Longmont Times-Call
www.HomeandRealEstateWeekly.com
HOME December 11, 2010
Trimming the
TREE Appraisal Woes Not wise to order your own appraisal before refinance
Give your gardener knowledge
& Real Estate Weekly
2
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
December 11, 2010
O Christmas
Tree!
Embark on holiday traditions this season By Mary Carol Garrity
Scripps Howard News Service
One of my favorite traditions during the holidays is to learn about other people’s holiday traditions. I enjoy hearing about their childhood memories and how they have woven their holiday heritage into their own observances as adults. As I listen to the tales of Christmases past and present, I am always amazed by how many memories and traditions revolve around the Christmas tree. This special symbol is near and dear to our hearts and the star of the show when it comes to holiday decorating. This year, reimagine your tree, blending old traditions with new ideas, to make it a fresh and glorious tribute to your family and your home. Here are a few tips to get you started. I swore off traditional Christmas-tree stands the year my tree toppled over onto my diningroom table – right in the middle of a dinner party. I needed a stand that could handle the weight of a million ornaments with grace and beauty. So now I always place my tree in a sturdy iron garden urn. Get creative and look about your home for unusual containers that will display your tree in style. How about a large and lovely blue-and-white Asian cachepot? A friend of mine placed her tabletop tree in a bright red metal ice bucket emblazoned with an old English family crest. For a truly unusual presentation, get an evergreen tree sapling,
take it out of the pot and rinse the soil off the roots. Then insert the tiny tree in a large glass vase, displaying it much as you would fresh flowers. If you opt for a traditional tree stand, try covering it with something besides a tree skirt. Tablecloths are a wonderful option because they are easy to launder and they frame the tree in soft, luxurious folds of fabric. Before you hang one ball on your tree, start with great lighting. In my opinion, the more sparkle and shine the better, so I load up my tree with a lot of wattage. Plan to use 100 lights for each foot of your tree’s height and make sure the strands of lights are evenly distributed top to bottom. If you want your tree to be even more radiant, you can even run lights up and down the trunk. Another great solution if you’re short on time is to purchase a pre-lit tree. Before you start hanging baubles, think about what you want your finished tree to look like and communicate to your guests. One approach is to make your Christmas tree a testament to you and your family, filled with ornaments that show guests what you hold dear. Festoon it with ornaments passed down through the years, framed family photos or a few small heirlooms hung from ribbons. A friend spiced up her Christmas tree with sprigs of broom corn harvested from her grandparents’ farm. She and her children picked the corn, dried it, misted it with spray paint and tucked it in the branches of her
Kristi Ritter Summer Stair On the Cover
tree. Or, maybe your tree could showcase some of your favorite collectibles, like old postcards or cream pitchers. You could also fill your tree with ornaments you’ve brought back from favorite vacations. Let your imagination go and see what you come up with. Another fun approach is to do a thematic tree that revolves around a color palette or a particular subject. In the past, I’ve decorated my trees with a nod to nature, covering them with huge pinecones and encircling them in honeysuckle vines. For a more opulent look, you could jazz up your tree with gold, silver and crystal ornaments. Or create a tree that’s dramatic in its sheer simplicity. Pick one special ornament style or color and use it exclusively on your tree. A friend created a stunning look simply by hanging small plate ornaments, which featured vintage drawings of evergreens, all over her tree. If you have little ones in your home, consider decorating a tree just for them, full of whimsical ornaments or ornaments they made themselves. Several of my friends decorate artificial tabletop trees to put in their kids’ bedrooms, where they serve as festive nightlights. If possible, it’s best to start with a beautifully shaped and spaced artificial or natural tree. But if your tree isn’t perfect, no problem. We’ve taken some ugly ducklings and made them into beautiful swans at Nell Hill’s. The key to transforming a mediocre tree into
Specialty Publications Editor
kkritter@times-call.com, 303-684-5275
Specialty Publications Associate Editor sstair@times-call.com, 720-494-5429
Holiday traditions include trimming the tree with all of your favorite ornaments. See story above. (Thinkstock)
a showstopper is to supplement the branches with a number of picks. Your picks can be plain evergreen boughs; sprigs that sport berries or pinecones; or metallic sprays that will bring some sparkle and snap. Insert the picks throughout the tree to fill in the branches and add more color, texture and interest. When the tree is to your liking, it’s time to adorn. Gail, a visual artist at Nell Hill’s, recommends starting at the top, then working your way down. Hang the ornaments in diagonal lines that encircle the tree, top to bottom, to keep the eye flowing down and around. Start the process with your largest ornaments, burying some deep within the branches of the tree to give it more depth.
News and Press Releases
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.
Look for unusual containers to creatively display your tree. (SHNS/Bob Greenspan)
Gail likes to add strands of garland next, before she hangs the medium and small ornaments, so she can fill in any big holes. When the garland is to her liking, she hangs the medium-sized ornaments, placing them midway inside the branches, following the top-to-bottom diagonal line starting with the largest ornaments. At Nell Hill’s Atchison this year, we decorated our tree using this year’s hottest holiday look: metallics. This year, platinum, soft gold, copper and silver are big, big, big. The column has been adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www.nell hills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@nellhills.com.
Advertising
The display advertising deadline is Tuesday at 3 p.m., and the classified line advertising deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. – both the week of publication. For advertising information, call 720-494-5445.
December 11, 2010
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
3
Do not order your own Author’s note trumps all else appraisal before refinance By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson
Q: We’ve been waiting to refinance home equity will shrink further before you can close on your refinance. because we felt like mortgage interest That brings up another issue: If you rates would go lower. But now it looks don’t have at least 20 percent equity in like interest rates have bottomed out your home, you’ll have to pay a higher and so we’ve decided to move ahead. interest rate for your loan or pay for priBut at the same time, the value of our neighborhood appears to be falling. vate mortgage insurance (PMI), which is expensive these days, and that additional With local home values having fallen so cost could easily wipe out any dramatically, it seems like savings you would garner from we’re right on the borderrefinancing. line of having 20 percent in Should you pay $400 for an equity. In fact, the amount appraisal? Probably not. we owe on our mortgage You’re better off starting the might be more than 80 perrefinance process and having cent of the home’s value. It’s the lender order the appraisal. borderline. If you order an appraisal sepaDo we risk paying $400 or rately, there is no assurance so for an appraisal that that the lender you choose will might show us we can’t refiIlyce Glink arrive at the same appraised nance? Tribune Media Services value. The lender will not use Also, everything I read your appraisal, and you’ll be says not to refinance if out the money for the appraisal. If your you’re going to move within five years. bank sends out an appraiser and the propWe might move within five years. In erty fails to appraise at a high enough fact, we talk about moving all the time. price for you to refinance, you should But one quote I got from a mortgage make sure that you only lose the cost of broker showed us that even with the appraisal if you decide not to move rolling the closing costs into a new 25forward with the refinance. year loan, we’d still come out with a As for refinancing even if you’re conlower monthly payment than what we templating a move, I think if you can save have now. money from the get-go and pay off the So does that conventional wisdom costs of refinance within a relatively short still apply? Is there something I’m missperiod of time (say, six to eight months), ing or should we just go ahead and refithere’s no reason not to refinance. nance even if we move in a year? Having said that, if you are paying closFinally, where is the best place to ing costs and those costs are rolled into shop for loans? Should we go with a the amount you will owe on the mortgage, mortgage broker or call around? I’m you may not be getting a great deal even if getting nowhere with our current big your monthly payment to the lender goes box lender. down. If you sell within one year of refiA: You’ve asked some excellent quesnancing, you’ll have to repay all of those tions that I am sure many of your fellow closing costs. So, you need to make sure homeowners are thinking about, as well. the savings on your monthly payment are Let’s start at the top. sufficiently high to counter any closing While interest rates appear to have botcosts. tomed out, they could stay at these nearFinally, you should shop for loans at a historic low levels for quite some time. It’s variety of different lenders, including a big my feeling that when 30-year fixed-rate box lender (not yours, but another one), a mortgages are available at 4.5 percent or credit union (if you belong to one or can less, it’s a sign of how weak our national join one), a mortgage broker, a small local and world economies are. bank and perhaps online. You can get a But you’re facing an even bigger probsense of interest rates and where they lem, which is falling home values. The latstand locally at BankRate.com. est figures seem to show that home values are again declining after rising slightly this Ilyce R. Glink’s latest book is “Buy, Close, Move In!” If you have questions, you can call her radio summer. If you’re barely at 20 percent eqshow at 800-972-8255 any Sunday, from 11 a.m. uity in your property today, depending on to 1 p.m. EST. Contact Ilyce through her website at www.thinkglink.com. where you live, it’s possible that your
Dear Helaine and Joe: A few years ago, I went to a book sale at a library in a small Oklahoma town, and the items were priced at 25 and 50 cents each. I found “The Robe” by Lloyd C. Douglas and bought it because it is one of my favorite books. I started to read it a few weeks later and discovered an inscription signed “Lloyd.” It reads: “Here is the new book. I hope you will like it in its present costume as you did when it was still in script. Thank you, sweet girl, for all the loyal interest you have shown in The Robe.” The spine is off, but the book is in fair shape otherwise. What is its value? – J.P. Dear J.P.: Collecting can be all about the hunt for a rare find, a great bargain or both. Sometimes when we purchase something, we get an unlooked-for surprise – either pleasant or unpleasant. In this case, an entirely agreeable revelation provided an interesting link to J.P.’s favorite author. Lloyd Cassel Douglas entered the world in Columbia City, Ind., on Aug. 27, 1877. His father was a pastor, and after getting his A.M. degree from Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University), the younger Douglas was ordained as a Lutheran minister. He began writing novels, and his first book, “Magnificent Obsession,” found a publisher in 1929. His work pursued moral and religious themes, and critics of the day linked him with the authors of “Ben-Hur” (Lew Wallace) and “Quo
Vadis” (Henryk Sienkiewicz). Douglas is also known for “Doctor Hudson’s Secret Journal” and “The Big Fisherman,” but his best-known work is “The Robe.” First published in 1942, “The Robe” initially sold more than 2 million copies. It became a movie starring Richard Burton in 1953 – two years after Douglas’ death on Feb. 13, 1951. It is a pity that J.P. did not send us a copy of the book’s title page, because without that information, there is no way to tell whether it is a first edition. Normally, this would be an important piece of information, but in this particular case, the author’s rather long handwritten note – and yes, that is his signature – overshadows this lack of data. Even if it were a first edition, its value would be rather modest because of the poor condition. But then there is the author’s note. We may never identify the “sweet girl,” but she was someone who had seen the manuscript before its publication and had given Douglas her input. For insurance purposes, we feel this book should be valued in the $200 to $300 range.
2110 Ladera Road
FABULOUS RETREAT w/ MAGNIFICENT MOUNTAIN VIEWS on 26.7 acres. New Roof in Summer of ’09 6208+/-tot.sq.ft. 5Bedrm/ 5Bath ranch style w/ fin. walkout bsmt. Gated entry. Qlty. construction at every turn w/ a well-thought out flex. floor plan. Elevator shaft in place, & potential in-law unit that is now a LG. study w/priv. deck. Horse barn, fncd pasture,dog bath & encl. run
The
Team
$1,500,000
Experience Isn’t Expensive...It’s Priceless
Diane Stow, ABR, CRS, GRI, SRES, CDPE
50-158326
For more real estate information, visit HomeandRealEstateWeekly.com
Scripps Howard News Service
BROKER ASSOCIATE Diane’s Direct Line:
303-827-7046
9427 Memory Lane
SPECTACULAR LAKEFRONT ESTATE w/ MTN VIEWS! Truly a one-of-a-kind Boulder County retreat. 8457+/- tot.sq.ft. 4Bedrms/7Baths. Gorgeous custom home. Incredible Chef’s kitchen & expansive living spaces. Indoor & Outdoor entertain. areas , 22X46 ft. inground pool, hot tub, lg.patio,covered boat dock, 318 ft. beach front. 6+ car att. & 6 car det. garages. w/RV parking. On 2.2 acres.
$2,000,000
10818 Cimarron St. #301
Enjoy low maint. living w/ everything on one level. Great location! 2 Bed, 2 Bath w/ 1274 +/-tot.sq.ft. 2-Yr. new Condo w/ 1-car att. gar. & nice finishes. Fam.Rm. w/ gas fireplace. Spacious eat-in kitchen w/ dining area & Brkfst. Bar, smooth top elec range, Appli. incl. Great master suite w/ priv. bath.. Close to shopping, dining, parks & schools. No snow to shovel or grass to mow! HOA Pool & Hot Tub!
$179,900
For Further Details Of These Listings And:
TO SEE ALL OF DIANE’S LISTINGS
With Detailed Information, Multiple Photos & Virtual Tours,
VISIT:
www.dianestow.com Email: diane@dianestow.com Re/Max Traditions, Inc. 2204 18th Avenue (303) 772-3800
Entertain successfully during the holidays Holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful. Follow these simple tips to host a gala while still enjoying the season. 1. Forgo a traditional floral centerpiece on the dining table and instead create a charming scene featuring gingerbread houses or Christmas-village miniatures. 2. Rather than rushing out to buy expensive new china, glasses and silverware for a holiday get-together, consider renting. 3. A simple way to give holiday decorations a professionally decorated look is to stick to just two or three colors. 4. Flickering candlelight is beautiful, but if small children or pets will be part of the celebration, substitute battery-powered votive and pillar candles. 5. For a custom look that’s easy to achieve, add ornaments, wrapped candies or glittered greenery to a plain wreath. 6. Adding a vintage element such as homemade gingerbread men, hand-strung popcorn or a cranberry garland to holiday decorations lends a sentimental, oldfashioned feel. 7. Always test Christmas lights before adding them to the tree. 8. Give your chandelier a simple holiday update by draping the arms with an evergreen garland and embellishing plain paper shades with an assortment of ribbon attached with hot glue. 9. To cover an unusually shaped or extralong table, simply drape it with fabric from the bolt. 10. Add fragrance and an unexpected touch to evergreen garlands and the Christmas tree by placing fresh flowers among the greenery. 11. To get the look of a lit fireplace without the warmth fill the hearth with lit pillar candles. 12. Make your decorations shine by working strands of twinkling mini-lights into garlands, topiaries and table scapes. – Courtesy Sandra Lee on hgtv.com
OPEN HOUSE/PRICE REDUCED
6583 UTE HIGHWAY, LONGMONT • $499,500 SAT 11-1 • HOSTESS: KYONG BRODT
• RARE OPPORTUNITY! • 2.1 acres with water rights • 2400 SF heated workshop with office • 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick ranch* • NEW SEPTIC SYSTEM.
December 11, 2010
Blooming Gifts Keep plants thriving with these tips Family Features
Poinsettias, African violets, cyclamen, azaleas, holiday cacti and kalanchoe – all are popular holiday gifts to give and receive. But once they are settled in their new homes, how do we keep them healthy and thriving? Here are some tips to keep in mind. Include the key points on a care tag with the plants you give as gifts. Keep Soil Moist, Not Wet Saturate the soil with room-temperature water in the morning so foliage can dry before nighttime. If water drains out immediately, the plant is rootbound and needs to be repotted with fast-draining soilless potting mix. Water cyclamen and African violets from the bottom by setting them in a tray of water for a few minutes and letting the soil soak up water.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima ) can make a display of red and green. (Margo Harrison /Fotolia)
set buds.
should not touch the pots.
Turn On the Lights Flowering houseplants often don’t rebloom because of insufficient light. Place plants in a south-facing window or set them under full-spectrum grow lights.
Fertilize Use a dilute soluble fertilizer according to label directions when plants are in active growth and flowering. When plants take a rest, stop fertilizing. Once a month, flush the pots for a few minutes until water drains from the holes to remove any built-up fertilizer salts.
Control Pests Oftentimes you can control spider mites by dunking plants upside down in a sink full of soapy water. Sprays of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil will control many pests. For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org.
Provide Optimum Temperatures Indoor temperatures of 55 to 70 degrees are usually adequate for most flowering houseplants, although tropicals such as holiday cacti and gardenias need cooler temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees to
Raise Humidity Many flowering houseplant species are accustomed to high year-round humidity. Run a humidifier near the plants, or group the plants together on a 2-inch layer of pebbles in a tray of water. The water
NEW LISTING
9013 ELDORADO AVE, FREDERICK $265,560 VONNIE FALCE
• 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths • Eat-In Kitchen, Formal Dining, 2 Sided Fireplace • Fenced Large Backyard • 10x12 Storage Shed • Call Vonnie Falce 303-589-9821
NEW LISTING
1015 21ST AVE, LONGMONT $194,000 CHAMBERLAIN-GAPTER TEAM
• Great North Longmont Location • 4 Bedrooms, 2-1/2 Baths • RV/Boat Parking • Large Backyard with Shed • Shed can be Shop or 3rd Garage space
PRICE REDUCED
13743 SADDLE DR, MEAD $253,000 CAROL SCHACK
• Just what you want for Christmas! • Approximately 2, 492 Finished Sq. Ft. + Bsmt • 4 Bdrms, 3 Baths, 3 Car Garage • Great Commuting Location • 15’x 9’ Loft, Open Floor Plan
A former floral designer and interior plantscaper, Kathy Bond-Borie has spent 20 years as a garden writer/editor, including her current role as Horticultural Editor for the National Gardening Association. She loves designing with plants, and spends more time playing in the garden – planting and trying new combinations – than sitting and appreciating it.
At the “New Pru”...
Your
It’s All About You!
Source to all things Home & Real Estate!
127 ACRES, ERIE $3,175,000 JERRY SCHLAGEL
• Engineering & Environmental done • Ready to Annex • Hwy 52 & WCR 3 • Per Acre price is $25,000 • Call Jerry at 303-709-0158
1013 BERKELEY CT, LONGMONT $649,500 JAN KANEMOTO
• Views Abound! • Custom Walkout Ranch • Over 4,100 Finished Sq. Ft. • On Twin Peaks Golf Course • Oversized Lot
350 TERRA VISTA ST, BRIGHTON $255,000 VONNIE FALCE
• Ready to move in, 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths • 42”Cabinets, Island, Wood Floors Kit • Main Floor Study, Upstairs Loft • Main Floor Laundry, Formal Dining Rm • Beautiful Back Yard, Large Patio
805 SUMMERHAWK DR. R-104, LONGMONT $184,900 CHAMBERLAIN-GAPTER TEAM
• 3 bedroom Unit w/ Loft • Master on main floor • 2 bath • Approx 2326 total sq ft • 1 car detached garage
Rock Solid Since 1990!
303-772-2222
RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WWW.PRUDENTIALROCKYMOUNTAIN.COM An independently owned & operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
www.HomeandRealEstateWeekly.com
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
47-157642
4
December 11, 2010
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
Make your home more energy-efficient Article Resource Association
49-160318
Old Man Winter brings a variety of gifts for us each year – cold winds, snow and, of course, higher energy bills. You can’t control the cold and snow, but you do have a little control over how much energy you will use this winter. With today’s technological advances, it has never been easier to lessen your impact on the power grid and reduce your heating bills. An energy audit is a good place to start to find out areas where heat is escaping from your home. After you’ve identified those areas, you may also want to think about outfitting your home with devices or systems that will make it more energy efficient. Here are five innovations that can help you conserve energy this winter. • Freewatt home energy system. This eco-friendly heating system features micro-CHP technology that is integrated with a high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler and generates both heat and electricity for your home. Such a system has the potential to generate half of a typical home’s annual electrical needs, according to ECR, makers of the freewatt and freewatt plus home energy systems. Additionally, a water heater may be added to the system to produce even more electricity. If your state and utility company have net metering programs, you can also sell back additional electricity generated by your system to be used elsewhere. The freewatt plus system also acts as a back-up generator should your home lose power. • Rooftop solar water heaters. Why pay for energy to heat water when the sun will do it for you at no cost? While a solar water heater may cost more up front, the U.S. Department of Energy es-
Longmont & Surrounding Areas Residential Statistics November 2010
timates that you can save 50 to 80 percent on your water heating bill. It’s possible that you may also be able to receive a tax deduction if you roll the cost of the heater into your mortgage. If you are interested, it may also be wise to check with the Department of Energy or retailers to see if there are any other tax benefits available for any efficiency upgrade you are thinking about making. • Solar light tubes. Adding these to your house can add fresh and natural light to a space that might otherwise need electric light, thus reducing the electricity you’ll use. • Radiant barriers. This strategy, using reflective barriers, often in the attic, can reduce the amount of heat that is lost through the roof of your home. It also can reduce the amount of heat coming in from the attic in the warmer months. • If you determine you are losing a lot of heat through your windows, it might make good financial sense to replace them with more energy-efficient ones. It might be helpful to work with your energy auditor or window company to determine the best option, as it can often be dependent on what kind of windows you have and where they are located.
Courtesy the Longmont Association of Realtors
The Longmont Association of Realtors is located at 420 Kimbark St. in Longmont. For more information, contact them by calling 303-772-0640 or visiting www.longmontrealtors.com/.
5
6
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
December 11, 2010
Reuse Paper and Cardboard Gifts wrapped in reused paper can look stylish if you wrap them with care. Collect brown paper, out-of-date maps and atlases, old wall charts, calendars and unused rolls of wallpaper to build up a collection of instant Christmas wrapping. Pages from newspapers or magazines also make attractively wrapped gifts – use the
sports section of a newspaper to wrap a gift for a sports fan, for example, or colorful comics to wrap gifts for children and teenagers. If your gift is an unusual shape, put it in a decorated or covered shoe box or shirt box, or use recycled paper sandwich bags decorated with dried leaves, pressed home-grown flowers or feathers.
49-160598
Give your gardener knowledge to use
Ask a gardener what they’d novice gardener include delove for a gift, and they might mystifying irrigation, with exlook uncomfortable before retension agent Joel Reich, who sponding vaguely “oh, I don’t will help participants save waknow, anything’s wonderful.” ter while getting tender, sweet Don’t be frustrated. vegetables. It’s not that we Tips for growing don’t want to anvegetables in Colswer you; it’s just orado will fill one hard to explain that seminar, but if your the things we chergardener wants to ish are likely to delve into specialty make you avoid us. topics, they can Even gardener to choose from tomagardener, we don’t to selection, vegalways know how etable disease conCarol O’Meara trol, strawberry our gifts will go Colorado State tips, how to grow over. One, regaling University Extension me with the tale of raspberries and how she first got blackberries, or her green thumb, hesitated starting vegetables from seed. when it came to describing her If developing skills tops the dirt-loving mother’s gift for her list for your gardener, enroll first garden. “Guess what mom them in Fruit Tree Pruning sent,” she said, a little self conwith David Whiting, Professor sciously. “Manure – she mailed with Colorado State University. a big box of chicken manure!” For high yields of quality fruit, Now there’s a memorable fruit trees need care while gift. Such treasure is what young and annual pruning to many gardening moms have keep them producing for years. given, and will continue to give Whiting will review the unique for generations. But the gift of needs of each tree type, includdung isn’t covered by the dicing apples, peaches and other tionary of etiquette, so if you’re tree fruits. searching for something differAnyone feeling the pull of ent to wrap up this year, give the next best thing: knowledge. the earth while living without a place to garden will love Alison Sign up your loved one for O’Connor’s workshop on vegYour Edible Garden Workshop, etable container gardening. Paa one-day immersion into food tios, porches, balconies – any gardening offered by Colorado place with sun can be convertState University Extension ofed into an oasis of edibles. fices in Larimer, Boulder, Weld January, O’Connor says, the and Adams counties. This allCSU Horticulture Extension day workshop is Jan. 22, 9 a.m. Agent in Larimer County, is the to 4 p.m. at the Ranch in Loveideal time for this kind of land, and costs only $65. event. With March around the The event, features a variety corner, gardeners start planof seminars to suit everyone, ning early. Wrap their registrafrom beginners to seasoned tion form with a pair of gardengardeners. Here’s a sampling of ing gloves, trowel and seed what’s in store for your gardenpackets to make a gift they’ll er. Successful gardens start from remember almost as long as a box of manure. the ground up, and Dr. Jean For more information and to Reeder will take participants register, contact Weld County on an exploration how to build Extension at 970-304-6535. great garden soil. “Soil is a living system, providing the funCarol O’Meara is a horticulture entodamental support for all terresmologist with the Colorado State University Extension office at the trial life,” says the retired soil Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longscientist. “We need to feed and mont. Contact her by calling 303nurture our soils so they can 678-6238 or e-mailing comeara@ feed and nurture the plants, an- co.boulder.co.us. For more gardenimals and us.” ing tips, check out her blog at Other basics to help the gardeningafterfive.wordpress.com.
December 11, 2010
Low credit score can impact your mortgage Since 2007, when Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae introduced “riskbased pricing,” consumer credit scores have played an increasingly pivotal role in the mortgage application process. “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac looked at credit scores and loan performance and realized that borrowers with lower credit scores are far more likely to default on their loan than borrowers with higher scores,” says Douglas Benner, a senior loan officer with Embrace Home Loans in Rockville, Md. As a result, credit score requirements are now stricter. Consumers need high scores to qualify for the lowest mortgage rates, says Gibran Nicholas, chairman of The CMPS Institute, an organization in Ann Arbor, Mich., that trains and certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. “Consumers with a score as low as 620 can sometimes qualify for conventional financing, but they will pay a higher interest rate and points,” Nicholas says. The Fair Isaac Corp., or FICO, generates the most widely used credit scores, which are based on credit reports from three credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. “FICO scores rank-order consumers by how likely they are to pay their credit obligations as agreed,” says public affairs officer Craig Watts. A credit score of 740 is the threshold for qualifying for the best interest rates from conventional mortgage lenders, Nicholas says. “Typically, risk-based pricing tiers shift about every 20 points. So
if your score is 680, you may need to pay 1.5 points at the closing or a higher interest rate. “If your score is 640, you will need to pay 3 points at the closing. On a $400,000 loan, that means you could need $6,000 or $12,000 extra.” Consumers can choose to pay points or a higher interest rate. Benner says borrowers with a score in the mid-600s will likely pay 0.75 percent higher interest than the lowest current rates. Conventional loan borrowers who make a down payment of less than 20 percent also need to meet private mortgage insurance guidelines in addition to qualifying with the lender. Here again, credit scores make a big difference in a borrower’s ability to secure a mortgage. “Most PMI companies will not approve a loan for anyone with a credit score below 680,” Benner says. “In addition, the amount of the loan they will insure changes based on the credit score. On some properties, such as a cash-out refinance or a second home, the PMI companies insist on a credit score of 720 or higher.” Nicholas says in a declining market where home prices are still dropping, PMI companies require a credit score of 720 or higher. Benner says borrowers with credit challenges should apply for FHA-insured loans. “While FHA has not yet set a minimum credit score, most lenders will only qualify borrowers with a score above 620 and some have even set the minimum for FHA loans at 660,” Benner says. “My company is one of the few that goes down to 540, but this de-
Simplify 49-158330
your
HOME SEARCH
Clean up kid clutter By Debbie Arrington Sacramento Bee
pends on the consumer meeting other guidelines such as a reasonable debt-to-income ratio and savings.” The FHA has proposed limiting loan approvals to borrowers with credit scores of 500 and above and to require a 10 percent down payment from borrowers with credit scores between 500 and 579. Another proposal would require borrowers with a credit score below 620 to have cash reserves of at least one month’s mortgage payment available following the closing. Nicholas anticipates these changes to be in place in early 2011. Borrowers who are turned down for an FHA loan through their automated system can request manual underwriting so that a live person reviews their loan application, Nicholas says. “Be prepared with a letter of explanation for your low credit score, such as a one-time event or illness rather than a pattern of not paying your bills,” Nicholas says. If one lender won’t do manual underwriting, another might. Other compensating factors that can help a borrower overcome a low credit score include a low debt-to-income ratio, stable employment and substantial savings. Benner says that FHA loans are available to all borrowers regardless of income or whether they are first-time homebuyers, as long as the home price meets area loan limits. Another way to qualify for a mortgage when you have poor credit is to make a larger down payment. Reach Michele Lerner at editors@ bankrate.com.
7
Is kid clutter making you crazy? Your children can clean up their messy rooms and keep them clean – or at least passable. The trick is making organization less of a chore and more fun. Here are some tips to get youngsters hooked on clean surroundings. • A place for everything and everything in its place. Take a few minutes each evening to help your children tuck in
their little toy friends. Make sure the kids help. • Hang it up. Baskets and hammocks can be creative places to store stuffed animals and dolls. It keeps them off the floor and the bed. Also, hooks and baskets are a great way to store sports gear. • Closet vs. drawers. Clothes for children fit better in drawers than on hangers. Put a set of see-through drawers inside the closet and spare the rod. Also, give each child their own hamper.
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL INTERIOR • EXTERIOR Serving Colorado Since 1991 Professional Painters References Provided Warranty Included Fully Insured Superior Prep Work Power Washing Wood Staining Epoxy and Urethane Floors Premium Quality Paint Products
Call Today for A FREE Estimate
303-682-0570
PerfectionPaintingCo.com “ Quality & Satisfaction Guaranteed”
49-158/936
By Michele Lerner
bankrate.com
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
Quick, convenient and only a click away...it’s that simple
www.YourFrontRangeHOME.com • Hundreds of Homes • Calculate Financing
• Locate an Agent • Updated MLS Listings Powered by ColoProperty.com
December 11, 2010
Waste-Paper Facts If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused or repurposed materials, it has been estimated that enough paper would be saved to cover 45,000 football fields.
Yes
Yes
$725-$875
$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.
Ute Creek Apartments
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.
The Shores
*$705$1200
$100 $200 $300
1,2,& 3 Studios
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
Victoria Inn
2400 17th Ave. • 303-772-4667 1100 E 17th Ave. • 303-684-6821
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
1,2,3
Yes
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
No
Pets
Yes
Allow Smoking?
1
1401 Elmhurst Dr. • 303-772-9292
# of Baths Lease Required
1
Secure building, quiet neighborhood, meal program, transportation, utilities paid, appliances & cable TV included, 62 yrs & older; vouchers accepted.
Address Phone
$835-$840
Complex Name
Deposit
– Courtesy Dorling Kindersley on hgtv.com
$885-$890
Hover Manor Senior Apartment Residence
Longmont, CO
ping, as the bulbs can be planted in the pots, and then the pots recycled indefinitely. You could also use vintage fabric or old, unwanted garments to wrap gifts: a length of velvet, an old scarf, cloth napkin, handkerchief or dishtowel can all be transformed into stylish gift-wrap.
Price Range
It may be tempting to buy rolls of cheap, shiny paper to wrap your gifts, but this easy option won’t reflect the care you’ve put into choosing the gifts themselves – and it doesn’t benefit the planet.
Paper-Free Wrapping A fun, quirky way to wrap a few of your favorite bulbs for an aspiring gardener is to place them inside one terra-cotta pot, place an identical upturned pot on top of it and decorate the joined rims with a length of trailing ivy. It’s the ultimate in eco-friendly wrap-
Washer/Dryer Hook-ups
Wrap gifts creatively and ‘green’
Washer/Dryer Facilities
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
# of Bedrooms
8
Reach over 44,000 Readers Each Week With Your Advertising Message. Call Your Classified Advertising Executive Today 303-776-7440
December 11, 2010
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
9
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 Duplexes Apartments/ Apartments/ Apartments/ Condos/ Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Unfurnished 4030 Townhouses 4050
Rentals Apartments/ Furnished 4010
✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭ 1, 2 & 3 BDRM Apartment Homes The Shores Apartments, Hwy 66 & Airport Rd (303)774-8000 ✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭✭
•1 & 2 BDRM ✭ $550-$675 FREE Heat 1060 17th Ave, Habla Espanol 720-327-8918
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 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
1 BDRM, $550 H/W furn, No Smk/Pets. Refs 303-775-7517
2 BDRM APT´s-
Starting at $625, some with Move-in Specials! Call PMP, 303-776-RENT •1809 EMERY ST2 bdrm in 4-Plex, off st pkng, pet nego. Avail now, $650. (303)447-8988
2036 ESTES LANE 2 bdrm, newly remod, off st pkng, $595. 303-485-0272. Se habla español. EASTGLEN APTS 630 Lashley, Longmont
(303)682-2943
1, 2 & 3 BEDROOMS: Pool, air, laundry ✭Wtr, trash, sewer pd
QUAIL VILLAGE 303-485-0065
APARTMENTS
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
2 Bedroom as LOW as 3 Bedroom as LOW as
**Income Guidelines May Apply** ✓ Full Size Washer & Dryer Hookups ✓ Close to Bus lines 01-160827
*www.victoriainnapts.com
2 Bath $731 2 Bath $844!
VALUE PLACE FIRESTONE New Extented Stay Hotel ● $179 * WEEKLY or ● $599 MONTHLY ✓ Perfect for visiting friends & family! I-25 & Hwy 119, Longmont exit 240. 303-485-0040 Bring ad to qualify. *Expires 12/31/2010 *New Guests Only*
*LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE*
2400 17th Avenue, Longmont, Colorado 80503
303-772-4667
ROOMS & Apartments Weekly/Monthly, from $100/week. Utililties included. (303)931-7108
CLOVERBASIN VILLAGE (303)485-0512
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
✓ Pets Welcome
4060 Duplexes
● 2030 COLLYER STREET 2 BDRM W/D, DW, A/C, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, W/D hkups, & garage. NE Longmont FORMER MODEL near bus stop. Newly No pets. $625/mo & deposit Horizon Place Beautiful 2 bdrm, 2 ba + remodeled, 720-938-1559; 303-666-5546 No/smoke/pet. 1 Bedroom- $545! study near Hwy 66 & Pace. $650. Call (303)588-8115 2 Bedroom- $645! Frpl, jetted tub, granite Secure bldg, swimming c - t o p s , A / C , W / D , pool, A/C, on-site laundry. tandem gar w/ storage, pa3 BDRM, 1.5 ba, off st pkng, Call PMP, 303-776-RENT tios. $1,200/mo, credit chk N/P, W/D hkup, storage, $835/mo.Water paid. req´d. Avail 2/1, call for Gerald, 303-775-1598. showing appt. 303-990-4661
Duplexes
4060
0 App Fee-$100 off 1st 2 mos Lg 3 bdrm, 2 ba, gar, water pd. No dogs. 303-682-2525
630 Peck DriveLongmont West on Nelson/Airport Rd
4060 Duplexes
4 BDRM (conforming in fin bsmt) 617 5th St, Berthoud, pets nego. Call 970-669-0842 www.rmpm.com
Check out the pet columns in classifieds for that special companion you’re looking for.
SELF-SERVE CLASSIFIEDS ON YOUR SCHEDULE!
Condos/ Townhouses 4050 805 Summerhawk # J56 $975, Beautiful double master townhouse, 1700 sq ft,1 car detached garage + parking space, incl applcs avail NOW, (303)668-9832
Log on to www.timescall.com Click on “Submit An Ad“
4060
DUPLEX 2 Bedrooms
• 1412 Terry St Call PMP, 303-776-RENT
Garages/Storage Spaces 4070 INDOOR GARAGE & Commercial Storage 20x40x16 w/ 14x14 doors start at $300. 20x50x16 w/ 30 amp elect, man door & pwr door opener start at $425. Garage Storage LLC, 4070 Camelot Cir, located I25 Business Park. I-25 & Hwy-66. 970-535- 6074 www.Longmont-storage.com
Houses
4080
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
All real estate advertised in this paper is subject to the federal and state Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” The newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
● 1018 SUMAC ST3 bdrm, 1.5 ba, $1100/mo. 303-775-0429 ask for Sean
10
Houses
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
4080 Houses
December 11, 2010
4080 Houses
4080 Houses
10544 Sunburst, Firestone, 4 4,500 SF in Prospect New Longmont 4 bdrm, bdrm, 3 ba, 2 car, bsmt, Town, Lgmt. 6 bdrm, 2 ba, fncd yd. 2 car gar. fncd, frpl, loft, N/S. 5 baths, $2,900. Avail Jan 1. $1350. (303)652-7884 $1495/mo Jim 303-775-0163 Access to community pool. This beautiful home with great views has all upgraded features. Also 1424 TWIN SISTERS DR, 5 bdrm, 2 ba, fncd bkyd, 2 would consider lease with car gar, sprklr sys, $1495/ option to buy. Call Laura or Newer 3 bdrm, 3 ba home, Dave at 303-882-6159. mo + dep. No cats. Refs 2 car gar, NW loc. No pets. Serious inquires only. req´d, avail 1/1. 303-810-6975 $1450 303-514-3706. ● 1701 ADKINSON 4 bdrm, 3 bath, 2 story, 2 car gar, Lgmt. $1375. RMG Realty, 303-772-4466
4 BDRM, 3 BATH, 2 car, fncd yd, cul-de-sac, Lgmt, great cond! 2408 Scott Ct. $1350/mo + deposit N/S, N/P. 303-506-2266
4080 Office Space 4100 Rooms For Rent 500 to 2500 SF, can divide. On site prkg, Good traffic exposure. 303-523-3369
Why rent?
GREAT MASSAGE OFFICE FOR RENT. (720)280-9047
Buy a home for
$0 DOWN Do you qualify?
New Home for Rent 6300 Clayton St in Frederick. 3 bdrm, 2.5bath, unfin. bsmt, large deck. $1400/mo Sean 303-775-0429
1 RENT TO OWN ● 547 MARTIN 3 bdrm, 2.5 ba, 2 car, W/D, $1295. 4 hr free rec msg. 2 bdrm, 1 ba, fenced yard, storage shed, pets 866-810-1446 ext 1011 OK, $850/month RMG Realty, 303-772-4466 2100 SF- Clean inside & out, Move-in ready. 4 bdrm, NW Lgmt, 3 bdrm, 2 bath, enclosed atrium, quiet cul1627 Calkins, $1125/mo. de-sac. $1300. 303-548-1091 ● 939 KIMBARK NP/NS, (303)601-6946 Central location, 2 bdrm, 1 ba, not fenced, workshop, ● 2213 COLLYER- 4 bdrm single garage, $875. 2 ba, frpl, fncd yd, 2 car Pet OK. RMG Realty, NW Longmont, 2 bedroom, gar, $1300/mo. Pet nego. (303)772-4466 1 bath, garage, 1619 Ervine Call Pennant, (303)447-8988 Ave. $900/month + damage deposit. NS/NP, Big Thompson Waltonia 720-352-0993 2 BDRM, 1 BA, beautiful, Landscaped 2 bdrm/2 ba, Old Town. Gar, fncd yd, W/D, Hottub, N/S, 2-car w/d, n/s/p $950 303-682-5985 heated gar. Min 6-mo lease $1500/mo. Dep reguired. 3 BDRM, 2.5 BA in FredMsg #435-619-0971 erick, $1200/mo, no pets/ smoke. 303-709-0051 HOUSE- 3 BDRM, 3 bath, office, loft, family, living, 3 BDRM, 2 BA, total redining rm, frpl, 3 car, model, 2476 Sunset Dr, N/S, backs to park, N/smk. no cats, $1425. 720-273-5924 $1550/mo. Dave 303-929-2346
4130
SEMI-FURN Rooms/Apts Wkly/mnthly from $100/wk Utils/micro/fridge inc (303)931-7108
303-775-0710
Mobile Homes/ Spaces 4090
PROFESSIONAL Offices N. Longmont. 150 to 825 SF. Single & 3 office suite. All ground level, 2 entr, great prkg. 303-956-1141
MOBILE HOMES for Rent $650 to $750, 2 & 3 bdrms. River Valley Village, (303)772-3240
5087 Mobile/ 5130 Manufactured 303 Maestes St, Johnstown. 3 bdrm, 2 ba, complete re- Homes/Spaces model, ready to move in by Xmas! $129,900 970-690-7856
Longmont
5090
Retail Space 4135
773 SQ FT- busy shopping Professional garden level center, 1116 Francis St, office space. 12 X 13 office, $825. Alert RE (303)776-5156 w/additional private work space including small kitchen & bathroom,14 X 10 Conference room, total 600 sq. ft., $550/mo. 1714 Duchess Dr. 303-651-0304, X 0.
Dedicated to your best interest, Longmont´s Terri Hatch of People´s Mortgage & Devin O´Branagan ERA Tradewind
Johnstown
A picture is worth a thousand words
Try a color classified picture ad today! Call for details.
303-776-7440
Real Estate
FSBO 3 BDRM, 1.75 bath, 1 car gar. 108 Forsyth Dr. $170,000. (303)435-3077
in Melody Valley. W/some 2500 to 5000 SF- great views Responsible, clean M/F, TLC it will be a gem! from 2nd level, ample park- W. side, great area, golf ing. 2432 Main. 303-875-1345 course, W/D, kit. $400+1/3 WOW WHAT VIEWS! Mostly hrdwd flrs on main 2.8 acres, water tap in & level under some carpets. utils. 3-775-1144/3-772-8466. paid. Electric close, septic Lg kitch, din room. $179,000 $250/MONTHneeded & Ish res irrig wtr. Share 4 br & 1 pvt.ba,W/D, $100K, just SE of Berthoud. Great parking, quiet. Ground level. Four Seasons hi-spd.int/cable/phone, Call Mark Sullivan at ERA N/S, M/F,$375,214-293-3590. Tradewind (303)684-6335 Realty, (303)875-1345
I can place my ad when I want to.
MOBILE HOME 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath, new appl´s & carpet. Attached gar, air, patio, W/D incl. $18,000, 720-620-4276 ✭ 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 ✭
WOW!!!
Beautiful 3 bdrm/2 bath JUST REDUCED! ✓ FREE LOT RENT Until 2/1/2011
Heidi & Helena buy houses! • Swimming pool $ SAVE YOUR CREDIT $ • Clubhouse 303-725-8388 / 303-459-2711 • Playground • New Fitness Center
Roommates 4120 Farms, Ranches Office Space 4100 Wanted For You✭ Acreages 5050 ✭Opportunity 4 Bdrm, 3 ba, 2 car bi-level
Convenience!
3 BDRM, 1 BA, new carpet, W/D, carport, Lgmt adult park age 55+, 970-215-1819
WE BUY HOUSES! CASH or TERMS Close fast - any condition 303-817-6168 Let´s Talk
Financing Available Pet Friendly
Sun Homes at Eagle Crest 1-888-649-5616 4eaglecrest.com
SUN HOMES @ EAGLE CREST
888-649-5616
www.4eaglecrest.com
Lots & Tracts 5100 LAKESIDE Custom Lots Only seven left! $125K-up. Invest now. Build later. Beautiful, quiet Victorian neighborhood. Rural livingcity services. www. lakemcintoshfarm.com Hugh Fowler 303-986-1606
Misc.
Misc.
5127
5127
Real Estate Auction
Nominal Opening Bid Starts at $10,000 • 28 Meadowlark Cir, Lochbuie 4BR 2BA 1,686sf+/-
www.TimesCall.com click on Submit an Ad
303-776-7440
• 6145 Benton St, Arvada 3BR 2BA 1,620sf+/-
06470344 2x8c
All properties sell: 8:00AM Wed., Dec. 15 at 28 Meadowlark Cir, Lochbuie Open to the Public Open this weekend, please go to williamsauction.com or call 800-801-8003 for details. Many properties now available for online bidding! Williams & Williams CO RE LIC#ER01319859 DEAN C. WILLIAMS BROKER
December 11, 2010
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
11
Sustainable bath saves water Article Resource Association
With so many products claiming to be green these days, it’s hard to know which ones are the real deal. A great indicator for certified sustainability in the bathroom is the WaterSense label, which is granted by the Environmental Protection Agency. “WaterSense-labeled products help you save water in your home and protect the environment,” says Stephanie Thornton, a representative of the WaterSense Program at the EPA. “Since it was first launched in 2006, the WaterSense program has helped consumers identify water-efficient products that not
only meet specific water-savings criteria, but performance criteria as well.” WaterSense aims to decrease indoor and outdoor water use through water-efficient products and simple, water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense-labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes watersaving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment. A number of product categories carry the WaterSense label, making it easier to reduce the water usage in your home. • Toilets. According to the EPA, you will likely flush the toilet nearly 140,000 times over the course of your lifetime. Switching to a WaterSense-labeled model will help you save up to 4,000 gallons per year and an average of $90 on your bill. • Bathroom faucets. Faucets account for approximately 15 percent of indoor household water use – more than 1 trillion gallons across the U.S. each year.
Real Estate Transactions are supplied by Prospects Unlimited Inc., www.prospectsunlimited.com.
Longmont • 601 LLC from 601 S Bowen Street Partnership, 601 S Bowen St, Longmont, $1,350,000, home • Priscilla Kraak from Margaret Dowling, 37 Empire Pl, Longmont, $180,000, home • Brandon & Christine Glaze from Patrick Kusbel, 1552 Drake St, Longmont, $214,900, home • Francisco Romo from Brendan Matthew, 244 Cattail Ct, Longmont, $221,900, home • Resident from Boulder Creek Kingsbridge LLC, 1691 Venice Ln, Longmont, $241,000, home • Kienan Clark from Jeffrey Clark, 1021 Sunset St, Longmont, $164,000, home • WNW LLC from Manhattan Properties LLC, 6422 Prospect Rd, Longmont, $262,500, home Berthoud • Kenneth & Pamela Enneking from Federal Home Ln Mortgage Corp, 2716 Lake Hollow Rd, Berthoud, $189,900, home • Virginia Rifkin from Arron Hocking,
You can save water – even when the faucet is running – by installing a model that’s certified to meet WaterSense criteria. With countless options available in nearly every style and finish, it’s easy to reduce water usage and be stylish at the sink. Plumbing manufacturers continue to transition their products to meet WaterSense guidelines, and in 2009, Moen Inc. received WaterSense certifications on all its lavatory faucets. Designed to help environmentally-conscious consumers optimize water flow without sacrificing performance, the faucets feature a 1.5 gallon per minute (gpm) flow rate versus the industry standard of 2.2 gpm, resulting in water conservation of up to 32 percent. • Showerheads. As the newest category to earn WaterSense labeling, traditional showerheads can use up to 30 gallons of water per household, per day. Installing a Watersense-labeled showerhead could make a big difference, saving more than 2,300 gallons per year. Moen was one of the first manufacturers to receive this
3850 Arleigh Dr, Berthoud, $349,000, home • Mark & Debra Heller from Michael Peterson, 87 Sioux Dr, Berthoud, $243,000, home Lyons • Clayton & Mary Cavend from Markel Homes Construction Co, 417 Raymond Ct, Lyons, $610,500, home Niwot • Jeffrey & Margaret Wynne from Harold Wyatt, 6861 Walker Dr, Niwot, $321,800, home Foreclosures – notice of election and demand • Borrower: Roberta Hansen, Lender: Chase Home Finance LLC, Amount: $184,514, Property: 304 E Michigan Ave, Berthoud, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: John Wilson Jr, Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Amount: $234,863, Property: 3112 Cottonwood Ln, Berthoud, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: Scott Wilson, Lender: US Bank National Association, Amount: $222,287, Property: 727 Starkey Ct, Erie, Filed: 12/01/10
certification for showerheads, with 17 models currently certified to meet WaterSense criteria. The newly certified water-efficient showerheads represent every category in Moen’s showering portfolio – including wallmount, rainshower and hand shower showerheads – and feature flow rates ranging from 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) to 2.0 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.5 gpm. The result is
• Borrower: Glen Stearns, Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Amount: $244,956, Property: 5510 Aspen Ave, Erie, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: Lisa Justice, Lender: The Bank Of New York Mellon Trust Co, Amount: $201,467, Property: 10477 Taylor Ave, Firestone, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: Steven & Marcia Modrell, Lender: Citimortgage Inc, Amount: $179,335, Property: 313 Wooster Ave, Firestone, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: Christine & Jeffrey Lewis, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Amount: $248,023, Property: 10256 Dresden St, Firestone, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: Scott & Debra Loptien, Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association, Amount: $238,975, Property: 6582 Sage Ave, Firestone, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: Chad Weins, Lender: Colorado Community Bank, Amount: $419,797, Property: Firestone, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: Seven Properties LLC, Lender: JPMorgan Chase Bank National Assoc, Amount: $273,926, Property: 312-316 Emery Dr, Longmont, Filed: 11/29/10
water conservation of up to 30 percent. “Best of all, the showerheads still provide a great experience without sacrificing performance,” says Mike Reffner, group product manager, Moen. “Moen isn’t just using a restrictor to reduce flow – it has redesigned its showerheads to deliver the same level of showering consumers expect from Moen, but with less water.”
• Borrower: Betty Salyer, Lender: US Bank National Association, Amount: $140,846, Property: 1619 Ervine Ave, Longmont, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: Joshua Gallant, Lender: Citimortgage Inc, Amount: $131,411, Property: 741 Grant St, Longmont, Filed: 11/30/10 • Borrower: Paul Mchugh, Lender: Onewest Bank FSB, Amount: $231,000, Property: 1420 Cinnamon St, Longmont, Filed: 11/30/10 • Borrower: Armando Cabrera, Lender: Aurora Loan Services LLC, Amount: $170,877, Property: 1159 Fall River Cir, Longmont, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: David & Lael Bartels, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA, Amount: $374,315, Property: 1507 Cannon Mountain Dr, Longmont, Filed: 12/01/10 • Borrower: Kamal & Sana Hassan, Lender: US Bank National Association, Amount: $549,666, Property: 1922 Kristy Ct, Longmont, Filed: 11/29/10 • Borrower: Craig & Ladonna Bast, Lender: Wells Fargo Bank National Association, Amount: $128,000, Property: 21760 Highway 60, Platteville, Filed: 11/29/10
12
Times-Call / Home & Real Estate Weekly
December 11, 2010
OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY FEATURED HOMES
50-160613
Open Sat 11-1
Open Sun. 12-3 2031 Bristol Court
Longmont
50-160906
Open Sat & Sun. 11-5 1538 Venice Ln
NE Longmont
$150,000
$355,000
Melinda Yale /ERA Tradewind Real Estate • 303-588-3666 50-160992
$
$295,000
TERRIFIC 3 bedroom, 3 bath townhome with attached garage has deck and master bedroom balcony overlooking HOA park and ponds.
50-160627
Carly Mayer/Prudential Real Estate of the Rockies 303-717-0314
Open Sat & Sun. 12-2 2333 Flagstaff Dr.
1216 Atwood Street
Longmont
Over 3600 fin sqft in Spring Valley. Backs to Park and Greenbelt
50-160905
7,5
AV 00 S
INGS
NOW
!
Open Sat & Sun 12-4
Beautiful mt. views! 5 bed/4 baths new roof, new carpet. Large lot. Shows great!
Sue Carmony/Metro Brokers • 303-641-8052 50-160993
Open Sat & Sun 12-4
1345 Bluemoon Dr.
SW Longmont
1403 Bluemoon Dr. Longmont
$327,000
$239,000
$295,000
Get an additional $7,500 seller credit if closed before 2011.
Low-Maintenance Townhome, 1,559 sq.ft. 2 Bed + Lofted Study, 3 Bath, 2 Car Attached Garage. Built Green, Energy Star Rated
1756 SF 2BR + Study, 2BA, Partial Basement, Corner Lot. 2 ½ Car Garage. Low Maintenance Community!
www.LiveBoulderCreek.com • 303-502-5338
Shadow Grass Park • www.shadowgrasspark.com • 303-776-3331
1296 Square Feet. 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths. Fully Landscaped, 2+ Car Garage. Low Maintenance Community!
Shadow Grass Park • www.shadowgrasspark.com • 303-776-3331
Get a full color picture of your open house, the open house hours, address, price and your name and phone number featured at the top of our popular Open House Grid! - Only 4 spots available per week on a first-come basis -
ONLY $49! CALL 303-776-2244 SATURDAY OPEN HOUSES
SUNDAY OPEN HOUSES
Hours Office
Phone
Price
Hours
Office
Phone
$150,000 Longmont 1216 Atwood St
11-1
ERA Tradewind/Yale
303-588-3666
$239,000 Longmont 1538 Venice Ln
11-5
Boulder Creek Builders
303-502-5338
$239,000 Longmont 1538 Venice Ln
11-5
Boulder Creek Builders
303-502-5338
$295,000 Longmont 2333 Flagstaff Dr
12-2
Metro Brokers/Carmony
303-641-8052
$295,000 Longmont 2333 Flagstaff Dr
12-2
Metro Brokers/Carmony
303-641-8052
$295,000 Longmont 1403 Bluemoon Dr
12-4
Shadow Grass Park
303-776-3331
$295,000 Longmont 1403 Bluemoon Dr
12-4
Shadow Grass Park
303-776-3331
$327,000 Longmont 1345 Bluemoon Dr
12-4
Shadow Grass Park
303-776-3331
$327,000 Longmont 1345 Bluemoon Dr
12-4
Shadow Grass Park
303-776-3331
$355,000 Longmont 2031 Bristol Ct
12-3
Prudential Real Estate of The Rockies/Mayer
303-717-0314
$499,500 Longmont 6583 Ute Hwy
11-1
Prudential Rocky Mtn/Brodt
303-772-2222
Price
Location
Address
$499,900 Longmont 1189 Twin Peaks Circle 10-12 Keller Williams 1st Reatly/Rusaw
Location
Address
303-513-8518
Visit www.YourFrontRangeHOME.com to map your home tour
50-158975