Courtesy of Mark Samuelson, The Denver Post

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

Another day, another chance to express our ♥ for Realtors!

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

Here’s another picture for the pie annals.

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!

At Boulder Creek, it’s all about Relationship, Respect, and Reciprocity.  That’s why Paul Gortzig headed out to Wright Kingdom Real Estate this morning armed with cherry and apple pie, balloons, breakfast burritos from Santiago’s and reusable Boulder Creek grocery bags…all while wearing a We Heart Realtors sticker and a big smile.

Want to learn more about pi(e) and the We Heart Realtors program?  Visit realtors.livebouldercreek.com today!

In its very first year, Kingsbridge Townhomes in Longmont has achieved some coveted milestones. According to Metrostudy, which provides market information to the housing industry, in 2010 Kingsbridge ranked fourth in sales in the Front Range territory that stretches from Longmont to Castle Rock. With 25 sales for the year, Kingsbridge sold just three fewer than the leader, which had 28 townhome sales in the Front Range.
And, in Boulder County, Kingsbridge captured first place in townhome building permits and sales.

“These are amazing numbers,” says Paul Gortzig, sales and marketing manager of Boulder Creek Life and Home, builder of the Kingsbridge Townhomes. “Our buyers choose Kingsbridge as their place to live because of the wonderful location, superior construction practices and attractiveness of the architecture. We are very excited for 2011 as we continue to lead the region with great values and low-maintenance, energy-efficient living.”

Location is first

Rachael Roberts moved from Littleton to her Kingsbridge townhome in mid-December. She was starting a new job as an operating-room nurse at Boulder Community Hospital and needed to settle in quickly. “I have to live within 30 minutes of the hospital because I am on call,” she says. “Convenience is one of the reasons I picked Kingsbridge; I am only about 20 minutes away from work. I just go across the Diagonal Highway.”

The move went smoothly. “Brent Patterson and Bill Besher in the sales office and Boulder Creek Builders made everything quick and easy for me. I even used the mortgage lender they recommended.”
Roberts knew what she wanted. “My four reasons for choosing Kingsbridge were first, location; second, price; third, they’re brand new; and fourth, the great designs. You pay your monthly HOA fee, and they take care of the exterior. I am not an outside, yard- work person. I never know when I’m going to get a call to go to work, and here I don’t have to shovel snow.”

She is pleased with her energy savings, too. “I think it’s good that the homes here are built green and energy efficient. I like the idea of not depleting the environment. My current heating bill is only about a third of what I paid when I lived in Denver, in a place half the size of this place.”

For recreation, Roberts spends time outdoors with her poodle, Sailor, and newly adopted Koa, a retired greyhound. “I like that it’s not completely built-up here – there’s countryside less than a mile away. I can take a five-mile walk with the dogs. Vic’s coffee shop is a mile up the road, and Sailor and I love to sit outside.”

Built for the way you live

With four floor plans to choose from, Roberts selected a Milan model, a home built on the end of the building. “The townhomes are brand new and very nice. I got everything on my wish list – a two-car garage, two-bedroom home, 1,500 square feet, not too small, not too huge. The garage is oversized, and I have a truck, an oversized vehicle. I have a storage room in the front of the garage, with an additional 340 square feet. My home was a really good value. If you buy early enough in the building process, you can choose everything you want.”

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, 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 Bill Besher of the sales team. “Their choices in West Longmont are often limited to older, less efficient homes with no opportunities for personalization. These are not your typical townhomes. 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.’”

Kingsbridge is set in a quiet area, 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.

“Business is very good,” says Brent Patterson of the sales team. “People love the low-maintenance lifestyle, the freedom from maintaining a house, the time it frees up in their schedule to pursue their own activities and desires.”

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 electric bill arrives. In fact, they look forward to seeing how much they saved on energy costs.

Boulder Creek Life and Home

With roots dating back three decades, Boulder Creek Life and Home has pioneered residential development for the “active lifestyle” homeowner. It designs and builds high-quality, low- maintenance, single-family and multi-family residential products to accommodate people’s desire for active, easy lives.

Visit Kingsbridge Townhomes

Learn more about Kingsbridge Townhomes at www.AtHome.LiveKingsbridge.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 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Monday 12 noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 303.502.5338.

Article courtesy of Boulder Daily Camera – At Home

“If a company can hone systems that work today, it will enjoy strong profits in the future.  Going to survival mode will prevent a company from making key changes that would help it succeed in the long run.”

- David Sinkey, Principal, Boulder Creek Life and Home

Read the entire article from the Denver Business Journal’s Real Estate Quarterly here.

At Boulder Creek Life and Home, “We ♥ Realtors®” isn’t just a claim…it’s the truth.  Here’s why:

When Realtors® and builders partner together, incredible things happen.  Families find homes that are right-sized, affordable, and full of the features existing homes can lack…and they do so with the help of both their Realtor®, a seasoned professional who knows the area inside out and is building a business based on customer service and satisfaction, and their builder (Boulder Creek Life and Home), who strives to reach the highest levels of architectural and construction values while managing a building process that’s all about going home.  We think that’s a winning combination…and that’s why we make this pledge to Realtors®:

Boulder Creek understands the vital role Realtors® play for their clients.  We believe that the more closely we work together, the better we can serve the most important person in a transaction:  the customer. Boulder Creek Life and Home pledges:

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!

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!