to be used for is more important than how it looks, Inside Advice something many people are unaware of and the reason many designs miss the mark. If you track and you get to decide how know you want to entertain for inmuch help and it what area best stance, figure out if you need need serves your needs. As in other deciaudio, video and gaming space, how sions you will make in life, taking the to store it, what are the best choices time to understand the why will refor lighting, how to arrange furniture sult in better results. It may appear for traffic flow, what color is best for that we make decisions based upon the room and, of course, how should logic but actually we make them the room feel? Only then do you based upon emotions and justify move on to how the room looks. them with logic. What would you like to feel when you are thinking about Although this might seem more confusing, there is help to get you on your home?

FEATURED PROPERTIES - $300,000 - $399,000 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1:00-3:00 PM

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13-311078

1779 Muddy Creek Dr.

3448 Peruvian Torch Dr.

2739 W. 36th - $325,000

5912 Long Branch Ct., Loveland

This patio home is loaded with granite in kitchen & bathrooms! Beautiful gourmet kitchen. Perfect for entertaining. No outside maintenance here! It’s all done for you. Sit back & enjoy! $339,900

Stop by our brand new subdivision in Southwest Loveland. Custom plans, walkout lots, lot sizes up to 26,112 sqft, mountain views. 402 & Wilson, 1/4 mile W. of Wilson. Prices starting in low $300’s.

New roof, exterior paint, A/C, granite & tile. 4 bed, 4 bath. Formal dining & great room on main. Large kitchen w/Eating Area. Full finished daylight bsmt. 3 tier deck, beautiful yard.

Enjoy country luxury with city conveniences.

Beautifully updated 3 bd, 3 bath home with class & elegance. Bring your: horses, boat & RV. Detached guest house all on 2.3 irrigated acres. $489,900

Lisa Moore/Connie Gliott Glen Marketing, Inc 970/663-4522 www.glencompanies.com

Lisa Moore/Connie Gliott Glen Marketing, Inc 970/663-4522 www.DakotaGlen.com www.glencompanies.com

Billie Myers 970-206-8262 RE/MAX Alliance 970-226-3990 4703 Boardwalk Dr. Fort Collins, CO 80525 BillieMyers@ColoradoHomeSale.com

Carolyn LaMaster Prudential Rocky Mountain, REALTORS 970-690-1596 c_j_lamaster@yahoo.com

FEATURED PROPERTIES - $500,000 + TOTAL SOLAR!

OPEN HOUSE SAT & SUN 1-4 TRADES CONSIDERED

ENJOY THE TRANQUILITY-SOAK IN THE MTN. VIEWS

LAND FOR SALE OPEN HOUSE SAT 12-3 & SUN 3-5

TO BE BUILT

NEW CUSTOM RANCH-288 RESERVOIR

2156 SEVEN LAKES DRIVE

Warberg Farm - Sophia Court

2000 sq. ft ranch with walk-out basement. Solar electric, solar radiant hot water heat. To be built.

Starting at $650,000. Call John Mathey at Premier Lifestyle Realty today!

Walkout bsmt., open floor plan, panoramic views. In select group of lots. Pittington Ranch. Many upgrades.

Must see. W. on Hwy 34, S. on CR 29 to 18E. 2.3 miles to Flat Iron Rd., right to Reservoir.

While living on the Peninsula at Horseshoe Lake. Awesome mountain views - Colorado living at its best! Open flr plan w/4 bd, 4 ba, gourmet kitchen, formal dining & great rm.

MLS#622459 $500,000.

OPEN WED 11AM-1:30PM - FRIDAY 8AM-1:30PM - EVERY SUNDAY 3PM5PM. Fantastic location on Chapman Reservoir. Lake rights, walk paths.

2+ acre lots, 2 lots w/horses allowed, wakeless craft allowed.

John Mathey Premier Lifestyle (970) 613-4400 (970) 481-5512

John Mathey Premier Lifestyle (970) 613-4400 (970) 481-5512

Kathy Boeding The Group Real Estate (970) 231-9073 kboeding@thegroupinc.com

Kurt Albers Century 21 Humpal, Inc. 970-231-1224 kurtd57@msn.com www.allcoloradohomes.com

Find the Home You Love Search to your heart’s content at homeandrealtyguide.com, your online and print real estate source.

Time to Get Your Own Place?

Begin your search at homeandrealtyguide.com your online and print real estate source.

FOR SALE

3 BD, 2 BA Ran cabinets an ch, new kit d hardwoo flrs. Unfin d bsmt, big back yard, spkl rs, privacy fence. $210,000

6

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

H&RG Front Range Gardening

Time to Plant ONIONS up into storage bulbs. But if you use sets, keep in mind that they’re best if you want bulb onions.

Look for long-day varieties that form bulbs once we have 14 or more hours of sunlight daily; in our area, onions will begin producing CAROL O'MEARA pungent, sweet bulbs beginning in CSU EXTENSION, BOULDER COUNTY July.

Onions prefer fertile, well-draining soil liberally amended with ors you’re planting your spring ganic material. Spread compost kitchen garden, leave room one to one-and-a-half inches deep for one of cooking’s basics. across the bed, then till it in, workGrowing onions in Colorado is easy, ing it eight inches into the soil. and if you want to add this allium If you’ve sown seeds, thin them to your vegetable plot, the time to once the seedlings have five to 10 get planting is now. leaves. For best bulb production, Seeds, seedlings and sets are thin to three inches apart. Pulled available to the home gardener, so seedlings are delicious as fresh or here’s a quick primer on the differ- grilled; eat them as you would a ence: seeds are directly sown into scallion. As your onions grow, each the garden from mid-March leaf they put on represents a ring through the end of April and are in the bulb itself, and size matters: very successful in Colorado. Sow larger leaves mean bigger rings. them shallowly, about three-eighths Water them frequently, never alof an inch deep. lowing their shallow roots to dry, Seedlings are started plants, which can cause bulbs to be stuntgrown this season and not yet maed and tough. Onions are nitrogenture enough to begin forming greedy during the first part of the bulbs. Locally, onion seedlings are season, so fertilize until mid-July, readily available in small clumps then put them on a diet — onions that you tease apart upon planting. don’t need much nitrogen past Plant them one inch deep and that point. slightly later than seeds, so any As onions bulb, they often push time in April will do. themselves out of the soil; this is Sets are onion bulbs that are normal and your plant will be fine. about one inch in diameter and Avoid giving in to the urge to “hillplanted as you would a tulip or daf- up” your onions; hiding the beautifodil. Both seeds and seedlings can ful bulb will work against the plant’s desire to plump it and you be used for green onions, often won’t get good production. As the called scallion-stage, or for sizing

Try growing onions in your garden this spring

A

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

plant prepares to bulb (the neck will feel a little soft), if your soil is hard from the summer sun, gently loosen it to let the plant expand.

Keep weeds to a minimum, since they rapidly crowd out the less-vigorous onion. Careful, shallow hoeing around the plants is a must to avoid damaging the developing bulb, so if you’re a bit of a brute with the hoe, mulch is a good option for your onions.

Thrips are common insects in our area, rasping off the surface of the onion leaf, leaving a tell-tale trail of silver. They hide out on weeds, so weed suppression is key to control.

You can tell if your onion is mature by its floppy tops, which start laying over in mid-August. Hold off on watering at this point and when most of the tops have fallen, gently lift the onions from the ground. Let them rest on top of the ground for up to two days, trying to keep them oriented the same way they grew in the ground to prevent sunburn.

After two or three days, take the onions into a warm, dry location to cure for several weeks until the necks are completely dry. Trim the tops, then store the bulbs in a mesh bag out of sunlight in a cool location.

You can tell if your onion is mature by its floppy tops, which start laying over in mid-August Special to the RH

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Craft an individualized home gym KIM COOK ASSOCIATED PRESS

C

hoosing a room to function as a home gym or personal workout space is just as important as finding the right equipment. The key is to make the space inviting, experts say.

“Paint’s inexpensive, but it can really make a difference,” said Ruth Tara, a New York-based home gym designer and former trainer. “Pick a color you love that isn’t white or offwhite. Add good lighting so you can see what you’re doing.”

Put the gym in an area that will keep you active, engaged and coming back for more.

Do you like fitness video, or Wii? Invest in a good, well-positioned TV, and an equally good sound system, so you can play what will motivate you to keep exercising. Have remote controls accessible for everything.

Then, what about that exercise gear? Experts recommend equipment that works muscles, heart rate, flexibility and mind. With that in mind, here are five home-gym equipment must-haves:

Gaiam makes several. And for something different, consider Gaiam’s T’ai Chi Fan Dance Kit; it includes a cloth fan and instructional DVD. MIND Work mind and body at the same time with music or a favorite interactive video. Invest in a good mat, one that doesn’t have a strong odor, and think about the color as well. Coordinate your equipment with the hues of your workout space. Do you work best in a bright, energizing environment, or are you better in a calming, Zen-like atmosphere? Hang some mirrors and motivational images to inspire you.

SAFETY A non-slip, cushioned surface underfoot is essential. Give yourself enough space to extend your arms and legs without winging the vases off the tables. Position a phone nearby for emergencies. Prepare a portable first aid box, with gel ice and Band-Aids. And make sure any moving equipment you buy has an auto-stop safeguard.

Dedicating a room with a full array of gym equipment and probably a new floor will run from $1,500 to STRENGTH-BUILDING You no longer need a cumbersome more than $20,000. While a simple gym can be set up in a 10-by-12-foot rack filled with different weights. extra room, many people will turn “Selectorized” dumbbells can be over half of a renovated basement — weight-adjusted with just a click. perhaps 20-by-20 feet — to a workBowflex makes a popular version.

Add an ab machine and bench press out area.

“People may splurge on an elliptiif you want to get serious. cal or a treadmill, and then a year later, they’ll add more equipment as CARDIO AND HEART RATE Portable fitness options and small they’ve proven to themselves that accessories can help you go the extra they’re serious about working out,” Herman said. mile. Eric Herman, fitness category Tara has done some large and elabmanager for Boston-based CSN, likes orate home gyms, complete with reStamina’s elliptical trainer that’s compact, lightweight, and stores eas- mote lighting and sound, tilt-mounted TVs, climate control and a steam ily under a desk or in a closet. They room. Fridges, ballet bars and colormake folding treadmills and bikes, matched equipment are often added. too. Tara likes the Bowflex/Nautilus For a typical home, she advises Treadclimber. Gaiam has a fun miniputting the workout area “where you trampoline with a handle; it comes with a 35-minute workout DVD. And like to spend your time. Better to put it in a corner of the living room than a few rounds in Wii Fit’s hula-hoop in the bedroom — that’s where you activity are effective too. go to sleep.”

FLEXIBILITY AND BALANCE She also advised against ordering a complicated, multi-component piece Resistance bands are an inexpensive, effective option for muscle ton- from an infomercial. “Eight cartons show up with 3,000 pieces you have ing. Balance balls work your core;

Metro Creative Services photos

to put together. Once assembled, they’re often too big for the space, too complicated, and noisy.” Try out equipment in fitness or sporting goods stores; read online reviews.

If you’re strapped for both cash and space, a mat, some weights and a couple of towels will do, Tara said.

“Just get yourself moving. You don’t need all the gizmos. There are 24hour fitness channels on TV. Invite a friend over. The goal’s to stave off boredom so you keep exercising.”

SOURCEBOOK: • www.gaiam.com — Core Advantage Stability Ball, $20; T’ai Chi Fan Kit, $29.98; Trampoline, $99 • www.fitnessequipmentand more.com — Stamina In-Motion elliptical trainer, $94.99; Stamina folding bike, $179 • www.homegymdesign.net — • www.csnstores.com — Cardiogym self-contained woodgrain work- Ruth Tara designs small or large custom home gyms. out center, $2,105

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8

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

Open Houses This Weekend - www.thegroupinc.com SATURDAY 1:00 - 3:00

SATURDAY 11:00 - 2:00

4102 Ash Court, Loveland - WOW is what you will say as you enter this ranch style home- NEW carpet, vinyl, paint & light fixtures! This home has good bones w/newer vinyl windows & has been well maintained throughout.The convenience of everything on 1 level will be appreciated.The covered pa o & spacious fenced yard w/sprinkler system & landscaped w/ seasonal perennials will provide beauty throughout the year.

3113 N Sheridan Avenue, Loveland - Movein condi on. This classic all-brick ranch offers 5bd/2ba. It is beau fully maintained w/ many upgrades & details throughout. Newer windows, sliding pa o door, furnace, water heater, central AC, plus a whole house fan.

New roof!

SATURDAY 1:00 - 3:00

SATURDAY 1:00 - 3:00

832 Nyssa Drive, Loveland - Adorable house, updated kitchen with pergo flooring stainless steel appl incl refrigerator, double ovens & gas stove. Newer carpet, vinyl windows, A/C, large RV pad next to driveway. Fenced backyard has shed w/electricity, finished basment!

204 Sand Grouse Drive, Loveland - If you’re looking for classy and contemporary this is your house! Spacious 4-level with separate living and family areas plus room to expand in the basement. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, central air, upgraded cabinetry. Large corner lot that backs to greenbelt. Close to neighborhood park.

$169,900

$179,000

$190,000

$217,500

MLS#622389

MLS#615190

MLS#620255

MLS#617259

Call Kathy Boeding 461-7152

Call Sco Mullen 690-8333

Call Deanna McCrery 222-9532

Call Cindy Kurtz 962-6832

SATURDAY 11:00 - 2:00

FRIDAY - SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00

3902 Penrose Avenue, Loveland - MAINTENANCE FREE PATIO HOME with mountain views from front porch plus sides and backs to private open space. Nobody wants 20 neighbors looking at them in their back yard. Home faces NW for maximum sun exposure, natural light, and driveway snow melt. 2 beds, 2 baths, with formal living & entertainment area. Completely remodeled. All kitchen appliances included.

2409 Maple Hill Drive, Fort Collins -Maple hill is an exci ng collec on of a rac ve, energy efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly homes with neighborhood pool, trails and future park. This is builders model. Paired homes star ng at $175, 000 single family homes star ng at $201,000.

$220,550

$234,000

MLS#622817

MLS#595204

Call John Simmons 481-1250

Call Lisa O’Brien 566-0995

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 1:00 - 3:00

SATURDAY 1:00 - 3:00

214 Willow Street #6, Fort Collins - Discover the Roo ops on the River! 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, private garage and private 4th floor roo op deck! New Phase II pricing AND $8,000 Buyer Credit! Excellent Old Town Fort Collins loca on between Northside Atzlan Center and Bas Bleu Theatre and backing to park and Poudre River Trail. Sq Ft does not include 200 sq deck and 260 sq a ached garage.

1267 Swainson Road, Eaton - This wonderful ranch style home with a finished basement offers open living spaces that flow. 3 bedrooms plus 3 bathrooms. Features include wood flooring, gas fireplace, A/C, ceiling fans, Rinnai water heater, 5-piece bath, Traver ne le counters. Backs to open space with walk path, pond. You must see inside this home, the home opens to the back. Pool opens Memorial Day; Clubhouse and walking trail open year round.

FRIDAY - SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 1:00 - 5:00

SATURDAY 1:00 - 3:00

291 Saratoga Drive, Windsor - Greenspire is a lake front community with planned trails, parks, docks and open space capturing the spirit of Colorado. Designed with energy efficiency and comfort in mind. Homes star ng at $235,000 lake view homes star ng at $330,000.

503 Prairie Clover Way, Severance - This 3 bedroom 2 bath home greets you inside with SS appliances, wood floors in the kitchen, lush le accents in master bath & kitchen back splash & an open floor plan. Included is led entry & led master bath floor! Beau ful & func onal built-ins with cra sman details from trim to ceiling.

Home pictured is not actual home-model only. $8,000 incen ve .

2178 Blue Duck Court, Loveland - Fantas c value for finished square footage. 3 car garage and 1/3 acre lot.

Basement is professionally finished, 5 bedroom, 4 bath.

Excellent condi on and move-in ready. Maple floors and cabinets, granite le countertops, central air, walk-in pantry.

This property backs to historic farm.

$235,545

$250,000

$285,000

MLS#595072

MLS#618665

MLS#620532

Call Lisa O’Brien 566-0995

Call Andrea Schaefer 290-3758

Call Mark Moran 218-1891

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 1:00 - 4:00

TUESDAY - SUNDAY 1:00 - 4:00

1014 Burrowing Owl Drive, Fort Collins - Welcome to Waterleaf! Smartly Designed Homes for Northern Colorado Living . Choose from 4 ranch & 5 two-story floor plans. 1,625 to 2,535 finished sf. Base prices from $259,000 to $320,000.

Fridge, Dishwasher, Electric Range/Oven, Washer & Dryer included! Front Yard Landscaping and Rear Yard Fencing included! Generous list of included features in every home!

Energy efficiency built into every home.

5338 Wishing Well Lane, Timnath - Sage Homes building in Timnath’s newest neighborhood featuring Bethke Elementary, open space, future rec center.

3 car garage, main floor master and study, FULL landscaping, and well upgraded including granite countertops and refr, washer & dryer included. E-star home & Built Green. Metro district for HOA. Take advantage of the $8,000 or $6,500 Tax Credits.

4635 Tarragon Drive, Loveland - Tired of yardwork?

Visit our furnished model home at The Pa os in Thompson Crossing. 6 ranch plans, 3 car gar op ons, garden level lots, views, low HOA dues. Convenient loca on, yet tucked away; million $ sculpture walk, trail, open space close to I-25. Low maintanence living at it’s best!

$290,000

$298,000

$305,000

$310,000

Priced From $324,000

MLS#574335

MLS#621340

MLS#621243

MLS#595359

MLS#607818

Call Jim Hauan 481-9280

Call Layne Payant 302-6894

Call Ma Thompson 443-9910

Call Jim Hauan 481-9280

Call Val Schlageter 217-3464

SUNDAY 1:00 - 4:00

SUNDAY 1:00 - 3:00

SATURDAY/SUNDAY 1:00 - 5:00

SATURDAY 12:00 - 3:00

SUNDAY 1:00 - 3:00

4802 Sorrel Lane, Loveland - Not quite ready for a pa o home? Come see this new 2 bdrm w/study, 2 ba 1850 fin sf ranch in Thompson Crossing, 3 car sideload, covered rear pa o, oversized shower in mstr. Mtn views, corner lot backs to greenbelt. BUILDER TO MATCH TAX CREDIT!

4490 Fruita Drive, Loveland - This ranch has three bedrooms, three baths & an office on main level. The kitchen, ea ng area & family room offer superior design w/an abundance of glass & angled ceilings. 4th bedroom & 4th bath downstairs make ideal get-a-way for guests/teens. Game & Rec rooms in lower level have wet bar w/Silestone counters.Home has covered front porch & gorgeous backyard abuts open space. View of Long’s Peak from front of home.

5702 Shepherd Street, Timnath - Drama c 2 story with superb cra sman styling. 7 plans including Main Floor Master, 2 Story, & Ranch styles priced from $429,900. French Country and Tuscan styles available. Timnath’s newest neighborhood with new Bethke Elementary, parks, trails and a future pool/ clubhouse.

2707 Sedona Hills Drive, Loveland - 35 Low maintenance acres. Amazing loca on minutes to mountain recrea on, shopping, restaurants, and schools. Gated Community. 3768 sq , 3bedroom, 3 bath, ranch style home with many upgrades and a walkout basement. 24 X 32 Barn and a 30 X 40 Outbuilding.

530 Deer Meadow Drive, Loveland - Quality custom from Aus n Signature Homes. Enjoy the final opportunity for a lifestyle on Mariana Bu e Golf Course! Golf course lifestyle with no membership fees. Peaceful, quiet se ng with tranquil views that overlook golf course, water and the front range.

Robert Walkowicz 377-4945.

$359,000

$360,000

$549,900

$625,000

$995,000

MLS#616342

MLS#609054

MLS#571091

MLS#623193

MLS#586010

Call Becky Vasos 217-9874

Call Denise Kloster 402-9100

Call Jim Hauan 481-9280

Call Jesse Laner 672-7212

Call Nancy Walkowicz 461-7136 13-309948

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Home H&RG Improvement

House keeping primer for novices Both men and women can learn to keep a clean and orderly house

more original to fight about?”

“How to Sew on a Button: And Other Nifty JENNIFER FORKER Things Your Grandmother Knew” (Ballantine ASSOCIATED PRESS Books, 2009) takes a similar tack for women untrained in the household arts. The book idea t’s no secret that men and women sometimes started with a pie gone wrong, said author Erin take different approaches to housecleaning.

Bried of Brooklyn, N.Y. She tried to bake a strawAfter I married my husband, I found him berry-rhubarb pie for friends and learned — after cleaning the toilet by disassembling it first. serving it — that she’d used Swiss chard stems His father? Family lore says Grandpa John once instead of rhubarb. The greens gave the pie a decleaned the kitchen floors by moving the table cidedly grassy — and inedible — taste. and chairs into another room, filling a bucket “It was so embarrassing, I decided to write a with scalding, sudsy water and throwing it on the book about it,” said Bried. linoleum floor — mimicking how he mopped barThese two authors researched their books in racks floors during Army basic training in the ear- similar fashions: by interviewing those they ly 1960s. deemed experts. Martin spoke with the women in “It was clean, it was fast, it was efficient and it his life, particularly his wife, and a few obscure got the job done,” said Grandpa John Clarke, 73, scientist types. Bried searched out other people’s of West Warwick, R.I. “It’s not how I do it anygrandmothers. Ten of these women share their more. Now we hire a cleaning lady.” ideas on thriftiness and entertaining, housecleaning and, yes, even how to sew on a button.

Two books have hit bookstores to help the housekeeping-challenged. One is clearly femaleBried, a senior staff writer at Self magazine, oriented, promising to impart the wisdom of says her book is for folks seeking more self suffigrandmothers. The other? Grandpa John would ciency. agree with its logic: Teach men shortcuts and en“We are in tough economic times, and we’re all courage speed. looking for different ways to save time and save “How To Get Things Really Flat” (The Experimoney and make life simpler,” said Bried. “If you ment, 2009) not only tries to help men underknow how to hem your own pants you can make stand the art of ironing, as the title indicates, but the decision to do it.” author Andrew Martin hopes to liberate women by Martin, the author of seven novels, says the trick emboldening men: Yes, you can do the dishes (and in getting men to do housework is to teach them the laundry). shortcuts, which are more than speedy — they’re manly.

He does this with humor and bluntness.

He tells men to use the vacuum attachment to “My argument is, it’s not difficult to learn [how to do certain chores] so why not learn it? Men are dust — or to dust with both hands — and to work fast, against the clock. Making it a contest — perverse in not learning it,” Martin said in an interview from his London home. “They spend hun- that’s manly — will get the job done.

Martin warns women to start their men off slowdreds of hours of their lives arguing with their ly with chores that show noticeable results. That’s wives. And I say why not find something better,

I

Metro Creative Services photos

why men like to mow, he said.

“You can see where you’ve been,” Martin said.

“You can see you’re achieving something.”

The same can hold true for ironing and vacuuming.

“There is something about vacuuming,” said Martin. “It’s more manly. It’s noisy. It’s violent.

People have to shut up for it.”

Martin even has a favorite vacuum attachment.

“I say the best attachment is the narrow one,” he said. “That is the most violent.”

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

Premier Property Solutions Find spring specials on landscaping, maintenance and lawn care

• Power Rake — Every spring your lawn accumulates a layer of dead thatch when it comes out of the dormant season. Thatch is a layer of slowly decomposing grass, dead roots, and other yard debris that's picked up by your mower and tossed back onto the grass. This layer prevents sun light, water, and fertilizer RH PAID ADVERTORIAL from getting to the roots of the grass. Power raking is recommended in early spring or late remier Property Solutions, serving the fall when the grass is not green.

Front Range for over 10 years, offers a full • Aeration — Lawn aeration is a process range of year-round services including that perforates the soil with small holes that property maintenance, landscaping, concrete in- allow water, air and fertilizer through to get stallation, snow removal. With a combined 25 closer to the roots. This enables the roots to years of experience, the business is fully grow deeply, producing a healthier more vigequipped to handle the landscaping and mainte- orous lawn. Core aeration is recommended in nance needs of both residential and commercial early spring or late fall. clients. With locations in Loveland, Fort Collins • Fertilizer — this is essential for your lawn and Boulder, Premier Property Solutions is con- because it is essentially its food. Your lawn venient to the entire region. needs to have fertilizer every five to six weeks.

Premier Property Solutions guarantees all of Premier Property Solutions offers three differits work and offers a one-year warranty on serent types of fertilizer for this special. vice and materials installed.

LANDSCAPING SPECIALS LAWN CARE SPECIAL Other savings incentives include $35 sprinFor a limited time, Premier Property Solutions kler inspection and setting, $20 bush and is offering a Spring Savings lawn care special in- shrub trimming (per bush or shrub), $25 cluding power raking, aeration and fertilizer for mowing, trimming and edging (per week), and a $6 per square foot special on concrete $99.

P

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

(including prep work, delivery and installation).

Additionally, sod is now available for $1.20 per square foot including the removal of all debris from designated area and prep work including cleaning of soil (rocks, weeds, old sod). Next they prep the soil by rotor-tilling six inches down and adding three inches of compost and rotortilling the compost in. After that they mend the soil, grade it and level it. Then it’s time to prepare for the delivery and installation of the Kentucky bluegrass. This entire process can take between one and three days depending on the size of the area.

If you need rock or mulch, it is being offered for $1.25 per square foot. This price includes the removal of all debris from designated area and prep work including cleaning of soil (rocks, weeds, old sod). The installation starts with galvanized roll top edging with pins, then installing commercial grade ground cover in the designated area. Finally, Premier Property Solutions delivers and installs your choice of rock or mulch.

There are 16 styles to choose from.

THE INSTALLATION PROCESS Premier Property Solutions will walk you through the entire landscaping process. Premier works with its customers on the design, the installation and the maintenance of the landscaping. All advertised specials expire on May 31.

Free estimates are available, as well as a wide range of payment options.

For more information, call Premier Property Solutions at 970-535-2688 (Loveland), 970-5352685 (Fort Collins), or 720-251-2685 (Boulder).

Testimonials

W

e would highly recommend Premier Property Solutions for any of your hardscaping needs. We wanted to either use stone or landscape timbers to build a retaining wall and patio around our walk-out basement door area. Michael was not only very helpful in assisting us to explore all the opportunities available to us, but he was also able to help us make the best decision based on our available budget. He was very prompt and courteous in all interactions and was able to complete the job in a timely manner. He kept us informed daily on the progress of the job and was able to answer all of our questions and concerns. He showed expertise in all aspects of the job he completed, and we are very pleased with the quality of work. Should we have a need for landscaping services again, we would contact them without any hesitation.

y husband and I would recommend Premier Property Solutions for your landscaping needs. They recommended a design that included shrubbery, perennials and sod within our budget. They also removed many of the existing shrubs. Michael and his work crew were courteous, punctual and reliable. Michael was open to our suggestions and worked with us to make changes to his plan. He also offered us other services that included cutting and shaping new beds, mulching and trimming and narrowing hedges. Premier Property Solutions guarantees all of their plants for one year. We have been satisfied and are willing to speak on their behalf with potential customers.

— Steve and Maggie Shumate

— Mrs. Taylor

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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H&RG IN THE GARDEN

Go greener with gardening books DEB WANDELL SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

W

ith spring around the corner and thoughts turning to the garden, here are four new books that will help you grow a little greener: • “The New Low-Maintenance Garden” by Valerie Easton (Timber Press; $19.95). We’re gardening in a new millennium, with challenges such as limited space, dwindling natural resources and less free time, yet most of us do it the way our grandparents did, Easton said.

A garden columnist for The Seattle Times, she weeded and watered her own intensely planted quarter-acre for years, before realizing that all the work left her little time for enjoy-

ment. Easton’s solution: Go the lowmaintenance route with a minimum of lawn and plants that need pruning and dividing, spraying or staking.

She assures readers that low maintenance doesn’t mean boring. It’s all about thoughtful design and editing, smart plant choices that include both ornamentals and edibles, and working with nature’s rhythms.

Jacqueline M. Koch’s photos accompany Easton’s profiles of innovative gardens and their creators. It’s all topped off with plant suggestions, strategies and tips, including how to kill your lawn in five easy steps.

• “One Magic Square: The Easy Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square” by Lolo Houbein (The Experiment; $18.95). Despite the lack of diversity in the world’s food crops, there is one place we can

encourage bio-diversity on a small scale: the yard. Houbein takes that literally. Starting with a 3-by-3-foot plot, she said, allows those of us who are new to food gardening to decide how far we want to go. A 1-yard plot requires minimal effort while still being productive and fun to tend.

The 30 “Magic Square” garden plots offer plenty of ideas, from a simple salad garden with a variety of lettuces to gardens for soup, stir fry and roots.

• “Talking Dirt: The Dirt Diva’s Down-to-Earth Guide to Organic Gardening” by Annie Spiegelman (Penguin; $15). A California master gardener and columnist for the Pacific Sun in Marin County, Spiegelman gets down to organic-gardening basics in a fun, breezy style that appeals to beginners and seasoned gar-

deners. She covers everything from how to decode snooty plant names to soil rehab to tackling pest control, including the bigger crunchier pests, to landscaping with edibles.

Plant recommendations are followed

by Spiegelman’s Universal Botanical Whaaa-Whaa Rating, which rates plants on their botanical merit and level of whining/ • “Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye-Catching Displays with 350 Easy-Care Plants” by Debra Lee Baldwin (Timber Press; $29.95).

Sculptural, easy to care for and forgiving, succulents are the darlings of drought-tolerant landscaping. In this richly photographed book, Baldwin shows how to use these unusual plants to maximum effect indoors and out by combining shapes, textures and colors.

Local greenhouse celebrates milestone RH PAID ADVERTORIAL

G

ulley Greenhouse celebrates its 35th anniversary as a local Northern Colorado business this year. Home-grown from the beginning, Jim and Jan Gulley started the greenhouse fresh out of college. Jan, the horticulturist of the pair, graduated from Colorado State University with the plant knowledge to get things growing. Jim’s business sense and carpentry expertise enabled the pair to build a small, yet successful growing operation. They set up shop in their backyard on Sherwood Street in Old Town Fort Collins, selling perennials and herbs to gardeners of Fort Collins and Loveland. Many neigh-

bors of that first location are still loyal Gulley customers today, stopping by to tell great stories of the young couples’ long hours and hard work.

In the early 1980s, Jim and Jan moved the entire operation to the current location south of Fort Collins, and started expanding from there.

Jim’s father, Ray, helped get the first greenhouses up and running at the new site. Still focusing on perennials, the Gulley’s began adding varieties and growing for larger wholesale customers and their ever-expanding retail clientele. Today, the operation consists of over five acres of covered greenhouses, countless cold frames, growing fields, and automated systems. Most all of the plants offered for sale have started as seeds or

cuttings in the propagation greenhouses, and have been grown and nurtured into healthy thriving plants. This year, Gulley Greenhouse is excited to add a line of USDA Certified Organic herbs and veggies, perfect for home gardeners to start their own organic gardens.

Thirty-five years later, Gulley Greenhouse is still producing quality plants locally. The Gulleys are proud to be a part of the Northern Colorado community, and continuously give back through fundraiser events and donations. Stop by to see their friendly faces, and shop their premium selection of perennials, roses, herbs, annuals, veggies, trees and shrubs. Call Gulley Greenhouse at 970-223-4769 to get started with spring planting.

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

13

Save on home projects Spring tips for the yard RH PAID ADVERTORIAL

cludes a variety of equipment including paint sprayers, ladders, pressure washers, generators, lawn mowers, compact backIf you don’t use a particular piece of hoes, buffers, sanders, sewer snakes and equipment more than 10 to 12 times a trailers. The company also offers wedding year, it makes more sense to rent. That’s and special event items such as bounce the advice of Ray Hoekstra, Jr., who, with houses, tables, chairs, canopies, sound syshis brother Don, own two Grand Rental tems and even a pig rotisserie.

Station locations. One is in Loveland and The company stresses the importance of the other is in Johnstown. educating customers in the proper use of Grand Rental Station offers everything from Bobcats and stump-grinders to wed- any rental item before it leaves the store.

The staff will take whatever time is necesding arches and everything in between.

“There are a lot of advantages to renting sary to instruct each customer on the features of a tool so they can fully understand over owning, especially when it comes to maintenance, repairs and storage,” Hoek- how to safely and properly operate the stra said. He pointed out that a benefit of rental item. With proper instruction, the renting is that when customers rent some- job can be done correctly.

“What we love about being in the rental thing from Grand Rental Station, they are business is that we are in the unique posiassured of getting a high quality, reliable piece of equipment without having to put tion of assisting out do-it-yourself customers to save money by tackling their a large amount of money into it. If, by own projects, and we enjoy seeing that chance, something does break down, sense of pride and satisfaction that is Grand Rental Station will replace the gained in a job well done,” Hoekstra said. piece right away so the customer can fin“This is definitely a win-win for all of us.” ish their project immediately.

“If you own a rototiller and it breaks Grand Rental Station provides deliveries down, you’ve got a problem. But if you on request for a nominal fee. Customers rent one from me and it breaks down, now are always encouraged to call ahead to reI’ve got a problem,” he said. serve equipment, especially during the Grand Rental Station’s inventory inbusy spring and summer months.

RH PAID ADVERTORIAL Spring is right around the corner.

For those of us who love working in our yards, it’s time to clean out winter and fall debris, plant summer bulbs and fertilize grass. For those installing a new yard or considering upgrading an existing one, it’s time to make some decisions: who do I hire?

What plants are best for this area?

Are there ways to save money without cutting corners?

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking for ways to save some money on and improve your existing yard, here are some tips to get you going.

• Install an automatic sprinkler system. This allows you to evenly water your lawn without the labor and guess-work of hoses and oscillators. If you do have a sprinkler, call Tri City Sprinklers & Landscaping for a free sprinkler analysis and consultation.

Sprinkler leaks, poor adjustment or over-watering can be major sources of

wasted water and money.

• Replace the rock around your house with wood or recycled rubber mulch. Rock reflects heat and can increase the energy needed to cool your house. Using recycled rubber mulch or shredded mulch that won’t blow away will save yearly re-mulching and is a great way to make your existing landscaping look new.

• Replace part of your grass with mulch and bushes that require less water and maintenance. The money spent will be balanced within several years by saving in water and maintenance costs.

• Get several estimates. Then check references (including the BBB).

Choose a company you’re comfortable working with and feel you can trust.

At Tri City Sprinklers & Landscaping, we’ll work with you before, during and after your project to satisfy you and help you get the most for your money. Call today for your free consultation and estimate at 970-667-8382.

Tri City Sprinklers and Landscaping Estimates are always free & cheerfully given!

Family owned and operated since 1980

We specialize in: Landscape irrigation Landscape design & installation, including xeriscape Sprinkler repair & vacuum breaker testing

the equipment

We love referrals!

the pride

New Installation Partial or Complete

Renovations

Call today for your FREE consultation and estimate

Ask about our PROPANE Frequent Filler Program

970-667-8382

Ray & Don Hoekstra, Owners

3101 W. Eisenhower Blvd.

Loveland

142 Gateway Circle Johnstown

669-3866

532-0144

Ask about our custom vacuum breaker covers & rubber mulch!

13-293109

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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www.homeandrealtyguide.com

A new way to sell your home A different view of retirement 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

RH PAID ADVERTORIAL

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oudre Valley By Owner is a locally owned company providing an inexpensive, high-value, online marketing tool to help people sell properties themselves. There are no Realtors, contracts aren’t required and commissions aren’t charged. Sellers are provided everything needed to effectively advertise their properties, reaching local, national and even worldwide prospects.

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CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE SELLING YOUR OWN HOME OR PROPERTY

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stone as every third or fourth piece is placed. Leave gaps of 1/2-1 inch between the flagstone to be filled Installing flagstone is great for later. walkways and patios and it comes in To add to the finished product, cut multiple colors. The best thickness the flagstone to fit exactly into each is 11/2-2 inches and may be purspace. Use a chisel to score a line chased in irregular shapes or prewhere you want the break. Then cut. place a two-by-four directly under To start, order one ton of flagthe score and gently tap the stone stone per 90-120 square feet and on the break line. When picking the one ton of sand per every 240 pieces, allow for some miscalculated square feet to cover the area at a breakage, but save the pieces as depth of one inch. Then choose eithey may fit later. ther edger, steel, plastic ties or timWhen the area is laid, lightly walk ber. For help determining materials over the pieces to check for levels needed, bring a diagram of your and rocking pieces. Add or subtract space to the sales staff at Pioneer sand under corners as needed. To Sand Company, Inc. finish the walkway, either put To begin, prepare the designated straight breeze over the flagstone or area by excavating a compacted area polymeric sand, a product available approximately three inches below at Pioneer Sand Company, Inc. that where you want the finished prodcan be used in the cracks and gets uct. Then install an edger or border almost as hard as concrete but is to contain the materials before easier to use. adding 1-11/2 inch of sand over the To purchase flagstone, visit Pioentire area. Set a 2-by-4 board over neer Sand Company, Inc. on 6705 an edger and drag the sand to get a South College Avenue in Fort Collins smooth and uniform bed to lay the or in Berthoud at 2123 U.S. 287. flagstone on. Lay out the flagstone For more information, call the one piece at a time, matching them staff at 970-223-4505 or visit to fit like a puzzle. Level the flagwww.pioneersand.com.

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Real Estate Matters

H&RG

Calculate home affordability Determine the wisest amount to borrow finance, affordability rests on a great deal on factors other than annual income.

Sure, how much money you ow much house can I earn each year is an imporafford? That’s the tant part of answering the afquestion of the year for home buyers who have be- fordability question. If you don’t have verifiable income, gun to realize that with toyour mortgage loan applicaday’s new rules of mortgage

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tion won’t be approved.

Samuel J. Tamkin is a Chicago-based But other factors play into real estate attorney. His Web site is the affordability question as www.lawproblems.com. Ilyce R. Glink’s well — starting with your Web site is www.thinkglink.com. If you credit history and credit have questions for them, write: Real score.

Estate Matters Syndicate, P.O. Box 366, If you have a lower credit Glencoe, IL 60022. score, the interest rate on the loan you eventually se- Real Estate Matters cure will be higher, and the answer to the “How much in 2008 and had a $7,000 any other monthly debt payhouse can I afford� question second mortgage. ments you make — all of will be “Less.� which could leave you with Since the decline of the real Most lenders will require precious little to make those estate market, her home is you to have a credit score bemonthly mortgage payments. only worth about $159,900. tween 620 and 660 if you For those home buyers who She got engaged and wanted want to qualify for an FHA to sell and would need to take own their own businesses, loan. If you want to get a cona loss of $11,000. how much income you deventional loan, you’ll need a clare on your tax return will I take exception to your credit score above 680, and be the driving factor behind suggestion that she just stop preferably over 720. how much house a lender be- making mortgage payments Another crucial factor is lieves you can afford. and let the lender foreclose how much cash you have on on the home. This is a matter The days of qualifying for hand for closing costs and a your mortgage based on cash of morality and not finance. down payment. Not only will The borrower signed a conyou get a better interest rate flow in the business, rather than on income you declared tract to make the payments if you have more cash to put on your taxes, is over for the and nowhere in the contract down on the property, but if moment. Stated income did it say that the borrower you have at least 20 percent loans (where you tell the would be released from the to put down on your house lender how much money you contract if she was to become purchase, you’ll also avoid earn or claim to have earned) engaged, or found that she no paying private mortgage inhave virtually disappeared. longer liked the house, or if surance (PMI). she chose to move to another Mortgage lenders want to Paying PMI is expensive, location, etc. and a lender will subtract the see at least two years of tax I don’t work in this indusamount of the insurance pre- returns for your business as mium from the income that’s well as a profit and loss state- try, but it just drives me up the wall when people want to available to make your mort- ment for the current year, among a myriad of other doc- buy a home and ask a lender gage payment. uments. for the money and then when If you’re buying a condoHome buyers who depreci- they no longer want to live in minium, co-op, townhouse or the home or they become enate investment property on a single-family house in a community that has a home- their tax returns to the extent gaged, they can just solve all their problems by walking it reduces income down to owner’s association, the away. perhaps nothing, may find it monthly fee you’re assessed even more difficult to qualify If this person stops making will be deducted from the tomortgage payments, I hope tal amount you have available for a mortgage. they are sued by the lender. to make your mortgage payIt all comes down to the We need to return to morals ment. new rules of mortgage fiin this country that honor nance. Finally, don’t just acOther monthly, recurring our contracts and stop blamcept what lender says that costs will also be deducted ing others for our mistakes. from the amount a lender be- you can afford on a home.

Make sure that you feel comAnswer: Your point is well lieves you have to pay your taken. The advice given to mortgage. For example, if you fortable with that amount carry a balance on your credit and can live comfortably with that homeowner was not givthe future monthly payments en lightly. Each homeowner cards, and have for a long for the loan as they come must make his or her own time, the monthly debt serchoices when it comes to vice you pay to the credit card due. company reduces the funds Question: In a column ear- honoring a contract. you have available to pay your lier this month, you were But we disagree that moralmonthly mortgage. asked a question about a con- ity is the sole reason the persumer who paid $170,000 for son should remain bound to a Lenders will also subtract your monthly debt service on her home. She owed contract with a mortgage $164,000 on a home bought lender. Every mortgage student loans, car loans and

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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contract contemplates a breach of contract, and the lender has certain rights and remedies under that contract.

If the borrower defaults on the contract, the borrower's punishment might be to suffer the consequences of a drop in her credit score and damage to her credit history. In addition to that, the borrower will have lost any equity (or investment) she might have made into the home.

And finally, the lender might be entitled to sue the borrower for the difference between the amount the lender is able to get from the sale of the home through foreclosure and the amount owed on the debt or a deficiency judgment.

The borrower did not marry the lender or take an oath to uphold the mortgage contract. This was strictly a business deal between two parties.

Several years ago, there was a story in the news about a couple on the West Coast that decided to walk away from their home solely because they no longer wanted to make the payments on the mortgage. They could afford the payments and had no hardship to speak of but decided

to walk away.

In that case, the lender could not sue the borrower but got the property for what it was worth. At the time, we thought that these borrowers should honor the contract and should not walk away. However, over the last several years, the mortgage and real estate industries have moved in a very different direction.

Many lenders proved willing to make loans to anybody as long as they had a pulse. Loans were given on the basis of whether those loans could be sold off to investors and no substantial regard was given to the traditional home loan underwriting criteria.

Real estate values were skyrocketing and yet the major ratings agencies' models did not contemplate or project anything other than a scenario where property values would continue to rise. Wall Street firms sold these securitized investments around the world based on a false premise that these loans were good and that the work behind them was sound. Did any of these bank, lenders or investment companies consider the moral implications of

granting loans to people who couldn't afford them?

Nope. It was strictly business. We look at mortgages solely as a contract without a moral point of view.

The decision to default because it is better for the borrower's financial sheet has been termed a strategic default. Years ago, individuals filing for personal bankruptcy faced a severe moral stigma. Slowly, the moral stigma associated with filing for bankruptcy has faded, and in the coming years, we believe, the moral stigma associated with defaulting on a mortgage contract will fade.

Question: I'm married and recently received an inheritance, which I would like to use to buy some real estate as a sole and separate owner.

How do I do this to avoid any spousal claims to rights, title and interest in the property? And how do I steer clear of any IRS infractions?

I'm afraid that if I don't somehow separate this purchase from our joint household business, I could create some spousal claim on the property and future IRS tax issues.

Answer: Even if you're married, the IRS recognizes the ability to

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

17

keep an inheritance separate from marital assets. You are entitled to use funds that are outside the marital estate (like an inheritance) to buy property that you own on your own.

You should start by finding a good estate attorney or real estate attorney who can help you figure out what you want to do and what will be the best vehicle for ownership of the property. You may want to purchase this property in a trust, which the estate attorney could draft for you, and then the real estate attorney can help you close on the purchase.

If you don't know how to find a good attorney, contact your local bar association and ask for the chair of the estate and real estate committees. Those attorneys will be well connected locally and will be able to point to you attorneys who can help with your specific issues.

You should also remember that, once you have purchased this property and claim it to be separate from your household, you shouldn't use any marital assets to pay for expenses relating to that property.

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HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

Avert creating a closet room disaster Once upon a time, a family moved into a new home. They unloaded the moving truck but didn’t stop to give each room a purpose. The disorganization monster took advantage of the situation and quickly made himself at home.

The sadly neglected room slowly devolved into a complete disaster at the monster’s hand...

RHEMA MUNCY SPECIAL SECTIONS REPORTER

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right purple was definitely not the smartest color choice. When my family moved into our house, I decided to paint the home office this ghastly hue with the intention of adding a border of whimsical swirls in dark plumb to complement the color. This very same purple paint once decorated my metal bunk bed as a child, leaving me nostalgically entwined with the liquid. Everything was going to match — I could just see it.

Then, unknown to us, the disorganization monster decided to make a home under the random mix and match furniture that was accumulating in the small awkward corner room. Slowly the space devolved into a dumping ground for anything and everything. We finally shut the door and tried to avoid the disorganization monster’s laugh, a chortle that spelled out D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R whenever we walked near the door.

I needed help organizing this mess. Five years of knick-knacks, temporary storage of junk that became permanent and an attempt at carving out a craft space left the room unusable and subject to feeding Mr. Disorganization lots of snacks.

“It is pretty easy to see how people live just by seeing how they don’t clean,” said Katie Briggs of Simply Home, a residential organizing and home staging business in Fort Collins. She bravely decid-

Above, fearless home designer Katie Briggs takes on the closet room disaster area with her weapons of choice — extensive organizing skills and a trusty tape measure. Right, the new closet organization system transformed from a misused closet to a fully utilized space. The remainder of the room is now used as a home office and craft space.

RH photos/Rhema Muncy

ed to come and help me battle the extreme disorganization of the bright purple home office despite the threat of a monster. We started with discussing the color.

“Since it is a small room, stay away from bright colors,” Briggs said. “Go with a generic beige to make it as much open as possible. If you want to experiment, do a hint of sage, especially if you want calming and you are coming in here to escape from the world. You want a space the feels peaceful.”

Going with a dark color in a small room is also not the best idea, as the dark can sometimes feel oppressive and dreary, Briggs said.

The long narrow room boasts two large windows, so Briggs recommended playing with that strength by removing the blinds and adding long fabrics attached close to the ceiling to insinuate more ceiling height.

To implement a new organizing system, Briggs

told me to take everything out of the room and sort. Once I started pitching junk and re-purposing the room, the disorganization monster started to peruse the classifieds section to look for a new home. This sorting process felt like my own personal home shopping network and I found missing items in every nook and cranny of the room. Briggs encouraged me to donate everything I don’t use, a freeing but hard process as I can often imagine new crafts and uses for even the tiniest of misplaced screws.

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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with the space, especially with no more chortling from the disorganization monster emanating through the door frame.

To avoid creating such a disaster zone from the get-go, Briggs said that before moving in, each room should be given a purpose. My disaster happened when I had nowhere to put extra stuff and no real organization system.

“The bottom line is, if you don’t feel comfortable in a room, then there is something wrong with the placement of the furniture and color,” Briggs said.

Through this process, I was surprised by how little time it takes to organize. An hour here and there really adds up towards completing the goal.

I just need to change my typical college-styled organizing avoidance and step into the battle zone. I can definitely hear the disorganization monster taunting me from underneath the shoe rack of my closet. I guess the time has come to put my new organizing skills to work and finally leave my untidy ways behind in the dust.

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“Since the room is long and narrow, putting stuff flat against the walls makes it feel like there is no space in here,” Briggs said. “Whenever you have a desk and you are facing a wall, it is just like a big brick wall to any sort of creativity, especially when everything behind you is open. It doesn’t create the right mind set and makes you feel a little uncomfortable even if everything is organized.”

Briggs and I heaved, grunted and sweated re-arranging the room, but the final product divides the room into two useful spaces — a home office and a craft room. Now the desk is not directly up against the wall and is set up so that the user faces the door and sits under the sunshine and the disorganization monster finally found a new residence in the closet of my bedroom.

After all of this initial organizing, the last few months I have slowly been organizing all of my craft materials and office materials. My family still has a tendency to throw new stuff in there, close the door and ignore it all, but we will eventually find harmony

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were around $150. We also bought a curtain rod with and added some shimmering gold fabric to cover the open space when needed.

“Come up with a shelving system in the closet so that when guests come over, you can just close the door and it is a nice clean slate for someone to come in and stay there,” Briggs said.

“Utilize the space.”

The next step was to move all of the furniture around. The room has a twin-sized futon couch, a large dark brown wood desk, a small white wood desk with a large T.V. on top. There is also a turquoise green plastic rolling organizer from the early 1990s. Originally, the desk was located next to the closet on the left side of the room and faced the wall. The futon touched the desk on the right hand wall of the north side of the room under both windows. On the south side of the room was the file cabinet and bookshelf (both now moved to the closet), the green organizer, the white desk and the T.V. There was a little aisle to walk through to access all of these items. Talk about a Zen nightmare.

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“A lot of people start going through stuff and saying they have been looking for this or that, but did you give up on it six months ago?” Briggs said.

“Now it can get donated or trashed.”

Sorting through the home office room felt like sorting through my life.

College, high school and even elementary school remnants were found, and deciding what to keep was tough, but I have to consider that when I get married in a few months, my new husband and I are probably moving into a very small space. This proved to be a good guideline for my sorting and giving away.

The next step was to come up with an organizing system. Briggs took off the closet doors and measured the space. Then she plotted out some ideas. We decided to move the file cabinet into the closet along with a book shelf. Then we went shopping and invested in a white metal shelving system from Home Depot, a few organizing baskets from Target and then several organizing tubs and a hanging organizer from The Dollar Tree. Costs for all of the organizing materials

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

20

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

H&RG Transactions

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Walcott is a contemporary home that standing at the kitchen sink, you can easily keep tabs on evboard and batt erything going on in wainscot, paint- this expansive space. ed shutters and The half-octagonal an open-beam, gabled nook is as cozy as it is balcony add to the sunny, while a large charm of the Walcott, work island and small a midsize two-story pantry boost cuphome. board and counter All sides of this con- space. temporary home are A generously sized equally attractive. utility room and a Stepped gables form a small powder room backdrop for tall mul- are nearby, off the tipaned windows that hallway that connects flank a tapered stucco with the garage. chimney.

Upstairs is the WalRichly windowed on cott's vaulted owners' all sides, this home is suite. Soaking in the naturally bright and deep spa tub, you'll feels open and spafeel like you've landed cious throughout. in the lap of luxury.

More ambient light Other amenities here spills down through skylights, illuminating the upper-level balcony/landing, as well as the foyer, built-in desk and hutch below.

The vaulted living room also has two skylights, along with dramatic quarter-round windows on both sides of the fireplace.

Kitchen, nook and family room are so marginally separated ASSOCIATED DESIGNS

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include twin vanities, a roomy walk-in closet and a separately enclosed shower and toilet. The railed and covered balcony offers a refreshing and somewhat private getaway/lounging area.

Storage space lines the hallway to the secondary bedrooms and their shared bathroom.

For a review plan, including scaled floor plans, elevations, sec-

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For more information call (800) 634 0123, or visit our website, www.AssociatedDesigns.com.

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

H&RG In the Garden

Getting back to green METRO CREATIVE SERVICE

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very spring, homeowners head outside to take stock of how the winter treated their lawn. Fallen tree branches, frozen ground and winter wind storms can do a number on even the most well-manicured lawns, turning a summertime labor of love into a nightmare.

While homeowners might not be able to do anything about the weather, there are ways to revitalize a lawn each spring. And you don’t have to be an accomplished landscaper to handle the task. The following tips can help bring your luscious lawn back to life, helping make winter a distant memory.

• Smooth the soil. Once all debris been removed, examine the soil for any abnormalities that might need to be smoothed out. Use a spade or rake to smooth any areas that aren’t up to par. Next you’ll want to loosen the soil as well, something that can be done with a garden rake. Any unsightly areas, such as humps or ditches, should either be smoothed out or filled in, depending on which is appropriate.

• Consider seeding the lawn if need be. For lawns that took a particularly

harsh beating over the winter, consider seeding the lawn to help revitalize it. When seeding a lawn, be sure you choose the right seeds. But don’t be intimidated if you don’t know the correct grass to choose. Simply ask a landscaper or consult a lawn care specialist at a nearby home improvement center.

When you’re ready to seed, the seed can be scattered by hand for smaller yards, or with a drop spreader for larger lawns. When spreading with a drop spreader, use the suggested amount of seed on the bag (even a little less seed should do the trick) and make sure you spread out the rows evenly in the same direction. Once you’ve sowed the first part of your lawn in one direction, you can crisscross back over that part at a 90-degree angle, making sure you keep equal distance and calibrate your spreader at the same speed.

• Add mulch for aesthetic and practical appeal. Moist helps the soil, and can also add aesthetic appeal to a lawn. Mulch helps the soil by allowing it to retain moisture, making it more conducive to growing healthy grass.

When laying mulch down, keep the mulch at roughly a quarter-inch to ensure your lawn will grow in nicely.

Metro Creative Services

Fix it: Remove coffee stains from carpet Try a household stain remover first KAREN YOUSO STAR TRIBUNE

Q

or Oxiclean, available at hardware, home and discount stores. Follow label directions.

If that doesn’t work, call a carpet professional. If the stain still won’t budge, the carpet might need to be patched. To do that, cut out or have a professional cut out the stained area and replace it with a piece taken from the back of a closet or other inconspicuous place.

uestion: What can be done to remove a Question: I get excessive moisture in my coffee stain from carpet? I tried to rebathroom, to the point that walls and windows move it, with no success.

Answer: The stain will be harder to re- drip water even though I run the exhaust fan. move now than when it was fresh, but try again Any suggestions? with another stain remover, such as Spot Shot Answer: Be sure the fan actually exhausts to

the outdoors (you should see the fan housing on the roof or wall above the fan). It should not exhaust to the attic or other interior space. Also. check the fan for effectiveness. Pull apart a two-ply facial tissue and hold it up to the operating exhaust fan. If it pulls and holds the tissue to it, it’s probably effectively exhausting the bathroom.

Many people make the mistake of running the exhaust fan only when showering or bathing. It needs to run for 15 or more minutes after you’ve showered or bathed. Noisy fans are annoying, so people often turn them off before they can finish their work. If you decide to replace your fan, get a quiet model.

21

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com 13-308112

22

saturday PRICE

sunday

LOCATION

ADDRESS

HRS

OFFICE

PHONE

SE LOVELAND

WARBERG FARM-SOPHIA CT

12-3

CENTURY 21, HUMPAL

663-2400

$139,900 NW LOVELAND

2717 W 46TH ST

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$149,900 NW LOVELAND

4244 PIN OAK DR

1-3

KELLER WILLIAMS

$149,900* NW LOVELAND

43RD & WILSON AVE THE COTTAGES AT 12-5 ENCHANTMENT RIDGE

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$167,000 SW LOVELAND

1931 SW 14TH ST

1-3

CENTURY 21, HUMPAL

663-2400

$169,900 NW LOVELAND

4102 ASH CT

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

461-7152

$169,900* NW LOVELAND

4403 ELLIOT PLACE

12-5

$179,000 NW LOVELAND

3113 N SHERIDAN AVE

$184,900* NW LOVELAND

PRICE

LOCATION

ADDRESS

HRS

OFFICE

PHONE

SE LOVELAND

WARBERG FARM-SOPHIA CT

3-5

CENTURY 21, HUMPAL

663-2400

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$149,900* NW LOVELAND

43RD & WILSON AVE THE COTTAGES AT 12-5 ENCHANTMENT RIDGE

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$167,000

1931 SW 14TH ST

1-3

CENTURY 21, HUMPAL

$169,900* NW LOVELAND 4403 ELLIOT PLACE

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$184,900* NW LOVELAND 3399 FOSTER PLACE

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

11-2

THE GROUP, INC.

$190,000

NE LOVELAND

1949 HYDE

2-4

RE/MAX ALLIANCE

622-1809

3399 FOSTER PLACE

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$199,000

SE LOVELAND

162 BRASS

2-4

RE/MAX ALLIANCE

217-7977

$190,000 NE LOVELAND

832 NYSSA DR

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

222-9532

$210,000

NW LOVELAND 1204 BROADMOORE DR

11-2

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 214-4173

$199,000 SE LOVELAND

193 COBALT

2-4

RE/MAX ALLIANCE

622-1809 NE LOVELAND

2-4

RE/MAX ALLIANCE

4005 LAVETA DR

1-3

RE/MAX ACTION BROKERS

$215,000

$215,000 NW LOVELAND

290-5554 $227,900

NW LOVELAND 4496 HAYLER AVE

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$217,500 SE LOVELAND

204 SAND GROUSE DR

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

962-6832

$234,000

FORT COLLINS

2409 MAPLE HILL DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

566-0995

$220,550 NW LOVELAND

3902 PENROSE AVE

11-2

THE GROUP, INC.

481-1250 $235,545

WINDSOR

291 SARATOGA DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

566-0995

$227,900 NW LOVELAND

4496 HAYLER AVE

12-5

THE COTTAGE REALTY 532-5900

$234,000 FORT COLLINS

2409 MAPLE HILL DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

566-0995

$250,000

FORT COLLINS

503 PRAIRIE CLOVER WAY

1-5

THE GROUP, INC.

290-3758

$235,545 WINDSOR

291 SARATOGA DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

566-0995

$279,000

SW LOVELAND

4124 BETHS PLACE

1-3

RE/MAX ALLIANCE

481-1883

$239,000 NW LOVELAND

1231 BROADMOOR DR

11-2

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 214-4173

$290,000

FORT COLLINS

214 WILLOW STREET #6

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$250,000 FORT COLLINS

503 PRAIRIE CLOVER WAY

1-5

THE GROUP, INC.

$299,900

SW LOVELAND

435 CLUBHOUSE CT

1-3

DEIS & ASSOCIATES 231-5050

$279,900 SW LOVELAND

2730 DAFFODIL PL

1-4

COLDWELL BANKER 215-4351

$305,000

FORT COLLINS

1014 BURROWING OWL DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

443-9910

$285,000 SE LOVELAND

2178 BLUE DUCK CT

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

218-1891

$290,000 FORT COLLINS

214 WILLOW STREET #6

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$310,000

FORT COLLINS

5338 WISHING WELL LANE

1-4

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$298,000 FORT COLLINS

1267 SWAINSON ROAD

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

302-6894

$324,000

SE LOVELAND

4635 TARRAGON DR

1-4

THE GROUP, INC.

217-3464

$305,000 FORT COLLINS

1014 BURROWING OWL DR

12-5

THE GROUP, INC.

443-9910

$342,950

NW LOVELAND 2005 CREEDE AVE

1-4

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 215-9913

$310,000 FORT COLLINS

5338 WISHING WELL LANE

1-4

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$359,000

SE LOVELAND

1-4

THE GROUP, INC.

217-9874

$324,000 SE LOVELAND

4635 TARRAGON DR

1-4

THE GROUP, INC.

217-3464

$360,000

NW LOVELAND 4490 FRUITA DR

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

402-9100

$342,950 NW LOVELAND

2005 CREEDE AVE

1-4

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 215-9913 $549,900

FORT COLLINS

5702 SHEPARD STREET

1-5

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$459,900 SE LOVELAND

503 EAGLE CREST CT

1-3

WRIGHT KINGDOM

303-775-2553

$549,900 FORT COLLINS

5702 SHEPARD STREET

1-5

THE GROUP, INC.

481-9280

$895,000

SW LOVELAND

288 RESERVOIR DR

1-4

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 481-5512

$625,000 SW LOVELAND

2707 SEDONA HILLS DR

12-3

THE GROUP, INC.

672-7212

$995,000

SW LOVELAND

530 DEER MEADOW DR

1-3

THE GROUP, INC.

$895,000 SW LOVELAND

288 RESERVOIR DR

1-4

PREMIER LIFESTYLE 481-5512

$139,900

NW LOVELAND 2717 W 46TH ST

481-4160

690-8333

290-3758

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

SW LOVELAND

1919 CANTERBURY CT

4802 SORREL LANE

663-2400

622-1809

461-7136

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

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Apartments/ Apartments/ Apartments/ Commercial Garages/Storage Mobile Homes/ Lots & Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Industrial 4040 Spaces 4070 Spaces 4090 Tracts Large 2 BDRM, 1 BA, heat 2 BDRM apts: $595-$650+ paid, no pets, 1707 No Chey- dep. Clean, fresh paint, sm pets neg. Lvlnd 970-308-4096 enne Ave Unit #1 $575 FPI 970-663-4664

Apartments/ Unfurnished 4030

1 BDRM, $525/mo.

Clean, quiet, friendly complex, No pets.

Walk-in closet, storage HEAT & WATER PD. 970-667-8370.

FINALLY, Storage Space!

Huge 2 bed apt avail at Lakemont Apartments.

Will not last, call today 970.667.1644 3 BD or 2 BD- Free rent!

Pets nego. Quiet & spac. $595-$695. 970-223-1349

2 & 3 BDRM, cent. loc. New 3 BDRM, 1410 E. 16TH, 1 rm, Studio+ Vintage apts carpet/paint. Fncd yd, N/ $725/mo. New crpt, HUGE! 0 utils! On-site mgmt. W/D, P.Ht/Wtr pd! 970-308-7387 Call, RMPM 970-669-0842 DirTV $333-590 970-219-8162 3 bdrm, 2 ba, 2 car no pets 2 BDRM- 131 Jefferson, 1 BDRM NO Pets $525/mo. 2-story, balcony 2025 Cheyenne Ave. $1025 127 So Jefferson #3 FPI 970-663-4664 rmpm.com 970-669-0842 $410/mo FPI 970-663-4664 3 BDRM LVLD apt. 1.5 ba, (1 BDRM apts. Clean!( W/D hkp, newly remodeled 2 BDRM, 1 BATHLaundry available. $775/mo+ sec dep. 1403 E. Clean, fresh paint! A/C, No smk/pets. $500/mo.

7th St.#B, Roy (970)599-8312 heat/water paid.

No pets/ 970-667-6199 or 970-231-2566 smoke. $590. (970)667-0365 (No Fri eve/Sat calls( 4951 Basswood Dr, Lvlnd 2 BDRM, 1 bath, nonsmoking, no pets, $625/mo.

1 BDRM APTS., Pets OK. 2 BDRM- 4954 Basswood, Hayes @ (303)929-2850 $550/mo.

New Lino, 900SF Loveland Area $480-$545 rmpm.com 970-669-0842 970-669-5402 Classified ads get results.

uestion:

Q

?? ? ??

Answer:

Furn 1 bdrm utilities pd 122 E 4th St #5 $550.

FPI 970-663-4664 LOVELAND ♦ 2 BDRM, 1 ba, 135 W. 11th St., $700/ mo.; 1+ BDRM, 1 ba, 4207 N County Rd 27, $450/mo.

ESTES PARK ♦ 1224, 1260, 1262 Graves Ave, 2 BDRM, 1 ba, $750. 1st Choice Realtors, 970-669-9696

Commercial Industrial 4040

Approx 800 SF, 1st floor GARAGE- $950/mo. 2450 Sq ( 2 BEDROOM Home ( commercial/office space.

Ft, Commercial, 1 bath. $575+dep. W. Hwy 34. 1 Mountain Ave., Berthoud rmpm.com 970-669-0842 Mo. FREE w/6 Mo. lease. $700/mo + dep 970-532-2652.

970-690-9049

Condos/ Townhouses 4050 1400 SF, 2 BDRM, 2.5 BA, 2+ car gar, full bsmt, A/C, upgrades, pool, patio. $1100/Mo. No Smoking.

Avail 4/1. 970-420-7256 2 BDRM- 2147 Grays Peak $895. NICE! 1 CG, office rmpm.com 970-669-0842

2650 Sq Ft Retail building, 3121 W. Eisenhower. Plenty of parking. (970)593-2401 Centerra, 2 BDRM, 2 FULL BA, gas frpl, 2nd story, w/d, a/c, pool & clubhouse, Approx 700 SF, 2nd floor $825 4745 Hans Peak Dr. Storage/Office, NW corner Grace Mgmt 303-255-1990 Bunyon & 1st , Berthoud. $575/mo + dep 970-532-2652.

Grab a phone and try it today!

6335-36500

What is less than an inch tall and can move almost anything?

?

??

?

The classified section of the newspaper!

Whatever you need to part with–your car, your truck, your boat, your house–the classifieds can help you do it. Call or go online today to place your ad.

Houses

4080

2 BDRM, 901 Charlotte, Johnstown, 1 ba, $875, 1 yr lse, no pets. (970)744-0791

4080

3 BDRM- 3663 Vista, $1125 No pets, BEAUTIFUL! rmpm.com 970-669-0842 3 BDRM- 366 Sun Mountain, $1125. Pets nego, fncd yd rmpm.com 970-669-0842

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.

in the classified columns. That’s where you’ll find a complete listing of the best the area has to offer.

Calll 635-3650

2 ACRE LOT, Berthoud area, $30K price reduction, $139,000. Call Steve Conder for details, 303-514-3706.

Loveland

5110

a thousand words

Office Space 4100

Houses

5100

Get $8000 when you buy this ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( new 2 bdrm, 3 ba, 2 car townhome. $139,900 Like NEW Cottage Realty 970-532-5900 Manufactured Homes Starting @ $599/mo 0% Financing.

Price includes lot rent Tax Credit applies!

Quick Closings!

970-420-8488 www.aboutarc.com A picture is worth (((((((((((

4060

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME

201 E.5th St. • 635-3650 • www.reporterherald.com

STORAGE 20 x 40 with 14´ overhead door. $325/mo. Call (970)481-5899

3 BDRM- 216 SW 42nd, $550/mo. No pets, new crpt. rmpm.com 970-669-0842

Mobile Home Sale/Rent 2 BDRM + studio, ren- Various parks, owner ovated bungalow, granite, finance, low down, 2 or 3 hdwd, yd. 3rd St. SE., Lvld. bdrm, bad credit ok, rent to own, same price as rent.

N/S $875/mo. 970-988-0747 Let´s Talk! 970-215-1819 2 LOVELY NEW HOMES Immed occupancy, Never 1 BDRM Duplex, no pets, been lived in. No smoke 207 W. 8th St. $495 ● 2 bdrm, 2 ba ranch, full FPI 970-663-4664 bsmt, 2 car $1250/mo.

920 Sq Ft- 4 prof´l offices, $1250/dep ● 3 bdrm + ofc, recep area, high traffic, grt 2 BDRM- 2354 SW 10th 2 ba, 2 car, bsmt, $1350/mo. prkg. $775/mo. 970-420-5757 $550. Spacious! Wall A/C. $1350/dep. (970)622-7426 rmpm.com 970-669-0842 Mountain Ave., Berthoud Close to I25 and shopCommercial/Retail 2 BDRM- 820 Kelly, ping!!! 1009 King Dr. 3 $500/mo 970-532-2652. $695/mo. Pets neg, 1 car. BDRM, 2 ba. New carpet/ rmpm.com 970-669-0842 tile flr. Gar, lrg yd, A/C, patio. Just Reduced!!!

OFFICE, RETAIL, $1,450/mo. Faith Property INDUSTRIAL. UTIL´S 3 Bdrm- 1305.5 E 16th, $825.

970-377-1626 INCLUDED. 970-667-3338 Fin bsmt, new crpt, lino, paint. RMPM 970-669-0842 1402 W. 11th St. WOW, this 3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, 1200 SF, new house has alot to offer for carpet/paint Lvlnd, $850 + $1600/mo! Info Estate dep + utils, 303-772-7390 Builder (970)667-3400

Duplexes CLASSIFIEDS WORK

INDOOR GARAGE & Commercial Storage 20x40, 20x50.

I-25 & Hwy-66. 970-535- 6074 www.Longmont-storage.com

23

Try a classified picture ad! Call for details

970-635-3650 BANK OWNED- 4 bdrm, 2 bath, new carpet, paint & appliances! $ 189,900.

Re/Max Alliance, Wanda Quaid, 970-481-3033 Mariana Cove, 5 bdrm, 4 ba, 3 car, $429k. Open 3/27 & 4/3 from 11-2, 622-0521 www.466cove.com Short Sale/Foreclosure Buyers/Sellers www.AnswersToRealEstate.com More information contact Debb M 970-215-8564 Re/Max Alliance

Roommates Mobile/ Wanted 4120 Manufactured Homes/ 2 ROOMS AVAIL Spaces 5130 in a 3 bdrm, 2 bath home in Longmont. $400-$450/month incl utils. No smokers, pets nego. 303-956-0326

FORECLOSED HOME Newly remodeled, 1 year warranty included. 3 bdrm, 2 bath $16,900. Financing 4 BDRM, 2 ba, tri-level w/2 available, and possibly car gar, fncd bk yd. A/C, NEWER HOME, 1 bdrm, 1 receive up to 10% back for frpl. N Lvlnd. Lease w/opt, ba, share gar, w/d, $500/ 1st time homeowners. Call $1200/mo. 970-988-3244 mo, utils inc. (970)402-2131 Sun Homes- Ft Collins at (888)231-7903 www.4timberridge.com A PHONE CALL 0 Application Fee, hurry in offer expire 3/31/2010 WORTH $8000.00 ”Call us” We´ll show you how to get $8000 for Buying a house 1 Room $500 • 2 Rooms $600 with no money out of in large 3 bdrm house.

Pocket. We have until April Share 1.5 baths, kitchen & 30, 2010 So don´t hesitate ~ patio. Near McKee Medical 3 BDRM, 2 BA 2001 Highlet´s get started today!

Center. (970)980-4740 land modular, Loveland.

Ken or Tammy $29,995 (303)651-1646 Western Plains Realty 970-663-5008

Rooms For Rent

4130

Real Estate Wanted 5170

EXECUTIVE HOME $1350 & dep. 5 bdrm, 4 ba, full use of pools & tennis courts.

Pets nego, no smk.

(970)984-2929, (303)915-1266 or (303)915-4331. Avail 4/1

Sell Your House Fast!

Quick Sale - Fair Price 720-962-4688

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 BERTHOUD Warehouse with small office, 3000 SF @ 604 2nd St. $200,000 sell lease. (970)493-7775

ASK ABOUT T BAR RGAIIN HUNTE ER RAT TES! Get results! 635-3650.

They’ll save you money!

News by:YOU

Reader -Submitted News -only at: reporterherald.com

HOME and REALTY GUIDE/Reporter-Herald

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

www.homeandrealtyguide.com

970-613-0700 www.thegroupinc.com 970-663-0700 MOVE IN READY!

5401 Stone Creek Circle Loveland, CO 80538 1401 W. 29th St. Loveland, CO 80538 New Listing New Construction Featured Property

36 UNITS AVAILABLE IN 2010

AS IS SHORT SALE

1613 W 16th Street, Loveland

3210 Birch Drive, Loveland

235 Carina Circle #106, Loveland

5913 Mangrove Court, Loveland

Opportunity Knocks!! If you are looking for a fixer-upper - then this house is for you. Tons of potential with an excellent large corner lot. This home is located close to elementary school and enjoys easy easy access to Hwy 34 and shopping. This is NOT a short sale or bank owned. Hurry before this is gone!

Cute brick ranch with updates and 1 car garage in great neighborhood! Kitchen has granite counters and tile floors; updated light fixtures and door hardware thru out; wood floors in bedrooms; huge backyard with storage shed! Subject to short sale approval.

Come See the Model at Stone Creek! Tharp Cabinets, gas fireplace, loft and full finished basement. HOA covers Water, Sewer, Trash, Basic Cable, Exterior Maintenance, Exterior Insurance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Fitness Center, Club House, Pool, Hot Tub & Green Belts. Granite counters in kitchen.

Oak Valley Homes incentives of $500 towards closing costs & will pay 1 year Master assoc HOA.

Great setting w/a heated 32x40 shop & an oversized 2-c attached garage. Inside has 4 bds, 3 baths, sunroom & lg kitchen with A/C & a Whole House Fan. The lower walk out level inclds. a fam room w/fp & master that leads outside to a 16x37 concrete patio for large gatherings. 1/3 acre property w/RV parking. Easy access to Hwy 287 in N Lvlnd.

$119,500

$140,000

Open House

MLS#620128

MLS#620149

Price Reduced

Call Jim Muller 443-5140

Call Kristen Specketer 290-8097

$146,000

$189,900

MLS#614704

MLS#623389

Call Georgena Arnett 481-9801

Call Mark Koentopp 679-1557 FANTASTIC, REMODELED BUNGALOW

PRICE IMPROVED!

6950 McClellan Road, Wellington

2179 Chancery Drive, Loveland

2503 Bismarck Avenue, Loveland

1412 Antero Drive, Loveland

575 W 2nd Street, Loveland

3 bedrooms & 2 full baths. Backing to open space, this west-facing ranch has the perfect set up with a cool east side patio and partially fenced back yard. Master bedroom has it’s own full bath and walk-in closet. Living room features vaulted ceilings and a cozy gas fireplace. All kitchen appliances included. Oversized 2 car garage with opener. Central air and sprinkler system.

Well cared for home with 4 bdrms, 3 baths.

Also includes vaulted ceilings in living room and master bedroom, Pergo floors, professionally finished basement. Great location-central to shopping, bike trails, hospital, and parks. Open floorplan great for entertaining.

Established neighborhood w/4 living areas! New ext paint, new A/C & furnace in ‘08. 4 br + office, kitchen w/new counters & tile backsplash & lg dining area. Beautiful 17x12 sunroom w/great light. Spacious fam rm has gas fp.

Formal living or dining room, bsmt rec room too! Master has remodeled 3/4 bath & walk-in closet. LOTS of built-ins & storage. Extra parking pad for RV/boat. Great Location.

14 Mo. Home Warranty, Job Loss Protection available.

C Clean and lovingly cared for 2-story shows pride of ow ownership. Upon entering the home you are greeted by a la large living room, a dining room, kitchen, family room, and 1/ 1/2 bath. Four ample sized bedrooms are on the upper level al along with two baths. The basement is over 900 square fe feet with two finished rooms that can accommodate many us uses. The exterior is virtually no maintenance with new vivinyl windows and siding. Pre-inspected.

Huge master bedroom adjacent to luxury bath with jetted tub and rain shower head.

Wood floors, large kitchen with Corian countertops, lots of cabinets and all kitchen appliances. Vinyl siding, updated electrical, new hot water heater, high efficiency furnace, whole house fan, radon mitigation, oversized 2-car garage.

$194,000

$207,500

$239,000

$250,000

MLS#618142

MLS#609711

MLS#620442

MLS#616257

MLS#620125

Call Miki Roth 690-9459

Call Diana Luthi 481-2692

Call Cathy Vance 231-0234

Call The Brent Team 461-7110

Call Bob Skillman 631-2257

2 ACRES PLUS COZY COTTAGE

$250,000

OVER 2700 SQ. FT. FINISHED

6 Gregg Drive, Loveland

1513 Walnut Street, Windsor

450 N Co Rd 23E, Loveland

5803 Auburn Drive, Fort Collins

3360 Westerdoll Avenue, Loveland

With the exception of the kitchen, the main level has all original hardwood floors and lot so built-ins. It has a formal dining room and living room with a stone fireplace. Inlaid court in the basement recreation room, which has a fireplace. Both basement bedrooms have built in desks. Recently had a new sewer line installed. Blue Ribbon home warranty.

Well-priced and very well cared for 5 bedroom, 3 bath home. Nice master suite with 5-piece bath. Vaulted ceilings and gas fireplace in great room. Laundry/ mud room off garage. Rec room with wet bar as well as plenty of storage in basement. Low maintenance exterior. Easy care lawn with sprinkler system, patio and large yard with plenty of room to roam. 3 car garage with drive-thru 3rd bay (to back yard).

1,734 sq ft with impressive open “Canyon Style” concept, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, huge 24 x 48 “toy building”, No covenants and no HOA to worry about here, do your thing! 4 horses allowed. Close to Marianna Butte Golf Course or Carter Lake. Be among the first to see this unique opportunity. Would also make an awesome building site for a much bigger home!

Unbelievable home with decorators touch!

Must see to appreciate: kitchen has stainless steel appliances, tile counters, hardwood floors. Master suite has 5 piece bath.

Beautiful low maintenance landscaping with drip, new solar attic fan, new exterior/ interior paint, new lighting; wired for CAT5, humidifier; stained glass entry and more!

WOW, So Nice! 4 bedroom, 3 bath quality home by Custom On Site with 3 car garage. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. Master has 5 pc bath. Partially finished DAYLIGHT basement. Bsmt features large rec room with space for big screen and pool table.

Large bedroom adjacent to bathroom. 16 x 20 Trex Deck to enjoy fenced back yard. Bike and walking trails and lakes to enjoy in the neighborhood.

$258,000

$265,000

$287,000

$289,900

MLS#622098

MLS#620661

MLS#623069

MLS#621507

MLS#620848

Call Nancy Maus 213-0554

Call Dave Trujillo 222-0340

Call Don Riedel 679-8265

Call Ryan Spencer 214-0263

Call Maribeth Bergan 690-1735

$6500 INCENTIVE

IMPECCABLE WATER VALLEY RANCH!

LAKE COMMUNITY PATIO HOME

$349,500

PRICE IMPROVED!

5415 Lighthouse Point Ct

403 Rossum Drive, Loveland

2214 Sandbur Drive, Fort Collins

308 Habitat Cove, Windsor

1518 57th Street, Loveland

Meticulously cared for patio home in Mariana Cove. Spacious and bright with lots of natural light. Vaulted ceilings in the great room. 3 sided fireplace and freestanding gas stove. There’s a large Trex deck for entertaining or watching abundant wildlife. The garden level basement has 2 large bedrooms, family room and still tons of storage space. The property is south facing!

Enjoy your own pedal boat on Buckingham Lake, play a round of golf at Mariana Butte Golf Course or relax at the new Loveland Clubhouse for dinner with an unobstructed view. Get your blood pumping on the walking trails. Enjoy all the neighborhood has to offer while living in a quality built custom ranch style home.

Luxurious master suite. Full walk-out basement w/work shop.

Oversized 3 car garage for toys. Manicured lawn w/sculptured garden, enclosed patio w/spectacular mountain & lake views!

It’s Jamestown Builders fabulous new 2 story plan. Eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook. Open floor plan made to entertain with outdoor courtyard and fireplace. Terrific master suite with 5 pc bath and walk-in closet. Price includes front landscape, a/c, fireplace, stainless, granite counters, wood floors. What more could you want.

Main floor features hickory floors, alder cabinets, granite, custom paint, & private office. Professionally finished basement includes 2 add’l bedrooms, 2nd laundry, full bar & an incredible bathroom. Home features an indoor/outdoor audio system, stamped concrete patios & an oversized, finished 3 car garage with hot & cold water. Recent updates include an ELK lifetime roof & 6’ vinyl privacy fence. Pre-inspected.

Charming Farm House w/ 3.28 acres located on private Horseshoe Lake. Water ski/wake board/jet ski lake w/approximately 640 acres of lake surface. Recently updated master w/ walk-in closets. Country feel yet minutes to Ft Collins & Loveland amenities. Irrigation water allows for numerous trees & potential pasture. Oversized 2 car garage with 28x34 shop. 28x16 pole barn with dirt floor. Sprinkler system for area around home. Bring your lake toys, land toys, horses, farm animals & fishing gear!

$350,000

$697,875

$399,900

$400,000

MLS#623164

MLS#610033

MLS#599883

MLS#619740

MLS#581148

Call Cindy Kurtz 962-6832

Call Kim Summitt 689-6950

Call Andrea Schaefer 290-3758

Call The Brent Team 461-7146

Call John Peden 227-5677

$735,000

13-309947

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