The Cottages at Erie Village: Charming, Maintained, Ranch Patio Homes
By L.L. Charles
When Charles and Patricia Buhring decided to downsize from their large home in Gunbarrel, they chose to take their time and find the perfect new home.
“It took us two-and-a-half years, looking at houses from Castle Rock to Fort Collins, before we decided on The Cottages at Erie Village,” Patricia says.
“We’d always liked Erie Village’s colorful Victorians and the interesting architectural styles,” Patricia recalls. “The homes are different from each other, not exactly the same. And we like the small-town feel of Erie. It is growing, but there is still the feeling of community here. It’s a very friendly neighborhood.”
The parks and nearby amenities are important to the Buhrings as well. “When our grandson visits, he loves to go to the parks and play on the swings. There are lots of places to go for walks and friendly people to say ‘Hi’ to. The Erie community center is about a mile away – we can work out or swim, and it’s also nice to have the library so close.”
The charming and unique cottage homes are at once welcoming and refined – each one comes with both an inviting front porch and a private patio. A colorful streetscape with generous trees, picket fences and attractive groupings of homes suggests an earlier era.
Sustainable construction methods and materials are also important to owners at The Cottages. “I drive a Hybrid car,” says one resident, “and the Built Green designation was a very big part of our home choice. There’s a real broad selection of Built Green options and finishes to choose from nowadays. We all have to look at ways to live well, while managing our impact on the environment. It’s an efficient house, easy to heat and cool. We have great windows, so we get a lot of light, too.”
John Martin, sales associate for The Cottages at Erie Village, says that homeowners love the “lock-and-leave” lifestyle, which means never having to mow a lawn, shovel snow or paint a fence. It’s a great fit for many “downsizers” who travel often or active singles who just want the freedom to enjoy a carefree lifestyle.
Final Phase: View lots and a new Ranch Model Home
As The Cottages at Erie Village move into the final phase of development, new home sites have just been released. Each lot features mountain views or directly adjoins a community pocket park, bringing the feeling of open space right to your door.
There’s also a brand-new model home to tour and discover the incredible value you get with ownership at The Cottages. Homes start in the low $200,000s.
“We’ve also made a few updates to the Nantucket, our most popular Ranch plan,” says David Sinkey, marketing director for Boulder Creek Life and Home, “adding more circulation and finish options. As with all Cottage homes, the lower level is completely finished, and includes an additional bedroom, full bath and a rec room. We think the Nantucket offers great features, design and a manageable size that many single homeowners find very appealing.”
Visit The Cottages at Erie Village Today
From Boulder: Go east on Highway 7 (Baseline Road) to County Line Road, north through the Town of Erie to Bixler Boulevard. Turn left and look for the flagpole on the left. From Denver: I-25 to Exit 229, drive three miles west on Highway 7 to County Line Road, north through the Town of Erie to Bixler Boulevard, turn left and look for the flagpole on the left.
The sales office (303.772.3063), located at 1111 Village Circle, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
For information on other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.
Scridb filterVOTE!!!!
Don’t forget to vote!!! It is a privilege and a right! Check out our Voter’s Guide on this website. We included the guide in the Sunday edition on October 12th and will have it again in theSunday edition on November 2nd.
Scridb filterREAL ESTATE Will never be the same……….
You’ve read the culinary mysteries, the scrapbooking mysteries, the tea shop mysteries, the vampire mysteries, but now you can read a mystery about our industry – Real Estate!
DEVIN O’BRANAGAN’S THIRD NOVEL IS RELEASED!
Devin O’Branagan’s third novel, RED HOT PROPERTY, was released in
August 2008. RED HOT PROPERTY is a seriocomic tale about the real estate
industry. O’Branagan has been a real estate professional for over a decade and
this novel is an insider’s view about what really happens behind all of those FOR
SALE signs.
RED HOT PROPERTY follows the adventures of four rookie real estate
agents who embark on their new careers at the top agency in town. Learning to
swim with the sharks, they dive into dangerous waters alongside neurotic
colleagues, vindictive office staff, dueling managing brokers, eccentric lenders,
and crazy clients. No punches are pulled in this often witty, sometimes tragic,
exposé of the real estate industry.
Despite the humor that spices the novel from beginning to end, there are
serious themes that represent the meat of the story. The issues of professional
safety practices and professional ethics, the stance of the Catholic Church on the
subject of homosexuality, and animal welfare are all topics explored though the
novel’s colorful characters.
Colorful characters are O’Branagan’s fictional forte. Advance reviews have
praised the novel’s memorable characters, who leave the readers wanting more.
RED HOT, the sequel to RED HOT PROPERTY, is scheduled for release in
2009.
An animal lover, O’Branagan is conducting a raffle in relation to the sequel
that will benefit Best Friends Animal Society, the nation’s largest sanctuary for
homeless, abused, and abandoned animals. The winner’s pet will become a
character in RED HOT. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to Best Friends
Animal Society.
O’Branagan’s previous novels are SPIRIT WARRIORS and WITCH HUNT,
published by Pocket Books in English, and Heyne Books in German. RED HOT
PROPERTY is published by Infinity Publishing.
Autographed copies of RED HOT PROPERTY are available via the novel’s
website: www.RedHotNovel.com. The book is also available at local bookstores
and Amazon.com. RED HOT PROPERTY is published by Infinity Publishing
(877-BUY-BOOK).
For more information go to www.RedHotNovel.com
Scridb filterNon-Random Acts of Kindness
To say these are trying times would be a gross understatement. These times are downright terrifying. We need to remember that we are all in this together and it doesn’t help to take your fear and frustration out on others. It costs nothing to smile or say a kind word to someone. Let us all – deliberately, not randomly – try a little kindness today and see how much it helps.
Scridb filterThe Villas at Pleasant Valley
By L.L. Charles
Cooler temperatures and falling leaves are daily reminders that it’s time to finish those outdoor home maintenance projects, winterize the garden and get ready for the cold season.
But instead of raking, painting and frequent trips to the hardware store, residents at The Villas at Pleasant Valley in Longmont are spending their time on hiking trails, enjoying a round of golf or planning a day trip to the high country.
The maintenance-free community is getting rave reviews from active empty-nesters who are seeking a carefree lifestyle, well-appointed ranch floor plans with classic exteriors, and outstanding energy-efficient features.
“It’s always a good time to reduce your home maintenance workload by moving into one of our new patio homes, where all maintenance is done for you. This leaves you more time to enjoy the amenities of the pool, clubhouse and fitness center, and most importantly, your new quality of life!” says Terry Shoaf, lifestyle consultant at The Villas at Pleasant Valley, by Kemmons Wilson Communities.
While many people are interested in downsizing their residences to fit their lifestyle, they’re not looking to downscale their quality of life. At The Villas, you get the best of both worlds.
Entering The Villas at Pleasant Valley is like driving into a small village. Quiet streets are bordered by a landscape of trees, shrubs and flowers. Homes are arranged to resemble large single-family residences, creating a warm and inviting neighborhood feel with sweeping Front-Range-and-beyond views. You’ll enjoy privacy without sacrificing convenient access to attractive community amenities. The key to this intimate, small town feel is the carefully controlled scale of the neighborhood and meticulous attention to orientation of the homes.
Home ownership privileges at The Villas include use of the community clubhouse, the perfect place to socialize with neighbors or enjoy a football game on the big-screen TV. A new fitness center with an array of exercise equipment and flatscreen TV makes your workouts all the more enjoyable.
The Villas at Pleasant Valley is ideally located, within minutes of shopping and city amenities. A system of hiking and biking trails connects with the Ute Creek Golf Course, just a few blocks away. The 96-home community features innovative two- and three-bedroom designs with two-car attached garages priced from the $230s. Each home has either a patio or an enclosed sunroom offering views on three sides.
Buy Now, Buy New
Home buyers in today’s market have many choices available, and now is a great time to be looking for your new home. “We’re still in the early development of our community,” Shoaf says. “This offers early buyers many choices, from choosing their site and floor plan, to picking their interior finishes.”
Homes at the Villas feature exteriors with brick or stone masonry and James Hardie siding, ornamental lighting fixtures and either a patio with decorative fencing or sunroom with fully insulated windows. Interior appointments include tiled entry foyers, gas fireplace, formal dining area, eat-in kitchen and marble vanity tops.
Energy efficiencies are built in. Every home incorporates Built Green® standards, with dual pane Low-E windows throughout, 90-percent efficiency gas furnace, central air conditioning, programmable digital thermostat, R-38 ceiling and R-18 wall insulation and insulated entry, service and garage doors. All floor plans are built around a well-conceived traffic pattern, with an abundance of storage space, 36-inch wide entry doors and 34-inch wide passage doors, lever faucets and door handles, convenient receptacle heights and a large master suite.
Visit The Villas at Pleasant Valley
From Main Street, take Hwy. 66 east to Pace Street. South on Pace to Santa Fe Drive and turn west. The sales office is located at 2463 Santa Fe Drive.
For more information, call 303.772.7600 or go to www.KWCommunities.com.
Kemmons Wilson Communities was founded more than 50 years ago. It continues its tradition of creating exciting home communities such as The Villas at Great Plains Park, an 80-home maintenance-free neighborhood in Aurora. For information about The Villas at Great Plains Park, call 303.696.6000.
Scridb filterNorthfield Commons in Boulder
Colorado’s natural beauty is the backdrop
By Judy Finman
Colorado’s natural beauty – blue sky, sunshine, mountains, wide vistas – is the backdrop for a popular new neighborhood in Boulder called Northfield Commons. Its distinctive features are sublime views, trail connections, a neighborhood park, and a pleasing variety of home styles, from traditional and Colorado craftsman to contemporary loft-style. This appealing mix includes single-family houses, duplexes, row houses, town homes and condominiums.
Every home meets Built Green® and E-Star® standards for eco-friendly and energy-efficient living, which means lower energy costs, healthier indoor air, less water usage and improved overall comfort, while reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.
Northfield Commons occupies a 22-acre site between Kalmia Avenue and Palo Parkway in northeast Boulder. The semi-rural charm of quiet, tree-lined streets is balanced by the convenience of nearby restaurants, bank, shopping and public transportation.
A New Northfield Commons Homeowner
Dee Perry moved to Northfield Commons early this summer. “I love Boulder,” she says. “I was born and grew up here.” In deciding to move she first looked at the fine old Boulder neighborhoods and realized the houses there needed a lot of work. She wanted something newer.
“Northfield Commons was an effective way for me to get into a new – and green – home,” she says. “Northfield Commons is close to anywhere I want to go in Boulder. The bike path comes through here, and I can get on Foothills Parkway. It’s a great place to be. I like the diversity here – people my age who are downsizing, and also families with children, and single people.”
Perry chose a single-family home with a main-floor master suite. “If I’m here 20 years from now, everything I need is on the first floor.” Besides the bedroom suite are a great room, dining room and kitchen in an open floor plan, and a powder room. She is enjoying the whole house. The third floor in her model is a skyloft, with a deck; just inside is a kitchenette, perfect for entertaining. On the second floor are an office, two guest rooms, and a “room with a fireplace and windows, with comfy chairs, my reading area.” The basement, which is partially finished, has potential as a theater. “My house is very contemporary in style; it’s the same floor plan as the one next door that’s a craftsman.”
Available Homes
“Northfield has been selling very well,” says sales manager Kate Lyons. “We had 15 closings in August alone. We see homeowners barbecuing, walking their dogs, riding on the bike paths – and smiles everywhere. Six model homes are open: from condo to row house to duplex to single-family. Buyers have a lot of choices and a variety of architectural styles, too.”
Of the 190 homes planned for Northfield, about half are under contract or sold. More than half of the single-family homes are sold. “Over the next six months we’ll introduce some new floor plans and home designs from each builder,” says Lyons.
“Two single-family homes with main-floor master suites, designed by Markel, are ready,” she says. “And we’re offering two duplexes – one by Coast to Coast with a main-floor master suite – and the other, by Markel, with a third-floor skyloft with indoor/outdoor potential, such as a hot tub. Three loft row homes are also available – in a trendy urban design, with decks and patios and four finished stories.” She encourages homebuyers to check with the sales office for monthly incentives and specials.
Trails, Parks and Recreation
Four Mile Creek Trail and Wonderland Creek Trail are accessible from the Northfield Commons bike path. Both trails lead to open space. The focal point of the community is a beautifully landscaped park, with picnic tables and half basketball court, within walking distance of every resident. Pleasant View Sports Complex borders the eastern edge of Northfield Commons, and North Boulder Recreation Center and Spruce pool are nearby.
Contact Information
Northfield Commons is marketed by Markel Homes and Accent Properties. The sales office is located in the southwest corner of the neighborhood at Kalmia Avenue and Silverton Street. It is open daily, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call Kate Lyons at 303.442.0309, and visit www.NorthfieldCommonsBoulder.com.
A variety of condominiums at Northfield Commons meet the guidelines for the City of Boulder Homeownership Program. Visit the Northfield Commons Web site for more information.
The Builders of Northfield Commons
Coast To Coast Residential Development, Inc., has more than 20 years of residential and commercial building experience. Its homes incorporate indoor and outdoor living environments in unique ways and feature architectural details often found in custom homes.
Markel Homes Construction Company has been a leader in planning and creating Colorado neighborhoods for more than 30 years. Its trademark is distinctive design, architectural variety and compelling interiors that mirror the natural beauty of Colorado. Markel values parks, trail access and open space in the neighborhoods it develops.
Hendricks Fine Homes is a small Boulder-based builder that focuses on creating quality homes designed for today’s busy lifestyles. Owner Cary Hendricks has worked with many new and renovating homeowners, and brings clarity and experience to any project and the ensuing relationship.
Accent Properties has been a leading participant in the Boulder real estate market since 1976. It specializes in a full range of real estate services, including all aspects of residential realty and custom home building and construction design.
Scridb filterZEALOUS FOR ZILLOW!!
Zillow Logo
We are Zealous for Zillow – home of the zestimate!
"The falling leaves, drift by my window…..
Drain your mower and any other gas powered lawn equipment. Clean and store all tools.
Last, but not least, think how happy you will be come Spring!
Please don’t forget to check out our services directory. Get a professional to take care of all of your winterization needs!
*The original music was written by Joseph Kosma and the lyrics by Jaques Prevert. The English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. Many artists have performed this song over the years, but Eva Cassidy does an incredible version. Check it out, if you haven’t already.
