THRIVE Loveland Magazine (May 2019)

M AY 2019

Four Gener at ions of Love

Ph ot o by AM A Divin e Ph ot ogr aph y

Upcoming Events

May M on . 5/ 6

THRIVE Fr ee M on t h ly Pizza Din n er f or Older Adu lt s (50+) 4:00 pm -5:30 pm 325 E 5th St, 1st floor Community Room (Use residence entrance), Loveland Topic: Ice Cr eam Social & Gam e t im e Space is limited, please RSVP at 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Tu es. 5/ 7

Lovelan d?s Talk in g - Past , Pr esen t , Fu t u r e 1:30 pm -3:00 pm Chilson Center, 700 E 4th St, Oak Room, Loveland Topic: Celebr at in g t h e f u t u r e (in t er gen er at ion al celebr at ion ) Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Tu es. 5/ 14

TLC - Th e Lovelan d Con n ect ion 9:00 am -10:30 am All Saints Episcopal Church, 3448 N Taft Ave, Loveland Topic: M ayor Jack i M ar sh , Com m u n it y Updat e Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Wed. 5/ 15

Savvy Sen ior s - 2:00 pm -3:00 pm New Location: ANB Bank, 808 W. Eisenhower Blvd - Conference Room Topic: Local Resou r ces Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Sat .

Sat u r day Sen ior Social - 3:00 pm BYOB - Buy your own Beverage Berthoud Brewing Co., 450 S. 8th St, Berthoud Please RSVP so we can save you a seat at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

5/ 18

June M on . 6/ 3

THRIVE Fr ee M on t h ly Pizza Din n er f or Older Adu lt s (50+) This month we will be having a picnic on 6/29 instead of our monthly meeting. See listing below.

Tu es. 6/ 11

TLC - Th e Lovelan d Con n ect ion 9:00 am -10:30 am All Saints Episcopal Church, 3448 N Taft Ave, Loveland Topic: Judy Jackson will be speaking about Bingham Hill Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Larimer County. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Sat . 6/ 15

Sat u r day Sen ior Social - 3:00 pm BYOB - Buy Your Own Beverages Rock Coast Brewery, 414 E 6th St. Loveland Please RSVP so we can save you a seat at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Wed. 6/ 19

Savvy Sen ior s - 2:00 pm -3:00 pm New Location: ANB Bank, 808 W. Eisenhower Blvd - Conference Room Topic: Ever yt h in g you n eed t o k n ow abou t you r lar gest or gan (you r sk in ) Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at: 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Sat . 6/ 29

THRIVE Lovelan d Su m m er Picn ic 11:30am - 2:30pm at Nor t h Lak e Par k , Sh elt er #1 Address: 2750 N. Taft Avenue, Loveland Free Event, Tickets are required, RSVP at 720-252-6880 or http://bit.ly/thriversvp

Week ly Event s Ever y Th u r sday - 7:00 p.m .

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Bin go at t h e Associat ed Vet er an s of Lovelan d, 305 Cleveland Ave. Doors open at 6 pm. Open to the public. $8.00 per game.

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In This Issue.....

Ber t h ou d ..............................13 Com m u n it y Even t s.................6 Even t s......................................2 Fam ily Spot ligh t ...................10

Impor tant Phone Number s Ber t h ou d Berthoud Area Transportation Sys. (Bats) Library Parks & Recreation Senior Center

970.344.5816 970-532-2757 970-532-1600 970-532-2730

Est es Estes Valley Community Center Library Senior Center

970-586-8191 970-586-8116 970-581-2195

Lovelan d Chilson Rec Center (main) Library Senior Center

970-962-2386 970-962-2665 970-962-2783

Hom e & Gar den ....................18 In dex of Spon sor s...................5 In t er gen er at ion al Act ivit y..15 Legal View s..............................9 Let 's Get Pat r iot ic..................7 Local Ar t ist ............................14 Local Bu sin ess..............16 & 17 Ou t & Abou t ....................8 & 12 Pet Tip of t h e M on t h ............11 Sen ior Livin g...........................4

Publishers Mark & Danit a Nixon at t he 2018 Alzheimers' w alk w it h Slacolo.com Communit y Liaison Faye Kirk Cont act us w it h your ideas, feedback or cont ribut ions at 970-852-4900 Danit a@Thriveloveland.com Š 2019 THRIVE Loveland, 1635 Foxtrail Ct., Loveland, CO 80538 970-852-4900 All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Advertisements contained within this publication do not represent endorsement by the publisher. Publisher may not be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

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Senior Living

Help is NOT a four let t er wor d!

by Dan it a Nixon Spring is officially here. With the arrival of spring comes the inevitable ?to do? list of things that we would like done around our homes. There are leaves to rake, flowers to plant, windows to wash, and so much more.

If we are experiencing health issues, decreased mobility or decreased energy, getting those ?to do? lists done might be challenging. Actually, doing some of the things on our ?to do? list COULD be detrimental to our health and well-being.

Perhaps it is time to ask for HELP. I would like to suggest that help isn?t a four-letter word, and that asking for help shows strength and insight, and might make all the difference in our being able to successfully age in place.

90% of all seniors want to ?age in place?, which means they want to live independently in their homes, and do not wish to move into an assisted living community. In order for that to happen, most older adults need to get assistance in some areas of their lives. The good news is, there are many different resources that provide help to older adults in their homes. Some of these resources are available at no charge like Volunteers of America and some at an amazingly affordable rate like ?A Little Help? now in Ft. Collins and Berthoud. In home care companies like Phoenix Home Care is able to provide hands on assistance for those needing more personal care, like bathing or dressing.

The bottom line is, that one might need to invest in getting assistance in and around their home in order to successfully age in 4

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place. Need assistance? We can Help. Give us a call and we will be happy to connect you with resources that meet your personal needs.

For m or e in f or m at ion abou t get t in g h elp in or ar ou n d you r h om e, in h om e car e, or Sen ior Livin g Opt ion s, con t act Dan it a (Sen ior Livin g Advisor s of Color ado) at 970-541-4592 or Dan it a@SLAColo.com

Index of Sponsor s Our Sponsors make it possible to provide this monthly publication to our community. When you have a need for our sponsors' products or services, we ask that you give them a chance to earn your business. Please tell them you found them in the THRIVE Loveland magazine!

At t or ney Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. 800-598-4348 JBPLegal.com

Real Est at e Kimberly Caldwell 970-980-1671 KimberlyCaldwellRealtor.com

Chir opr act or Beukelman Chiropractic Center 970-667-7159 1717 Madison Ave, Suite 1

Roofer A&A Classic Exteriors 970-451-1828 AAClassicExteriors.com

Financial Advisor Edward Jones, Art Aldrich 970-663-0554 EdwardJones.com

Senior Living Advisor s Senior Living Advisors of Colorado Danita Nixon, 970-541-4592 SLAColo.com

Hear ing Aid Bat t er ies Hearo Club 833-547-8362 HearoClub.com Pest Cont r ol Integrated Pest Management 970-980-6307 Ipmnoco.com

Phot ogr apher AMA Divine Photography 970-412-5742 Amadivinephotography.com In Home Car e - Medical & Non-Medical Phoenix Home Care 970-667-2273 PhoenixHomeHC.com Insur ance -Aut o, Home, Medical & Business Secure American Insurance 970-663-9791 SecureAmericanIns.com THRIVE Loveland & Surrounding Towns

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Community Events

Photo by: Erin Clark KidGlov Colorado

"Meals on 4t h" Signat ur e Fundr aising Event Wednesday, June 12, 20 19 6:0 0 -9:30 PM Are you interested in good food, experiencing a great sense of community, and supporting a great local nonprofit? You are in luck! Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud is once again taking to the streets of downtown Loveland. We experienced such success and positive feedback as a result of our inaugural Meals on 4th event in 2018, we decided to make it an annual tradition. Join friends and colleagues from throughout our community for the most talked about event of the summer!

For this one night in June, it's dining tables that run the length of 4th Street between Cleveland and Railroad, and downtown Loveland becomes even more magical. The block-long tables are adorned with beautiful arrangements, linens and glassware. Chic industrial-style lighting hangs above to create a warm, intimate and inviting environment. Soft, live music is played throughout the evening. And all for a great cause!

Th is t ick et ed M eals on Wh eels ben ef it f eat u r es: - Welcome reception with local beverages and passed hors d'oeuvres - Dinner, served family-style, consisting of multiple courses supplied by local restaurants serving farm-to-table style dishes - Live entertainment - Fun opportunities to help raise funds for Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud In 2018, your Meals on Wheels served 687 clients, delivered a daily average of 293 meals, and our volunteers served a total of 17,658 hours. By attending, sponsoring or donating toward Meals on 4th you help ensure our work will continue.

Visit www.mealson4th.com for more information, tickets, and the 2018 Meals on 4th recap in images and video. This event is for ages 21+ over. Seating is limited, so get your tickets today!

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Let 's Get Pat r iot ic!

By: Bob M cDon n ell

What could be more American than flying the American flag in front of your residence? In Loveland, Berthoud and some surrounding areas, thanks to the Big Thompson Kiwanis Club displaying the American flag at your home is easy.

By signing up for their service, homeowners can have a three-foot by five-foot American flag in their yard.

Club members work with homeowners to decide where in their yard the flag pole should be placed.

When the flag is not present, only a small tube, at ground level stays in the yard. Six times a year, Kiwanians come early in the morning to set up the flag. In the evening, they return to retrieve the flag.

The holiday when the flags show up at your house are President?s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. Big Thompson Kiwanis charges $35 for one year and $50 for two years of having the flag at a home. The funds raised go toward the club?s youth programs at elementary, middle and high schools and colleges.

To sign up for the flag service, go to www.lovelandkiwanis.org/flag-placing-service.

Click on the link below the picture of the American flag. For more information, contact Larry Abston at 970-231-7783.

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Out and About THRIVE Loveland Mont hly Dinner THRIVE Loveland monthly dinner was held the first Monday in April. The topic for the month was "In-Home Care Options, presented by Greg Kelley, Phoenix Home Care".

For the May dinner we will be enjoying, pizza and ice cream - and will be playing a fun interactive game! Please join us May 6th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 325 E 5th St in the community room.

RSVP for this fun and http://bit.ly/thriversvp

informative

event

WISE Women

Dr. Beth Firestein (Back row, 3rd from Left) facilitates this amazing group of women.

The Wise Women Group is a free, community-based support group for women 50 ? 100+ who are looking for a place to connect with other women and have stimulating discussions about a variety of topics that pertain to our lives. Most of the women in the group are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. This is a group of vital, interesting women dealing with challenges and changes associated with getting older. The tone of the group is positive and uplifting and we manage to laugh together in spite of the challenges we all face.

Meetings take place at The Life Center in the 2nd floor conference room. 1511 E 11th St., Loveland from 11:15am- 12:30 from Sept. through May.

at

720-252-6880

or

The Loveland Connect ion

The April meeting of The Loveland Connection (TLC) had a great turn out, as many were interested in the topic. CSU Associate Professor of Marketing Dr. Gina S. Mohr spoke on Sensory Marketing and how it affects our shopping experience.

The Loveland Connection is a social club where all are welcome, membership is only $15.00 for the year. The club has a monthly meeting with a speaker, a book club, men's breakfast club, bridge clubs, a lunch club, and monthly field trips.

The speaker for May will be Mayor Jacki Marsh, she will be giving us a community update. If you have questions about the "goings on in Loveland", this will be a great event to attend.

The May meeting will take place on

Th e last m eet in gs bef or e su m m er br eak ar e: M ay 7t h an d M ay 21st .

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Tuesday, May 14th from 9:00 am-10:30 am at All Saints Episcopal Church, 3448 N Taft Ave.

Legal View s Legal View s The Cost s and Benef it s of Selling your Home by Your self on Zillow ver sus Wit h t he Assist ance of a Real Est at e At t or ney With the rise of online real estate databases like Zillow, it has become increasingly easier for the average homeowner to sell their home without the help of a real estate broker. When a homeowner sells their home without the aid of a real estate broker, it is called For Sale by Owner, or ?FSBO.? This article addresses the benefits of selling FSBO with or without the guidance of an attorney.

When selling your home FSBO, there are no fees associated with selling your home on Zillow. Zillow acts as the platform by which you list your home in the hopes of attracting buyers. Where there is no broker, no commissions are owed. The ability to sell one?s home and retain the full amount of the sale price is an obvious and alluring concept for many sellers.

sale is executed in accordance with state law.

Further, the costs associated with hiring an attorney are relatively low compared to real estate broker commissions and the potential costs that could arise due to legal disputes.

Are you in the process of selling your home?

Contact JBP to speak with a real estate attorney today at 800-598-4348.

However, a FSBO seller is in a unique position in that he must also navigate the many legal documents needed to complete the sale of a home. Accordingly, a FSBO seller is opening himself up to possible liability.

Whether you sell your home FSBO or with the assistance of a real estate broker, it is never a bad idea to consult with a real estate attorney. Indeed, some states even require the involvement of an attorney.

The sale of real property can be very complicated. Issues related to mandatory defect disclosure laws, water rights, boundary lines, and easements, for example, can weasel their way into the deal. Often, pre-approved buy and sell contracts will not cover every contingency that could arise in the sale of the property. Attorneys advise on addendums and other legal documents to ensure that the seller ?s interests are protected, and that the THRIVE Loveland & Surrounding Towns

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Famil y Spotl ight

Four Gener at ions of Love The Dick inson Family By: Dan it a Nixon

In 1976, the Dickinson family was on a dream family vacation to Rocky Mountain National park from Florida. On the way they stopped in Loveland at a park for a picnic, when father Rick Dickinson, told the family to stay put as he was going to go buy a newspaper. Upon returning, he proudly announced that he had found a job and that they were going to move to Loveland! He had fallen in love with Loveland.

Kathleen and Rick left their two children in the capable hands of relatives in Golden, and returned to Florida to pack up their household Photo by AMA Divine Photography

(L to R) Maureen, Christine, Kathleen & Brynlee

for the move. They returned to Loveland five days before the Big Thompson flood (Aug. 1976); it was a rough start to what would be many years of wonderful memories made here.

Kathleen raised 4 children, has 3 grand-children, and 11 great-grandchildren.

She lost her beloved husband 19 years ago in a tragic scuba diving accident in Florida.

Since then, she has spent her time focusing on her family, reading books, and watching her great-granddaughter once a week. One of Kathleen?s favorite activities is watching sports, she is a huge sports fan of all sports!

Kathleen's oldest daughter, Maureen Parker, is the mother of Christine, and grandmother of Brynlee (4). Maureen enjoys spending 10

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quality time with her family, reading, and playing with her dogs.

Christine Heim is four year old Brynlee's mom. She juggles being a wife, mother, and a licensed professional counselor at SummitView and online as well. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors, camping, fishing, and enjoying the mountains with her family.

Brynlee is a precocious four year old who LOVES unicorns. Her mother claims that Brynlee has all the older adults in her life

wrapped around her little finger. She is currently in pre-school, and her favorite thing to do at school is play with her friends.

When asked what the secret to their success as a family is, they all agree, ?communication?. While things do go wrong, they are all committed to talking things out.

There is something very special about sitting down with four generations of women from one family. The love, respect, loyalty and care they have for one another is very apparent and truly priceless.

?To u s, f am ily m ean s pu t t in g you r ar m s ar ou n d each ot h er an d bein g t h er e.? ?Barbara Bush

Pet Tip of t he Mont h Nail t r im s ar e im por t an t Does your dog click when they walk on hard surfaces? This is an indication that it's time for a nail trim. If you let your dog's nails get too long they can become very uncomfortable for your furry companion. Think of it like wearing shoes that are too tight, only you can never take them off.

M oist u r e is k ey t o a h ealt h y cat diet Cats ancestrally are desert dwellers, they have very efficient kidneys. This means they should get their moisture from the food they eat.

Feeding a dry kibble diet only, further dehydrates our cats and can lead to kidney issues and inflammation of the bowls. A high moisture diet with little to no dry food is ideal for optimal cat health.

Precious pup Sasha is at Doggie Dips and Chips with her human, and shares, "I love my mom!"

Pet Tips pr ovided by: Doggie Dips An d Ch ips 265C East 29th St. Loveland. They provide walk in nail trimming services for cats and dogs every Tuesday from 5:00p to 7:00pm for $10.00.

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Local Ar tist Out & About

Af f init y East er Par ade

Some of the attendees before the parade

Affinity residents lining up for the parade

Easter Puppy "Honey"

Organizer and pianist for the event Marian Johnson

Residents at Affinity at Loveland held an Easter Bonnet parade and sing along. "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail", "The Hokey Pokey", and other fun songs were sung by the residents. The event was topped off by treats that were left for the residents by the Easter bunny himself. Residents of Affinity at Loveland definitely know how to have a good time!

?Spr in g is n at u r e?s w ay of sayin g, ?Let ?s Par t y!?? ? Robin Williams

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Ber thoud

A Little Help at "A Day of Kindness" in Berthoud A very special resource is now available in Berthoud. This resource is called, "A Little Help" (ALH).

ALH is a non-profit that helps older adults age in place by connecting them to an important resource plentiful in every community: good neighbors. ALH?s low-cost, localized volunteer model is making a huge difference in the community.

" I am excited to get to know the community of Berthoud and to begin connecting people. I'm looking forward to the personal connections that will be made in the process of providing our service to seniors." Steve Courts

Steve Courts

Wh at t ypes of ser vices does ALH Pr ovide?

Transportation, medical note-taking, minor home repair, yard work, technology help, weekly check-ins, visits, financial preparation, advocacy, resource navigation, and caregiver respite.

Is t h er e an age or in com e r equ ir em en t t o u se t h e pr ogr am ?

We work with people 60 and older. Our service is not income based, so anyone who would like A Little Help can utilize our service.

Is t h er e a cost pr ogr am ?

t o par t icipat e in

t he

We ask individuals to pay what they can afford.

In t er est ed in f in din g ou t m or e abou t A Lit t le Help?

Contact: Steve Courts 970-703-3623 steve@alittlehelp.org THRIVE Loveland & Surrounding Towns

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Local Ar tist

A Color f ul Per son By: Bob M cDon n ell

Pat Saunders-White has some difficulty describing her style of painting. After some thought, she settled on the term ?impressionistic realism.?

She teams her passion for art with her love for animals. Many of her bold, acrylic paint images are of dogs. She calls the images ?whimsical.?

Speaking of her first animal paintings, Pat says it ?felt like coming home after a long vacation. It was so comfortable ?so natural.?

After moving to Loveland in 1999, Pat caught a break to get her work known. She was featured in the Costco member magazine spotlighting members. The response from people wanting her art kept her busy for the

next five years.

Recently, another serendipitous event occurred.

A company that sets up veterinary offices saw her work on fineartamerica.com. They put her animal images in the clinics they represent across the country.

Pat produces her work in her 106-year-old home near downtown Loveland. A converted garage serves as her studio.

She gives back by teaching classes to students and adults at the Loveland Museum/Gallery.

She also shows her work locally at the Lincoln Gallery.

Pat proudly proclaimed that she will be featured at the 4th Street Gallery in downtown Loveland from June to August. She is inviting other artists from different mediums to do workshops and lectures.

Pat studies the business side of being an artist.

She believes in having multiple possible streams of income. With that in mind, Pat continues to have her art applied to clear cutting boards. These are sold at high-end kitchen shops. She is looking for more outlets. Additionally, Pat will be producing the cover for an upcoming issue of Discover Fort Collins magazine.

Retirement is not a word that Pat thinks about. She sums up her feelings by saying, ?I love my profession.?

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Intergenerational Activity

SNAG at Cat t ails Golf Cou r se 2116 West 29t h St .

Lovelan d

St ar t ing New At Golf (SNAG) Are you looking for a fun and different outdoor activity that you can do with your grandkids? Have you ever thought about taking up golf but were too intimidated by the formal 18-hole courses? Then Jim Dargis, the city of Loveland?s golf pro, has an answer for you.

Right here in Loveland we have a unique (practically one-of-a-kind) golf experience to share with you. It?s called SNAG which stands for Starting New At Golf. It?s a miniature 9-hole golf course designed specifically for kids and for those who want to be introduced to golf in a relaxed and low key way. It?s located adjacent to Cattails Golf Course at 2116 West 29th Street in Loveland.

SNAG was developed by two golf pros from Boulder and its original intent was to teach kids in the school district about golf. The system consisted of two over sized clubs, one for pitching and one for putting, a Velcro cone that was the target and a ball that resembles a tennis ball which would adhere to the Velcro cone upon contact. The equipment could be easily used on a school?s field or any grassy park.

The city of Loveland then took SNAG and designed and built an actual 9-hole golf course

By: Edie San gior gio

complete with driving tees and putting greens. Instead of a Velcro cone as the final target there are actual holes. Sound unique?

It is. There is only one other course like it in the United States and it?s in Florida.

It takes about an hour or so to play a full round and what?s really great is that just about anyone can play no matter their skill level. Children as young as 2 and seniors over 90 have played. They?ve even had people in wheel chairs as well as professional golfers give it a try. It costs $7 for adults, $6 for children 5-12 and children 4 and under play free. Unlike at traditional golf courses where they are very strict about golfers adhering to rules of etiquette, SNAG encourages its players to have fun and squeal with delight when you hit a good shot. If you want to play a second round it?s only $2 each. The cost includes the rental of the clubs and they also

have a short video you can watch that will teach you all about it. What a deal!

SNAG makes a great alternative venue to host a birthday party or a team building activity for businesses. What a fun way to bond with your grandkids in the fresh air or for any group seeking an outdoor activity to share.

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Local Business

Business is Blooming Ear le's Loveland Flor al & Gif t s 1421 N. Denver Ave. Loveland (970 ) 667-7550 By: Bob M cDon n ell

Although it looks calm on the outside, things are buzzing inside Earle?s Loveland Floral and Gifts in east Loveland, next to Smashburger ?s. It?s very busy inside according to co-owners Kathi Lind and Beth Parker.

Kathi noted that the upcoming Mother ?s Day is the busiest time frame for any flower shop. This comes right after gearing up for Valentine?s Day and the local high school proms and Easter.

The colorful shop contains not only flowers and plants but also unusual gift items. Beth says she and Kathi try to find things that are fun and different.

In general, Loveland customers like an ?informal garden-style? in their floral arrangements. Wildflowers and flowers that people see in the mountains are popular along with succulents. Going on marketing buying trips helps the owners keep up with current trends too.

Earle?s prides itself in trying to use local or semi-local flowers whenever possible.

Kathi and Beth stress that the like to support the local economy.

A unique aspect of Earle?s Loveland Floral and Gifts is their ?greeter,? a five-year-old dog named Daisy. When Kathi is working her five-year-old meets everyone entering the store. Kathi calls Daisy their health maintenance dog when things get hectic.

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Co-owners Beth Parker & Kathi Lind

The dog started coming to the store when she was eight-weeks-old, so she is a long-term employee.

Daisy can feel what people need. She senses if she should hang around them or if she should stay away. Recently, while the owners consulted with a lady purchasing funeral flowers, Daisy helped by comforting the customer.

Kathi and Beth are optimistic about the future, as Loveland continues to grow.

"People have learned to shop in Loveland, an advantage to all local business owners.

No matter how Loveland grows, we are still a community shop,? Kathi said proudly.

Der by Hat s at Rabbask Designs 243 E 4t h St ., Loveland It's that time of the year, when Derby parties start springing up. Where do you go to get a lovely hat to adorn your noggin? Rabbask Designs in Loveland! They have a wonderful selection of hats that are sure to make you the envy of all your friends. Don't wait too long to go in and check out their selection, the hats are flying off the shelves!

Did you k n ow...Wearing a hat to the Kentucky Derby is believed to bear good luck! The long-established fashion was started by the women, however, over the last few years, many men

have taken part in the tradition as well.

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Home & Garden

Spr ing Real Est at e Mar ket By: Kim ber ly Caldw ell, Br ok er Associat e, Pr em ier Lif est yle Realt y

they will stay that way for most of 2019.

Daffodils and tulips aren?t the only pretties sprouting in yards this spring. Real estate ?For Sale? signs are heralding the warmer months with great enthusiasm. This spring season holds the promise of a very good real estate market for Northern Colorado. The month of March started the party with fewer days on the market (41 in Loveland and 46 in Berthoud), homes selling for 100% of list, and a 1.2 months?supply in Loveland (1.8 in Berthoud). Going forward, inventory of homes for sale is expected to increase by about 25% From March to April. Interest rates are still at historic lows and it appears

Even with these excellent real estate indicators, there are some challenges. First is affordability. Home prices in Northern Colorado appreciated at 8% in 2018 and are expected to gain another 6% this year. While lending is strong and interest rates are low, some buyers are still getting priced out of the market. The buyers that can afford to buy are not willing to overpay anymore. We are seeing more inspection and appraisal negotiations than in years past. Then there is the challenge of inventory. Between new construction and resale homes, buyers have more choices available to them this spring. Home sellers need to be aware of their competition if they want to sell in a reasonable timeframe.

And last, is the challenge of split markets. The stats above, from our local MLS, show the real estate market as a whole. The story of appreciation, days on market, and months of inventory are very different depending on the price point of the home and location. This is where a real estate agent can help you navigate the nuances of your particular situation to your best advantage. Your home is one of the most significant financial assets you have. That is why you owe it to yourself to talk to a real estate agent about what they can do for you whether you are buying or selling. The difference could mean thousands of dollars to your bank account.

Questions, comments, or for more information about real estate, call Kimberly Caldwell 970-980-1671 or email at Kim@TeamPLR.com.

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