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December 25, 2010

Kitchen

Style Winter watering important during dry times New Year resolutions for homebuyers

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Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

December 25, 2010

Growing food indoors

By Charlie Nardozzi Family Features

While it might be cold and blustery outside, there are a number of edible plants you can grow indoors. Some of my favorites are herbs. Growing herbs indoors successfully is all about selecting the right varieties and having the right conditions to grow them.

Here are some tips for growing herbs inside in winter.

Bringing Herbs Indoors Window boxes filled with rosemary and parsley can be moved inside before freezing weather.

Some of my favorites to grow this way are parsley, rosemary and chives.

There are a few things to keep in mind: • Don’t worry about a few dropped leaves. Light levels in a house, even in a sunny window, are much lower than outside. Older, larger leaves will drop off and smaller, low-light-efficient leaves should form in their place.

• Cut back on watering and fertilizing mature plants. They don’t need as

much moisture or nutrients inside as they do outdoors.

Indoor herbs can be decorative as well as functional. Why not train a rosemary plant on a topiary frame for a whimsical look?

soil is actually dry to the touch. Add water until it drains from the bottom of the pot. Keep the air temperature on the cool side (60 to 65 degrees) for the best growth.

Starting New Herbs Although a sunny window looks bright in winter, the available light can be only 1/10th of what’s needed for plants to grow properly. That’s why it’s best to grow herbs under grow lights.

Select full-spectrum lights and leave them on for 12 to 14 hours a day. Keep the tops of the herbs close to the bulbs and the plants should thrive.

Grow seedlings in 3- to 4-inch-diameter pots and use only sterilized potting soil mixes that are light and airy. Many culinary herbs require well-draining soils, so the lighter the soil the better.

Supplement the potting soil with a liquid fertilizer when watering. Use a half-strength formulation to encourage new growth. Water plants less often but more thoroughly, and only when the

Varieties to Try These herb varieties have compact growing habits and pack a flavorful punch.

• English mint (Mentha spicata) – Perhaps the best-behaved spearmint variety.

• Spicy Globe basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum) – Dense, compact form of basil, 8- to 10-inches tall. The leaves are smaller than regular basil, but taste and smell great.

• Blue Boy rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – More compact and diminutive than standard rosemary, reaching a height of just 24 inches. Flowers freely and has excellent flavor.

• Dwarf Garden sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Compacta’) – Smaller leaves and more compact than regular sage, growing only 10 inches high.

Plan for New Year’s resolutions for homebuyers with just 10 percent of applicants being Every year since I started writing this column in 1993, I’ve offered New Year’s granted a permanent loan modification. In Resolutions for homebuyers and sellers, some cases, the loan modifications have inplus New Year’s financial resolutions that creased payments for homeowners, further everyone can use to start their year off jeopardizing their homeownership. right. I start by recapping what’s happened • The shadow inventory of homes is in the world of real estate and growing and may eventually then move on to some specific reach another 4 to 12 million resolutions I think will help foreclosures, depending on how buyers and sellers move the ball quickly unemployment comes forward. This year, I’m sorry to down. say, has been lousy for the real • Federal Reserve Chairman estate industry in general: Ben Bernanke went on “60 Min• Roughly 28 percent of utes” and announced that homeowners are underwater or America’s unemployment levels, are nearly underwater with which are officially at 9.8 pertheir mortgages, according to Ilyce Glink cent (but are really more like 18 third-quarter 2010 data from Tribune Media Services percent, if you include all those CoreLogic. who are underemployed and • New home sales are at have just given up on finding a record low levels. job), might take five years or more to normalize.

• Home prices haven’t moved much at all, and in some states are still declining.

• There’s still no consensus on what to • The overall number of households has do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The shrunk by millions. companies continue under Federal conservatorship (which is similar to bankruptcy).

• Millions of homes have received foreA new plan is due in January, but I’m closure notices this year, and it’s likely that doubtful anyone will have figured it out by 2 million homes will be foreclosed on by then. the end of 2010.

This isn’t a particularly happy state of af• Despite the lowest interest rates in hisfairs. And yet, hope blooms eternal. So here tory, millions of homeowners remain in financial jeopardy, unable to afford their pay- are a few New Year’s resolutions you should make if you hope to buy a home in 2011. ments and unable to refinance because of declining or negative equity in their homes.

1. Pull a copy of your credit history and credit score. Mortgage lenders have become • The government’s Making Home Affordable programs have been a disaster, extremely conservative and restrictive in

deciding which mortgages will get funded.

Lenders will pull credit scores from each of the three credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian and Trans-Union, and then use the middle score to determine your loan’s interest rate and terms. You need to know that information ahead of time. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com and receive a free copy of your credit history and then pay for your credit score (about $9). You can also go to each credit reporting bureau and purchase a copy of your credit history and score, if you’ve already used up your freebies. Even if you don’t plan on buying a home or refinancing a home loan, you might want to keep tabs on any issues that affect your credit history.

2. Practice good credit behavior. Lenders regard those borrowers with a credit score above 780 as their best borrowers. Unless your credit score is above that level, you should work on eliminating any errors, and practicing good credit behavior so your credit score rises. The best thing you can do? Pay your bills on time and in full each month. The next best thing you can do is maintain four open and active lines of credit. Each credit reporting bureau offers good credit behavior tips for free on its website, or you can go to MyFico.com, which is the consumer-facing credit site owned by Fair Isaac, the Minneapolis-based company that invented the FICO score. (Full disclosure: I contribute real estate posts to the Equifax Personal Finance Blog, where Equifax’s credit experts blog about credit trends and

information.)

3. Shop around for the best loan. Even though the federal government is backing more than 90 percent of all the loans through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, VA and USDA, it pays to shop around.

Make sure you talk to at least four or five lenders before you sign your application, including a “big box” lender, a small local lender, a credit union, a mortgage broker and an online lender. Use the information you glean from each lender to negotiate one against the other and get a great deal for yourself. Yes, you’re allowed to negotiate with lenders and ask them to give you a better deal.

4. Create a great home buying team.

Whether you’re buying investment property or a home to live in, you’ll want to create a team of real estate professionals who can help you find the right property, at the right price, on the best terms, without any headaches. Homebuyers will want their team to include a great real estate agent, mortgage lender, real estate attorney, tax preparer (with experience in investment real estate if you plan on buying real estate as an investment) and real estate inspector to start. Residential real estate investors will want to add a 1031 exchange professional and commercial (if appropriate) inspector to the mix.

Ilyce R. Glink’s latest book is “Buy, Close, Move In!” If you have questions, you can call her radio show at 800-972-8255 any Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

EST. Contact Ilyce through her website at www.thinkglink.com.

December 25, 2010

Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

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Warm up your kitchen with cozy colors Article Resource Association

Whether you’re an aspiring top chef, a novice cookie maker or anything in between, the kitchen can serve as the central meeting place for family and friends. Using warm wood colors and accents, while opting for the newest styles, instantly creates a more inviting look for your kitchen. Here are some ways to warm up your kitchen with color.

Delicious Kitchen Colors So many delicious colors are available to help you create an inviting mood in your kitchen. Many of today’s hottest hues are inspired by favorite foods and pleasant kitchen experiences such as cooking, baking and entertaining. Examples include today’s popular paprika and cinnamon colors; soothing neutrals such as tarragon and sage; and the deep, rich tones of wine or cherry. These colors, when used in wall coverings, flooring or accessories, can provide a backdrop that sets the tone in your kitchen.

Warm Wood Cabinetry There’s nothing like the look of real wood to add a comforting feel to any room. And, since cabinetry is often one of the biggest visual elements in a kitchen, consider cabinetry in a warm color to make a high-impact statement. Many on-trend wood types are available in surprisingly affordable styles from manufacturers of semi-custom cabinetry.

“Today’s semi-custom cabinetry gives homeowners access to some of the most desired wood types including cherry, known for its deep reddish tones,

and alder, which can lend a rustic or casual feel to a kitchen,” says Cathy Hitz, brand manager for Diamond Cabinets. “It’s easy to combine these woods with special cabinetry touches, such as turnings and moldings, to create a very comfortable and personalized look for a kitchen.”

Recently Diamond made some of its most popular door styles available in new wood types. For example, the Shiloh door style features a simplistic look and is available in cherry, alder and rustic alder. Another warm look can be created with Montgomery, a venerable favorite shaker/cottage style door, in alder and rustic alder. These wood types not only provide a cozy look, but their transitional styles can complement a variety of design themes.

Reflective Accents Offset the warm tones of the wood with the gleam of reflective accents. One way to add both style and light to the space is to choose decorative glass inserts for the cabinet doors. You can create just about any look you want with glass designs

Kristi Ritter Summer Stair On the Cover

Specialty Publications Editor

kkritter@times-call.com, 303-684-5275

Specialty Publications Associate Editor sstair@times-call.com, 720-494-5429

Update your kitchen with warm inviting colors. (Photos courtesy Diamond Cabinets)

News and Press Releases

ranging from clear reeded glass with copper metal, to clear antique glass with zinc black patina metal.

Textured glass styles are also available with shimmering special effects such as bronzed fabric. And with the popularity of mixed metals, feel free to introduce additional metallic elements such as a copper hood over the range or decorative hardware in contrasting metals.

Textures and Special Touches Complement the warm design theme by treating the eye to textured surfaces. Use woven baskets for storage or decorative purposes, add comfy textured pillows to the bar stools and bring in other textured elements in the form of rattan, fabric or pottery.

Don’t be afraid to sprinkle in elements of color surprise here and there to keep the space interesting, whether it’s the splash of a lipstick red vase or a family photo framed in a vivid shade of electric blue.

Let your kitchen be a personal palette that reflects your true personality. Warm it up with color, and no one will ever want to leave the room.

Home & Real Estate Weekly welcomes news on hirings, advancements, awards, classes and other information of interest to the real estate and home community. Please submit information to the editor by e-mail, fax 303-774-8088 or mail to 350 Terry St., Longmont, CO 80501. The deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. the week of publication.

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Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

Make your guest room stylish Home & Garden Television

49-160318

A continuing compendium of tips and tricks from Home & Garden Television: Preparing a stylish guest suite is a snap with inspiration from five-star hotels and these five tips: 1. Create an environment that promotes a great night’s sleep. Make the bed super comfy by adding a thick duvet and a lot of fluffy pillows. High thread-count, 100 percent cotton sheets are also a must.

2. Stock the guest room with magazines and books, and put together a snack tray or basket filled with light snacks and bottled water.

3. Lay out bathrobes and place rolled bath towels at the foot of the bed in case your guests would like to freshen up upon arrival.

4. Hang a small mirror in the guest room to provide a spot for touching up makeup or putting on jewelry. A long dressing mirror is also a nice addition.

5. If your overnight guests are family or close friends, it’s always a nice touch to display photos of time spent together in the past. Everyone enjoys a trip down memory lane.

December 25, 2010

Hoist a hose, not a glass house with a ruler, then write With all of the festivities at this time of year, the most imeach storm’s accumulation on portant drink you hoist should your calendar. Add it up every be served with a hose, not a four weeks. Anything less than glass. Though our 12 inches of snow, mountains are total, means it’s time snowcapped, lower to water. Drag out elevations are dry, hoses on warm days and landscapes are when temperatures getting parched. are above 40 and there’s no snow covWinter watering er. Apply water slowis one of the best ly so it sinks into the ways to keep trees, frozen ground. I use shrubs, lawns and perennials healthy Carol O’Meara a timer on the sprinthroughout the year.

Colorado State kler to shut off the Without it, soils dry University Extension water, and set a timer in the house to reand tender feeder mind me to move the roots, which are rehose or disconnect it from the sponsible for taking up water house before evening. and nutrients, shrivel and die.

If you divide winter watering In spring, plants use stored over several days, pay attention reserves to grow, pouring their to plants closest to south or west strength into healthy leaves, facing walls or fences first; the stems, trunks or flowers. But reflected heat intensifies their damaged root systems leave plight. Windy places with water them vulnerable when heat sets wicking from the ground should in, and these plants struggle be second on your list, which in with scorch, twig dieback, poor Colorado, means everything east leaf size, or disease and insect of the divide. attacks.

Water around the dripline of Water once or twice per trees and shrubs – the area that month through March if we falls under the outer tips of the don’t have much snow or rain; branches, soaking the ground 2 in general landscapes need an to 3 feet on either side of the inch of water per month in windripline. Give your trees 10 galter. Measure snowfall at your

lons of water per diameter inch of trunk every month.

Shrubs are trickier: new shrubs – planted less than a year ago – need 5 gallons twice monthly. Once they’ve been in the ground for more than a year, reduce water to 5 gallons once per month for small, 3-foot tall shrubs and 18 gallons once per month for those over 6 feet tall.

Lawns, too, need a drink. “Established lawns will benefit from watering, but the critical ones that need moisture are the ones that are new,” says Dr. Tony Koski, extension turf specialist with Colorado State University Extension.

If you’ve had lawn mite problems in the past, it’s time to water, Koski says. “This is when mite populations start to rise, especially on warm days when they get a little active and frisky.

Though mites haven’t started to damage the lawn, their potential to do so increases with their

numbers, which can be held at bay by moisture.”

To water a lawn in winter, warm days with temperatures above 45-degrees is a must.

Then drag out your hose with a sprinkler, or set the water to a slow trickle.

Water fall-planted perennials and perennials located in windy or southwest exposures. But the key to perennials is ensuring they have a thick, 4 to 6 inch covering of mulch to prevent freezing and thawing of the ground. For more information, see the fall and winter watering fact sheet at ext.colostate .edu/pubs/garden/07211.html.

Carol O’Meara is a horticulture entomologist with the Colorado State University Extension office at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.

Contact her by calling 303-678-6238 or e-mailing comeara@co.boulder.co .us. For more gardening tips, check out her blog at gardeningafterfive.word press.com.

December 25, 2010

Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

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Home improvements Budget-friendly winterizing can add resale value Article Resource Association

bankrate.com

Bargain-basement prices on home renovations are the silver lining of today’s horrible real estate market.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, contractors’ bids are coming in at 10 to 40 percent below what they were during the housing boom. And smart consumers have apparently taken notice.

An American Express survey found 62 percent of homeowners planned a home improvement project for 2010. They focused on do-it-yourself projects, like indoor cosmetic work, and planned to spend an average of $6,200.

With remodeling, your best tool is neither a saw nor a hammer; it’s knowledge.

Gone are the days of lavish renovation projects like adding a second story, with budgets bigger than your average McMansion. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found that remodeling expenditures more than doubled from 1995 to 2007, reaching $326 billion. However, they declined by 16 percent by the end of 2008, and the NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index slipped in the second quarter of 2010.

With conditions weak, homeowners who have considerably less home equity to finance improvements are bucking for a bargain and prizing the practical, says Scott Duncan, owner of Duncan’s Creative Kitchens in Bradenton, Fla. “The one major trend I am seeing is ‘budget-conscious,’” he says.

Your best bet is to focus on thrifty upgrades that will make you glad you’re home. For example, a Whirlpool bath you’ll never use is money down the drain.

Opt instead for a handheld shower head with multiple settings. Top-of-the-line luxury can be had for a few hundred dollars.

Before you do anything, ask this question: Who’s the boss? Perhaps it should be you. If all your home needs is a little TLC, DIY may be better for your billfold.

“DIY saves a fortune,” says Roger Lew, a builder in Sag Harbor, N.Y., noting that labor accounts for up to half the cost of redoing a bathroom. “But you have to have the time and the inclination.”

If DIY is how you want to go, get free or cheap help from resources like your local hardware store or home improvement chains. Most offer free information and tutoring.

For major jobs, you may need a contractor to oversee the project. If so, nail down the specifics of what you want before hammering out a contract. That means listing

details, including costs, about every product – down to paint, lighting and brand names of the appliances you expect to be installed.

“You have to do some homework and define what you want, so that when you get bids, you’ll be comparing apples and apples,” Lew says. Consumer Reports warns homeowners not to sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials. Ask for a list of previous customers and call them.

Get estimates from at least three contractors, but remember that cheaper isn’t necessarily better. They may be using inferior materials or simply low-balling the bid to get the job.

Consumer Reports adds that you should never make the final payment until you have received waivers and releases from all subcontractors and suppliers. That way, you don’t get slapped with a lien if the general contractor didn’t pay them.

With rehab projects, resale value is on everyone’s mind. But the reality is that the payback on renovations has fallen along with home prices. A study by Remodeling Magazine found the average return on an upgrade declined from 87 percent in 2005 to 64 percent in 2009. The study also found that midrange upgrades now bring a better return, percentage-wise, than upscale renovations. That means be cautious about where you sink money into renovations like a new kitchen, Duncan says.

You can’t knock the value of a good door. According to Remodeling, a door of around $1,200 brought the greatest return – an impressive 128.9 percent.

A 2008 survey by the NAHB found 72 percent of consumers say energy-efficient features in a home would influence their purchase decision. So what simple things can you do in remodeling to go greener?

Use paints with low levels of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These chemicals easily evaporate at room temperature, potentially causing health problems, particularly for people with respiratory concerns.

Another green move: Buy appliances that have Energy Star ratings. Energy Star is a designation by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy for energy-efficient products. Also, if you’re remodeling the bathroom, go with the low-flow when it comes to fixtures such as toilets and faucets.

If it’s an option, use the sun to rein in utility bills. A solar water heater system can trim your hot water expenses by 50 to 80 percent, so they can pay for themselves within a few years.

Getting ready for the coldest months of the year means a lot of things. You need to get warm clothes out of storage, decorate for the holidays and, of course, make sure your house keeps out drafts that can make you shiver and drive up utility bills. While it might seem like a lot to take on, prepping your home for winter doesn’t need to take a lot of time or cost a small fortune.

Sprucing up your home with seasonal decor is great for creating a cozy feeling, but you need to pay just as much attention to what you can’t see. To make your home a warm and inviting haven, think about what’s behind the walls and in the attic – and how you can save energy. After all, what you can’t see often ends up costing you a lot of money.

To get started on weatherizing your home, follow these tips.

• Find hidden energy leaks in your home. A thermal leak detector that senses changes in temperature can help you find where your home’s weak spots are.

• Insulate. The Department of Energy recommends that you have approximately 19 inches of insulation in your attic.

According to the EPA, adding insulation to your home can save your family up to $200 a year on utility bills. For the average attic that has existing insulation, you will need to add R-30 unfaced insulation. The greater the material’s R-value, the better it performs as an insulator. For more information about how to insulate your home, visit lowes.com/insulation.

• Caulk and seal. Gaps, cracks and holes let the warm air out and the cold air in, making your home drafty and sending your energy bills sky high. Air

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• Give your windows a check-up. If you’re handy and your windows have seen better days, installing new windows is a good project to take on. Replace single-paned windows that waste energy and require a lot of maintenance with maintenance-free vinyl windows that have many energy-efficient features. For additional savings, make sure the replacement windows you use are Energy Star-qualified models, like Pella’s ThermaStar windows. They can help you save up to $500 a year in energy bills, according to the EPA. With all windows, it’s important they’re installed properly.

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leaks from windows and doors are easy to find because they are easy to feel. Install weather strip or caulk to seal the frame. Air leaks in your attic or basement are harder to find, but cost you a lot in warmth and money. Take time to search your attic and basement so that you can find hidden energy leaks, especially along ducts and vents. A quick fix for these trouble spots is insulating foam sealant.

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Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

December 25, 2010

Go for cozy What does it take to make a home feel inviting? Love, of course. But since that can’t be packaged and purchased, let’s look at some things that can be used to inspire that cozy feeling at home. Color schemes should be thought out in advance. For a cozy atmosphere, think about warm combinations. Yellows, tans and beiges work, plus terra cotta, subdued reds and greens all make a room come together while inviting the inhabitants to feel comfortable.

The family room, for example, should have at least two favorite chairs that fit the people using them. Ottomans or chairs that recline should be included in this chair scenario. When selecting furniture, textured fabrics and plump-looking pieces give the feeling of warmth. Remember that too much of a pattern could make the room look overcrowded. Leave the sleek-looking furnishings to a more modern or more formal home.

Wood accent tables add to the warmth of any room. Keep it on the simpler side, though, because if the wood is too ornate, you run the risk of having the room feel too formal.

Throw rugs always seem to make a room come together even if there is a wall-to-wall carpet. The area rug delineates a space, creating a conversation grouping of the furnishings around it.

Another way to cozy up a space is by arranging the furniture to be inviting. If there is a fireplace in the room, arrange the furniture around it. Whether the fireplace is lit or not, the arrangement of furniture around it will be inviting. If no fireplace is available, still arrange the furniture as if there were one. In other words, a square or rectangular effect works best with a long piece such as a sofa to anchor one side and four chairs or one love seat and two chairs flanking alongside the sofa. If you follow this advice about two favorite chairs, then those chairs would serve the purpose of the sofa, and you could flank those chairs with two love seats on either side.

– Rosemary Sadez Friedmann

Succulents provide year-round interest

By Joe Lamp’l

Scripps Howard News Service

Bringing tender plants indoors when the temperature drops is standard procedure around my home. I’m keeping them safe from the cold, of course. But having vital, growing things close by while the outside plants are sleeping just makes me happy. I have garden chores to do even when the rest of the garden is dormant.

Some of my favorite indoor plants are succulents. Because they’re grown for their showy foliage as much as their flowers, they can be displayed year-round in dishes on windowsills or under lights. A succulent arrangement can be as simple as a single tiny sedum draping over a colorful fired pot or a whole miniature landscape complete with form, texture and color contrasts and even hardscapes.

Sempervivums, sedums, aloes and kalanchoes, echeverias, crassu-

las and aeoniums are some of the better-known species, although “succulent” doesn’t refer to a single plant family. It’s more the structural quality of a plant that’s adapted to arid conditions by developing thick, swollen, waxy tissues that hold water. These tissues can be roots, stems or leaves, depending on the plant. Many succulents have more than one.

The diversity of succulents is dazzling. Colors, textures and sizes cover the spectrum from the sculptural white puffballs of web-covered Sempervivum arachnoideum to the more open-faced rainbow of echeverias. Many euphorbias, such as the ruby red elephant milk tree or the thorny tree spurge make tall focal points and contrast well with spreading, multicolored elephant bush and speckled, spiny-toothed spider aloe.

Best of all, once you understand their special needs, these irresistible succulents are easy to grow.

Start with the container. Any

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There are all kinds of soil mixtures for succulents, but ordinary potting soil is too rich. Most plants prefer a slightly alkaline soil, about pH 7.5. Drainage is much more important. Never let succulent roots stand in water; they’ll rot. If anything, let them get too dry rather than too wet. Combine ordinary potting soil with one-third coarse builder’s sand and one third Perlite or vermiculite, or use commercially prepared “cactus mix.” Remember that excess water drains from the roots better in taller pots. Shallow, wide containers keep soil moisture more even but are easy to overwater. Good air circulation also helps the soil dry out between waterings.

You want dish garden succulents to grow more slowly to preserve the display, so keep feedings to a minimum. I use a 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted by 75 percent and alternate feeding with a clear water flush to remove mineral salts that build up in the soil. It doesn’t sound like much but a little goes a long way.

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well-drained vessel will work, but it should complement your plants and arrangement. Contrast smooth surfaces and solid colors with heavily textured, multicolored plants, or rustic hand-painted designs with plants of simple shapes and limited colors. Dark containers can emphasize light foliage, while speckled glazes could echo the speckles of patterned plants. The plant’s shape can also determine the container.

Without enough light, succulents will grow tall and spindly. In the winter, put them in the sunniest window you have, usually on the south side. Or place them under fluorescent grow lights with a mixed daylight spectrum. Give them at least six hours a day.

49-158/936

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A succulent arrangement can be as simple as a single tiny sedum draped over a colorful fired pot or a whole miniature landscape complete with form, texture and color contrasts. (SHNS/Courtesy Courtenay Vanderbilt)

Arrange the plants and gently spread their roots, covering with soil to about three quarters of an inch from the container’s rim. Add a top dressing of coarse material like chicken grit, available at farm supply stores, or decorative florists gravel. The loose stone will support shallow-rooted plants and allow good air circulation. Water gently to settle the soil and sit back to enjoy your winter garden.

December 25, 2010

Breath Easy

Ins, outs of a home inspection

By Dwight Barnett

Scripps Howard News Service

Q: We just sold our home and the buyers hired a home inspector through their real estate agent. The buyers then asked that we make the changes cited by the inspector.

Our home was built in the late 1940s and there are things in the report that are found only on newer homes. My question: Do we have to improve the home to codes in order to make the sale? There were also some minor items in the report and now the bank wants everything repaired before they make the loan to the buyer. Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Keep the air clean in your house Article Resource Association

When the temperatures plummet, you shut the windows, flip the air switch to heat and plug any leak you can find in an effort to keep your house warm. But what you’re also doing is sealing the air inside your house.

While a good tight seal is important to staying warm and keeping your energy bill in check, it also can really have an impact on indoor air quality.

“When you flip that switch on your heater, there is a lot of dust and debris – collected in the coils over the summer months – that either burns into fumes or gushes into the house through your vents,” says Aaron Marshbanks, board member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.

In addition, your heating system blends warm temperatures with air that can be moist, and which can be a haven for mold and mildew. Throw a fan on top of that, and the air quality inside your home can quickly plummet.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria and small particles of dust. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The removal of such contaminants from your HVAC system is crucial to improve indoor air quality. Plus, a clean system can save you money on your energy bill.

Further research from the EPA found that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing

debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.

“Heating and cooling uses up about half of the energy in your home,” Marshbanks says. “But having a clean HVAC system can save you up to 30 percent in energy costs.

Which means you have better air inside the house, and are helping the environment with an extra bit of cash in your pocket at the same time.”

The top issues that affect a home’s HVAC system, its efficiency and air quality are: 1. Filtration – Low-efficiency filters, lack of a filter replacement program and improperly sized filters can allow particles and debris to flow into a home or building.

2. Duct work contamination – It is estimated that about 90 percent of HVAC systems more than 10 years old will have some level of insulation deterioration.

Throughout time, the insulation fibers are distributed and blown into occupied spaces every time the blower turns on.

3. Dirty evaporator coil – Throughout time, evaporator coils become matted with dust and dirt. During cold months, the heated air can flow over the dirty coils and be distributed into your home’s interior

Simplify your

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space.

The best way to determine if your HVAC system is clean is to perform a visual inspection. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system needs to be serviced. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include: • Smokers in the household.

• Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander.

• Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.

• Residents with allergies or asthma.

• Home renovations or remodeling.

The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ source removal methods of cleaning. This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum.

NADCA has published an internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for proper cleaning. NADCA is a widely recognized nonprofit trade organization representing certified contractors worldwide that sets standards and provides certification and training for the industry. For more information about HVAC cleaning and to find a certified and knowledgeable contractor, visit www.NADCA.com.

A: A home inspection is not a code inspection. Code enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the state or county’s building-enforcement divisions, whereas a home inspection is a report on the current condition of the property.

I’m not aware of codes being enforced in the 1940s, except for plumbing and electrical for health and safety.

There may be instances where recent changes have been made to the home such as upgrading the electric panel or replacing the furnace where modern codes would be enforced on those items only, but in no way is the seller required to bring the entire home up to modern codes every time the home changes ownership.

Only recently have I become aware that lenders require a copy of the home-inspection report to ensure all items outlined in the inspector’s report are repaired before closing the loan.

In the past, a buyer might purchase the home with the intent of making the necessary repairs at a later date or not at all. Since the value of the property is dependent on the condition of the home, the repairs need to be made in advance. A $100,000 home that needs $10,000 in repairs is a $90,000.00 home. Someone needs to make up the difference and lenders are protecting themselves from these situations.

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Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

December 25, 2010

To place an ad, call 303-776-7440 or go to www.TimesCall.com/classifieds and place your ad any time of the day or night. Fax: 303-772-8339…email: classifieds@times-call.com Apartments/ Apartments/ Apartments/ Duplexes 4060 Houses 4080 Houses 4080 Mobile Homes/ Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Spaces 4090 ● 1317 Lashley HOUSES DUPLEX HOLIDAY SPECIALS 3 bdrm, 2 ba, tri-level, 1 BDRM, $550 H/W furn, 2 Bdrm, 1 ba, large, comp.

MOBILE HOMES for Rent 2 car gar, close to schools.

2 Bedrooms No Smk/Pets. Refs remodel- WD, A/C, deck, $650 to $750, 2 & 3 bdrms.

Rentals Apartments/ Furnished 4010

✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ 1, 2 & 3 BDRM Apartment Homes The Shores Apartments, Hwy 66 & Airport Rd (303)774-8000 ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭

303-775-7517

N/P/S 2041 Meadow Dr. $840 303-443-4308

1 BDRM APT - $525 Quiet, cozy, clean.

801 Bowen. 303.931.5211

● 917 Sunset #1062 bdrm, 1 ba, ground level, new carpet, water/ trash/heat incl. N/P. $695 RMG Realty, (303)772-4466

2 BDRM APT´s-

•1 & 2 BDRM ✭ $550-$675 Starting at $625, some with Move-in Specials!

FREE Heat 1060 17th Ave, Habla Espanol 720-327-8918 Call PMP, 303-776-RENT Apts Your CHOICE! www.alertrealty.net

1 & 2 BDRM Apt Homes Fox Ridge Apts Premier Gated Community. Pets NO lease, dep or credit chk OK! For Info & Specials Wkly/4-wk • 303-776-2185 Call (303)774-9944 • ALSO RV SITES AVAIL!

Apartments/ Unfurnished 4030

ROOMY & READY

1 Bd From $575 2 Beds From $610 Great Location Large Units Park Like Setting Ample Parking A/C & Pool

01-160317

0 APP FEE: Winter Special! 1 bdrm $550 2 bdrm, $650 On-site pkng/laundry.

A/C. Water & heat pd.

Se Habla Espanol.

(303)774-0593

LE DEAUVILLE APARTMENTS

303.772.3737

APARTMENTS

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOMS: Pool, air, laundry ✭Wtr, trash, sewer pd

630 Peck DriveLongmont West on Nelson/Airport Rd

Horizon Place

1 Bedroom 1 Bath as LOW as $690 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath as LOW as $799 3 Bedroom 2 Bath starting at $799 3 Bdrm Townhouses Starting at $1000

QUAIL VILLAGE 303-485-0065

2 Bedroom as LOW as 3 Bedroom as LOW as

2 Bath $731 2 Bath $844!

*LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE* **Income Guidelines May Apply**

01-160827

✓ Close to Bus lines ✓ Pets Welcome

$1050/mo RMG Realty, (303)772-4466

Garages/Storage Spaces 4070

1424 TWIN SISTERS DR, 5 bdrm, 2 ba, fncd bkyd, 2 car gar, sprklr sys, $1495/ mo + dep. No cats. Refs req´d, avail 1/1. 303-810-6975

INDOOR GARAGE & Commercial Storage 20x40x16 w/ 14x14 doors 1 RENT TO OWN start at $300.

3 bdrm, 2.5 ba, 2 car, W/D, 20x50x16 w/ 30 amp elect, $1295. 4 hr free rec msg. man door & pwr door 866-810-1446 ext 1011 opener start at $425.

Garage Storage LLC, 4070 Camelot Cir, located 2100 SF- Clean inside & out, I25 Business Park.

Move-in ready. 4 bdrm, I-25 & Hwy-66. 970-535- 6074 enclosed atrium, quiet culwww.Longmont-storage.com de-sac. $1300. 303-548-1091

Houses

4080

1 Bedroom- $545!

2 Bedroom- $645!

Secure bldg, swimming pool, A/C, on-site laundry.

Call PMP, 303-776-RENT

ROOMS & Apartments Weekly/Monthly, from $100/week. Utililties included. (303)931-7108

Condos/ Townhouses 4050 805 Summerhawk # J56 $975, Beautiful double master townhouse, 1700 sq ft,1 car detached garage + parking space, incl applcs avail NOW, 720-352-0904

Duplexes

4060

0 App Fee-$100 off 1st 2 mos Lg 3 bdrm, 2 ba, gar, water pd. No dogs. 303-682-2525

✓ Full Size Washer & Dryer Hookups

2400 17th Avenue, Longmont, Colorado 80503

303-772-4667

(303)682-2943

CLOVERBASIN VILLAGE (303)485-0512

321 Quail Roadacross from Longmont Rec Center

• FREE Washer/Dryer & Carport • Wood-burning fireplace • Large balconies/patios • Approved pets accepted • MTM leases available • Within walking distance of shopping, restaurants & RTD • On line leasing available • One bdr, 1 bath starting at $740 • Two bdr, 2 bath starting at $890

*www.victoriainnapts.com

EASTGLEN APTS 630 Lashley, Longmont

• 1412 Terry St Call PMP, 303-776-RENT

2 & 3 Bdrm Duplexes www.alertrealty.net

River Valley Village, (303)772-3240

2- 4 Bedroom Homes • 163 Grant • 19 Reed • 1973 Carr Ct • 1025 Gay St • 132 Telluride • 60 Empire • 234 Lapaz • 2206 20th • 1240 Meadow • 1517 24th Ave • 1249 Whitehall Dr Call PMP, 303-776-RENT NW Lgmt, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1627 Calkins, $1100/mo.

NP/NS, (303)601-6946

2 BDRM, 1 BA, beautiful, Old Town. Gar, fncd yd, w/d, n/s/p $950 303-682-5985

Why rent?

Buy a home for

$0 DOWN Do you qualify?

Dedicated to your best interest, Longmont´s Terri Hatch of People´s Mortgage & Devin O´Branagan ERA Tradewind

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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.

10544 Sunburst, Firestone, 4 bdrm, 3 ba, 2 car, bsmt, fncd, frpl, loft, N/S. $1450/mo Jim 303-775-0163

3 & 4 Bedroom Houses www.alertrealty.net

303-775-0710 WOW! $248.00 Moves you in!!!!!

3 Bdrm., 1.5 ba, New flooring, paint & appliances, large private yard, $975/month. 303-763-0762. ● 547 MARTIN 2 bdrm, 1 bath, fenced yard, storage shed, pets OK, $850/month RMG Realty, 303-772-4466

● 939 KIMBARK Central location, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, not fenced, workshop, single garage, $875.

Pet OK. RMG Realty, (303)772-4466

House for rent 1BR East Side Home $775 call 303-776-7674

2500 to 5000 SF- great views from 2nd level, ample parking. 2432 Main. 303-875-1345 $250/MONTHGreat parking, quiet.

Ground level. Four Seasons Realty, (303)875-1345

500 to 2500 SF, can divide.

On site prkg, Good traffic exposure. 303-523-3369

2 BDRM, 1 BA, culdesac, near Skyline HS, wd stove, 2 car gar, lg patio. N/P/S. 1 yr lse, $980/mo ✓Sr Dis. 303-772-7916 Leave message

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.”

Office Space 4100

WITH NO RENT UNTIL 2/1/2011 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 baths ● ● ● ●

Fitness room Club House Playground Swimming pool

Expires 12/27/2010 Sun Homes At Eagle Crest 888-246-5232 www.4eaglecrest.com

OFFICE SPACE For Rent Holistic Wellness Center.

(720)280-9047

PROFESSIONAL Offices N. Longmont. 150 to 825 SF. Single & 3 office suite.

All ground level, 2 entr, great prkg. 303-956-1141

Roommates Wanted 4120 Responsible, clean M/F, W. side, great area, golf course, W/D, kit. $400+1/3 utils. 3-775-1144/3-772-8466.

Rooms For Rent

4130

SEMI-FURN Rooms/Apts Wkly/mnthly from $100/wk Utils/micro/fridge inc (303)931-7108

Retail Space 4135 773 SQ FT- busy shopping center, 1116 Francis St, $825. Alert RE (303)776-5156

December 25, 2010

Mobile/ 5130 Manufactured Homes/Spaces Own this home for $599.00*

Real Estate Farms, Ranches Acreages 5050 WOW WHAT VIEWS!

2.8 acres, water tap in & paid. Electric close, septic needed & Ish res irrig wtr. $100K, just SE of Berthoud.

Call Mark Sullivan at ERA Tradewind (303)684-6335

Longmont

5090

2 BDRM, big gar, $130K. Will Zulauf, Co Gold RE (303)776-6330

Beautiful 3 bdrm/2 ba JUST REDUCED!

$18,900!

• • • •

Swimming pool Clubhouse Playground New Fitness Center Financing Available Pet Friendly

Sun Homes at Eagle Crest 1-888-649-5616 4eaglecrest.com ✓ Expires 12/30/2010 *WAC 10% down payment 10.5% interest 180 months includes $305.00 site rent for 36 months w/$25,00 increases

A picture is worth a thousand words

Try a color classified picture ad today!

Call for details.

303-776-7440

Lots & Tracts 5100 2 ACRE LOTS WEST OF BERTHOUD. Great Views! $149,900. Fred @ Four Seasons Re, (720)494-2133.

5130 Mobile/ Manufactured Homes/Spaces 3 BDRM, 1 BA, new carpet, W/D, carport, Lgmt adult park age 55+, 970-215-1819 ✭

MOBILE HOMES ✭ BUYING/SELLING Local park needs used mob homes. We´re buying! Big Sale! Many single & dbl wides. Fin avl, auto approval on owner fin homes.

Bad credit OK! Moves avl.

970-222-1473 ✭ 690-2725 or 690-3283 ✭

Buy it ...

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Design with Natural Light Good for your health and wallet Article Resource Association

Nowhere does the green movement and uplifting design meet and marry better than in the concept of “daylighting” – bringing natural light into a space to both brighten it and reduce dependence on electric lighting. Decorating and designing with natural light is not only energy efficient, but psychologically beneficial as well.

A number of studies have linked ample exposure to daylight to multiple emotional and physical health benefits, including improved learning in students, reduced Seasonal Affective Disorder in adults, and improved cognitive and motor skills in older people. And by using less electric lighting in favor of more natural light, you can cut energy bills and reduce your home’s impact on the environment.

If you’re into the idea of daylighting, be sure to consider how any design or decorating change you make will affect the quantity and quality of natural light entering your home. You can increase the amount of natural light your home receives in a number of ways. Some are as simple as replacing heavy, light-blocking drapes with lighter sheer curtains that allow in more light.

When it comes to providing all the benefits of natural light – in terms of both energy and design – it’s hard to beat the impact of energy efficient skylights.

“I love the drama of skylights,” says Priscilla Ulmann, founder of the New York design firm Scott-Ulmann Inc. “There’s nothing like walking into a room drenched in natural light with a view to the sky.”

While it’s possible to do an adequate

job of naturally lighting your home through ample, wellplaced doors and windows, “if you really want to add beauty, style and better lighting to your home, lift your spirits and visually expand your rooms, consider the additional natural light that skylights can provide,” advises Joe Patrick, senior product manager for VELUX America, makers of Energy Star-qualified skylights.

Consider these advantages of skylights: • They provide abundant natural light. Because skylights channel sunlight from above, they are unobstructed by trees or other buildings.

You get the full effect of natural light flooding a room – but at your complete discretion.

Accessories like built-in blinds or shades make it possible to control exactly how much natural light enters through your skylight.

• They solve a number of design problems, like how to get more natural light into a bath or bedroom – two spots in the house where you want both light and privacy. If you’re finishing an attic to improve your home value or give your family more space, adding a skylight or roof window to the existing roof is more cost-effective than adding a dormer to accommodate windows. In kitchens, venting skylights not only brighten the mood of the room, they are a

great way to naturally vent cooking odors, heat and moisture from the room. Finally, skylights allow you to naturally light a room without sacrificing any space that you may need.

• Skylights can be a healthy, cost-effective alternative to electric light. Not only do they provide the benefits of natural light, once installed they cost little if anything to operate.

Redesign with bathroom details in mind Article Resource Association

It’s most likely one of the top reasons you’ve been putting off that bathroom makeover or remodel – you’re not sure where to begin.

So what should you look for when you’re planning your next bath or powder room project? Here are a few things to consider when choosing the key pieces.

• Sink and vanity – For those smaller footprint powder rooms, or where storage isn’t

as critical, consider a pedestal sink. If a pedestal doesn’t match your taste or needs, furniture-style vanities can have a significant impact on a room’s decor and add extra storage.

• Faucet – This can be one of the most noticeable accessories in the room and one that homeowners and guests interact with the most. Make sure you choose a style and finish that is consistent with the overall decor.

• Toilet – This is one of the best places to go green in your bathroom. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf), saving 2 or more gallons of water during each use compared to many toilets installed in the 1980s and prior, and saves 20 percent compared to

more recent 1.6 gpf designs standard today.

• Shower system – There are hundreds of styles, functions, finishes and components that can comprise a home’s shower system. This can show off your personality and help you create a unique retreat.

• Bath accessories – Whether it’s the ornate styling of an old-world towel ring, or the sleek lines of a contemporary towel bar, make sure to select accessories that match your room’s faucet, sink and other elements.

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Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

December 25, 2010

Weighing the costs of walking away from an upside-down mortgage

Fashionable home fixes to do yourself

Article Resource Association

Article Resource Association

When it comes to home improvement, you don’t have to be a professional to get professional-looking results. Many simple projects can dramatically update your home and are easy enough for even the novice do-ityourselfer.

Vamp Up Your Vanity Just by its name, the bathroom vanity should exude beauty to make a style statement in your bath. However, if your current vanity features chipped paint or a dated color – it’s time for an update. Rather than buying new, you can easily make your current vanity look clean and fresh with paint.

To prep for your project, remove the doors and drawers, tape off any areas that you don’t want painted and wipe down everything with soap and water. For the transformation, spray a primer over the cabinet surface and apply several light coats of an indoor/outdoor spray paint in your favorite color. Once everything is dry, install the doors and drawers for a brand new look.

Don’t Fear your Faucet While anything that has to do with plumbing seems overwhelming – don’t fear. Updating your bathroom faucet is a simple project that can dramatically update the look of your updated vanity. To start, determine whether your sink or countertop re-

quires a centerset (one-piece) or widespread (handles and spout are separate) faucet.

Once you know the type of faucet you need, manufacturers, such as Moen, offer a wide selection of style and finish options to meet your design desires. To install your faucet, be sure you have the proper tools. Then, just follow the manufacturer’s directions to remove the old faucet and install the new.

Swap Out Your Showerhead Once you’ve mastered swapping out the faucet, changing your showerhead will be a breeze. In fact, the most difficult part may be choosing your new showerhead. At retailers you’ll find a variety of luxurious, yet inexpensive, options. Moen’s Banbury line features seven new options for any showering preference, including a five-setting wallmount showerhead, a five-setting hand held showerhead and a five-setting combination that includes both hand held and wallmount showerheads that can be used separately or together.

All About the Accessories One of the easiest ways to add a decorative touch and functionality to the bath is with accessories, such as towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks, tank levers, shelves, soap and toothbrush holders and even curved shower rods. Luckily accessories are simple to install and there are many lines available to perfectly match or complement your new faucet.

The key to proper installation of accessories is ensuring a secure grip to the wall. This is achieved by attaching the accessory’s mounting plate with at least one mounting screw into a stud – and support the other by using a hollow-wall fastener, such as a molly bolt. Once you have the mounting plates in place, simply attach the accessory and tighten the set screws.

While you may not currently feel like you’re a handyman or ma’am – these fast fixes are simple enough for a novice. And, by doing it yourself, not only will you save money, but also gain a sense of pride that will encourage you to accomplish other projects around your home.

Tulip book is a love affair in pictures Magnificent. No, really. But to be a tad more specific, “The Tulip Anthology” is a collection of contemporary and historical images and text, all documenting humankind’s thousand-year obsession with Tulipa in its thousands of variations. Reaching back through the last millennium to the tulip’s origins on scrubby slopes of Central Asia through the tulipmania of the 17th century and on into the now, this supersized tome (it measures 11-by-14 inches) explores the mystery and wonder of the chalice-shaped beauty that counts some 5,500 listings on the international register of tulip names kept by the Dutch Bulb Growers’ Association. Ron van Dongen is a celebrated photographer who sells his works in fine-art prints and limited-edition monographs. These pages, indeed, are fine art.

What makes it armchair-worthy: First, a cautionary note: Do not sit down with this beauty till you’ve crossed off your to-do list for the day. Once you curl up with this over-the-top anthology, you might not leave your chair for, well, days, weeks, perhaps not till the new year. It is as gorgeous a botanical work as we’ve seen in a long, long while.

The “The Tulip Anthology” is available from Chronicle Books for $60.

– Barbara Mahany, Chicago Tribune

Owing more on your mortgage than your house is worth may seem like a bad investment.

But the alternative – choosing to default on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments – will take a significant toll on your credit rating.

“Strategically defaulting – deciding to stop paying your mortgage regardless of your ability to actually carry the debt – will have a far-reaching, long-lasting impact on your ability to secure future credit,” says Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education for global information services company Experian.

While it may seem like a good move to simply stop paying and walk away from a bad investment, keep several factors in mind when you consider strategic default. For more information on just how severe the impact can be, VantageScore LLC completed a study that evaluates the effect that foreclosures, bankruptcies, short sales, and various mortgage programs have on consumers’ VantageScore credit scores.

• The default will remain on your credit report for seven years. Since credit scores are based on information in your credit report, the foreclosure will greatly impact your credit scores during those seven years. Securing other credit at reasonable terms and rates will be difficult, if not impossible, during that time.

• Potential lenders aren’t the only ones looking at credit reports these days. Insurers, employers and even cell phone companies are considering the creditworthiness of those who want to do business with them. By impacting your credit report, a strategic default may affect your ability to get a job, secure insurance and enter into important service contracts.

• Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage giant, announced policy changes that will make you ineligible for a new Fannie-Maebacked mortgage if you walk away from a current mortgage that you actually could afford to pay.

The ineligibility will last for seven years from the date of foreclosure.

• Finally, in some cases, the debt that foreclosure “erases” may be recorded as income, which means you will have to pay taxes on it.

December 25, 2010 Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., 1151 Eagle Drive Ste. 467, Loveland, CO 80537.

Longmont • James Hendrickson from Alvin E Sweney Living Trust, 902 Hover Ridge Cir, Longmont, $222,900, home • Andrew Heyd from Lawrence Eberhardt, 12788 Sheramdi St, Longmont, $305,000, home • Christopher & Katherine Darrin from L L Homes LLC, 1011 Confidence Dr, Longmont, $85,000, home • Thomas Spannring from Lee Siebrecht, 14 James Cir, Longmont, $195,000, home • MP LLC from John James Bendon Trust, 12632 Dougla Dr, Longmont, $355,000, home • Grant & Helen Gurnee from Thomas Middlen, 11712 Montgomery Cir, Longmont, $335,000, home • David Style from Beneficial Financial 1 Inc, 1025 S Gay Dr, Longmont, $115,000, home • William & Catherine Limon from Beneficial Mortgage Co, 1012 Bragg Pl, Longmont, $152,000, home • Donovan Largent from Mary Brown, 1218 Bross St, Longmont, $215,000, home • Jesse & Jennifer Haan from Sally Brown, 933 Ninebark Ln, Longmont, $322,500, home • RSR LLC from Jose Castaneda, 901 19th Ave, Longmont, $145,000, home • Jeffery & Cheryl Rogers from Michael Featherston, 1738 Preston Dr, Longmont, $250,000, home • Vino LLC from Firstier Bank, 2020 Ionosphere St Unit A, Longmont, $240,000, condo • Gary Kephart from He Chuan, 653 Glenarbor Cir, Longmont, $370,000, home • James & Mary McAuley from HSBC Mortgage Services Inc, 1601 Deerwood Dr, Longmont, $174,000, home • Huijuan Tao from Katherine Jansen, 1641 Turin Dr, Longmont, $500,000, home • Helen Bishop from James Mitton, 1212 16th Ave, Longmont, $147,500, home • Ted & Vanessa Anderson

from Denise Oleszczuk, 2120 Jade Way, Longmont, $725,000, home • Lyle & Carolyn Peres from Betty Salyer, 1619 Ervine Ave, Longmont, $125,600, home • Paul Beale from Jamie Conglose, 8947 Sage Valley Rd, Longmont, $665,000, home • Michael Reid from Dave Elmore, 941 Pratt St, Longmont, $180,000, home • Christi Seemannwalker from Fannie Mae, 102 Bowen St, Longmont, $126,900, home • Jackie & Euphama Overbey from Federal Home Loan Mortgage, 1325 Martin St, Longmont, $54,900, home • Colette Dervan from Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp, 653 Snowberry St, Longmont, $206,000, home • Anirudda Lowrie from Verner McCall, 535 Atwood St, Longmont, $115,000, home • Joyce Sherwood from Crystal Perio, 3802 Florentine Cir, Longmont, $495,000, home • Chad Stump from Steven Peterson, 2467 Linden St, Longmont, $173,000, home • Mark White from Dean Wann, 1917 Gardenwall Way, Longmont, $295,000, home Berthoud • Andressa Marlan from Rocky Mountain District Evange, 624 E County Road 8, Berthoud, $218,000, home • Chad & Tiffany Hymel from James Wilson, 3100 Cottonwood Ln, Berthoud, $356,000, home Dacono • Mark & Pamela Tabb from Fannie Mae, 306 Sundance Pkwy, Dacono, $149,200, home • Karen Reid from Richmond American Homes Colo Inc, 3151 Meadowbrook Pl, Dacono, $221,800, home Erie • James Lillibridge from Brian Maitlen Brian, 105 Huntley Creek Ct, Erie, $145,000, home • Arthur & Patricia East from Taylor Morrison Colo Inc, 1173 Koss St, Erie, $272,500, home • Juan Perez from Taylor Morrison Colo Inc, 1119 Petras St, Erie, $332,500, home

• Samuel & Megan Schimmelpfennig from Taylor Morrison Colo Inc, 440 Mazzini St, Erie, $309,100, home • James Harding from Taylor Morrison Colo Inc, 1161 Koss St, Erie, $316,500, home • Michael Mikulak from Vista Ridge Development, 1925 Windemere Ln, Erie, $245,000, home • Jona Dunlap from Six Point Erie Village, 1146 Village Cir, Erie, $285,000, home • John & Lori Kestel from Jason Weber, 1390 Holden Ct, Erie, $285,000, home • Jason & Amy Weber from Robert Savage, 1409 Washburn St, Erie, $415,000, home Firestone • Kathleen Nelson from JJ Construction Northern Colo LLC, 9661 Roadrunner Ave, Firestone, $199,900, home • Jaime & Billie Rosa from Richmond American Homes Colo Inc, 4690 Sandy Ridge Ave, Firestone, $229,400, home • Glenn Bettis from Fannie Mae, 5151 Ruby Ave, Firestone, $209,900, home • Cynthia Painter from Richmond American Homes Colo Inc, 4712 Sandy Ridge Ave, Firestone, $207,800, home • Stephanie Harp from Tricia Tuell, 6470 Stagecoach Ave, Firestone, $199,900, home Fort Lupton • Jacob & Betty Dawson from Mtn Bk, 17361 Dove Cir, Fort Lupton, $263,000, home • Edward Conway from John Vindiola, 894 S Denver Ave, Fort Lupton, $130,000, home Frederick • Kevin & Angela Newsom from Nancy Marsh, 5120 Mt St Vrain Ave, Frederick, $250,000, home • Daniel & Ryan Ohayre from HSH Properties LLC, 7100 Miller Unit 4B, Frederick, $60,000, condo Lyons • Ted & Roxane Peyser from James Hayden, 119 Eagle Canyon Cir, Lyons, $645,000, home

Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

Foreclosures – notice of election and demand • Borrower: Mountain Sky Group LLC, Lender: Liberty Savings Bank FSB, Amount: $575,000, Property: 1932 Little Acres Ln, Berthoud, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Martha Clanton, Lender: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Amount: $109,904, Property: 818 Gabriel Ct, Dacono, Filed: 12/09/10 • Borrower: Linda Gray, Lender: Federal National Mortgage Association, Amount: $218,807, Property: 465 Hass Ct, Dacono, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Annette Healy, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Amount: $174,534, Property: 315 Maplewood Dr, Erie, Filed: 12/09/10 • Borrower: Joshua Penn, Lender: The Bank Of New York Mellon Trust Co, Amount: $122,640, Property: 109 6th St, Fort Lupton, Filed: 12/09/10 • Borrower: Falko Bartsch, Lender: Midfirst Bank, Amount: $122,292, Property: 7431 Hart St, Fort Lupton, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Todd & Renee Howard, Lender: Everbank, Amount: $272,148, Property: 8138 Raspberry Dr, Frederick, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Maria Esquivel & Ramon Sanchez, Lender: Bank Of America National Association, Amount: $183,991, Property: 5912 E Conservation Dr, Frederick, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Jesus Lopez Hernandez, Lender: Flagstar Bank FSB, Amount: $181,970, Property: 707 James St, Longmont, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Peter & Carolyn Storz, Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Amount: $1,870,481, Property: 8661 Yellowstone Rd, Longmont, Filed: 12/10/10 • Borrower: Rick Markwardt, Lender: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Amount: $204,504, Property: 348 9th Ave, Longmont, Filed: 12/09/10 • Borrower: Stephen Fenn, Lender: PNC Bank National Association, Amount: $158,851, Prop-

erty: 444 Thistle Pl, Longmont, Filed: 12/09/10 • Borrower: Bryan Dirkes, Lender: US Bank National Association, Amount: $243,900, Property: 1418 Red Mountain Dr, Longmont, Filed: 12/13/10 • Borrower: Jeffrey Wyman, Lender: Gmac Mortgage LLC, Amount: $192,758, Property: 1690 Judson Dr, Longmont, Filed: 12/15/10 • Borrower: Jacqueline Laughlin, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Amount: $160,323, Property: 1258 Carolina Ave, Longmont, Filed: 12/15/10 • Borrower: Julie Beverley, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Amount: $172,823, Property: 1224 Spring Creek Ct, Longmont, Filed: 12/15/10 • Borrower: Arturo Mendoza, Lender: US Bank National Association, Amount: $147,239, Property: 33 Anniversary Ln, Longmont, Filed: 12/15/10 • Borrower: Soltahr Tiv-Amanda, Lender: Aurora Loan Services LLC, Amount: $216,149, Property: 180 Mount Massive Way, Longmont, Filed: 12/14/10 • Borrower: Sean Welsh, Lender: PHH Mortgage Corporation, Amount: $370,427, Property: 719 Rider Ridge Dr, Longmont, Filed: 12/14/10 • Borrower: Deirdre Mrugala, Lender: Aurora Loan Services LLC, Amount: $145,209, Property: 1248 Baker St, Longmont, Filed: 12/15/10 • Borrower: Melanie & Troy Hansen, Lender: Bank Of America National Association, Amount: $170,464, Property: 1837 Juniper St, Longmont, Filed: 12/13/10 • Borrower: Steven & Julie Bock, Lender: Aurora Loan Services LLC, Amount: $968,548, Property: 9771 Niwot Rd, Longmont, Filed: 12/14/10 • Borrower: Richard Ross, Lender: Onewest Bank FSB, Amount: $284,945, Property: 6701 N 79th St, Longmont, Filed: 12/14/10 • Borrower: Carl & Tammy Pender, Lender: Chase Home Finance LLC, Amount: $345,835, Property: 824 Deer Ln, Lyons, Filed: 12/15/10

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1401 Elmhurst Dr. • 303-772-9292 Victoria Inn

2400 17th Ave. • 303-772-4667 Ute Creek Apartments

Longmont, CO

1100 E 17th Ave. • 303-684-6821 The Shores at McIntosh Lake

2450 Airport Rd. • 303-774-8000 Cloverbasin Village

630 Peck Dr. • 888-837-4912 Elliott Apartments

418 Emery St. Longmont, CO 80501 • 303-772-6452 Fox Ridge Apartments

3800 Pike Rd., Longmont, CO 80503 • 303-774-9944 Tanglewood Condominiums Senior Community

100 21st Ave., Longmont, CO 80501 • 303-774-0300

Washer/Dryer Hook-ups

Washer/Dryer Facilities

5. Think storage – Freestanding, multitiered shelf units designed to fit over toilet tanks can transform unused wall area into storage.

6. Contribute a little sweat equity – You can shave labor costs by doing some of the work yourself. Some easy DIY projects:

• Install window & baseboard trim • Paint walls and trim • Install toilet • Install towel bars and shelves.

– Courtesy of John Riha and HouseLogic.com on hgtv.com

1

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

$740-$890

$250

1, 2

1, 1¾

Yes

Yes

Yes

In each apartment

A/C, D/W, cable ready, balcony or deck, carport, outdoor pool, close to shopping & bus stop.

Starting at $799

$125

1, 2

1, 2

Yes

Yes

Yes

Full SIze in each apartment

Yes

Move-In Specials, senior and other discounts.

Fireplace, pool & spa, 24-hour fitness, garages. Close to shopping.

$729-$1200

$100 $200 $300

1,2,& 3

1,2

Short Term Available

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Gas fireplaces, 24 hr. fitness center, heated pool & hot tub, A/C, business center, gourmet kitchens, detached garages. *On selected apartments.

$690-$1100

$149

3-bdrm. townhomes

2

Yes

Yes

$580-$945

Yes

1, 2, 3

1, 2

Yes

Yes

$789-$1239

$200

1, 2, 3

1, 2

Short Term Available

Yes

Yes

$1235$1625

$1235$1625

1, 2

1, 2

Yes

Some

Yes

Yes

1,2,3

Yes

65 lbs limit Pets Neg.

Yes

No

& rental available

Convenient location, pet friendly, garages available, 24-hour maintenance

Yes

In historic Longmont, large trees, quiet neighborhood on-site parking & storage. Close to RTD. Heat included.

Yes

Yes

Island kitchens, garden tubs, gas fireplaces, double balconies, two tone paint, gated community. Close to schools & newest community in Longmont.

Full size in each condo

W/D provided in each Condo

All utilities & cable paid, sec. bldg., elevator, W/D in every unit, transportation, social events. HUGE amenities package, quiet 55+ community. Call for incentives!

Yes

$50+ mo.

Other Amenities

1

Secure building, quiet neighborhood, meal program, transportation, utilities paid, appliances & cable TV included, 62 yrs & older; vouchers accepted.

Pets

$835-$840

Allow Smoking?

$885-$890

# of Baths Lease Required

Deposit

Hover Manor Senior Apartment Residence

you’re willing to spend.

2. Keep the same footprint 3. Make lighting a priority – Welldesigned bathroom lighting surrounds vanity mirrors and serves to eliminate shadows on faces.

4. Clear the air – A bathroom vent should exhaust air to the outside.

Price Range

When planning to remodel a bathroom, it’s crucial to have all your ducks in a row. Here are some pertinent points to consider: 1. Create a plan, and stick to it – Evaluate how you plan to use the space, what kinds of materials and fixtures you want, and how much

Complex Name

Prepare for bathroom remodel

December 25, 2010

# of Bedrooms

Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly

Address Phone

12

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