“A long time ago, we made a commitment to build all of our homes to Built Green standards,” recalls company principal David Gregg, who guides the architecture, project development and community planning. “As we analyzed the requirements, we discovered that in many instances, we were already building to those standards. We tweaked some of our construction specifications, and created some new efficiencies in our methods. Overall, going green was a pretty easy transition for us.”

To understand the full impact of Boulder Creek’s commitment to green building, consider this: every home it builds meets or exceeds Built Green standards. And Boulder Creek is doing this in six different Front Range communities, every day, across every price point.

“What we do is utilize proven and practical green building techniques and materials, bringing them into the mainstream to create homes that deliver high value and lower energy costs,” explains David Sinkey, vice president and co-owner. “This allows us to do more with each home, and to do more of them.”

Gregg says it all comes down to the details. “The insulation we use, the type of windows, the framing techniques and the way we seal the homes to prevent air leakage, it all requires strong field coordination and the willingness to follow through, to make sure that all the steps are done right.”

Low-E glazed windows and blown-in cellulose insulation make your home easy to heat and a breeze to cool, lowering your annual cost for heating and cooling your home year in and year out. Two-by-six framing is standard instead of the two-by-fours you’ll find elsewhere, creating sturdier, deeper walls that hold more insulation and are more soundproof.

At two points during each home’s construction, an independent third-party construction observation company inspects each home to ensure it is being built to code and to Boulder Creek standards, Gregg says. “They conduct a pre-drywall inspection, checking the ducts, caulking and sealing.”

This dedication to quality construction and design earned Boulder Creek Life and Home nationwide recognition in 2008 when the National Association of Home Builders recognized the Blue Vista community in Longmont with a Development of the Year Award for “excellence in green residential design and construction practices, and outstanding green advocacy efforts.”

Me? Buy a home? Don’t miss the “My First Home Expo” on Saturday, Feb. 27

Are you considering your first home purchase? Boulder Creek invites you to an exciting and informative event, designed to help you get the information you need to make an informed home buying decision. Attend free seminars on financial planning, lending practices, tax credits  and organizing your first home – each presented by professionals who are recognized experts in their field. 

Enjoy a free barbecue lunch and refreshments, and watch the home energy efficiency demonstrations by Home Performance Solutions (complete with a blower door test and thermal imaging). Register to win one of several iPod Nanos. And you’ll be helping a good cause just by attending, since the event sponsors will donate $20 to the Emergency Family Assistance Association for every registered attendee.

Expo sponsors include Boulder Creek Life and Home, Taylor Moving Company, County Line Lumber Company and Advantage Bank.

My First Home Expo will be held at Kingsbridge Townhomes, 1656 Venice Lane, Longmont. For more information and directions, call 303.502.5338 or e-mail info@LiveKingsbridge.com.

Yesterday, “Today Show” real estate contributor Barbara Corcoran, listed Denver as the number one city on the road to recovery.  The top five cities were listed as Denver, Raleigh, Austin, Seattle and San Francisco.

According to Corcoran, the signs of recovery include:

Job Growth Opportunity

Growing Population

Good Weather

Abundance of First-Time Buyers

No Overbuilding of Condos or Office Spaces

Vital Downtowns

Well-Educated Population

Large Number of Foreclosures, Early in the Downturn

View the “Today Show” video clip at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30825142#30825142

Go to www.flatironstourofhomes.com

With the latest new home sales report this week, I see signs of positive and continuing change.

The Denver metro area experienced the second highest week of sales traffic since early October, the highest number of home sales since last May and better sales conversions than we have seen since June of 2007.

We all know there are many great reasons to live in Colorado, but here are a few more…

• Colorado ranked second in the 2009 ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index.  States earning this ranking are considered the most likely to manage economic stimulus effectively and make a solid recovery from the nationwide recession.
• Boulder ranked 20^th on Forbes’ 2009 list of the “Best Places for Business and Careers”.
• Metro Denver is on Forbes’ list of “Ten Cities Where Americans are Relocating”.
• Colorado ranks fourth in the nation in a Gallup survey for health and happiness of its residents.

            Source:  Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation

Good for us!

Happy Earth Day!

I was pleasantly surprised to catch my 13-year-old son watching Oprah’s Earth Day discussion today.  I suspected my “save the world” tirades made an impact on him, but the rolling eyes lead me to believe he wasn’t fully on board.  As Oprah and her guest ran down a list of ways to reduce our carbon footprint, I responded by pointing out the ones we had under control.  Purchasing Energy Star® appliances, using compact fluorescent bulbs, recycling everything from homework to cereal boxes, etc. etc.  Best of all, I think I finally made my point as to why we keep our dual set-back thermostat between the 63 and 68 degree range in the winter.  Thanks Oprah!  Although with temperatures approaching 80 today, I will likely need to reiterate this message when the snow returns.

Here’s to all you avid conservationists.  Way to go!

Check out your community. In addition to your local Chamber of Commerce and non-profit organizations you may have numerous trade associations – from real estate organizations (i.e. Boulder Area REALTOR® Association) to advertising and/or marketing associations (i.e. Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Assocation or the Business Marketing Association).

See what’s available to you and go meet some new faces – up close and personal. And, while you’re at it, HAVE FUN!

As the article in Pacific Business News put it, it’s “More fun, productive than cold-calling.”

Source: Chiem, L. “As business slows, networking accelerates.” Pacific Business News, 3/13/2009

 A former 26-year Boulder resident, Debra Jason is a freelance copywriter who started her business, The Write Direction, in Boulder in 1989. In addition, she is also a Realtor-Associate with Na Pali Properties, based on Kauai, HI. With 20 years of experience operating her own marketing business, she combines her creative skills with selling real estate in an effort to help buyers and sellers achieve their goals. When paradise is calling you, you may call Debra direct at (888)449-0815 or contact her via e-mail at dajason@hawaii.rr.com, Get Kauai’s latest listings e-mailed to you weekly when you sign up on Debra’s Web site at www.kauaihawaii-realestate.com/boulder.html

Pretty daunting statistics for anyone looking to sell their property. However all is not gloom and doom. In Broomfield the number of homes sold in the first quarter was up 16%.

Some local realtors are recommending caution but are not without optimism. They say the phones have started ringing a little more often and many calleras have questions about the market and what the professionals see happening.

Of course many people still are hesitant to make any kind of decision because things are still so unsettled in the economy. People are not only losing jobs but those who are still employed are taking cuts in pay.

It will certainly be interesting for all of us to see what this next quarter brings. Spring typically means a boost in business for  a lot of us. Let’s hope that is true in 2009!

One thing to consider is setting the stage. Remember you are not just selling a house, you are selling a home. Some of the tips realtors recommend are putting fresh flowers in some of the rooms. Don’t overdue it but make it look natural. Scents are also very important. Sense memory is one of the strongest. It may seem corny but baking a pie or cookies or even having some pot pourri bubbling on the stove can really make an impression when someone comes through the door.

The other thing to thing about is making sure your yard looks good. The windows are sparkling, the gutters are clean, the weeds are pulled.  Curb appeal is extremely important especially in a down market.

We have some great professionals in our Consumer Services Guide that can help you with all of your spring clean-up needs. Check us out online or in print!