New Homeowners Look Forward To A Low-Maintenance Future

As confidence returns to our market, attractive pricing and record low interest rates have created the ultimate time to invest in a new home.  And Boulder Creek Life and Home has saved the best for last…with its final two home sites backing to open space views.

“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.

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

Realtors are reporting that new home sales are picking up across the Front Range as buyer confidence gradually returns to the marketplace. But these buyers, having witnessed the recent dramatic declines in real estate prices, have a keener eye than ever for value. They want quality-built, efficient homes with innovative design, in well-planned neighborhoods that will preserve the value of their investment.

For many new home buyers, The Cottages at Erie Village is exactly that kind of community. Residents enjoy a quiet neighborhood with open space in Boulder County that is just minutes from shopping, recreation and city amenities. Mature trees and picket fences line streets of colorful Victorian and Craftsman homes, each with a welcoming front porch, set-back garage and private patio space. Pedestrian trails wind through the neighborhood, which is punctuated by pocket parks that invite you to linger while visiting with neighbors.

“I like the rural feel at Erie Village,” says new home owner Jim Ely. “I retired recently, and was looking to upgrade from my condo to a home where I could do some entertaining. I chose the New Haven for its efficient, open floor plan. I liked the fact that I could pick my design in a nice, quiet neighborhood. And I like the low-maintenance living here.”
Ely says that he has been out of the home market for a while but had been looking, “on and off. I was very pleased with the assistance I received from everyone at Boulder Creek Life and Home (developers of Erie Village). I got the floor plan I wanted, at a price I liked. I guess you could say I got lucky.”

For some owners, it seems to be love at first sight. “We liked the layout of the Nantucket floor plan from the moment we walked in,” says Janis Tracy, who with her husband Jim is relocating back to Boulder County from Arizona. “We didn’t know about Erie Village, but we were driving down County Line Road and saw the ‘Patio Homes’ sign and decided to take a look. It only took us two days to make our decision.”

“We like the home styles and colors, and the small size of Erie Village. It’s also close to our family, very convenient,” Janis Tracy says.

Like each of the communities that Boulder Creek Life and Home develops, all homes in Erie Village are constructed to Built Green standards, with 2-by-6 exterior wall construction, Low-E Argon-filled windows, advanced insulation package with R-21 walls and R-38 ceilings, Energy Star appliances and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.

Sales at Erie Village are outpacing many communities, and with only seven remaining home sites, the opportunity to choose your new home here won’t last long. These sites, which feature popular western exposure and are adjacent to open space, are some of the most desirable in the community. And with 15 homes closing in the past seven months at Erie Village, availability is clearly limited.

“It has been exciting to see families like the Tracys and Jim Ely act on their desires to move and make something happen for themselves” says Bill Besher, community sales manager for Boulder Creek at Erie Village. “We have had a very busy fall and winter. Our sales activity has outpaced the market activity, and our available seven sites are some of the best sites to choose from. If you’re looking for low-maintenance living in a quiet neighborhood with open space, you will find Erie Village a pretty special place – don’t miss this opportunity!”

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 Boulevard. Turn left on Bixler and look for the flag pole. 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 Boulevard, look for the flagpole on the left.

The sales office (303.772.3063), located at 1111 Village Circle, is open Monday noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For information on other innovative communities by Boulder Creek Life and Home, visit www.LiveBoulderCreek.com.

At Home Article Provided by the Daily Camera

Ever since the federal government extended the first-time homebuyer credit and added a $6500 credit for other buyers, there’s been lots of confusion.  Luckily, there is an abundance of great information, including that provided by Boulder Realtor Jennifer Egbert of Walnut Realty.  In her recent “awesome breakdown” of the tax credit, she reminds us that now may just be the time:

Listen, home prices are stabilizing.  Interest rates are at historic lows.  If you have given ANY THOUGHT to purchasing your dream home, now is a KILLER time to be doing so.

Former homeownership record (you must have owned and lived in your home for at least five out of the last eight years), income (no more than $125,000 single/$225,000 joint), and contract dates (under contract by April 30, closed by June 30) are key to this credit, which covers domiciles from condos to townhomes to single-family homes.

Ready to take the plunge?  Our sales staff can help!  Click here to view our hot homes and contact Boulder Creek Life and Home for information on your new home!

At Boulder Creek Life and Home, we know that home isn’t home without lifestyle…and life isn’t life without home. As we look forward to the new year, what will be the biggest trends in life and home? We venture to make some predictions:

Green: not just a buzzword any more It seems like everyone has been jumping on the environmentally friendly bandwagon, but in 2010 we predict that this trend will gain some staying power. Adopting eco-friendly lifestyle choices like hybrid vehicles, renewable power, and energy-efficiency doesn’t just sound cool…it saves money, which means it fits perfectly into the more financially-conscious decade we’re entering. And maybe we’re biased, but we think our energy-efficient, green building techniques will withstand the test of time.

Kitchen as home So much of the life of a home is in the kitchen, and these cost-conscious times mean the kitchen will be a more important gathering place than ever. Look for increased emphasis on in-kitchen dining and functional, fun kitchens like the ones offered in our patio and townhomes.

Inside/outside We’re lucky enough to live surounded by some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. While interiors become more comfortable than ever, we predict a renewed emphasis on outdoor recreation in 2010. That means hiking, biking, and taking advantage of everything Boulder County has to offer.

Ready to invest in life and home in the new year? Click here to view our hot homes!