At Home Colorado - Boulder County Edition

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate News, Open Home Listings, Homes for Sale, Rentals and More!

BOULDER COUNTY

For longtime Rock Creek resident, Boulder Creek Neighborhoods enhances an already treasured Superior neighborhood.

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.

April 30 - May 1, 2021

Real Estate: Property Assessments Are Coming On May 1, every property owner in Boulder County can expect to receive a notice for the newly assessed value of their property.

The new assessed value is based on past real estate market sales of comparable properties from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020.

Home and Garden: Grow to Fight Hunger As spring warms the soil and the itch to plant consumes us, gardeners are being asked to plant extra to help combat a rise in hunger.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE COLORADO HOME AND REAL ESTATE

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mary Lynn Bruny Carol O’Meara Duane Duggan Jordan Yadoo Jennifer Egbert Tom Kalinski Cathy Hobbs Paul F. P. Pogue Katie Laughridge ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Thais Hafer Toni McNeill Elvonney Poole Mary Romano MANAGING EDITOR/ DESIGNER Greg Stone

EDITORIAL

At Home Colorado is a weekly publication designed for the Colorado home and real estate community. The Boulder County edition publishes Friday in the Boulder Daily Camera and Saturday in the Longmont Times-Call.

The Northern Colorado edition publishes Saturday in the Greeley Tribune and Loveland Reporter-Herald. Submit news releases and articles to: gstone@prairiemountainmedia.com.

ADVERTISING

To advertise in At Home or to promote your virtual home tour visit AtHomeColorado.com/Advertise, call Thais Hafer at 303.473.1456, Toni McNeill at 303.684.5329 or Elvonney Poole at 970.392.5645.

At Home is an advertising feature of the Boulder Daily Camera, Greeley Tribune, Longmont Times-Call and Loveland Reporter-Herald. ©2021 Prairie Mountain Media.

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AT HOME COLORADO

How do we get so much home stuff?

Mystery solved!

Decades ago I moved to Colorado from Boston in an old Toyota Corolla filled with all my worldly belongings.

Riding shotgun were my two goldfish, their

BY MARY bowl sloshing LYNN BRUNY water the At Home Colorado entire journey.

Now when my husband and I go away for a long weekend we can barely fit everything we want to take in my small vehicle. And when we buy a new house we have to hire movers with a ginormous truck. What the heck happened?

If there’s one thing quarantining at home has made abundantly clear, it’s that my husband and I have way too much stuff. Instead of things feeling like cherished items, a lot of them just feel like they’re weighing us down. This got me thinking: How do we all get so much stuff in our homes?

After much thought, I’ve figured it all out: The first step into massive stuff-hood starts when you buy your first property. Once you are a homeowner in a permanent place, things occur. It’s like there is a magnetic-like force in your place, constantly sucking new items towards it. And this force never, ever loses its power. It will forever be absorbing new things without your even being quite aware.

Supposedly for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, that would mean for every item that comes into your home, another would depart it. Unfortunately this principle does not apply here. No, like layers of sediment forming geological wonders, there just gets to be a slow build-up of stuff-ness

The bigger your home is, the more items that will magically appear to fill it. (Photo: Shutterstock).

until suddenly you have your own figurative stalagmites.

Related to this there is the “home to stuff ratio.” In short: The bigger your home is, the more items that will magically appear to fill it. Granted, this takes time.

But it is another law of stuff-age related to the above noted force: Apparently the bigger your home, the stronger the magnetic-like pull.

This force is made even greater with the addition of pets, partners, children and/or parents, with kids having the biggest impact.

Not only are huge numbers of products required at every stage of a child’s life, but every scrap of art and schoolwork said child creates must be cherished, kept and stored for reflection upon some important future date which never arrives. Favorite books and toys and clothes and instruments and sporting equipment must also be stored, again for some future use that never seems to actually materialize. Nonetheless, the shrine to childhood must be maintained in order to avoid hurt feelings and years of future expensive therapy.

Then there are the things we inherit from people. These items are attached to us with golden handcuffs. You may not like the

items - you may actually detest and loathe them - but you will keep them because you loved the nowdeceased person. What a lovely parting gift: unwanted ugly items mixed with constant simmering resentment.

Add to all this our own weird, little acquiring peculiarities. For instance, as I previously confessed in this column, I have a little linen problem. Luckily I’ve kicked most of this addictive behavior, though my decorative pillow problem occasionally flares up during season changes. My husband, the son of a hoarder, has luckily turned from a man who I could not allow to go to a McGuckin’s tent sale unsupervised to a born-again Marie Kondo apostle. Hallelujah!

Now that I’ve identified the problem, I’m trying hard to work against the magnetic-like force of our home and reduce our stuffage. And yet packages just keep showing up on our front porch.

So very, very vexing.

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/thelighter-side.

Drive Traffic to Your Home Listing Increase your exposure with At Home Colorado’s Open House / Virtual Tour Quick Guide. The targeted buyer promotion includes a print listing, online interactive listing, alerts and Facebook marketing.

To place your listing, visit: openhomes.athomecolorado.com (scroll to the bottom for the order link).

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

HOME AND GARDEN

Grow to fight hunger

Last year, gardeners responded to the hunger crisis by reviving the Victory Garden movement, growing and donating over 23 tons of produce to food banks and pantries across Colorado through the Grow & Give project.

(Photo: Shutterstock).

Lingering impacts from a disrupted world are hitting our community, with hunger a growing problem. Last year, gardeners responded to the crisis by

BY CAROL reviving the O’MEARA Victory Garden Colorado State movement, University Extension growing and donating over 23 tons of produce to food banks and pantries across Colorado through the Grow & Give project.

Victory Gardens have been cultivated throughout our history as a country, popping up when events take a toll on our collective wellbeing. During economic crashes, depression and war, people sow, grow and share. As spring warms the soil and the itch to plant consumes us, gardeners are being asked to plant extra to help combat a rise in hunger. The numbers from this aspect of our shared catastrophe are grim.

Hunger Free Colorado, bit.ly/hfcCOVIDsurvey, conducted quarterly surveys in 2020, mapping the increase in hunger due to heightened effects from the pandemic. Their third April 30 - May 1, 2021

statewide survey, conducted in December, found almost 38 percent of Coloradans are food insecure, lacking reliable access to nutritious food. This is more than two times what Colorado experienced during the Great Recession.

The survey found that more than half of households with children are struggling to have regular access to nutritious food, while 19 percent of children are not getting adequate nutrition because there is not enough money for food. Twenty-fivepercent of adults reported having to cut back or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food.

Gardeners, we give advice, seeds and plant divisions freely to anyone who’ll take them. We joke about too many zucchinis or the year cherry tomatoes buried us. Let’s plan for that bounty this year in order for others to eat and plant an extra hill or two of zucchini or pop another cherry tomato vine in the ground. Let’s sow for our community as well as ourselves.

Want to grow food but need a bit of advice? Check out the new Grow & Give website, growandgivecolorado.org, to find short how-to videos, longer

webinars, or information sheets on growing fruits and vegetables in your garden. You’ll find information added weekly, but if there’s a topic you’d like to see covered, send me an e-mail with your suggestion.

Sign the pledge to donate part of your harvest and join a community of concerned gardeners who want to make a difference. The website has a map of food pantries and locations for drop off, along with information on days and times they’re accepting donations.

You can help. Plant extra and donate it to pantries, to your neighbors who need it, or friends who have seen a decrease in income. Whether it’s a dozen carrots or a hundred tomatoes, it doesn’t matter. Grow, and give.

Join CSU Extensions Boulder County Master Gardener Tree Team for a free webinar on Managing Fireblight, a serious disease of apple, pear, crabapple and other trees in that family.

Thursday, May 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on line. Register at zoom.us/

webinar/register/5916195387219/ WN_Cn7jLTgLSTu8SUqgQPbfXw and you’ll be sent a link to the webinar.

If you’re interested in learning about the benefits of fungi in the garden and how to grow mushrooms, join us for a lunchand-learn webinar June 3 at 12 noon, for Uncovering Mushrooms.

Register at zoom.us/webinar/ register/6716195390538/WN_D_ JtHz-uS3iVf3k7j28h4g to be sent a link for the free class.

As you grow, Master Gardeners are here to answer your questions virtually, via our e-mail help desk; e-mail questions and photos to us at mggpa@bouldercounty.org.

Carol A. O’Meara is an Extension Agent – Horticulture Entomology at Colorado State University Extension Boulder County. For more information contact CSU Extension at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Box B, Longmont, 303.678.6377, e-mail comeara@bouldercounty.org or visit ext.colostate.edu/boulder.

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BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

April 30 - May 1, 2021

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REAL ESTATE NEWS

Property assessments are coming

On May 1, every property owner in Boulder County can expect to receive a notice for the newly assessed value of their property. (Photo: Pexels).

On May 1, every property owner in Boulder County can expect to receive a notice for the newly assessed value of their property. State

BY DUANE statute requires DUGGAN that every Realtor and Author property in RE/MAX of Boulder Boulder County be evaluated for “assessed value” countywide each odd-numbered year on May 1. The new assessed value is based on past real estate market sales of comparable properties from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020. If there isn’t enough information for that time frame, the assessor is allowed to

go back five years to collect sales data. The assessor then uses a “time trending” appreciation rate by area to adjust values on the basis of when the sale occurred within the allowable time frame.

The assessment and valuation process is an enormous task. In Boulder County, there are over 120,000 properties to assess by the employees of the Boulder County Assessor’s Office, of which most are Certified Appraisers.

The valuation process includes: discovering and gathering information about properties; listing properties in the database; defining their characteristics; and categorizing properties based on how they are used, such as residential, commercial or land.

The data are then entered into a statistical modeling process called

mass appraisal. The data from the sold properties are used to predict the values of the unsold properties using algorithms processed through statistical software. This advanced technology has helped the Assessor’s Office be much more accurate in determining values, without personal visits to the interior of the property.

The assessment rate, which is assigned by the state legislature, is then applied to the property value and that determines the assessed value. For residential properties, assessed value currently stands at 7.2%, which was signed into law on June 5, 2017, changing from 7.96% of their actual value. For commercial properties and land, assessed value is 29% of the value.

Property taxes are then calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the mill levy of the particular area the property is located in. The goal of property value assessment is to equalize property values so property taxes are distributed fairly and equitably between property owners.

The property assessment process is the basis for generating property tax revenues that pay for schools, roads, fire protection, police protection, and other local services. However, it is important to point out that the Assessor’s Offices does not set or collect taxes – it only provides the value assessment.

During the recession, values didn’t rise much. Since 2012, however, values have risen sharply in Boulder County, causing many property owners to have questions about their property’s assessed value. The Assessor’s Office strives to be accurate, but the process is still a mass appraisal platform.

Whenever a property owner has questions about the value, they

can visit or call the Assessor’s Office or respond through the Boulder County Assessor’s website.

It’s important to understand that there is a formula for determining the actual amount of taxes. The assessment is part of the process, but the mill levy that is applied to the assessment is actually what determines the taxes. Sometimes property owners may argue very hard for a small amount of value, but when the whole formula is applied, taxes may not change that much.

If a property owner disagrees with the assessed value, appeals must be filed by the end of the first day in June. Property owners will be notified of the ruling on the last day of August when the Assessor’s Office mails out the Notice of Determination. If a property owner still doesn’t agree, an appeal can be filed with the County Board of Equalization.

You can contact the Boulder County Assessor’s Office by phone at 303.441.3530 or visit 1325 Pearl, 2nd Floor, Boulder.

You can also visit the website at boulderassessor.org.

Duane Duggan has been a Realtor for RE/MAX of Boulder in Colorado since 1982 and has facilitated over 2,500 transactions over his career, the vast majority from repeat and referred clients.

He has been awarded two of the highest honors bestowed by RE/MAX International: The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Circle of Legends Award.

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.

Previously owned U.S. homes are now more expensive than new ones

By Jordan Yadoo Bloomberg News (TNS)

For the first time in more than 15 years, it’s cheaper to buy a new house than a previously owned dwelling.

The premium for newly built homes vanished last month as low supply fueled price increases in the broader market and erased the 6

AT HOME COLORADO

discount traditionally associated with older properties.

The median sales price of a previously owned single-family home rose to $334,500 in March, the latest National Association of Realtors data show. Meanwhile, new properties sold for a median $330,800, according to a government report, marking a reversal in the differential for the

first time since June 2005.

Prices – which can vary widely each month depending on the composition of properties sold – increased on a year-over-year basis, but the gains were much larger for older houses. That resale prices have risen so sharply reflects an historically low level of properties available: There were 900,000 existing homes for sale

last month, down more than 30% from a year ago.

The number of new homes sold and awaiting the start of construction, meanwhile, climbed to the highest level since September 2006. That’s a sign that builders have their work cut out for them as demand far exceeds supply.

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

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April 30 - May 1, 2021

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REAL ESTATE

Updated real estate market conditions for Boulder County Boulder’s market reflects nationwide issue Across the United States, existing home real estate inventory is down by 52%, yet showings are up by 49.5%, leading to a large deficit between home buyers and homes available to purchase.

Experts relate this gap to COVID concerns, financial downturns, and relative uneasiness to make large decisions when public health and the global economy hang in limbo. As Boulder’s market starts to open up in response to decreased restrictions, we can expect to see a lot of the U.S. do the same.

As the world begins to open up again to embrace a new normal, the real estate industry reflects pandemicprompted changes relating BY JENNIFER to professional, EGBERT social and milehimodern cultural norms.

The first quarter in 2021 showed a decrease in inventory and an uptick in home prices, as well as emerging top priorities (like home office space or student work areas) that home buyers had when seeking a new residence. Here’s what to expect in quarter two.

100 Cessna Drive in Erie.

Are new listings on the rise?

The first week of January 2021 saw 59 new listings, whereas the first week of April boasted 106.

Listings slowly rose as winter faded and vaccine availability concerns waned. Only 8 offers this week were withdrawn, compared to 33 at this same time last year.

Buyers seeking a permanent

residence in Boulder may have felt frustration at the beginning of the year with the limited inventory available and high competition.

However, they should remain optimistic. More homes are becoming available as we move toward the summer, causing a decline in competition.

(Photo: Jennifer Egbert).

Steve Altermatt

Interest rates are creeping back up slowly The pandemic caused a sharp decline in interest rates over the last year. They fell from approximately 3.7% to 2.6% and are now slowly making their way back up. Now is still a great time for a home loan and those with good credit can still expect great interest rates that average to 3.18%.

Construction remains at a stand still New York and Hawaii were the only two states that had any wiggle room with real estate inventory in the past year.

Inventory is down by 52% across the country and down 50% in Colorado. This is due, in part, to a lack of new construction. For the past thirteen years, the number of new construction units completed has been below average.

Construction costs remain high with supply chain interruptions, so don’t expect to see many new developments this year.

Property values in Boulder steadily increase year-over-year and buyers would be wise to enter into this market as a homeowner rather than a renter.

Jennifer Egbert is an awardwinning, top-producing Realtor® at milehimodern with over eleven years of experience.

She specializes in luxury neighborhoods, home builders and current market conditions.

Visit jenniferegbert.com, e-mail jennifer@jenniferegbert.com or call 303.619.3373.

STEVE ALTERMATT, Boulder’s #1Realtor

Steve sells more homes in Boulder than any other Realtor or real estate team!

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2535 Stephens Road

2905 Regis Drive

2295 Hillsdale Circle

935 Teller Circle

840 34th Street

Remodeled Upper Table Mesa ranch, steps away from Bear Creek Elementary School! This 4 BD, 3 BA, 2,408 sf home is move-in ready! Open living and dining room with fireplace, remodeled kitchen, master bedroom suite, finished basement, and Flagstone patio with Flatiron views!

Nicely located 2,800 sqft ranch with a basement and 2 car garage in Upper Table Mesa. This 4 BD, 3 BA, home is in need of a complete remodel, all surfaces need to be updated. Would make the perfect investment opportunity or fix and flip for profit.

Lovely 1,800 sf bi-level in Table Mesa with 4 BD, 2 BA on a corner lot with amazing views of the Flatirons and Bears Peak.

Walk-out lower level, attached 2 car garage. Walk to Boulder’s incredible open space trails and Bear Creek Elementary.

Remodeled 2,191 sf tri-level with basement on a huge 1/3 lot on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Park East Neighborhood. 5 BD, 2.5 BA, updated kitchen with ss appliances, newly remodeled baths, freshly painted inside & out, new lighting fixtures, new siding, and more!

Ready for move-in!

Great investment opportunity or starter home in Aurora 7 neighborhood. One level living with 1,275 sf, 3 BD, 1.5 BA and large family room area. Enjoy the big backyard with the covered patio, two storage sheds and plenty of room for a dream garden.

$1,175,000

$1,150,000

$950,000

$900,000

$689,900

Steve Altermatt, CRS 303-441-5669

www.SteveAltermatt.com • steve@stevealtermatt.com 8

AT HOME COLORADO

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

Boulder’s Independent Real Estate Professionals Service in a Service-based Economy

12800 Foothills Highway

$1,975,000

Trees, water rights with Smead Ditch and 5400 sq ft home on 19 acres.

31820 S Saint Vrain Dr

$785,000

3-bedroom home on 0.66 acres opposite the Hall Ranch Open Space.

The service industry now makes up 70% of the US economy. Why, then, are some of the services so poor when some are so good? In the latter category I would include the likes of Chewy.com and Amazon. In the abysmal class, a recent Saturday morning experience illustrates a problem common to the megaconglomerates that seem to operate a business model that makes a lot of money without having to provide a service.

Here is how it went down. Our Century Link service was running at near dial-up speed so, having the time, I called to see what we could do about it. They do not take calls outside of regular business hours. Moving on, I chose to follow up with Verizon who owe us a credit for a replacement device we bought outright. They, too, offered no service on the weekend. So, I moved on to Best Buy to inquire whether they could help with poor sound from a TV we purchased from them.

Lo and behold, while the store was open they don’t take calls on a Saturday. Throw in the county offices only being open 4 days a week, and one has to wonder where we are headed, especially since when a connection is made, it is probably to the third world!

7097 Jay Rd

$1,495,000

3-bedroom home, useful outbuildings, 14 acres and water rights.

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5096 Longmont Dam Rd.

1040 5 St Unit 2

10650 N 75 St

10 acres, 3-bedroom home in Button Rock Preserve.

3311 sq ft industrial unit in Lyons.

Kitchen and bathroom.

20 acres with 3 bedroom home.

Outbuildings and water rights.

$1,485,000

April 30 - May 1, 2021

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THE PATRICK DOLAN TEAM Questions about the real estate market?

Our team of knowledgeable experts has the answers!

CALL US TODAY: (303) 441-5642

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(303) 441-5642

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patrickdolanteam@gmail.com BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

REAL ESTATE

How to buy a home for less than 20 percent down With the cost of real estate today, the 20 percent down rule is no longer so hard and fast.

In fact, Colorado homebuyers typically

BY TOM financed 86% KALINSKI of their home’s RE/MAX of Boulder purchase price.

First-time Colorado buyers who financed their home typically financed 95% of their home purchase compared to repeat buyers at 81%, according to the 2020 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers recently released by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

That translates into down payments of 5 to 14%. And it’s possible to put down even less – for example, Freddie Mac’s Home Possible® mortgage products let eligible homebuyers put down as little as 3%. But what’s the smart thing to do, save until you have 20 percent down and avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI)?

Or should you gather the biggest down payment you can and bear the extra cost of PMI? Many experts say the best strategy is the one that gets a big enough down payment and doesn’t jeopardize your finances in the long run. To amass the down payment, first-time home buyers often rely on gifts and loans from family. Among home buyers ages 28 and younger 28% used a gift from a relative or friend to make a down payment, according to NAR. Lenders accept down payment gifts, but it involves more than depositing a check. The donors need to verify the gift in writing, specifying that it is a gift and not a loan – meaning there is no expectation of repayment at any time. The donor also needs to verify their financial ability to make the donation, and may require a bank statement as proof, reports NerdWallet.com.

Even with the help of generous relatives, chances are you will not have the full 20% down, especially in Boulder County’s real estate market. Since you’re likely to need PMI, there are two important factors to keep in mind as you consider your options, says realtor.com: April 30 - May 1, 2021

First-time Colorado buyers who financed their home typically financed 95% of their home purchase compared to repeat buyers at 81%. (Photo: Bigstock).

On conventional loans, if you put less than 20% down, you’ll need PMI, but only until the principal balance reaches 78% or less of the original purchase price.

FHA loans require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan – so for as long as you live in the home or until you pay off the mortgage.

The cost of your PMI varies based on loan–to–value ratio — the amount you owe on your mortgage compared to its value — your credit score, and the insurer. But freddiemac.com says you should expect to pay between $30 and $150 per month for every $100,000 borrowed.

The good news for those paying that extra monthly PMI payment, it does not have to be for the life of your mortgage. You can adopt strategies to eliminate your PMI, like the following suggestions from Bankrate.com.

Termination strategies The federal Homeowners Protection Act enables you to get end private mortgage insurance requirements in two ways: get automatic PMI termination at specific home equity milestones, or request the removal of PMI when you reach 80 percent home equity.

And in fast-appreciating home markets like the Boulder’s, when your home value rises to a sufficient level, you will have 80 percent home equity needed to request termination of your PMI. Prepayment path You can choose to make extra payments to prepay the principal on your loan, which reduces the balance, and helps you build equity faster and save on interest payments. You may elect to make an extra payment each month – even as low as $50 a month – or you could apply a lump sum toward principal or make an extra mortgage payment each year.

These strategies will reduce total interest paid over the term of the loan and build your equity to 20% faster so you can eliminate your PMI, according to bankrate.com.

Home price appreciation If you own your home now, you could have it reappraised to see it has gained enough value to get you to the 20 percent equity level.

Remember, the Homeowners Protection Act has clear rules and protections on private mortgage insurance. Before you sign a mortgage with PMI, get the PMI

rules and schedule. Then you can track your progress and develop your strategy to end the PMI payment.

For more information read: •

bankrate.com/mortgages/ removing-privatemortgage-insurance

•

realtor.com/advice/finance/ down-payment-myths

•

nerdwallet.com/article/ mortgages/down-paymentstrategies-first-time-homebuyers

•

freddiemac.com/blog/ homeownership/ 20170620_downpayment_ math.page

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, e-mail Tom at tomkalinski33@gmail.com, call 303.441.5620 or visit boulderco.com.

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

11

COVERPROFILE

370 Arapahoe Ave, Unit C, Boulder listed and sold by Lynne McDougal. (Photo: Virtuance).

WK Real Estate

The Colorado Migration

W

hile this past year has been anything but normal, it is now routine to see Colorado receive distinctions left and right, especially when it comes to the quality of life and economic vitality.

•

In October 2020, U.S. News revealed their rankings for the Best Place to Live and four of the top five on the list were in Colorado, with Boulder ranked number one.

•

In January 2021 Boulder claimed the top spot on Yahoo’s list of best places to live for quality of life.

•

In February 2021 Zillow named the greater Denver metro the sixth hottest housing market.

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AT HOME COLORADO

With headlines like these, like it or not, our little bubble of paradise has been discovered, and for good reason. We enjoy great weather, seasons and more sunshine than the state of Florida.

Our amazing outdoor lifestyle makes it easy to hike, ski, fish and bike. A thriving restaurant scene, theater and sports venues, and our indomitable international airport are added pluses for the metro area.

With plentiful and diverse employment, companies of all types and sizes continue to pick Denver for their headquarters, or their HQ2s. Between that and the quality of life, people continue to move here, particularly millennials and Gen Zers. Compared to places like the Bay Area, New York and New England, Colorado is affordable, although that is changing rapidly.

Colorado has attracted outsiders for decades. According

to the US Census Bureau, Colorado saw the twelfth-highest state population growth at .85% from 2019 to 2020, which translates to just under 50,000 people. That’s not a huge number, but it feels like people are moving here in droves.

Every year the associates at WK Real Estate attend courses offered by their award-winning Relocation Department and by their Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International® networks to learn about where people are moving and why.

Understanding these dynamics allows each WK associate to serve their clients better, those moving both into and out of the greater Boulder, Denver and Northern Colorado communities that WK Real Estate serves.

Welcome to Colorado Per several moving company

studies, many Americans relocated because of COVID-19, corporations relocated employees at much lower rates for work transfers or assignments.

For example, many work sites, including Boulder’s new Google office moved remote, and although employees are expected to be asked to work in their offices three times a week, Google will not fully reopen until sometime in 2021.

Like Google, for most businesses 2021 will be a year in flux, and corporate relocations will be no exception. Google’s industry peers such as Facebook and Twitter closed offices in 2020 and will allow most employees to work remotely indefinitely.

“2020 was essentially a year of suspended animation in the corporate relocation business” said Pam Metzger, one of the Boulder area’s only Certified Relocation Professionals (CRP®) and WK Real Estate’s VP of Relocation &

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

highest motivation for my clients’ relocation decision,” said Moy. “My clients would like to be able to see their grandkids and/or be with their siblings during COVID. The pandemic has made time a more valuable asset than money.”

Moy’s clients that moved to Boise, ID weren’t alone in flocking to that region. Both Atlas Van Lines, United Van Lines and HireAHelper, a popular contract service for do-it-yourselfers, all reported that Idaho was the top nation’s destination state in 2020 with twice as many people moving in than out. Other top destinations were Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Lower cost of living and taxes were the reasons for many top destinations.

Corporate Services. “WK has been a preferred provider to Google and many other major area employers of all sizes for years. We saw very few corporate relocation initiations in 2020 and are just now starting to see them trickle in this year. Many people that we did relocate here in 2020 now have permanent flexibility in their location due to liberal work-fromhome policies. If they can work from anywhere, they want to be in Colorado for lifestyle and family reasons. Our WK relocationtrained and certified associates are ready to help.”

Remote work and learning prompt moves Colorado has been an emerging hub for technology for years, confirmed in 2020 by a study

by CompTIA. Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs made CompTIA’s list of Top 20 Best Tech Cities for IT Jobs. Colorado is predicted to be the No. 3 top growing cyberstate with 25% projected growth from 2018 to 2028.

This year’s United Van Lines Movers Study indicated 40% of Americans who moved did so for a new job or job transfer (down from prior years), and more than one in four (27%) moved to be closer to family (which is significantly up over prior years).

In Colorado over 32% of the inbound moves with United Van Lines moved to be closer to family and an equal percentage moved because of a job.

According to a 2020 study by LendingTree, the greater Denver metro area is the No. 3 most popular metro area for millennial homebuyers. Over 59% of LendingTree’s mortgage requests last year came from millennials, many of whom are buying first or move-up homes.

“Our internal data indicates that over half of the relocation referrals we received in 2020 were either millennial homebuyers looking to move for jobs or quality of life or baby boomers who wanted to move closer to family,” states Dan Kingdom, Owner and President of WK Real Estate.

WK Associates Jeremiah Daly and Rachel Daly assisted clients with a relocation from Miami in late 2020. “They were looking to get away from the dense population,” said Rachel Daly.

“And they wanted a lifestyle change. They had been considering it for a while but found that since April 30 - May 1, 2021

7372 Talon Trail in Parker listed by Matt Ladwig.

(Photo by VisuTour/Joe Thompson).

their kids were already in remote learning, it was an opportune time to make the transition.”

The Dalys utilized video and many other digital resources available to WK’s associates to assist with the Miami family’s long-distance home search, as well as other clients from Austin, TX. WK associates are well-equipped and trained to be the “boots on the ground” for their relocating clients.

According to 2020 studies by both United Van Lines and Atlas Van Lines, for the last decade Colorado has actually been a neutral state for migration, meaning the number of people moving into and out of the state is roughly the same. So why do people move out of Colorado and where do they go?

Leaving Colorado When people do move out of Colorado, the associates at WK Real Estate have significant experience and success introducing their clients to real estate professionals all over the world through their global partnerships and affiliations. For more than a decade WK Real Estate has won multiple prestigious awards from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World for assisting their clients with out-of-area real estate needs. WK’s global connections are critical when trying to assist clients out of the area.

Lydia Moy from WK Real Estate’s Longmont office assisted clients with successful moves to Boise, ID and Melbourne, FL in 2020. “Family became the

Areas that WK Real Estate has helped people relocate to in 2020.

(Map: WK Real Estate).

And somewhere in between Other destinations WK’s associates referred their clients to in 2020 were closer to home, and they weren’t often permanent moves.

A new popular real estate term is the “co-primary home”. While a co-primary home is a second home, it’s a bit different from the standard second home because people view both homes as a primary home. It’s still a place to spend weekends, summers and holidays, but it’s also seen as a necessary place where people can work from home while focusing on lifestyle, health and tranquility.

Co-primary homes are often within two to three hours driving distance of the original residence.

Through close relationships with partner companies in many of Colorado’s resort destination areas, WK Real Estates associates and Relocation Department work together in achieving their clients second and co-primary home goals. In 2020 WK made successful introductions resulting in transactions for their clients in most major real estate markets within Colorado, seeing the most activity in Summit County, Vail, Aspen, Steamboat and Park County.

Whether moving to Colorado, leaving Colorado, or looking for a co-primary home to realize your Rocky Mountain lifestyle dreams, the associates at WK Real Estate make it happen for their clients. With the relationships, the technology, the experience and the training they help their clients get where they want to go to live their best life.

For more information, visit wkre.com.

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

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AT HOME COLORADO

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M WT ANT MORE INFORMATION? Check out these great homes and many more at: Check out these homes and many more at:

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OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME REMARKBLE 8 ACRE HILLTOP ESTATE 3 Beds + 2 Bonus rooms, 5 Baths, 7535 SqFt $8,777,000

PRIME DEVELOPMENT LOCATION 9230 E 168th Ave BRIGHTON $8,280,000, 2 Homes, 207 Acres

BREATH TAKING UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS 1435 Sunset Blvd BOULDER $7,500,000, 5 Beds, 5 Baths, 6067 SqFt

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FABULOUS REMODELED SMART HOUSE 2250 Vassar Dr BOULDER $2,250,000 4 Beds, 4 Baths, 4034 SqFt

CUSTOM BUILT HOME - UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS 1535 Onyx Cir LONGMONT $1,525,000, 5 Beds, 5 Baths, 6124 SqFt

CUSTOM COMPOUND 3002 75th St BOULDER $2,590,000, 4 Beds, 5 Baths, 6296 SqFt Monica Van Matre 303-358-0336

LOVLEY REMODEL IN NORTH BOULDER 3010 13 St BOULDER $1,449,000, 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 1883 SqFt Diane Rex 303-579-3040

UPDATED WILLOW GLEN HOME W/ VIEWS! 8061 Fox Ridge Ct BOULDER $1,250,000, 4 Beds, 4 Baths, 3820 SqFt Tom Precourt 303-921-9080

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INCREDIBLE TOWNHOME STYLE CONDO 1231 Cedar Ave 1231 BOULDER $1,190,000, 3 Beds, 4 Baths, 2546 SqFt

PROSPECT CLASSIC 1816 Kristy Ct LONGMONT $950,000, 6 Beds, 4 Baths, 4064 SqFt Suzy Williamson 720-491-9885

SEMI-CUSTOM RANCH HOME 912 Weston Cir ERIE $895,000, 4 Beds, 4 Baths, 4954 SqFt

RARE WELL-KEPT RANCH IN OLD TOWN 707 E Emma St LAFAYETTE $550,000, 2 Beds, 1 Bath, 877 SqFt

VAST AND INVITING ACREAGE 0 Coal Creek Canyon Rd NEDERLAND $399,000, 35 Acres

RARE MOUNTAIN VACANT LAND 357 Mountain King Rd BOULDER $357,000, 3.2 Acres

PRISTINE MOUNTAIN LAND 0 Moose Dr LYONS $350,000 40 Acres

AFFORDABLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE 1002 E 24th St Rd GREELY $307,000, 3 Beds, 1 Bath, 1339 SqFt

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD DREAM HOME 7402 W 76th Ave ARVADA $275,000, .73 Acre

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Boulder 303.499.9880

Downtown Longmont 303.651.3939

On Walnut 303.442.3180

Nederland 303.258.7070

4770 Baseline Rd #220 Boulder, CO 80303

1911 11th St #200 Boulder, CO 80302 April 30 - May 1, 2021

512 4th Ave #101 Longmont, CO 80501

286 N Bridge St Nederland, CO 80466

Lafayette 303.497.0588

109 N Public Rd View these homes online!

Lafayette, CO 80026

rem.ax/bocohomes

Louisville 303.666.6500

225 W South Boulder Rd Louisville, CO 80027

Each office independently owned and operated.

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM • April 30, 2021

•1515

DESIGN RECIPES

The art of the area rug

Two identical area rugs are placed side by side to give the illusion of a single oversized rug. (Photo: Scott Gabriel Morris/Handout/TNS)

By Cathy Hobbs Tribune News Service (TNS)

OPEN HOUSE Saturday & Sunday 11am - 2pm 404 West Baseline Rd. Lafayette, CO 80026 A collection of 12 luxury 2 & 3 story condominium homes featuring: • Attached Two-Car Garage • Unfinished Basement w/ Rough-In Bath • Central Location Close to Everything From $509,000 - $559,000

baselineoldtown.com Doug Haffnieter, Broker 303-589-1412 doug@flagstaffpropertiesinc.com

options for smaller spaces.

From shag, wool and viscose to hides, there are many options to choose from when it comes to area rugs. While the size of your room and location may dictate style and size, what are some of the options?

Here’s some insight into how to help make your space shine.

1.

Look for quality over price.

Sometimes a more expensive rug won’t necessarily outlast its less expensive counterpart.

2.

Consider an indoor/ outdoor option if on a budget. Many of these rugs show well both indoors and out.

3.

Choose easy-care materials in high traffic areas. A rug’s ability to repel stains is always a plus.

4.

Shop for shag. If you’re looking for a fluffy and warm option for a space, shag is the way to go.

5.

Look into a hide or low pile rug. These are good

6.

Select a machine- or power-loomed option over one that is hand-tufted or handmade if on a budget.

7.

7. Consider synthetic fibers over cotton or wool if looking for a value option.

Not on a budget? Wool and silk are great options.

8.

Integrate an interesting pattern or graphic into your space with the help of an area rug.

9.

Consider sheepskin if you’re looking for a way to use an area rug in small areas.

10. Experiment with rugs that have different levels of pile if you’re looking for ways to add interest and texture.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Awardwinning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com.

SAVING MADE EASY! greenlightsavings.com

16

AT HOME COLORADO

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

OPEN HOUSES // VIRTUAL TOURS

QUICK GUIDE

LIST YOUR OPEN HOUSE OR VIRTUAL TOUR: VISIT OPENHOMES.ATHOMECOLORADO.COM OR CALL 303.473.1456, 303.684.5329

Boulder

Lafayette

2700 Canyon Blvd, Ste 200 $1,095,000 Saturday 12:00 PM-2:00 PM Brian James MacDonald Coldwell Banker Realty (303) 915-6126

404 West Baseline Bldg 402 and 406 $509,900 Saturday 11:00 AM-2:00 PM John Douglas Haffnieter Flagstaff Properties Inc (303) 589-1412

2700 Canyon Blvd, Ste 200 $1,095,000 Sunday 12:00 PM-2:00 PM Brian James MacDonald Coldwell Banker Realty (303) 915-6126 1235 Cedar Ave. $1,210,000 Sunday 1:00 PM-3:00 PM John Hoeffler WK Real Estate (720) 564-6014 8061 Fox Ridge Ct $1,250,000 Saturday 12:00 PM-3:00 PM Tom Precourt RE/MAX Alliance On Walnut (303) 921-9080 2529 9th Street $1,390,000 https://is.gd/OhEgZw Maureen Mccarthy RE/MAX of Boulder (303) 817-1282

404 West Baseline Bldg 402 and 406 $509,900 Sunday 11:00 AM-2:00 PM John Douglas Haffnieter Flagstaff Properties Inc (303) 589-1412

Longmont 451 Thistle Place $450,000 Saturday 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Barry Remington WK Real Estate (720) 373-9297 1816 Kristy Ct $950,000 Saturday 1:00 PM-3:00 PM Suzy WIlliamson RE/MAX Alliance (720) 491-9885

3010 13th St $1,449,000 Saturday 12:00 PM-2:00 PM DIane Rex RE/MAX Alliance

2408 Summerlin Court From $1.2M Saturday 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Brian Terry Bosch Real Estate Group

(303) 579-3040

(303) 845-0949

April 30 - May 1, 2021

2408 Summerlin Court From $1.2M Sunday 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Brian Terry Bosch Real Estate Group (303) 845-0949

Louisville 267 S. Jefferson Ave $639,900 Saturday 12:00 PM-2:00 PM Kelly Majure RE/MAX Elevate (303) 709-8613

Loveland 235 W. 2nd Street $525,000 Saturday 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Laura Chittick WK Real Estate (303) 332-4118 235 W. 2nd Street $525,000 Sunday 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Laura Chittick WK Real Estate (303) 332-4118

Superior 515 - 539 Canary Lane Starting at $984,500 https://is.gd/aPbj3O Eric Stjernholm Trelora Real Estate (720) 572-1397 ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

17

ASK ANGI

How can I improve my energy efficiency?

By Paul F. P. Pogue Ask Angi (TNS) The period following Earth Day is a great time to think about the impact our homes have on the environment. But beyond lowering your environmental impact, increasing your home’s efficiency will also increase your comfort, lower energy bills and improve your home’s value –all at once!

Here are five quick tips to make your home a model of efficiency.

Protect south-facing windows The biggest impact on your home’s heat level in the summer comes from the south, where sunlight hits at the harshest angle.

This means south-facing windows require more attention. If possible, install double-pane windows to help block heat entry. Physical barriers can also prove highly effective, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A lightcolored awning is good way to reduce heat gain, as are blinds or reflective films. If this all sounds too complicated or costly, you can also simply put up some drapes or plant trees and bushes to help

Weatherstripping is an easy, quick, and effective method to reduce energy loss. (Photo: Dreamstime/TNS).

block sunlight.

Slay energy vampires Garlic and silver bullets won’t get rid of the creatures of the night sucking up your home’s lifeblood and cranking up the power bills, but a little preventative action might. The DoE warns that many home appliances continue to use small amounts of energy when they’re plugged in, even if they’re turned off — in other words, they’re vampires sucking energy out of our homes. The solution here is simple: Unplug what you can and use power strips for everything else.

Your kitchen appliances draw small amounts of energy. Coffee

We’re REALTORS, 1.4 million strong, stepping up for what’s right. ®

makers, toaster ovens, microwaves and other small appliances should be unplugged or turned off via wall switch.

The thirstiest energy vampires make their lair in your living room. TVs, DVRs, cable boxes, video game consoles and computers all slurp up energy while turned off. To solve this, plug as many of them as possible into power strips so you can switch them off en masse before retiring for the night. You can also look into smart power strips that detect when devices are in sleep mode and automatically block them from wasting energy.

All these energy uses are small on their own, but they can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.

Check your HVAC filters OK, we say this one a lot, but seriously, replace the filters in your HVAC system. A dirty filter wastes energy and money and keeps your home from staying at a comfortable temperature. Keeping clean filters is one of the single easiest and most effective things you can do to ensure an energy efficient home.

Seal up doors and windows Remember your parents telling you not to heat or cool the whole neighborhood by leaving the doors or windows open? Well, it turns out they might not have to be open to leak energy. Check their edges for air loss or draftiness.

Even a small amount of air loss can force your HVAC system to work harder and burn up energy for no good reason. Insulate, seal or caulk where needed.

Schedule an energy audit Home energy auditors are skilled pros who conduct room-by-room reviews of how efficiently a home uses energy. They’ll use advanced diagnostics such as blower door tests or thermographic scans to determine air leaks and over- or under-insulated areas and help you find where you’re losing the most energy. This work averages about $400 and will take most of a day to complete. They’ll provide you with a written report and recommendations that can save between 5 and 30% on utility bills. Over time, the audit can pay for itself – and then some!

Visit at angi.com.

If recent events have taught us anything, it’s this: we have more work to do. Racism is real, tragically so. Discrimination, in all its forms, still casts a long shadow in this country, and too many are being denied the opportunities that all Americans deserve. Our commitment to the diverse communities we serve starts with a Code of Ethics. Our code sets a higher standard for fairness in housing than any federal law, it’s backed by a culture of member accountability, and it extends to our work on Capitol Hill, where we continue to advocate for meaningful change.

At the National Association of REALTORS® we believe that fairness is worth fighting for, and we won’t stop until the fight is won. Because that’s who we are.

If you experience or witness discrimination in real estate, we urge you to report it.

Visit hud.gov/fairhousing to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®

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AT HOME COLORADO

baraonline.com

longmontrealtors.com

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

19 Years

of Boulder County Gold Awards!

235 W. 2nd Street Loveland 4500 Baseline Road #3202 Boulder 645 Manhattan Place #307 Boulder Open Sat & Sun 11am-3pm $525,000 New Listing! $465,000 Under Contract $275,000 Brand New 5bed 4bath in Downtown Loveland. 2 Bed, 2 Bath Move in ready! Open Floor plan. Boulder redone 1 BR condo, top end unit! www.235.wkre.com www.4500.wkre.com www.645.wke.com Laura Chittick: 303-332-4118 Lynne McDougal: 303-947-1557 Rob Justis: 303-817-0906

460 S. 40th Street Boulder 206 E. Chester Street Lafayette 1845 Kendall Street #224B Lakewood Under Contract $795,000 New Listing! $749,000 New Listing! $239,000 Classic turn key Martin Acres ranch!

Old Town Lafayette Sunny Victorian with ADU! Luxury Condo in the Heart of the City. www.460.wkre.com www.206.wkre.com www.1845.wkre.com Sian Murphy: 720-936-2309 Dennis Culver: 303-618-3366 Lydia Moy: 303-731-9513

3920 Golden Street Evans 1202 Eldorado Drive Superior 8599 County Road 8 Brighton Under Contract $330,000 Under Contract $1,085,000 Under Contract $330,000 Historic 4 bedroom home in Evans!

Truly one of the best lots in Rock Creek!

4+ acres agriculture zoned just east of I-25. www.3920.wkre.com www.1202.wkre.com www.8599.wkre.com Kate Kelley: 303-775-9250 Barry Remington: 720-373-9297 Jim Green: 303-775-2553

VIEW THE ENTIRE MARKETPLACE INVENTORY OF LISTINGS ON WKRE.COM BOULDER OFFICE: 303.443.2240 LONGMONT OFFICE: 303.776.3344 wkre.com April 30 - May 1, 2021

ATHOMECOLORADO.COM

19

Escape to Your Mountain Dream 1260 Twin Sisters Road, Nederland, Colorado

5 Bed | 5 Bath | 10,000 Square Feet Listed for $4,000,000 An exceptional home surrounded by 67 acres of Colorado serenity: ancient pine tree forests, ponds, mountain meadows, rocky cliffs, breathtaking skyscape, and wildlife. Protected by private gate, take comfort in this sensationally crafted mountain retreat, with hand-carved log beams, guest house, and the peace that comes with natural beauty only 20 miutes from Boulder and Denver.

Master bedroom wing with over 2000 sq. feet of living space, luxury bathroom, hot tub room, and private outdoor patio.

Find yourself trekking on foot, skis, or your favorite horse beyond the property lines to the Twin Sisters mountain Trails.

Barb Silverman

Sales Associate 303.886.5329 bsilverman@livsothebysrealty.com

1050 Walnut Street, Suite 100 | Boulder, Colorado | 303.443.6161 | livsothebysrealty.com

Member of the Exclusive

© MMXXI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

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AT HOME COLORADO

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA / LONGMONT TIMES CALL

STYLE AT HOME

Exploring the ice cream hues of summer 2021 Katie Laughridge Tribune News Service (TNS) Summertime is near, and with that, so are all the beautiful colors that accompany the season. Summer brings to mind cooling blue-green water, the soft moody lighting of a gentle evening sunset and the dewy fresh greens of a wellwatered lawn.

The plethora of new bright colors this season reminds me of being outside as a child and hearing the familiar tune of the ice cream truck meandering down my street, wondering what colorful concoction would soon be my sweet treat (usually something with gumball eyes).

Now in adulthood, my sweet treats come in the form of self-care and beautiful decor (and also still ice cream, because treat yourself!).

Ice cream hues are vibrant but still soft. They are creamy versions of the fundamental shades we know and love that blend beautifully in your home. Some of my favorites this year are blushing strawberry pink, fresh mint green, delicious light lavender and tart lemon

strawberry blush to magenta, there is no shortage of joy that this color palette can bring. Pink is a delicate color that is sweet and nice, romantic and charming, but it can also make a big statement in your spaces. There are plenty of opportunities to incorporate pink into your home. For example, we have been adding blush tones to our neutral wheat stem arrangements for a fun and flirty touch.

Blush and Mint Tabletop. Ice cream hues are vibrant but still soft. They are creamy versions of the fundamental shades we know and love that blend beautifully in your home. (Handout/TNS).

sherbet. Delicious!

Strawberry blush I adore pink. Pink is especially lovely in the home during these warm months — they call it rosé season for a reason! From neutral

Fresh mint Minty green is the perfect pair to summer’s vibrant, sunny colors.

With its fresh, icy tones, it can bring refreshing lightness to a room without sacrificing any of the cheer. I love pairing this hue with shades of ever-lovely pink, bright and warm cream colors, and even soothing lavender. We bring green into our rooms with lovely, patterned pillows and plenty of gorgeous accessories.

Light lavender Purple is not a color we typically have a lot of, but this season is the exception. We found some lovely

UNDER CONTRACT

$3,1OO,OOO 290 Cactus Court . Boulder Exclusive Spring Valley Estates 2 Offices . 5 Multi-Purpose 400 Sq/Ft Rooms 5-Bed . 5 -Bath . 6,263 Sq/Ft AMY SCOTT

303.588.3531

April 30 - May 1, 2021

lavender hues to bring life to our tabletops this summer. One of my favorite lavender items this year is purple-colored glass. It brings a surprising youthfulness to the space, considering that colored glass is somewhat of a vintage look. I think the brightness behind the glass is what keeps the look whimsical and exciting.

Tart lemon We can’t talk about the colors of summer without mentioning yellow! Yellow will be sticking around for most of 2021 as Pantone’s color of the year, but summer is the perfect time to perfect your bright and sunny home additions. I love mixing this sharp shade with blues for a flair that can either go French country chic or lovely lake house without a fuss. All my current favorite floral fabrics are bursting with pops of this lovely hue.

Adapted from nellhills.com.

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

UNDER CONTRACT

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3535 Eagle Ridge Road . Longmont Private Mountain Top Estate Magnificent Views . Move-In Ready 4-Bed . 3-Bath . 4,118 Sq/Ft

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3094 Ouray Street . Boulder Northfield Commons Contemporary Duplex . Vaulted Ceilings 3-Bed . 3-Bath . 3,986 Sq/Ft

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21

REAL ESTATE

5 tips to spring clean your home inside and out Consider these five ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring.

Make organizing easier As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization.

If your entryway always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the area. If the kids’ toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use.

If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place.

As you tackle this season’s cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space. (Photo: Getty Images).

(Family Features) – Spring cleaning isn’t just about purging dirt and grime. It’s also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home. As you tackle this season’s cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you.

Eliminate the excess.

Spring cleaning is also an opportunity to declutter and make way for something new, either by donating or selling unused things.

Whether it’s last season’s fashion and accessories or unused tech and fitness gear, that item you never used – or haven’t used in a while – may be exactly what someone else is looking for. Online platforms can make the process easy and be

FEATURED AGENT MARY ROMANO Blue SkyAlliance Colorado Real Estate Re/Max Coldwell Banker Residential

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a way to earn extra cash or help fund other home upgrades. Look for marketplaces that help you maximize your return; eBay, for example, is giving sellers 200 free listings every month, meaning you only pay after your items sell.

Reimagine your living space If one area is becoming too crowded or doesn’t serve your family’s needs, consider items you can repurpose for another part of the home. For example, move an unused chair in your living room into a bedroom to create a reading nook. Keep your focus on function as you make changes that accommodate your lifestyle.

Make smart additions Once you’ve cleared your space, and sold things you no longer need, you can convert that extra cash into reliable home appliances and tech. For example, purchase or upgrade items like vacuums, lawn mowers, power washers, drills and more to help take your spring cleaning to the next level.

You can make your money go further by choosing certified refurbished products; some marketplaces offer inventory that has been professionally inspected by the manufacturer, or a manufacturer-approved vendor, to look, feel and work like new.

Commit to revisiting regularly It’s easy to let clutter and disorganization slide when you get busy with life’s demands.

Once your spring cleaning and reorganizing is complete, commit to reassessing your home on a monthly or quarterly basis so you can make small adjustments along the way, rather than face a major

project every year.

Shop Smarter Considering refurbished products for your shopping list can expand your options and make it easier to purchase top-of-the-line brands without going over budget. From tech and small kitchen appliances to outdoor power equipment, you can discover a breadth of items often in like-new condition.

Shop for multi-purpose items When upgrading your arsenal of gadgets, tools and small appliances, look for items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, many vacuums can transform into steamers or include mop attachments and some pressure cookers can also be used as air fryers.

Feel confident in your purchase Sometimes upgrading means investing in a premium product you can count on to last longer than entry-level models. With eBay’s Certified Refurbished program, you can find popular, professionally inspected name brands at up to 50 percent off, all of which are backed by industryleading two-year warranties for peace of mind.

Keep sustainability in mind Keeping functionality in mind and buying like-new items not only saves you money now and in the future but can also help protect the planet by extending the life of products and reducing unnecessary waste.

Learn more about buying refurbished at ebay.com/ certifiedrefurbishedhub.

Wendy Conder

Let’s discuss your real estate goals today!

Elliott Apartments are located in a historic residential neighborhood in Longmont, Colorado. Just two blocks from beautiful main street Longmont, Elliott Apartments has easy access to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment.

Offering 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments.

418 Emery St. Longmont • (303) 772-6452 22

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An Experienced Real Estate Agent You Can Trust When it’s Time to Buy or Sell Your Home.

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303.466.3636 BoUlder/Broomfield/longmont or 970.635.3650 loveland or frontrangeclassifieds.com

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Want to purchase minerals and other oil/gas interests.

Send details to: P.O. Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201

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Rentals

FAIR HOUSING NOTICE All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Law which makes it illegal to advertise a preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion , sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preferences, limitation or discrimination.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call The Colorado Civil Rights Office at 1-800-262-4845/ HUD at 1-800-669-9777.

Foothills Apartments in Loveland: Move in S pecial 1/2 off first month.

2BR 1BA- $1195/month, water, sewer & trash included, Washer & Dryer in Unit.

No Pets. 1 Year Lease.

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Stop! Don’t Pay Rent !

Land for Sale

BUY A HOME NOW ZERO DOWN EZ Credit fix if needed Call Ron 303-428-9377 Txt 303-569-9193 www.StopRent.com

DRIVE YOUR WHEELS!

For Sale by Owner, 2.6 acres at 1261 33rd Ave, Dr. NE, Hickory, NC. City Power, Water, Natural Gas. Asking price $199,800. Contact Vic at 208-660-4871

South Boulder mobile home. 3 bed 2 bath call for information 720366-8783

April 30 - May 1, 2021

List your car, RV, boat or motorcycle and get ready to roll!

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Licensure & Education REALTORS® are licensed and monitored by the state and are required to take continuing education courses.

For more real estate tips and information visit AtHomeColorado.com.

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RECENTLY LISTED HOMES UNDER CONTRACT

NIWOT | 8346 NIWOT MEADOW FARM RD.

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LYONS | 350 SUNRISE DRIVE

4 BR * 5 BA * 5188 TSF (938278) * $1,750,000

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BOULDER | 4522 13TH STREET F

BOULDER | 2992 SHADOW CREEK DR. 111

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2 BR * 3 BA * 1820 TSF (938524) * $825,000

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LONGMONT | 4611 BELLA VISTA DRIVE

BOULDER | 2340 PANORAMA AVENUE

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2 BR * 1 BA * 1204 TSF (938640) * $1,150,000

4 BR * 3 BA * 4318 TSF (938684) * $879,000

BOULDER | 2336 SPRUCE STREET A

BOULDER | 2336 SPRUCE STREET B

LONGMONT | 1530 TURIN DRIVE

2 BR * 2 BA * 1760 TSF (938694) * $1,095,000

2 BR * 3 BA * 1760 TSF (938733) * $1,095,000

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