That Time of Year – Again
There are many signs that fall has arrived. The kids are back in school, the leaves are starting to turn, the days are getting shorter and the Halloween candy is in the stores. Don’t you just love those little fool-yourself-into-thinking-you-haven’t-consumed-ten-gazillion-calories little candy bars? I mean they’re bite-sized, that’s nothing compared to a full-size bar! So what if you eat twenty-five in a sitting? ( By sitting I mean locked in the pantry, in the dark, so your family won’t see you.
The arrival of fall also means that winter is not far behind. After all, it’s only three months until Christmas. (That struck fear in your heart, didn’t it?) The coming of Fall also means it is time to put away the mower (yay) and start winterizing your home. Economists are forecasting record high heating costs so it will behoove all of us to ensure our homes are as energy efficient as they can be.
A home energy audit is the best way to determine if your home is performing well and where you need to make improvements to maximize the level of efficiency. To find a list of certified energy raters in Colorado you can visit the Residential Energy Services website. The U.s. Department of Energy website has great resources on audits including information on do-it yourself home energy audits. GEO, the Governor’s Energy Office, offers free energy efficiency upgrades which includes a comprehensive energy audit.
Some measures to consider are keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and turning it down to 60 degrees at bedtime or when you are gone. Clean or replace your furnace filter every month. Keep vents clean and away from furniture. Close vents and doors in unused rooms. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. Seal leaky ducts. Remove window-mounted air conditioners.
Fall is also a time for many outdoor projects such as cleaning gutters and winterizing sprinkler systems. Sometimes it is difficult to accomplish all of these tasks by ourselves. Please check out the Daily Camera Consumer Guide on this website or in print. This is a handy directory of professionals to help you with all of your home project needs.
We are fortunate to live in a place where fall is absolutely incredible. I say let the professionals do the dirty work and get out there and make the most of the season!
Scridb filter“Most of all, he loved the fall,” Ernest Hemingway.
Model Homes Debut at North End: Louisville’s first new neighborhood in 20 years
By Judy Finman
Louisville is lauded as a first-class place to live and raise kids. It’s got excellent schools, lots of open space, knockout views of the Flatirons, great hiking and biking trails, a vibrant downtown and proximity to Boulder, Denver and the mountains.
In 2007 the city ranked third on Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list. And, in the May 2008 issue of 5280, it made the list of 14 neighborhoods “Where It’s Safe To Buy (Even Now).” 5280 describes Louisville as a “sleeping giant of real estate,” and praises its quaint downtown, active cultural and civic calendar, eclectic mix of old and new home styles, and family-friendly atmosphere. Upcoming rail access, great schools, and a community-building Main Street were all factors in its selection.
Markel Homes’ North End neighborhood is Louisville’s first new community in 20 years – quite a distinction. It is well sited off South Boulder Road at 95th Street, close to trails, open space and downtown Louisville.
North End introduces fresh Colorado-inspired architecture in ranch and two-story single-family homes with open floor plans, and in town homes. All come with quality interior finishes and amenities that reflect the way people like to live. They’re constructed with the environment in mind – Built Green® and Energy-Star® rated – which means healthier indoor air, lower energy bills, reduced pollution and less water usage.
Meet a North End homeowner
Craig Seidler and his wife, Sonya, 15-year Lafayette residents, are building a single-family home at North End, scheduled to be ready on Nov. 7.
“We chose North End because of its proximity to our kids’ school, its green aspect, and the value we perceive the houses have,” says Seidler. “We looked at houses in Louisville built in the 1980s that need updating – and they cost the same as homes in North End.” Through open enrollment Seidler’s daughter, age 9, and son, 6, have attended a Louisville elementary school. “Our upcoming move to Louisville guarantees they’ll move along with their classmates in Louisville.”
The Seidlers especially like the open floor plan and main-floor master suite in the Sanitas design, along with sliders on the main floor that invite in “a ton of light. It’s also a good layout for entertaining,” Seidler says. “Working with Markel, we re-jiggered the back entry with a mud room and closet for the kids’ backpacks and stuff.” They like having the kids’ bedrooms upstairs with a loft area.
“This is a good neighborhood for families,” Seidler says. “The open space and pocket parks invite kids to head outside and toss a ball around.”
“We felt really good about buying a green home and hope to see good savings. We won’t use a lot of water to do the lawn and feel good about conserving energy. Thanks to the proximity to stores on South Boulder Road, there’s no need to drive to the market. We can bike to the grocery store. We’ll get an extend-a-bike and put saddlebags on it.”
Seidler bikes to work in Boulder from Lafayette. His commute will be even shorter after the move to North End. “I’ll just hop onto Baseline Road.” He is looking forward to light rail in a few years; the station location is projected for Route 42 in the heart of Louisville’s downtown. “We’ll be able to bike to the station and take the light rail to Denver.”
Visit the five newly decorated model homes
North End has just opened its models. Three are single-family homes; two are town homes.
Three single-family models:
The Sanitas is a roomy contemporary two-story home featuring a main-floor master suite with private patio. The fluid design moves family and guests easily from kitchen to dining area to patio or great room. An optional outdoor-living package converts a patio into a second living room.
The Eldorado boasts a fresh architectural style and open floor plan with 10-foot ceilings on the first floor and a main-floor master suite. Note the well-designed kitchen and second-story get-away corner loft, the full bath and two additional bedrooms.
The spacious two-story Caribou comes with a front or rear master suite – your choice. A secluded first-floor study (or private guest quarters with bath) is an ideal hideaway. Metal accents and wood beams add architectural character.
Two town home models:
The Flagstaff invites you to enjoy the outdoors on its front courtyard with optional fireplace, front porch and enclosed container garden area and patio. Ten-foot ceilings soar in the large main-level living area, with a cozy fireplace and plenty of natural light. The upper level contains a master suite, two other second-floor bedrooms, full bath and laundry room.
An open floor plan, with 10-foot first-floor ceilings and an 8-foot entry door give the Sugarloaf a spacious look and feel. Besides the first-floor master suite, there are two second-floor bedrooms and bath. The front porch and side patio promise hours of relaxation and enjoyment.
Sales Associate Michele Steward says, “We have homes that are ready to move into, and already have homeowners living in the neighborhood. Pricing is sensible: Single-family homes are in the $400,000s, and town homes in the $300,000s. In the future we’ll offer condo lofts and custom singles, too. It’s an opportunity to buy a brand-new home in Louisville, which is otherwise almost impossible.”
Visit North End
The sales office is open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 2411 Rose Court, Louisville, CO 80027. Michele Steward can answer all your questions and show you around. Contact her at 303.604.9196 or Michele@MarkelHomes.com. Read Markel’s blog at www.MarkelHomes.com/news.
Scridb filterCalmante in Superior: It's time for your personal tour
By L.L. Charles
You’ve seen the progress and heard the news about Calmante, the new maintenance-free community of luxury townhomes in Superior. With high-end architecture, personally customized detailing and an exclusive Front Range location, Calmante’s “Limited Edition Living” has a lot of people talking. Now it’s time to see this new community for yourself.
“We’re seeing an incredible amount of interest in these gorgeous homes,” says Stephanie Lyon, Calmante sales manager, “and now is a perfect time to come out for a personal ‘hard hat’ tour. We love showing people the upscale features and fantastic home designs that you just cannot find anywhere else in this area.”
Only minutes from Highway 36 and Boulder, Calmante is within easy reach of the Pearl Street Mall, FlatIron Crossing Mall, Interlocken, multiple golf courses, pools and rec centers, and the bright lights of Denver. Head out the other direction and you’ll find hiking and biking trails with miles of peaceful scenery. It’s a lifestyle that appeals to young professionals, active adults and single-parent families who are looking for low-maintenance living in an upscale setting.
“The owners of Calmante have put a lot of energy into making sure everything is first class at Calmante,” says Terri Johnson, community sales manager. “The HOA manages everything for low-maintenance living including snow removal, yard maintenance, exterior building maintenance, trash removal and common area maintenance. It’s perfect for those who travel frequently or those who live here only part of the year; they like to know that they can take off and not have to worry about anything.”
Volume spaces with incredible light and views, private patios and courtyards, walkout lower levels and main floor master suites are trademarks of the homes at Calmante. Buyers enjoy working with Calmante’s design center and professional interior designers to make their home a genuine expression of their taste and personality.
Four different home plans, plus a high degree of personalization unprecedented in a townhome community, ensure your home will be everything you intended.
The two-story Cascade offers a grand sense of scale and a generous layout. With a main floor master suite and a private deck, the Cascade’s upper level can be configured with two bedrooms, two baths and a loft, or with a junior master suite with five-piece bath and walk-in closet plus an additional third bedroom with full bath. Both options include a spacious great room with kitchen and dining areas that open to a private courtyard. “The Cascade ‘lives’ like a single-family home,” says community sales manager Stacey Buck.
Buyers looking for a little less floor space without sacrificing the openness of two-story living will find a lot to like in The Brook, a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath plan that includes an optional elevator for easy access to the upper level master retreat, second bedroom with full bath and a laundry room. A private courtyard and gallery entry on the main level lead to an open kitchen, formal dining room and great room with adjoining study.
The Boulder Falls ranch floor plan matches convenience with craftsmanship to create a winning design featuring a main level master with private deck or patio, five-piece bath and generous closet space. A home office, laundry room, cook’s kitchen with center island and walk-in pantry, and formal dining room with wet bar and private deck or patio complete the main floor.
All homes at Calmante include two-car garages with custom cedar doors, gas fireplaces, slab granite kitchen counters with tile backsplashes, Delta hardware in the kitchen and baths, and five-piece master baths with jetted tub and poured concrete shower pan. Boulder Creek Boulder Creek Life and Home builds these homes to Built Green standards, with 90-percent efficient furnaces, low-E windows and programmable thermostats. Each home also offers a private courtyard that may be customized by adding an outdoor kitchen and a fireplace.
Visit Calmante and experience Limited Edition Living
Calmante is being represented by Stacey Buck and Stephanie Lyon of Trilogy Real Estate and Terri Johnson of ReMax of Boulder. Call the Calmante sales center at 303.242.3199 to schedule your personal showing. The sales center is located on the southeast corner of McCaslin Boulevard and Coalton Road at 2701 Calmante Ave. in Superior and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays and 1 to 5 p.m. on Mondays.
For more information on Calmante, visit www.LiveCalmante.com.
Scridb filterGoldbranch Village and Goldbranch Estates: European-inspired luxury in Niwot
By Judy Finman
Life doesn’t get much better than this: a luxurious, custom-designed home at Goldbranch in Niwot.
Imagine a blue-sky Colorado morning. You pour a mug of java and step out of your gourmet kitchen into your private courtyard. You sip, relax, and bask in the glorious mountain view. Later you stroll on one of the scenic walking trails within the Goldbranch community. You wave to a neighbor practicing on one of three putting greens located in Goldbranch Village. In the evening, friends arrive for a leisurely dinner. You light your outdoor fireplace and watch the sun set behind the mountains. In this maintenance-free community, your yard work has been done for you. And, if you wish, the affiliated concierge service will arrange for a personal chef to prepare dinner. When you retire for the night, you rest easy, thanks to Goldbranch’s secure private enclave.
Goldbranch is the newest luxury residential development on Colorado’s Front Range and the last in the quaint town of Niwot. Located on a gently sloping hillside, it is a private community of 10 Village homes on half-acre lots, and seven custom Estates homes on one-acre lots. Goldbranch is unlike anything in the Boulder area – it combines the elements of fine living in one complete package.
“With the use of stone and stucco and boosted tile roofs, the Village will appear to be a Tuscan village,” says Deb Dribnak, sales manager. “Unique appointments afford each home its own distinct charm. Steven DeWitt, the architect, designed five basic concepts, and each house will be a variation of one of these designs. Village homes feature private courtyards with fountains, covered loggias and porte-cocheres, automated entry gates and many more elegant details. The Estates lots will feature more custom designs, but all will reflect the old-world European style of architecture – such as French country or Mediterranean style.”
Chief operating officer Ron Ibsen of Goldbranch Properties Corp., developers of Goldbranch, says, “This is a secure, luxurious enclave. The community enjoys spectacular views of the mountains. We have a spec – or show – home called Casa Siena that sets the stage. It is on the market and is almost finished. It has a rural theme inside, with beams and rustic woods. It captures the indoor/outdoor living so popular in Colorado. All rooms on the main floor open to a central courtyard. You can have your friends over to watch a CU or Broncos game, and have the TV and the cooking center under the covered loggia.”
He explains that the design guidelines follow old-world European styling. In The Village the stone is the same on all the houses, as it would be in Tuscany, where it would all come from the same quarry. The roof material, too, is the same on all the homes. “We want the Estate homes to blend and be harmonious with the Village; they are larger and carry out the old-world European design.”
The Goldbranch developers all live nearby – they are very hands-on, attentive to detail, and involved on a personal level. “We are all Boulder people developing this project; we are part of the fabric of the local community,” says Ibsen.
The Goldbranch Vision
Steven DeWitt is the architect who designed the 10 Goldbranch Village homes and the first Estate home. He is also building three of the homes in partnership with the developers. “Our vision for Goldbranch was to create a community based on the courtyard concept we all found charming in Italy. All the details, such as bubbling fountains, stone towers and rambling loggias, create the environment we are seeking.
“The developers’ vision was that Goldbranch would be a couple of levels higher than anything in Boulder County – more exclusive, more secure, something unique. They came up with a Tuscan vernacular theme. We are capturing this vision with the use of special details and materials gained from our own experience living and working in Italy and France. This enclave will be the last little jewel box in Niwot.”
He adds an environmental note: “Besides being beautiful and artistic dwellings, these will be energy conscious homes, with solar and geothermal options.”
This rural Mediterranean-style community will allow you to live your dream in the last undeveloped subdivision in Niwot. Prices start at $2 million.
Exemptions From New County Building Restrictions
Goldbranch is exempt from size limitations through August 2012, thereby allowing buyers to build whatever size home they desire.
With respect to BuildSmart, the County’s green building program, Goldbranch has several pre-BuildSmart builder plans available for immediate use, allowing buyers to build to their desired level of green.
Visit Goldbranch Estates
Visit the on-site Welcome Center Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Ask for a tour and take a look at the beautiful Casa Siena. For more information, call sales manager Deb Dribnak at 303.652.0510 or e-mail
sales@goldbranchestates.com, and enjoy the Web site, www.goldbranchestates.com.
Directions
From Boulder, take Foothills Parkway (157) North. This becomes the Diagonal Highway (119). Turn right onto Niwot Road and go east one mile. Turn right onto Longview Drive.
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