Posted by admin on April 29, 2010 · Leave a Comment
For Michael Markel, founder and president of Markel Homes Construction Company of Boulder, finding a perfect location for a new community is more than just luck.
He searches for that unique parcel of land with stunning views and wide-open space, where the outdoors is a vital element of people’s daily lives.
One of Colorado’s premier homebuilders, Markel Homes plans, develops and builds neighborhoods that integrate the natural landscape and comfortable lifestyle of the West. Innovative design, superb craftsmanship and distinctive architecture characterize a Markel Homes community, along with quality construction and green-built practices.
Family-owned and operated in Boulder since 1973, Markel Homes reflects the vision of its founder, whose lifelong passion for design has led to the creation of some of Boulder County’s most appealing and livable neighborhoods. All are designed with an appreciation for their surroundings, with multiple outdoor living areas and exciting floor plans that appeal to a wide variety of homeowners. They are almost always close to trails and open space, with gorgeous views, and within walking distance of amenities.
In the 1990s Markel Homes gained prominence in the high-end, semi-custom, single- and multi-family-home niche. As it continues to excel in the creation of signature homes, the focus has expanded to include a concept called newwest living. Inspired by the heritage of the West, newwest living combines favorite traditional elements with the spacious feel of contemporary design and an attitude of urban sophistication. newwest homes, town homes and lofts display compelling exteriors, natural building materials and multiple outdoor living areas. Fluid and open floor plans feature warm, high-style interiors with fine finishes and detailing.
The company started incorporating environmentally conscious building practices years ago. All of Markel’s new homes, regardless of style or type, are built green and Energy-Star® rated to preserve natural resources, lower energy costs and enhance indoor air quality and overall comfort. The homes are healthier for their inhabitants and the earth as a whole.
Under Michael Markel’s direction, Markel Homes has survived the cyclical nature of Colorado’s homebuilding industry to remain a leader in both design and functionality. Further, it has grown to represent honesty and integrity in the building process and top-notch customer service and satisfaction. Savvy homebuyers will continue to become happy, satisfied homeowners in Markel communities.
Living in a Markel Neighborhood
Steve and Sunny Brown are residents of Lyons Valley Park, a Markel Homes community.
“I developed an interest in how Markel built a house, and I formed a very favorable opinion,” Steve Brown says. “I liked the way they build; they take a great deal of care, starting with the foundation. And the houses are built like custom homes, with a wide variety of options.”
He noticed, too, that “The house is quiet as can be – we feel comfortable and secure. The systems in the house – like the furnace, for example – are high quality. They’re green houses, and we’ve not had trouble with anything.”
Michelle and Tom Kramer watched the creation of Lyons Valley Park from nearby – the house in Lyons that Tom Kramer had built in 1993. “We were watching the construction, the building process and the interior finishes,” says Michelle Kramer. “We liked what we saw.”
They had been warned that building a house would be stressful. “But Markel made it a wonderful experience,” Kramer says.
The green aspect of the construction also pleased the Kramers. “It gave us more of a reason to choose Markel. We have extra insulation, good windows. It’s efficient; the heating is even throughout – we didn’t have cold spots in the winter. And we noticed a difference in utility costs; our bills here are lower than in our other house, even though this house is twice as big!”
New Markel Communities
Following are six neighborhoods where Markel is actively building now:
Dakota Ridge Village is adjacent to vast open space, with 360-degree views and great trail access just minutes from downtown Boulder. Markel is currently offering custom solar single-family homes starting in the high $700,000s.
Lyons Valley Park is a friendly neighborhood featuring single-family homes bordered by red sandstone cliffs and the St. Vrain River in historic and recreational Lyons. Prices start in the $300,000s.
Yeager Farm is a neighborhood midway between historic Main Street and convenient Hover Road in Longmont, with excellent pricing of single-family homes starting in the high $200,000s.
North End is located near Old Town and open space in top-rated Louisville, with single-family homes starting in the $400,000s.
Northfield Commons and Northfield Village are two neighborhoods located in northeast Boulder, offering a wide variety of home types, styles and price ranges, including single-family homes, duplexes, row houses, town homes and condominiums.
Contact Information
Visit Markel’s Web site – www.MarkelHomes.com – for pricing, floor plans, photos, virtual tours, maps of all locations, current availability, and more about the company and its neighborhoods. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Markel Homes at 303.449.8689.
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Posted by admin on April 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Walk to schools, shops and restaurants in charming Niwot Village from this private and intimate neighborhood filled with stunning mountain vistas. Custom homes on acre-plus properties complement the quiet, pastoral setting adjacent to farmland and open space.
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Posted by admin on April 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
An idyllic pastoral setting of custom and semi-custom homes on generous-sized lots laced with footpaths and beautiful landscaping. Surrounded by rolling countryside, open space and great views, this exemplary family neighborhood is convenient to Boulder, Lafayette and Interlocken.
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Posted by admin on April 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
A beautiful new neighborhood situated in the midst of established north Longmont, with great pricing on built green® and energy-star® ranch and two-story homes in a variety of architectural styles and floor plans. Located midway between historic Main Street and convenient Hover Road.
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Posted by Camera Homes on April 28, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Like Cookies and Milk,
Life and Home at Kingsbridge go hand in hand.
What’s life if you don’t have a home to enjoy it in?
At Kingsbridge, life and home meld with what’s best in Boulder County…from accessible shopping to ample hiking and recreational opportunities to easy transportation and great schools.
At Kingsbridge, green building techniques, energy-efficiency, and plenty of storage aren’t add-ons: they’re part of every home. Less time maintaining, more time living. And with floor plans for every family, there’s no better time to turn resolution into reality.
Kingsbridge is where home is more than just a roof overhead, it is a place that sets your best intensions free.
Choose from 4 two- and three-bedroom floorplans ranging from 1,400 to 1,793 square feet. Homes start at $198,000.
Website: LiveKingsbridge.com
Phone: 303.502.5338
Email: SalesTeam@LiveKingsbridge.com
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Posted by admin on April 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
When Boulder Creek Life and Home brought its high-value homes and low-maintenance lifestyle to Kingsbridge in Longmont, this was a community waiting to happen. Now, after considerable planning and effort, the first townhomes are complete and new homeowners are eager to move in.
Kingsbridge’s first homeowners, Michael and Toni Monticello, are just days away from moving into their new home. “We had been watching this location for a while, and in December we saw the Kingsbridge sign,” Michael Monticello says. “We’ve looked all over at townhomes, but for the money, the value and the floor plan, we fell in love with Kingsbridge.”
But there was just one catch: the Monticellos had to sell their current single-family home first. Working with Charles Souza, broker/owner of Metro Brokers – Team Lassen in Broomfield, the home was under contract in just eight days. “We emphasize three factors when selling in today’s market,” Souza explains. “Price correctly, market aggressively and stage the home to accomplish the ‘wow’ effect. You hear stories about how the market is a scary proposition. You just need to be smart about how to make the transition work for you. Analyzing one’s specific situation is the key to success.”
Souza says that the opportunities for buyers right now are tremendous. “With the current low interest rates and attractive pricing, your buying power is much greater than it will be in a few years or beyond.”
The Monticellos, who are downsizing from a single-family home, chose The Milan floor plan, a two-bedroom-plus-loft or three-bedroom design that includes a main floor laundry, optional family room with fireplace, center kitchen island and generous storage room.
Besides the home’s features, the Built-Green construction was an important factor in the Monticellos’ decision. Their home is framed with 2×6 lumber (instead of the standard 2×4) and equipped with low-e windows, composite sidings and decks, Energy Star® appliances, and a centrally located, high-efficiency furnace and water heater. An air-sealed building envelope helps to ensure maximum insulation value – and keep utilities bills low. “When I saw the home and how it was built, I thought, ‘this thing’s built like a fortress,’” Michael says.
Homeowners enjoy a year-round, “lock and leave” lifestyle, with all exterior maintenance and services taken care of by the HOA. “Having all the snow removal, maintenance and lawn care taken care of, that’s definitely the way to go,” says Monticello.
The Monticellos report that working with Boulder Creek Life and Home made the home buying experience a pleasure. “It was great,” Michael says. “They were extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and they weren’t pushy. They showed us the home, and the product sold itself. We got to pick out all the finishes and trim, working with the design center, and there was a good range of choices. We’re very excited about moving into our new home.”
Located in Longmont’s Renaissance neighborhood, Kingsbridge will include 134 residences at build-out. Four floor plans offer two or three bedrooms with 1,400 to nearly 1,800 finished square feet. Each residence also includes a private two-car attached garage. Unlike condominiums, residents own both the townhome and the land it sits on.
“Our location in southwest Longmont is ideal for people working in Boulder, at IBM or other tech jobs along the Diagonal Highway corridor,” says Brent Patterson, sales manager for Kingsbridge. “And it’s just minutes from retail centers and community amenities.”
Visit the models at Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is located in West Longmont just off Airport Road in Boulder County. Three models are now open for your visit.
From Boulder: Head Northeast on CO-119 (Diagonal Highway). Turn left (North) on Airport Road. After 1 Mile turn Left (West) onto Venice Lane. Look for the blue flags. The Sales Center is on the North side of Venice Lane.
From Longmont: Head Southwest on CO-119 (Diagonal Highway). Turn Right (North) on Airport Road. After 1 Mile turn Left (West) onto Venice Lane.
From Denver: Head North on I-25 to exit 240. Turn Left (West) on CO-119. Head West through Longmont for 10 Miles. Turn Right (North) on Airport Road. After 1 Mile turn Left (West) onto Venice Lane.
The Sales office is open Monday from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment. For more information, call 303.502.5338.
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Posted by admin on April 15, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The “greening” of our homes can seem a bit complicated at times, with talk of “high R’s” and “low e’s” and such.
But mostly, it’s about making simple changes in how we live in our homes. Want an example? It’s right under your feet. It’s your floor.
“Wood flooring brings an aesthetic plus to your home,” says Clarence Harrison, owner of WoodWise Hardwood Floors in Boulder, who has been installing and refinishing Front Range floors for more than 20 years. “A wood floor is easy to maintain and has a long life.” But choosing the wood, installation methods and finishes each has an impact, he explains, and an opportunity to do the Right Thing.
Actually, several right things, it turns out.
“Most wood flooring is derived from hardwood trees. When we use hardwood purchased domestically, this helps stimulate the economy where it is locally harvested and it is milled,” Harrison explains. “Oak is the most plentifully farmed hardwood in the nation, and we use it in over half of all our installations. It has the integrity and beauty that makes it a favorite.
“We also install reclaimed wood flooring, which helps conservation by returning re-milled, salvaged timbers to use and keeps materials out of the waste stream. Plus, it has zero impact on living trees.”
We know we want sustainably harvested wood, right? But what does that mean, and how can we be sure? “Look for the FSC stamp on wood products,” Harrison advises. “The Forest Stewardship Council is a professional organization that uses stringent chain of custody rules on wood products to ensure they are properly sourced. Wood producers must meet 57 different criteria, including protection of wildlife and minimal use of pesticides. Of all the green flooring certifications, FSC is the gold standard.”
But there’s more, Harrison cautions. “Even sustainable products like bamboo and cork have to be shipped long distances, from Asia, Central and South America. That creates a huge carbon footprint. We feel that choosing domestically harvested, FSC-certified wood flooring is the most environmentally responsible approach. It’s the one we take at WoodWise.”
Bamboo flooring has become very popular, and because it is a fast-growing wood source, it is considered by many to be “sustainable.” But, in addition to its transportation footprint, some of the sources for bamboo do not pass FSC scrutiny, Harrison cautions.
OK, we’ve chosen properly sourced wood, and we’re ready to bring it all home. Let’s look at how the installation and care of your floor impact your personal space.
As you might expect, installing a wood floor can create a lot of dust and sawdust. Most installers leave a “brown cloud” behind – suspended particulates that can take days to settle, and never get completely cleaned from your home.
WoodWise uses a unique dustless process that captures the dust right away at ground level, keeping it out of your home’s nooks and crannies. “This is an important advantage we offer,” Harrison says. “We keep 99 percent of the dust from reaching your home’s surface areas. You don’t want all the dust in your air, or in the duct work. I’m a runner, and I don’t want that stuff in my lungs – or yours!”
Finishing your floor is another area where WoodWise reduces the environmental impact. Few wood finishes are truly environmentally friendly, and the solvents used in most products can give off toxic fumes for months after application. “Natural oils look great, but they don’t hold up,” Harrison explains. “For most applications, water-based finishes are the best way to go. They have really improved in terms of ease of application and durability, and there aren’t any toxic ingredients. I think oil-based finishes may be phased out as more viable ecological alternatives come to market.”
Harrison also pays attention to what happens with leftover materials from a WoodWise installation. Smaller pieces of desirable hardwoods are snapped up by a craftsman who turns them into even more desirable artisan boxes. “We have a guy that comes in once a month and picks up dust and scraps. He mixes this with ground-up pallets to make pellet fuel for wood stoves.”
Step up to a green floor! Contact WoodWise Hardwood Floors at 303.442.7777 or visit www.WoodWiseBoulder.com.
The “greening” of our homes can seem a bit complicated at times, with talk of “high R’s” and “low e’s” and such. But mostly, it’s about making simple changes in how we live in our homes. Want an example? It’s right under your feet. It’s your floor.“Wood flooring brings an aesthetic plus to your home,” says Clarence Harrison, owner of WoodWise Hardwood Floors in Boulder, who has been installing and refinishing Front Range floors for more than 20 years. “A wood floor is easy to maintain and has a long life.” But choosing the wood, installation methods and finishes each has an impact, he explains, and an opportunity to do the Right Thing.Actually, several right things, it turns out. “Most wood flooring is derived from hardwood trees. When we use hardwood purchased domestically, this helps stimulate the economy where it is locally harvested and it is milled,” Harrison explains. “Oak is the most plentifully farmed hardwood in the nation, and we use it in over half of all our installations. It has the integrity and beauty that makes it a favorite.“We also install reclaimed wood flooring, which helps conservation by returning re-milled, salvaged timbers to use and keeps materials out of the waste stream. Plus, it has zero impact on living trees.”We know we want sustainably harvested wood, right? But what does that mean, and how can we be sure? “Look for the FSC stamp on wood products,” Harrison advises. “The Forest Stewardship Council is a professional organization that uses stringent chain of custody rules on wood products to ensure they are properly sourced. Wood producers must meet 57 different criteria, including protection of wildlife and minimal use of pesticides. Of all the green flooring certifications, FSC is the gold standard.”But there’s more, Harrison cautions. “Even sustainable products like bamboo and cork have to be shipped long distances, from Asia, Central and South America. That creates a huge carbon footprint. We feel that choosing domestically harvested, FSC-certified wood flooring is the most environmentally responsible approach. It’s the one we take at WoodWise.”Bamboo flooring has become very popular, and because it is a fast-growing wood source, it is considered by many to be “sustainable.” But, in addition to its transportation footprint, some of the sources for bamboo do not pass FSC scrutiny, Harrison cautions.OK, we’ve chosen properly sourced wood, and we’re ready to bring it all home. Let’s look at how the installation and care of your floor impact your personal space.As you might expect, installing a wood floor can create a lot of dust and sawdust. Most installers leave a “brown cloud” behind – suspended particulates that can take days to settle, and never get completely cleaned from your home. WoodWise uses a unique dustless process that captures the dust right away at ground level, keeping it out of your home’s nooks and crannies. “This is an important advantage we offer,” Harrison says. “We keep 99 percent of the dust from reaching your home’s surface areas. You don’t want all the dust in your air, or in the duct work. I’m a runner, and I don’t want that stuff in my lungs – or yours!”
Finishing your floor is another area where WoodWise reduces the environmental impact. Few wood finishes are truly environmentally friendly, and the solvents used in most products can give off toxic fumes for months after application. “Natural oils look great, but they don’t hold up,” Harrison explains. “For most applications, water-based finishes are the best way to go. They have really improved in terms of ease of application and durability, and there aren’t any toxic ingredients. I think oil-based finishes may be phased out as more viable ecological alternatives come to market.”Harrison also pays attention to what happens with leftover materials from a WoodWise installation. Smaller pieces of desirable hardwoods are snapped up by a craftsman who turns them into even more desirable artisan boxes. “We have a guy that comes in once a month and picks up dust and scraps. He mixes this with ground-up pallets to make pellet fuel for wood stoves.”
Step up to a green floor! Contact WoodWise Hardwood Floors at 303.442.7777 or visit www.WoodWiseBoulder.com.
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