Two years ago, builder David Sinkey of Boulder Creek Builders was on the phone to the big Denver developers, trying to convince them to work some of his low-maintenance patio ranch designs into their large master-plans. Now a half dozen of those developers are talking with him, wanting to rub some of the same magic into their own communities that just since November has attracted 18 sales in the $400s and $500s.

You can see those sharp, traditionally styled patio models (from the low $4s) today at Steel Ranch in Louisville (they were packed with visitors when I toured Wednesday). And you can tour some Boulder Creek townhomes near the Longmont Diagonal Highway that offer the same low maintenance and high energy efficiency, at half the price.

Kingsbridge Townhomes, off Airport Road in Longmont, is a little hard to find and gets a fraction of the traffic that Steel Ranch does – but has such a high conversion rate that Boulder Creek has already gone through well over half of the 109 townhome sites it took over there from a California builder in 2010.

“We don’t restrict any of our communities to 55-and-older,” said Sinkey — one of four principals in a company that dates from one his father launched in Boulder in 1976. We left headquarters in Louisville’s scenic downtown, surrounded by shops and dining that helped earn Louisville the number-1 national ranking in Money Magazine’s annual ‘Best Places to Live’…and headed for Steel Ranch, a mile north.

Nevertheless, Boulder Creek’s buyers seem to ‘self-restrict’ into that older, downsizing demographic. Along with a few single females, empty-nest buyers dominate sales at Steel Ranch (and are catching the attention of those large developers, anxious to tap into that market).

Those downsizers are also a factor at Longmont’s Kingsbridge (it has four 2-story townhome plans, including one that could go main-floor master)…however, buyers there also find three schools within walking distance including Longmont’s Silver Creek High, rated 9-for-10 stars at GreatSchools.net. The schools and the prices (from the very low $200s for 2- and 3-bedrooms that are nine miles from Boulder, four miles from IBM) also lure single moms and dads, and another demographic you don’t hear much about: ‘never-nesters’ – ones who have rented for years and years, and now have plenty of cash to make a purchase.

What Boulder Creek DOESN’T see at Kingsbridge are first-time buyers; and that, says Sinkey, doesn’t make any sense. After all, these large plans have attached 2-car garages, roomy storage spaces, extra-outdoor private storage for bikes; and optimal energy features (blown-Fiberglas insulation that earn HERS scores under 60, so low they were featured by Channel 9 News). The smallest, a 2-bedroom ‘Florence,’ delivers 1,490 square feet for $205,000 – with a bright-and-light interior that comes standard with wood kitchen floors, nicer birch cabinets in a choice of colors, and ceramic tile bath surrounds.

They also show something all Boulder Creek’s buyers, young and old, agree on: Despite the low-maintenance, they want manageable HOA fees. “Our people say, ‘Give us walking-biking trails; but not a pool, that means higher dues,’” Sinkey added. Boulder Creek keeps track of its buyers’ preferences through a ‘Founders Group’ that reviews new models. When the group was asked what they’d be willing to pay for the new Steel Ranch patio plans, their estimates were so high, Sinkey says, that company planners knew they had a winner on their hands.

You can see Steel Ranch off 95th Street in Louisville; from the Turnpike take Northwest Parkway north, jogging onto 96th, and continue north 5 miles, just past Baseline. Kingsbridge in Longmont is off Airport Road between Diagonal and Nelson Road; from Boulder take the Diagonal north 6 miles to Airport, then left a mile to Venice Lane.

If you go…

WHERE: Kingsbridge Townhomes in west Longmont by Boulder Creek Builders, low-maintenance 2-&-3 bedroom townhomes near trails, 4 miles to IBM. 1656 Venice Lane, Longmont; take I-25 north to Exit 240, Colo. 119; west 7.6 mi., continue west on Nelson Rd. 1.9 mi to Airport Rd.; left 1 mi. to Venice Lane.  Or from Boulder’s Foothills Pkwy take Diagonal north 6.6 mi. to Airport Rd, left 1 mi. to Venice

PRICE: From $205s; Steel Ranch from the low $400s

WHEN: Today & Saturday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday 11-5

PHONE: 303-772-3063 Steel Ranch, 303-745-1091 WEB: LiveBoulderCreek.com

These new high-quality, energy-efficient townhomes are built by Boulder Creek Life and Home, pioneers in residential development for the “active lifestyle” homeowner. This well respected local builder delights Boulder County homeowners with quality-built, low-maintenance homes to accommodate people’s desire for active, easy lives. Kingsbridge is set in a quiet area southwest of Longmont, within a mile of shopping and restaurants, with amazing recreational opportunities nearby – trails, hiking, skiing and tourist activities. Besides all that Longmont has to offer, residents love the proximity to Boulder, whether for work  or leisure.

Interview with a new Kingsbridge homeowner

A new Kingsbridge homeowner, a single professional woman who works in Lafayette and has been living in Boulder, chose to move to Kingsbridge for several reasons. Location was important. “It’s fairly close to hiking and biking trails I like, and it’s relatively close to work,” she says. “I spend a lot of time in Boulder, so the proximity was important to me. Also, the green-built and energy-efficient features played a big role in my choice.”

The quality and beauty of the homes attracted her. “I really like the layouts of the townhomes, the open, multi-level design, the big two-car attached garage – which is pretty rare. I chose the Florence model; when I needed to move, it was ready to move into. I loved the finishes already in there, the hardwood floors, granite countertops, beautiful cabinetry, and an upgraded wrought-iron railing.”

Price was a key consideration for this buyer. “I think this is a very good value for the price. This is the only new place I looked at. In the price range I was looking at, this was the only thing.”

The quality of life at Kingsbridge is a plus. “They have done a nice job with the landscaping. There are a lot of trees and flowering shrubs – they even planted lilac trees. When I sit outside on my raised redwood patio/deck, I have a lot of privacy. The homes are extraordinarily quiet; the sound insulation is fantastic. The house is also [free] from outside noise. I have beautiful mountain views out the windows. I’m really happy!”

Built for the way you live

With four floor plans to choose from, the townhomes range in size from 1,400 to 1,793 square feet, each with three bathrooms and either two or three bedrooms, and a private attached two-car garage. The architecture is stylish with attractive stonework and columns, fronting on a landscaped courtyard. Among the many included features are maintained landscaping throughout the community, 8-foot to 11-foot ceilings on the main floor, Tharp oak hardwood cabinets, and low VOC paints for healthier indoor air. “Homebuyers get excited about the quality of the homes, especially compared to other new construction in the area,” says Brent Patterson of the sales team. “These are not your typical town homes. People need to come inside and take a look at the single-family living that’s available in these high-efficiency homes. I hear it all the time, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect all this in here.’”

Quality-built, green and efficient

Kingsbridge townhomes are constructed to Green building standards and have exceeded the efficiency rating of Energy Star homes. Each home boasts dozens of green features, such as an Advanced Insulation Package that goes beyond the building code to provide a more comfortable home and results in lower energy costs; and certified composite wood trim and decking materials to reduce the use of natural materials. Homeowners never cringe when their Xcel bill arrives. In fact, they look forward to seeing how much they saved on energy costs.

The Kingsbridge information center is located on Venice Ln. in southwest Longmont just west of Airport Road, 1 mile north from CO-119 (Diagonal Highway). 1656 Venice Ln., Longmont, CO 80503. The sales office is open Monday 12 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, call 303.502.5338.

Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

DiGiovanni will play a key role for Boulder Creek, managing vendor purchasing and subcontractor pricing and negotiation. A veteran in the homebuilding industry, DiGiovanni brings more than 15 years of experience in systems-based supply chain pricing and management to Boulder Creek Builders.

“Boulder Creek Builders is really setting the standard in homebuilding in Colorado today and I’m thrilled to be joining this talented team,” said DiGiovanni. “I am particularly excited to be working with a company that has such a strong commitment to green building practices. I look forward to contributing to Boulder Creek Builders’ ongoing success.”

DiGiovanni is an Institute for Supply Chain Management – Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M) and certified LEED Green Associate. Prior to joining Boulder Creek Builders, DiGiovanni served as Director of Purchasing and Sustainability with Comstock Homes located in Southern California where he helped to implement the largest Photovoltaic Solar community in the U.S. He also served as Purchasing Manager with the Florida division of Pulte Homes. DiGiovanni is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Resource Conservation, and Florida Atlantic University, where he completed the Purchasing Management Certificate Program. He has also done graduate course work in Production and Operations Management at the University of Missouri.

Welcome, Mike!

Homebuyers have a rare opportunity to build a new ranch-style home in a well-established, upscale South Longmont community. The home sites are being developed by Boulder Creek Life and Home®, known for high-quality construction and commitment to green building. Boulder Creek initially offered six choice home sites in the Village at Creekside neighborhood. Three of the home sites border picturesque Left Hand Creek.

Boulder Creek offers ranch-style homes that highlight main-floor living. The master suite, laundry, study and a spacious light-filled Great Room, are all conveniently located on the main level. Those looking for additional entertainment space will find a finished lower level complete with a large open recreational room and additional bedrooms for crafts, grandchildren or guests.

Location, location, location

“Village at Creekside is a well-located little community,” notes David Sinkey, a principal of Boulder Creek. “This is a limited opportunity for people to acquire our sites. Since initially offering these home sites, we have sold three and we’re talking with many other interested parties who want to stay in this great community. They’re excited about a new ranch-style home that is designed around the way they live.”

The six sites are nestled in a circling drive, in the heart of the neighborhood. They connect to the extensive Longmont trail system. Residents in the Village at Creekside experience a quiet neighborhood setting, while enjoying close proximity to local shopping and quick access to Boulder and major transit thoroughfares.

“One of the advantages of buying here is that you invest in a brand-new, well-built, green home in an established community that’s well respected,” says Paul Gortzig, sales and marketing manager. “The location is very convenient in south-central Longmont, near restaurants and Main Street, and minutes from Twin Peaks Mall.”

Moving to Creekside

Tom and Vicki Glassburn are happy to be moving to Creekside from the town of Monument. They will be closing on their new home on June 17. “We’re tired of nine months of snow,” Vicki says.

They looked for a new home for six to eight months in Denver and Longmont, and then heard about Boulder Creek and the choice home sites at Creekside. “Creekside is a really attractive neighborhood, nice and quiet. We liked the Craftsman-style architecture, and they had available lots for the house plan we liked.” The Glassburns knew what they wanted. “We were looking for main-floor living. We wanted to downsize and upscale. We wanted two bedrooms on the main floor; my 87-year-old father is moving in with us. And we liked the fact they are a green builder; we are impressed with their building and the attention to details and design. We’ve been so pleased. Everything is so solid and well constructed. No leaks, no air blowing through.” Tom Glassburn is impressed with the plumbing, too, and a large water manifold system with easy access to an individual water shutoff for each room.

Gortzig comments, “What has been satisfying for us at Boulder Creek is that we get to sit down with homebuyers like the Glassburns, listen to their wish list and their needs, and deliver on each and every request with our diverse floor plans. We’re excited that our homebuyers are able to achieve their goals.”

“We’ve had four houses, and now we’re getting everything we want,” says Vicki Glassburn.  “We’re trying to build a house for our future – for example, with wider doorways in case we ever use a wheelchair.”

The couple likes downtown Longmont. “It’s a charming and cute town. There’s everything you could possibly need nearby. In Monument we are not near anything. We’d like to drive less.”

They are pleased with the proximity to outdoor recreation. “There’s a nice walking path nearby, and we’re getting new bikes. Rocky Mountain National Park is nearby, and we like to hike.”

Easy ranch-style living

Buyers choose from three floor plans. With all of them, you step inside to open Great Room living, with vaulted ceilings, a dream kitchen, a well-appointed master suite with five-piece bath and walk-in closet, convenient laundry room, and decks with outdoor living space. Also on the main floor is an office/study that can be used as a bedroom.

The lower level combines two bedrooms, a recreation room and bath. This nicely separates living space and entertaining. With room to invite the entire family, there’s still a sense of intimate space; you can live on the first floor and reserve the lower level for company and entertainment.

Prices start from the mid-$300,000s. Early buyers get to choose their floor plan and designer finishes to personalize their home. From Modern Contemporary to Country Craftsman, Boulder Creek’s professional design studio helps buyers select colors and materials to create their ideal space.

“Boulder Creek builds lifestyle communities, and we found a need in this community for ranch-style living,” says Gortzig. “We offer homebuyers a rare opportunity: though we have only six home sites in the community, we offer spacious ranch plans with the finished lower level, plus plenty of green features. Visitors to our homes like the Great Room and open floor plan. You don’t have to settle on a used home to live in a mature neighborhood. At Creekside, you have the rare opportunity to buy a new home in an existing, well-presented community.”

Quality-built, green, efficient

In Boulder Creek’s numerous Boulder County communities, home owners receive a higher standard of building: 2×6 wall construction to allow higher insulation levels; advanced framing techniques to produce sturdier buildings with less outside air penetration; concrete-based siding to create a durable exterior and provide a quieter interior; and new Energy Star Rated furnaces, waterheaters and appliances to help the home run most efficiently. These efforts are designed to produce a more comfortable interior living environment with better air quality, and to save on utility bills.

Boulder Creek Life and Home

Boulder Creek has pioneered in residential development that meets the demands and needs of the ‘active lifestyle’ homeowner – including professionals, empty nesters, semi-retired and post-children “Baby Boomers.” It designs and builds low-maintenance, single-family and multi-family residences to accommodate people’s desire for active, easy lives.

Learn more

For more information about this exciting opportunity or to schedule a tour of the three remaining home sites, contact Paul Gortzig at 303.309.0088, or pgortzig@livebouldercreek.com. Visit www.AtHome.LiveBoulderCreek.com.To find out more about Boulder Creek’s  exciting new communities, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.

Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

Today’s apple pies from Indulge Bakery are being delivered by Brent Patterson to RE/MAX Alliance Longmont and ERA Tradewind Real Estate in Longmont.

ERA Tradewind recently remodeled their home office, while RE/MAX Alliance Longmont is celebrating Steven Noel’s “No. 1 Individual Realtor” title, Tom Pringle’s recent “Hall of Fame” career award, and the addition of Evelyn DeNardo to their team.

To learn more about Boulder Creek’s We ♥ Realtors program and our pledge to the Realtors we’re privileged to work with, visit realtors.livebouldercreek.com

Today, Bill Besher is headed to Wright Kingdom Real Estate and Keller Williams Boulder to deliver delicious apple pies and give their valued real estate professionals a slice of the Boulder Creek pie.

To learn more about Boulder Creek’s We ♥ Realtors program and our pledge to the Realtors we’re privileged to work with, visit realtors.livebouldercreek.com

Who knows…you could be the next Realtor to receive a delicious pie from Boulder Creek!

One of life’s great pleasures is to move into a beautiful new home, especially when it’s filled with exciting innovations that enhance the way you live. At Shadow Grass Park in Longmont, Boulder Creek Builders has opened its own sales office and model homes and rolled out a new series of designs for savvy homebuyers. Boulder Creek’s clever innovations spotlight the difference between new homes built the way people want to live today, in 2011, and other so-called new homes wearing the same old designs you’ve seen for decades.

“As a leader in the homebuilding industry, Boulder Creek welcomes the chance to be innovative in designing and building new homes,” says Sales and Marketing Manager Paul Gortzig, “With one of our company owners being an architect, we have consulted with an outside group of architects to be sure our plans answer the needs of our homebuyers at Shadow Grass Park. And we have actively sought fresh ideas from the home-buying public
to challenge traditional thinking in home designs. We ask you not to settle for old, tired designs being sold as ‘new.’”

At Shadow Grass Park, Boulder Creek has introduced some new concepts based on how people aspire to live today. The homes built by Boulder Creek showcase new designs and new engineering, with a focus on energy-efficient Green building technology and optimum comfort and convenience.

Main-floor living.

All of Boulder Creek’s homes at Shadow Grass Park are ranch-style, with main-floor master suite, laundry and study. Two of the floor plans have zero-step access into the home, and two other plans offer a fully finished lower level. The Longmont Senior Advisory Council gave Boulder Creek Builders valuable input into the design of these ranch-style patio homes. The builder has a pleasant surprise for homeowners looking for
extra storage. The homes are built with an oversized garage that is more than ample for two cars. And voila! A staircase at the end of the garage leads to a versatile 200-square-foot room, with a window and abundant space for storage. So people can downsize, move into these ranch homes and have all main-floor living, without compromising storage.

“Our homes in this community are exceeding Energy Star’s Top (5 Star) rating,” says Boulder Creek Community Manager Karen Sanders. “For our homeowners, this means that their home is 20 to 30 percent more efficient than most new homes being built today and, most likely, vastly more efficient than the home they are moving out of. This translates into lower monthly electric and gas bills.”

The “behind-the-walls quality” is really important in these homes: 2×6 wall construction means higher insulation levels, advanced framing techniques produce a sturdier building with less air penetration, concrete-based siding creates a durable exterior and provides a quieter interior, and high-quality low-VOC paint is good for the indoor air quality.

“We build what’s good for the environment and good for our buyer,” Sanders says. New Energy-Star-rated furnaces, water heaters and appliances help the home run most efficiently. The results are a more comfortable interior environment with better air quality and savings on monthly utility bills. The whole focus is to build an energy-efficient home. “Our homeowners enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle; front-lawn care and snow removal are part of living in this community. And we have some great home sites to choose from.”

Right-sized design.

Next, there’s right-sized design. The homes are designed for maximum use of all their square footage, with no extra hallways or wasted spaces. “Right Sized was the logical solution for Shadow Grass Park, “says Boulder Creek Principal David Sinkey. “After consulting with the Senior Advisory Council, we developed a myriad of thoughtful design concepts for residents of every age, from standard slab on grade foundations with zero-step garage entries to wider hallways and doorways. With front-yard maintenance provided for our homeowners, it’s a lock-and-leave lifestyle that appeals to a wide variety of residents.”

When you enter a new right-sized home, you see immediately how it makes perfect sense. Everything a homeowner needs is right there on the main floor, from the master suite to the laundry and even a home office. The main floor centerpiece is a spacious, light-filled Great Room, connecting the large, efficient kitchen to the living areas. “Another thing I love about these homes is all the luxurious interior trim and alder cabinets,” Sanders says. Right-sized ranch-style homes come in a variety of floor plans to suit each homeowner’s needs. Those looking for additional bedrooms for visitors or a rec room for grandchildren will find what they need by adding a finished lower level. Boulder Creek is known for pioneering and perfecting the amenities and technologies of lower-level living.

Convenient location.

The Shadow Grass Park community is very well located with major retail businesses nearby (two grocery stores, two banks, restaurants and a number of small stores), adjacent green belt trail system, Jim Hamm Pond Nature Area, Ute Creek Golf Course and a local park with a dog park, basketball court, skate park, playground and water park. The community also has wonderful connectivity to Old Town Longmont (only minutes away) and to I-25 to Denver and Fort Collins, Highway 66 to Lyons and Estes Park, and Highway 119 to Boulder.

Visit Shadow Grass Park.

View Boulder Creek’s energy-efficient designs at Shadow Grass Park. Homes range in size from 1,300 square feet to more than 2,400 square feet with a finished lower level. With tree-lined streets, generous porches and traditional architecture that recall small-town America, Shadow Grass Park is priced from the mid-$200,000s. Visit Boulder Creek Builders at Shadow Grass Park at 1523 Moonlight Drive in Longmont. Model-home hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. And visit the Boulder Creek website at www.ShadowGrass.LiveBoulderCreek.com, or call the Information Center at 303.772.3063.

Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

• Location, location, location:  Longmont is conveniently located with access to Colorado Route 119, US-287, and I-25.
• Open space:  Longmont maintains over 1,500 acres of parks and open space, not to mention the over 80 miles of trails in close proximity in Boulder!
• Shop ’til you drop:  With major retailers, a mall, and convenient access to groceries and specialty stores, Longmont will never leave you hanging when it comes to a day of shopping.
• Yum: Longmont has three craft breweries and a great set of distinctive restaurants to tempt your tastebuds.
• Community:  Longmont may be an up-and-coming area, but it hasn’t lost its community charm.  Join your neighbors for athletic events, community service, the county fair, even art festivals and exhibits!
• Schools:  Longmont is conveniently located in the St. Vrain School District, which accommodates 26,000 Colorado students and is known for low drop-out rates, great school amenities, and quality teachers.
• You’re in business:  Longmont’s thriving business community provides great high-tech opportunities, and the proximity of the University of Colorado and other local schools mean the nearby population is well-educated and ready to get down to work.
• Awards and accolades:  You won’t be the only one who appreciates life in Longmont!  The city has been called an All-America City and called one of America’s Best Places to Live by Money Magazine.
• Elevation: Longmont sits at 4,979 feet above sea level…and is mere miles from 14ers, ski opportunities, and winter sports galore.
• Freedom:  Find a sense of liberty…and not just from the spectacular mountain views.  Longmont is perfectly situated to give you access to the lifestyle that’s right for YOU, allowing you to express your individuality.

Without further ado, here are 12 reasons we’re grateful this year:

1. This year we were grateful to contribute to a handful of well-deserving local charities, including Make a Wish, EFAA, Byrne Urban Scholars, The Cancer League of Colorado, Home Builders Foundation of Metro Denver, and local food banks.
2. We’re in great company, with membership in the Erie, Boulder, Superior and Louisville Chambers as well as the Colorado Home Builders Association and National Home Builders Association.
3. We were proud to continue with our We ♥ Realtors initiative and to sponsor the Boulder County Real Estate Expo and other informative events to help realtors build their businesses and sell new homes.
4. We were able to transition to a new headquarters in downtown Louisville, purchasing and renovating the building we now occupy.
5. We were privileged to meet homeowners who value a lifestyle that’s second to none!  Nothing compares to seeing dreams turn into real homes built with green savvy and serving as the cornerstone of Colorado communities.
6. Speaking of Colorado communities, we had the privilege of launching neighborhoods at Kingsbridge Townhomes in South Longmont, taking on a select offering at Creekside, stepping up our involvement at Shadow Grass Park, and planning for new developments that bear Boulder Creek’s signature lifestyle touch.
7. We’ll admit…we love community recognition, from national news coverage of Boulder Creek’s distinctive communities to a 40 under 40 award for principal David Sinkey.
8. Our local partnerships and relationships make us grateful.  We couldn’t offer our unique mix of life and home without being firmly rooted in the community.
9. Our exemplary staff is reason enough to be grateful!  With their help, we run smoothly and give homebuyers the exceptional homebuying experience they expect and deserve.
10. Don’t forget about fun…we’re grateful for our participation in Colorado Music Festival and Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts in 2010!
11. We’re grateful for growing awareness of the green building techniques that are an integral part of our philosophy and our business.
12. Finally, we’re grateful for Colorado…where life comes first and home is second to none…where we are privileged to serve an extraordinary community.

Happy New Year!