Time is ticking on the New Homeowner Tax Credit, and we’re coming across many myths and misconceptions as we speak to people eager to get into their first, green, wallet-friendly home and take advantage of this great opportunity.  Here are a few of the top myths:

Myth 1:  It’s a Deduction or a Loan.
Myth Busted:  It’s a Credit! New homebuyers do not have to pay back the tax credit…it will be added to their refund!  That’s like $8,000 in your pocket.

Myth 2:  Only people who have never owned a home apply.
Myth Busted:  Not necessarily. In fact, if you and your spouse have not owned or not lived in a home that you own for the last three years, you can take advantage of the credit.

Myth 3:  It doesn’t apply to new construction or anything but a free-standing house.
Myth Busted:  New homes and condos and townhomes count! In fact, the credit applies to detached homes as well as townhouses, condominiums, mobile homes, and even houseboats.

Don’t fall for the many myths that are out there on the tax credit…pursue your dream of homeownership before time runs out on April 30!  Click here for more information on our new-buyer-friendly Kingsbridge Townhomes, where Boulder County lifestyle meets green low-maintenance starting at just $198k.

As the days grow longer and warmer, most homeowners are bracing themselves for yet another round of spring cleaning.

But not the residents at The Heritage at Vista Ridge, who enjoy year-round, low-maintenance living in a welcoming community with ample amenities.

“We sold our mower and leaf blower,” says Tom Kummer, who has lived at The Heritage with his wife Mary since last fall. “It’s been great having someone else do the snow shoveling this winter.” Kummer, whose previous two-story home had large decks and flowerbeds, is glad that all that maintenance is in the past.

The Kummers say that The Heritage’s lock-and-leave lifestyle, location and floorplan choices were among the top reasons they chose their new home at Vista Ridge.

“We are both high school teachers,” Tom says, “but one of us teaches in Boulder and the other in Thornton. This is a perfect location for us.”

“We have kids in Denver,” Mary says, “and it’s very easy to get on I-25 to go visit.”

The Kummers chose the Somerset floorplan for its open layout, with the master suite, kitchen, great room, home office and laundry room all well located on the main level.  “The kitchen is roomy and open,” Mary says. “It has a nice, angled counter with a lot of space. We had about a dozen people in there once when we were hosting a party.”  Tom appreciates having easy access to a home office on the main floor, he says. A family room, home theater and two guest bedrooms are located in the spacious lower level.  “It’s great having all new construction, too,” Mary says.

New construction was also high on the list for Rich and Becca Walk, who moved into their new Cedaredge home at the end of last summer. “We wanted an all-new home,” Becca says, “and we were looking for an open-concept living space, with all the main features on the main floor. The lower level has tall ceilings, huge walk-in closets, and an additional bathroom. You don’t feel like you’re in a basement, at all.”

All homes at The Heritage at Vista Ridge are constructed to “Built Green” standards and qualify as Energy Star homes. Low-E glazed windows and blown-in loose-fill insulation make your home easy to heat and a breeze to cool. 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.

The Walks, who moved from New England, got their first look at The Heritage at Vista Ridge online. “We started talking about moving back to Colorado about a year-and-a-half ago. I found The Heritage Web site, and I thought that’s exactly what we’re looking for. It’s a great location. I travel 50 percent of the time, and it’s easy to get to DIA. We have family in Cheyenne, and that’s an easy trip, too.  “We’ve done the yardwork thing,” Becca says. “We didn’t want any more yardwork!”

The Walks appreciate the many bike paths and community center with its large pool. Rich is also an avid golfer and expects to be enjoying some spring golf soon at the adjoining Colorado National Golf Club.  “We looked at several areas,” Becca says. “But we knew, this was the one.”

You’ve heard what the homeowners say. Now experience The Heritage for yourself.

Just a few select homes and sites remain for those who are looking for a unique combination of lifestyle, amenities and location.

For more information and directions to The Heritage at Vista Ridge, call Karen Sanders or Bill Besher at 303.926.1615. Model home hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday noon to 5 p.m.  The Heritage at Vista Ridge is being developed by Boulder Creek Life and Home. To see other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.

Article via Daily Camera At Home

One of the best part of building homes that build community is taking part in our community at large.  EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Association) is a non-profit that shares our vision.  Since 1918, EFAA has acted as a community safety net to families who have nowhere else to turn when they can’t meet their basic needs.  EFAA provides basic needs, shelter, and support to families and elderly and disabled Boulder and Broomfield County residents and relies on local and individual donations rather than federal or state funds.

That’s where Boulder Creek comes in.  We tied attendance at our successful My First Home Expo to donations to EFAA along with our local sponsors Advantage Bank, County Line Lumber and Taylor Movers…and thanks to their support and the support of our attendees, our Kingsbridge Sales Associate, Brent Patterson, was able to present checks totaling $2,040 to EFAA’s Development Director, Karla Rikansrud, in the EFAA Food Bank.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us donate to this worthy local cause!  To learn more about EFAA, visit efaa.org.

Our My First Home Expo at the Kingsbridge townhome community in South Longmont was a wonderful weekend of informative workshops and realtor events…including some fabulous prizes.

Congratulations to Carol Schack with Prudential Rocky Mountain Realtors and Ed, our lucky iPod Nano winners!

Our My First Home Expo at the Kingsbridge community of townhomes in South Longmont has been a huge success!  In fact, we were able to donate over $2000 to EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Association) with the help of our sponsors Advantage Bank, County Line Lumber and Taylor Movers.

Thanks to our sponsors and to our presenters:

• National Association of Professional Organizers / Liz Canavan – Alchemy of Order
• Connor Morganti – JoMo Financial
• Tristan Samuels – Wealth Strategies Group
• Brandon Dwight - Boulder Cycle Sport
• Home Performance Solutions
• Lonny Jenkins - Cherry Creek Mortgage

…and all who attended!

Want to find out more about a community perfect for first-time buyers?  Kingsbridge Townhomes are built with efficient green building techniques, are close to recreation and shopping, and start at just $205k!  Drop in or visit us online at http://livekingsbridge.com.

This week has been rife with news on green building techniques finally, finally! hitting the mainstream.  The New York Times reports that several significant commercial real estate investors have decided to “green” their portfolios, green building expos are on the rise, and some of the country’s largest builders are finally jumping on the green bandwagon.  Of course this news makes us smile…because at Boulder Creek Life and Home, green building practices have been a part of our business as long as we’ve been in business.

So what does green building mean here at Boulder Creek?  Are we bowing to popular trends when we tell our homebuyers about our energy-efficient techniques and Earth-friendly building materials and construction practices?  No way.  Here’s a quick rundown on our green commitment…one that, like our commitment to building quality homes that combine the best in life and home, has never wavered.

• Green building techniques save money:  There’s a common misconception that a green home is an expensive one.  But we find that using green building practices and installing eco-friendly components actually saves money, increasing a building’s longevity and efficiency without a backbreaking up-front cost.  And once a homebuyer moves into their new green home, the costs of living are significantly smaller than the costs associated with inefficient, poorly insulated and energy-wasting structures of a similar size.
• Green building techniques create homes for the long haul:  Not many people realize that many of the very techniques that make a home eco-friendly also increase its durability and “shelf life.”  Properly sealed homes resist degradation from air and water; tough, energy-efficient exteriors require less maintenance and last longer; quality roofing and outdoor components will endure for decades.  This long-haul approach means that your Boulder Creek home is a good investment…not a cheaply-built liability.
• Green building techniques add life to home:  When a home is efficiently lit, properly heated and cooled, well-sealed and decorated with safe, eco-friendly materials, it just feels better.  So you can focus on the things that count.

Learn more about Boulder Creek Life and Home’s commitment to green building techniques (and learn more about the eco-friendly features of our unique communities) by clicking this link.