By Judy Finman, At Home Colorado
Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

Your free time is precious and you want to make the most of it.  If you live at Kingsbridge Townhomes in Longmont, you can ride your bicycle, climb a mountain or just relax, without the hassle of yard maintenance or outdoor upkeep.

These new high-quality, energy-efficient townhomes are built by Boulder Creek Builders, pioneers in residential development for the “active lifestyle” homeowner. This well respected local builder has delighted 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 of west Longmont, within a mile of shopping and restaurants, with amazing recreational opportunities nearby – trails, hiking, skiing and tourist activities.

Interview with a new homeowner
In December Kurt and Lisa Anderson moved from a single-family home in Erie into their new Kingsbridge townhome.

“We’re downsizing. Our kids are out of the house, and we definitely wanted to be in a place where we could just drop our bags and travel. We don’t have to do any landscaping or maintenance or anything outdoors here; they clear the driveways of snow and make sure we can come and go. We have a very flexible lifestyle, and Boulder Creek Builders understood that and have exceeded our expectations.”

The Andersons chose to move to Kingsbridge for several reasons.

“We became familiar with Boulder Creek Builders and tracked what they have been building. They’re good stewards of the environment, and that’s important to us.”

Location was key. They like west Longmont. And Kingsbridge is near Boulder and I-25 and close to hiking and biking trails. “The location they chose for this community is outstanding,” says Kurt Anderson, who is “an avid runner.” Lisa Anderson bikes and walks, and she works nearby at Avista Hospital. “A lot of people here work for IBM and other high-tech companies – our little Silicon Valley,” she says.

The green-built and energy-efficient features played a big role in their choice, too. “The quality of the home is tremendous. We are noticing already that our energy bills are lower. It’s really quiet in the home, even with the common wall; we have yet to hear our neighbors.”

The quality and beauty of the homes attracted the Andersons. “We were fortunate, because this Venice model already had upgrades in it when we bought it: gorgeous wood floors, the banisters, appliances. The builder had chosen very tastefully. We bought this model because it is lovely and one of the best townhome models we’ve seen. It’s an exceptional home. We hit it out of the park on quality and location.”

Kurt Anderson notes  that “I’ve never, in all my years contracting and building, seen the builder at a closing. But a Boulder Creek executive was at our closing; he handed us the keys. They kept to all the dates, were good about communicating with us, and everything was done on time.”

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 and imposing, with attractive stonework and columns, and a courtyard concept.

Among the many included features are maintained landscaping throughout the community, 8-foot to 11-foot ceilings on the main floor, birch hardwood cabinets, low- VOC paints and carpeting for healthier indoor air, and Rinnai on-demand hot water.

“We are selling really well,” says Karen Sanders of the sales team. “Despite the current market, we are selling three homes a month. In Boulder County we are still in first place in townhome building permits and sales.”

The buyers are baby boomers, empty nesters, people who want a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave home so they can pursue their interests, grandparents moving here to be near grandchildren, families including children, and single professionals. The low maintenance and lock-and-leave lifestyle give them time to pursue their activities. The central location affords easy access to Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and I-25.

“The $175 monthly HOA fee is not like living in a single-family home, where every month you can have surprise costs,” Sanders says.

Quality-built, green and efficient
Kingsbridge townhomes are constructed to Built Green standards and qualify as 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 Excel bill arrives. In fact, they look forward to seeing how much they saved on energy costs.

Visit Kingsbridge Townhomes
Learn more about Kingsbridge Townhomes, visit their website www.LiveBoulderCreek.com. Kingsbridge is located at 1656 Venice Lane in West Longmont just off Airport Road in Boulder County. The sales office is open Tuesday though Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Monday noon to 9 p.m. For more information, call 303.502.5338.

Boulder Creek’s The Cottages at Erie Village: “This is a great situation for people who are working all the time or those who are retired.”

Only a few choice homes remain at The Cottages at Erie Village, the classic neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and colorful ranch-style homes with welcoming front porches. Residents are attracted to the low-maintenance lifestyle and semi- rural living, located just minutes from shopping and recreation. Pedestrian trails, dotted with pocket parks, wind through the neighborhood and connect to enticing city amenities.

A balanced mix of retired couples, working professionals and young families has given this community a vibrant, welcoming feel. And for one family, Erie Village is the perfect place to try something new: they’re buying two homes right next to each other. “I’d been looking for a while, but not real deliberately,” says Shirley Henly, a long-time Aspen resident. “But I knew at some time I was going to need to move ‘down the mountain’ to live closer to my family.”

Shirley was passing Erie Village one day and on a whim decided to take a look. “The homes were very attractive and I liked the floor plans. And I discovered that the two lots at the end of the street were available.” She brought her son, Brantley Scott, back for a look and the decision was made to purchase two adjoining homes. “For us, it’s a good alternative to an assisted-living situation. After a lot of family discussion, we realized this could be the perfect solution,” Shirley says.

Scott, who will be moving into his new home with daughter Jadzia and son Jordan, says, “The Nantucket floor plan is going to work very well for us. It’s just the right size. The kids are actually getting larger bedrooms, and everyone will have their own bathroom. The open plan was just what we wanted, with a large space so that the kids can do their homework, I can have a home office, and we still have a separate retreat on the lower level for hanging out and watching movies.”

Erie Village’s low-maintenance living takes care of all exterior maintenance, snow removal and lawn and landscape care.

“I have been taking care of an acre-size lot, and it’s a lot of work to care for,” Shirley says. “The HOA takes care of all the outside care and keeps the neighborhood looking nice. This is a great situation for people who are working all the time, or those who are retired and can’t manage it anymore.”

The Cottages at Erie Village has been developed by Boulder Creek Life and Home, and like each of their communities, all homes are constructed to Built Green standards, with 2-by-6 wall construction, Low-E Argon-filled windows, advanced insulation package with R-23 walls and R-38 ceilings, Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. “These homes are well built,” Shirley says.

Shirley reports that her buying experience has been pleasant and things went smoothly. She was able to personalize her new home with her choices of finishes, paint and flooring. “I like having a view of the mountains and look forward to having my grandchildren near. I think we are going to be very happy here.”

A Limited Opportunity to Choose Your New Home at Erie Village

Find out for yourself why The Cottages at Erie Village community is such a special place. From Boulder, take Arapahoe Road east to US-287. Turn left (north) on US-287 to Isabelle Road. Turn right (east) on Isabelle Road to County Line Road. Turn left (North) and drive through Erie to Bixler Road. Turn left on Bixler and look for the flag pole. From Denver, take 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, look for the flagpole on the left.

The sales office, 303.772.3063, is located at 1111 Village Circle, is open Monday noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information on other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.livebouldercreek.com.

Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

Every day we hear it from astonished homebuyers:  can it really be true?  Is it really possible to have a  low-maintenance home?  Since the overrwhelming majority of Boulder Creek communities are classified as low- or no-maintenance, we have to answer a resounding yes!  Here’s why:

• Because you have a life.  When you build your home with Boulder Creek, you build a lifestyle that’s all about access to the best shopping, dining, and recreational activities.  All that hiking, biking, and relaxing isn’t going to leave you for much time for toiling in the garden or throwing your back out with that snow shovel.  That’s why we take care of it for you.
• Because low age equals low maintenance.  We build our houses from the ground up, and our commitment to green efficiency shows.  Even as your home ages, you can rest assured that it was built right the first time:  no shortcuts, no exceptions.  This reduces maintenance over time.
• Because you deserve it.  Whether you’re a young family eager to purchase your first home or a world traveler looking for a place to land, you deserve a life without the cares and stresses of routine maintenance.  So go ahead…take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle offered by our low-maintenance homes.  Click here to learn more about Boulder Creek’s award-winning communities and to view current listings.

Here at Boulder Creek, we spend a lot of time helping homebuyers discover the home that’s perfectly suited to their family, their lifestyle, and their aspirations.  But while we pride ourselves on providing “right size” homes that are eco-friendly to boot, there are some considerations that come into play.  Here are some things we take into account when right-sizing homes:

Storage.  Given the amazing recreation opportunities in Boulder County and beyond, all that gear can really add up!  Bikes, skis, sportswear, fishing poles, hiking boots…not to mention cars and other conveyances.  We believe that the right-sized home has the right amount of storage for your prized possessions.  That’s why we take storage into consideration from the moment the pencil hits the drawing board.  (Hint:  in most Boulder Creek homes, rakes and snow shovels aren’t necessary!) For example, our Kingsbridge Townhomes in Longmont feature attached two-car garages, bike storage AND ample closets and cabinets.

Space.  The interior spaces you live in are just as important as where you stow all that gear.  We think the right interiors are spacious, beautiful, and livable.  Take the colorful cottages at Erie Village, where perfectly-proportioned ranch and two-story floorplans were built with your lifestyle in mind.

Second to None.  There’s a reason behind the awards and honors…Boulder Creek’s ironclad commitment to excellence in building.  From building techniques that are better for the Earth to the exquisite designs, locations, and finishes that make a house a home, we are committed to bringing life and home together in new homes that are sized right, placed right, and priced right.  Is Boulder Creek right for you?  Click here to explore our award-winning green communities today.

Celebrate the low-maintenance life and ring in the beginning of summer with us!  Join Boulder Creek Life + Home at Kingsbridge, Boulder County’s best lock-and-leave green townhome community, for a celebration of summer fun on Saturday, June 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We’ll serve burgers, brats, and refreshments and give away tickets to Elitch Gardens, Water World, and Rockies games in addition to iPod Nanos!  Bring your family, friends, and anyone who might enjoy learning more about Kingsbridge’s low-maintenance townhomes, with some of Boulder County’s most competitive pricing for new homes.

Join the fun…we’ll see you by the BBQ!  Visit http://livekingsbridge.com for more information.

…but only a few sites remain.

As confidence returns to our market, attractive pricing and record low interest rates have created the ultimate time to invest in a new home.

“We had been looking for several months, but we fell in love with the ranch floor plan the first time we stepped into the show home,” says Ken Mason, who together with his wife Jean chose the Nantucket plan at The Cottages at Erie Village. “It has plenty of useable space, and a dormer window that allows plenty of natural light and a spacious feel in the kitchen area. Our home is next to open space and has a nice view of the Front Range. It’s still in Boulder County, but the drive has a nice country feel to it.”

“We couldn’t be happier for the Masons,” says community manager Bill Besher. “They are another fantastic addition to a wonderful community that’s full of friendly neighbors. Ken and Jean have already met a handful of their neighbors and I see them sharing laughs almost every time they stop by to check on the progress of their home.

“The best part of what we do at Boulder Creek isn’t just building great homes,” he adds. “It’s building great communities, and that’s exactly what we have at Erie Village.”

Residents at The Cottages at Erie Village enjoy classic, colorful Craftsman homes, each with a welcoming front porch, set-back garage and private patio space. Mature trees and picket fences line the streets and pedestrian trails wind through the neighborhood. The location provides semi-rural living that is still just minutes from shopping, recreation and enticing city amenities.

Erie Village’s low-maintenance living takes care of all exterior maintenance, snow removal and lawn and landscape care, allowing homeowners to enjoy their free time.

“I’m used to doing all the maintenance, but this ‘lock and leave’ lifestyle is going to be nice,” Mason says.

The Masons needed to sell their current single-family home to make the move. Despite perceptions that it is difficult to sell a home right now, Ken says that their experience was very positive. “We made sure our house showed well. Working with the Realtor recommended by Boulder Creek, we had a solid offer within the first week.”

Like each of the communities that Boulder Creek develops, all homes in Erie Village are constructed to Built Green standards, with 2-by-6 wall construction, Low-E Argon-filled windows, advanced insulation package with R-23 walls and R-38 ceilings, Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

One of the benefits of buying a home “from dirt” is the opportunity to choose the features and finishes that turn a new house into a home. “We had a few special requests,” Ken Mason says. “We asked for a wider window on one wall. We needed a wider garage door to accommodate our boat. And we added a pocket door for the bathroom, and every step of the way Boulder Creek has been very accommodating.” Mason says they have been quite satisfied with the cost and very pleased with the craftsmanship.
Choosing their own finishes and fixtures was also a delight. “The design center was a lot of fun to work with, very helpful. We could bounce things like color combinations off them. They helped us narrow down our choices but it didn’t feel overwhelming. We got to pick out our hickory hardwood floors, alder cabinets, and granite countertops. And of course we got to choose all the wall colors.

“We’ve watched other models like ours being built, and now we’re seeing ours, and it’s exciting.”

You Need to See This for Yourself

Find out for yourself why The Cottages at Erie Village community is such a special place. From Boulder: Arapahoe east to 287. Left (north) on 287 to Isabelle Road. Turn right (east) on Isabelle Road to County Line Road. Turn left (North) and drive through Erie to Bixler Road. Turn left on Bixler and look for the flagpole. 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 Blvd., look for the flagpole on the left.

The sales office (303.772.3063), located at 1111 Village Circle, is open Monday noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information on other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.

Article courtesy of Daily Camera – At Home Section.

Here at Boulder Creek Life + Home, we talk a lot about “low-maintenance living.”  But what does that really mean?

• It means no weeding.  Ever. No more stooping down to get that nasty weed that likes to grow…and grow again.  Your landscape is taken care of by our professionals!
• It means no snow shoveling.  Ever. Count on your sidewalks to be well-maintained all the year round.
• It means sturdy, reliable construction…that’s eco-friendly. Forget constant repairs and unsound structures.  Our green building practices build houses to last.
• It means more time to live, work, and play. So get out there and hike, bike, run, and indulge in all the recreation our communities have to offer!  At your Boulder Creek home, you’ll have plenty of time to devote to the things that matter.

Ready to leave your lawnmower, gardening gloves, and snow shovel behind?  Visit our website to find out more about our green, low-maintenance homes.