At Home Colorado: Boulder County Edition

Open Homes and Virtual Tour Quick Guide

Looking for a home? View comprehensive listings of local virtual tours and open houses taking place from all across the area.

Holiday Style 2022: Frosted Forest

There’s something special about the way the year draws to a close. You deck your halls with festive accents and let the spirit of the season fill your home.

First-Time Home Buyers Fewer And Older Than Ever Before

Persistently rising home prices and a shortage of homes for sale are taking a toll on first-time home buyers.

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

COLORADO HOME & REAL ESTATE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Gary M. Singer

Mary Lynn Bruny

Tom Kalinski

Duane Duggan

Gabe Bodner

Katie Laughridge

Brigitta Shannon Rose

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Thais Hafer

Toni McNeill

REAL ESTATE

ADVERTISING

Mary Romano

REAL ESTATE NEWS WK Real Estate welcomes Julie Johnson

LONGMONT –

WK Real Estate has announced the addition of their newest broker associate, Julie Johnson, to their Boulder of ce.

As your Realtor® advocate and ally, Julie is vastly knowledgeable of her beloved home state of Colorado, as well as the many stages of a successful real estate deal.

Julie grew up in Aurora and has lived in many neighborhoods throughout Denver. She moved to Boulder to attend the University of Colorado, where she obtained a degree in

REAL ESTATE NEWS

Environmental Studies. Her dedication to sustainability continues through her interest and specialization in sustainable building/ design, which she enjoys putting into practice with clients

who share those values. Over the past 20 years in Boulder, Julie has raised two daughters, giving her extensive knowledge of the Boulder Valley School District and other resources for families in the area. Julie recently relocated to Longmont, and is deepening her rsthand knowledge of and love for the Northern Front Range.

Julie earned her real estate degrees from the American Real Estate College and has spent more than ten years representing

both buyers and sellers throughout the area. Her clients appreciate her determination, integrity and work ethic, and the care she takes in tending to every relationship and negotiation involved in the process.

Julie spends her free time with her daughters and her dogs, adventuring in Colorado’s myriad mountain playgrounds.

Julie can be reached at 303.319.3346 and via email at jjohnson@ wkre.com.

DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

Greg Stone

Submit your news or home-related events to gstone@dailycamera.com To advertise, call 303.473.1456.

A Marketing Feature of

At Home Colorado is a Marketing Feature that is produced weekly by the Boulder Daily Camera and Longmont Times-Call.

dailycamera.com timescall.com athomecolorado.com

©2022 Prairie Mountain Media.

Q: We were looking to buy a home and stopped when the interest rates rose, making the homes we looked at unaffordable. Now that the prices have softened a bit, we found a home that t our new budget and went under contract. Now our lender told us that the house appraised about $15,000 less than the purchase price. What happens now? – Diane

their mortgage by foreclosing. Your lender will choose a licensed real estate appraiser to determine what the home is worth in the current market.

GARY M. SINGER

To do this, the appraiser will visit the property to see its condition and look at other factors, such as the size of the house and how much comparable homes in the area recently sold for.

Because your lender will give great weight to the value determined by the appraiser, it is hard to get them to re-evaluate the value if you think the appraiser made a mistake.

compromise since other potential buyers will have the same issue, and a buyer under contract for closing in the near future is often better than the delay and effort of putting the property back on the market.

If the seller will not budge on the price and you can do so, you can pay the difference out of your pocket. In this case, your lender will lower the loan amount to match the appraisal, and you will pay the difference at closing.

A: After you apply for a mortgage loan, the home you are buying will be appraised by your new lender to make sure it is worth what you are paying for it.

Lenders do this to ensure your new loan is adequately collateralized and the value will be there if they need to enforce

Most purchase contracts allow you to cancel the deal and get your deposit back when the property does not appraise for the purchase price.

But if you still want the house, you have two options.

First, you can try to get the seller to reduce the price to match the property’s appraised value. Many sellers will

Since you are paying more than the home is worth on the market, make sure the new property is worth it.

Gary M. Singer writes for the South Florida Sun Sentinel and is an attorney and board-certi ed as an expert in real estate law. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at sunsentinel.com/askpro.

Julie Johnson

The house we are trying to buy was appraised at less than the purchase price. Now what?

Home projects procrastination: Why do we do it? (Or not do it?)

There are so many things we humans do that make no sense. In the top-ten list is procrastination. Here are things we know must get done, know we will eventually do, but for some unknown reason, we just keep putting them off.

This is dumb in many ways. First, if we just did these things, we could enjoy the fruits of our labor. Secondly, we would feel some sort of personal triumph: We had a task and with rocksolid personal discipline we completed the job. Wonderful! Bravo! And yet many of us still procrastinate. Why?

I am a procrastinator. Apparently there is something in my brain chemistry that requires an immediate need (a deadline), to get the blood pumping and muscles moving.

Like many folks, my procrastination tendencies apply to home projects. It used to be that if I were having some event at our home or guests visiting, I would be motivated to start things up and get things done. The mere thought of the eagle eyes of my mother scanning our home for deficiencies like a maternal version of “The

Terminator” could keep my energy up for a month before her visits.

But in the fall (older age) of my life, I just don’t seem to have any oomph. As Bob Dylan sings: “I used to care, but things have changed.” I have become even less motivated. Why?

I’ve reflected on this and observed a few truisms. First, what really needs to get done gets done. (Or at least in my case.) Bills will get paid on time, all folks and pets in the household will be fed adequately to survive, and enough skivvies will be washed to get by.

Second, what doesn’t need to get done isn’t really all that important. For our household, presently it’s window coverings

in some rooms. Yes, I wrote about our need for these years ago and still have not addressed it. Has anybody died because of this? No. Has the world stopped turning? No.

One might think that after nine years I would be embarrassed by my inability to get this project completed. But I seem to be immune to embarrassment. (Perhaps this is what occurs when you are a teenager in a grocery store line and your mother starts talking about your horrible acne to the clerk while the cute guy behind you who goes to your high school cringes in disgust: all parts of your brain associated with embarrassment get fried

beyond future functioning.)

But really who cares about our lack of window coverings except my husband who wakes up at the crack of dawn each morning to the glaring sun? No one else, I assure you. Would his day be a bit better with a few more minutes of sun-free sleep? Sure. But is his non-perfect contentment enough to motivate me to purchase window coverings? Apparently not. He simply needs to complain more, and he is not a complainer. Is that on me? Of course not.

Yet I’ll admit I do feel an iota of annoyance with myself that this project is not completed. Not enough to actually do it mind you, but enough to cause a few seconds of reflective thought which quickly vanishes like steam from a teapot. Unfortunately, as of late, I seem to be more motivated to be a procrastinator. As a procrastinator I’m doing a very, very good job. And I’m all for doing a very good job.

Mary Lynn Bruny writes about local real estate and home-related topics. Contact her at ml.bruny@comcast.net. To read previous The Lighter Side articles, go to athomecolorado.com/ the-lighter-side.

MARY LYNN BRUNY

REAL ESTATE

First-time home buyers fewer

Persistently rising home prices and a shortage of homes for sale are taking a toll on rst-time home buyers. Nationwide statistics show those entering the home buying market for the rst time have become rarer and older than ever before.

At just 26% of all homebuyers, the share of rst-time homebuyers has hit a record low, while their typical age – now 36 years old – has risen to an all-time high, according to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Plus, buyers are purchasing homes in small towns and rural areas in record high numbers and the median distance buyers moved from their previous homes more than tripled compared to the previous four years.

“Housing affordability and inventory challenges signi cantly impacted when, where and how consumers purchased homes,” according to the National Association of Realtors®’ 2022 Pro le of Home Buyers and Sellers annual report.

“It’s not surprising that the share of rst-time buyers shrank to the lowest level ever recorded given the housing market’s combination of historically low inventory, persistently high home prices and rapidly escalating interest rates,” said Jessica Lautz, NAR vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. She points to their increased age resulting from saving for down payment for longer or waiting for “generational transfer of wealth to propel them into homeownership.”

First-time homebuyers decreased 8% from last year and 24% from the 2010 peak of 50% during the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Age-

wise, this year’s 36-year-old typical rst-time buyer is three years older than last year. Repeat buyers got older, too, climbing to 59 years old from 56 in 2021. The ages of both categories are the highest since the NAR annual report was rst published in 1981.

People are also staying in their homes longer. The median expected length of keeping the same home for rst-time buyers was 18 years, the highest ever recorded and up from 10 years in 2021.

The list of record-setters and shifting trends reported by NAR is long.

People moved farther from their existing home than ever recorded by NAR, growing to 50 miles from just 15 miles moved from 2018 through 2021.

The share of buyers who purchased homes in small towns – 29% – and rural areas – 19% – was the highest ever recorded.

Correspondingly, the share of homes purchased in suburban – 39% – and urban – 10% –locations declined from one year ago.

Home buyers searched for a home for longer, rising to a median of 10 weeks from the

eight weeks reported in 2020 and 2021.

Sellers are getting their asking price with home buyers typically paying 100% of the price listed. Some sellers got more than they asked for as 28% of home buyers purchased for more than the asking price.

The median age of home sellers was 60 years, up from 56 years one year ago. Sellers typically lived in their home for 10 years before selling.

And cash is more “king” than ever. Only 78% of home buyers nanced their home purchase, dropping from 87% last year and driven by the increased share of repeat buyers who paid all cash. The typical down payments for rst-time and repeat buyers were 6% and 17%, respectively.

Faced with a challenging real estate market, 86% of buyers and 87% of sellers hired a real estate agent or broker to purchase or sell their homes. Satisfaction is high with 90% saying they were very satis ed with their agent’s knowledge of the purchase process, and 89% with their agent’s honesty, integrity and knowledge of the real estate market. Eighty-nine percent of buyers and 85% of sellers said that they would recommend their agent to others.

Read all of the statistics at www.nar.realtor/newsroom/ nar- nds-share-of- rst-timehome-buyers-smaller-olderthan-ever-before and www.nar. realtor/research-and-statistics/ research-reports/highlights-fromthe-pro le-of-home-buyers-andsellers.

Tom Kalinski is the broker/ owner of RE/MAX of Boulder, the local residential real estate company he established in 1977. He was inducted into Boulder County’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and has a 40-year background in commercial and residential real estate. For questions, email Tom at tomkalinski33@gmail.com, call 303.441.5620, or visit boulderco.com.

and older than ever before

TOM KALINSKI

Despite the highest interest rates in decades causing downward pressure on purchasing power, annual statistics show that much of Boulder County still holds double-digit gains in single-family homes median prices.

REAL ESTATE

Record keeping for personal residence capital gains

• Adding square footage to add a home gym does.

A few examples of capital improvements:

• Air Conditioning

• Kitchen Remodel

• Basement Finish

• Cabinets

• Bathroom Remodel

• Landscaping

• Security System

• New Flooring

• Fence

• New Roof

• Complete Painting

• Insulation

• New Windows

• New Furnace

• Driveway Replacement

When you are ready to sell your personal residence and you have lived in it for the last two out of five years, there are substantial capital gains exclusions. (Photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels).

When you are ready to sell your personal residence and you have lived in it for the last two out of five years, there are substantial capital gains exclusions.

IRS tax reform in 2018 retained the capital gain exclusion of $250,000 for those who are single and $500,000 for married couples filing jointly. This means you are able to exclude that amount of gain from your tax liability. This is all well and good, but in some markets, like the city of Boulder, where average prices have exceeded $1 million, these exclusions haven’t kept up with the market.

Nevertheless, in any market,

it is important to keep records of any capital improvements you make to your home. Why? Because any capital improvements made to the property can be added to your basis and thereby reduce the amount of gain. It is easy for homeowners to forget to take advantage of these adjustments in order to keep the gain as low as possible. In most cases, homeowners just haven’t kept good records and will need to rely on estimates that could be contested.

An initial question is, “What constitutes a capital improvement?” First of all, it is not a repair.

You don’t need to keep the receipt for fixing the leaking faucet. The general test for capital improvements is as follows:

Does it substantially add value to the property?

• Replacing a broken window does not.

• Replacing all of the windows does.

Does it extend the life of the property?

• Replacing a couple shingles does not.

• Replacing the roof does.

Does it change a use in an area of the home or add square footage?

• Converting a bedroom to a home gym by adding an exercise bike doesn’t.

If there is any doubt as to whether a change to your home is a capital improvement or a repair, be sure to consult your tax advisor. In fact, your tax advisor can help you set up a record-keeping system, which might include paper or electronic record-keeping of all the money you spend on your house. As a minimum, plan on keeping all the receipts, canceled checks, and maybe even a photographic record of the improvement. Over time, the dollars spent on improvements can really add up. On a year-to-year basis, keeping these records won’t help you on the current year’s tax return, unless you are selling this year. However, you will be very grateful you took the time to maintain proper records when you go to sell your home.

Duane has been a Realtor for RE/MAX of Boulder since 1982. Living the life of a Realtor and being immersed in real estate led to the inception of his book, Realtor for Life. For questions, e-mail DuaneDuggan@boulderco.com, call 303.441.5611 or visit boulderco.com.

DUANE DUGGAN

COVERPROFILE

Get to Know The Patrick Dolan Team

RE/MAX of Boulder’s top producing team offers a wealth of local knowledge and expertise

Marketing Feature

The Patrick Dolan Team at RE/MAX of Boulder takes pride in being local community experts and, in doing so, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate to the Boulder Valley community that is hard to beat. The Patrick Dolan Team is the top producing team at RE/MAX of Boulder and has served the Boulder County real estate community for more than 35 years.

MEET THE TEAM

Patrick

Patrick was born and raised in the Boulder community, he knew the area would always be home and is proud to represent everything it offers. Patrick brings an unmatched understanding of the current real estate market. Pairing his almost

40 years in the real estate industry and keen insight into market trends based on numbers and statistics, he feels” there is no need to substitute the facts.” Patrick customizes an individualized market strategy that fits each client’s needs while ensuring top dollar for their property. He understands the potential concerns of a real estate transaction and works hard to overcome them upfront and avoid possible surprises during the process. Patrick makes a lasting impression on each client he’s represented, earning consistent repeat and referral business for his attention to detail and unwavering work ethic. Away from the office, Patrick enjoys time with his family and anything to do with a racquet or paddle; tennis, squash, ping-pong, pickleball, and a frustrating game of golf!

Karolyn

Karolyn is a seasoned real estate professional who began her real estate career in Colorado with Patrick Dolan in 1997. She loves working with a team that she considers family. Karolyn prides herself on client relationships and personalizing every encounter to ensure a premium experience. Karolyn has been in the real estate business for more than 25 years and would say

The Patrick Dolan Team has served the Boulder County real estate community for more than 35 years.

her most prominent attribute is “understanding each client’s individual needs.” Karolyn knows that whether helping someone nd their new home or sell their current property, the client’s needs and desires must always come rst. She is, therefore, highly attentive to each individual’s unique situation. Karolyn stays on top of all transactions; she always responds quickly to her client’s needs and questions. She is an avid connoisseur of food and wine and enjoys traveling internationally and experiencing new cultures. In her free time, Karolyn enjoys hiking with her dogs, skiing, spending time with her loved ones, and being outdoors in her free time.

Kelly

two grown children, Jack and Andie. Kelly has always had a passion and appreciation for the Colorado lifestyle. In her free time, you can nd her running, hiking, skiing, boating and wakeboarding. An avid traveler Kelly is always ready for the next adventure.

Bryce

A nearly Boulder native, Kelly has a deep love and knowledge of everything that Boulder has to offer. A licensed Realtor since 1993, she has been a proud member of The Patrick Dolan Team for more than 16 years. Kelly loves being part of such a collaborative team and considers her team members her second family. A graduate of the CU Business School, Kelly is a diehard Buffs fan. Kelly brings a cheerful and optimistic attitude to every transaction and has a passion for positively impacting people and connecting them with new beginnings where a new house becomes a home. Her love for others, local knowledge, experience, and impeccable follow-through have led her to build a trusted name in Boulder Valley Real Estate.

Kelly married her high school sweetheart Bill more than 30 years ago and is a mom to

A native of Boulder with a keen ear and a calm demeanor, Bryce has held an interest in real estate since he was a child. Born and raised in Boulder, he can’t imagine living anywhere else. During the past 8 years, he’s found that helping rst-time home buyers nd their rst home and helping guide them through the process is one of the most rewarding aspects of his real estate career. Former clients commend him for his professionalism, attentiveness, and down-to-earth sincerity.

Bryce also enjoys playing softball, baseball, and hiking

with his dog Tsula and is consistently humbled by the game of golf.

Maria

District. When she is not working, Maria can be found teaching group tness classes and is involved in the local cycling, pickleball, and yoga communities. Maria is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking and snowboarding in the mountains with her family and friends. She supports the Humane Society and the National MS Society, participating in their yearly bike ride fundraiser.

The Patrick Dolan Team has been the #1 Team at RE/MAX of Boulder year after year. Working together and selling real estate in Boulder Valley motivates the team to create the best outcome for all residents. Unparalleled, the team brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate to The Boulder Valley community. Partnering with a reputable real estate team can help ensure your real estate transaction goes as smoothly as possible. The Patrick Dolan Team will make certain that your home is priced competitively, thoroughly marketed, shown frequently, and sold for the best price.

Maria is a seasoned professional with a real estate and property management background. She has held various roles in all aspects of the real estate industry, including Realtor, Transaction Manager, and Director of Leasing. She is currently the Director of Operations for the Patrick Dolan Team. Maria believes that the agents on the Dolan Team are client-centric, dedicated, and experts in the eld of real estate. She enjoys being part of an integrated team who always strives to exceed client expectations. In addition to her professional pursuits, Maria is involved in the local Boulder community through many forms of athletics while raising her two boys, both attending school in the Boulder Valley School

GIVING BACK

The Patrick Dolan Team takes pride in giving back to the local community. Collectively, the team supports the following charities:

• Habitat for Humanity

• Humane Society

• National MS Society

• Children’s Miracle Society

• Boulder County Share-A-Gift

• Buffs 4 Life

• There with Care

• BCH Foundation

• Boulder County Safehouse

For more information on The Patrick Dolan Team, visit patrick-dolan.com or call 303.441.5642

RE/MAX of Boulder and The Patrick Dolan Team collects toys for Share-A-Gift program in Boulder County. (Photo courtesy: The Patrick Dolan Team).

MORTGAGE

What are the qualifications for a HECM or Reverse Mortgage?

qualification. Generally, the underwriter will not decline a borrower due to credit score or history but will determine if a LESA (Life Expectancy Set Aside) is required or not. I will explain a LESA and a repair set aside in a future article but in short this is setting money aside up front that will pay the property taxes and home insurance in the future.

Over the last few weeks, I have talked about what a HECM (or reverse mortgage) is and how it works.  Today, I wanted to go over who can get a HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage), what is required, and how you get qualified.  So here we go…

First, the home that you are looking to get the reverse mortgage on must be your primary residence. This ultimately means that you spend more than half the year living in this home. You can own multiple homes (like a second home and rental properties), but the reverse mortgage is only allowed on your principal residence. You can travel for part of the year but again the home must remain your primary residence.

Second, you or your spouse must be at least 62 years of age to qualify for a HECM. The HECM is once again the most popular type of reverse

mortgage and is insured by FHA. However, there are other types of reverse mortgages which are available to homeowners starting at age 55. These types of reverse mortgages are not insured by FHA, but they are still non-recourse mortgages and have similar features and benefits.

Third, the home must qualify under FHA standards and guidelines. This is the case for either the HECM or a non-FHA reverse mortgage. Generally, this would include single family homes, townhomes, most manufactured homes built after June 15, 1976, and condos that are specifically approved by the FHA. You can even finance a multi-family home up to four units, as long as you are living in one of the units. There are certain circumstances when we can do a reverse mortgage on condos that are not approved by FHA. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may have additional qualifications.

Additionally, the home must not have any health or safety issues. Examples can include items like a missing railing on a staircase or a deck, peeling paint

on the exterior of the home, broken windows, unserviceable roof, and more. If there are any health or safety related issues, the appraiser must address them, and the underwriter will determine if these items need to be repaired prior to closing or if they can be fixed after closing through a repair set-aside (more on what a repair set-aside is in a future article).

As far as the borrower qualifications, there are some basic income and credit qualifications which we call a Financial Assessment. The Financial Assessment is a relatively new requirement that was established in 2015. These income and credit qualifications are designed to ensure the homeowner has the financial capacity (and willingness) to pay the property taxes, home insurance, HOA dues, and to maintain the home for the foreseeable future. There is generally no minimum credit score requirement, but we review your credit history to see how well you have borrowed and repaid debt in the past which helps to establish the “willingness” aspect of the

Lastly, if you are using a reverse mortgage to purchase a home, then there are a few additional qualifications, and you will be required to have a down payment equivalent to 30 to 70 percent of the home’s value. This down payment percentage depends on current interest rates and the age of the youngest borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse’s age, if applicable.*

Stay tuned over the next few weeks to learn different ways reverse mortgages can be used and the importance of considering home equity as part of a diversified retirement strategy.

The reverse mortgage is a dynamic and a customizable product that can be implemented for each client’s specific needs and goals. That is why it is so important to work with a local reverse mortgage planner to ensure the product is properly explained, structured, and utilized.

*A non-borrowing spouse is typically someone that is married to the homeowner/ borrower but is either under the age of 62, or not on the title to the home, or does not intend to occupy the subject property.

Gabe Bodner is a Retirement Mortgage Planner in Boulder. Gabe utilizes the latest research from the top researchers to assist his clients to Live for Today and Plan for Tomorrow. To reach Gabe, call 720.600.4870, e-mail gabe@bodnerteam.com or visit reversemortgagesco.com.

GABE BODNER

The reverse mortgage is a dynamic and a customizable product that can be implemented for each client’s specific needs and goals. (Photo: Shutterstock).

NEW HOME BUILDERS / COMMUNITIES

BOULDER, BROOMFIELD & LONGMONT AREA

BOULDER

1 Velo Condos Builder: Thistle Velo LLC

BROOMFIELD

8 Baseline Colorado Builders: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, Meritage Homes, Thrive Home Builders

7 Vive on Via Varra Builder: Meritage Homes

ERIE

22 Coal Creek Commons Builder: Century Communities 23 Colliers Hill Builders: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, KB Home, Richmond American 20 Compass Builder: Lennar 21 Erie Commons Builder: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods

Our region is home to more than 300,000 residents and includes some of the most diverse, natural landscapes and sustainable development along the Norther n Front Range of Colorado From open space, land use and sustainability policies to forwardthinking and compassionate human services programs, our city and town gover nments help foster a vibrant, healthy and active community It’s no wonder why those who live here stay and why our the area is coveted as a place to relocate to Here we highlight a selection of the area ’ s new home communities and which builders are building where.

To view new home communities and builders across the Colorado Front Range, view our interactive map online at: www AtHomeColorado.com/NewHomeMap

24 Erie Highlands Builder: Oakwood Homes 27 Erie Village Builder: Porchfront Homes 18 Flatiron Meadows Builder: KB Home, Taylor Morrison, Toll Brothers 26 Morgan Hill Builder: Lennar 19 Rex Ranch Builder: Taylor Morrison 25 Westerly Builder: McStain Neighborhoods, SLC Homes, Wonderland Homes 28 Wild Rose Builder: Lennar

FIRESTONE

9 Barefoot Lakes Builder: Brookfield Residential, Creekstone Homes, Lennar, Richmond American Homes

FREDERICK

10 Seasons at Silverstone Builder: Richmond American Homes

LAFAYETTE 15 Blue Sage Builder: Markel Homes 16 Avalon Meadows Builder: Von’s Colorado Concepts 17 Silo Builder: Cor nerstone Homes 14 Silver Creek Builder: Markel Homes

LOUISVILLE 13 North End Builder: Markel Homes

SUPERIOR

3 Downtown Superior Builder: Thrive Home Builders, Remington Homes

4 Heights at Downtown Superior Builder: Toll Brothers

5 Lanter ns at Rock Creek Builder: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods

6 Montmere at Autrey Shores Builder: Koelbel

2 Rogers Farm Builder: Boulder Creek Neighborhoods

LONGMONT

11 Highlands at Fox Hill Builders: Dream Finders Homes, Landmark Homes 12 Parkside Builder: Coast to Coast Development 29 Terry Street Townhones Builder: New Leaf Properties

“We originally thought we did not need an agent to help us with our new home purchase and after several months of frustration, a friend suggested we contact Mar y at Boulder Home Source, within a month she helped us find the perfect new build and negotiated a lower rate and upgrades that we never expected.” The Smiths

Holiday style 2022: Frosted Forest

By Katie Laughridge Tribune News Service (TNS)

The tradition of Christmas decorating is always something to look forward to, at the shop and in my own home. And it’s so much more than putting up a tree. There’s something special about the way the year draws to a close. You deck your halls with festive accents and let the spirit of the season fill your home. I love a design that tells a story about your home, how you celebrate the holidays and the people who live there. This next Christmas vignette is as beautiful as freshly fallen snow. Frosted Forest is elevated and elegant, while still feeling earthy and organic. We felt the look was a perfect fit for the room, where the walls wear bold rich color and the look carries an air of formality. The

added holiday organic elements and the monochromatic color story look great in this formal space, and because there is no overwhelming color, you don’t have to worry about it clashing with your decor at home.

Decorating the tree

So many details come together to make this design truly special. The birch logs and painted wooden snowflakes burst out of the tree at varying angles, bringing dimension to the look, creating focal points on all sides of the tree. Green is a Christmas classic, and this vignette features many varying shades, from lemongrass to deep sage. Elegant winter whites and glistening gold round out the color palette. This Christmas look is a perfect opportunity to play up your frosted picks. Flocked trees are making a comeback

(though we believe they never truly left in the first place), and this style is one where it really adds a little something extra. The flocking allows the greens to pop, whereas they might have gotten lost nestled in the tree. The ornaments bring varying textures and shades with them, all so different, but when paired together they create a cohesive and stunning display.

Decorating a wintry table

If you’re planning on hosting the holiday feast this season, the table should be as memorable as the menu. When decorating a holiday table, the first piece of the design puzzle I try to figure out (after I consider the flow of people and food) is the centerpiece. Then it’s down to the plates, linens and other holiday table decor like napkin rings and place cards. I search for items of varying heights to create visual interest. In this tablescape, I’ve featured elements of varying height to create movement, including

hurricanes and votive holders, golden deer and stately stag busts. No matter where you look, seasonal beauty abounds. You can achieve a similar look at home by scaling down the size and number of items.

Pull out all the stops for holiday and special occasion place settings! Here seen in an intricately beaded place mat and accompanying charger, gold is the foundation on which this place setting is built, a perfect complement to the metallic design elements found in the centerpiece. The theme of green and white carries through the plates and linens, and the wooden-handled silverware mimics the natural elements found throughout the theme. Placing decorative drinkware on top of your plates, like this ridge coupe glass, can give you additional height, as well as the opportunity to include a design element, like the perfectly placed pine cone. It also gives you the room to go big with your centerpiece – just ensure there is

space to place it once the meal has begun.

Decorating the Christmas mantel

The mantel is the perfect place to play up greenery. Here flocked picks and branches are added to a long-needle garland peppered with ornaments and ribbon and perched atop this beautiful mantel. Incorporating additional picks allows for fuller volume of your garland and the greenery to spill over the front of the fireplace, giving the design a more organic feel. It also allows you to mix up your designs from year to year without feeling stale or stagnant while still maintaining the same base garland.

Many elements came together to give this room an elevated and elegant yet earthy and organic look. The overriding principle here is to play around with texture, material and shape to deliver precisely the look and ambiance you want.

Adapted from nellhills.com.

Katie

is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hill’s. For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills.com.

Laughridge

A garland enhanced by picks and is adorned with rivers of ribbons and groupings of ornaments. (Handout/TNS)

LocationSoldInventoryAvg. SalesDays on Median SalesLocationThru Thru % ChgThru Thru % Chg

Boulder50153$1,682,33059$1,198,350Boulder1192822(31.0)$1,525,814$1,684,00410.4Boulder4641(10.9)$1,250,000$1,400,00012.0

LocationThru Thru % ChgThru Thru % Chg Listings PriceMarketPrice Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22

Boulder50153$1,682,33059$1,198,350Boulder1192822(31.0)$1,525,814$1,684,00410.4Boulder4641(10.9)$1,250,000$1,400,00012.0

Erie4372$776,83633$710,000Erie5615722.0$728,533$842,81015.7Erie192215.8$680,000$777,00014.3

Lafayette1338$806,50057$780,000Lafayette359273(24.0)$815,763$1,005,02423.2Lafayette31349.7$735,000$885,00020.4

Longmont75209$654,56838$570,000Longmont1,4201,063(25.1)$687,001$721,8445.1Longmont3228(12.5)$395,000$450,00013.9 Louisville729$957,92941$754,500Louisville221174(21.3)$934,683$1,078,98115.4Louisville212938.1$839,000$948,50013.1

Erie4372$776,83633$710,000Erie5615722.0$728,533$842,81015.7Erie192215.8$680,000$777,00014.3 Lafayette1338$806,50057$780,000Lafayette359273(24.0)$815,763$1,005,02423.2Lafayette31349.7$735,000$885,00020.4 Longmont75209$654,56838$570,000Longmont1,4201,063(25.1)$687,001$721,8445.1Longmont3228(12.5)$395,000$450,00013.9 Louisville729$957,92941$754,500Louisville221174(21.3)$934,683$1,078,98115.4Louisville212938.1$839,000$948,50013.1 Lyons724$986,97386$700,000Lyons112100(10.7)$783,642$894,95214.2Lyons435425.6$713,000$763,0007.0

Mountains2058$1,115,52082$722,500Mountains439307(30.1)$1,036,312$1,104,6176.6Mountains6657(13.6)$833,000$850,0002.0

Niwot615$1,643,01785$880,000Niwot6755(17.9)$1,434,511$1,866,99430.1Niwot44452.3$1,200,000$1,725,00043.8

Plains3287$1,205,80866$885,000Plains523406(22.4)$1,251,183$1,308,6594.6Plains4937(24.5)910,000958,1275.3

Lyons724$986,97386$700,000Lyons112100(10.7)$783,642$894,95214.2Lyons435425.6$713,000$763,0007.0 Mountains2058$1,115,52082$722,500Mountains439307(30.1)$1,036,312$1,104,6176.6Mountains6657(13.6)$833,000$850,0002.0 Niwot615$1,643,01785$880,000Niwot6755(17.9)$1,434,511$1,866,99430.1Niwot44452.3$1,200,000$1,725,00043.8

Superior817$767,75039$727,500Superior121113(6.6)$948,840$999,0835.3Superior26287.7$900,000$975,0008.3

Plains3287$1,205,80866$885,000Plains523406(22.4)$1,251,183$1,308,6594.6Plains4937(24.5)910,000958,1275.3

Total261702 Total5,0153,885

Superior817$767,75039$727,500Superior121113(6.6)$948,840$999,0835.3Superior26287.7$900,000$975,0008.3

Total261702 Total5,0153,885

Nov-21Nov-22

Location Sold InventoryAvg. SalesDays on Median SalesLocationThru Thru % ChgThru Thru % ChgLocationThru Thru % ChgThru Thru % Chg Listings PriceMarketPrice Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22 Nov-21Nov-22

Boulder3574$648,39946$558,000Boulder900649(27.9)$572,056$716,86325.3Boulder5756(1.8)$475,500$545,00014.6 Erie822$516,20652$562,500Erie1051071.9$418,837$488,68316.7Erie263119.2$415,000$490,58318.2

Boulder3574$648,39946$558,000Boulder900649(27.9)$572,056$716,86325.3Boulder5756(1.8)$475,500$545,00014.6

Erie822$516,20652$562,500Erie1051071.9$418,837$488,68316.7Erie263119.2$415,000$490,58318.2

Lafayette715$527,41459$533,000Lafayette180130(27.8)$455,453$514,10112.9Lafayette35362.9$452,500$526,50016.4

Longmont3082$469,39055$469,390Longmont342279(18.4)$407,740$467,40614.6Longmont3228(12.5)$395,000$450,00013.9 Louisville53$742,00049$560,000Louisville8862(29.5)$531,212$614,28415.6Louisville5635(37.5)$483,010$560,00015.9

Lafayette715$527,41459$533,000Lafayette180130(27.8)$455,453$514,10112.9Lafayette35362.9$452,500$526,50016.4

Longmont3082$469,39055$469,390Longmont342279(18.4)$407,740$467,40614.6Longmont3228(12.5)$395,000$450,00013.9

Lyons00$00$0Lyons00N/A$0$0N/ALyons00N/A$0$0N/A

Louisville53$742,00049$560,000Louisville8862(29.5)$531,212$614,28415.6Louisville5635(37.5)$483,010$560,00015.9

Mountains21$437,90048$437,900Mountains4650.0$379,475$420,63310.8Mountains496124.5$362,450$418,95015.6 Niwot30$496,50061$624,500Niwot1714(17.6)$314,400$373,17918.7Niwot273218.5$301,000$322,5007.1

Lyons00$00$0Lyons00N/A$0$0N/ALyons00N/A$0$0N/A Mountains21$437,90048$437,900Mountains4650.0$379,475$420,63310.8Mountains496124.5$362,450$418,95015.6

Plains88$538,38153$612,250Plains12885(33.6)$398,901$479,04820.1Plains4937(24.5)$371,750$430,00015.7

Niwot30$496,50061$624,500Niwot1714(17.6)$314,400$373,17918.7Niwot273218.5$301,000$322,5007.1

Superior828$707,37161$699,886Superior8379(4.8)$622,390$684,76210.0Superior34352.9$569,195$646,00013.5

Plains88$538,38153$612,250Plains12885(33.6)$398,901$479,04820.1Plains4937(24.5)$371,750$430,00015.7

Total106233

Superior828$707,37161$699,886Superior8379(4.8)$622,390$684,76210.0Superior34352.9$569,195$646,00013.5

Total106233

Total1,8471,411

ASK ANGI

What are some holiday cleanup jobs?

By Brigitta Shannon Rose Ask Angi (TNS)

Before long, you’ll have eaten the food, unwrapped the gifts, given thanks, and sent the family and friends on their way home. When the busy season ends, it’s time to look around, take a deep breath, and return the house to its preholiday arrangement. Here are six pros who can help clean up after the celebration ends.

Housecleaning

Average cost: $30-$50 per hour

Cleaning up after the family leaves involves more than just picking up leftover wrapping paper and taking out the tree. You’ll need to wash all those extra linens used by guests who stay with you while you celebrate. The bathrooms will need some work to take care of the excess use by your loved ones.

Now is also an excellent time to give the kitchen a deep

cleaning. Get rid of leftovers so they don’t become science experiments at the back of your fridge. Give the counters and floors a good scrubbing.

Hiring a cleaning service can help with these chores. A cleaning pro can help restore your house to its pre-holiday orderliness and save you the energy you might not have after a busy holiday season.

Window cleaning

Average cost: $220

Windows, especially on doors, can acquire a lot of handprints (or noseprints if furry family members come to visit). Cleaning the windows will help remove the prints and let in more of the wintertime sunlight. Hire a window cleaning service to help you with this task, especially if you have windows that are hard to reach.

Yard cleanup

Average cost: $150-$200 per acre

OPEN HOUSE

BOULDER

1541 Harrison Ave $649,000 Sat., 10 a.m. to Noon

Kevin Murray RE/MAX Alliance (303) 818-9249

1286 Aikins Way $935,000 Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Margaret Flaherty WK Real Estate (303) 668-2926

2190 Dartmouth Ave. $999,900 Sun., 10 a.m. to Noon

Margaret Flaherty

WK Real Estate (303) 668-2926

4068 Eleuthera Court $1,475,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donna Fox 8Z Real Estate (720) 771-5965

91 Valley View Way $1,675,000 Sat., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sun., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Matt Ladwig WK Real Estate (303) 809-0259

Between cars parked in the yard (hey, parking is at a premium in some places!), children building snow forts and snow people, and general foot traffic, your yard can see some extra action during the winter holiday season. Call a professional to help with any cleanup your lawn might need, especially if the season is warmer (or rainier) than usual.

Decluttering

Average cost: $55-$100 per hour

According to the Cleveland Clinic, removing clutter helps reduce stress, especially the type you can feel during the holidays (let’s face it — we’re all busy during this time of year). While you take down decorations, think about ways to store them better and make room for your new gifts. If you’re struggling with how to arrange places for your recently acquired loot, hire a professional organizer to help you. Don’t forget to make a pile to donate as you clear out the old

and make way for the new.

Whether you have a large family or work gathering or a small celebration with a few friends, take the time to put your home back into its usual order after the holidays.

Upholstery and carpet cleaning

Upholstery average cost: $170 Carpet average cost: $180

Your couches and chairs see a lot of traffic and use during the holidays. Between crumbs falling into crevices and potentially staining spills, upholstery can take a lot of abuse during the festivities. Your carpets and floors also see a lot of traction, especially if the weather is particularly wet or muddy. A professional carpet and floor cleaner can help you clear out those holiday messes on your chairs and your rugs.

Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column. Visit at angi.com.

QUICK GUIDE

ERIE

2900 Blue Sky Circle, #5-207 $349,900 Sat., 1 to 3 p.m. Kevin Murray RE/MAX Alliance (303) 818-9249

LONGMONT

805 Summer Hawk, #Y-146 $440,000 Sat., Noon to 2 p.m. Natasha Hubbard RE/MAX Alliance (303) 909-3810

312 Sunset St. $650,000

Sat., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Regan Sample eXp Realty LLC (720) 438-5585

7215 Lookout Road $1,100,000 Sat., 1 to 3 p.m. Sun., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Natasha Hubbard RE/MAX Alliance (303) 909-3810

8857 Prairie Knoll Drive $1,475,000 Sun., 1 to 3 p.m. Dennis Culver WK Real Estate (303) 618-3366

VIEW THIS WEEK’S OPEN HOUSES AT: OPENHOMES.ATHOMECOLORADO.COM